Binder1 may 16,2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Friday, May 16, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 87

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oyal Dutch Shell has concluded plans to totally exit operations

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

Shell finalises exit plans from Nigeria’s onshore oil operations

Adeola Yusuf

www.newtelegraphonline.com

at the onshore oil fields in Nigeria, New Telegraph has gathered. Dutch Headquarters of the company, which is on

a sale spree of its onshore oil blocks in Nigeria, said the risks of working in Nigeria had been on the rise. Shell’s Chief Financial

2015: 500 politicians to watch

Rivers: Jonathan, Amaechi in test of might

Officer, Simon Henry, who confirmed the decision to sell more onshore blocks in Nigeria in a confer-

Pages } 13-17

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

Boko Haram

US faults Nigeria’s tactics

lJonathan visits Chibok today lParents demand unconditional release of abducted schoolgirls Anule Emmanuel and Oluwatosin Omoniyi

L-R: Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Kenneth Minimah and Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, arriving for a meeting with members of the National Assembly in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

top United States Defence Department official criticised the Federal Government yesterday for being too slow to respond to the threat of Boko Haram. But he said Washington was committed to the ongoing fight against the sect and safe return of the Chibok girls. For the first time since some 274 were kidnapped from Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, Borno State while writing their final exams, President Goodluck Jonathan is billed to visit the town today to assess the situation. “In general, Nigeria has failed to mount an effective campaign against Boko Haram,” said Alice Friend, the Pentagon’s principal director for African Affairs, in testimony provided to the Senate’s Africa subcommittee ahead of a hearing yesterday and obtained by Reuters.

Reps okay emergency rule extension in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe lSenate defers decision lNigeria is at war, service chiefs tell lawmakers

Chukwu David and Phillip Nyam

he House of Representatives yesterday approved President

Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend, by another six months, the state of emergency currently imposed on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

The House voted on the request and approved it after being briefed by service chiefs who had earlier been summoned to update the lawmakers on the secu-

rity situation in the states since emergency rule was first declared in May 2013. However, the Senate, which was also briefed by the service chiefs, has

deferred its decision until Tuesday to allow it consult widely before giving its verdict. In response to the summons by the two chambers of the National Assembly, C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

“The Department has been deeply concerned for some time by how much the Government of Nigeria has struggled to keep pace with Boko Haram’s growing capabilities,” she said. Friend added that Nigerian security forces have been slow to adapt to the threat from the sect. “More troubling,” she said, “was that atrocities have been perpetrated by some security forces during operations against the group, which means U.S. human rights law would bar providing assistance to them.” Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Robert Jackson, said in his prepared testimony that Washington had been urging Nigeria to reform its approach to Boko Haram. “When soldiers destroy towns, kill civilians and detain innocent people with impunity, mistrust takes C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3

Bomb scare in Lagos as JTF kills 60 in Jigawa }4 & 8 lagos

Thunder Storms

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Reps okay emergency rule extension in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the service chiefs, Chief of Army Staff, Major General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu; the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar and the Director General, State Security Services, Mr. Ekpeyong Nsah, had met with the lawmakers to brief them on situation in the three states under emergency rule. The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, was said to be abroad on an official assignment. While addressing the House before voting was taken on the issue, Speaker, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, said: “I’m sure we will recall that yesterday (Wednesday) we debated on very robust manner the motion seeking a request to extend emergency rule and agreed to vote after having this brief from the service chiefs on the state of emergency rule and the state of the rescue of our girls. We have been duly briefed so we can now take the question.” When he put the question to the lawmakers, they unanimously approve it. Shortly after the decision, the House explained

that it granted Jonathan’s request for the extension of emergency rule in the three states because the service chiefs, during a three-hour meeting with the lawmakers, informed them that “Nigeria is at war”. Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed (APC, Kwara), who addressed the press on the meeting with the service chiefs, said the primary responsibility of every government is to protect life and property and the House had to support the military to end the insurgency. Giving details of what transpired at the meeting with security chiefs, the House spokesman said lawmakers probed into the capability of the armed forces to fight the insur-

gency and were giving assurances that the troops were equal to the task. “We had a session with the service chiefs on the progress reports on the emergency extension as to how far have it has gone and what are those things that have been inhibiting their operations. Having listened to them for the interest of stability and stable nation, we have decided at the House and we voted unanimously for the extension of the emergency in the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe for another period of six months. “We were told that progress has been made in the last extension there will soon be crowned with success, especially that they have foreign collaborators who are helping in fighting the terrorists.

“As a responsible institution, we decided to give them an approval to be able to get the desire result. It is their responsibility to provide us with the security of lives and property. We know that this is the only way we can end this terrorism. We tried to probe into whether they are adequately equipped and the armed forces seem to be on top of the situation. We have all the assurances from the service chiefs that they are on top of the situation,” Mohammed informed. Another lawmaker, Hon. Tukur Ibrahim ElSudi (PDP, Taraba), also told reporters that the House had no option but to approve the emergency extension to give security agencies time to defeat Boko Haram because the nation was virtually at

war. “Section 180 (3) provides that If the federation is at war as the service chiefs had told us emphatically that the country is at war, it can be civil war or insurgency war; if the federation is at war, the territory of Nigeria is physically involved and the president considers that it is not practicable to hold election, the National Assembly by resolution shall extend the period of four years from time to time. And no such extension shall exceed the period of six months at any one time,” El-Sudi said. He also explained that the House approved the extension because of the pressing need to provide an enabling legal framework to accommodate the presence of foreign counC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3

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L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; acting Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Kabir Mashi; Managing Director, Nigeria LNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa; Director-General, Nigeria Economy Summit Group, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. and Coordinating Director, FIRS, Queensly Seghosime, at the FIRS stakeholders’ forum in Lagos…yesterday.

Shell finalises exit plans from Nigeria’s onshore oil operations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

ence call with Reuters, however, maintained that investments would only be made in gas and deepwater projects. A source at the company however, told New Telegraph that the final decision to exit the onshore operations in Nigeria had already been ratified by the company’s decision makers. He said: “It is a done deal. If you follow events in the industry keenly, you will observe that the divestment, which started from relatively unproductive fields, has now been extended to some very lucrative fields.” Blaming this decision on the worsening security situation in the Niger Delta, the source explained that Shell, like other business concerns, is in Nigeria for business.

“And you will have noticed some deliberate attacks on our facilities on daily basis, which had in turn impaired the annual turnover of the company,” the source said. Shell, which is in the process of selling some onshore Nigerian oil blocks, still views Nigeria, in its annual report released at the weekend, as a source of longer-term growth. Henry said Shell would continue to invest in gas and deepwater projects. “Therefore, the industry at large has taken almost no significant investment decision in that six, seven-year period. So the country’s four million barrel-a-day target has effectively become actual production of less than two million bpd,” Henry said. Shell reiterated that

it lost nearly $1 billion through theft and various disruptions to its Nigerian oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations in 2013 and said rampant oil theft was costing the country even more. The Anglo Dutch company, updating investors on its strategy, also said that the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) had curbed investment, hindering production, while security is a daily challenge and oil theft “very material”. Nigeria is important for Shell because the African country provides almost 10 per cent of the company’s output and is seen as a source of future growth. In its annual report published Tuesday, Shell said the risks of working in Nigeria had worsened. On the controversial

PIB, the company said: “There are at least three to four different versions of it and most of them have been unhelpful to supporting future investments in the country.” Oil theft, Henry said on a conference call, was often associated with criminals who tap crude from pipelines for local refining. Stolen oil also leaves the country in tankers. “The theft is very material,” he said, adding that figures “have been quoted up to a billion dollars a month being stolen from the government, in effect, and that figure is probably accurate.” Shell’s Nigerian oil and gas output averaged 265,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2013, down 100,000 bpd from 2012 and equal to about eight per cent of total supply of 3.2 million bpd.

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

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Appeal Court orders Ibori to stand trial for money-laundering Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Court of Appeal has upturned a six-year-old judgement of a Federal High Court that cleared convicted former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, of moneylaundering charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court, sitting in Asaba, had struck out a 170-count charge of money laundering made against Ibori, who is currently serving a 13-year

jail term in the United Kingdom (UK), where he was convicted on similar charges. Other respondents in the case are Udoamaka Okoronkwo and Chinedu Ebie. However, in a unanimous judgement delivered yesterday by a threeman panel of justices, the appeal court held that Ibori “has a case to answer.” The three-man panel, whose decision was read by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, had Justices P. M Ekpe and H. A Barka as members. According to a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Pub-

lic Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, the appellate court agreed with the anti-graft agency, which appealed Justice Awokulehin’s judgement that the judge erred in law when he dismissed all the 170-count charge brought against Ibori. The appellate court, therefore, ordered Ibori to stand a fresh trial and directed that the case be reassigned to a new judge. The implication of this is that the former governor, upon return from London after serving his sentence, may have to begin a fresh legal battle to prove his innocence. The statement noted

that the appeal was predicated on four grounds, one of which was that “the trial judge looked at the proof of evidence and evaluated same as if the prosecution had called all its witnesses and trial has been concluded.” It was further argued that “the procedure is by way of summary trial and not trial by indictment or information.” “The proof of evidence clearly shows a prima facie case has been disclosed against the accused/respondent and that His Lordship erred when he held that no case was disclosed against the accused/ respondent,” the statement added.

L-R: Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sidi; Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa, Mr. Sa’id Djinnit and United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Daouda Toure, during a visit of the UN team to NEMA in Abuja …yesterday

Reps okay emergency rule extension in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

tries in Nigeria to assist with the security situation. He added that the foreign countries are insisting that their assistance must be made legal. El-Sudi said the 1999 Constitution made no provision for the security assistance that Nigeria is receiving, so the House would have to amend the relevant sections to make it constitutional. “One fundamental issue that was raised by the security chiefs is the facts on the Chibok girls and the international community like the US, Britain, China coming to assist us. One of the primary demands of these countries is that they want a legal framework, as at know we don’t have any domestic legal framework to accommodate this people. The only legal framework we have is section 305, the emergency rule, where by the rules and the regulations we can amend to accommodate them. “And they practically made it clear to us that operational framework are the international treaties, this where the US and the other countries are coming; but as you know, section 12 for the avoidance of doubt, I would read it to you for Nigerians to understands ‘No treaty between the federation of another country shall have the force of law except the extent where the

treaty have been enacted into law by the national assembly’, El-Sudi stated. Allaying fears of governors of the affected states that there might be no election with the emergency extension, ElSudi said if there should be no election, the tenure of the governors would be extended by six months, adding that as provided for under section 180 (3) of the constitution, their tenure can only be terminated by impeachment, incapacitation or death. “Coming to the issue of election and the fears being expressed by those in the affected areas, that they will be disenfranchised, the constitution is not silent about it. We made them to understand that section 4 (2), section 105 (2), section 135 (3) that deal with the president, particularly section 180 (3) which talks about the tenure of the governors and it says that the tenure is four years, unless they are impeached, permanent incapacitation or death. “It means that if this situation does not improved and election is impracticable, there can be a proclamation from the president, there is no any situation where anybody can be sack; no there must be replacement by election, and if election is impracticable, then there can be extension from time to time. So they have

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

Parents demand unconditional release of abducted schoolgirls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

root,” he said. Sixteen U.S. Department of Defence personnel with medical, intelligence, counter-terrorism and communications expertise have been assigned exclusively to the mission of advising Nigerian efforts to recover the girls safely, Friend said. “Our intent is to support Nigerian-led efforts to recover the girls and help catalyze greater efforts to secure the Nigerian population from the menace of Boko Haram,” Friend added. She also said the Pentagon and Department of State were developing a “regional response” to Boko Haram to improve border security along Nigeria’s frontiers with Chad, Niger and Cameroun. The intention was to detect and respond to movement of Boko Haram members between Nigeria and its neighbours, she added.

Another report by CNN said the US’ efforts at rescuing the schoolgirls were being hampered by the possibility that the abductees might have been separated. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday while travelling to Saudi Arabia that the US would continue to deepen its efforts. However, “I have seen no intelligence come back that I am aware of that shows that we’ve located those girls,” he said. The assets provide some of the best tools to try to find the girls, but the Nigerian government has shown some reluctance to use U.S. help. For now, the United States is not sharing raw intelligence from its surveillance aircraft with Nigeria’s armed forces because the countries have still not established the intelligence-sharing protocols and safeguards needed for an intelligence-

sharing agreement, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said. However, the intelligence gathered through the surveillance flights is being fed to an interdisciplinary team on the ground, and that team is analysing it and providing advice to the Nigerian government, he said. Warren added that the manned and unmanned aircraft being used are unarmed. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called the kidnapping of hundreds of girls an “unconscionable crime,” vowing to do “everything possible to support the Nigerian government to return these young women to their homes and to hold the perpetrators to justice. “I will tell you, my friends, I have seen this scourge of terror across the planet, and so have you. They don’t offer anything except violence,” he said in a statement. “They

just tell people, ‘You have to behave the way we tell you to,’ and they will punish you if you don’t.” The US officials spoke as Jonathan was preparing for his trip to Chibok from where he is expected to leave for France. Presidency sources confirmed yesterday that the president who is scheduled to depart for Paris, France, will ascertain the level of destruction caused by the sect during the attack, which has attracted global attention to Nigeria. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has severally made a case for Jonathan to visit Chibok and criticised the apparent foot-dragging by the president to do so. However, today’s planned trip will be the second time Jonathan will visit Borno State since the onset of insurgency in the North-East and the first to Chibok since the abduction of the girls. Boko Haram leader,

Abubakar Shekau, had in a video released on Monday, offered to swap the Chibok girls for insurgents in the custody of the Federal Government, a deal the president rejected on Wednesday. Relatives of the Chibok girls yesterday demanded their unconditional release. The president is under pressure from the international community to rescue the girls and to tackle the terrorist activities of Boko Haram with a view to restoring peace to the troubled region. According to the sources, at the summit in Paris, billed to open tomorrow, the insurgency in Nigeria is expected to be discussed. French President Francois Hollande is hosting Jonathan and the leaders of Benin, Cameroun, Niger and Chad today in Paris at a security summit on the Boko Haram threat. Jonathan had last week asked France to arrange

the security summit with leaders of the neighbouring countries and officials from the United States, Britain and the European Union to discuss a coordinated response to terrorism in Nigeria and the Africa. Meanwhile, relatives of the abducted schoolgirls have called for their unconditional release as there was no justification for their kidnapping in the first place. Ayuba Chibok, whose niece is among the hostages, said the girls’ detention was taking its toll on parents and families and they should be freed to ease the trauma of the family. “For me, I want these girls released without any negotiations. Even if Boko Haram wants to request something from the government, let them request something else. Let (Shekau) release these girls unconditionally,” he told Agence France Presse (AFP) by telephone from Chibok.

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Ohakim’s house razed 48hrs to declaration of guber bid Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

arely 48 hours to his declaration to run for the governorship of Imo State, the Owerri home of the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, was in the early hours of yesterday razed by fire.

The plush home was located at the serene American Alumni Street, Prefab Quarters, Owerri. Eyewitness account indicated that the fire broke out at about 12.30a.m. on Thursday. Receiving sympathizers, Ohakim lamented that he had been rendered homeless by what he called

the wicked action of his perceived enemies, saying “what it means now is that anytime I have something to do in Owerri, I will be begging people for where to sleep in a state I once presided over as governor.” The former governor recounted the incident: “About 1.30a.m. my secu-

rity men called that they heard a loud bang like an explosion followed by huge flame which immediately engulfed the house and they tried to put out the fire with water but not until the whole property and building was razed by fire. “When I got here I met the rubble of what used to be my home. I think what

triggered their adrenalin was my intention to make a political statement on Saturday. I don’t know how they did it, they might have thrown in an explosive or whatever, I don’t know. But I will leave that for the security people to investigate.” In a swift reaction, the Imo State Government has condemned the fire incident in its entirety, describing it as a barbaric act of cowardice. In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the government said; “And for the former governor’s house

to be burnt on Wednesday night, barely 48 hours to his reported declaration of his intention to run for the 2015 governorship of the state calls for concern.” According to the statement, “The former governor has not done anything to constitute a threat to anybody since he left office, to warrant anybody or group of persons burning his house.” The government then called on the Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies in the state to investigate and bring to book the masterminds.

Reps okay emergency rule extension in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio flanked by the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Assembly, Emmanuel Akpan, and his wife at the funeral ceremony of Akpan’s mother, Mrs. Patricia Isidore Udoete, in Akwa Ibom State... yesterday.

Bomb scare in Lagos

Police refute report Muritala Ayinla

here was confusion yesterday on Lagos Island as a joint team of mobile policemen and other security agencies attached to the Lagos Business District (CBD) arrested a Sudanese for allegedly planting bombs near the Lagos State bus terminal. It was learnt that “grenades” suspected to be explosives were discovered near the LAGBUS terminal and programmed to explode around 1p.m. when passengers would have thronged the LAGBUS terminal to board buses to their respective destinations. The suspected explosives were immediately taken away by the antibomb squad from Ikeja Police Command. Residents and commuters who witnessed the incident also said the substance planted in front of the Union Homes company gate along Nnamdi Azikwe road, Tom Jones area, opposite Access Bank branch and LSDPC house was discovered by one of the mobile police securitymen attached to the Union Homes. According to them, the policeman and the CBD officers around the place

became suspicious about a man who earlier came with a Jeep and started distributing N1, 000 notes to beggars and later asked them to vacate the area before he drove off. An official of the CBD, who pleaded anonymity added that they alerted other policemen in the area and discovered the grenades programmed to detonate few hours later. The development led to commotion as traders, shop owners, drivers, commuters and officials of the companies around the place became apprehensive. The traders all vacated their premises. Many abandoned the valuables in their stores to run for safety. In the ensuing confusion, a foreigner suspected to be a Sudanese earlier sited in the area and who was trying to escape was apprehended by an official of the CBD identified as Kareem Saidi. Saidi added that he suspected that the Sudanese must be a accomplice of the person who planted the explosives. Speaking with journalists, he said: “I asked him to go back, he refused and insisted on going to the spot of the grenades. I then arrested him and handed him over to the Policemen

from Ebute-Ero station who took him away to their station.” One of the Anti-bomb squad men that took away the grenades also confirmed that the explosives were programmed to detonate by 1p.m. The policeman, who spoke with journalists on conditional of anonymity because he was not authorised to do so, said the bomb could have caused heavy disaster if they were not discovered on time. However, when contacted on telephone, Police Public Relations Officer for Lagos State Command, DSP Ngozi Braid, said the

substance found at the terminal was far from being an explosive, saying the anti-bomb unit of the command had completed its investigation. Her words: “We were alerted earlier today that a substance was found that was suspected to be an explosive device and our men quickly moved to the area and took the substance away for analysis. “However, upon critical examination and analysis, our anti-bomb unit discovered that the substance is nothing close to a bomb. It was an industrial substance that fell from a passenger’s luggage.”

FG plans to raise gas price

he price of gas to power plants may soon be increased and this will likely lead to the review of electricity tariffs across the country, the Federal Government has said. It said the price of gas to the power plants was likely to rise from the current $1.5 per million British thermal unit to $2mmbtu and that this might affect the electricity tariffs. The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, disclosed this to the chief executives of power firms in Abuja yesterday at the headquarters of the Ni-

gerian Electricity Regulatory Commission during a facility tour. Nebo’s statement was prompted by complaints made by the power firms, which said they had been facing huge revenue losses since the sector was privatised. The minister said: “There are private people who want to do gas too, and they are saying that if they can be assured of even $2 as opposed to $1.5, they will be able to develop their gas and make sure that it get to our generation companies.”

nothing to fear at all,” ElSudi added. But after a three-hour meeting behind closed doors with the service chiefs, the Senate resolved to consult with relevant stakeholders before taking decision on President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. Also, northern senators who on Wednesday had vowed to work against the approval, have started shifting position, resulting in a sharp division amongst them after the meeting with the service chiefs. Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, said the Senate had resolved to embark on more consultations with relevant stakeholders before making a definite decision on the request for emergency rule extension. Ekweremadu, after the marathon session, noted that the deliberation of the senators with the service chiefs was fruitful and that the discussion was analysed after the security personnel had left. He said: “The Senate met with the service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police and the DG SSS, and we are fully briefed on the operations of the state of emergency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa over the last 12 months. Thereafter, when they had left, we analysed our conversation with them and as responsible and patriotic Nigerians, we are looking at it from very diverse angles to ensure that the security in those states improved at the shortest possible

time. “And further to that, we have also agreed to do further consultations with all the necessary stakeholders to ensure that everybody would buy into whatever needs to be done to secure those states and to defeat insurgency in those states. This is exactly what transpired in the closed-door session. So by Tuesday, we would continue our deliberation on the issue of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States,”,he stated. Jonathan also yesterday shed more light on why the emergency rule in the troubled states must be extended. This, according to him, became necessary as the incessant attacks by the insurgents have put the nation on the spot in the international community and caused a lot of disquiet for all well meaning Nigerians. According to him, there is no going back on the emergency rule as his government has resolved to confront the insurgents head long as the emergency rule which expired yesterday must be extended to rid the region of the sect’ s menace. The president, represented by AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), said at the National Executive meeting ( NEC ) of the Nigeria Bar Association ( NBA ) in Abuja that since many spirited efforts by his government to get the sect to table their grievances in a constructive manner had failed, the extension of the emergency rule became inevitable.

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BRING BACK OUR GIRLS

FG sponsored lies against Borno Govt, says Shettima

Governor accuses WAEC, Chikwe of conspiracy Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

overnor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, has accused the Federal Government of instigating officials of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to lie against his government. Shettima, who spoke in Abuja at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge, said there was no contrary advice from WAEC as being claimed by government officials that examination should not hold at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, where over 200 students sitting for the examination were kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents. Shettima added that the

statement credited to the People’s Democratic Party Woman Leader, Mrs. Kema Chikwe, casting doubts on the abduction of the girls was the opinion of her pay master. Newspapers had published reports of Chikwe doubting the abduction of the Chibok girls. Shettima, who said his concern was on how those girls would be rescued said, “If you heard Kema Chikwe speak, you will understand the adage that when you see a frog dancing on the road, the drummer is not far off. Believe me, she was echoing the voices of the people higher up. Now, it is left to the judgement of each and everyone of us to testify if the girls are abducted on not.”

On WAEC and the arrangement made with them, the governor said, “We met and discussed at length with the WAEC who are subsequently intimidated into withdrawing their word; but I have documentary evidence. But the issue now is how to get our daughters back. It is not to trade blames but we have documentary evi-

dence where WAEC agreed on holding examination at Chibok, Askira, Biu, Lasa. All the students from Bile, Ashigashia, Goza, were congregated in Lasa and until recently, Chibok was not considered a risky zone. “And this issue of insecurity since the unfortunate episode in Mamudo, since the unfortunate killings in Buni Yadi, it has become a recurrent decimal in our Security Council meetings.

There are military men in Chibok. Certainly, we have the mobile police in Chibok so also the policemen. But as I said earlier, as a leader, I am not allowed to overheat the polity. I will not be a party to wrecking the ship of state. “A lot of stories were flying that the abduction did not even take place and some of these theories came from the highest levels of government.”

At a meeting with the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Head of WAEC’s National Office, Charles Eguridu, had said the Borno State Government was advised against holding WAEC examination in Chibok. He told the First Lady that WAEC requested to relocate candidates to safe locations in early March, in a letter to the governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

Police stop rally in Kaduna Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Kaduna state chapter of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) was yesterday prevented from holding a rally to press for the release of the schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno. The protesters who had massed at Murtala Square, were also prevented from leaving the venue. Over 140 policemen were stationed around the Murtala Square to ensure that the protesters did not hold a rally outside the venue. The police commissioner, Alhaji Umar Shehu, who led a team of policemen to the venue of the protest, ordered the protesters to

leave, advising them to follow the proper channel in registering their grievances. But before they were dispersed, NLC officials and Human Right activists spoke to reporters. Comrade Issa Aremu, the vice chairman of NLC advised Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, to go and look for goods to sell if he has chosen to be a trader and not to sell Nigerian girls because they are not his products. Aremu said the abducted girls were Nigerian girls with a future who wanted to change the country. According to him, ‘’Real men don’t sell girls but goods, so Shekau should go and look for goods to sell.”

L-R: Vice-President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu; President, Women Arise For Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and other members, during the NLC rally over the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Kaduna …yesterday

FG must speak with one voice – APC Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Federal Government to immediately stop the discordant tunes emanating from the highest echelons of government and speak with one voice on issues concerning

Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths condemn schoolgirls’ kidnap Ikechukwu Ucheoma Umuahia

he national leadership of the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a social cultural group in Nigeria has condemned the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno state and the activities of fulani herdsmen in the country. It describing the abduction of the girls as an act of aggression on not just the girls, but the entire Nigerian youths. This was contained in a statement signed by national youth leader of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro. The group also

saluted the courage and mature approach the Federal Government is using to secure the release of the abducted girls. It also thanked the international community for their condemnation of the crime and support at ensuring the girls’ freedom. The group also called on the Federal Government to check the attacks of Fulani herdsmen, describing them as an organized and well-funded armed band whose menace is felt all over the country. They charged the government to provide adequate security so as to ensure the return of dis-

placed farmers in order to save the nation from imminent food insecurity and adverse political and security implications. The group commended the youths of UgwogoNike in Enugu State for their vigilance and dislodging of the Fulani militia group in their community and urged ndigbo and other Nigerians to emulate them. They also appealed to the Nigerian Immigration authorities to curb the incursion of illegal immigrants into the country noting that their presence so close to the 2015 polls is a security threat.

the ongoing efforts to find and rescue the schoolsgirls abducted by Boko Haram. According to the Interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the conflicting statements credited to top government officials over the conditions given by Boko Haram for releasing the girls were totally unwarranted and could send the wrong signal to the insurgents and hinder the efforts to ensure the safe return of

the girls. He stated these in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday. “Information management is key if the government itself is not to jeopardise ongoing international efforts to find and rescue the girls, and the government must move fast to keep the nation informed through an established channel, in line with global best practices under such circumstances,’’ APC said.

The party said while Interior Minister Abba Moro and Senate President David Mark have said the government would not negotiate the release of the girls, Information Minister Labaran Maku, DirectorGeneral of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mike Omeri and Special Duties Minister Taminu Turaki have hinted that the Federal Government would do whatever it takes to free the girls, meaning that all options are on the table.

Nigeria won’t abandon Chibok girls, says Okonjo-Iweala Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

inister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, yesterday assured students in Nigerian tertiary institutions that the country will not abandon the ‘Chibok Girls’ who marked a month in forceful detention by members of Boko Haram yesterday. The minister who was in Ilorin, Kwara State to commission an oil plantation at the University of Ilorin said Nigerians

were sad over the development just as she expressed government’s satisfaction with the rate of development at the university. The event also witnessed the distribution of computer tablets to students of the university. Okonjo-Iweala, who described the initiatives of the management of the University of Ilorin as a model towards contributing to the economic growth of the nation, noted that just as the Federal Government was striving to get it right in the area of robust economic

growth and sustenance of its leadership status in the African continent, “University of Ilorin is also setting pace for other tertiary institutions to emulate.” “I want to let you know that just entering the hall I am feeling the energy and you lifted my spirit; I want to start this occasion by telling you that we should take one minute to recognize a group of young women for whom we are saddened and waiting, our young girls from Chibok”, she said when she came up to speak at the event.

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Ekiti 2014

Fayemi is unstoppable, says PDP defectors PRAISE SINGING Here today, there tomorrow political turn coats are at their best Stories by Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

overnor Kayode Fayemi has been described as a "tree planted by God that cannot be uprooted in the June 21 governorship election."

79.2%

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

This was the position of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ayo Owoseni, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with his followers at a rally addressed by the governor in Ijesa-Isu in Ikole Local Government Area yesterday. Apart from Owoseni, the Secretary of the Women Wing of the Labour Party (LP) in Ikole Local Government Area, Mrs. Remi Agunloye, led scores of women into the APC with a pledge to work for Fayemi's victory. Former Special Adviser

to ex-Governor Segun Oni on Policy and Strategy, Mr. Ben Oguntuase who also defected to the APC said a vote for Fayemi is a vote for continuation of development and peace in Ekiti. Oguntuase, who defected at the rally held in Ikole, said the Oni group was the pillar of the PDP in the state but they had to leave because of theirresolvenottoallowaminorityintheirformerpartyto take the state to slavery. The former Special Adviser said Fayemi must be re-elected so that Ekiti's development would not be put on reverse gear.

The percentage of internally displaced persons to total population of Lebanon in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

Another PDP stalwart in the area, Chief Olusola Ayodele, who defected alongside his supporters said he was leaving darkness for light. The APC candidate was on the second leg of his campaign tour to communities in Ikole council area where he urged the people to come out en masse and exercise their franchise in favour of the 'Broom Party'. Other communities reached by the APC candidate include Ara, Asin, Ikoyi, Usin, Ootunja, Isaba, Ilamo, Igbona, Ikunri and Orin Odo. Owoseni said he had

77.28%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in France in 2010. Source: Itu.int

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Elder Ayotunde Ikumapayi; LP Candidate Bamidele Opeyemi; Deputy Governorship Candidate, Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade; Labour Party National Women leader, Ebere Ifendu, and Chairman, Labour Party Ekiti State, Akin Omole, at the interactive session with members of Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ekiti State Branch in Ado-Ekitiâ&#x20AC;Śyesterday

worked against Fayemi in the past and was among the former local government officials that instituted a legal action against the state government. The former PDP man said he was repenting and joining the APC because Fayemi, in the last three and half years, has changed the face of the state and brought development closer to all nooks and crannies of the state. According to him, should the Constitution and the Electoral Act permit a third term in office, Fayemi has done enough to be given

third term after finishing his second term in office. Owoseni said: "We are defecting to the APC because this governor has performed wonders since he came to power and everybody including those of us who were in the opposition acknowledged this. "It is a taboo to kick against the thorns, I was one of those who dragged the government to court but we never knew that Fayemi is a humble, compassionate and caring person and we never knew he could perform these wonders."

Bamidele promises pensioners prompt payment of dues kiti State Labour Party Edidate, (LP) governorship canHon. Micheal

Opeyemi Bamidele, has promised to make pension payment a first line charge if elected governor of the state in the coming June 21 poll. Bamidele stated this yesterday in Ado-Ekiti during an interactive session with members of the state chapter of Nigeria Union Pensioners (NUP). He said the move, which would be a budgetary provision, was aimed at making the delay in the payment of pension and gratuities a thing of the past in the state. Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives, decried the backlog of pension arrears owed the people and said pensioners would be accorded topmost priority in the Labour Party-led government.

While saying that over N1billion would be required to clear the backlog of arrears, he added that N112 million would be committed to the cause within the first 11 months of his administration. "Wewillrunprogrammes and policies that will make you proud pensioners again. Delay in the payment of pension will be addressed in the budget by making it a first line charge," he promised. Describing pensioners as critical stakeholders in the state, Bamidele said he would tap into their advice to develop the state. "I will work with you as stakeholders and tap into your sincere advice," he added. The federal lawmaker, who promised not to politicised job allotment in the state, said children of pensioners would be given special consideration in all employment process.

Ekiti PDP lauds NWC over Fayose's running mate

52,000 benefit from another Ekiti free health scheme

...As party unveils Olusola

kiti State Government E52,000 has said that over people benefited

he State Working Committee of the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on the choice of Dr. Olubunmi Olusola as the running mate to the party's governorship candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. Olusola was officially unveiled and presented to party members in IkereEkiti yesterday. The party, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, described Olusola, as "a good party man and a round peg in a round hole." The party, in the statement signed by the state chairman, Mr.

Makanjuola Ogundipe; Secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko and Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, said the NWC deserved commendation for "ensuring and maintaining constitutionality in the selection process." According to the party, its State Working Committee (SWC) also deserved commendation for the selection, saying all party leaders, elders and members should be congratulated for "a proper conduct of the process." The PDP charged members of the party in the state to maintain peace, shun distraction from "the drowning ruling party and

further close ranks and join hands with our candidate, Dr. Ayo Fayose, in this march towards winning the June 21 governorship election." Olusola was presented to party supporters in his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti and taken to the palace of the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye. The deputy governor hopeful assured PDP members and the people of the state of his total commitment to the success of the party in the June 21 poll. In a related development, Fayose has promised to restore the lost glory of the state in the education sector.

from the recently-concluded ninth edition of its free health mission. The Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasubaa, who made this known in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, reiterated the determination of the Fayemi administration to improve the health status of the people of the state. He expressed satisfaction with the level of success achieved, stressing that the focus was to continue to impact positively on the lives of the people of the state and bring succour to the lessprivileged.

Fasubaa, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, gave assurance that referral cases would be duly attended to at designated government secondary and tertiary health care facilities, including the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital and the Adunni Olayinka Memorial Diagnostic Centre, adding that government would continue to place high premium on health issues. Describing health as a vital component of the Eight-Point Agenda of the present administration in the state as well as an important

tool towards achieving medium term human development, Fasubaa said the adoption of the NHIS programme by the state was to support the free health scheme. Fasubaa said the 35 designated health facilities would continue to provide free healthcare for children under five, pregnant women, physically challenged persons and senior citizens of 65 years and above, while another 30 health facilities would continue to render free healthcare services to children under five years and pregnant women under the Ekiti free health programme, MGDs/ NIHS, to reduce mortality rate among them.

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MILITANCY The creek may rumble again as militants frown at confab decision Joe Obende

Warri

jaw youths of the Niger Delta have vowed to go back to the trenches and cripple the nation's economy over the rejection of the upward review of resource control by the National Conference. The youths, under the aegis of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide said they had rejected "in its entirety" the resolution of the National Conference

Resource control: Ijaw youths threaten to resume hostilities sub-committee on devolution of power and resource control to maintain the current status quo of 13 per cent as derivation for oil-producing states. They spoke through a statement yesterday in Warri, Delta State signed by their spokesperson, Eric Omare. The group maintained that with such a resolution, the sub-committee had rejected their age-long clamour for resource control. "This decision is retro-

gressive, anti-federalism and totally unacceptable to the Niger Delta people. The committee’s decision to maintain the status quo and refusing to address the crucial issue of resource control betrays the expectation of Nigerians and Niger Deltans in particular that the National

Conference would right the wrongs of the past, deepen our federal system of government and put Nigeria on the path to development. "This is nothing but a triumph of the retrogressive and provocative agenda of reactionary forces in northern Nigeria,” the group de-

clared. "Niger Delta people are still willing, ready and capable of bringing the Nigerian economy to its knees. The opposition of reactionary northern delegates to resource control and the demand for the scrapping of the NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the

Amnesty programme are provocative to the Niger Delta people and we may be forced to take drastic actions,’ IYC warned. It also warned Niger Delta delegates at the National Conference not to betray the resource control cause or they will be declared persona non grata.

No overstaying in Mecca, NAHCON warns pilgrims Ummal-fadal Babagirei he National Hajj ComT(NAHCON) mission of Nigeria yesterday

warned intending pilgrims against attempts at overstaying in the holy land, saying such acts come with serious consequences for both the offender and the company that processed the visa as well. Speaking yesterday at the Hajj 2014 first preparatory meeting with travel agencies, NAHCON Operations Commissioner, Abdullahi M. Muhammad, said any individual who fails to return before or on the expiration of their visa, will be inviting possible penalty upon arrival. According to him; “Anyone who decides to

stay extra days is doing that with a lot of consequences. First, the consequence is upon him, then on the company that organised the trip for him. “The company might be shut down or refused further opportunity of processing visas for pilgrims and thirdly, the consequence is on the corresponding company in Saudi Arabia that provided for, processed or approved the visa. “That company will not be allowed to operate until they evacuate those that stayed beyond their visa expiration days,” he said. Muhammad also advised Nigerians to be good ambassadors of the country by being law abiding and respect the laws of the government of Saudi Arabia.

Insurgency: Catholic diocese loses over N400m in North-East Ahmed Miringa

MAIDUGURI

Catholic Diocese Thashe of Maiduguri said it lost more than N400

million as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East. Diocesan Secretary, Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, Rev. Father John Bakeni Bogna, disclosed this yesterday at a press conference in Maiduguri. Also speaking, Director, Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, Rev. Fr. Gideon Obasogie, said more than 500 of their members have been killed, while more than 50 churches were burnt. The church said about 90, 000 people were displaced, while 170 children were killed and more than 300 women were made widows. According to Obasogie, 1, 500 orphans have

also been recorded by the church within the period under review while 34 parishes were completely destroyed in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. When giving details of the loss in schools and the health sector, the Project Manager, Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, Very Rev. Fr. Bature Fidelis Joseph, said; “At least 33 schools built after the takeover by government earlier, made up of 23 primary and 10 secondary schools have been destroyed with three completely burnt. He said nine schools have been completely closed in Madagali, Michika, Shuwa and Mubi, stressing that the massive exodus of teachers from the area is affecting the stability of education in the diocese.

L-R: General Counsel/Company Secretary, Unilever Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Abidemi Ademola; Chairman, Nnemeka Achebe, and Managing Director, Yaw Nsarikoh, during the company’s 89th Annual General Meeting in Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

1.4bn

The total number of people without access to electricity worldwide in 2009. Source: Unesco.org

55%

The percentage by which global water demand in terms of water withdrawals is projected to increase by 2050. Source: Unesco.org

250,000

The total number of internet users of Bahrain in 2007. Source: Blatantworld.com

FAAC: FG, states, LGs share N634.7bn for April

N250m lifeline for Edo Line

Kenneth Tyohemba

do State transport comEneed pany, Edo Line would at least N250 mil-

Abuja

he Federation Account T(FAAC) Allocation Committee in Abuja yester-

day shared N634.72 billion to the Federal Government, states and local governments as revenue for April. The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Jonah Otunla, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the FAAC meeting held yesterday. “The distributable statutory revenue for the month is N533.75 billion, which is less than the N534.91 billion that was shared for the month of March. “In addition, the sum of N35.55 billion is proposed for distribution under the SURE-P pro-

gramme. “So, the total revenue distributable for the current month, including Value Added Tax (VAT) of N65.43 billion is N634.72 billion,” he said. A breakdown of the distribution showed that the Federal Government received N249.06 billion, representing 52.68 per cent; states, N126.33 billion or 26.72 per cent and local governments, N97.39 billion or 20.6 per cent. Otunla added that N55.2 billion was shared among the oil producing states as 13 per cent derivation revenue. On VAT, he said that the gross revenue collected in April was N65.43 billion as against N63.31 billion distributed in March, representing an increase of N2.12 billion.

Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

lion to come on stream again. This much was disclosed yesterday by the new investor of the company, Chief John Osamede Adun. Already, activities at the company have peaked at the operational base of the firm located on James Watts Road in Benin City, the Edo State capital. He said the money was for procurement of a new fleet of buses and the maintenance of old ones within the complex. Chief Adun told newsmen at the corporate headquarters of the firm yesterday that he met the company in a very horrible state with about 365 workers and only 66 ser-

viceable buses to contend with for daily operational activities. He said several vehicles in the company’s fleet were found to have been vandalised within the period the company was closed down by the state government. According to him; “When we came on board, we met a very horrible and pitiable company. The whole place was in a mess, most of the vehicle parts were stolen or vandalized, including engine blocks, brain box and batteries. “We were able to get 10 buses repaired and on the road while we are working on others. You won’t believe me when I say that I inherited 365 personnel with just 66 vehicles. Most debts that Edo Line incurred were taken by individuals, who used the company as collateral. How do you explain that?”

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Plot to obstruct Ibaka deep seaport uncovered Mojeed Alabi

landestine moves are being made by some individuals and government agents to permanently obstruct the actualisation of the Ibaka Deep Seaport project within the deep waters of Akwa Ibom State. Investigations by New Telegraph revealed that the plot is allegedly being hatched by some governors and some highly placed Nigerians. According to findings, it was learnt that an “obnoxious letter” is expected to be cooked from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) with a view to presenting the seaport project as not viable. The plot, New Tele-

graph learnt, is designed to ensure that the Ibaka Deep Seaport initiative does not see the light of the day, thereby paving way for development of new seaports in other parts of the country. The efforts of the opposition seeks to discredit the deep seaport project under a ‘non viability cover’, in spite of the fact that the Federal Government had set up an implementation committee to facilitate preparatory works and went on to capture the project in the 2014 budget, having been convinced that the port will not only boost the nation’s economy, but that of the West African sub-region as well. It would be recalled that the Akwa Ibom State

Government, in collaboration with the NPA, is planning to develop a Deep Seaport within the Ibom Industrial Free Trade Zone to facilitate economic development with the South Eastern part of Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. In December 2012, the government had engaged international consultants to assist NPA in the execution of preliminary technical, bankability and feasibility studies which found the project large, viable and bankable’ with proven economic development capabilities within the region. Our findings reveal that the choice of Ibaka for the proposed seaport dates back to 1952, by the British Government, and

a feasibility study to that effect submitted to the British Crown even before the shallow and inland water ports at Calabar and Port Harcourt were established. Maritime analysts posit that Ibaka is the most viable location for the seaport, going by the deep sea draught of 16m, which would need no dredging as well as the strategic proximity of the proposed port at the corridors of the main Gulf of Guinea and the commercial cities of Aba and Onitsha, noting its nearness to Exxon Mobil and other major oil concerns, as well as the Sao Tome and Principe as “towering advantage to the nation’s economic drive” which should be fast tracked to assume its full potentials.

Suswam kicks against politicising terrorism Cephas Iorhemen

Makurdi

enue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, yesterday warned those playing politics with the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents to desist from such as it is capable of frustrating the efforts of the Federal Government at curbing the menace. He implored Nigerians to come together irrespective of political or religions affiliations to assist the government in addressing the problem of insurgency, which he said was a major challenge facing the country today. Suswam, who was fielding questions from newsmen in his office at Government House yesterday, welcomed the assistance offered by the international community to help in rescuing the Chibok abducted girls in Borno State. “My own considered opinion is that let’s all join hands with government, and it’s my sincere hope that with the assis-

tance being offered by the international community, I believe this problem will be solved once and for all. “In September 11, 2009, when the World Trade Centre was bombed in New York, it took them so long to track down the terrorists. You know, issues like terrorism when they come, you must first absorb the shock and then find an appropriate way of addressing it,” Suswam stated." On his victory at the Supreme Court, Governor Suswam said the case has vindicated him, describing it as victory for the good people of the state. He said he was not distracted from providing the dividends of democracy to the people throughout the period the case was in court, adding that it was the first time in the history of the state that a governor who won election clearly will be in court for three years. “For me, I was not distracted; I never ever made reference to the case at all, because I knew it was an exercise in futility.

JTF kills 60 insurgents in Jigawa o fewer than 60 susNkilled pected terrorists were on Wednesday dur-

L-R: Alara of Ilara-Epe, Oba Akeem Adesanya; Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Akinwunmi Ambode; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Elder statesman, Alhaji Babs Fasinro, at the launch of a book, The Art of Selfless Service, a biography of Akinwunmi Ambode in Lagos

Dangote Group targets 160,000 jobs through agric Muhammad Bashir

Lokoja

Group of compaDjobsangote nies is to create 160,000 through its investment

in agriculture by the end of this year. The Technical Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Engineer Joseph Makoju, disclosed this when he led a delegation of the company to brief Governor Idris Wada on the progress report on the establishment of the proposed Sugar factory in Kogi State. Makoju told the governor that Kogi was one of the seven states of the federation earmarked by the Dangote Group to establish Sugar industries.

Construction work on the proposed Sugar company, according to Makoju, is expected to begin by November this year and will require 27 hectares of land. Makoju also informed the governor that the company's investment in agriculture nationwide was aimed at job and wealth creation as well as assisting in the transformation agenda of the federal and state governments. He noted that the proposed Sugar factory at completion would be capable of producing 200 tons of Sugar annually. Makoju also noted that the proposed sugar company would empower the rural populace and boost industrialisation.

ing a gun duel with Join Military Task Force at Lamba Forest in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State. Director of Press to the Jigawa State governor, Malam Umar Kyari, confirmed this in Dutse, the state capital yesterday. Kyari said the insurgents suspected to be members of Boko Haram planted a bomb on the road along the forest

which exploded and killed three soldiers in a JTF Hilux convoy. Several other military operatives sustained serious injuries. Irked by the development, the JTF popularly known as Operation Salama stormed the forest and killed the insurgents. His words: “On Wednesday night, the military commander who lead the operation told Governor Sule Lamido that over 60 copses of the insurgents were found scatted in the forest.”

Minister charges ECOWAS Car built by Nigerian students postal operators on security passes int’l tech evaluation Yekeen Nurudeen among member states. heering news came its own results would be Represented by the Per- Cfrom Rotterdam, announced today. He manent Secretary of the Netherlands yesterday, was optimistic that the inister of Communica- Ministry of Communica- as Tuke-Tuke, a car pro- UNILAG car would also M tion and Information tion and Technology, Dr. duced by students of the do well, He said: "Shell EcoTechnology, Dr. Omobola Tunji Olaopa, the minister University of Benin, Abuja

Johnson, has called on postal administrators in the West African sub-region to collaborate in safeguarding and improving the quality of the sub-region and international postal services. The Minister particularly emphasised the security of postal items by postal administrators under the ECOWAS group. While declaring the West African Postal Conference (WAPCO) open in Abuja yesterday, Dr. Johnson noted that part of the objectives of the conference was to ensure, maintain and enhance cooperation

said the idea behind the conference was to create a platform for postal administrators in charge of postal services in the sub-region to share and learn experiences. This, according to her would enable the fruition of new ideas that would take the sub-sector to the next level. "Mail exchange and postal services is unarguably in the threshold of transition given the new mail delivery channels that information technology has created and their expanding frontiers."

passed international technical evaluation. The car now is now qualified to race at the 2014 Eco Marathon with cars from 25 countries, mostly advanced countries, Media Manager at Shell Nigeria, Precious Okolobo, said in a statement yesterday. The marathon starts today with an opening ceremony and cars will race for the winning price on Saturday. He said the car built by students from the University of Lagos was still undergoing thorough technical evaluation and

marathon challenges student teams from around the world to design, build and test ultra-energy efficient vehicles. The winners are the teams that go the furthest using the least amount of energy. The events, according to organizers, spark debate about the future of mobility and inspire young engineers to push the boundaries of fuel efficiency. All cars are expected to pass a strict technical inspection to check if their car is fit for purpose and safe before they are allowed to race."

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Pirates terrorise passenger boat in Bayelsa Chris Ejim Yenagoa

uspected pirates terrorizing the waterways of Ekeremor in Bayelsa State have attacked a passenger boat along Labjagbene waterways, carting away valuable cargo. The pirates, who attacked passengers around 6:45pm, shot sporadically to scare off other boats. The boat was convey-

ing passengers, foodstuffs and other valuable items from Labjagbene when the bandits struck. Contacted on phone, Spokesman, Joint Military Task-force (JTF), Operation, Pulo Shield, Lt Col Mustapha Anka said he was not aware of the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alex Akhigbe, did not pick calls put through to him.

Senate Deputy Chief Whip denies meeting with Mustapha

enate Deputy Chief Whip, Hosea Ayoola Agboola, yesterday denied holding any meeting with Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha or any of his supporters since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its congress in Ibadan. Agboola was reacting to claims by Mustapha’s faction that he had confessed that he manipulated the result of the congress held at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. He said nothing could be farther from the truth as he had not sat with,

not to talk of being in a meeting held with Mustapha and his supporters. Agboola said he had not deviated from the directive, which Chief Yekini Adeojo gave to party members to resolve intra-party crisis. He said while the national headquarters of the party directed that congress should be held at the Liberty Stadium, Mustapha gathered some people and held a congress at the Olubadan Stadium, against the directive of the party.

Climate change: Lagos vulnerable to harmful effects – Fashola Muritala Ayinla

agos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday reiterated the vulnerability of the state to the negative effects of climate change, saying that his administration would remain committed to mitigating its harmful impact on the state. Speaking at the sixth anniversary of Climate Change Clubs in Lagos State schools, held at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja, Governor Fashola, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, urged residents of the state to be

part of the strategic and complementary efforts by the state government at correcting the mistakes of the past. He added that the establishment of Climate Change Clubs in primary and secondary schools in the state was part of the strategic efforts by the government to combat the negative effects of climate change. Fashola said: “For us in Lagos State, we are vulnerable to the effects of global warming. The establishment of climate change clubs in our schools is part of our strategic and complementary efforts."

Cost of labour disputes outweighs benefits – Minister Mojeed Alabi

inister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has advised individuals and labour unions in the country to always exhaust amicable ways of resolving labour disputes other than resulting to strikes, saying the costs of embarking on such strikes outweighs the benefits therefrom. The minister was speaking yesterday at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers, held at the Sheraton Hotel

and Towers, on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, in Lagos. Chief Wogu, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Labour, Lagos Office, Mr. Olawale Shado, said industrial strikes among workers in Nigeria have limited the potentials of the nation’s economy, urging stakeholders in labour matters, including industries, workers unions, labour disputes arbitration courts and law courts, to always encourage quicker resolutions of issues that will not necessarily lead to strike actions.

Former Imo governor, Ikedi Ohakim (right), conducting newsmen round the rubble of his razed home

84.1% The percentage of male internet users in Austria in 2012. Source:Itu.int

2.2%

The estimated percentage prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in girls and women (15-49 years) of Niger Republic in 2006. Source: Blatantworld.com

110,000 The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Burundi in 2008. Source: Blatantworld.com

Power sector needs 2.7m more metres, says minister

James Nwabueze Abuja

he Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has hinted that the nation's power sector suffers a deficit of 2.7 million meters. Nebo, who spoke during his first official visit to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), was reacting to the appeal of Managing Director/ CEO, Egbin Power PLC, Mike Uzoigwe, to the Federal Government to assist electricity generation companies (gencos) improve their revenues by providing consumers with meters. Nebo noted that the generation companies

are being harassed by electricity consumers because the distribution companies (discos) have collected monies from thousands of customers, who are yet to be metered. "Now, we have an estimated shortfall in meters or metering gap of 2.7 million,” he added. While lamenting that even the World Bank did not want to be involved with the discos, he declared his ministry’s determination to find a solution to the metering problem. "Electricity theft has become an act in Nigeria. People practice it and they practice it so copiously... there must be a way to stop that. NERC is working on that, but

the problem is that people are concerned about funding. "We've taken this to international funding agencies and even World Bank, and World Bank said that 'we can fund gencos, we can fund transmission, but we don't want to get involved with discos'. So, we are looking for alternative means because metering gap must be met," he said. The minister however assured the investors that every effort is being made to ensure that enough gas is made available for electricity generation. Earlier, Uzoigwe, who described the revenue profile of the industry as poor, hinted that his

company had lost N570 million in revenue since taking over last November. "Our experience since after privatisation has been undesirable because as at the end of last month (April), our books showed that we were losing revenue to the tune of N570 million while doing business from November 1 to date. The revenue profile in the electricity industry is very, very poor, and it is not good for the country," he said. Uzoigwe, who revealed that the sum of N7 billion has been invested in Egbin to get it to its present state, said that the lack of gas was seriously impeding the progress of the electricity sector.

Sudan Ambassador charges Nigeria on unity PEACE

Learn not the hard way, envoy tells Nigerians Dan Atori MINNA

udanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Tagasir Tasul Ali, has cautioned Nigerians to embrace unity to avoid the fate that befell his country. He gave the warning Wednesday during a courtesy visit on the Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu,

at the Government House, Minna, saying Nigerians must unite to keep the country and Africa intact. According to him, "The citizenry should learn a very big lesson from the fate that befell my home country which led to the granting of self-determination to the Southern Sudan after a protracted war that was responsible for the killing of thousands of people both from the Sudan and Southern Sudan. “In fact, what happened in Sudan should serve as a lesson that all of us must try to understand. Unity is critical and important. If you don’t give a chance

to unity, you will give a chance to others who are interested in disrupting the whole setup for their own selfish interests. "I think for Nigeria,

it is critically important that Nigeria remains intact, not only for the sake of Nigeria but for the sake of the entire Africa, it is important."

PUBLIC NOTICE The family of Aofolaju announces the death of Mr. Adetokunbo Olumuyiwa Aofolaju who died on 17th February, 2012. He has since been buried. He is survived by wife, children, brothers and sisters. Signed:

Elizabeth O. Aofolaju (Wife) and Olusegun Olaniyi (Cousin).

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Mutiny: Nigerian Army removes embattled GOC Emmanuel Onani

ollowing the attempted insurrection by aggrieved soldiers of Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, on Wednesday, the Nigerian Army has redeployed the embattled General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Army, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Mohammed. Mohammed's removal was ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, as a way of allowing for a thorough investigation of the circumstances that triggered the attempted mutiny on Wednesday. A military panel of enquiry has since been commissioned to get to the root of the incident. Also, the Army high command has appointed Brig. Gen. MY Ibrahim, to replace Mohammed who, sources said, had earlier been summoned to

the Army Headquarters, Abuja. This was ,however, not confirmed. Ibrahim's appointment is on acting capacity, pending when a two-star General will be appointed as the Division's GOC. A Major General heads a Division, while a Brig.-Gen. heads a Brigade. Efforts to get confirmation from the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, were unsuccessful, as he did not pick calls to his mobile phone.. An earlier statement from the DDD, had read: “The 7th Division of the Nigerian Army is to institute a military board of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the conduct of soldiers who fired some shots today while the General Officers Commanding was addressing troops in Maimalari cantonment Maiduguri.”

College workers threaten to sue Uduaghan Dominic Adewole Asaba

rked that the Delta State government has jettisoned their demands, staff of the three stateowned Colleges of Education in state have threatened a showdown with the government. Their four-month-old strike assumed another dimension yesterday, when the striking workers’ union threatened legal action against the state. They include the ones located in Agbor, Ika South; Mosogar, Ethiope West and Warri, WarriSouth Local Government Areas of the oil rich state. Chairman of the negotiating team, Mr. Imide Israel, said he was disappointed in the way the state allowed the matter to linger unduly, main-

taining that the union may have no other option than to head to the Industrial Court of Arbitration to resolve the issues leading to the strike. Some of the grouse of the union include the issues of haphazard implementation of migration to CONTESS 15 for deserving officers. Others are the personal interpretation given to documents from the National Commission for Colleges of Education by the Director of Prepayment Audit. Imide wondered why the law, which was promulgated in 2008, which Delta State has since domesticated in 2013, was still shortchanging staff of the institution as their names were arbitrarily removed from the payroll without notice.

Adamawa pilgrims risk disqualification Ibrahim ABDUL'AZIZ Yola

head of the 2014 pilgrimage, the Adamawa State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board said it is mandatory for intending pilgrims from the state to attend its routine training or risk dis-

change of name

Aduratomi

Formerly Orelaja, Olubunmi Aduratomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Onafowokan, Olubunmi Aduratomi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

qualification. Already, the board has since distributed the 1, 886 seats allocated to the state by the National Hajj Commission for the 2014 hajj operations out of which 80 per cent were allocated to first timers. Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Salihu Danjuma Usman, who dropped the hint in Yola, said the board has established study centres across the state to equip intending pilgrims with the practical aspects of the exercise and also on how to conduct themselves before, during and even after the pilgrimage.

FG plans vocational schools in S’East, S’South EMPLOYMENT

Government looks the way of school drop outs for gainful livelihood Chris Ejim Yenagoa

n its bid to tame the negative activities of secondary school drop outs in the South South and South East States of Nigeria, the Federal Government has set up the National Implementation Committee for the Integra-

38m

tion of School Boy Child into the Basic Education System. Eleven vocational schools will be set up in the programme, one for each of the eleven states in the South South and South East states. The committee, which recently visited Brazil to understudy the vocational skills acquisition of schools in that country, is to replicate same in the proposed schools, a member of the committee in Bayelsa State, Chief Walter Liverpool disclosed in an interview with the New Telegraph in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions in Africa in 2011. Source:Itu.int

Already, he said, contract for the construction of the vocational school in Bayelsa State had been awarded in the Swali area of Yenagoa. Enumerating the importance of the newly introduced vocational skills programmme, Liverpool, who is also the executive secretary of the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) noted: "In the South South and South East, there is problem of dropouts. For instance, in Bayelsa State, boys are into kidnapping, sea piracy, pipeline vandalism, deck hand work in the river. The Federal

10%

The percentage share of Saudi Arabia’s arms purchase from United Kingdom between 2005 and 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

Government wants to establish these schools … to educate these children to start life again "They will be given technical education side by side with the basic education." Trades to be studied in the schools would include carpentry, automobile mechanic, GSM repairs, boat-making, welding, radio mechanic etc. The SUBEB scribe added that the board had completed 25 Community Primary Schools and some Basic Junior Secondary Schools, and had handed over 19 to schools for use.

N2.95bn

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

A cross-section of Fulani men dressed on Tiv traditional attire as a sign of the end of war between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers during a visit at the Government House in Makurdi…yesterday.

Why FCT police failed to resolve APGA headquarters’ dispute Leo Sobechi

lans by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command to resolve disputations over who should occupy the national headquarters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) between the current National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Chief Maxi Okwu and erstwhile leaders, Chief Victor Umeh and Alhaji Sani Shinkaffi, have hit the rocks. New Telegraph gathered that the peace overtures by the FCT

command were stalled following the absence of Umeh, who was said to have traveled to London for medical reasons. The struggle for the possession of APGA’s national secretariat at Wuse II, Abuja, climaxed when Okwu, in the company of bailiffs, stormed the secretariat to paste contempt notices on the building, but was disallowed by members of staff loyal to the former national chairman. Umeh and Shinkafi, therefore, petitioned the FCT police command, which promptly invited

the parties to a meeting on May 13, 2014 to resolve the matter and avoid any occasion that could lead to a breach of public peace. But on May 13, 2014, Umeh and Shinkafi failed to honour the invitation to defend their allegation against the Okwu leadership, ostensibly to avoid the possibility of having the contempt notice served on them. In a statement made available to New Telegraph, Chief Okwu and other national officers elected during the April 8, 2013 national conven-

tion of the party held at the Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State alongside the National Executive Committee members and stakeholders of the party were said to have reported at the FCT police command. The statement, signed by Victor Eneh, special assistant to Okwu on media, said Okwu and his entourage made statements dismissing as frivolous the allegation of breaking into the secretariat and waited for over six hours for Umeh and Shinkafi to arrive to defend their petition.

News

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Caleb Varsity shut over religious riot by students Mojeed Alabi aleb University, Imota, Lagos State, was yesterday shut down by the management of the institution following a protest by the students. The students were said to be protesting over an alleged disruption of a prayer session by a student on the campus. Students of the university, who reportedly vandalised facilities on campus, including those of the Vice-Chancellor’s office, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, accused the university authorities of being strict even as security operatives on campus were said to be abusing their rights. The protest, which lasted many hours on Wednesday evening, resumed again yesterday before the police came in

to restore normalcy. However, the ViceChancellor in an interview with New Telegraph, confirmed the development, but denied the allegation that the crisis erupted as a result of the disruption of the prayer being observed by a Muslim. Olukoju said the university’s security had arrested an intruder with hard drugs while attempting to gain entry into the campus, and that the victim claimed that he had clients on the campus, who he was coming to supply. “When our security men took the man to the identified hostel, the alleged client was saying his prayers and the security men got him arrested, but before taking him out of the hostel, his accomplices descended on the security men. The situation led to the protest."

LAUTECH teaching hospital workers suspend two-month strike Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

he Joint Health Sector TLadoke Unions (JOHESU) of Akintola Univer-

sity of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso branch, yesterday suspended its twomonth industrial action over the non-payment of their salaries. This was contained in a statement signed by the President, Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the hospital, Mr. Abiodun Lawal, and made available to New Telegraph in Ibadan yesterday. The health workers had embarked on strike over the non-payment of their salaries since January 2014 by Oyo and Osun States, owners of the institution.

The union expressed appreciation to Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his intervention by approving and paying the salaries, while also assuring the staff of continuous payment of their salaries without any hitch. The union, however, urged the state government to stop referring the teaching hospital in Ogbomoso to Osun State government for payment of salaries, while appreciating the well-meaning people of Oyo State, who had in one way or the other contributed to the resolution of the crisis. It also commended the management of the hospital in Ogbomoso for their efforts at resolving the crisis.

NGO to pay 241 teachers’ salaries for 12 months Dan Atori

MINNA

non-governmental orAEmpowerment ganisation, the Youth Educa-

tion Initiative (YEEI), yesterday said it has trained over 1, 000 graduates in various fields and that arrangement has been concluded to pay the salaries of 241 qualified teachers in Niger state in the next one year. Leader of the organisation and ViceChancellor of the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, Prof. Nuhu Yakubu, said this when the organisation paid a courtesy call on the Niger State governor, Dr. Babangida

Aliyu, in Minna. He said the idea was to have more qualified teachers in public schools and to improve the standard of information technology in Niger State. According to him; “We want more qualified and well-trained teachers in our schools. We have trained over 1,000 graduates who specialised in various fields to start teaching in public schools in the state and 241 have been screened successfully. “The 241 of them are ready to be posted to schools in the state and we will pay their salaries for a period of 12 months, after which the state government will take over from there.

L-R: Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Irene Isibor; Special Adviser on Public Health, Lagos State, Dr. Yewande Adesina and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkeyesi, during a press conference on the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week celebration in Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

0.87

The number of fixed-telephone subscription per 100 inhabitants of Ethiopia in 2012. Source: Itu.int

28.8m

The total number of internally displaced persons worldwide at the end of 2012. Source: Unhcr.org.uk

N4.24bn

The internally generated revenue of Katsina State in 2010. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Father of Nyanya bombings' mastermind arrested NABBED

Ex-army Colonel, Agene Ogwuche, may eventually meet his son in detention Emmanuel Onani he Department of State Service (DSS) has arrested Agene Ogwuche, a retired Colonel and father of the suspected mastermind of the April 14, bomb blast that rocked a crowded motor park in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche. The disclosure was

made by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the DSS, Marilyn Ogar, during a joint security briefing at the newly-established Information Centre, Abuja. According to Ogar, the action was necessitated by the failure of Ogwuche to produce his son, in fulfilment of the bail bond the Service granted the suspect in 2012. The younger Ogwuche, who had earlier been declared wanted in connection with the bombing, has been arrested in Sudan and is due to be flown to Nigeria shortly to defend

himself. Contributing, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, said the retired military colonel would be made to answer for his inability to meet the bail bond, which he signed pledging to produce his son when needed for questioning. In a related development, the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Coordinator of the National Briefing Centre, Mike Omeri, disclosed that processes leading to the extradition of Ogwuche, would soon be completed. Ogwuche was arrested

on Wednesday, by the International Police (INTERPOL), barely 24 hours after he was declared wanted and a N25 million reward for information on his whereabouts, offered. It would be recalled that Abubakar Sadiq Ogwuche, a British born Nigerian, was arrested on November 12, 2011 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on arrival from the UK on terrorism related charges but was released on October 15, 2012, following intense pressure from human rights activists, who alleged human rights violation.

2015: Oba of Lagos endorses Ambode for governor lYou've desecrated your stool, PDP tells Akiolu TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE and Wale Elegbede ba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday endorsed former Accountant-General of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as the next governor of the state, warning those against Ambode’s ambition to forget it. Speaking yesterday at the launching of the biography of Ambode titled; The Art of Selfless Service, Oba Akiolu said no amount of pressure within the camp of some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other opposition, can stop Ambode from becoming the next governor of Lagos State. He said: “Political

parties are entitled to choose whoever they want as governor, but as for me, I am in support of Ambode. Many traditional rulers from Epe have led a delegation to me and we have both discussed at length and I told them that it is God that chooses a leader. “Don’t misquote me, other aspirants are entitled to aspire for the governorship, but as for me, Osuolale Aremu, I will never allow the son of a traditional ruler from Ewekoro (Ogun State) to come and be governor in Lagos. “Ambode has been tested in public office before and he did not disappoint the people. So, I am very sure and confident that God will help Ambode to defeat all his opponents.

“As for those who are trying to oppose Ambode, God will not leave them, but no matter their gangup, they will not prevail. We are witnesses to how Governor Babatunde Fashola transformed Lagos; Ambode will do more than that. “W h e n Fashola wanted to be governor of Lagos State, some people stood against him, but at the end of the day, they supported him in becoming governor. “My prayer is that God will help us to restructure this country and nobody knows what will happen in the nearest future. My prayer is that we will reach the promised land. “I also pray that Lagos State will continue to be the shining light in

the country, because presently our governor and his commissioners are the best in the country. Those who are opposing Ambode are deceiving themselves; he will become the next governor of Lagos State.” But the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Akiolu’s endorsement, saying that the traditional ruler's action is regrettable and very unbecoming of a ruler expected to be a father for all.

change of name

OJIMBA

I formerly Ms. Chinenye Loveth Ayogu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinenye Loveth Ojimba, all former documents remain valid. UNN, NYSC, General public please take note.

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Man suffocates inside grave attempting to cut corpse’s head

48 arrested for jung Kunle Olayeni and Adesina Wahab

NEMESIS

For trying to cut and sell the skull of the dead, a 20-year-old man dies inside a grave

Mojeed Alabi

eople of Ilobu, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun woke up on Wednesday morning to a bizarre scene when they discovered the body of a 20-yearold man in a grave. The man, identified as Abdullahi, had allegedly dug a hole beside a grave through which he attempted to cut off the head of the corpse. Nobody could really explain what happened, but Abdullahi was believed to have suffocated with half of his body in the hole in the grave. The incident, which happened around Imam Aroun Compound in the ancient town, was said to have elicited anger among the people who besieged the scene, especially from the nearby Olobu market, as they expressed shock

Abdullahi’s body inside the hole. Inset: His lifeless body

and surprise at the dastardly act. Abdullahi, described as a member of a notorious youth gang in the community, was said to have been spotted along Palace Road on Tuesday night, while fighting a lady for unknown reason. The deceased, who hailed from Tooto Compound in the same town, was said to have dug a hole around the grave in the middle of the night on Tuesday to gain access to the corpse since the concrete used over the grave barred him from digging it directly. However, investigation showed that while trying to grope through the hole into the grave, the upper parts of his body went deep inside the grave and it became difficult for him to come out. In the process, he suffocated. Passers-by, who discovered his body with only his legs remaining outside the hole, shouted to the attention of

the people, who gathered en masse and struggled to remove his remains. Policemen took the body away since none of his relatives showed up to claim it. The police also reportedly visited his family house but his relatives, who got wind of the incident, had deserted the house. When contacted on phone, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the police station, identified as Ms Talatu, refused to comment on the incident. She said only the state police commissioner or the Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs Folasade Odoro, could speak on it. But the PPRO told our correspondent that she was in a programme. Odoro promised to call after the programme but she did not at press time.

bout 48 people have been arrested in connection with the killing of suspected kidnapers in parts of Ogun and Ekiti states. Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, said at a press conference in Abeokuta that about 45 suspects had been arrested in connection with jungle justice. According to the commissioner, the arrested suspects had already been charged to court. He condemned the killing and setting ablaze of people on mere suspicion and speculation in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ota, Ilaro and other areas in the state. Okoye said anyone or group of persons caught in the act of jungle justice would be made to face the wrath of law. He said: “The Ogun State Command is abreast of the new trend of jungle justice meted on people with mental illness, suspected kidnappers, etc, by members of the public in the state and wishes to make a categorical statement that such an act is not only criminal but barbaric. “The act of taking laws into one’s hands is criminal and a gross violation of people’s fundamental human rights. “There are a lot of these cases of killing and setting suspects and property ablaze recorded by the command and we felt they are uncalled for and are thereby condemned in totality.” The commissioner urged the public to always report any suspected ritual killer to the police. He urged the government and other public agencies to collaborate and synergize in ensuring adequate sensitisation for the general public to put a stop to the criminal act of jungle justice. Also in Ekiti State, three persons, among them a former local government chairman (name withheld), were arrested for alleged involvement in the killing of a kidnap suspect in Ikere-Ekiti on Sunday. Apart from the former council chairman, the other suspects are members of

Police arrest, detain journalist, 200 traders Uwakwe Abugu Awka

he Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Union of TCouncil, Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Mr Okechukwu Obenta, and 200

petty traders were arrested and detained yesterday by the police. Obenta and the traders were arrested on the orders of the Managing Director, Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Mrs Njideka Oraedu. According to investigation, Obenta

was attacked by ASWAMA officials about 10.30am while taking pictures of their harassment of petty traders. The NUJ vice-chairman said he was rough handled by ASWAMA officials, bundled into their vehicle and taken to the Central Police Station, Awka. It took the intervention of the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Emeka Chukwuemeka, to free Obenta about 4pm. Obenta was arrested at 10.30am and released at about past 4pm. Before he was released, some journalists called Oraedu on phone but she mere

retorted: “I am highly disappointed; I will speak to you later.” Recounting his ordeals, Obenta, who is also a senior journalist with The Source Magazine, said ASWAMA officials pounced on him on the orders of the MD, snatched his Ipad and two cell phones as he took shots to cover the exercise at the Arroma Junction in the capital city. He said: “When she suddenly pounced on me and collected my Ipad, she ordered her boys to rough-handle me and they collected my two cell phones and bundled me into their vehicle.

“I was so surprised because she attacked me shortly after I joined some other newsmen to interview her on the exercise. But before attacking me, she did not tell me to stop covering her operations.” Meanwhile, investigation showed that the ASWAMA officials arrested the petty traders for flouting a poorly publicised directive. Late on Wednesday, an ASWAMA announcer went round some areas to tell traders to clean their premises, so, many of them did not know about the operation.

the Odua Peo The suspe lynched and Benjamin Ak The state Officer (PPR who disclose Ekiti, said p had shown chairman pr against the k According will be charg deterrent to laws into the He added t ed that Akpa hood close t killed and th him to sugge as claimed b The PPRO chairman w Akpan and OPC member mobbed by ir He said: “ the former lo incited the y handed him “We have that the thr with the jun the victim. “They did investigation vised his bea quently set a “It is on th arrested. Th regarding w arrest and hi Babayemi on the trail o in Akpan’s d He said: “T clear that wh must hand h vestigation a “Jungle ju we will do e such is not p

Medici Tony Anichebe Uyo

he National TDealers ent and Pro (NAP

steps to rid A fake and expir The state dent, Mr Akpa disclosed this sensitisation w terday, urged th of activities o dealers. Udoeno said was always rea

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EXTENDING Emergency rule, An aberRation –ADENIRAN

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2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Jonathan, Amaechi in test of might Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

ne of the battlegrounds for the 2015 elections is Rivers State. The stakes are so high in the state that political gladiators are out to outsmart one another. Today, the state is split along two political divides: the Governor Rotimi Amaechi and anti-Amaechi forces made up of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members. For President Goodluck Jonathan, Rivers is a must win for him and the PDP in 2015. This strong desire is hinged on the fact that Rivers State delivered about two million votes for the president in the 2011 election; the highest votes haul in the country. As such, any hindrance on the path of reclaiming the state since Amaechi defected to All Progressives Congress (APC) must be crushed using federal might. Since 1999, in the build up to every election, the electoral battle had always been within the PDP until Amaechi cross-carpeted last year. As a norm, before now, whoever becomes the candidate of the PDP already savours victory before the actual poll as other political parties were not potent enough to win any election. In actual fact, many of them merely exist in name and on the pages of newspapers. In 2015, the electoral battle in Rivers will be a straight fight between PDP and APC. While Amaechi will lead the APC, his former Chief of Staff and now Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, supported by federal might of President Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience, and a host of other political heavyweights will do the battle for the federal ruling party. Interestingly, all the major political gladiators that will shape Rivers State in 2015 were once members of the same political family under the leadership of former Governor Peter Odili who governed the oil-rich state between 1999 and 2007. But ambi-

tion has separated the once united family. One factor that will also shape the politics of Rivers, with a population of over five million and 23 local government areas, in 2015 is the Riverine–Upland dichotomy. The political temperature of Rivers State since its creation in May 27, 1967 and especially from the end of the military administration of King Alfred Diete (1967 to1975) to civilian administrations of Melford Okilo (1979-1983) and Rufus Ada George (1992-1993) has been largely conditioned by Riverine–Upland dichotomy and ethnic considerations. The 2015 election may not be different. But the interest of politicians from the upland area, like Wike, who are still interested in the governorship which an Ikwerre man (Amaechi) is still occupying, may alter the political arrangement and dictate the political direction of the state in 2015. Rotimi Amaechi Governor Amaech and his former principal and godfather, Peter Odili could fit into godfather roles in the unfolding political scenario in the state. Amaechi has traversed the political spectrum of the state from the level of political activist to winning election into the state House of Assembly in 1999

via court decision. He was to emerge as Speaker and kept the seat for eight years of Odili reign. He was drafted to contest the governorship primaries of the PDP in 2006 after other PDP contenders such as Hon Austin Opara and Celestine Omehia were made to step down. He won the primaries but in a twist of fate and intrigue, then President Olusegun Obasanjo declared the primary as having K-leg. That was in December 2006 when Obasanjo handed over the flag of PDP to the various governorship candidates at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt. But on October 25, 2007 the Supreme Court upturned Obasanjo’s verdict. For almost seven years now, Amaechi has held sway as governor. Since the military administration of Alfred Diette-Spiff, no other governor has impacted on the state more in the area of infrastructural development than the Amaechi administration. But Amaechi overstretched his fame when he began to challenge his elders and threw overboard the principle of party supremacy in the name of democratic culture of self-expression. He was to later move to the APC after the PDP structures were taken away from him as a result of his fallout with President Goodluck Jonathan. He still commands large following even though he would not be in the middle of the fray in 2015. He is playing the role of godfather to those who would emerge as governor, senators and other segments of the political recruitment in 2015 from his APC. Sentiment that has gained consistency is that Amaechi is saddled with the problem of choice between Abe and Peterside. In the 2015 election, Amaechi will have to contend with the federal might in who wins the state. He will definitely try to ensure that his party, the APC, wins the governorship and other elective seats. The presidency would definitely be a hard sell for him and his party as President Jonathan would sure have a upper hand being from the neighbouring state, Bayelsa. The governor also has the capacity to shore up the required 25 per cent votes from the state unlike in previous election where opposition candidates could not win one per cent in the presidential elections. The contest for the governorship would be tougher than the presidential election. For Amaechi, the coming battle is a test of strength, ego, and influence. He will have to contend with Wike, his estranged political associate, to show who controls the politics of Rivers. Nyesom Wike Chief Wike, the Supervising Minister of Education, is one of the rich people former Gorvernor Odili made during his eight-year reign as governor of Rivers State from 1999 to 2007. Wike was the chairCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Jonathan’s wife, Odili, Wike, Secondus, Abe, CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

man of Obio/Akpor Local Government in the state. He was among those who shared out Amaechi’s property when he was thrown out of his official residence as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly after his case was declared as k-leg in the 2006 governorship primaries. By the time Amaechi became the governor in October 2007, Wike was made Chief of Staff to the governor. While in office, he had tremendous influence in the administration and grew in political stature and wealth. He was to deploy this in the 2011 election when he supervised the delivery of two million votes to PDP and ensuring landslide victory for both President Jonathan and Amaechi in the 2011 polls. It is widely believed that the issue of appointment of a new Chief of Staff to replace him without his input as well as the mutual interest both him and Amaechi have in the Rivers East Senatorial seat were the point of political estrangement between the two political associates and brothers (they both come from the Ikwerre ethnic group). The fact that he was made a junior Minister of Education did not thaw the shadow boxing between the two. He cashed in on the political battle between the president and his wife, Patience, on one side and Amaechi on the other. He became the arrowhead of antiAmaechi group in Rivers. In the battle the state structure of the PDP was taken from Amaechi and handed over to him through a judiciary pronouncement. With his leadership of the party, Wike began to nurse governorship ambition. He formed a political pressure group, the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) with presence in the 23 local government areas of the state. Initially, the GDI was thought to be a tool to prosecute his proxy political war against Amaechi and drum more support for Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015 since the defection of Amaechi to the APC, which may have whittled the president’s support base in Rivers. But recent developments suggest that the GDI has metamorphosed into a vehicle for the actualisation of Wike’s gubernatorial ambition in 2015. Even at that, his gubernatorial dream is still mired in controversy of disbelief, outrage, tribal suspicion as well as accusation of high handedness against him. Wike is being looked at from two political perspectives in 2015. Those opposed to his governorship ambition in 2015 say his emergence would be unfair to other parts of the state. This group push for a return of the riverine-upland dichotomy politics that had power alternate between the upland and the riverine areas. Leading this group are the Ijaw of Rivers and other governorship aspirants from the riverine areas such as Hon. Nimi WalsonJack, Prince Tonye Princewill and other sympathetic groups. Wike like Amaechi is from Ikwerre, the upland area, which has also produced Omehia and Odili though not from Ikwerre but also from upland area. But Wike’s loyalists like Chief Sergeant Awuse, Chief Emma Anyanwu, and the PDP state chairman, Felix Obuah see him as one who can muster enough electoral support to win the election for the PDP in the state. Yet, there are those who believe that Wike is merely using the GDI to be in better position, either to influence the emergence of a protégée in 2015 or to secure a better political deal, presumably, the Rivers East senatorial seat which Amaechi is rumoured to be interested in. As it is, two options are before Wike:

Amaechi

Jonathan

Wike

Odili

to contest for the governorship or install a protégée of the PDP. The second option is to vie for the senatorial seat. But the incumbent senator, George Sekibo, will surely put up a fight to retain his seat. No doubt, Wike is a major determinant in Rivers politics in 2015. Patience Jonathan The wife of the president, Dame Patience, has not hidden her resolve to ensure that power returns to the riverine area of Rivers in 2015. In fact, she had been associated with the promotion of the governorship aspiration of her kinsman from Okrika, Senator George Sekibo who represents Rivers East Senatorial District. Her passion for this project has been fired more by her brushes with Governor Amaechi over the latter’s demolition of the waterfronts that dotted the Port Harcourt coastline. Because of this and other political path-crossing between the first lady and Amaechi on one hand and between President Jonathan and Amaechi on the other hand, there has been no love lost between the governor and Nigeria’s first family. It,

therefore, seems a just political struggle that Amaechi must be prevented from installing a successor in 2015. Mrs Jonathan wields a strong influence in Rivers and Bayelsa states and has earned the support and loyalty of the women folk because of the effect of her pet project of 35 per cent involvement of women in political appointments. Her power is further boosted by

All the major political gladiators that will shape Rivers State in 2015 were once members of the same political family under the leadership of former Governor Peter Odili... But ambition has separated the once united family

the support of some of the Niger Delta ex- militants and the growing tendency in the riverine area that is vigorously pushing for power return to the area. But if the equally growing governorship appetite of the Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Wike is anything to go by, there is bound to be a political collision between the two. This will impinge on the success of her design and cause some ruptures in the PDP. Added to this is the negative feeling her activities is generating among a section of Rivers people who accuse her of meddlesomeness. Ahead of the 2015, the first lady will have input in virtually every position in the Rivers PDP. Her choice of the governorship candidate will to a large extent determine the success or otherwise of the party in Rivers. She will surely bring her influence to bear on the state in the 2015 election and will rally round her husband and the PDP in the election. Peter Odili Dr. Odili has made his mark in the politics of Rivers State. He was a deputy to

POLITICS

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Friday, May 16, 2014

2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Sekibo, Peterside dominate Rivers politics

Abe

Princewill

Sekibo

Omehia

Tom

Secondus

former Governor Rufus Ada-George in the then National Republican Convention (NRC). He led the Rivers delegation to the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s 1995 Constitutional Conference where he headed a committee. Odili became the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 1998 election when he defeated Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of the All Peoples Party (APP). For eight year, Odili ruled Rivers and laid the foundation of what Amaech is doing or has done in the state in the area of infrastructural development. Prior to his occupying the governorship position, the Ikwerre ethnic group had not tasted power in the state since its creation on May 27, 1967 until 2007. Odili commands a cult followership. Although he had largely remained aloof in the politics of the state since his exit from government and failed presidential ambition. He will surely be a major factor in the emergence of the next governor of the state. To a large extent, he will contribute to the fortunes of the PDP in Rivers. The 2015 election will also see him working at cross purposes with his

godson, Amaechi; Odili is unlikely to vie for any office in 2015 but most of his political associates will do and his help and support would be sought by political gladiators in the state who seek political offices in 2015. George Thompson Sekibo Another politician to watch is Senator Sekibo representing Rivers East. Sekibo was a former chairman of Okrika Local Government, one of the riverine councils of the state before his rise to the Senate as a two-term senator. A humanist and philanthropist who has deployed enormous resources to the care of widows and students in the state, he is not counted as a strong force in the calculation of many in 2015. But he has more than it takes politically because of his filial relationship with Dame Jonathan. Mrs Jonathan is from Okirika and has never hidden her agenda to enthrone Sekibo as the next governor of the state. One point going well for him is that he had managed to lie low since the crisis in Rivers took national dimension with the involvement of the Jonathans and Wike.

But many hold the view that Okrika had produced former Governor Rufus Ada George while her ethnic cousins, Kalabari and the Ogoni had not. This apart, Okirka is a tiny island that any candidate from there may find it difficult to emerge except through consensus or backing by big political forces. This, Mrs Jonathan is set to provide if the rumours are anything to go by. It is also a big plus to Sekibo that some of the ex-militant leaders with their enormous wealth and raw power, may have to support Mrs Jonathan’s choice. Magnus Ngei Abe Abe, a lawyer, is currently the senator representing Rivers South-East in the Senate. He is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream). Unassuming, intelligent, politically smart and calculative, he first gained entry into Rivers politics through his election to the House of Assembly in 1999 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He later defected to the PDP. He was Commissioner of Information in the Odili administration and

became the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during the first term of Amaechi’s administration before going into Senate in 2011. Against the backdrop of the fact that Ogoni ethnic group had not ruled the state since its creation, Abe’s gubernatorial ambition should have been a good sell. He was touted to have the subtle backing of Governor Amaechi. But the defection of the governor to the APC could affect Abe’s ambition. Abe is one of the legislators that defected from PDP to the APC as a mark of loyalty to Amaechi but that which should be a boost to his ambition could as well be a hindrance. The Senator will have to contend with other aspirants in the APC camp such as Hon. Dakuku Peterside, a former Commissioner for Works and member representing Opobo/Nkoro in the House of Representatives, and the Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru. Tonye Princewill Princewill, a politician and busiCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 5

nessman who likes to be called Prince of Niger Delta, is a Kalabari Prince. He moved to the defunct Action Congres of Nigeria (ACN) with former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar when he contested the governorship election in 2007. He went to court to challenge the victory of Sir Celestine Omehia of the PDP. He later withdrew his petition when Amaechi eventually regained his mandate through the Supreme Court. He struck an accord with Amaechi and became his dogged defender until recently. Princewill was to later move back to PDP with his political mentor, Atiku Abubakar. Now Atiku is back again to APC of which ACN was one of the legacy parties, but Princewill remains in PDP, suggesting that his political relationship with both Amaechi and Atiku has been strained. His critics see him as an unserious politician. That notwithstanding, he is positioning himself for the governorship on PDP platform in 2015. Abiye Sekibo The former Minister of Transport is a factor in Rivers politics and will surely play a role in 2015. He was the SSG to Governor Peter Odili. With Odili out of power and estranged from Amaechi; Sekibo, Omehia, Gloria Emeh, Austine Opara and a host of others joined Odili’s camp that came to be known as Abuja Politicians. He therefore left PDP and contested the 2011 governorship election on the platform of the ACN. With the muscling out of Amaechi from the PDP, all the Odili loyalists who left PDP including Sekibo, Omehia, among others came back to the PDP fold. It is not yet certain if Sekibo will seek the mandate of the people in 2015. If he does, he could pull off good campaign because he has the financial muscle. But he would have to contend with another Sekibo, George, from the same Okrika who rather enjoys the backing of the First Lady. Celestine Omehia Omehia’s controversial governorship was quashed by the supreme Court in 2007. He re-surfaced in the governorship battle of the state in 2011 on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) but was defeated by Amaechi. He has since rejoined the PDP. People see him as a humane and more accommodating politician who could command large voting power in any election in the state. But if he decides to run in 2015, his problem would only be that of ethnic balancing in the state. After his brief reign as governor, followed by two term reign of Amaechi, his cousin, and from the same Ikwerre ethnic group, the idea of another Ikwerre man angling for governorship is being regarded as a misnomer and it is generating disquiet across the state political landscape. This will be Omehia’s Achilles heels. Whether he contests for election or not, Omehia is one of the gladiators that will determine the political direction of the state in 2015. Ateke Tom He is a former militant and leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement. Three factors make Ateke to be relevant or wield influence in the emerging political environment in the state. First, by virtue of the amnesty programme and the accompanying settlement, Ateke, like other militant leaders has raked in enormous wealth. Secondly, his relationship before and after the amnesty with Amaechi was badly ruptured following the governor’s insistence that criminals should not be granted amnesty and the fact that Amaechi unlike governors of Delta and Bayelsa states did not visit him in the creeks for peace but rather

Odili’s associates battle for

Obuah

Awuse

Ikuru

Douglas

destroyed his structures at Okochiri. Ateke was bitter about this. The demolition of the waterfronts is another factor. For Ateke and other ex-militants, they have two options; either Patience Jonathan’s choice of governorship candidate materialises or power must return to the riverine area. A week ago, Ateke’s poster for governorship flooded parts of Port Harcourt, the state capital even though many saw it as a joke. But that is a pointer to what to expect in 2015. Ateke will be a factor in the 2015 polls. Uche Secondus Prince Secondus is the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP. His political influence in Rivers soared under the governorship of Odili. Then, Secondus was a powerful state chairman of the party such that he was addressed as “Total Chair” by party faithful. He was instrumental in the recruitment of the PDP politicians and government appointees from his Andoni/Opobo/ Nkoro federal constituency of Rivers South-East Senatorial District. One of his erstwhile political godsons include the Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru. He took over from his kinsman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja who as Deputy National Chairman was swept off by the PDP leadership crisis. He is one of the indefatigable political warheads that would

battle Amaechi in his bid to install his successor from the APC come 2015. Felix Obuah Obuah, an industrialist, is the state chairman of the PDP. Those who are closed to him call him “Go round” because of his principle of making everything meant for the people to go round no matter how small. Even before the Abuja High Court reinstated him as the chairman of the party after sacking Godspower Ake’s state executive, Obuah had already set up a parallel executive of the PDP in the state. Being the state chairman of the party, he will be among the people who will determine the fate of many politicians in the state in 2015. Whoever he backs in the PDP would emerge as the governorship candidate. This is why his recent statement suggesting an endorsement of Wike caused a stir in the PDP ranks. It is believed that his pronouncements and body language which show he is pandering to Wike’s political drumbeats was one of the tendencies that whipped up the now vocal demand for a riverine governor in 2015 and the raging Riverine –Upland controversy in the state. This may hinder his ability to control the party and influence issues if not handled with political maturity.

Sergeant Awuse Popularly known as “bulldozer” in Rivers, the Ikwerre born veteran governorship candidate is a political mobiliser with financial muscle and wide influence in and outside Rivers. He was in the United National Congress Party (UNCP) during the Abacha transition programme. He later became chairman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). He is one of those supporting Wike’s governorship ambition and he is an influential political figure in the state. Tele Ikuru The deputy governor is a study in political loyalty and compromise. The Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro-born politician was picked by Celestine Omehia as Deputy Governor in 2007 but when the Supreme Court sacked Omehia and Amaechi became governor, Ikuru was equally retained and he played his loyalty role till date. His political future, especially in 2015 is uncertain. He is unlikely going to succeed his principal. He may end up in the Senate. As the deputy governor of the state, he will surely play a crucial role in 2015. Alabo Graham Douglas Former Minister of Aviation is a Kalabari chief in the Riverine area

POLITICS 17

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Friday, May 16, 2014

2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

the soul of Rivers State

Feyii

Danagogo

Nwuche

Nmerukini

Okpara

Peterside

Dan-Amachree

of Rivers State. He is one of the major stakeholders in the state. A staunch supporter of Goodluck Jonathan, he is likely to play a major role in resolving Riverine-Upland dichotomy controversy raging in the state in the build up to 2015.

Amaechi and remained in the PDP. Before then, he was the chairman, Local Government Service Commission. A long-time political player in the state, Nmerukini was a two term Mayor of Port Harcourt and later won election to the state House of Assembly. An Ikwerre man, he has strong affinity with Wike. He is likely to join forces with Austin Opara, Awuse, Omehia to confront Amaechi’s forces in the coming battle. As a home boy who had served as chairman of motor parks in the state, Nmerukini has built grassroots followership in the state which will come to play during the 2015 election.

primaries, which Amaechi won at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt. He comes from the same Ikwerre ethnic group with Wike and from Port Harcourt City Local Government; one of the largest vote pullers in the state. He wields enormous influence in Ikwerreland and in the state. Many believe that the resignation of Nmerukini, the former Mayor of Port Harcourt from Amaechi’s government as chairman of the Local Government Service Commission instead of following Amaechi to the APC was due to the influence of Opara. He is on the side of the PDP to do the battle against Amaechi in 2015.

to the riverine areas of the state pulls through. Observers say Amaechi may opt for him.

George Feyii He is the current SSG in Amaechi administration, a position once held by his kinsman, Senator Abe. He is likely to use his influence to mobilise support for the aspiration of the later and galvanise support for the APC in Ogoniland. By virtue of his position, he dispenses patronage to politicians and stakeholders which may come handy in the 2015 electoral battle in the state. Tammy Danagogo Until recently, Danagogo was the Commissioner for Urban Development in Amaechi’s administration. He refused to defect with Amaechi to the APC and promptly resigned his appointment. He is the Minister of Sports, a worthy compensation for a loyal party man. He is one of the foot soldiers that would work for the PDP in the riverine area of the state. Azubuike Nmerukini Like Danagogo, Nmerukini left

Chibudom Nwuche He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1999 and he became the Deputy Speaker. He is a staunch campaigner for Jonathan’s presidency in 2015. The Prince of Orashi was until recently the Acting Deputy National Chairman of the PDP. He is one of the president’s foot soldiers in Rivers State. It is not certain if he is contesting for any office in 2015, but he will surely play a major role in the politics of the state. Austine Opara Opara was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2003. He contested the 2006 governorship

Dakuku Peterside Peterside is one of the political gladiators in 2015. Just as his fellow lawmaker from the same senatorial zone, Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South East, he is interested in the governorship in 2015. Both are also Amaechi’s close political associates who defected with him to the APC. Dakuku was Commissioner for Works while Abe was SSG in Amaechi’s first term. He represents Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives. He is among those who would reap the benefit, if the agitation for power shift

Otelemaba Dan-Amachree Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amachree presides over the Rivers State House of Assembly as Speaker and he is about the oldest lawmaker in Assembly having been around since 1999. Given his long tenancy in the legislative arm, he is assumed to have garnered much clout in the state politics. However, some people in the state believe that the Kalabari-born legislator doesn’t have any personal influence except for being loyal to Governor Amaechi. They argue that unlike the political visibility and control Amaechi’s wielded while he was speaker, Dan-Amachree influence is far less and that he has continued to be in the shadow of the governor’s influence. Also, his political fortune appears to have plummeted during the crisis in the state legislature. He was declared wanted by the police at the time, and he has been lying low since then, just as he continues to preside over the legislative business of the House. Head or tail, he is still among those that will push the APC’s struggle for dominance in 2015.

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Friday, May 16, 2014

OPEN FORUM

EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY RULE

It is an aberration –Adeniran Comrade Debo Adeniran is a human rights activist

t is no longer news that President Goodluck Jonathan had asked the Senate to approve the extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, what may be news is what the Federal Government intends to achieve by extending emergency rule in the said states despite the failure of the rule to curtail insurgency in the states. It must be noted that Nigeria is experiencing this today because of the kleptomaniac nature of our leaders and we do not seem to have a clue to them. We are talking about Boko Haram, it is worthy to note that Boko Haram did not come overnight. It is the inability of various regimes to address the pervasive corruption in our country. Boko Haram is a product of unplanned rule of our leaders. Most of our past leaders did not bother about the kind of education our youths and children should have, they gave them the wrong type of education that will not make them capable of living a profitable life afterwards. Their belief is that western education has become evil because of the way it’s applied in Nigeria, because most people that have caused economic damage to this country; that have made life unbearable for the mass of the people; are those who have acquired western education. They discovered that none of those who acquired religious education in the real sense of it and practice religious doctrine had been caught to be involved in heinous crimes against humanity such as corruption, mismanagement of resources that have foisted hunger, poverty and starvation on the average

If the Security and Defence System had been working, they would have been able to preempt the kidnap and take precautionary measure to forestall such an activity Nigerian, not even traditional worshippers have been caught, it is only those who acquired western education. So, there was divided opinion that they could be right after all. Instead of the government to woo them to the negotiating table with a view to getting them to understand how governance works, they confronted them with force. And because they (Boko Haram) got more support than was expected, they become more daring and more destructive. It was when it became obvious that the capacity of the intelligence and security agencies was inadequate to cow the insurgency that the government decided to declare state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. But hitherto, the security that the Federal Government claims it provides has not been working otherwise all the strikes in the market places, even in the military barracks and the kidnap of several hundreds of children in convoy of vehicles that is in the minimum of 12 wouldn’t have been possible. Emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe is just a ruse because ordinarily as the Commander-in –Chief of the Armed Forces, before the emergency rule was pronounced, President Goodluck Jona-

Adeniran

than had deployed enough troops into those states and the emergency rule was just to have unfettered access to revenue that should accrue to those states under the pretence that it is being used to provide security for the states. Apparently without any equivocation, what the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima said about the capacity of Boko Haram overwhelming that of the Nigeria Army is important because if the Military has the capacity, they would have been able to at least, locate the place where over 200 girls abducted in Chibok are kept. Today makes it one month the girls have been abducted without any clue as to where they are kept. If the Security and Defence System had been working, they would have been able to pre-empt the kidnap and

It has been relatively successful –Ekhomu Dr Ona Ekhomu is a security expert

The emergency rule has been successful, even if only partially, because it has not stopped it entirely. But it has forced the bad guys to adapt new techniques and new tactics

es, certainly, the state of emergency in the three north east states was done to curtail the excesses of Boko Haram in those states. And so far, they have been driven out of the major urban areas and have gone into Sambisa Forest and across to Cameroon and to their other hideouts in neighbouring countries. So it’s been quite effective from that point of view. Though some of these attacks were still being carried out, you have to understand the targets of these attacks. It used to be that Boko Haram could come into Maiduguri and attack anywhere there in the metropolis. But now they have retreated into the countryside. Remember that Borno state is the largest state in the country, so it is quite verse and they have retreated into the countryside, attacking rural communities. Something like Chibok is quite a few miles from Borno. The pattern of attack is what needs to be understood, the targets they are selecting now. Prior to emergency rule, ten local governments were fully under Boko Haram control, they were even collecting taxes in eight local government areas. But the emergency rule

Ekhomu

has pushed them back and out. So it has curtailed it. To me, the emergency rule has been successful, even if only partially, because it has not stopped it entirely. But it has forced the bad guys to adapt new techniques and new tactics. But what they did was that where they used to attack frontally, they now use

sneak attacks. They now sneak into villages to kill people. So I think it has to be understood in that context even though it has not stopped it 100 per cent but it has to a large extent curtailed it. The only thing is that we see more deadly attacks now, because now, when they go they spend hours there, like what they did in Gamboro Ngala a few days ago, killing about 300, and in other communities too, because they go in there, and kill a large number of people. And with the few citizens’ involvement, in terms of giving the troops adequate information about ongoing Boko Haram attacks becomes difficult. That has been the reason why the attacks

take precautionary measure to forestall such an activity. The fact is that they had prior warnings from some quarters that such a thing might happen, instead of them to go after the abductors; they were raising arguments that the story was stage-managed. Even when the photographs of the pupils were shown, they were saying that they had not been able to identify some girls and when some girls were identified, they were claiming that it was stage-managed because the girls were speaking in Hausa. The surveillance that could have been put in place by the country’s satellites has also been a huge disappointment. Hence, they are just taking money that the states governments would have expended maybe more productively to protect themselves because the FG is actually making the affected states helpless by unnecessary deductions from their allocations from the Federation Account without anything to show for it. Basically, the extension of the emergency rule is a charade because the military has not been able to achieve so much despite their presence in the states. It is under the state of emergency that schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State; it is under the state of emergency the Government College at Buni Yadi was attacked and the students were massacred in their tens. We as a Coalition are opposed to the emergency rule because it is an aberration in the first instance. It is an admittance of failure by the government. That doesn’t connote that the military operation in the affected states should stop. Instead of extending the emergency rule, the Federal Government should equip the military personnel with modern weapons and they should be well-motivated and remunerated to produce better result.

Interview by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE have been succeeding, and it appears the emergency rule is not succeeding, but it is, and it’s pushing them out. And certainly, the emergency rule can go hand in hand with the foreign assistance being offered. The foreign assistance is just investigative or tactical help to rescue those girls. It has not been set to go and fight Boko Haram to a finish. So after they get the girls, whether they will continue to give us assistance, and whether Nigeria will accept such kind of help is another matter. To end this thing, I think the political will to battle Boko Haram is very important. And with what has happened with the girls, I think government will now know that these people are not playing, because hitherto government was behaving as if it was just a small game. Am sure you’ve heard all the comments by political, religious, tribal and traditional leaders. People had tended to think that the Boko Haram thing was because young men were not employed, or not happy. But those are all wrong, mistaken, and often very silly excuses for the kind of religious extremism we are seeing. Boko Haram is evil personified, nothing else. And its an evil that has come to our land via the Taliban fundamentalism and extremism, and it’s been there since 2002, and manifested into violence in 2009, and it has grown, and they are even now receiving a lot of support from their confederates in those areas.

Interview by ETAGHENE EDIRIN

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EDITORIAL

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Friday, May 16, 2014

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FRIday, MAY 16, 2014

Tackling the perennial Lagos floods

he painful floods which Lagos is known for are steadily showing up again, from Ikeja to Oshodi, Mushin, Bariga, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Apapa to Surulere, to mention a few. Canals have been cleared, new roads constructed, old ones repaired, in spite of all these, there are enough indications that Lagos metropolis will not be spared the agony and pain of heavy flood year perennially. Floods are caused by many factors, such as heavy rainfall, highly accelerated downpours lasting several days, severe winds over water, unusual high tides, tsunamis, or failure of dams, levees, retention ponds, or other structures that retained the water. Flooding can be exacerbated by increased amounts of impervious surface or by other natural hazards such as wildfires, which reduce the supply of vegetation that can absorb rainfall. Furthermore, it is germane to understand that periodic floods occur on many rivers, forming a surrounding region known as the flood plain. During times of rain, some of the water is retained in ponds or soil, some is absorbed by grass and vegetation, some evaporates, and the rest travels over the land as surface runoff. Floods occur when ponds, lakes, riverbeds, soil, and vegetation cannot absorb all the water. Water then runs off the land in quantities that cannot be carried within

stream channels or retained in natural ponds, lakes, and man-made reservoirs. Flooding damages property and endangers the lives of humans and other species. Rapid water runoff causes soil erosion and concomitant sediment deposition elsewhere (such as further downstream or down a coast). The spawning grounds for fish and other wildlife habitats can become polluted or completely destroyed. Some prolonged high floods can delay traffic in areas which lack elevated roadways. Floods can interfere with drainage and deter economic use of lands. Structural damage can occur in bridge abutments, bank lines, sewer lines, and other structures within floodways. Waterway navigation and hydroelectric power are often impaired. Financial losses due to floods are typically millions of tax-payers’ funds each year. For residents of Lagos, the wet season is not always the best time of the year. It is a period that comes with the intimidating problems of flooding. When it happens, many homes are swamped, property worth fortune are destroyed and sometimes human lives are involved as the floods tide sweep away everything in their path, leaving residents to recount tales of woes. The flood woes in Lagos State began with the massive reclamation of land and construction of buildings and estates in the wake of the

oil boom of the early 70s. A lot of the land mass in Lagos is below the sea level, which makes excess water flow steadily into canals, drainages, roads and land in Lagos. Hence, most parts of the state are flooded, even during dry season. Some drainages spring out water uncontrollably. Also, many canals in the state have been blocked by refuse heaps dumped into them. Others have been blocked by buildings usually erected by the influential in the society and some by governments at different levels. Also, collection of mud, leaves, cellophane and other debris have blocked several drainages in the state where people have not imbibed the culture of not littering their surroundings with dirt and other hazardous materials. Although, the Lagos State government is trying, it has to do more. For one, all the buildings and structures on drainages or even those constructed on canals should be pulled down. Government cannot for political or personal reasons allow such structures to be standing, especially in Victoria Island and Ikoyi as well as other areas, while the illegal dumping of refuse must be earnestly addressed and all other environmental laws must properly and efficaciously applied. The war against flooding in Lagos must be total and impartial. There must be no half-measures or administering different set of rules to different areas. It will not just work,

the time has come when government must be definitive and deal decisively with flooding problems. Also, several new drainages should be constructed throughout the length and breadth of Lagos, while existing ones should be regularly maintained throughout the year. Equally, there must be dredging of canals and opening up of secondary drainage channels to keep the flood at bay. In fact, no excuse whatsoever can justify the reluctance by the Federal Government to assist the Lagos State Government to make Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital as free as possible from the recurring devastation of flood as well as maintain all its facilities, including roads and drainages in the state. The problem of flooding is enormous as it causes traffic gridlock, leading to several man-hour losses, unnecessary stress which results in serious health complications, provides room for armed marauders to operate with relative ease and it places undue pressure on infrastructural facilities such as bridges. However, we implore the Lagos State Government to direct the agencies responsible for flood control to be alive to their responsibilities, workround-the-clock and throughout the year to clear the drainages, and not wait until the rains set in before doing something. Hence, all hands must be on deck to stop the menace of flooding in Lagos. 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

Friday, May 16, 2014

OPINION

Reconciliation, reconsruction, rehabilitation and reparation

t the end of the Civil War in January 1970,General Yakubu Gowon waxed what sounded lyrical. The song on everyone’s lips was ‘Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation’. The Three Rs, we were all told. Gowon could have meant well, there was no victor, no vanquished. That, we also read in the papers. To the Headof-state, what Nigeria fought was a war of brothers. Right? One Lt. Ike Nwachukwu fought on the Federal side, just as Lt. Col Victor Banjo, Major Wale Ademoyega, and Capt. Ganiyu Adeleke found themselves on the Biafran side. On paper, there was everything. There was just no action. It turned out that the same government that offered niceties, only dished out death sentence to the erstwhile Biafrans. What could 20 pounds do for a millionaire whose money became like ‘shit money’ in a New Nigeria? Those who toiled to build houses in Port-Harcourt were to learn that they could not lay claim to their sweat. Abandoned Property became another name for a slow and painful death. There was no reconciliation, no reconstruction, no rehabilitation. What Nigeria did was to under develop Igboland. Inspite of the surrender, government wanted to bury Biafra. Infact, Gowon changed the Bight of Biafra, to Bight of Benin. And when journalists, Henry Onyedike and Agwu Okpanku of the Renaissance newspaper raised their pen, they were sent to jail. Jerry Enyeazu got the first dose. For choosing the date of Biafra’s independence to organize a match between Enugu and Aba in 1970,he got a yellow card from Gowon. Today, some of us are hearing about bombs and abductions for the first time. Nigerians do not like the smell and sight of blood, and the world is joining us to condemn bloodshed. That is good, thanks to technology. And maybe, this is the time for true reconciliation to take place. Forgive me if I always go back to the war, and also per-

sonalize these accounts. Please I am condemned to, so that the world will hear. Let me use my family to talk about abductions. Just as the war ended, I saw a lot. Federal soldiers were so mean to my home which produced a lot of Biafran soldiers, especially commandos. They were always raiding my compound, looking for girls and women. The spirit of my ancestors kept them at bay. I will come to that shortly. Then one day, out of fear, one my big cousins fell prey. Her dad, a Second World War Veteran who saw action in Tobruk, Libya was furious. He went for his daughter, daring the consequences. The soldiers came back to my family, arrested all available adult males, including an 80-year old uncle, and took them to their camp. Every morning, each of them was given 12 lashes of the cane. There was an exception. One of my cousins, who wore Biafran army khaki, was singled out. He got 24 strokes instead. My commando cousins wanted to storm the place, but mothers cautioned them. The soldiers soon got to know that evil did not pay. One of them took a philandering walk to the back of our compound. I doubt if he could tell the story. Another saw a cock atop the tomb of my uncle who died in 1935, fired his pistol and lost it in a most uncanny way. The revolver simply disappeared from his hands. My forebears at work. That was enough to drive them permanently. Back to reconciliation. We are now faced with threats that should call for true reconciliation. My suggestion is that at the end of the National Conference, President Goodluck Jonathan should set up a National Peace and Reconciliation Committee [NAPREC]. It should be a permanent body under the Presidency and headed by a man of honour. Possibly, an icon, like Justice Mustapha Akanbi. Nigerians should be encouraged to come out and lay their grievances on the table. That is the best way to heal old wounds. We may hear confessions that will shock the world. There could be accounts that will shape the future. No one should be afraid to rock the boat. The truth shall set us free, even if it is bitter. I bear no grudge, and I know most things are forgivable, even if we choose not to forget. I know that Chukwuma Nzeogwu killed The Sarduana, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello.

Emmanuel Ifeajuna shot Brig. Zakari Maimalari. Tim Onwuatuegwu hit Brig. Sam Ademulegun and Chris Anuforo silenced Yakubu Pam. Yes, they were all Igbo. But there was no day Ndigbo sat down to deliberate on the plan to murder. It was wicked to kill more than six million Igbo because of the actions of some young soldiers who also had some Yoruba and northern elements in their group. Hausa did not kill Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. He was executed by soldiers like Clement Dabang and Ibrahim Rabo. But after that, the Hausa in Kano, Kaduna, the Tiv in Makurdi and the Berom in Jos went about slaughtering innocent Igbo. Why should I hate the Yoruba because their leader was Gowon’s Commissioner of Finance when my dad got paid only 20 pounds? No,that is just one man out of many. I worked for him in 1983.And let me also tell this story. A Yoruba family did something recently that should teach us all a lesson. My late uncle, Dr. Nathaniel Obasi, Dental surgeon , began his career in Ibadan. He bought a piece of land there, I think in the early 1960s. The man died in 1999.You cannot believe this. His children located the land long after his demise. Not long ago, it was sold for some good money. This is true, I do not know the family, but you can see that Nigeria is a great country. When I talk about Biafra, do not believe that it was good for every Igboman. There was Igbo against Igbo too. At the battle of Amadim Olo, in December 1967,Capt. Nweke, a battalion commander of the 53 Brigade, was executed by his own soldiers, for being a saboteur. Wrong judgement by half baked troops because the man had only gone on reconnaissance. These are some of the things we need to hear. And this is why we must begin the process of true reconciliation. Under Gowon, we got one Nigeria. Later, we saw peace of the graveyard. We have seen no progress of recent. Let us appease the dead. Their voices can be heard from their unmarked graves. The blood we poured on the land Nigeria is still crimson red. Nigerians, common, let us talk RECONCILIATION, RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION AND ABOVE ALL, REPARATION.

We must not forget the educational advancement of the Jonathan administration Simeon Nwakaudu

his year alone, the nation has witnessed two sad developments in the education sector aimed at discouraging Nigerian children from benefitting from the well-articulated plan of the Jonathan administration to ensure that no Nigerian child is denied access to quality education. The first was the vicious murder of male students at the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State. The second is the very unfortunate abduction of 243 female students from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. These sad developments that have led to negative press for the country must not divert the attention of Nigerians from the very wonderful progress the administration has made in its quest to right the wrongs in a sector that has been neglected for decades. President Jonathan’s commitment to educational development has been one of the most progressive highlights of his administration. The terrorists and their sponsors are

aware of this fact, hence the desperate efforts to check the movement on the fast lane. These desperate attacks on educational institutions are planned by desperate persons afraid that their captives are being freed by policies and projects of an administration that has an academic at the helm of affairs. Never in the history of this nation has administration taken very deliberate steps to address the extreme educational imbalance in the Northern region of the country. This is a fact known to the terrorists and their sponsors. As President Goodluck Jonathan flagged off the thirteenth Federal University, the Nigeria Maritime University, in Warri South LGA of Delta State on Saturday, under his watch, objective Nigerians appreciated the fact that his expressed performance in this sector is unprecedented. The major highlight of President Jonathan’s efforts to redefine education in the north is the Almajiri Education Programme. Through this programme, the President made inroads towards addressing the out-of-school challenge posed by the Almajiris. Of the 10.5million estimated children out of school in the country, over

50 percent are Almajiris. What has been done transcends the physical structures in the states of northern Nigeria. The administration put in place comprehensive curriculum, books, instructional materials, relevant trainings and building plans for states to take advantage in order to drive home a much needed reform. Like the Almajiris, the girl-child constitutes a high percentage of the out-of-school children in Nigeria. Therefore, the President Goodluck Jonathan introduced the All Girls’School Initiative as a part of an overall policy to fundamentally address the challenges associated with attaining the Education for All and the Millennium Development Goals. These schools have been constructed by the administration in 15 States of the Federation with majority of them in Northern Nigeria. They are geared towards resolving key issues that limit the ability of the girlchild to contribute to national development. In the course of the last three years, the President has ensured that the Federal Government delivered over 60 million free textbooks and library resource materials

to less privileged Nigerian children in public primary and junior secondary schools in all the states of the federation. He has completed plans to re-introduce the school feeding programme for all states of the federation. These efforts are geared towards ensuring that children who get enrolled in schools are retained in the classes. As the nation awaits the return of abducted girls in the coming days, in view of the concerted efforts of the Jonathan Administration, we must not lose sight of the fact that education has undergone very positive changes under this administration. The gains in this sector cannot be wished away by sponsored editorials influenced by hired opposition propagandists in the United States and United Kingdom who serve as known communication consultants to identified political interest groups. These man-made obstacles will not stop the President from continuing with his implementation of planned programmes in the education sector for the northern region. • Nwakaudu is Special Assistant (Media) to the Supervising Minister of Education.

ARTS FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

CULTURE

Tony Okuyeme

raism Movement announced its creative authority on the American soil with a glamorous opening ceremony of its first international exhibition in Florida. The 40-day exhibition is scheduled to close on May 22, 2014. The presence of Araism - both as a painting technique and a Movement has just redefined African Art in Florida. Nigeria’s most consistent Art group, the Movement took its creative endowments to the United States to launch its international expeditions. It was the group’s 12th exhibition series – having shown eleven previous editions in Nigeria (8 in Lagos, 3 in Abuja), states Mufu Onifade, founder of the Movement. Titled Cradle of Life: Araism Movement 12, it was hosted by Studio 18 in the Pines, a prestigious art gallery situated in Poinciana Drive, City of Pembroke Pines in Florida, USA. The show was a product of collaborative venture involving Whizzdpm Communications, Studio 18 and National Gallery of Art. Incidentally, this exhibition, notes Onifade, “procreated two histories, which have become a landmark achievement for the Movement and the gallery. Facilitated by Abiola Olatunde-Oyelola, it was Araism Movement’s first exhibition outside the shores of Africa. Prior to this exploration, the group has been very consistent since its debut in 2006, delivering 11 shows in the process. It was also Studio 18’s first international exhibition as the gallery had, prior to this show, concentrated exclusively on America-based artists.” The exhibition features seven artists led by Onifade and joined by six other members, namely, Abiola Mautin Akande, Oludotun Popoola, Oluwanbe Amodu, George Egunjobi, Jonathan Imafidor and OdumboAdeniran. Each participating artists contributed six works each (except Oluwanbe who had four) and that amounts to a total of 40 paintings on display. As predicted by the Curator of the show, Robyn Vegas, all works on display explore and proudly reveal “a snapshot of life in Africa where life began”. The show was presented in such a way that Onifade’s six works (Tibi Tire (Pain and Gain), Ibale (White Handkerchief), Community Police, IgbaKadara (Bowl of Destiny), TokoTaya (Couple) and Apere (Destiny)) were mounted in the receding part of the gallery, directly facing the main entrance into the gallery hall. Flanked on the right hand side were Jonathan Imafidor’s six works (Bini Queen Mother, Motherhood, Bini Chief, Migration, Face of Hope and Ore Oninawo (My Friend’s Party)) while Dotun Popoola’s six works (Friendly Match, Dolphin, Percussionists, Awelewa (Symbol of Beauty), Oba Eye (Peacock) and Iyaloja) were displayed on the left hand side. The inner part of the gallery by the

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In Florida, Araism Movement showcases African Life

Onifade addressing the audience

right hand side around the same area as Imafidor’s contained six works by AdeniranOdumbo (Living on Stilts, Sand Boats, King’s Guard, Lagos Yellow, Living on Stilts II and Pain & Pleasure). However, the inner part of the left side contained four works by OluwanbeAmodu (Asale Ere (Night of performance), From Lagos to Yankee, Atije (Survival Instinct) and OnaKan O Woja (Access Roads)) while much deeper inside were works by George Egunjobi (Oracle’s Language, Source, Ensemble, Spokesman, Moremi (Courageous Queen) and Transportation).Virtually all the works address one social issue or the other and this creates a sense of authenticity of African culture in the minds of the viewers. Apart from the six artists who made it to the US, the opening ceremony was also graced by a powerful delegation from the National Gallery of Art, Nigeria led by AbdullahiMuku, its Director-General. It was also attended by the Vice Mayor of the City of Pembroke, Jay Schwartz who represented Mayor Frank C. Ortis and delivered an emotion-laden speech. He recognized the authenticity of African Art and admitted the influence of African Art on the West. He also confessed that despite the

This new art form parades originality and cannot be compared with any other existing art form I have ever seen fact that he had witnessed so many art exhibitions in the past, he had never seen something like Araism. To him, “this new art form parades originality and cannot be compared with any other existing art form I have ever seen”. He then expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the entire people of Pembroke Pines and its environs, to the members of Araism Movement for sharing their unique artistic knowledge with the people of Florida in particular and the US in general. Other dignitaries include Alexandra P. Davis, Vice Mayor of the City of Miramar while the Artist Community was represented by the likes of Juan Rafael Prieto who is a member of the Association of American Professional Photographers; Prof. De-Vita, JacklinLaflamme, Michael Harris, John Antczak, Beth K.

Culture, ceremony, as CBAAC D.G, wife are honoured omorrow, the historic town Tagog of Inisa, Osun State will be with cultural activities as it plays host to scores of dignitaries across the country for the conferment of chieftaincy titles on the Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilizations (CBAAC), Prof. Tunde Babawale.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Marounfola Oyedele (Fasikun II) J. P. and the traditional council of Inisaland, Odo Otin Local Government Area, Osun State have concluded plans to confer the titles of ‘Bobagunwa’ and ‘Yeye Bobagunwa’ of Inisaland on Professor Tunde and his wife, Mrs. Adetola

Babawale respectively. The awards are in recognition of their immense contributions to human, cultural and community development of Inisaland and Osun State in particular and Nigeria in general. The conferment is part of activities to commemorate the 36th Coronation Anniversary of Oba Joseph Oyedele

as Olunisa of Inisaland. Worthy of note is Professor Babawale’s contribution to the art and culture sectors of Nigeria where he has made remarkable impact as the Director-General of CBAAC. The event holds at the New Inisa Town Hall, Olunisa Palace Arcade, Inisa, Osun State on Saturday 17th May, 2014 at 10am.

Amato among so many others, Sharon Sammarco who co-curated the exhibition with Robyn Vegas expressed her delight at the possibility of bringing the much-talked about Araism Movement from Africa to the US. She commended the Movement for producing and presenting such an array of “awe-inspiring paintings”. She admitted the vibrancy of the Movement and the qualitative creative outputs of its members.In his remarks, MufuOnifade, founder and leader of Araism Movement, declared: “This show has marked a new threshold in the history of the Movement’s existence and sojourn”. To him, the show in Florida was in fulfillment of the promise he made on behalf of the Movement at its last outing in Lagos in 2013 to the effect that Araism Movement was due for international exhibitions. AbdullahiMuku, DG, National Gallery of Artwas particularly delighted at the consideration given by Studio 18 in hosting Araism Movement’s first exhibition outside Nigeria. He enthused that Araism Movement had remained consistent in its exhibition series ever since it debuted in 2006. He said, “This consistency has attracted the National Gallery of Art’s support”. He also acknowledged that there were many art groups and accomplished artists in Nigeria, which the NGA had assisted and was still assisting. “More importantly is the National Gallery of Art’s use art to ferment cultural diplomacy. This has been exemplified in the NGA’s international touring exhibitions called NIVATOUR (Nigerian Visual Art Tour), which has taken place twice and taken Nigerian art and artists to Egypt and South Korea”. He then proposed the next edition to Studio 18 in Florida. Meanwhile, Araism Movement 12 will continue to enjoy robust viewership until it closes on Thursday May 22, 2014.

22 ART Frank Edwards, the multi-award winning gospel singer, producer, recording artist and entrepreneur was at the just concluded Catholic Praise Concert. He spoke with EBERE AMEH after his performance at the Freedom Park, Lagos. Excerpts

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

I wanted to be a pilot, but music took over –Edwards

How would you describe your kind of music? I do sweet music. Be it rock, reggae, as long as it appeals to me, I’ll do it... glorifying the name of the lord. I started with playing rock music basically, gospel rock. I’m a producer as well as a song writer. I can do a lot. I produce for other people. It was In the course of producing that I started singing. Tell us how it all started I’m from a family of seven, five siblings and my parents. I Wanted to be a pilot but music just took over. Music for me is a childhood thing. I started playing the piano from age eight. In as much as I loved flying, I just saw myself going deeper into music and my Dad just had to let go. I was an Anglican and I started playing the piano at home, and then in the youth fellowship choir and the church band. I remember I went to visit my cousin as a child and they had a small wooden piano. When I was leaving, I started crying that I wanted to carry it home. I was dragging it with my cousin when his mom came and asked him to leave it for me. She promised that she would buy another one for him. That was how I got my first piano. How did your parents take it when you started developing interest in music instead of flying planes? My mother didn’t find it funny. She would lock up the piano in heights where my hands won’t reach but I would stack up chairs to get it. On several occasions, I fell trying to get it. At a point she just knew that there is nothing they could do about it. Now they are happy and proud of me. How has the journey been? So far; so good. To say it has been excellent would be an understatement. A lot has happened. I found myself getting better and better and getting some international attention. I’m not talking about the awards, but I get them. I am the Best male vocalist in West Africa for the second year running, and several others. But that is not the aim or the reason that I do what I do. The main thing is that the good news of Christ is spreading through my music. That people, especially the youth, have the right music to worship God. Because if you say they should stop this and that and you don’t provide them alternatives, they’ll go back. I love the fact that I have been able to come out with songs that youths enjoy. I’m also beginning to have some international acclaim. I am working on my next album and I’m doing it with Don Moen and Mc Clurkin and some other big time artists. These people are big time artists, people I was only watching on TV and I am excited that together we can come out with something bigger for the people. Besides that, I am also happy that I have my own record label – Rock Town Records. Through it I would carry other people along. Has it been all rosy, any challenges on your path to success? Definitely there have been challenges but you are able to scale through the challenges if you are well rooted in Christ, in your profession and in service. Through service, you learn a lot. I served Sinach, a Nigerian artist, for over 12 years. I only produced her songs and during that period, I learnt a lot of things. I learnt that if you encounter a problem, it’s just for a while. Because of that, I knew that there

Edwards

would be challenges and I am prepared and confident that it will pass away. But for those who are not used to challenges, they end up falling, thinking the end has come. People have different challenges. Many have the songs but they don’t have the money, no studio and no record label. They have no platform and nobody to push them, or help them to showcase their talents. The case is that no matter how good you are, if you don’t have a platform, if nobody knows you, you won’t succeed. That platform would have been a challenge to me but for Pastor Chris who supported me and gave me the platform through the Loveworld Records. Nigerians should create more platforms for the upcoming artists to showcase their talents and get assistance. I can confidently say that after my salvation, the best thing that happened to me in life is meeting Pastor Chris. If I didn’t meet him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Do you have plans to mentor these upcoming artists? I have mentored so many that I have lost count. Everywhere in the world we have people I mentor through my social network and places where I have had programs. They testify and say ‘I never knew music was possible for me until I met you.’ Many ask me ‘I’m working on something new, what I can do,’ and I always see myself advising and guiding people. I derive joy doing that and with my Rocktown Records, I will do more. Where do you see yourself in five years? In the next five years, where I would be is not something I can describe. I would have brought in more people to do the same thing. That’s my major fo-

Music is one of the things that... will help the people to relieve themselves of the fear, the anger and anxiety, and reflect on God cus for now. You are not a Catholic, why did you come for the concert? For me, it’s not about religion, I am a child of God and Catholics are too. They don’t worship Satan in the Catholic Church so why can’t I be here. When I announced on the social network that I will be performing at this event, my fans were like ‘What are you talking about? Are you going to sing hymns? I answered that whatever I’m going to do there, I’m so excited that we are going to glorify God. It’s high time we began to realize that it’s all about God. It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic or Anglican or Pentecostal. Do you think this concert is right now, given the mood of the nation? Music is very powerful. It is one of the things that Nigeria need now because there is too much problem everywhere. You wake up hoping for a good day, and before you know it, there is a bomb somewhere killing hundreds of people; kidnappers and robbers are doing their own, children are abducted from school and taken to the forest and the list is endless. Music will help the people to relieve themselves of the fear, the anger and

anxiety, and reflect on God. It will help people to pray to God and hope for a better Nigeria. So a program like this is really needed; in short, more of this. Many think that the problem with Nigeria is religion and that splitting Nigeria into North and South will solve it. What’s your take on that? It won’t solve the problem. I think that the problem with Nigeria is the people and their mindset. It’s not really the government. The problem with Nigeria is the people. The people that have crooked minds have reproduced more people with crooked mindset and until we change the mindset of these people, the problems will still be there. How can we change the people? It is a personal thing because. Nigeria is not one person. If you take care of yourself, and take care of your home, you take care of your environment and your community. If individually we can take care of our community by taking care of our homes, then we have taken care of our state and from there it spreads. Everyone should act on him or herself and together we can have better families, better society and a better Nigeria. It’s not a money thing, it’s just crooked mindset of the people. If every Nigerian is given 1 million naira each, the problem will still be there. Leadership has a lot of role to play. The fact is that they are really not concerned about the people, they are only concerned about politics. They are pumping in too much money into the 2015 election so whatever is going on in the country now is not really their concern. That means somebody’s mindset is not good. If they do the work they are elected to do, we’ll support them and they’ll not have to bribe us to vote for them.

Etisalat Prize for Literature 2014 announces call for entry

tisalat Nigeria has announced call for entry for the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature, the second edition of the much celebrated innovative literature prize launched in 2013. The Etisalat Prize for Literature which is the first Pan African Literary Award to celebrate African fiction writers seeks to recognise, celebrate and reward debut fiction writers of African descent whose works are published in the last 24 months. According to the Acting Chief Executive Officer at Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, “the Etisalat Prize for Literature

serves as a platform for the discovery of new creative writing talent out of the African continent and is the first prize with the novel concept of also promoting the growing publishing industry in Africa. The winner receives a cash prize of £15,000 in addition to a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia. The winner and shortlisted writers receive a sponsored two city tour promoting their books.” The acting CEO highlighted that following the success of the maiden edition last year, the literary community is eagerly awaiting this second edition. NoViolet Bulawayo won the maiden edition of the

Etisalat Prize for Literature with her highly celebrated debut novel “We Need New Names”. The Etisalat Prize accepts submitted works which must be a writer’s first work of fiction over 30,000 words, which has been published in the last 24 months. The Etisalat Prize will also launch the online based flash fiction prize later in the year to engage the rising stars of fiction. A Press Conference will be held in Lagos, in June, to announce the panel of judges for this year’s competition. Rules and guidelines for entry are available on www.etisalatprize.com Entries close 8th of August 2014.

MEDIA 23

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Fire in the Centre is for everyone, says Osumune For John Osumune, the need to give society an original and unique book to dispense an inherent virtue that can affect lives, mold behaviour, notion and predilections in a positive direction, inspired his debut novel, Fire in the Centre. So what is this book about? How does it cut across various audiences? In this interview, Osumune explains why he believes that Fire in the Centre couldn’t have come at a better time, writes TONY OKUYEME.

hen the thought of writing a book that would, in his words, speak for the voiceless, and all the weak, a book that will encourage peace, love, tolerance and fairness, little did he know that it will be an adventure of sort; a journey that will take him so long to accomplish. Call him a Lagos boy, and you may not be wrong. Although, he is from the Eastern part of the country, he was born in Shogunle, in Oshodi, Lagos. He attended the community school in the area, Temidire Primary School, and Oshodi Comprehensive High School, Oshodi, respectively. A graduate of biochemistry, Osumune worked as a printer, publisher with a publishing firm; and as a teacher for over eight years. He has also had a stint with the movie industry. According to him, he started writing when he was in class three in secondary school and since then he has been nursing the ambition of getting it to see the light of the day. “I did not know how to get help or where to get help from. You know in Nigeria, you really have to do a lot for yourself despite your limitation and that was why it has taken me too long a time to achieve this result and I feel triumphant about it,” Osumune said, adding that “The message, the importance and relevant of the moral values has made it a very strong book Tony Okuyeme

rom May 17-30, 2014, the Omenka Gallery will present Evolving Through Waste, an exhibition of recent work by well-known Nigerian artist, Raqib Bashorun. The exhibition aims to

Waste Gift, 2014, aluminium and wood

for this time and season and even beyond.” “I started writing in my early life. My mother was a market woman and is still today. I was in primary school then. After school I used to go to the market to eat my lunch sometimes and stay with her until evening when we would return home. This is part of how I grew up. Market life, with all its characteristics: noise from engines, grinding machines, market women and sometimes unnecessary confusion of the market place. All these had their own kind of effect on my mind, thoughts and feeling. “Importantly, we had our neighbour who sold pepper and other food stuff. One of her wards, aunty Ramota used to read a particular publication then that was popular. They called it Aiye, the odd world. You must be Yoruba or very close to Yoruba to know about this publication because it was written in Yoruba language. It was a Yoruba story series. I liked reading it each time she bought a new edition of it. I read stories on Omo Abami, etc, and the message I learnt from the stories really helped to shape up my thinking and behaviour. “I started reading Yoruba as soon as I could read English because we were taught to read it from the alphabet. In primary two, I could remember stories like Abebi ati Obe,

Osumune

etc. and also reading the Aiye with the support of Aunty Ramota helped my Yoruba a lot because by the time I got to primary five I was so good at the subject that I was usually one of the best two or three in the class to the admiration of my teachers. I remember a few teachers buying me the head of fish to encourage me. According to him, besides this, he has a disabled younger brother who was usually the butt of his peers. “No one seemed to care for him and at a tender age I tried to be there for him, giving him protection the much I could. When I got to secondary school, and in my class one, we read Cyprian Ekwensi’s Akin the Drummer Boy as our literature text. That was it! I got to the portion where the poor, blind boy was beaten up by some healthy boys and really molested, without the slightest compunction. No pity for his condition. I broke down in ardent tears in the class because I quickly drew the connection to my brother who faced similar treatment. People didn’t

know why I was crying. I couldn’t tell them. But I later told them I had a headache. “Some days later I bought an exercise book and started writing a book I thought would, like Cyprian Ekwensi, speak for the voiceless, and all the weak, like my brother, amongst us; a book that will encourage peace, love, tolerance and fairness. For him, Fire in the Centre is a cultural fiction. “It is about a chief priest who is the protagonist here, his travails, tragedy and eventual sense of triumph! Okwuohan is his name, chief priest. The mantle of leadership automatically fell on him when the priest of a sister shrine died after pulling down the shrine. He had brought his son before the shrine for cure of a strange ailment, but his failure to get the cure for him and the death of the boy got him so angry that he destroyed the shrine. In anger, the oracle imposed on them the prodigal, bastard son of one of the elders as a king. Kingship was a situation the people hitherto

were averse to. But they had to accept the imposition by the gods even though many of them didn’t like it. It was a condition rammed down the throat of the people. It was a case of a boil on the scrotus as expressed by Okwuoha requiring utmost care, patience and resilience. Despite warnings from the gods against harming the king the elders had a handful curtailing the incessant incidents of tumult in the land by the people. “This condition was not easy for Okwuohan and the other elders who were stretched to critical state of their mettle. Even the gods were stunned because it was intended to really overwhelm the people with so much affliction but the resilience of Okwuohan especially, in his untiring fervent supplication to the gods that even continued after the gods inspired the death of his only son, who was about performing his wine– carrying ceremony, stunned the gods and their anger was brought to an abrupt end. The effect of his burden even resulted in his being vitiated physically, emotionally and psychologically. This had left him with a persistent bout of hiccups and slurring tongue, etc. The eventual death of the king was a welcome development but Okwuoha tried to dissuade the people from celebrating the death of their common enemy to highlight the sanctity of human life.

Fire in the Centre is a cultural fiction. It is about a chief priest who is the protagonist here, his travails and eventual sense of triumph!

Omenka Gallery presents evolving through waste raise our awareness to forms of waste whilst highlighting the importance of recycling. As most of his contemporaries, Bashorun reconstructs pre-existing materials, rein-

terprets and ultimately repurposes them as recycled art. The creation of something positive from the inherent negativity of waste, and the reaction of surprise, the materials inevitably draw from the observer, are the key factors in Bashorun’s art. The exemplary display of wood, aluminium and plastic confronts us with the need to focus on the history around the material whilst raising questions of sustainability, and environmental concerns. Along with their aesthetic appeal, several of Bashorun’s sculptures speak against blatant disregard of proper disposal and often times waste, as is the custom of our generation. According to Bashorun, at take-off, he was not thinking of the popular expressions such as ‘waste to wealth’ or trash to treasure. “I saw waste in an artistic sense-as an ‘art form’, and I sourced for some, which readily or through modifications, I could connect

with the other forms I created myself in wood to further my mission. My approach to employing these objects was one of exploration, experimentation, commitment and passion,” he said. Professor Frank A. O. Ugiomoh asserts that “Bashorun’s career as an artist and teacher confronts us with works that emerge from a formed conscience that confronts us with the good a society should probe and seek knowledge from. History, which the artwork parades after all, is the way we understand ourselves in the present so that we might the future accordingly. This then is the value of these works presented to us. In their anti mimetic stance which Bashorun comes with in his art remains their enduring value. Such a stance like the parable will always allow us to appreciate their diverse meaning as often as historical contexts change. May we get a bit wiser embracing these works

and others like these.” Born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1955, Bashorun studied General Art and Graphic Design at Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos in late 70’s and early 80’s. Bashorun worked for a short time in a small advertising agency in Lagos before going to the United States of America where he read Art Education graduating in B.EdS and M.Ed (Curriculum and Instruction) in 1984. In 1986, he joined the Art Faculty of Yaba College of Technology where he rose to the level of Chief Lecturer having been Head of the Graphics Department and Dean of the Art Faculty. In 1999, he traveled to the United States of America where he obtained a MFA in Sculpture from University of Missouri in Colombia Missouri. He has participated in 12 solo exhibitions and has been featured in over 26 group shows at home and abroad.

24 TOURISM Stories by Andrew Iro Okungbowa

nvestigation by New Telegraph has revealed that the average room rate per night for hotels in Lagos ranks among the highest in the world. This situation has made business travellers to the city to regard it as one of the most expensive business destinations in the world, and a source of worry to many of them because of the hassles that they have to go through as the city also lacks some of the basic facilities and conducive atmosphere for seamless stay and business affairs. Another development is that revenue yields from the food and beverage operations of most of the hotels are on the increase while the room earnings by some of them are on the decline. This, some of them said, is a positive development, even on the global level room earnings are usually higher than food and beverage earnings. Besides complaints by most of the business travellers spoken to, all of the general managers of the top rated and internationally branded hotels in the city interviewed confirmed this development, which according to them affects their operations as well as they have to devise different means to fill their rooms. The average room rate per night for at least a three star rated hotel in the city is put at $380 and this could rise as high as above $400 depending of course whether the hotel is located either in the Lagos Island or Mainland area and also whether it is internationally branded. ‘‘Lagos has the highest average room rate in the world, at least three star above hotels, is $350 for a standard room per night,’’ so revealed one of the general managers of a highbrow hotel in the Mainland area of the city. According to the hotel operators, many factors are responsible for this high rate, and top on the list is the high cost of doing business in Lagos. ‘‘I think that Lagos is an expensive destination and I think that hotel rates are really structured around operating cost,’’ so lamented one of the hotel operators. For many of the operators, this is the most debilitating factor that they contend with as they virtually have to provide all the basic essentials and facilities in order to have a smooth operation. These include, water, electricity, security, fire safety, insurance premium, road construction and even putting government and regulatory officials on their pay roll to watch over their backs and save them from incessant demands from some persons within their areas of operation. Also, the heavy taxations and sundry levies and charges that they pay to the various arms of government, most cases resulting in double charges are decried by most of them as a heavy cost and drain on their operating resources. In Lagos, some of the operators are in the court with the state government over this issue, especially the consumption tax that was introduced some years ago by the

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Lagos average room, highest in the world, say hoteliers

Southern Sun restuarant table set

state government. Other factors outlined by the operators include the fact that demand for rooms in the city far outstripped the supply, insufficient standard and quality rated hotels, cost of building and maintenance, cost of training staff to meet with international standard. ‘‘If you look at the cost of training which we provide there is not a single qualified staff, which you can hire from outside. You have to train everybody from the scratch, as there is no education in the management of hotel or hotel work. So if you add all these components together you come to an extremely high cost of operating a hotel, revealed a general manager. While for another, the high rate does not translate to profit for the hotels but rather it goes to defray their high cost of operation. ‘‘The higher rate in Lagos has got nothing to do with profitability or if you think that the hotels are more profitable than some others, it is simply that the cost of living and the cost of operating a hotel compared to other cities is completely outrageous.’’ He added that ‘‘In Lagos, you have to produce your energy, as there is very little supply from PHCN. The diesel prices are extremely expensive. In Lagos the food and beverage – the commodity itself - are very, very expensive compared to other cities, and obviously this reflect in cost.’’ Another reason for the high rate highlighted by them is the high interest paid on loans by the investors as there are no

mortgages in operation in the country. ‘‘If you look at the investment cost in a hotel, there is no other country in the world, which is above 20 percent interest on mortgages and here in Nigeria you have over 25 percent interest. ‘‘So how do you think that you can finance a hotel with those rates? And these all accumulate to these high rates because if you don’t have the rates how would you be able to pay back your mortgages. It is a very tough one, it is a circle because the mortgages are also affecting the suppliers (Investors and others), and they need loan and financing facilities, which are not readily available here. And that is one of the reasons why everything is very expensive,’’ said one of them.

You got to protect your margins and also to embrace your operating cost, so I don’t think that people can afford to reduce their rates too much because you got too big cost factor that has to be taken care of

‘‘You got to protect your margins and also to embrace your operating cost, so I don’t think that people can afford to reduce their rates too much because you got too big cost factor that has to be taken care of.’’ However, it is not all bad news for the city as the operators confessed that they are gaining heavily from the food and beverage end of their operations as many of them make heavy yields from their foods and drinks sales, which help to keep them afloat; whereas by global standard and tradition, it is the room rate that keep the hotels afloat rather than the food and beverage. As revealed by them, most of the hotels make close to 45 percent revenue from their foods and drinks while about 55 percent revenue is from the room. But the global standard is that 70 – 80 percent revenue is from the room while 30 percent revenue is from the foods and drinks. This development, they say is a positive and welcomed one for the hotels and that it also shows that the business travellers who patronise the hotels, Nigerians especially have taste for good food and spend heavily on foods and drinks. The number of conferences and social events hosted by the hotels, they say are pointers to this development. ‘‘It is a very good sign that at least people in Nigeria, not only the international travellers have good taste for food and beverage if you offer them varieties,’’ said one of the general managers.

Lantana College of Hospitality graduates 30 L

The graduating students of Lantana College.

antana College of Hospitality has graduated 30 young girls trained in the various aspects of hospitality business and operations. It is the first set of professionals produced by the Enugu – based outfit. The hospitality training school is an initiative of the Women’s Board, Educational Co-operation Society; a Nigerian nongovernmental not-for-profit organization which contributes to women’s development in both rural and urban settings. Of the 30 graduating students, four emerged as best well – be-

haved while another four emerged as best graduating students and were awarded - the Mrs. Florence Ifeoma Ekwueme (Modotel Nig. Ltd.) award for best behaved students and the Roban Hotel award for the best students in academic. The director of studies, Miss Nkechi Osuji in her welcomed address, highlighted the mission of the college, which among others are to empower young girls with the skills and expertise needed to be effective in the hospitality career and to help women acquire a professional approach in the running of

the homes. While the State Coordinator NABTEB (National Business and Technical Examinations Board) South East Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Mark Ugwoke who was represented by Miss Chigozie Metu, speaking on ‘Technical Education as a Tool to National Development’ advised that more attention be paid to technical education, craft and handiwork as needed tools for development. The Spiritual formation at the College is entrusted to Opus Dei, a Catholic Institution founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá.

Entertainment

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/entertainment

SOny Neme Entertainment Editor

sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com 0811 181 3096

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

An audition session at the Star The Winner Is

Star The Winner Is ends regional auditions stories by sony neme

he week-long regional search for the most vocally talented Nigerians in Africa’s first ever music talent and game show ‘Star The Winner Is’ came to a grand finale in Lagos on last week Thursday. The show is expected to premiere soon and will be broadcasted on television stations nationwide The regional auditions, which started in Benin City on April 29 before moving to other cities, climaxed in a two- day vocal talent extravaganza on May

7 and 8 with thousands of hopefuls that converged at Acquatic Hotels in Ikeja Lagos. With a massive overflow of vocally talented individuals storming the venue for the final audition, the talent packed event was well delivered to wrap up the auditions phase. 29year old singer, Henry McJohn stood out in the midst of the colourful multitude that thronged the venue. Henry who had been on several musical talent hunt shows impressed the judges with his rendition of Gerald Levert’s I’d Give Anything. Another noteworthy contes-

tant, Nonso Iwuchukwu who earned himself a golden ticket with his flawless rendition of Beyoncé’s Love On Top was visibly shaken and overwhelmed. The other cities, like Enuge, had some remarkable performances that took the judges to task. One of such was 23-yearold Micheal Achu. Michael fascinated the judges with his flawless vocal performance of Adele’s Someone Like You and earned himself a golden ticket to the TV show. Benin city, the first stop for the auditions delivered amazing talents one of which was a

DJ Jimmy Jatt stages a tour @ 25 Jimmy Jatt

eteran Nigerian DJ, DJ Jimmy Jatt who has had his fingers on the console is set to celebrate his 25 years

Psquare returns with Taste The Money

eeks after P-Square got their fans on the edge about a better forgotten break up, they have released a video for their single Taste The Money (Testimony)”. The video shows the twins enjoying the good life as they are seen in the opening scenes with a Maserati, and three beautiful women bringing in a bag filled with goodies into Squareville where a party is underway. The video was shot in South Africa and was directed by Jude Okoye.

of scratching and spinning records, CDs on turntable. A documentary on the respected DJ and an official video ‘Glasses Up’ featuring Tuface and Burna Boy will be released as the theme song for the anniversary. The foremost DJ who recently released a new set of pictures from a photo shoot announced that the anniversary will involve a nation-wide tour that will see him in six cities across Nigeria from the 30th of May to the middle of June. According to him, “The tour will start in Lagos, and run through Enugu, Benin, Port Harcourt, Ilorin and Abuja. There would also be a DJ Jimmy Jatt documentary, a 25th anniversary formal dinner on August 3, Jimmy’s Jump Off on September 30, and a launch of the DJ Jimmy Jatt foundation for the Entertainment Arts with its first project for up and coming DJs also slated for this year.” we reliuably gathered that this year will also mark the return of his legendary TV show ‘Jimmy’s Jump-Off ’ which has featured Nigeria’s biggest music acts including 2face, Mode 9, M.I, Ice Prince, the Late Dagrin, Sauce Kid and many more.

sassy 20 year old, Jahtell Ilem whose vocal prowess captivated the selectors beyond words. Amongst the incredible talents that Abuja presented was 20 years old Bigwan Faith, who works as a day security man in Lafia. His baritone voice saw him through to the next round. While Desmond David, a contestant in Port Harcourt left the judges spellbound with his astonishing rendition of Avicii’s Wake Me Up to earning a gold ticket. Tokunbo Adodo, Marketing Manager Star, Goldberg and Export expressed excitement

about the auditions. This is how he expressed his enthusiasm: “The regional auditions offered a grand kick- off to the maiden edition of Star The Winner Is. The variety of vocally talented contestants that were harvested on this project is an indication that the show itself will deliver nail-biting and a suspense filled experience guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats through every episode of the show”. After Benin, Edo State, the auditions train moved to Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and finally Lagos.

Oshadipe twins features Olamide in ARABA’

ast rising music artists Taiye and Kehinde Oshadipe known as Oshadipetwins are set to drop a new song which they title ‘ARABA’ . According to our sources, ‘ARABA’ is a hot new single featuring Olamide from the twins that are gradually etching their names on inspirational, contemporary and gospel genre of music. Like most notable artistes, the Akungba Akoko, Ondo-State born crooners, formerly known as ‘The Angelic Voices’ before changes their stage names, had started singing from the church. Tthey have also had memorable performances on same stage with notable artistes both local and international such as Michael Bolton, Angie Stone, King Sunny Ade, Evang. Ebenezer Obey, Tope Alabi, Sammy Okposo, Lara George, and a host of others. They have also entertained notable Nigerians like Governor Adams Oshiomole, Governor Gbenga Daniel, and Mrs Oluremi Ti-

nubu among other. They were also active members of the popular versatile band ‘Compassion Band’.

Oshadipe twins

26 Entertainment

Friday, May 16, 2014

Davido,Tiwa Savage nominated for BET Awards

lack Entertainment Television, BET, has announced the nominations for the “BET Awards” 2014. In it is Nigerian superstars, HKN Boss, Davido and Mavin’s First lady Tiwa Savage. The two artistes will go head to head alongside other African acts for the award of Best International Act Africa category. The “BET Awards” 2014 will take place on Sunday June 29 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, CA., and will premiere on BET International in Africa on July 1 at 21:00 CAT. Nominations were announced in 20 categories, selected by BET’s Voting Academy comprised of a group of respected entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, creative arts and fans. Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials said, “This year’s nominees represent the best of the culture. It’s great to see our talented new artist’s right alongside our more beloved ones with long careers. We appreciate our BET Awards nomination committee, over 300 strong, for their efforts and congratulate all the nominees.” Stephen G. Hill and Lynne Harris Taylor, BET’s Vice President of Specials will serve as Executive Producers for the “BET AWARDS,” along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment. The “BET Awards” will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. Live in Los Angeles from June 27-29th. BET. com/Awards is the official site for the BET Awards 2014 and will have all the latest news and updates about this year's show. All information about the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-ColaÒ can be found at BETExperience.com. The BET Experience VIP Package offers the only way to purchase a BET Awards ticket, great seats to 3-nights of concerts at the Staples Center, and exclusive access to events at the free Fan Fest. For more information go to BET.com/BETX. Follow the Experience on Twitter @betexperience. The complete list of nominees for the “BET Awards” 2014 are: Best International Act: Africa Davido (Nigeria) Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

welve contestants have emerged for the quarter-final stage of the Goldberg Fuji to Bam music talent activation. This was after a keenly contested audition from hundreds that competed. The quarter final is scheduled for Ilesha, Osun State while the semi-finals will hold in Akure, Ondo State. The grand finale has been slated for Ibadan, Oyo State. The auditions were held in six locations such as De Palace Bar, Ilesha; Kwality Express Bar, Oshogbo, La Cuisine Bar, Ibadan, Atlas Hotel, Ado Ekiti, Inter Life Hotel, Akure and Rockyson Hotel, Akungba/Ikare. The quarter-finalists are; Ejire Performer and Okikiola who qualified from Oshogbo while in Ilesa, Segun Sender and Smally were selected. At Ibadan where the contest was more intense, Twinszobia Twins and Muhideen Adisa emerged victorious while Sunday Olayiwola (aka Temitope Ajani Oluaye Fuji) and Akanni ‘Banana’ Olajide qualified from Akure. In Ikare, Adekunle Mudashiru and Adebola Muyili got the nod to proceed to the quarter-finals while Bukola Omoyajowo and Fasheko Olorunleke emerged from Ado-Ekiti. The winners stand the chance of going home with up to N1.5m cash and other exciting prizes at the grand finale.

l BET announces Jay Z, Beyoncé, Drake, Pharell, others as nominees

Beyonce

Mafikizolo (South Africa) Sarkodie (Ghana) Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) Toofan (Togo) Best International Act: UK Dizzee Rascal Ghetts Krept & Konan Laura Mvula Rita Ora Tinie Tempah Best Female R&B/Pop Artist Beyoncé Janelle Monáe Jhené Aiko K. Michelle Rihanna Tamar Braxton

Davido

Jame$ - I Luv This Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – Drunk In Love Drake f/ Majid Jordan – Hold On (We’re Going Home) JAY Z f/ Justin Timberlake – Holy Grail Robin Thicke f/ T.I. & Pharrell Williams – Blurred Lines YG f/ Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan – My Hitta Best Male Hip Hop Artist Drake Future J. Cole JAY Z Kendrick Lamar

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist August Alsina Chris Brown John Legend Justin Timberlake Pharrell Williams

Best Female Hip Hop Artist Angel Haze Charli Baltimore Eve Iggy Azalea Nicki Minaj

Best Group A$AP Mob Daft Punk Macklemore & Ryan Lewis TGT Young Money

Video of the Year Beyoncé – Partition Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – Drunk In Love Chris Brown – Fine China Drake – Worst Behavior Pharrell Williams – Happy

Best Collaboration August Alsina f/ Trinidad

Video Director of the Year

Benny Boom Chris Brown Colin Tilley Director X Hype Williams Best New Artist Ariana Grande August Alsina Mack Wilds Rich Homie Quan ScHoolboy Q Best Gospel Artist Donnie McClurkin Erica Campbell Hezekiah Walker Tamela Mann Tye Tribbett Best Actress Angela Bassett Gabrielle Union Kerry Washington Lupita Nyong’o Oprah Winfrey Best Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor Forest Whitaker Idris Elba Kevin Hart Michael B. Jordan YoungStars Award Gabrielle Douglas Jacob Latimore

Tiwa Salvage

Jaden Smith KeKe Palmer Zendaya Best Movie 12 Years a Slave The Best Man Holiday Fruitvale Station Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain Lee Daniels’ The Butler Subway Sportswoman of the Year Brittney Griner Lolo Jones Serena Williams Skylar Diggins Venus Williams Subway Sportsman of the Year Blake Griffin Carmelo Anthony Floyd Mayweather Jr. Kevin Durant LeBron James Centric Award Aloe Blacc – The Man Jennifer Hudson f/ T.I. – I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel) Jhené Aiko – The Worst LiV Warfield – Why Do You Lie? Wale f/ Sam Dew – LoveHate Thing

Goldberg Fuji to Bam down to 12 Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Walter Drenth during the course of the auditions, had expressed great satisfaction on the huge turnout of Fuji lovers and artistes. While explaining the rationale behind Goldberg’s Fuji to Bam initiative, Drenth said, “Goldberg is a quality lager beer thatcelebrates consumers and their traditional values. We allied with this genre of music because Fuji music enjoys huge followership across Nigeria. Thishas apparently led the brand to provide the Fuji To Bam as one of the platforms to further engage and connect with our consumers.” He further said that, “The Goldberg brand believes that many parts of the country are endowed with talents in music yet to be discovered; and I believe that as the talent hunt contest moves to other locations, Fuji to Bam will discover more Fuji talents that will become great music icons like KWAM1, Pasuma, Saidi Osupa and others”. Current Goldberg Ambassador and winner of last year’s Fuji to Bam contest, Nurudeen Atanda (Antenna), who was a guest at the Oshogbo auditions, stated that the brand made good its

Contestants at the audition rocking the stage

promise of rewarding him with a cash prize of N500, 000 and other gift items last year when he emerged winner. Atanda stressed that, “What Goldberg is doing for Fuji music is great, because they are really giving upcoming

Fuji artistes in Nigeria an opportunity to shine and excel. I’m really proud to be associated with the brand and I will keep thanking them for giving me and others a platform to excel and become relevant in the music industry today”

Friday, May 16, 2014

he face-off generated by Clarion Chukwurah’s outburst against the leadership of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, President, Ibinabo Fiberesima has taken a new dimension. In her response, obtained by New Telegrapgh on Tuesday, Fiberesima in a 3,264 worded letter titled ‘My Dear Chief Clarion Chukwurah’, Fiberesima clarified all doubts, and reeled out her achievements since assuming office about two years ago. That she said is to correct wrong impressions from the recent open letter and interviews granted by Chukwurah, and “Is simply to set the records straight so it doesn’t appear that her silence means consent”. The letter states in parts: “I bring you peace and warm felicitation from the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN); a guild that is the only umbrella body for Screen Actors in Nollywood, with a conservative estimate of over five million members spread across 35 states in Nigeria including FCT Abuja… a guild that has in the last two years been repositioned as the pride of its members, Nollywood and the foremost guild in the continent of Africa. She said it took her this long to respond because, “I was away on a short vacation when my attention was drawn to two publications (one an open letter and the other an interview) credited to your very respected self, where you cast a lot of aspersions on myself and where you resorted to feeding the general public with deceit and falsehood. “Ordinarily I would not have replied you openly, because I do not join issues with my colleagues - whether junior or senior on the pages of the paper or on social media. As President, my task is uniting members of the guild and not causing disaffection, as your unfortunate outburst set out to do.” She further stated that, “However, it is for the purposes of correcting the falsehood and erroneous impression that your views might create in the minds of members of the Guild, stakeholders and the public that I write you. But in replying you Ma, I will restrain myself from employing foul words like you did. “You are my senior, and I want to respect that fact, even when I expected that you would have, as someone who claimed in one of the publications that ‘we are close’, reached out to me if you have anything against my person or the office of President of the AGN.” While restraining herself on the issues raised, she decided to gloss over petty issues like her not being qualified to be President of the AGN. Her words: “I ask; what qualification it takes to be President of the AGN? You seem not to be conversant with the constitution of the Guild you aspire to lead. For your information and with all modesty, I am a graduate and have been an active, financial and card-carrying member of the Guild for a decade and half. I became the Rivers State Chairman, Senior Special Adviser to the President and now the National President. That is apart from close to a decade and half as an actress, “And I have even funded productions in Nollywood. So, I wonder what else I need to qualify me to be elected as President of the AGN?” “Having said that, if one thing has become clear about your intentions … you have decided to raise the specter of ‘politrickal’ divide …which is to assume Leadership of the Guild. And I ask, which Guild? The same AGN that you openly declared was non-existent or the one you failed to join until a few days ago because of your intent to contest the Presidency? She opined that, “For the purpose of clarity, I don’t know whether those who reported the visit to you told you that I mentioned to Mr. President in clear terms that my ultimate objective as President of the guild is to deliver better professional and financial opportunities for my members, provide for their longterm welfare (as the acting career can be

Entertainment

Ibinabo takes on Clarion, your action is a deceit NO !

Ibinabo

I ask; what qualification does it take to be President of the AGN? You seem not to be conversant with the constitution of the Guild you aspire to lead a precarious one), source support in the areas of finance, funding, provision of standard production equipment for use by our members and the corresponding training facilities and also improve the livelihoods of our actors whilst making the future of our industry more sustainable.” “ Did they mention to you that I told Mr. President that piracy has prevented the industry from reaching its full economic potential and that one of the focus of the visit to Aso Villa is get Mr. President to direct the enactment of a legislation that will enable actors who play a very significant role in bringing a script to screen, derive tangible benefits from their work and enough security to envisage making a living from it? “Were you also informed that I asked Mr. President to direct the relevant government agencies to negotiate and sign the countless co-production treaties that exist between Nigeria and several countries for the benefit of our members and the Nigerian motion picture industry?... Most of our members cannot work outside of our shores because of the lack of production treaties. Even when they work, to secure work permit is difficult. “I wonder why they also forgot to mention to you that I implored Mr. President to see to the full implementation of the revised National Film Policy (NFP) and to present the bill on the setting up of the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPPICON) as an Executive bill that should speedily be passed into law….I have heard you argue about the AGN transforming into a union. We have explored that and we are constantly reminded that we cannot become a union because of certain structural deficiencies in the industry which is why we are hoping that with MOPPICON that will be backed by law, the AGN will have a seat

Clarion

in council and that way we can seek to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements that establish equitable levels of compensation, benefits, and working conditions for our members… I raised all of these issues in my speech… As an affiliate of the Federation of International Actors (FIA), wouldn’t it be more prestigious to receive our international visitors in a befitting secretariat that is in the seat of Government? “My Exco and I and even the Board of Trustees, have tried as much we can to get those of you in the veteran class involved in the activities of the Guild. We created a veteran forum since some of you complained that you would not like to be holding meetings with those some of you consider ‘up starts’ and ‘in-

terlopers’ but each time we call a meeting either directly or indirectly only very few people show up. But we won’t relent. We shall continue to reach out to those of you in that class and I make bold to say that some veterans were part of the delegation to the VILLA. She also stated that, “To correct you ma, I didn’t ask Mr. President for ‘a political appointment’ as you have been mouthing. I thanked Mr. President for the few consideration he has made in appointing some practitioners into key Government positions…I have attended meetings where most people in Government think that all we are good for is beauty and glamour and no brain. So what is wrong in asking that our memC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 8

Danfo Drivers remains intact

ime was when the duo of Mad Melon and Mountain Black held the music space in their grip as with chart topping Danfo Driver music. Since the not much have been heard from this talented ghetto crooners from Ajegunle. Interestingly, one of them Azubuike Henry Oghenemairo aka Mad Melon, recently emerged with a new 10-track album titled, Back In D Days. It was released on Globedisk Music, owned by Obi Nweke, and managed by Itiveh Michael Noah’s D' Ark Entertainment. Though the Asaba Ase, Ndokwa East, Delta State born entertainer, insists that the group is still intact. That much he said in a recent interview. His words: “There is no break up. Both of us are still together as Danfo Drivers. Mountain Black is still my partner, friend and also my brother. But this is my solo album entitled ‘Back In D Days’. It is just my own project, so when the time comes, both of us will do a group album. All along, we were still in the game musically. They had in 2009 released an album titled ‘New Chapter’ and a follow up in 2011 with ‘Back 2 Sender’ for two different record labels. Both record labels were allegedly refused to promote the albums without videos of the songs. Though, we did a video of a song in the ‘New Chapter’ album titled ‘Meshango’,

but the video was not promoted. So, both albums were not successful and it prompted our fans to believe we were out of music. For starters, Globedisk Music label also produces African China and Proffessor Linkin aka Jogodo. Mad Mellon’s new song has dance hall tracks ‘Kanyi Gba Egwu’, ‘We Go Dey’, ‘Wetin Dey (Ghetto Song)’, ‘Dey Well’, ‘Topom (Burkina Faso) Ololufemi, Gbemi Ga’, ‘Me Sha Dey Go’ and ‘Gbangan’.

Melon and Black

28 Entertainment TELEMOVIES

Friday, May 16, 2014

Zuma Film Fest raises the bar

of her role in advancing the cause of the African Women. T h e Chair man of the Awards Jury Dr. Dul Johnson

Funke

Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

he 2014 edition of the Biennial Zuma Film Festival with the theme Nationalism and Patriotism ended with a remarkable highlight. One of which was a special award bestowed on former Vice President of Spain Ms Maria Teresa Fernandez De La Vega in recognition

announced that a total of one hundred and eleven film entries were screened and graded in the following categories: Best Cinematography, Script, Animation, Best Actor, Best Actress,Best Student Film and Best picture From next year it will be renamed Nigerian International Film Festival and will henceforth be held annually and rotated amongst the 36 states of the federation. The memorable

four-day event organized by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) went on well with a wellattended colourful opening ceremony at Silverbird Entertainment Centre Abuja, on May 4. it had drawn stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry, government officials, Students of Film making and other Film enthusiasts. Members of the diplomatic corps were not left out. Among them was the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Castillo Alvaro. The NFC Managing Director, Mr. Danjuma Wurim Dadu, in his welcome address declared that "This year's edition of the festival will amongst other things celebrate film as a vehicle for transformation and patriotism among the diverse socio-cultural groups in Nigeria." He also disclosed that from 2015, Zuma Film Festival will be renamed Nigerian International Film Festival and will henceforth be held annually and rotated amongst the 36 states of the federation. This featured movie premier, screenings, film and video market/exhibition, emerging talents, master classes, workshop, symposium, colloquium where diverse topics based on issues related to Film Industry in Nigeria were discussed. The Award Nite was also star studded. In attendance were Nollywood Actors - Steve Eboh, Sydney Diala and Sani Danja of Kannywood. Other personalities includes Alhaji

Abdullahi Ibn Mohamadu, the Emir of Askira Borno State,the Managing Director of Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board Mrs Patricia Bala, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, Mr Brendan Shehu the former MD of NFC The Award for the Best Foreign Participating Country went to Egypt as well as the award for the Best Foreign Film which the Egyptian "Raghef Elash W.horea" meaning "Bread and wheat", won. Best Student Short Film award went to " FORLORN" produced by Miriam Kwai-ringa of National Film Institute The Film Blood and Henna won the Award for best Cinematography. The Best Actress and Actor Awards were carted away by Omoni Oboli and Majid Michael respectively, for their impressive performance in "Brother's keeper", while the Best Picture award went to Blood and Henna, produced by Ibrahim Buba. Indeed, the 2014 edition of Zuma Film Festival has left a memorable taste in the mouth of Film enthusiast who participated in the epoch making events as unanimously attested to at the end of the Festival by the MD Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board Mrs Patricia Bala, the elated S.U.G President of National Film Institute,Jos who led a large number of his students to form a large percentage of participants at the Festival and Okey Ezugo whose Film titled "Brother's keep" got two awards.

Ibinabo, Clarion tango

Daru CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 7

bers be given an opportunity to contribute their quota to national development? What is wrong in asking that someone as experienced as you heads an agency like the Film Corporation so you can bring about the change we desire?” On her recent appointment by the federal government, she explained thus: “If the other artistes that have been appointed on merit into part time positions have not stopped acting as it were, why should I resign? AGN is governed by a constitution and by verbal pronouncements. My appointment is rather another achievement for our The late Amaka Igwe Industry. You spoke too about our not being able to achieve

anything as an Exco since we were elected in 2012… I will only for the purpose of setting records straight list the following as some of the steps that we have taken to move the guild forward since we assumed office a little near two years ago. Among the 33 items listed are a new multimedia website, www.actorsguildnigeria.org; a Health Management Plan and Insurance Scheme for members; first ever veteran’s meeting series across all the six-geo political zones; more permanent and sustainable membership Database; acquired an 18 setter bus for the Guild; introduced an inter-ethnic cultural festival (Drama, Dance and Poetry) amongst the state chapters to unite all members; and lifestyle benefits discount for members on travel, holidays, shops on groceries, restaurants. She further stressed that “We commenced periodic skills improvement training across the geo political zones starting from South and North central; last year I represented FIA to talk about the rights of an actor in Africa during WIPO organized, ECOWAS Ministerial conference in Abidjan, Cote’d voire; AGN was again invited to Ghana by the Hon. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Arts to help fine-tune her presentation

to the Parliament; and ECOWAS Ministers of Culture also adopted my paper to be included the in the draft recommendation for the rights and welfare of the Actor as recommended in Beijing Treaty and to be ratified by ECOWAS member Nations. “We have applied for Project Nollywood training fund to build capacity in the Guild; we have also requested for fund for film production from the production unit of the same project; initiated Drama support funding for state chapters to the tune of 100,000 naira per chapter to encourage and build new talents; completed research on setting up of AGN resource centre and a library for members and researchers; and we have just drafted compressive contract and are discussing with producers on the implementation. “Our National Congress was successfully held in Minna, Niger State from December 13th – 15th 2013; as well as visited the President and Commander-inChief of Armed Forces, FRN to request for proper restructuring of the industry and investiture him as the Grand Patron, Actors Guild of Nigeria” In surmising, I would like to strongly advice that we keep politics aside and work towards building faith in the possibility of transforming the Guild to the

foremost Guild in the world. On my part I promise to do my best and act by the oath of office I took and the allegiance I pledged to defend the constitution of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. I also pledge to continue to lead an EXCO that will work assiduously at enforcing membership revalidation and ensuring that members sign into the health plans. My immediate plan is to introduce our new code of ethics, improve on more welfare package and also furnish the present National Secretariat to standard, launch the new motto of AGN- ‘Face of Nollywood’, with approval of the BOT, open a new National Office in the FCT, Abuja, Complete elections in all States that are due, organize more training programmes for members across state chapters and zones, continue with paying courtesy visits to Patrons and would be patrons and embark on fund raising drive for the Guild. With time permitting, we shall also launch a comprehensive pension plan for members, launch a benevolent fund and encourage more productions across zones to help members achieve their dreams Thank you for finding time to read from me and do accept the assurances of my highest Regards.”

Censors Board approves 43 films

he National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on Wednesday released a list of approved films for the month of April. A breakdown of the films showed that 19 of the films were English, 14 in Yoruba, while Hausa, Bini,and Ibibio has seven, one and two respectively. There was only one ‘PG’ category film among the 43 approved which is “The Return of Baby Oku in America” an English language film. According to a release sent by Acting Head Corporate Affairs, Caesar O. Kagho, “Sixteen movies were classified “15” including “Pretty Liars” (English), “A Thousand Kisses”(English), “First Cause” (English), “Woli Agba” (Yoruba), “Bebi Pu Lofa” (Yoruba), “Ijoba Osekan” (Yoruba), “Ruwan Zuma” (Hausa), “Bugun Abuja” (Hausa), “Da kaizan Gana” (Hausa), and “Ebun Akoko (Yoruba). Also Twenty – six movies were classified “18” including “Anwo Ino” (Ibibio), “Anwo Ino 2” (Ibibio), “Baba Babi” (Yoruba), “Baba Were” (Yoruba), “Asake Oni Bread” (Yoruba), “Baba Rana” (Hausa), “Badurwa” (Hausa), “Har Da mijina” (Hausa) and “EgboEziza” (Bini). Other movies approved include: “Spirits and dogs” (English) “Kubayashi” (Yoruba), “Ojokoja” (Yoruba), “United Apart” (English), “The Harvest Season” (English), Jaiye Ogo” (Yoruba), “Discussion Continues” (English). Kagho also revealed that the board had in December 2013 approved 36 films with 17 Hausa, eight Yoruba, six English, two Bini, two Igbo and one Efik language movies. The classification categories range from “12” – “18” out of which one film “Unsung Heaven” was “12” and 16 movies were classified “ 15” including Attajiri (Hausa) Bakin Zinare (Hausa) Derayo (Yoruba) Ugomma and English (English) and Awanokheni (Bini). Kagho stated that19 movies were classified “18” including Ahunna the Keke Rider (English), Egun Iboji (Yoruba) Olanma na Emenike (Igbo) Ola Ada Eze (Igbo), Native Warrior (English) Gadon Hali (Hausa), and Izaya (Hausa). For the movies classified “15”, the consumer advice is “imitable technique”, “strong language” and “violence” and for those classified “18”, the consumer advice is “sex” “strong language” “high drug use” “ rituals” and “strong violence”.

DG, NFVCB, Patricia Bala

Entertainment

Friday, May 16, 2014

CinemaWatch (Radio/TV/Events Guide)

MAY 16 – 23 HIGHLIGHTS

Almost Human on M-Net from Friday 16 May at 20:30 CAT (Premiere) Almost Human (Premiere): The series takes place approximately 30 years in the future following an unprecedented increase in the crime rate, every police officer must partner with a highly evolved humanlike android. It follows the week-to-week missions of Detective John Kennex, the sole survivor of a devastating police ambush, and his synthetic partner, Dorian, as they solve cases and fight to keep the lid on dangerously evolved criminals.. Focus on Michael Jackson on Trace Urban Saturday 17 May at 14:00 CAT Focus on Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson became a legend. Almost five years after his death, an exclusive postumous album is expected in may: “Xscape”. The teasing of the opus had been watched more than 900 000 times on Youtube. Eight exclusive song remixed by many artists whom the producer and rapper Timbaland are expected, TRACE Urban pays tribute to the king of pop with a selection of his best videos. The Good Wife Season 5 premieres on M-Net on 19 May at 20:30 CAT The lawyers of Lockhart and Gardner are back on DStv for another riveting season. The series focuses on Alicia Florrick whose husband Peter Florrick, a former Cook County state's attorney, has been jailed following a very public infidelity and corruption scandal. After having spent the previous 13 years as a stay-athome mother, Alicia returns to her old job as a litigator. Starting off this season, Alicia must focus on the firm’s efforts to prevent the execution of a convicted murderer while she secretly plans her exit from the firm with her counterpart, Cary. Max Steel airs on Disney XD on Mondays at 15:10 CAT This is a high-octane, action-packed adventure series about a 16-year old teenager named Maxwell McGrath who discovers that his body can generate mysterious but incredibly powerful turbo energy. To contain and harness this amazing power, Max must bond with a sentient techno-organic alien symbiote called Steel. Together they become the turbo-charged super-hero known as Max Steel! The Fashion Protégé on Africa Magic Entertainment, DStv Ch151 In celebration of MultiChoice Nigeria’s 20th Anniversary, the company launched several initiatives, one of which was the creation of The Fashion Protégé; a five episode reality television series aimed at encouraging budding designers, fashionistas and fashion enthusiasts to take

tune in to 'The Good Wife' on M-Net

their art up a notch and be recognized for their talent. Fashion Protégé, the first fashion TV reality show in Nigeria, which will begin airing on Thursday, 15 May 2014 at 8pm on Africa Magic Entertainment Channel 15, showcases the journey of the contestants who were shortlisted from a pool of hundreds, and chronicles their struggles as they strive to put their stamps on the fashion map. The General Manager of Marketing, Mr. Martin Mabutho, explained the rationale behind embarking on the project. “Since inception, we have been focused on contributing to the country’s socio-economic landscape through the creation of original African content that is uniquely African. With Fashion Protégé, we have gone a step further by contributing to the development of the fashion industry in Nigeria. Mabutho adds that “Nigerians are highly fashionable people and have garnered a reputation for being stylish. It is that vibrancy we hope to showcase. We also believe in nurturing the young and creating a platform for them to grow. Although Fashion Protégé is not about searching for the next supermodel, you will recall that we started MNET Face of Africa here in 1998 and we worked with a lot of amazing fashion designers from Nigeria. It is because of the commitment to growing this sector that The British Council joined us in the project and sponsored one of the grand prizes, a trip to the London Fashion Weekend. The other prizes are N1million (One Million Naira) cash prize,

spotlights Feature on BellaNaija, Feature in a Top Fashion Magazine, a Look book by Top Photographer and 1 year free subscription on DStv. Other prizes are N250,000 cash prize (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), one year DStv subscription for the runner up, and Dstv mobile devices.” The Fashion Protégé auditions were thrown open to fashionlovers between the ages of 18 and 35 and the lucky contestants had mentors such as the phenomenal Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and Mai Atafo. The show will hit the airwaves on Thursday, 15 May 2014, at 8pm on Africa Magic Entertainment, Channel 151. The show is a five part reality show and will be aired every Thursday at the same time. There will be a rebroadcast on the following days; Friday, Sunday and Monday, at 9:30pm, 8:30pm and 1:00am respectively. The vivacious Fade Ogunro will be our host and she will introduce us to the various challenges that the contestants will have to undertake, as they deliver increasingly amazing creative work.

GOtv M-Net MOVIES ZONE (Channel 2) - GOtv PLUS ONLY RICOCHET A police officer is kidnapped and framed by a psychopath with a grudge. He’s forced to redeem himself with the police force, his family and the public who have come to respect him. Saturday 17 May at 7pm

Tune in to 'The Good Wife' on M-Net

30 Entertainment TELEMOVIES

Friday, May 16, 2014

Coming Soon to the cinemas Movie Schedule: Friday 16 May Thursday, May 23 CEDDI PLAZA

Mama Africa (Movie Of The Week) Rating: PG Viewing Time - Friday 4.20PM, 8.30PM Viewing Time - Saturday 4.20PM, 8.30PM Viewing Time - Sunday 4.20PM, 8.30PM Viewing Time - Monday 4.20PM, 8.30PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 4.20PM, 8.30PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 4.20PM, 8.30PM Viewing Time - Thursday 4.20PM, 8.30PM Featured Actors Zach Orji, Tonto Dikeh, Belinda Effah, JibolaDabo, Linus Nnochiri, Chigozie Atuanya, Frank Artus Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 105min Over 500 Children die of fake vaccine epidemic, the poor and needy locked up in a military detention camp without any hope of food or freedom, the rich and wealthy embezzling and celebrating until one man, Nathan steps into the picture giving up his life, family and freedom all in a bid to save his mother land.....Mama Finding Love (Movie Of The Week) Rating : R Viewing Time - Friday 2.20PM Viewing Time - Saturday 2.20PM Viewing Time - Sunday 2.20PM Viewing Time - Monday 2.20PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 2.20PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 2.20PM Viewing Time - Thursday 2.20PM Featured Actors Denrele Edun, Bryan Okpara, Uru Eke, Kiki Omeili, Luclay Misoya and Babalwa Mnemo Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 95 min A romantic comedy that sheds light on the challenges and flaws most youths face in relationships. It focuses more on the absurd alliances that the media does not concentrate on but which we all know exist- the relationship between a celebrity and his female fans, a bisexual man’s love trials, the relationship between a sugardaddy and his beneficiary, and three others. Each story is told independent of each other, and is narrated by an online radio host, who also gives his opinion on the love issues. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Binta Goudiaby (PG) (Movie of the Week) Viewing Time - Friday 12.50PM,

3.30PM, 6.10PM, 8.50PM Viewing Time - Saturday 12.50PM, 3.30PM, 6.10PM, 8.50PM Viewing Time - Sunday 12.50PM, 3.30PM, 6.10PM, 8.50PM Viewing Time - Monday 12.50PM, 3.30PM, 6.10PM, 8.50PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 12.50PM, 3.30PM, 6.10PM, 8.50PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 12.50PM, 3.30PM, 6.10PM, 8.50PM Viewing Time - Thursday 12.50PM, 3.30PM, 6.10PM, 8.50PM

Featured Actors Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 142 Peter Parker runs the gauntlet as the mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillains against him, impacting on his life. The Frozen Ground (Rating: R)

Viewing Time - Friday 4.30PM Viewing Time - Saturday 4.30PM Viewing Time - Sunday 4.30PM Viewing Time - Monday 4.30PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 4.30PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 4.30PM Viewing Time - Thursday 4.30PM Featured Actors Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack, Dean Norris Genre Drama Running Time 105min An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events. Non-Stop (Rating: 18)

Viewing Time - Friday 2.30PM, 6.35PM Viewing Time - Saturday 2.30PM, 6.35PM Viewing Time - Sunday 2.30PM, 6.35PM Viewing Time - Monday 2.30PM, 6.35PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 2.30PM, 6.35PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 2.30PM, 6.35PM Viewing Time - Thursday 2.30PM, 6.35PM Featured Actors Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 106min An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account. KNOCKING ON HEAVEN'S DOOR (Rating:18) Additional Info Viewing Time - Friday 12.00PM Viewing Time - Saturday 12.00PM Viewing Time - Sunday 12.00PM Viewing Time - Monday 12.00PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 12.00PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 12.00PM Viewing Time - Thursday 12.00PM Featured Actors Majid Michel, Ini Edo-Ehiagwina, Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Adesuwa Etomi. Genre Drama Running Time 120min Noah (Movie Of The week ) Rating: PG15 Viewing Time - Friday 8.40PM Viewing Time - Saturday 8.40PM Viewing Time - Sunday 8.40PM Viewing Time - Monday 8.40PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 8.40PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 8.40PM Viewing Time - Thursday 8.40PM Featured Actors Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 138min A man is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission of rescue before an apocalyptic flood destroys the world. RIO 2 (PG) Viewing Time - Friday 12.30PM Viewing Time - Saturday 12.30PM

Viewing Time - Sunday 12.30PM Viewing Time - Monday 12.30PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 12.30PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 12.30PM Viewing Time - Thursday 12.30PM Genre Action/Adventure It's a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they're hurtled Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beakto-beak with the vengeful .. Finding Love (Movie Of The Week) Rating : R • Viewing Time - Friday 12.40PM, 2.30PM, 4.30PM, 6.25PM, 8.20PM o Viewing Time - Saturday

12.40PM, 2.30PM, 4.30PM, 6.25PM, 8.20PM • Viewing Time - Sunday 12.40PM, 2.30PM, 4.30PM, 6.25PM, 8.20PM • Viewing Time - Monday 12.40PM, 2.30PM, 4.30PM, 6.25PM, 8.20PM • Viewing Time - Tuesday 12.40PM, 2.30PM, 4.30PM, 6.25PM, 8.20PM • Viewing Time - Wednesday 12.40PM, 2.30PM, 4.30PM, 6.25PM, 8.20PM • Viewing Time - Thursday 12.40PM, 2.30PM, 4.30PM, 6.25PM, 8.20PM • Featured Actors Denrele Edun, Bryan Okpara, Uru Eke, Kiki Omeili, Luclay Misoya and Babalwa Mnemo • Genre Action/Adventure • Running Time 95 min

4.50PM, 7.05PM • Viewing Time - Monday 4.50PM, 7.05PM • Viewing Time - Tuesday 4.50PM, 7.05PM • Viewing Time - Wednesday 4.50PM, 7.05PM • Viewing Time - Thursday 4.50PM, 7.05PM • Featured Actors Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery • Genre Action/Adventure • Running Time 106min An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account. The Frozen Ground (Rating: R) • Viewing Time - Friday 2.55PM o Viewing Time - Saturday 2.55PM • Viewing Time - Sunday 2.55PM • Viewing Time - Monday 2.55PM • Viewing Time - Tuesday 2.55PM • Viewing Time - Wednesday 2.55PM • Viewing Time - Thursday 2.55PM • Featured Actors Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack, Dean Norris • Genre Drama • Running Time 105min An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events. That Awkward Moment ( Rating :18) • Viewing Time - Friday 12:15PM, 7.00PM

Non-Stop (Rating: 18) • Viewing Time - Friday 4.50PM, 7.05PM

o Viewing Time - Saturday 4.50PM, 7.05PM • Viewing Time - Sunday

o Viewing Time - Saturday 12:15PM, 7.00PM • Viewing Time - Sunday 12:15PM, 7.00PM • Viewing Time - Monday 12:15PM, 7.00PM • Viewing Time - Tuesday 12:15PM, 7.00PM • Viewing Time - Wednesday 12:15PM, 7.00PM • Viewing Time - Thursday 12:15PM, 7.00PM • Featured Actors Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Imogen Poots • Genre Comedy • Running Time 94min Three best friends find themselves where we've all been - at that confusing moment in every dating relationship when you have to decide "So...where is this going?

BUSINESS FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS 30% Nigerian cashew nuts smuggled into Cameroun Over 30 per cent of cashew nuts produced in Nigeria annually are smuggled across the border as a result of price differential in cashew moved into the global market by the two countries.

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Firm raises N240m to drive ICT ventures

Entrepreneurs desirous of building mobile and internet businesses in Nigeria could be in to secure investment from venture capitalists, as 440, a joint venture between 88mph and L5Lab, has opened applications for its first accelerator programme in Lagos, after raising $1.5million (N240million) to invest in 10 startups.

}p-32 Analysts bullish on backward integration in fish

FBN Capital, in its latest report on the fishery sector of the economy, says it is hopeful that the backward integration in fish production embarked upon at the end of the first quarter of this year by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will succeed.

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‘Union playing games with pensioners’ lives’ The decision by the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (PHCN chapter) to embark on a protest march to the Alausa zonal office of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria has been described as an afterthought and an action that questions the integrity of the executive.

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

INVESTMENT The growing rate of insurgency and political tension in the country are giving investors and the insurance sector sleepless nights. Sunday Ojeme

ersistent insecurity, including increasing risks of kidnapping and piracy in Nigeria over the past five years, has necessitated the labeling of the country as "extreme risk.’’ This verdict came from renowned risk assessor, Maplecroft, in its latest risks analysis, which said that Nigeria received an "extreme risk’’ in its conflict and political violence index (CPVI) for the fifth year running. This, according to the report, is of particular concern to investors and the insurance sector. There had been two car bombings in Abuja and the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok in the remote northeast last month by the Boko Haram, which has continued to hold the country to ransom. Maplecroft is the world’s leading global risk analytics, research and strategic forecasting company. It offers an unparalleled portfolio of risk indices, interactive maps, expert country risk analysis, risk calculators, scorecards and dashboards. These technological solutions identify emerging trends, business opportunities and risks to investments and supply chains worldwide. Maplecroft’s Country Risk Report for Nigeria offers investors the insight they need to navigate the country’s rapidly evolving business environment. It includes in-depth analysis of risks relating to governance, the economy, legal and regulatory developments, security, human rights, labour standards and the environment. The report is especially relevant to new company entrants or existing businesses across all sectors. Nigeria is evenly split between a largely Muslim north and a mainly Christian and animist south. There is widespread insecurity across the north-east, where fundamentalist Islamist group, Boko Haram, is waging

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor

ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

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AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

Insurgency: Nigeria gets ‘extreme risk’ rating a deadly insurgency. The high profile kidnapping of schoolgirls in April 2014 has highlighted the ineptitude of the security forces as well as the regional implications of insecurity. The report also highlights ethnic clashes relating to land

ownership disputes, which are prevalent in the ‘Middle Belt’ region where Muslim and Christian communities live in close proximity. Likewise, the Niger Delta continues to be beset by militant and criminal activities. There appears to be no immedi-

ate prospect of cutting the links between religion and politics, a recurring theme throughout Nigeria’s history. According to the Chief ExCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

L-R: First Vice President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mrs. Debola Osibogun; President/ Chairman of Council, Dr. Segun Aina and Chairman, Investigation Panel of Sub -Committee of Ethics and Professionalism, Mr. Adeleke Adedapo, at the media presentation on the new code of conduct in Nigerian banking industry in Lagos.

Oil production dips 400, 000 barrels per day Flats at 1.9m barrels

REVENUE Nigeria’s growth aspirations is under threat

Adeola Yusuf

igeria's crude oil production has fallen to 1.9 million barrels per day since April, New Telegraph has learnt. The country that hitherto produced 2.3 million barrels per day in February, lost about 400,000 barrels per day, according to May crude loading sched-

ule. This came hours after the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) reiterated that the macroeconomic stability in Nigeria remained a function of strong oil prices and stable production. "Nigeria’s growth aspirations," the FDC said in a data released on Wednesday," is under threat of oil price crash." Bonny Light averaged $111pb in second quarter; this is 0.91 per cent higher than the level in first quarter level.

"Global oil markets have been firm in spite of increased oil production by the US, whose oil output is currently above 8mbpd," the FDC said. "In addition, the US oil imports have decreased to 28 per cent from 60 per cent in 2005. "For the first time in a long while, fears of an oil price crash have been forecast. If this happens in the medium term, it could significantly threaten Nigeria’s growth aspirations," Bismark Rewane’s FDC had warned.

Rates Dashboard

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

NEW TELEGRAPH

PENSIONERS REGROUP FOR SHOWDOWN AS FG DELAYS ON PROMISES

INFLATION RATE March 2014...........................7.8% February 2014........................7.70% January 2014 ........................8.00%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Maximum Lending Rate..25.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at May 9)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167.00 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N234

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at May 9)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N262.70 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N215.88 Source: CBN

BUSINESS | NEWS

PRICE Smugglers can't resit Nigerian cashew nuts due to higher price in Cameroun

Siaka Momoh

ver 30 per cent of cashew nuts produced in Nigeria annually are smuggled across the border as a result of price differential in cashew moved into the global market by the two countries. New Telegraph’s investigation revealed that due to the difficulty in peeling the Nigerian kernel, the crop gets discounted by about $100 to 150 per ton in the international market. And since Benin crop fetches a premium in the international market, about 30 per cent of Nigerian raw nuts flow across the border due to price differential. The crop in Nigeria is mostly grown wild, with no large plantations making it impossible to change the basic nature of the crop. What follows is that value addition for raw cashew nuts occurs outside Nigeria. Neighbouring countries gain the benefit of the size of the crop. International focus and funds are not focussed in investing in developmental activities in cashews in Nigeria. Nigerian cashew has an average kernel yield of 30 per cent. Grown in three zones East, Middle and West–Idah,

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

30% Nigerian cashew nuts smuggled into Cameroun yearly Ankpa, Igara, Ogbomosho, Abeokuta, Keffi and Ilorin are the largest producers. It has a yearly crop cycle of 120 days end of February to mid June. Eighty to 90 per cent of the crop arrives between March to May. In 2012, the Cashew Association of Nigeria lamented that poor handling of cashew production and defective export packaging processes for the international market might

be costing Nigeria about N177 billion yearly. According to the Chairman of the Association, Tola Feseru, the yearly industry’s potential productive capacity is estimated at N200 billion. He said while the estimated worth of local consumption is not known, the country is only realising N23billion from exports. The N23bilion earnings represent just 7.2 per cent

of the industry’s current total production value, estimated at between 35 million and 40 million metric tonnes per annum. This, according to him, leaves a difference of N177bilion in annual losses due to lack of value addition, poor processing and inadequate support to farmers by the government. Nigeria is therefore said to be losing a whopping $50illion in export earnings

Nigeria gets ‘extreme risk’ rating CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Flour Mills Plc, Mr. John Coumantaros; Overall winner of Nigerian Flour Mills Plc 2014 Customer Forum, Mr. Ademola and Mrs. Elizabeth Ajibola and Group Managing Director, Nigerian Flour Mills Plc Mr. Paul Gbadebo, during the Golden Penny Food 2014 Customer Forum in Lagos.

Firm raises N240m to drive ICT ventures in Nigeria Jonah Iboma

ntrepreneurs desirous of building mobile and internet businesses in Nigeria could begin to secure investment from venture capitalists, as 440, a joint venture between 88mph and L5Lab, has opened applications for its first accelerator programme in Lagos, after raising $1.5million (N240million) to invest in 10 startups. 88mph, which already runs accelerator programmes in Kenya and South Africa has to date invested over $2 million in African startups. The firm partnered L5Lab to create 440, which will invest in mobile and internet startups in Nigeria. The firm said that it will re-

ceive applications from Thursday May 15 till September and that successful startups could receive between $20,000 and $110,000 in investment and take part in a three-month accelerator programme to assist with product development, revenue generation and customer acquisition. Such business owners will also be connected with mentors, partners, investors and key clients. Chika Nwobi, Founder of L5Lab, said: “While we’ve been incredibly lucky to invest in great teams in the past, trying out this more scalable, and intense model is the logical next step as we try to maximise our impact.

“Besides capital, one of the biggest needs of early stage startups is access to experienced mentors, key decision makers, and the kind of peerto-peer interaction that this kind of programme enables. Having seen the talent, hustler mentality, and sheer market size of Nigeria, I think we will see some amazing companies come out of this programme,” said Kresten Buch, founder of 88mph. Buch added that the partnership was expecting some great ventures to emerge from the scheme. “Furthermore, the reception we’ve seen so far in Lagos tells us that many experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders

are looking to mentor, invest, and get involved in the mobile/ web revolution that is happening in Nigeria right now. We will be announcing some of those who have agreed to get involved as mentors over the course of the summer,” he stated. 88mph’s previous investments include gaming startup Gamsole, music streaming service Mdundo and taxi hailing app Zapacab, while L5Lab was an early investor in jobs service Jobberman, car site Cheki and bus ticketing platform Oya. The most recent 88mph accelerator programme ended last month in Cape Town with seven startups pitching to investors for follow-on funding at its Investor Day

MTN more exposed than Bharti Airtel to risk –Moody’s Jonah Iboma

lobal financial rating agency, Moody’s, has said that MTN is more exposed than its rival, Bharti Airtel, to emerging market risks as its African operations contribute a larger portion of earnings and cash flows. In the ratings released on Tuesday, MTN was rated Baa2 stable and Bharti received a slightly higher Baa3 stable rating. South Africa’s MTN and India’s Bharti Airtel are among the largest telecoms operators in the world by subscribers.

yearly due to the rejection of poor quality nuts popularly referred to as “export rejects.” The Nigerian cashew industry is therefore suffering from declining productivity and dwindling export earnings, thus making the commodity less competitive in the international market, compared with other African countries, such as Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.

While they share many similarities such as scale and exposure to Africa, there are key differences that contribute to the slight rating differential between the two companies, according to the agency. MTN has a footprint in 22 countries across Africa and the Middle East, and these territories contributed 78 per cent of MTN’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the year 2013. The agency noted that by contrast, Bharti’s African operations contributed about 27 per

cent of consolidated EBITDA for the year ended March. "Although the contribution from its African operations is increasing, over 70 per cent of Bharti’s EBITDA comes from its core operations in India," Moody’s analyst said in the latest credit-focus research report. Already, there are predictions that MTN was likely to absorb more costs to remain competitive in Nigeria as the operators are being pushed to invest more in infrastructure to improve the quality of service. But Moody’s said MTN’s

lower leverage provided it with room for debt-funded acquisitions and network expansion. The agency said MTN’s rival, BhartiAirtel, had significantly higher leverage. Another differentiating factor between the two was the pricing model. Moody’s said Bharti’s low pricing model resulted in lower profitability, and MTN, on the other hand, had maintained positive free cash flows across its African operations, which had allowed it to consistently increase dividends and management fees to the holding company level.

ecutive Officer, Maplecroft, Mr. Alyson Warhurst, “Societal unrest and its repression by state security forces acting with impunity are early indicators of political risk – including societally induced regime change and resource nationalism – and have the ability to destabilise the business environment readily. More frequent risk monitoring is therefore becoming a business imperative.” Maplecroft’s CPVI is calculated twice a year by assessing the risk and severity of conflict and the impact of the violence on society for 197 countries. Last month, another top rating agency, Standard and Poor’s (S&P) said Nigeria’s property and casualty insurance sector carried a high industry and country risk assessment. The agency said that political risk was likely to increase with infighting within the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leading up to the 2015 elections. S&P said the country offered a “difficult operating environment” for property and casualty insurers, with political tension, low levels of economic development outside of the oil sector, and significant infrastructure shortfalls. Insurance industry risks are ‘moderate’, which S&P said reflects “good historical and prospective profitability”. However, the report added that violence and corruption had the potential to cause volatility. “There is potential for growth but the industry needs to overcome significant challenges to achieve this,” said S&P. “We see the regulatory framework as negative to our assessment because we consider regulatory oversight, governance, and transparency to be weak. That said, we anticipate that the market will benefit from the ongoing industry and regulatory changes.” S&P said it expected the Nigerian economy to expand by about 6.3 per cent per year through 2014-2015. Sixteen countries are rated as ‘extreme risk’ in the CPVI, including: the Central African Republic (ranked 2nd most at risk), South Sudan (4th), Somalia (6th) and the DRC (7th).

Agric

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Recent industry reports label Nigerians as the largest fish consumers in Africa. However, local production of 800,000 metric tonnes falls short of high demand. According to the Federal Government, the deficit of 1.9 million metric tons amount to annual expenditure of N125 billion (US$780m) on imports.

BUSINESS 33

Analysts bullish on backward integration in fish

BN Capital, in its latest report on the fishery sector of the economy, says it is hopeful that the backward integration in fish production embarked upon at the end of the first quarter of this year by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will succeed. It hopes this will be the case if put against the increased investment in sugar and rice production as a result of backward integration programme and particularly the action taken by government in checkmating the importation of rotten fish into the country. “When we consider the increased investment in sugar and rice production as a result of backward integration programmes, we expect to see a similar outcome for the fishery sector in the medium term,” says the FBN Capital report. In January, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina, outlined plans to encourage local fish production through the implementation of a backward integration policy, which targets a 25 per cent annual reduction in fish importation. “This commenced at the end of the first quater of 2014 and we are hopeful of positive results, particularly on halting the trend of rotten fish imports,” says the FBN report. Backward integration policies have been adopted recently for other agricultural products such as rice and sugar. For wheat, genetically modified variants are options that may be adopted for local cultivation. According to the FBN Capital, reports generated from the Association of Fish Suppliers of Nigeria indicate that the annual baseline fish import figure is 700,000 mt and that a quota of 500,000 metric tons has been set for this year. It adds: “Local output has steadily increased over the last five years despite a lack of concerted public support. Given this platform, we are encouraged by the Federal Government’s policy approach. Data from the Central Bank of Nige-

Aquaculture

ria show that artisanal production accounted for around 76 per cent of the catch of 851,000 metric tons in 2012. Much of the catch is from coastal and inland waters. “Traditionally, the Niger Delta region was the hub for fish production. However, this is no longer the case because of the oil and gas exploration activities in the area. Water pollution has contributed to this decline in fishing in the delta.” In March, the Federal Government ordered the shutdown of cold rooms with unwholesome fish in some storage facilities in Lagos State. Worried by the scam that his ministry’s fishery department is bedevilled with, Adesina declared that he would sanitise the fishery sector of these dishonest practices. His ministry is doing exactly that now. The destruction of fish consignments adjudged and proven to be bad has commenced in line with the dictates of the Fisheries Act, and it is on-going.

Fish on shore

The first exercise of the destruction of such fish was carried out on April 13, 2014, wherein 60.5 metric tons of such fish was taken from Bharat Ventures, a fish-importing company based at Odo Olowu on Apapa-Oshodi expressway,

and destroyed at Epe by the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) with newsmen in attendance. The same was done to 32.96 metric tons from Bexolac cold room on Old Ojo Road and 62.7 metric tons from Iganmu-based Premium

cold room, all worth N37 million, on Easter Monday. Adesina said that the exercise would continue to serve as deterrent to others in such illegal business. He further said that henceforth, contravening companies would lose their licences and their cold rooms would be sealed. “Government will no longer allow injurious fish into the market. We will protect consumers,” he said. Meanwhile, according to the minister, the ministry is taking bold steps at diversifying the fisheries sub-sector from a mainly mono-culture of catfish to include other fish species. “Other value chains being developed by the ministry include the Tilapia Value Chain, Lates Niloticus Value Chain and the Shrimp Value Chain. We are in advanced stages of negotiation with core investors for the establishment of Large Scale Tilapia Farms in different locations in the country,” Adesina said.

Agro-enterprise Intelligence:

$100m cocoa investment plan forwarded to FG Investment Plan - $ 100 million. To be set up and operated is a state of the art, large, global standard processing facility to: - Achieve economy of scale to compete globally. - Supply high quality Nigerian product to Europe, America and Asia - Develop local products consumption. - Support processing operations through plantation. - Add to direct employment and improve the economy

of the country. Plantation to Processing (new cocoa processing facility) Federal Government support and assistance needed to achieve the objective. Export license of cocoa beans mainly to cocoa processors (say up to two times) based on the bean equivalent export production quantity over the last three years needed. Non-processors of cocoa beans to be given export license for limited quantity (say 5000 metric tons) with export

tax (say 15 per cent). New manufacturing set up or capacity improvement to be limited (say to two organisations) with a lower limit for incremental investment in processing (say $ 75 million) and plantation (say minimum of 5000 ha). Fiscal benefit/duty/local duties/registration cost waiver to be provided on fresh investment. Free land for factory and plantation required. Input and research support from government agencies re-

quired. Sustainability efforts – funding - $10 million. Need for financial support from government based on export earnings to compensate for operational disadvantages. Agri Fund at the concessional rate of 4 per cent for 20 years required. Moratorium on interest on loan for the period of 10 years required. First right of refusal of beans to processing factories needed.

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Ivory Coast's excess rain Hard complicates cocoa beans drying Facts COMPLICATION Too much of regular rain not good for cocoa; fermentation problem will creep in.

bundant rains that continued last week in most of Ivory Coast’s main cocoa-growing regions should help mid-crop development, but growers are struggling to dry their beans enough, farmers and analysts said on Monday, Reuters has reported. The marketing season of the April-to-September mid-crop in the world's top cocoa grower officially opened on April 1 and farmers said that harvesting was intensifying with large stocks of beans waiting to be collected from plantations. ICE July cocoa was up $14, or 0.5 per cent, at $2,967 a ton on Monday. Liffe July cocoa was up four pounds ($6.72), or 0.2 per cent, at 1,852 pounds a ton in light volume. In the coastal region of San Pedro, farmers said that while two weeks of heavy showers were helping their trees, they were struggling to prepare their beans for pick-up by merchants. “The harvesting will really start picking up next month because there are many large, nearly ripe pods on the trees,” said Tchorna Silue, who farms in the outskirts of San Pedro. But he added: “We're wor-

ried that there will be a lot of mould in the shipments.” Farmers signalled similar concerns in the western region of Duekoue, where several abundant showers fell during the week. “There's plenty of rain. But if the rains are too regular next month, it's certain we'll have problems to properly ferment and stock our beans in the bush,” said farmer and cooperative manager, Amara Kone. Ivory Coast introduced stricter quality standards, including for mould and moisture levels, as part of a drive implemented last season that exporters have credited with

improving the reputation of the country's cocoa. In the western region of Soubre, in the heart of Ivory Coast's cocoa belt, an analyst reported 130 millimetres (5.1 inches) of rainfall last week compared with 51 mm the previous week. “There's no problem because there is also a lot of sunshine,” said Koffi Kouame, who farms near Soubre. “We need lots of sun to help the flowers develop to boost production and also to avoid disease on the plantations,” he said. Similar growing conditions were reported in western re-

gions of Gagnoa and Meagui and in the southern regions of Aboisso and Agboville. In the centre-western region of Daloa, responsible for a quarter of Ivory Coast’s national output, farmers said the weather would help production. “From next month the cocoa will really start coming out and won't slow down for three months," said Daloa farmer Attoungbre Kouame. “The rains have transformed the plantations. We currently have lots of cherelles (small pods) on the trees. I think the mid-crop this year will be better than last season,” he said.

A farmer drying his cocoa

Books on agric you must read

ood Tank has hand-picked 18 books for our 2014 summer reading list that educate, inspire, and inform us - and make us look forward to cooking, eating and sharing what we’ve learned. They highlight sustainable agriculture and farming practices around the world and they give us ideas about how to eat healthier, safer, and more fairly produced food. From Ava Chin’s Eating Wildly, a journey into urban foraging, to The Arcadia Mobile Market Seasonal Cookbook, which incorporates inexpensive staple foods with locally-grown and seasonal produce to create healthy and nutritious meals, they are all interesting, intriguing, and definitely worth a read. These books and reports teach us where our food comes from, how farming can both influence and mitigate climate change, and what we need to do to change our eating habits so that we can have a hand in alleviating hunger, obesity, and poverty in our communities and across the globe.

Here are the books: Agriculture: Reconnecting people, land and nature, by Jules Pretty This book takes an in-depth look at the issues enveloped in the agriculture and food systems. Pretty emphasises changing behaviours and reforming policies in order for an agricultural revolution to take place. He draws on stories of successful agricultural transformation in both developing and industrialised countries, calling on the next agricultural revolution. Cooperative Farming: Frameworks for Farming Together, by Faith Gilbert Gilbert designed this 54page guidebook through interviews with 42 start-up and established collaborative farm projects across North America. She gathered input from 18 professionals and advisors, and 50 publications in cooperative development, farm business, finance, land access and more. Don't Cook the Planet: Deliciously Saving the Planet One

Meal at a Time, by Emily Abrams An 18-year-old activist from Massachusetts, Abrams new cookbook features 70 recipes shared by celebrity and allstar chefs including actor, producer and eco-activist, Chevy Chase, MasterChef judge and acclaimed chef, Graham Elliot, and Stephanie Izard, Top Chef Star and executive chef at Girl and the Goat. This cookbook offers recipes and tips on how to minimise your carbon footprint. Eating Wildly, by Ava Chin Follow Chin in this touching and informative memoir as she forages for food in New York City. Chin is an “urban forager” on the quest for eating better, eating healthier, and more sustainably, regardless of location. She takes the reader on an emotional journey- finding solace in parks and backyards where she connects with rare and delicious edible plants. Fields of Hope and Power, by Frances Moore Lappe and Anna Lappe Fields of Hope and Power is a chapter from the upcom-

ing Navdanya book on agroecological movements, living democracy, and the limits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and industrial agriculture. This chapter takes an in-depth look at food scarcity and how agriculture and climate affect this issue. Foods for Health: Choose and Use the Very Best Foods for Your Family and Our Planet, by Barton Seaver and P.K Newby Seaver and Newby have created a science-based guide to healthy eating for the whole family which features tips, food pairings, and sample menus. Food Systems Failure: The Global Food Crisis and the Future of Agriculture by Christopher Rosin, Paul Stock, and Hugh Campbell The authors provide a critical assessment of the global food system during heightened food crisis and feeding a growing population. Full Planet, Empty Plates: The New Geopolitics of Food CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

Cocoa prices in Nigeria's largest cocoa-producing Ondo State have declined, reflecting lower international prices and smaller-sized beans that have hurt demand for the midcrop. Graded midcrop cocoa is trading at 460,000 naira ($2,706) a metric ton, down from NGN470, 000 a fortnight ago. Cocoa traded at more than NGN500, 000 in the first quarter of the year in Ondo state, when the main crop was on sale. The trader said buyers claim the beans are too small due to the poor development of the midcrop cocoa in April when rainfall was low. The main buyers of the midcrop are local grinders, he added. Ondo state, which produces 40% of Nigeria's annual cocoa output of 250,000 tons, is one of the five cocoa-producing states in the key southwest region of Nigeria, which accounts for 70% of national production. Good Cocoa Harvest Expected on Ivory Coast, cocoa arrivals seen at 1,300,000 metric tonnes by May 11 Arabica coffee for July delivery was up 0.6% at $1.8495 a pound on the ICE Futures U.S. exchange. Prices of the coffee, favored for gourmet blends, have gained 67% this year after Brazil's worst drought in decades stunted coffee cherries' growth and sparked worries over the size and quality of the crop. But many coffee dealers and buyers, including Starbucks Corp., have said it is too early to tell the extent of the damage, since growers only started picking the cherries a little over a month ago. Arabica futures last week tumbled 9.5% on a lack of news about the crop. Mid-crop Cocoa Output Starts Earlier Than Expected in Central Cameroon. American corporation Cargill has increased investment in its Vietnam cocoa and animal feed business, with newly-launched facilities in Binh Dinh and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. Cargill’s feed and nutrition business unit late last week celebrated the completion of its $20 million expansion of its animal feed plant in the central province of Binh Dinh. Cargill's cocoa & chocolate business has appointed Willem van der Meijs to the role of Research & Development Manager. In this new role, van der Meijs will focus on new product development and further establish Cargill's expertise and knowhow around cocoa and chocolate product innovation. Cargill strengthens its cocoa and chocolate R&D capabilities; Growing research & development function; Increased focus on innovation and customer connectivity. OLAM commenced commercial rice production in 2011 and has invested $74 million so far planting 1000 hectares (Ha) and harvesting it in March 2013. The Portfolio of Indices Results released by NOIPolls has revealed that the NOIPolls Personal WellBeing Index stands at 41.7 in April 2014 indicating that Nigerians have maintained a neutral stance in terms of their personal well-being. This represents a 0.4-point improvement after the continuous downward trend observed since January 2014.

business | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Climate change and agribusiness With an unchecked menace of climatic change, our agriculture, largely smallholder farming, which provides over 70 per cent of rural employment, may become extinct in no time. Stories by Siaka Momoh

s part of efforts to improve yam production and enhance the income of farmers in Nigeria, former public affairs manager for International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Taye Babaleye, now a university teacher, said that the institute embarked on series of enlightenment programmes to create awareness on improved technologies of yam production. He said that IITA focused its attention on yam farmers around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a major yam producing area, to launch the

technologies on white and water yam propagation, production and storage for better quality food and good market values. The technologies, he said, cover dissemination of new yam varieties with high and stable yields of good quality tubers; promotion of rapid propagation techniques and strategies for integrated soil and pest management suited to intensify cultivation; and diversification of food products from yams. The question arises - will these technologies have any positive impact with an unchecked ravaging global warming? That climate change will increase hunger and malnutrition cannot be contested. According to Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), “Climate change will worsen the living conditions of farmers, fishers and forest-dependent people who are already vulnerable and food insecure. Hunger and malnutrition will increase. Rural communities' dependent on agriculture in a fragile environment will face an immediate risk of increased crop failure and loss of livestock. Mostly at risk are people living along coasts, in floodplains,

mountains, drylands (Nigerians do), and the arctic. In general, poor people will be at risk of food insecurity due to loss of assets and lack of adequate insurance coverage.” The FAO added: “Climate change will particularly affect vulnerable people and food systems. More frequent and intense extreme weather will have immediate adverse impacts on food production, food distribution infrastructure, on livelihood assets and opportunities in both rural and urban areas. Changes in mean temperatures and rainfall, increasing weather variability and rising sea levels will affect the suitability of land for different types of crops and pasture, the health and productivity of forests, the incidence of pests and diseases, biodiversity and ecosystems. Loss of arable land is likely due to increased aridity, groundwater depletion and the rise in sea level.” These are all happening here. Agriculture contributes to climate change. Definitely, it does. Greenhouse gas emissions from the food and agriculture sector contribute over 30 per cent of the current annual

total emissions (deforestation 17.4 per cent, agriculture 13.5 percent). About 13 million hectares of forests are annually being lost due to deforestation, according to FAO. Reducing forest degradation and deforestation helps to protect water and soil resources as well as biodiversity, and it contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change will also affect the health of forests through an increase of forest fires and pests and diseases. Without economic or other incentives and political will, it will be difficult to stop deforestation and forest degradation. Ours is essentially political will. This has been our problem over the years. Governance in Nigeria is self-centred. You do not need to psychoanalyse our state resource managers to know this. It is a trait that a toddler can easily discern. “Climate change is having an impact on oceans, seas, lakes and rivers and on the animals and

IITA hosts centre of excellence for research

Maize farm affected by climatic change

Books you must read C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 3 4

Scarcity, by Lester R. Brown Brown exposes the planet’s volatile food system with eroding soils, rising temperatures, and countries competing for land and water resources. Grabbing Power: The New Struggles for Land, Food and Democracy in Northern Honduras, by Tanya M. Kerssen This book explores the history of agribusiness and land conflicts in Northern Honduras. In the Aguan Valley, Honduran peasants battle large palm oil producers and fight for democratisation of land, food, and political power In the Garden: A Botanically Illustrated Gardening Book, by Sandra Lynn McPeake Great for the coffee or kitchen table, this book includes basic growing information and detailed images of vegetable growth cycles from seedlings to the inside of veggies.

Local: The New Face of Food and Farming in America, by Douglas Gayeton A guide to over 200 agriculture terms explained by experts in the field and complemented by stunning visuals, this book explores rebuilding local food movements. Savor: Mindful Eating for Life, by Thich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung This book will make you stop and think about your eating habits and patterns. Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity, by Barbara Burlingame and Sandro Dernini This publication, by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), investigates the link between sustainable diets and biodiversity. Sustainable Revolution: Permaculture in Ecovillages, Urban Farms, and Communities Worldwide, by Juliana Birnbaum and Louis Fox This book is a collection of

profiles, interviews, and essays which feature 60 innovative community based projects around the globe in diverse climates. The Arcadia Mobile Market Seasonal Cookbook, by JuJu Harris This cookbook incorporates Women Infants and Children (WIC) staples along with seasonal produce to create easy and delicious recipes. The Ecological Hoofprint: The Global Burden of Industrial Livestock, by Tony Weis Weis discusses the “meatification” of human diets and the adverse impact it has on the earth and human health. Weis believes the conversion of grain and oilseed into meat is inefficient in a world striving to provide a basic diet to those chronically hungry. Danielle Nierenberg is president Foodtank. Her contact is Danielle@foodtank.com

plants that are found in them. Climate change will affect about 200 million people and their families worldwide who live by fishing and aquaculture. Some fish resources will become less abundant while important species may move to other areas where they are less available to the fishers. This will make it harder for many fishing communities to continue to make a living from fish or to provide fish for feeding their families”, FAO noted. Coastal communities may also be displaced by rising sea levels and will be forced to find new places to live and new ways to earn a living. This no doubt is fresh crisis for Niger Deltans). How much are we prepared for this? And new patterns of pests and diseases will emerge; humans, plants, livestock and fish will be exposed to new pests and diseases that flourish only at specific temperatures and humidity. This will pose new risks for food security, food safety and human health.

center of excellence for research and training to link climate change with biodiversity and biotic stresses was launched this week in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) campus in the Republic of Benin. This follows a major conference on Biotic stresses, climate change and agricultural production in Cotonou, Bénin, held on 5-7 May. The Center, which comes under the auspices of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) has IITA, the National Institute of Agricultural Research of Bénin (INRAB), AfricaRice, Bioversity, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and the University of Abomey Calavi (UAC) as partners but is also open to other national agricultural research systems in the West and Central African bloc. The Center was inaugurated by the Republic of Bénin’s Minister of Agriculture, Madame Fatouma Amadou Djibril; CORAF/WECARD Director General, Dr Ibet Outman Issa, and IITA Board of Trustees Chair, Prof Bruce Coulman. The inauguration of the Center of Excellence aligns with IITA’s refreshed strategy which seeks to “establish the IITA Cotonou station as a biodiversity center and a leading research and training center providing sustainable solutions to crop biotic stresses linked with climate change in West Africa in partnership with CORAF/WECARD, West African universities, CGIAR centers, and international agricultural research centers (IARCs) in the region.”

Already, IITA has taken over the rehabilitated forest of Drabo Gbo in the Republic of Benin as a field research station linked to the Cotonou biodiversity center. IITA Board Chair, Dr Bruce Coulman explained that the need to establish a center of excellence is based on the fact that climate change is important and it would affect agricultural production and productivity and pest population, and so there was the need to develop strategies to mitigate this challenge. “This facility will attract global attention to this very important topic,” he said. With a great proportion of the agricultural production in West and Central Africa relying on rainfall, agricultural production in the region is being threatened. Climate disturbances in the region usually generate extreme events such as droughts and floods, but even sudden dry spells during a normal rainy season could have a tremendous impact on productivity. IITA Board Member Trine Hvoslef-Eide said that the establishment of the Center of Excellence was a wonderful opportunity for West and Central African farmers. “This Center will help the region to be prepared for these new challenges, and more importantly, the Center will offer easy access to farmers in terms of information which they could use in addressing climate change,” she said. Dr Robert Asiedu, IITA Director for Western Africa, said the establishment of the Center would help the region to develop and harmonise its efforts in tackling the menace from climate change.

Pension

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Pensioners regroup for showdown as FG delays on promises PROTESTS Retirees mount pressure on Federal Government to match words with action

Sunday Ojeme

ince the beginning of the second quarter of the year, pensioners across board appear to be more determined to wrest their rights from the Federal Government as the latter shows no sign to match action with promises as far as the retirees’ welfare is concerned. Having kept quiet for long expecting that government will fulfill, at least, some of its promises, the elderly citizens are coming out to protest against the delay in the promised improvemnt of their welfare and other sundry issues. Precisely at the beginning of April, the National President, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Mr. Abel Afolayan, set the ball rolling in Abuja when he threatened to involve the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in the union’s next phase of protests over their demands and non-provision of payment of pension in the 2014 national budget. The expected involvement of the labour unions, according to Afolayan, is to get those who are currently employed to be wary of government's failed promises to retirees as they too will become pensioners in future. According to him, with the involvement of both the NLC and TUC, it is certain that all Nigerian workers who are praying to be pensioners one day, will join on sympathy ground, the nationwide protest which may likely come up. Government should be told that civil pensioners in Nigeria (about five million) form a large voting block and to neglect them is not in the best interest of either the Federal Government or the state governments. The frustration has been so severe to the extent that attempts at meeting pension committees of the National Assembly have failed to yield results, a pointer to the fact that the elderly citizens are gradually being left on their own despite the huge promises government had made in the past. For a long time, various issues had been tabled before the Federal Government both by the national body of the NUP and other chapters of the union according to their grievances. Among the issues the pensioners want addressed are outstanding arrears of pension and gratuity due to pure federal pensioners and state pensioners with federal shares; outstanding 33 per cent pension increase and its arrears, which has been implemented for military pensioners months ago, non-challant attitude towards pensioners welfare by many state governments with exception of a few states; non-harmonisation of pension for most pensioners; non-approval of minimum pension as has been done for Nigerian workers; ill-treatment of federal parastatals and private sector pensioners; primary school pensioners ill-treatment by state governments and local government pensioners maltreatment by state governments. Five per cent

Pensioners during one of their numerous protests. Inset: President Goodluck Jonathan

counter-part funding by federal and state governments for payment of primary school and local government pensioners which has since been stopped. The president also frowned at the non-deduction of check-off dues from pensioners under the contributory pension scheme. This, according to him, portends serious danger to the continued future existence of the union. The implication here is that when the last pensioner in the old scheme dies, the union will cease to exist for lack of membership. One month after Afolayan expressed his frustration in Abuja, the NUP (PHCN and NRC chapters) set out on Wednesday and Thursday in Lagos to demand improved welfare. While pensioners under the NRC led by the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Rauf Balogun, gathered at their NRC Secretariat on Thursday to restate their demand for pension harmonisation and other compelling issues, their PHCN counterpart also gathered at the PHCN zonal office, Ikeja to demand improved welfare for their members. For months now, the NRC pensioners have patiently been waiting for the harmonisation of the railway retirees’ pension with that of other Federal Government agencies after the Managing Director of the corporation, Adeseyi Sijuade, promised them that it would be effected sooner than they expected. The matter has also taken Balogun to the Federal Capital Territory in an attempt to meet with the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, to register the grievances of the retirees whose pension has remained the least. As it is now, the 33 per cent increase promised by the Federal Government to all its pensioners across board appears not to be forthcoming to the retirees, whose minimum monthly take home pay is still pegged at N5,000 as against N8,000 for retirees in other Federal Government agencies. New Telegraph was informed that although the Federal Government had redeemed its promise of paying pensions to the railway retirees regularly unlike

in the past, the issue of harmonisation was still a matter of great concern to the seniour citizens. One of the officials said: “We are grateful to this administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. The President has fulfilled his promise of paying pension regularly as at when due. While we appreciate his concern and quick intervention in that regard, we also want to appeal that he should give directive quickly on harmonising the pension across board.” In one of his meetings with the retirees, Sijuwade had assured them of improved welfare packages, saying that the welfare and wellbeing of the pensioners would receive a boost through enhanced pension rates as all the recommendations made by the Ministerial Committee on Pension Rate Increase were receiving attention. He promised that very soon the monthly pensions of the retirees would be scaled up. He said: “Having worked for the corporation for many years of your life and now that you are senior citizens, you deserve nothing less than a retired life of bliss and plenty. “As you come out to participate in the 2014 verification exercise, I share in your joy of having another opportunity in the land of the living to visit your former place of work. “I am sure that some great and nostalgic thoughts of yester-years will be running through your hearts as you come into the warmth and beauty of a new Nigerian Railway. “I must thank you for serving the corporation so dutifully well to the end

The frustration has been so severe to the extent that attempts at meeting pension committees of the National Assembly have failed to yield results

and for sustaining it for my generation to meet to work in.” To underscore the pensioners’ degree of cooperation with the railway management, they all threw their weight behind the last verification exercise, saying that the union shared the view of the railway management on the exercise. Balogun said: “This exercise will go a long way to justify and sustain our persistent claim that there are no ghost pensioners in the NRC. It is the tradition of the pensioners’ union to collaborate with the management in lobbying for funds to offset genuine claims and entitlements of the pensioners. “We cannot afford to allow such money to go into wrong hands. Our union is proud to be associated with a management that does not tamper with or mismanage pension funds.” Prior to the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, railway pensioners in the country easily became the reference point as far as neglect, hardship and other form of derogatory expressions were applied in describing the depth of retirees’ frustration. However, recent determination by the current administration to revive the rail system is going along with the drive to improve the welfare of the workers and that of the retirees. The pensioners provided insight into this when they said that things had improved for the pensioners better than it was in the past. One of them said: “We are now being paid as at when due. We are grateful to the president and the minister. “The monthly pension is regular but the general complaint is harmonisation of the pension with other Federal Government agencies. The minimum a railway pensioner earns is N5,000 compared to N8,000 earned by his peer in other agencies. “Even if the 33 per cent is eventually approved we will still be underpaid. We have written series of letters to the minister and he set up a committee and CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

BUSINESS |PENSION 37

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

‘Union playing games with pensioners’ lives’ DECEIT Aggrieved pensioner accuses umbrella body of feeding fat on retirees' benefits Sunday Ojeme

he decision by the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (PHCN chapter) to embark on a protest march to the Alausa zonal office of the

Power Holding Company of Nigeria has been described as an afterthought and an action that questions the integrity of the executive. In a message to New Telegraph, the spokesperson of the factional association, Mr. Olu Ayeni, said it was unfortunate that the leadership of the union had decided to take the same action his group had clamoured for as part of measures to improve the welfare of pensioners. He said the leadership of the union had decided to take the

bull by d horns to organise a protest against irregular payment of pension at PHCN office in Alausa on Wednesday ,contrary to false and defensive statement they initially made that everything was going well for the pensioners. He said: “Probably it will be clear to some of you guys that these people up there are just playing games with the lives of people. One thing I am sure about is that God will soon choose someone in this country that will be sensitive to the plight of people most especial-

ly the vulnerables retirees. “For months now, pensioners in some states have not received a penny and this has been extended to Lagos since last year. Well, if truly they are genuinely serious about their protest and possibly want their voice to be heard, am sure they will contact the media. My group will conspicuously be absent because we need to study their action carefully.” He said that the agony and pains the retirees go through were no longer hidden, stress-

ing that apart from deteriorating health condition, some of them could also not afford three square meals on a daily basis. “We have someone among us with his property scattered all over while himself, wife and children have resorted to i living inside a church. This is happening when our colleagues in the executive can afford to visit any choice restaurant, cruising in the latest car, having lucrative business with reasonable amount of money in the bank to toy with,” he added.

PenCom to fine employers 3% of contributions

enceforth, any employer who fails to remit employees’ pension contributions to the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) will be fined three per cent. They are expected to pay two per cent charge on unpaid contribution to Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders and one per cent to the National Pension Commission (PenCom), amounting to three per cent on every monthly default. In a circular on Regime of Sanctions and Penalties for Non-compliance with Pension Reform Act 2014, the regulator said employers were to remit employees’ contributions not later than seven working days from the day salary is paid according to Section 11(5B), Sect. 11(7) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004.

The commission warned that two weeks after default, employers would make payment of not less than two per cent of unpaid contribution to RSA holder(s) and that one per cent of the outstanding will be payable to the Commission if the default persists after three month. In the same vein, employers that refused to give true information according to Section 90 of the PRA would pay a monetary fine not more than N200,000 for every false or misleading information and N100,000 each day where the offence continues. The Commission also said that Section 11(1) provides that each employee should open RSA, adding that every employee shall maintain RSA in his or her name with any Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) of his/her choice.

Scottish independence: Pension age plan ‘not fair on Scots'

UK-wide plan to raise the retirement age is unfair to Scots, according to Holyrood's new pensioners' rights minister. Shona Robison said lower life expectancy in Scotland "shortchanges" pensioners by thousands of pounds. She said the pension age rise would be reviewed if Scotland voted for independence in September. Pro-Union parties insisted pensions were more affordable as part of a UK-wide system that pooled resources. State pensions are paid to men from 65 and women from 61, but the pension age is set to increase to 67 for all by 2028. According to a pensions analysis produced by the Scottish government, a 65 year-old woman entitled to a total pension of £160 per week could expect to get around £11,000 less in Scotland than counterparts in the rest of the UK. The figure for men is £10,000. The analysis states that for people from Glasgow, who have the lowest life expectancy in Scotland, this "pensions gap" is even bigger, at £29,000 for men and £22,000 for women. Ms Robison said these differences in life expectancy would be "compounded" by UK government plans to raise the retire-

ment age to 67. She added it would be "fairer" if this was postponed and has promised a review in the event of independence. "It is right for Scotland to consider a state pension age relatively lower than the rest of the UK," she said. "I am concerned about Westminster's accelerated timetable for increasing the state pension age to 67 as it so unfairly disadvantages Scots. "People living in disadvantaged areas miss out even more - with men in Glasgow seeing £50,000 less over their lifetime than someone of the same age living in Harrow." She added: "We want to make sure that the pension age suits Scottish circumstances - and, on average, people in Scotland have fewer years in retirement receiving the state pension because life expectancy is lower. "Life expectancy is improving but progress will take time, and we don't want Scots to be disadvantaged in the meantime." However, Scottish Labour MP Gregg McClymont, the shadow UK pensions minister, insisted pensions were more affordable as part of the UK because resources could be pooled to share the costs of "Scotland's rapidly growing elderly population".

L-R: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun; Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde and Chairman of the company, Chief Kola Jamodu, at the Pre-AGM Cocktail of Nigerian Breweries held in Lagos …yesterday

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 6

the committee believes that we have a case so they are working on it. “We are over 18,000 spread across the country. We cannot give the government any ultimatum, we are only appealing but we are hoping it will come on time. We want the harmonization done before the 33 per cent increase otherwise we will still end up being underpaid.” However, after the long wait, the pensioners are becoming skeptical about the sincerity of government to make things work in their favour as what appears to be more pressing national assignments are taking over the issue of harmonisation and the 33 per cent increase. On the part of the PHCN pensioners, it turned out an irony as the union officials that had hitherto given the impression that all was well are now out to demand improved welfare, among others. Only recently, some of the retirees protested over alleged inequitable payment of pension thereby pitching them against the leadership of union. The pensioners were unhappy with the executive over their inability to ensure an improvement in their welfare especially after the Federal Government paid out huge sums as severance package to PHCN workers who were laid off as a result of the privatisation exercise. Although a source among the warring pensioners said that the agitation was as a result of inequitable payment of pension,

Pensioners regrouping for showdown as FG delays on promises an official of the union said the aggrieved pensioners were asking for an outright payoff, which is not constitutional. They alleged that the union executive was conniving with the management of the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company to deny them due benefits because of what they derived from the Federal Government in the name of overseeing the welfare of the pensioners. One of the aggrieved retirees and spokesperson for the factional group, Mr. Olu Ayeni, said there had been series of manipulation by those handling the benefits as some of the retirees who retired on the same grade level earned more than their counterparts. He also alleged that rather than pursue the pensioners’ case, the union leaders chose to conspire with the management of NELMCO to deny them their benefits because of the N1,500 deductions they collect from the pensioners at the end of every month. He said the sale of PHCN was highly underestimated and sold to those in charge and the facilities shared among them, stressing that if the privatization was properly done, the Federal Government shouldn’t be struggling to pay off the retirees like it did for the workers.

He said: “I think there is a mix up. Our union is not doing anything to help us. What they are interested in is the deduction of N1,500 from each retiree monthly. The retirees are about 25,000, so you can see how much they make from the deduction. That is why they don’t want us to be paid off so that they can continue with the deduction. They don’t want that to stop.” “Personally, I have no trust in whatever their plans are about pay off. Despite letters of complaints to NELMCO substantiated with bank statements nothing was done. Many of us were affected. Mine and many other severance packages were left unpaid. These are the people who have been struggling to pay arrears of pension even though we never experienced tentative and inequitable payment when PHCN was handling our payments.” Countering the claims of Ajayi, the Administrative Assistant to the secretariat, Mr. Anthony Magnus, said the agitation by the retirees was not necessary as their demand for an outright payoff was unconstitutional and unheard of. He said the best thing was for the aggrieved retirees to direct their grievances to the PHCN headquarters in Abuja instead of disrupting activities at the union’s secretariat.

BUSINESS | INTERVIEW

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

‘We are keen on building a legacy business’ Caverton Offshore Support Group will list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange on 20 May 2014. Ahead of that, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, chairman and founder of the company, spoke to a group of journalists about why he is taking the company public, the company’s growth trajectory, and the prospects of indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector under the local content regime. AYODELE AMINU was there. Excerpts: Your company would be the first indigenous oil and gas services company to be listed on the Exchange. This is coming after Seplat’s recent listing. How important is this record to you and what are your thoughts about the future of indigenous companies in this very important sector of our economy? We are proud of our achievements thus far and humbled to be a reference point in such a tasking sector. The year 2010 was a major milestone for us. This was when we won the single largest contract ever awarded to an indigenous company. After the euphoria, we realised that this record also thrust an enormous responsibility on us as a company. Essentially, we felt that we were unwittingly made ambassadors for indigenous companies in the sector and that there was a need for us to demonstrate that indigenous companies with commitment and focus could achieve the same result as foreign competitors. In our minds, it simply meant that failure was not an option. So I would say that our listing is a follow up on that burden of responsibility. Just that this time the focus isn’t only on operational excellence and adherence to standards but more about the sustainability of our growth and the institutionalisation of the company. I think that the oil and gas sector still has tremendous growth opportunities with enough capacity to enable the emergence of other technically sound indigenous companies, and with the right economic policies the possibilities are boundless. You mentioned that you won the single largest contract awarded to an indigenous company in 2010. What is the value of the contract and with which company? This was with Shell and the value was $648 million. It was a contract for five years plus two. We were to buy six helicopters to do the operation but it has been increased to seven with a fixed wing to enhance production. Apart from Shell, we also have contracts with Total, Addax, COTCO (ExxonMobil) in Cameroun. These are the major ones that we are concentrating on. We also operate Lagos State government helicopters. Why did you decide to list the company and why now? The decision to go public was signed-

Makanjuola

off by the board of directors as far back as 2008. We felt that given the significant opportunities in the market and our positioning, the use of debt-financing to fund our growth will be limiting and so we decided to carry out global case studies on companies with similar growth trajectories. We decided that the equity funding route will ultimately give the best return on capital. So the journey to tapping into the Nigerian equity market began with our private placement in 2008 which culminated in the imminent listing. The timing was determined by a combination of the prevailing market conditions and the company’s current growth stage. Most family businesses hardly want to go public. Is it that you don’t have the anxieties that others have in terms of possible take-over or losing control? Not in the slightest. When the company was founded there was a clear vision to establish a legacy business and that has always been the focus. In addition to this we operate in a very niche space within the oil and gas sector which requires a distinctive set of skills in the day-to-day management of such operations. So we pride ourselves as possessing these unique management skills and if a takeover were in the offing, I am pretty certain that the progenitors of the business would still be required to sit at the table. So to answer your question, we have no anxieties about any possible takeover. And I say that with the greatest sense of humility. Moreover, going public does two things: it enables you to inject fresh blood into your company and it forces you to observe good corporate governance practices. That was why we engaged the services of KPMG to marshal out various aspects of the regulations and rules that will control the company and also put in place a proper corporate governance structure. Also, going public will enable members of the investing public who want to be part of the company to invest and benefit from the growth opportunities and dividends provided by local content policies. It’s more of value added. You said from the start you had a vision of establishing a legacy business. How do

you mean? Yes in the sense that most familyowned businesses mostly die with the founder or flounder after the death of the founder. My intention has always been to ensure that this company proves two things: one, that Nigerians can establish companies that will propagate proper corporate governance; and two, that Nigerians can establish companies that will outlive them. So my concern has always been if companies in other places can be in existence for hundreds of years, why not Caverton? You started out as a banker and you decided to go into a totally different arena. Why did you choose to do that and how did you overcome the initial challenges of being in a different field? After decades in the banking sector, as with most things, there was a yearning for change. The type of services within the oil and gas sector was a specific area of interest for me. I had a first-hand experience about the dearth of operators’ assets in the service sector and felt that the opportunity that existed could allow for a longer-term business and so the journey began. As with most start-ups, the greatest challenge is proving that you have the competence and capability to sustain the business. In addition, I had chosen a capital-intensive line of service and so funding the capital expenses was going to be a challenge. But with a lot of determination armed with decades of banking experience I was able to present the business in such a way that the projected cash flows and the growth feasibility were able to convince leasing companies, technical partners and the banks to commit resources and funds to bring things to fruition.

So to answer your question, we have no anxieties about any possible takeover. And I say that with the greatest sense of humility

Many people heard about Caverton for the first time when Caverton Helicopters launched the intra-city shuttle in Lagos. Over time the two major companies in the Caverton group have grown tremendously. So what would you call the major milestones and critical success factors of the group? Unknown to many people, Caverton started out as a Caverton Marine in 1998 operating a fleet of LPG and petroleum tankers as well as supplying equipment to the Nigerian Ports Authority. In 2002, Caverton Helicopters was born and we commenced the intra-city shuttle in 2004. I will say that the major milestones and the critical success factors for the group will be inextricably linked to our commitment to safety and the frequent audits that keep us on our toes. In 2009, we passed the Shell audit which allowed us to qualify technically to tender for contracts and this opened the floodgate of opportunities. This was essentially because the Shell audit is considered one of the most tasking in the oil industry. As such, passing it was a vote of confidence that brought Caverton into reckoning with our peers and other prospective clients. Moreover, Caverton Marine, had been awarded contracts from Shell UK (STASCO) and our vessels MT Ashabi and MT Lolade were engaged in their petroleum transportation activities in West Africa. So they were familiar with our ethos on safety and professionalism. They were only surprised we were branching into other aspects which they found refreshing. The two subsidiaries of Caverton were set-up before the passage of the Cabotage Act and the Local Content Act. How did you set yourself up to be able to compete in a sector that was dominated by foreign firms? The enabling laws you mentioned are protectionist in nature and this type of laws is not unique to Nigeria. There is the Jones Act in the US, which is very similar to our cabotage law and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the Middle East also have similar laws to our local content law. While these laws have created the enabling environments for the emergence of indigenous companies, core competence is still a basic requirement by the clients. As such, competing in the sector for us as a company is essentially holding ourselves to a higher standard than our competitors in everything we do. This cuts across, from the conditions of service, training standards, aircraft comfort to investment in facilities that would complement our overall service offerings. The company is going to list by introduction. Do we expect Caverton to go to the market soon to raise capital? Yes. The listing by introduction is a precursor to our public offer which we expect should happen between the fourth quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2015. We decided to list by introduction because we felt it would be expedient to ensure that the market is fully familiar with the company, its past and present performance prior to its fund-raising and also to ensure that we are seen to have a proper corporate governance culture. Apart from possible share offer, are there other things in the pipeline? Caverton has a number of major announcements coming up in the next few months and I will rather wait for the appropriate time to make them. I will say they are all ground-breaking and one is particularly very ground-breaking as it will be a first for sub-Saharan Africa.

CRIME

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

JULIANA FRANCIS juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Killings: Calm returns to Mushin after arrest of suspected ringleaders

Manko. Insert: Toba and Muda

Juliana Francis

or years now, Mushin and Fadeyi areas of Lagos State have been in the eyes of the storm. Several innocent people are killed in the series of yetto be understood reasons for gang wars. Indeed, the killings were so much that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, attributed the sharp increase in murder in the review of 2013 achievements of his command, to killings in Mushin. The situation at Mushin, however, came to a head in April, 2014, after the gangs allegedly clashed and, as usual, under the guise of the gang war, robbed several buildings and vandalised several vehicles. Just days after the attacks on the houses, a visibly angry Manko ordered 24 hours surveillance of the areas, leading to the arrest of three key young men, believed to be behind the disturbances and incessant killings. Since their arrest, strangely, uneasy calm has reigned in Mushin and Fadeyi. Reacting to their arrest on April, 24, 2014, police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide

said: “The Command has arrested the kingpins of gangsters that had rendered Mushin and its environs uninhabitable to citizens. Toba Ajiboye, Yusuf Akinwale and Adigun Oriyomi alias Muda were all apprehended at a hideout in Karimu Street, Mushin, while hatching a plan to attack Oshodi. The said Adigun Oriyomi had been on the police wanted list for cases of murder. Meanwhile, manhunt for other gangsters continues

as the command will not rest until total calm is achieved.” Before the arrest of the suspects, different teams of policemen had been drafted to maintain peace in Mushin. But their presence had not deterred the killers or killings. A police source said that the suspects are being kept presently in different cells, in different locations, for security reasons.

CRIME QUOTE “At a moment like this, we can no longer afford anything but a united commitment to stamping out a great evil that threatens the very existence of the only place we call home. We must make it easy for the world to see Nigeria as a country that cares for all its citizens, regardless of their age, gender, religion, ethnic group or economic class. We must make it clear that under no circumstances should any person, group of persons, or organisation ever be permitted to prey on the children of Nigeria, or any other country.” – Former Vice-President, Abubakar Atiku.

The source added: “The investigation is still on-going and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of operations, Mr. Tunde Shobulom, is personally handling the matter himself. The suspects would be charged for murder, for all the killings they had carried out in Mushin and Fadeyi. Since their arrest, didn’t you notice that the violence in the areas had reduced?” Some policemen who had been monitoring the orgy of killings in Mushin alleged that, ‘some powerful politicians’ were behind the crisis. They explained that sometimes after such mayhem and killings, the police would arrest close to 500 suspected gangsters and before they even reached police stations, calls would have started coming in from powerful citizens, asking for the release of these suspects. A policeman said: “There was a period that over 18 people were killed within two weeks. A woman’s home was attacked in Mushin and her baby shot in the face and burnt alive! Sometimes you’d find CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40 CRIME

hese are certainly not the best of times for Nigerian parents and law enforcement agents, no thanks to the ritual killers and kidnappers roaming the country, seeking kids to ‘devour.’ Below is one of the ways the FBI used in tracking missing or abducted kids. Its a metholology that some Nigerian law enforcement agents need to emulate. When a 6-year-old boy was abducted in Puerto Rico in October 2012, local media outlets issued conflicting details about the boy’s age; some said he was 7, others said he was 4. Eager to put out an accurate, detailed description to expedite the search, the FBI in San Juan interviewed the missing boy’s parents and asked about his particulars—name, age, and what he was wearing when he was abducted. “The mother was hysterical,” recalls Diana Rosa, a community outreach specialist in our San Juan Field Office who with the assistance of a special agent was able to question the boy’s parents. The family didn’t have a recent picture of the boy handy, so there was little to work with. Then Rosa pulled up the FBI Child ID app she had installed six months earlier on her smartphone. The free mobile application, available on iPhone and Android operating systems, is a way for parents to store up-to-date pictures and detailed information about their children in the event they go missing. Rosa, whose job includes, talking to community members about subjects like safety, had the app on her own phone because she has a young daughter. On the phone with the case agent who

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Child abduction: How the FBI child ID App aided recovery that helped guide the agent’s questions and collect more identifying characteristics about the missing boy. The probing prompted the boy’s father to recall a very unique characteristic about one of his son’s front teeth. Shortly thereafter, FBI San Juan issued a detailed press release containing the new information. Within hours, the boy was released by his captors in a busy office park, where a woman who recognized him from the media reports immediately got help. The boy was reunited with his family the same day. The FBI released the app for iPhones in 2011 and for Android systems in 2012. While the app wasn’t used quite as intended in this case, Rosa said it was very helpful as a way to collect key information during an emotionally charged moment and showed just how useful the app could be. Now when she meets with parents in the community she passes her phone around and shows them the Child ID app, encouraging them to download it so that they will have everything at hand if they ever need it “As a mom, I know if my child goes missing I won’t remember what she was wearing that day,” said Rosa, who uploads new photos to the app every time her daughter gets a haircut. “Just knowing it’s a click was interviewing the boy’s parents, Rosa away on my phone in a matter of seconds referred to a series of queries on the app is a relief.”

The FBI’s Child ID App: Putting safety in your hands

ou’re shopping at the mall with your children when one of them suddenly disappears. A quick search of the nearby area is unsuccessful. What do you do? Now there’s a free new tool from the FBI that can help. Our just launched Child ID app—the first mobile application created by the FBI—provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your children so that it’s literally right at hand if you need it. You can show the pictures and provide physical identifiers such as height and weight to security or police officers on the spot. Using a special tab on the app, you can also quickly and easily e-mail the information to authorities with a few clicks.

The app also includes tips on keeping children safe as well as specific guidance on what to do in those first few crucial hours after a child goes missing. We encourage you to share the word about this app with family and friends, especially during upcoming activities in your communities to raise awareness on crime and drug prevention. For its part, the FBI is working to publicize the app with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)—its long-time partner in the National Child Identification Program, which provides a physical kit to gather your child’s pictures, fingerprints, personal characteristics, and even DNA to keep with you in case of emergency. announcement about the app and will spread The AFCA is producing a public service the word at various football games.

Residents lived in fear at Mushin CONTINUED FR O M PAGE 39

fresh corpses inside gutters. If the police authourity had acted decisively the way it wanted, people would have said we were taking sides in the fight. There was a time an Anti-Robbery officer ran to tell a DPO that the gangs had started killing at Akala again and the DPO asked him if the people being killed were members of his family. Nobody wanted to get caught in the fray! We don’t know these powerful people who are behind the gangs, but we know they are politicians.” Another police source said that when operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), were drafted to Mushin, many of the residents breathed a sigh of relief. But the residents complained they had noticed that

those arrested for perpetrating trouble and killings were often sighted barely days after they had been apprehended. “They come back, terrorising people. There was a case of a former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area, who tried to tackle the mayhem in Mushin passionately, but he was dismissed for his troubles. That made us to know that some powerful personalities are involved in the Mushin crisis. “Residents there had been living in fear for too long. Mushin has become a lawless place, where a policeman would see a lady being raped and would turn blind eyes. Even if you arrest the person, you’d find him on the streets tomorrow. Before you start interrogating the person, a notable person would start calling for his release. A policeman once saw

some members of these gangs harassing a young lady, he intervened, attempting to save the girl, but they ganged up against him, using sticks that had nails to hit him. When he staggered to his DPO’s office, with his body covered in blood, the DPO angrily asked what he went there to do. “The DPO told the wounded officer that he was being overzealous. Since then, most policemen usually turned blind eyes to anything going on in Mushin. We want to work, but some certain members of the society will not allow us to do our work and, believe me, no policeman wants to lose his job or his life unnecessarily.” The policemen revealed that most of the residents are thankful for the recent peace in Mushin, praying that it lasts.

The 3rd Eye Sabotaging the fight against terrorism Okechukwu Nwaguma

have been trying to figure out the reason why the Nigerian military, as revealed by Amnesty International, would ignore advance warning about planned mass abduction of the Chibok school girls by Boko Haram. I can only imagine two possibilities. First, it is clear and beyond doubt that the terrorists whom our soldiers are sent and expected to combat are equipped with better and more sophisticated weapons than they are. They therefore, feel like being sent on a suicide mission knowing that they are incapable of matching the intelligence and operational sophistication and capabilities of the terrorists. Second, soldiers in the battle field have often complained that they are short-changed by senior military officers who illegally divert and steal their allowances. They are therefore, demotivated by poor welfare and inadequate and inferior operational facilities. Many cases in the past have highlighted the recurrent issue of illegal diversion and theft of duty allowances of junior military officers by their superiors. This also happens in the police. I recall that in April 2009 27 gallant soldiers who were among the 850 members of the 15th Nigerian Battalion of the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission to Liberia between September 2007 and April 2008 were court marshalled for alleged mutiny, purportedly convicted and sentenced to life by a 7-man military court martial which sat at the 323 Army Artillery Regiment, Owena Barracks, Akure, Ondo State. The offence of the gallant soldiers was that they protested the illegal diversion and theft of their peace keeping allowances by senior army officers. Although the imprisoned soldiers eventually regained their freedom following pressure from human rights groups’ campaigns and the legal challenge of their unfair trial and torture by military authorities, the case once more highlighted the recurrent issue of illegal diversion and theft of duty allowances of junior military officers by their superiors.

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Chibok: Not yet Uhuru? Odunayomi Oke ruth is, whether the gruesome attacks, massacre, and cases of abduction we have been hearing of, particularly from the Northern part of Nigeria; in these last few weeks are indeed masterminded by some few disgruntled elements is really a non-issue now. The real issue is, this is being carried too far, without considering the detrimental effect of it on the Nation as a whole. “The comfort of the tree, is the comfort of the bed’’ And for as long as the tree (Nigeria) keeps shaking back and forth, as a result of turbulent windstorm, the bird (citizen) will also find it hard to perch peacefully. So, whatever some families are facing or have faced in the process, can be felt by us all. The government is trying her possible best in ensuring the best decision is embraced, foreign countries are also not left behind, while 2 Chronicles 20:12; “O, our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us, nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You’’ is the song on the mouth of many. Yes, some pictures of the abducted school girls have been released, which cleared some air of doubts and gave some fresh hope, but is it yet uhuru? May be not, at least for as long as some tyrants are getting confused by day, as to what to do with their “spoil.’’ I mean,

after the release of the video showing the faces of some of the girls, the question on the lips of every one is; what next? Well, one may not really have an answer to that, but one thing is certain, and that is ‘He who the gods would kill, will first be made mad.’ What we are experiencing now, could be likened to a replay of what a certain Sennacherib did in the days of old. He rose up to make empty boast against God. He so much terrified and terrorised the people of Judah, boasting that no god of any Nation had been strong enough to deliver any captive from his hand, but in the end, what ended his story? He got slain like a poultry bird! The full gist is in the Bible, 2 Chronicles 32: 1-22. So often times when it looks as if God is on vacation, or not ‘doing anything’ as fast as expected concerning a rebel or groups of rebels, it may be to give such, a chance for repentance, among other reasons. Though, as they say, ‘wherever two elephants fight, the grass naturally suffers the consequences.’ But it will be tantamount to wickedness of the highest order, to be toying with the lives of people; whether young or old, just for a group or sect to actualize her grandiose plan. I mean; how could someone be seeing this cruel act, as a kind of razzmatazz, laughing as if having some kind of fun. Infringing on the fundamental hu-

man rights of fellow being at all, not to say in that manner, is the worst kind of robbery. So what are we saying here? How can any sane person just wake up one day, and forcefully gain custody of over 100 human beings, with the mind of using them to settle scores? And not stopping at that, but imposing his religion on them. I mean, is that not sheer madness? Little wonder a song in the Western region of Nigeria says, ’they call him mad, mad, he is eating pounded yam with goat’s arm.’ May God deliver us, as the scenario before us now; is pretty critical and somehow complicated. But at the same time, to settle for that mean ransom, will be a real blunder. Yet another question is, which way is the best way out of this imbroglio? Well, to man, all these may be hard nuts to crack, but is anything too hard for God to do? As at the time of putting this writing together, report had it that about

The poser now is if America finally locates the girls, how will they be rescued from their captors – unhurt?

77 girls have been identified, and that some parents have granted interviews. The poser now is if America finally locates the girls, how will they be rescued from their captors – unhurt? I mean it is like the complicated task of separating chaff from the wheat. More question, and more puzzle to unravel. But truth is, a wise man does not disclose his plans; rather he works towards actualizing it. It is only the foolish who parades himself, and climbs the roof top to make known his every decision, and announces his next line of action. So, it will do a lot of good here, if all stakeholders embrace the ways of the wise, in mapping out strategies for the way forward. While this continues, affected Parents; particularly mothers, are encouraged to remain calm. What anxiety will not do, complete trust will achieve. To those who have not seen their children among those shown in the video; just get your faith to remain intact. I have come to understand that no matter the intensity of one’s prayer, without having a strong faith that it will work, will make it just an effort in futility. So, like our slogan in Student Union in those good old days, I re-affirm that ‘ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ASETA.’ Meaning, struggle continues, victory is certain! And with God on our side, we shall overcome!!

42 FamilY AFFAIRS | woman to woman

Odunayomi Oke

others’ Day is celebrated in UK, fourth Sunday of lent, and in the U.S, second Sunday in May. This celebration is to honour all mothers, and to express gratitude for the pain they bear; not just in giving birth to a child, but in bringing up such. Both days have come and gone, but the love of mothers for their children remains; both in season, and out of season. Mothers, as we all know, are “our strong guiding force;’’ keenly interested in seeing us become who God has destined us to be. They shape our lives and personalities, as well as give us the true meaning of compassion; by their practical demonstration of affection. Mothers are angels in human bodies. They are simply the most wonderful, and amazing of all of God’s creation. According to Mildred .B. Vermont being a full time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs…since the payment is pure love. The logical aspect of it is that all working mothers are indirectly career women; because motherhood is a great career, but not all working class mothers are working mothers. A working mother takes the family as her primary assignment, working tirelessly to ensure the home works, and also to see that the children fare

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Between working class and working mothers well in life. There is an adage that says “If fire fell on one, at the same time on one’s child, one will first take care of one’s own’’ Well, this might be true with some so-called Mothers, but check it, a Real Mother would first sort out the child, before noticing there was fire on her body also. I remember one of the poems we were taught in those days, in appreciation of our moms, was: “My Mother, Who sat and watch my infant head, when sleeping in my cradle bed, and tears of sweet affection shed, My Mother. When pain and sickness made me cry, who gazed upon my heavy eyes, and wept for fear that I should die, my Mother. Who taught my infant lips to pray, and love God’s Holy book and day, and walk in wisdom’s pleasant way, my Mother’’ And on, and on……… They were not just some kind of rhymes or empty words, but every word of it, was real to us, because we enjoyed the practicality

of it. As young as we were then, our Mothers were the Angels we knew. My Mother was particularly exceptional. She was one in several millions. I mean, motherhood personified. She was one woman who practically sacrificed her life for her children. She indeed made Mama Lisa Taylor’s poem; My Mother, very real and meaningful to us. But the question is, are all mothers wonderful? Or better still, are you a mother to celebrate or one to still educate on the beauty of Mother-

All mothers are expected to be working mothers, though not all can be working class mothers; while some mothers could actually combine both effectively

hood? What did your child/ children say about you on Mothers’ day, or how do they speak about you on a good day? Though, children were often encouraged, or even compelled by their Sunday school or class teachers to design cards or buy gifts for their Moms as a way of appreciation on such day, but do you think you deserve such gifts; if you got one? Well, let your conscience bear you witness on that. Yes, as a mother, you bore the pain of giving birth to your child or children, but are you bearing the pain of raising them? It is therefore worthy of note that all mothers are expected to be working mothers, though not all can be working class mothers; while some mothers can actually combine both effectively. A working class mother has just the monetary reward of monthly salary, but a working mother has an all-time reward of love; both from God and the children. Since the latter pays a better dividend, all Mothers are encouraged to be Working Mothers.

10 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES ON MOTHERHOOD lMothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. lMothers are our guiding force, and responsible for making us who we are. They shape our lives and personalities. lOf all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother- Lin Yutang, Chinese writer. lA Mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for a pie- Tenneva Jordan. lI remember my Mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life- Abraham Lincoln. lNobody knows of the work it makes to keep the home together, nobody knows of the steps it takes, nobody knows it; but mothers. lNo gift to your mother can ever equal her gift to you; life. lWho ran to help me when I fell, and would some pretty story tell, or kiss the place to make it well? ; My Mother- Ann Tailor. lThe moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new- Rajneesh. lWhen you are a mother, you are really not alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice; once for herself, and once for her child-Sophia Loren. To all Working Mothers, we say HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY IN ARREARS!

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COUNSELLING Q & A PRINCESS ODUNAYOMI OKE

Dear Counsellor, I got married to my husband few years ago, but we are yet to have a child. Just last week, I stumbled into a text message on his phone, from a friend of mine; asking him about the preparation for her daughter’s 15th birthday. What she told me was that the man she had the girl for, rejected the pregnancy. But why did she send a text message to my husband about the girl’s upcoming birthday. Now, this is a very sensitive one. If the child is now about 15; and you are just few years in marriage to your husband, what then are you insinuating? Really, I don’t know the relationship that exist between you and your friend, or for how long you have been friends, but one thing is sure; you did not “stumble’’ into that text message. If you must be sincere, there must have been gossips about the paternity of that girl. But was any of that gossip laid at your doorstep? I mean, had there been occasion where you suspected there was, or there could be something going on between your hubby and your friend? You see, I don’t know for how long you have been married, or what effort you have made or are still making about having children with your husband, but I will encourage you to ignore all gossips. You have seen the text message, so it may be necessary to confront your man about it. You may never know, there could have been a mix-up somewhere, as in, the message might not be meant for that destination. There are some battle line you don’t just draw, only for you to be the loser in the end. What I am saying in essence is this, even if you confront your husband, and it turns out there is a smoke somewhere, will you sacrifice your marriage for that? You really have to be careful about this, so you don’t mess issues up. My worry is that many women would have damned the consequences in cases like this, before realizing they took false steps. A single woman with a 15 year old daughter will be glad to finally show the girl her father, and better still, to become a family with him. And here you are, still trying to get pregnant. If I were you, I would rather concentrate on how to achieve that, instead of getting myself worked up over issues that could not be reversed, even if confirmed true. As they say, “when will a child named Maku,(don’t die) not die?’’ I will therefore advise you to talk with (not to) your husband first, even if there might still be a need to have a friendly chat with your friend. Dear counsellor, I live in a big compound (a 6 bedroom duplex) with just my husband and our two grown-up sons. But last year, I convinced my husband to build three self-contained apartment in the compound; so as to have people around us, now that the boys are not always around. One of them was rented out to a young banker. The issue now is that this young lady irritates me with her careless dressing in the compound most weekends. Should I call, and put her to order? Hnmmh, calling her to order may be something you have to be tactical about; otherwise she could ask if that was part of the agreement she signed when she got the apartment. And sincerely, if it was not, it might be a tough case to address. Really, what mothers refer to as careless dressing, could just be seen by young girls as a normal dressing. More so, a young lady banker who no longer lives under the roof of her parents may not need any other woman to tutor her on how to dress at weekends, particularly in an apartment she paid for. It may be that since she dresses up to work every day, she

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might need to dress down at weekends. But if I may ask an innocent question, who are you really getting afraid for, your grown-up sons, or your husband? If your worry is about your sons, I can assure you they have seen several girls so dressed, that by now, they are like used to it. And if your worry is about your husband, try not to call the lady names before him, or voice out your irritation all the time you see her so “irritatingly dressed.’’ Reason is, that may be getting his attention drawn to the lady the more. What I will advise, is that you get close to the lady first, then it becomes easy to correct her on the issue of dressing. But if deep in your heart, what you feel is that she is flaunting too much, and you are no match; by reason of age, just ignore her. The men just as the ‘boys’ can stray, but they know when to apply the brakes. But if you feel you understand what you are saying better than I think, please don’t hesitate to go ahead with your plans to call her to order. Only don’t be rash in your action.

Rest or burn-out! L ife is busy and it seems each year it just gets busier. Work, family, school and other commitments just eat the day away leaving you with no time to rest or relax. Rest to some people is a taboo, “You know I have to work extra hours so that I can get that promotion”. How hard-working are you? No one has ever worked like God, yet He rested. I once suffered health problems, which I later discovered was due to lack of rest. I recovered fully after resting for two consecutive days; without taking any medication.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REST Exercise is necessary for maintaining good health; however resting is just as important as exercising. We

sleep each night to restore their body with the energy it needs to handle all the demands of living each day. Most people cut back on their sleep to crowd more activities into the day. Sadly, this act runs the body down allowing more viruses and diseases to attack the body because the immune system is not functioning as it should. The individual gets so sick that he or she misses days or even weeks of all the essential activities. When you don’t get enough rest, you have difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly and you may eventually lose your memory. You may not notice this at first, but the more sleep and rest you miss out the more pronounced these symptoms will show.

Dear counsellor, My 23 year old boy is becoming difficult to handle. He feels he is old enough to take decisions on his own, and he finds it hard to take instructions. How can I handle him, and he won’t feel I complain too much. Issue is, most mothers fail to differentiate between the way they clung to their baby boys, and when they have evidently graduated from being “tiny winy’ baby boys, to full grown men. A 23year old boy is no more a minor, but an adult. Though, for as long as a child is still under the roof of his or her parents, such must still be instructed, but there is a way to do that without infringing on the rights of the child. Again, at that age, he probably is already in a steady, or trial and error relationship with a lady, and at such feels he has “arrived’’. He sees himself more like a man than a boy, and hence feels he deserves to be so treated. No qualms about that; only let him understand your worry is for his good. You have to let him understand there is safety in the counsel of an elder because what he is still struggling with, you have gone through and probably overcome. Another thing is, you may need to change your approach. Instead of engaging the weapon of rebuke, why not try the approach of love? Don’t force your Will on him always, and endeavour to listen to him on every issue, rather than tell him off roughly. Maybe it will amaze you to know the ego in every man starts showing even at very young ages, so you have to know how to differentiate between bruising and rubbing his ego. Just as mature men don’t like to be questioned or bothered on some issue, same goes for the growing men. Therefore try and study your son, and know the best way to relate with him. One thing I have discovered about male children; is that they are closer to their moms, than to their dads, but they run from you when you begin to fuss over them.

Talk to us What are you worried about? Your Health, Career, Children, relationship with Spouse, Partner, or in-laws? Do you have a question you want to ask, but you are embarrassed about? Why must you remain worried, sad or depressed when you could talk to someone? Feel free to talk to the counsellor on this page. You will be glad you did!

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need rest to provide our bodies time to repair or recuperate. The human body is responsible for fixing itself; in fact the human body repairs itself at any age. In order for our body to begin reparation, it needs first of all the necessary nutrients from good food and then it needs rest. We do exercise to a degree; that is if we do not lie in bed all day. However most of us do not consciously think about rest, if the body is trying to recover, one should plan the day to include rest sessions. When you get enough rest, your body system is stronger and able to fight infections more easily. The animal world seems to be more aware of the need for rest than we humans. A lion does very little for most of the day and for a few seconds it will jump to run and catch a meal. It will eat that, and rest for a couple of days before the next meal. SIDE EFFECTS OF NOT GETTING ENOUGH REST The doctors say that an adult needs an average of 7-8 hours of

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Lack of relaxation can also affect your mood and emotions. It is a scientific fact that when individuals miss out on good night rest, their personality is affected, they become grumpy, impatient, depressed and angry. HOW THEN CAN YOU REST l Make sure you do not compromise your normal sleeping hours at night (except of course for spiritual exercise). l Take little naps, it helps a lot. l Avoid crowding your weekends with a lot of activities. l Take a trip outside the hustle and bustle of your vicinity. l Give yourself a weekend treat. Lodge in a Hotel or Guest House where everything you need is at your finger-tips. You deserve it! l Read your favourite book on your bed, listen to soft music and meditate on the word. l Do whatever makes you feel relaxed. Christianah Akindolie 08166655527 (SMS only)

E X HORTATION

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“Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” …(Qur’an 2: 256).”

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Court confirms Shittu as Imam of Obaagun Muslim community

MURIC rejects conversion of kidnapped girls

Osogbo

ustice Jide Falola of the Jting Osun State High Court sitin lkirun, Ifelodun local

SIGNIFICANCE OF PURIFICATION

L-R: Director, Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Ishaq Akintola; Managing Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Imam Abdullah Shuaib; Prof. Murtala Bidmus of Islamic Studies Department, University of Lagos, and Head, economic Department, University of Ilorin, Dr. Mobolaji |Abdulhakeem, during a Special lecture on the Integrated circuit ‘What is your Role’ by Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, LUTH Chapter held in Lagos. PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

DISMISSAL MURIC has urged the Federal Government to dismiss Shekau’s offer of exchange of Boko Haram prisoners for the kidnapped girls Adeola Yusuf

he Muslim Right Concern (MURIC) has rejected the alleged conversion of abducted school girls into Islam by members of the Boko Haram. MURIC in a statement by its coordinator, Professor Ishaq Akintola said that the

action of the Boko Haram sect is unislamic. The group said: “We reject the purported conversion of the kidnapped girls. It is cowardly, shameful, ridiculous and preposterous. It is sacriledge. We affirm authoritatively that such conversion does not hold water in Islam because a non-Muslim can only be converted on his or her own free will. “We have no iota of doubt that the girls ‘converted’ under duress. “Such ‘conversion’ is null and void under the Shari’ah. The Glorious Qur’an is very explicit in this regard as it says, “There is no compulsion in religion…” (Laa ikrahun fii ad-diin” (Qur’an 2:256).”

The so called conversion, according to MURIC, is therefore “baseless, unfounded and of no validity whatsoever. It exists only in the hallucinated imageries in Shekau’s demented mind.” The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), it said, urges the Federal Government to dismiss Shekau’s offer of exchange of Boko Haram prisoners for the kidnapped girls. “A man who orders the invasion and kidnap of innocent young girls is honour-blind. Shame on Boko Haram! Shekau has no modicum of integrity left in his anatomy. He has no intention of honouring this deal. He is trying to buy time. He is digging in.”

Chibok: Don’t swap abducted girls with prisoners, Ahmadiyya warns FG UNISLAMIC Swapping of the girls with terrorists is against the tenet of Islam, Ahmadiyy has said. Muritala Ayinla

hmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria has warned the Federal Government not to accept the condition of the Boko Haram sects to swap the abducted female students with the captured Boko Haram militants. The group, which described the condition given by the sect leader for releasing the girls as aberration, said swapping of the girls with terrorists is against the tenet of Islam. The head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Nigeria, Dr. Mash’hud Fashola who gave warning at press briefing

CONTINUED FROM LAST FRIDAY

AL-TOHARAH - PURIFICATION

Meaning: Purification is the cleansing of impurities. In Islam purification is the cleansing of body and soul and places of worship of all form of impurities.

Adeolu Adeyemo

government of the state was commended for upholding the recommendation , findings and judgment of the Shariah Panel constituted by the Osun State Muslim Community sitting in Osogbo in the Case of Obaagun Imaamship, which confirmed Alhaji Abass Sittu as the authentic lmaam of Obaagun. An Islamic Law Expert, Dr. Sirajudeen Al - Asrau Bilaal who is also a member of the osun State Shariah Panel sitting in Osogbo gave the commendation while speaking with newsmen on the judgment of Justice Falola on the 4 years old legal battle over Obaagun lmamship between Alhaj Raimi Animasahun and Alhaj Abass Sittu. Dr. Bilaal also gave Kudos to the presiding judge of the Court for allowing him and the Registrar, Shariah Panel for the State, Sheikh Musa Raji to adress the court in respect of the matter. The first Nigerian to bag a Doctorate Degree in lslamic Law from MEDINA University then called on Judges in common laws throughout the country to emulate Justice Falola in Justice Adminisration by involving Muslim Clerics and Islamic Law experts in deciding purely lslamic cases.

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

held at their Headquarters in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, said the Federal Government should ignore the conditional release of the girls, saying doing the bidding of the insurgents would further empower them. He said the girls were abducted illegally by the insurgents while the captured sect members were reminded in security custody for committing globally condemnable offence and which is jailable according to the nation’s constitution. His words: “We shouldn’t accept it. Islam doesn’t accept negotiating with criminals. Boko Haram has nothing to do with the true teaching of Islam. To have kidnapped someone who didn’t fight you and demand for negotiation. It is out of the question.” Fashola, however, noted that rather than negotiate with the Boko Haram sect, the Federal Government should further

allocate more funds to provide the necessary logistics to the security apparatus in the country to rescue the abducted girls and capture the members of the sect. He added: “This was why we have applauded the central government for accepting the support of foreign countries that have the technical logistics to locate the whereabouts of the girls”. Fashola however advised the Federal Government to monitor the activities of the foreign security personnel, as they arrived to provide the required logistics to aid the immediate rescue of the abducted girls He explained, “When developed countries go to anywhere, they are looking for the gains they will get. They are coming into the country not to lose. They aren’t coming into the country to spend citizens’ tax where they will not re-

ceive any gain. That is what is called rationale behaviour in economics. “They don’t come to waste their resources. That is normal. But what the country needs to do is to be selective of the offers we receive. There is no doubt that we lack adequate expertise. Our security facilities are in adequate. “But we should also be wary of their coming because when foreign experts come into our country, they get more information and we are further exposed. There maybe those who may have sincere purpose particularly smaller countries. “They are more sincere. We should tell the world that they should be more charitable to Nigeria. Our country has helped the world a lot. It will not be right for the world not to show help to the country during its time of need. We must be selective and monitor whatever they do.”

They therefore, attained security and regained their honour, unity and wellbeing under the shade of Islamic law. This injury was healed and their condition became better. In this age, the calamity is actually great for the Muslim nation, but it remains and indisputable fact that the affairs of the latter generation of the Muslim nation will never be set aright except by that which set right the affairs of their predecessors. So, blaming the enemies of Islam for these calamities does not in any way absolve the Muslims from being responsible for their own woes, for how will the Muslims expect the unbelievers to solve their problems for them if they themselves fail to do so through the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of his Prophet and in the light of their interests and those of their coming generations? The solution to Muslims’ problems therefore lies with Allah and then with their rulers and scholars by letting the people know all that is good, encouraging them to do that and warning them against all that is evil as far as matters of their religion and life is concerned. This is a great responsibility that requires strong will and sincerity. Fellow Muslims! Whenever a calamity afflicts a community, the first step to take is to have a sincere repentance. Allah says, “And all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful.” (Surah An-Nur 24:31) Every Muslim needs to have a sincere repentance. If anyone however says, ‘What is the relevance of my personal repentance to the rectification of the Muslims’ condition?’ He should be told that the cause of all good in this world and the Hereafter is the obedience to Allah and the cause of evil retribution is to disobey Him. He should also be told that, the repentance of every individual brings greater good and reduces calamities on the Muslims. Muslims should also unite in the face of this changing world that aspires to change the creed of Islam and eliminate its values and laws. Further, past nations were destroyed because of the existence of many sinners and fewness of righteous people. The sin of a single individual may destroy a TO BE CONTINUED

METRO

Friday, May 16, 2014

Rider dies in flood trying to retrieve tricycle Elijah Samuel middle-aged man has lost his Atricycle life while trying to rescue his from flood in Ehinga-Itire,

gle justice

oples Congress (OPC). ected kidnapper who was d burnt was identified as kpan. e Police Public Relations RO), Mr Victor Babayemi, ed this yesterday in Adopreliminary investigation that the former council rovoked youths of the town kidnap suspect. g to Babayemi, the suspects ged for murder to serve as o others, who always take eir hands. that investigations indicatan lived in the neighbourto the spot where he was hat nothing was found on est that he was a kidnapper by the mob. O added that the former was said to have captured handed him over to the rs for torture before he was rate youths. “We even learnt that it was ocal government boss that youth against him after he over to the OPC. been able to get evidence ree detainees had links ngle justice meted out to

d not only participate but ns revealed that they superating before he was subseablaze. hat ground that we got them hey have a case to answer what prompted the victim’s is beating.” i said that the police were of others who participated death but were on the run. The law of the land is very hen you see a suspect, you him over to the police for inand prosecution. ustice is not in our law and everything to ensure that practised in Ekiti State.”

Surulere, Lagos. The man, who resided at Isiba area of Otun-Oba in Itire, had gone out during the rain to move his tricycle popularly called Keke-Marwa from being submerged by flood to a safer place at his street. But the man, whose identity was not known at press time, was swept away by the flood which accompanied the rain of Wednesday night stoke Thursday morning. It was too late for any rescue to

reach him by the time the neighbours got wind of the incident. They embarked on search of the periphery of the canal which runs from Idi-Araba through Mushin and connects the Apapa - Oshodi Expressway. But the search party discovered the man’s body in the canal close to Iyana-Itire on the Apapa - Oshodi Expressway. A resident of the area, who preferred anonymity, told NT Metro that: “the man you see lying over there was removed from the canal. They have been looking for him since last night during that heavy rain. He was trying to remove his Keke Marwa from being swept away

Fear of Lassa fever grips Ebonyi Charles Onyekwere Abakaliki

least eight doctors, four Aerstnurses and five health workwere yesterday feared to

have been affected by Lassa fever after they participated in operating a pregnant woman at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) in Ebonyi State. The woman (name withheld) and her baby who later died a few days after they were discharged from the hospital were suspected to have contracted the deadly disease. At a press conference, the state Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Chidi Esike, said that the affected medical personnel had been moved to Specialist Hospital, Irrua, in Edo State for diagnosis and medical attention. According to him, the refusal of the Federal Government to provide a virology centre in the South-East is threatening the gains recorded in the health sector.

He said: “The sad aspect of this whole saga is that since the time this woman and her child were managed, with several doctors, nurses and all kinds of health workers exposed to the risk of the deadly Lassa fever virus, we are still suspecting that we have cases of Lassa fever in our land. “It is not sheer insensitivity to the plight of not just the medical doctors but also other health workers in Ebonyi State that today (15th May, 2014) 17 health workers in the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki are suspected to be affected by Lassa fever. Eight doctors, four nurses, seven others have been rushed to Edo State for treatment. “As we alert our people and health workers about the presence and dangers of Lassa fever, they should take all necessary steps including covering their food properly to avoid contact with rats, preventing rats from entering their houses, avoiding the eating of rat meat in order to prevent Lassa fever.”

ine dealers wage war on fake drug sellers

Association of Patoprietary Medicine PPMED) has taken Akwa Ibom State of red drug dealers. NAPPMED Presian Udo Udoeno, who at the association’s workshop in Uyo yeshe public to be wary of counterfeit drug

d that the association ady to join other pa-

triotic Nigerians to fight against distribution and sales of fake drugs in the state. He promised that his members would not relent in their efforts to sensitise the public. This, according to him, is to “safe guarding the health of the nation”. Udoeno expressed gratitude to the organiser, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), for its immense support to the efforts to rid the country of counterfeit drugs. He said that patent medicine

dealers in the state had benefited a lot from the previous workshop organised by NAFDAC. The NAFDAC Director-General, Dr Paul Orhil, said the workshop, tagged; “Fight Against Fake and Substandard Regulated Products: A Fight For All,” was aimed at enlightening the concerned bodies on the menace of fake drugs and the war being waged against counterfeiting. According to him, the workshop is holding it in all states of the federation.

The body being evacuated

by the flood. “As he was trying to remove it, he slipped and hit his head on the ground. By the time the people around noticed what had happened and tried to render assistance, the flood had taken him away. “They tried to locate him by looking everywhere last night even

after the rain had stopped, but they could not get him. Only this morning, as the search continued, his corpse was discovered inside the canal.” Policemen from the Itire Police Station were at the scene yesterday to oversee the evacuation of the body.

Oyo communities praise newly promoted female ACP

Akinfenwa, flanked by her husband, Caleb (left) and Aderinto

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

ncomiums poured on an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Sybil EAkinfenwa, at the weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State. People from all walks of life bade Akinfenwa farewell at a send-forth ceremony. Akinfenwa was Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Sango, Ibadan. She was recently promoted ACP and posted to Abuja, having served as DPO for many years at Mokola, Agugu and Sango divisions, all in Ibadan. Present on the occasion were Sybil’s husband, Chaplain Caleb Akinfenwa; Dr and Mrs David Ayandiran; Mrs Eniola Owoboyele; the state National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde represented by Alhaji Abideen Olajide and Joseph Aderinto (chairman, Bankers/Police Forum, Sango Division). Others are Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) leaders, Mr Dasuki Galagachi (ACP) represented by Daniel Oboyi (ASP), Mr Salami Oye (Sybil’s successor), officers of the Sango police division, traders, among others. Giving his goodwill message about Akinfenwa (aka Mama Sango), Ayandiran said he had looked forward to the occasion in the last 25 years. He said: “She has got all it takes to attain this height. She came, she saw and she has conquered. I have always told her

to continue to do as she is doing. I thank God for her life. The sky is her limit.” Reacting to the shower of praises, Akinfenwa said she felt good and bad at the same time. She said: “I feel bad because I am leaving my people that I have worked with for the past five and a half years. I was emotionally moved by the song by a team led by my DCO, DSP Clement George, and Corporal Nike Adeyemi. “But I feel good because of the fact that I have taught my juniors what they should know. I have tutored them on how best to carry out policing activities, and with this, I have the assurance that they will continue to apply it.” Akinfenwa was full of hope for better future in her profession. “I have great hope for great things in the future. I have taken time to learn the nitty-gritty of the job by carrying out the duties I am charged with. I have also learnt it through my senior officers who I listened to on weekly and monthly basis. By the grace of God, I will impart more and I pray God should enable me to do so,” she added. Her husband, who saw the reception as an encouragement to his wife to do more in her new status, described her as an excellent officer both at home and at her duty post. He said: “I enjoin her juniors not to let her weep just like Jesus Christ did in the Book of John Chapter 11 verse 35. She should be made to look back and see the structures she has built for them as being built upon.

46 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

15-May-14

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

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

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

0.12 0.37 0.94 2.26 2.95 3.20 3.30 4.04 5.12 5.44 7.70 9.83 14.54 15.02 15.52 16.19

9.97 10.63 11.49 11.96 11.98 11.94 11.95 12.01 12.18 12.15 12.49 12.50 12.88 12.92 12.96 13.08

8.79 10.22 10.89 11.89 11.92 11.82 11.83 11.92 12.11 12.06 12.43 12.45 12.83 12.87 12.90 13.02

99.86 99.46 93.49 102.05 107.55 94.53 93.06 95.87 114.20 79.91 118.90 109.40 113.80 97.18 70.47 79.45

100.01 99.61 93.99 102.20 107.70 94.83 93.36 96.17 114.50 80.21 119.20 109.70 114.10 97.48 70.77 79.75

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

0.46 1.02 1.51 2.57 2.93 3.14

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.80 14.21 13.97 13.88 15.12 12.94

94.86 86.88 104.52 95.98 89.32 91.94

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

0.22 0.42 1.30 0.90 1.19 1.20 2.93 1.76 3.63 2.60 4.39 2.61 2.60 3.18 3.25 5.52 3.22 3.93 6.54 6.63 3.94 3.97

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

11.75 12.03 16.09 14.67 16.08 15.10 17.51 12.76 13.77 13.68 13.04 12.88 13.09 12.94 12.95 14.10 14.68 14.74 13.29 14.24 13.45 13.96

100.40 100.73 95.90 99.03 97.91 100.80 83.32 101.80 100.60 100.81 103.08 103.64 114.79 103.94 106.55 101.49 100.20 100.03 100.90 103.15 111.99 111.63

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 14-Nov-20

0.40 0.59 0.63 0.78 0.86 0.94 2.38 2.45 3.38 2.00 2.15 2.32 2.32 4.36 2.43 2.51 6.50

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 2.76

11.63 16.23 19.78 16.15 12.38 14.12 12.86 13.21 16.48 13.70 15.32 17.05 16.91 13.04 14.16 17.98 15.04

99.90 98.47 98.36 95.74 99.86 100.31 100.24 102.10 91.21 108.56 101.39 102.03 101.96 103.06 103.23 98.41 100.84

11-Feb-18

3.75

1.00

12.99

91.90

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 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# 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 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 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 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 2.05

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

175.67

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.90

4.76

110.44

111.30

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.17

3.96

103.58

104.41

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.34

5.22

107.37

108.28

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.99

3.50

112.20

113.06

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.32

4.40

104.08

105.86

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

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

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

6.00 7.25 6.88 10.25 6.25 8.25 6.63

400.00 350.00 300.00 300.00 500.00 300.00 360.00

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

6.25 6.89 8.31 5.24 6.29 7.19 6.32

5.96 6.52 7.88 4.86 6.14 6.76 6.09

99.04 101.00 95.24 113.52 99.82 103.77 101.19

100.16 102.05 96.64 114.25 100.48 105.37 102.11

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE **Treasury Bills DTM 7 14 21 35 42 49 56

Maturity 22-May-14 29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14

3,460.00 Bid Discount (%) 9.75 9.70 9.75 9.60 9.65 9.80 9.75

Offer Discount (%) 9.50 9.45 9.50 9.35 9.40 9.55 9.50

Bid Yield (%) 9.77 9.74 9.81 9.69 9.76 9.93 9.90

FIXINGS

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.5500 12.2360 13.0999 14.1730

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.33

O/N Tenor Call

10.58

REPO

Rate (%) 10.42

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.38 162.82 163.08 163.70 164.83

162.48 163.10 163.46 164.44 166.17

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

27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10

16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

600.00 110.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds Sanctity of Truth

AMCON FMBN

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 (%)

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

12.49 12.50 12.88 12.92 12.96 13.08

12.43 12.45 12.83 12.87 12.90 13.02

***LCRM

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

119.20 109.70 114.10 97.48 70.77 79.75

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.80 14.21 13.97 13.88 15.12 12.94

RED

Negative sentiments ruled the NSE yesterday

Stories by Chris Ugwu

the bullish tempo retreated TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE yesterday, as gains recorded Corporate Bondsday were totally the previous A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO submerged. Aa/Agusto GTB µ Nil Market watchers NGCbelieved Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC bargain hunters rescinded from A-/Agusto position taking to *FLOURMILLS take profits BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS from the gains recorded in the A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO previous days. A-/Agusto FSDH A/GCR UBA These developments made BBB-/GCR *C points & I LEASING the stock market lose and BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA# returned to red territory . A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER# # The twin market perforAAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER A/Agusto; A/GCR mance measures UBA - the NSE Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA ASI and market capitalisation, BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS# dropped by 0.34 perNAHCO cent as the A+/Agusto; A-/GCR market tempo lowered. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE At the close of trading in the Supranational Bond day , 20 stocks appreciated, while AAA/S&P IFC 32 others constituted the losers’ TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE table. The twin market indicators, Rating/Agency Issuer the All-Share Index dropped by FGN Eurobonds

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 national Incorporated, 19-Apr-10 10.00 Zenith 13.75 Bank30-Jun-10 and First City Monument 30-Dec-10 14.00 Bank, rose by N0.95, N0.20 and 30-Sep-11 14.00 N0.1004-Oct-11 to close at N14.30, 14.00 N23.50 09-Dec-11 14.50 and N4.19 respectively . 12-Dec-13 14.00 On the flip side, shares of real 14-Feb-12 15.50 estate investment trust, Skye 02-Oct-12 15.50 22-Nov-12 14.50 Shelter Fund, fell by N5.00 to 14.75 close12-Dec-12 at N95.00 per share while 30-Sep-13 14.75 indigenous oil and gas upstream 27-Nov-13 13.50 31-Dec-13 15.00 player, Seplat Petroleum, lost 31-Dec-13 14.50 N4.99 to close at N635.01 per 06-Jan-14 15.00

1.56 1.34

11.75 12.03

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 Onyema 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 181.51 basis points or 0.47 per 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 cent 39, 957.47, Wednesday 14.25from FSDH 25-OCT-2016 UBA at 30-SEP-2017 to13.00 close 38,957.47, while the 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 market capitalisation dropped by MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 N60 billion or 0.47 per cent just as MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 inMPR+5.25 the previous day from N12.891 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA 22-SEP-2018trillion. trillion toII N12.831 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Further analysis of the day’s MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 trading showed that shares of 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

refined petroleum products marketer, Forte Oil, firmed by N5.95 to close at N155.95 per 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 share while industry rival, Total Nigeria, rose by N1.00 to close at N155.00. Similarly , financial Description services stocks, Ecobank Trans-

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

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; iger BB-/S&P

FGN

Brands Limited (TBS), South Africa’s largest TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE food company, will write off Corporate Eurobonds about half of its investment B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I in Dangote Flour Mills Plc less GTBANK PLC I B+/S&P;two B+/Fitch than years after buying a GTBANK PLC majority stake in the NigeriaB+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC based producer. B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC Tiger, which makes B/Fitch AFREN Jungle PLC B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC Oats and All Gold tomato sauce, FIRST BANK PLC AFREN PLC

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

JUL 12, 2023Flour’s will impair6.38 Dangote value by 849 million rand ($82 million) because of “underperformance” and “excess millFEB 01, 2016 ing capacity11.50 that continues to 19, 2016 increase in 7.50 theMAY Nigerian flour 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 market,” the Johannesburg7.25 JUL 25, 2017 based company said . 6.88 MAY 09, yesterday 2018 10.25 APRaccording 08, 2019 The company to 6.25 APRbought 22, 2019 a 63.5 Bloomberg news, 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 6.63 DEC 09, 2020

17.00 05-Aug-14 0.22 6.00 15-Oct-14 0.42 afetrust Mortgage Bank Lim8.50 31-Aug-15 1.30 16.50 30-Sep-15 0.90of ited has begun the process 13.00 30-Jun-16 1.19 acquiring the national operat18.50 30-Jun-16 1.20 ing licence of N5 billion capi57.00 19-Apr-17 2.93 50.00 30-Jun-17 1.76 tal base through private place25.00 31-Dec-17 3.63 ment, rights issue and merger. 50.00 30-Sep-18 2.60 The Chairman of the bank, 9.00 04-Oct-18 4.39 20.00 09-Dec-18 2.61 Akin Opedu, stated this while 12.00 12-Dec-18 2.60 addressing shareholders dur27.00 14-Feb-19 3.18 ing the bank’s yearly Annual 20.00 02-Oct-19 3.25 80.00 22-Nov-19(AGM) 5.52 General Meeting held 30.00 12-Dec-19 3.22 in Lagos. 11.40 30-Sep-20 3.93 that the bank 87.00He noted 27-Nov-20 6.54 5.00 surpassed 31-Dec-20 6.63 had the minimum 5.00 31-Dec-20 3.94 capital/shareholders fund of 5.00 06-Jan-21 3.97

share. Also, cement industry 572.90 N2.5billion for state operating major, Dangote Cement, moder- licence. ated by N4.67 to close at N220.31, “We are currently working 07-Oct-11 11.50 11.80 07-Oct-14 0.40 while industry competitor, La- 13.17 towards expanding our branch 18-Dec-09 13.50 18-Dec-14 0.59 farge01-Apr-10 Cement Wapco,17.00 shed N0.68 network with more branches 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.63 17-Aug-10 10.00 15.00 to close at N111.82 per share. anticipated17-Aug-15 especially in0.78 La09-Dec-10 09-Dec-15 0.86 On the activity 12.00 chart, the 37.50 gos and adopting agent bank06-Jan-11 14.00 1.50 06-Jan-16 0.94 Banking sub-sector 13.00 dominated 15.00 ing model 29-Sep-16 as well. We have 29-Sep-11 2.38 in volume concluded on some improved 25-Oct-13 terms with 14.25124 mil5.53 25-Oct-16 2.45 30-Sep-10 worth N1.6 13.00 30-Sep-17and I am3.38 lion shares billion in 20.00 services channels hap18.00 0.94 30-Nov-17 2.00 1,56630-Nov-12 deals. The sub-sector was py to inform the stakeholders 09-Apr-11 16.00 8.01 09-Apr-18 2.15 enhanced in that 09-Sep-11by the activities 18.00 3.63 our improved 09-Sep-18 services 2.32 to the shares Bank and our includes but not 09-Sep-11 of Zenith16.00 1.00 customers 09-Sep-18 2.32 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18of electronic 4.36 UBA22-Sep-11 Plc. limited to availing 18-Oct-13 15.75 3.00 18-Oct-18 2.43 Other financial services sec- banking services such as Auto17-Feb-12 17.00 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.51 tor boosted by the activities on mated Teller Machines (ATM) 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.50 the shares of FBNH Insurance 175.67 services, telephone banking, followed with 83.3 million units internet banking and the likes. worth N848.4 million in 1,026 12.00 We are also 11-Feb-18 currently working 11-Feb-13 10.20 3.75 deals. with some of our partners to 12.00 In all, investors exchanged provide additional e-channel a total 291.5 million shares, services our customers. Issueof Date Coupon (%) Issue Value ($'mm) toMaturity Date Bid Yield (%) worth N4.4 billion in 5,015 deals. “The bank’s risk profile re-

94.86 86.88 104.52 95.98 89.32 91.94

100.40 100.73

mains conservative, 4.44 fairly 16.09 95.90 we 3.23 continue 14.67 to strengthen 99.03 would 4.46 16.08 97.91 our risk management and 3.48 15.10 100.80 control frameworks across 5.59 17.51 83.32 the 1.00 12.76 business. The staffing 101.80 compe1.79 13.77 100.60 tencies in these function were 1.80 13.68 100.81 built during 1.00 up significantly 13.04 103.08 103.64 the1.00 course of 12.88 the year, we would 1.21 13.09 114.79 continue to place premium on 1.00 12.94 103.94 optimal performances in these 1.00 12.95 106.55 1.94 14.10 functions,” he added. 101.49 2.74 14.68 100.20 He assured shareholders 2.74 14.74 100.03 that the bank would continue 1.00 13.29 100.90 103.15 to to 1.94 anticipate14.24 and respond 1.44 13.45 111.99 changes in the industry envi1.95 13.96 111.63 ronment while expanding its business activities to enhance profitability. 1.00 11.63 99.90 Opedu explained that the 5.21 16.23 98.47 bank a total asset 8.71 posted19.78 98.36 of 4.88 billion,16.15 95.74 N12.6 which represents 99.86 an1.00 increase of12.38 6.3 per cent over 2.63 14.12 100.31 N11.9 billion achieved in 2012, 1.00 12.86 100.24 while earnings stood 1.34 interest 13.21 102.10 at 4.52 billion,16.48 91.21 N2.12 higher than N1.85 1.88 13.70 billion recorded in 2012.108.56 3.48 15.32 101.39 According17.05 to him, sharehold5.20 102.03 ers’ fund stood at N2.78 101.96 billion, 5.06 16.91 13.04 103.06 up1.00 from N2.02 billion in 2012, 2.29 14.16 103.23 while total deposit stood at 6.11 17.98 98.41 N6.62billion. 2.76 15.04 100.84 Shareholders of Safetrust Mortgage Bank Limited lauded the1.00 bank’s 2013 achievements, 12.99 91.90 even as they approved its N101.2 million dividend, translating to 6 kobo per share to every Offer Yield (%) Bid Price due Offer Price shareholders of the bank. Prices & Yields

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.90

4.76

110.44

111.30

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.17

3.96

103.58

104.41

5.22

107.37

108.28

3.50

112.20

113.06

4.40

104.08

105.86

01-Apr-10 6.38 Flour per cent stake Dangote Mills from Dangote Industries Ltd. in September 2012 for about $190 million, its third purchase 01-Feb-11 11.50 in Nigeria. Tiger targeted ac19-May-11 7.50 quisitions in Africa’s largest 08-Nov-13 6.00 economy as it saw limited op25-Jul-12 7.25 portunities 09-May-13 in its home 6.88 market. The food producer10.25 sees earn08-Apr-12 22-Apr-14 6.25 months ings per share for the six 07-Aug-13 09-Dec-13

8.25 6.63

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

0.46 1.02 1.51 2.57 2.93 3.14

Safetrust to acquire National licence

Tiger Brands writes off $82m in Dangote Flour Mills 6.75 JAN 28, 2021

BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds

A/Agusto KWARA A-/GCR NIGER A+/Agusto KADUNA A/Agusto *EBONYI Nil *BENUE A+/Agusto *IMO A+/Agusto; A+/GCR LAGOS A-/Agusto *BAYELSA A/Agusto EDO A+/Agusto; A+/GCR *DELTA A-/Agusto; A-/GCR NIGER A/Agusto; A-/GCR† *EKITI A-/Agusto *NIGER A/Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO A/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS A/Agusto; A-/GCR *OSUN A/Agusto *OSUN n spite of the three days Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataProinKOGI gain recorded the NigeriA/Agusto an stock market*EKITI this week, A-/GCR *NASARAWA

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

118.90 109.40 113.80 97.18 70.47 79.45

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Market tempo slows on profit taking NA

7.70 9.83 14.54 15.02 15.52 16.19

4,334.84

Issuer

Friday, May 16, 2014

27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

500.00 5.34 ended March12-Jul-23 31 falling as much

as 55 per cent from a year earlier 1,500.00 because of the write-off, it said in a statement. Excluding the im450.00 01-Feb-16 3.99 pairment, profit from continu500.00 19-May-16 5.32 ing operations will improve 6 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.25 per cent to 10 per cent, Tiger said. 350.00 25-Jul-17 6.89 Tiger rose 3.9 per cent,8.31 the 300.00 02-May-18 most since May 31, to 287.67 5.24 rand 300.00 08-Apr-19 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.29 by the close in Johannesburg. 300.00 360.00

07-Aug-20 09-Dec-20

7.19 6.32

5.96 99.04 100.16 6.52 101.00 102.05 7.88 95.24 96.64 4.86 113.52 114.25 President, Dangote Group, Aliko100.48 Dangote 6.14 99.82 6.76 103.77 105.37 6.09 101.19 102.11

15-May-14

3,460.00

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities Money and instruments market. The use of this report **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Market in the OTC Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) is subjectDTM to the FMDQ OTCMaturity PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement. NIBOR 7 14 21 FGN Bonds 35 42 49 Rating/Agency 56 63 70 77 84 91 98 105 112 147 203 NA 238 252 266 280 294 329 343 357

22-May-14 29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 Issuer 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14 7-Aug-14 14-Aug-14 21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 9-Oct-14 4-Dec-14 NA 8-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 9-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 7-May-15

9.75 9.70 9.75 9.60 9.65 9.80 Description 9.75 9.95 9.20 29-JUN-2014 9.60 9.25 28-SEP-2014 9.85 4.00 23-APR-2015 9.70 10.00 13.05 16-AUG-2016 9.75 15.10 27-APR-2017 10.10 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.40 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.25 10.70 30-MAY-2018 10.40 16.00 29-JUN-2019 10.60 10.60 7.00 23-OCT-2019 10.70 16.39 27-JAN-2022 10.55 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.60 15.00 28-NOV-2028 10.65 12.49 22-MAY-2029 10.65 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.65

10.00 23-JUL-2030

*from the Amortising TOTAL VALUE # bonds, theOUTSTANDING average is Risk Premium is a life combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds

Issuer

AMCON FMBN

***LCRM Modified Duration Buckets

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

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

9.50 9.45 9.50 9.35 9.40 9.55Date Issue 9.50 9.70 29-Jun-07 9.35 28-Sep-07 9.60 23-Apr-10 9.45 9.75 16-Aug-13 9.50 27-Apr-12 9.85 27-Jul-07 10.15 31-Aug-07 10.00 30-May-08 10.15 29-Jun-12 10.35 10.35 23-Oct-09 10.45 27-Jan-12 10.30 14-Mar-14 10.35 28-Nov-08 10.40 22-May-09 10.40 20-Nov-09 10.40

23-Jul-10

Bonds

10.00

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

(N'bn)

Rate (%) 10.5500 12.2360 13.0999 14.1730 Maturity Date

45.00 NITTY 100.00 535.00 Tenor 1M 470.27 2M 452.80 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M 351.30 233.90 600.00 NIFEX 110.00 Current Price ($/N) 75.00 BID($/N) OFFER150.00 ($/N) 200.00 591.57

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 Rate (%) 9.8488 16-Aug-16 10.0752 27-Apr-17 10.2604 27-Jul-17 10.8959 31-Aug-17 11.5801 30-May-18 11.8996 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 162.8425 22-May-29 162.9425 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

OBB O/N

10.33

10.58

REPO Tenor (%) TTM (Yrs) BidRate Yield (%) Call 1M

10.42 11.64

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D Offer1M Yield 2M (%) 3M 8.79 6M 10.22 1Y

0.12 9.97 3M 12.67 0.37 10.63 6M 13.73 0.94 11.49 10.89 11.96 11.89 NOTE: 2.26 2.95 11.98 11.92 :Benchmarks 3.20 11.94 11.82 * :Amortising Bond 3.30 Bond 11.95 11.83 µ :Convertible 12.01 AMCON:4.04 Asset Management Corporation11.92 of Nigeria 5.12 12.18 12.11 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria FMBN: Federal Mortgage 12.15 Bank of Nigeria12.06 5.44 IFC: International Finance12.49 Corporation 12.43 7.70 LCRM: Local Receivables Management 9.83 Contractors12.50 12.45 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 14.54 12.88 12.83 O/N: Overnight 12.92 12.87 UPDC: 15.02 UAC Property Development Company 15.52 Africa Portland 12.96Cement Company 12.90 WAPCO:West 16.19 13.08 13.02

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

162.38 162.48 162.82 Price 163.10 163.08 163.46 164.44 Bid163.70 Price Offer Price 164.83 166.17 166.12 168.11 99.86 100.01 169.82 174.09 99.46 99.61 176.78 185.90

93.49 93.99 102.05 102.20 107.55 107.70 NA :Not Applicable 94.83 94.53 # :Floating Rate Bond 93.06 coupon93.36 ***: Deferred bonds 95.87 96.17 114.20 114.50 †: Bond rating expired 79.91 80.21 118.90 119.20 109.40 109.70 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 113.80 114.10 UBA: United Bank for Africa 97.18 97.48 70.47 70.77 79.45 79.75

4,334.84

Description

Issue Date

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

966.90 1,114.58 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 470.00 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 2,551.48 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

9.77 9.74 9.81 9.69 9.76 9.93 (%) Coupon 9.90 10.12 9.20 9.78 9.25 10.06 4.00 9.92 10.26 13.05 10.01 15.10 10.40 9.85 10.74 9.35 10.69 10.70 11.04 16.00 11.39 11.44 7.00 11.60 16.39 11.48 14.20 11.59 15.00 11.78 12.49 11.83 8.50 11.89

923.07 951.30 591.57 2,465.94

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

28-Dec-11 0.00 978.35 24-May-10 FMDQ FGN 0.00 BOND INDEX 24.56 03-Apr-12 17.25 6.00 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 112.22 20-Apr-12by 0.00/16.50 116.70 Weighting Weighting by Mkt Bucket Weighting Outstanding Value 06-Jul-12 Vol 0.00/16.50 66.49

37.43 38.58 05-Aug-09 23.99 15-Oct-09 100.00 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

37.90 43.68 14.00 18.42 14.00100.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50

1,304.32

0.37 0.39 17.00 0.24 6.00 1.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00

Maturity Date

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

19.87 39.44 05-Aug-1440.69 15-Oct-14 100.00 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

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

0.46 1.00 1.02 2.63 1.51 2.27 2.57 2.00 2.93 3.20 Implied Implied Yield Portfolio 3.14 1.00 Price

11.97 12.40 0.2213.08 0.4212.59 1.30 0.90 1.19 1.20 2.93 1.76 3.63 2.60 4.39 2.61 2.60 3.18

113.8349 127.7653 1.56 87.6671 1.34 112.9314 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00

Valuation Yield (%) 11.80 14.21 13.97 13.88 15.12 INDEX 12.94

1,081.20 1,081.87 11.75 1,061.28 12.03 1,071.57 16.09 14.67 16.08 15.10 17.51 12.76 13.77 13.68 13.04 12.88 13.09 12.94

Indicative Price 94.86 86.88 104.52 95.98 89.32 YTD Return (%) 91.94

8.1200 8.1868 100.40 6.1281 100.73 7.1572 95.90 99.03 97.91 100.80 83.32 101.80 100.60 100.81 103.08 103.64 114.79 103.94

48 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Dangote to FIRS: Expose tax evaders TAX EVASION Companies are reluctant to pay tax Chris Ugwu

resident, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has urged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to expose tax evaders by making public their identities. He also said the Service should appreciate companies and individuals who faithfully fulfill their tax payment obligations. Dangote gave the advice yesterday at a stakeholders’ engagement forum organised by the FIRS. His suggestion came hours after the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, decried the high rate of tax evasion in the country. Quoting from the findings of McKinsey & Company, which conducted a study on the nation's tax system, the minister said 65 per cent of the registered taxpayers had not filed their returns for the past five years. Besides, she said 75 per cent of small and medium busi-

Okonjo-Iweala

nesses were currently not in the tax system the businesses are registered but are not captured by tax system, adding that 30 per cent of companies operating under pioneer status incentives abused their tax exempt status. Dangote said the FIRS should adopt the “naming and shaming strategy” to expose tax defaulters and partner with the Corporate Affairs Commission to capture registered companies that indulged in the act. Dangote also urged the Federal Government to go after oil companies that were cheating

on government through high project costs. She said in the recently released rebased Gross Domestic Product, the tax to GDP ratio had fallen from 20 per cent to 12 per cent. Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Kabir Mashi, said the success recorded by FIRS was due to support and active participation of various stakeholder groups, which according to him, include tax payers, tax practitioners, professional bodies, state government among others.

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

Friday, May 16, 2014

Why trapped ATM cards are destroyed, by CBN Godson Ikoro

n line with the global practice, any smart card which is trapped in any bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) must be destroyed to check the nation’s burgeoning electronic fraud. The Director, Banking and Payment System Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr, Dipo Fatokun, stated this yesterday at the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) in Lagos. At the forum, which was aimed at throwing more lights on the apex bank policy, Fatokun said that cards could be trapped in an ATM for various reasons. He explained that the policy was introduced because when these cards are trapped, there is a process of returning the card to the issuer, that is, the bank that issued the card originally. He said that this process goes through various hands before it may get back to the owner of the card. Citing example, he said that if a customer inputs his Personal Identification Number (PIN) three times and didn’t get

it right, the card can be trapped. It could also be due to the fault of the ATM or due to the nature of the card. However, he said there is what is called ‘Card Not Present’ transactions in which case you only need the information on the card and don’t need the PIN. According to him, anybody who has the information on the card will be able to do ‘Card Not Present’ transactions. He said: “So, that was why we came out with that regulation such that when a card it trapped, the issue of compromise will not be there. “So, we are working with the banks to ensure that when these cards are trapped, not because the customer did something wrongly, and a new card is to be issued to the customer. We are discussing with them on how it would be done such that the burden would not fall wholly on the cardholders”. “We have also discussed with the banks to ensure that cards that are trapped can be communicated electronically between the acquirer on which the card was trapped and the issuer of the card."

Inflation rises to 7.9% Godson Ikoro inflation rate has Ninigeria’s again risen to 7.9 per cent April on a year on year

basis; making it the second consecutive rise after slowing to 7.7per cent year on year in February this year. The uptrend from 7.8 per cent year on year in March was largely driven by upward pressures from food prices and divisions, which contribute to core-sub index The slight increase according to analysts was expected as declining inventories sets in due to impact of seasonal farming activities. In April, food prices rose slightly by 9.4 per cent year on year - occasioned by higher prices in cereals, meat, fish,

diary, oils and fats, and fruit classes, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. On a month-on-month comparison, headline inflation edged up by 1.28 per cent after a sudden 4 per cent drop in February. April’s headline figure of 7.9 per cent year on year is still below the 12-month average of 8.11per cent and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) 2014 target of 6 per cent-9 percent band. In the same vein, urban prices according to NBS, climbed at the same rate in April relative to March as prices increased by 7.9 per cent whilst the rate of increase in rural prices continued its slow speed of increase for the fourth consecutive month as rural prices came in at 7.5per cent year on year

Sterling Bank partners Chaz B terling Bank Plc in its drive deal with salient issues prevaStomers to enrich the lives of its cus- lent in marriages, which lead and offer real value to breakdown in communicato the country as a whole, has taken yet another bold step by supporting the award winning radio host Chaz B’s Emotional Intelligence event for couples. The event according to the On Air Personality and motivational speaker, has been carefully and specially crafted to cater for the needs of married and engaged couples. In a statement, Sterling Bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications Mr. Shina Atilola, said that the Bank was supporting the initiative because of its laudable objective, which was to provide couples with the requisite skills to improve their relationships and

tion and other serious issues between couples. He expressed his concern that a lot of couples entered into marriage without the necessary skills required for success. This, he explained, had led to the sharp increase in the number of divorce cases in the country. “A lot of couples do not go through the rigours of understanding each other before they enter into marriage. As a result, they go into marriage unprepared. Marriage is about sharing lives, enduring partnerships and sharing love. Marriages are under pressure because there is not enough focus on these core relationship enablers”

BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET 49

Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 Sanctity of Truth

Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044

Friday, May 16, 2014

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at May 15, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 2 51 30 83

Current Price 0.50 34.11 35.00

Quantity Traded 40,200 687,502 442,303 1,170,005

Value Traded 20,100.00 23,496,911.68 15,475,465.40 38,992,477.08

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 3.29

Quantity Traded 296,708 296,708

Value Traded 965,659.97 965,659.97

1,466,713

39,958,137.05

Quantity Traded 88,360 13,420,185 355,161 13,863,706

Value Traded 134,122.00 50,509,856.65 19,910,993.65 70,554,972.30

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U Aas C of N 15/05/2014 PLC. Daily Summary Diversified Industries Totals Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044

106 Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 5 171 59 235

CONGLOMERATES Totals

Current Price 1.52 3.70 56.50

235

13,863,706

SERVICES Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Page

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 1.24

Quantity Traded 65,110 65,110

Value Traded 83,007.00 83,007.00

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 71.99

Quantity Traded 160,454 160,454

Value Traded 11,758,288.84 11,758,288.84

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 18.05

Quantity Traded 217,252 217,252

Value Traded 3,923,476.74 3,923,476.74

Symbol SKYESHELT

Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 Printed CONSTRUCTION/REAL 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044 ESTATE Totals

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

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary of 15/05/2014 Food as Products--Diversified Totals Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044 Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products

P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY

UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. CONSUMER GOODS Products Totals Personal/Household CONSUMER GOODS Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 STERLING BANK PLC. Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services FINANCIAL SERVICES PLC. AIICO INSURANCE Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. OASIS INSURANCE PLC PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, BrokersEQTY and Services Activity Summary on Board INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers,SAVINGS Brokers AND and Services UNION HOMES LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Exchange © Other FinancialStock 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

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 95.00

40 Symbol GUINNESS Daily Summary INTBREW NB

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 250.00 250.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.60

Quantity Traded 2,116,814 2,116,814

Value Traded 1,236,981.72 1,236,981.72

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,500.00

No. of Deals 3 1 12 16 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 1.80 1.66 3.97

Quantity Traded 20,000 2,000 111,194 133,194

Value Traded 34,200.00 3,200.00 442,712.65 480,112.65 Value Traded 613,255.84 613,255.84

Road Transportation Totals SERVICES Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Published by The NigerianAVIATION Stock Exchange © NIGERIAN HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Quantity Traded 399,858 399,858

Value Traded 37,986,510.00 37,986,510.00

842,674

53,751,282.58

Quantity Traded 963,615 376,218 3,857,989 5,197,822

Value Traded 173,380,544.60 9,457,060.91 629,177,256.82 812,014,862.33 Value Traded Value Traded 3,715,172.30

EQTY Board Totals

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 0.84

Quantity Traded 717,911 717,911

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 12 177 189

Current Price 2.36 5.24

Quantity Traded 296,589 Page 561,047 857,636

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors NAVITUS ENERGY PLC Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044

No. of Deals No. of Deals 11

Current Price Current 85.80 Price

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 43,397

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 32 42 45 34 53 4 210

Current Price 8.00 9.17 68.00 3.70 12.64 0.50

Quantity Traded 108,420 925,234 307,168 708,266 691,167 82,062 2,822,317

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 36 58 94

Current Price 70.95 1,070.25

Quantity Traded 102,710 202,041 304,751

Value Traded 7,281,361.16 216,291,231.34 223,572,592.50

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 4.20

Quantity Traded 617,793 617,793

Value Traded 2,551,132.39 2,551,132.39

No. of Deals 53 89 142 887

Current Price 35.30 49.37

Quantity Traded 383,968 3,010,224 3,394,192 12,380,272

Value Traded 13,525,983.26 148,554,953.77 162,080,937.03 1,245,620,981.26

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK Daily Summary ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 224 109 78 69 245 132 45 275 67 8 36 (Equities) 278 1,566

Current Price 9.85 6.50 14.30 2.03 27.52 3.45 2.29 7.24 10.18 0.50 1.00 23.50

Page Quantity Traded 17,210,167 7,120,522 2,326,200 4,732,437 16,006,642 10,001,725 2,852,519 27,687,698 606,502 726,477 5,600,068 29,159,454 124,030,411

3 of 12 Value Traded 169,123,601.87 46,289,184.90 33,447,058.92 9,750,978.92 439,853,466.21 35,391,758.52 6,440,837.29 203,805,653.54 6,170,938.90 363,238.50 5,561,653.91 683,696,422.05 1,639,894,793.53

Symbol AIICO Symbol CONTINSURE CORNERST HMARKINS INTENEGINS LASACO MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS OASISINS PRESTIGE SOVRENINS STACO UNIVINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 23 No. of Deals 9 11 2 3 1 11 9 31 1 35 2 3 1 9 61 212

Current Price 0.82 Current Price 1.02 0.51 0.50 0.52 0.50 2.35 0.50 0.84 0.50 0.53 0.57 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.85

Quantity Traded 1,749,051 Quantity170,500 Traded 2,791,900 1,200,000 120,300 602,111 120,159 2,492,692 Page 2,758,183 1,000 9,205,919 2,113 326,400 1,000 10,004,728 8,772,107 40,318,163

Value Traded 1,458,569.23 Value Traded 173,359.39 1,397,150.00 600,000.00 62,556.00 301,055.50 293,062.46 1,246,346.00 4 of 12 2,287,482.78 500.00 4,608,309.50 1,162.15 163,200.00 500.00 5,002,364.00 7,208,580.68 24,804,197.69

No. of Deals 9 Daily Summary (Equities) 9

Current Price 0.95

Quantity Traded 162,700 162,700

Value Traded 151,712.00 151,712.00 Value Traded 28,730.00 100,000.00 Value Traded 1,078,991.50 1,207,721.50

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol PZ UNILEVER

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Page

Symbol INFINITY RESORTSAL Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 4 1 No. of Deals 17 22

Current Price 1.61 0.50 Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 17,000 200,000 Quantity Traded 2,157,983 2,374,983

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 65 46 552 232 1 43 87 1,026

Current Price 3.32 2.50 13.10 4.19 0.59 22.04 2.35

Page Quantity Traded 1,209,533 3,547,935 54,412,333 19,909,697 40,000 799,370 3,397,295 83,316,163

2,835

3,715,172.30 of

Value Traded 849,212.62 8,504,612.57 20,928,698.96 2,642,744.14 8,719,185.42 41,831.00 41,686,284.71

2,514,477,707.44

No. of Deals 8 27 10 26 2 2 75 75

Current Price 2.70 2.72 68.30 1.82 1.23 1.57

Quantity Traded 261,311 833,634 30,202 494,090 59,146 1,200 1,679,583

Value Traded 684,810.66 2,225,820.19 2,043,417.44 879,979.49 69,200.82 1,884.00 5,905,112.60

1,679,583 Page

Quantity Traded 45,436 45,436

Value Traded 58,158.08 58,158.08

45,436

58,158.08

Current Price 0.66

Quantity Traded 8,600 8,600

Value Traded 5,934.00 5,934.00

8,600

5,934.00

No. of Deals 1 1

Page

Daily Summary (Equities)

ASeM Board Totals

54,036

64,092.08

Equity Activity Totals

5,015

291,575,609

4,429,717,409.12

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 ETF Board Totals Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044

ETP Activity Totals

Current Price 2,030.00 17.90

Quantity Traded 30 20 50

Value Traded 60,900.00 356.60 61,256.60

61,256.60

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Published by Nigerian Stock Exchange © ITThe Services

COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC IT Services Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.65

Quantity Traded 35,279 35,279

Symbol CWG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 5.48

Page Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 2 1 3

Current Price 0.50 2.32

Quantity Traded 8,900 200 9,100

Value Traded 4,450.00 442.00 4,892.00

46,379

37,184.98

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS

Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 Building Materials Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044

6 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN Daily Summary DANGCEM

12 of 12 Value Traded

10,420.00 10,420.00

Current Price 19.55 10.00 38.70 9.30 220.31

Quantity Traded 670,274 121,430 48,329 116,179 837,626

Value Traded 13,206,763.04 1,192,079.66 1,873,052.30 1,095,789.40 187,841,210.72

Symbol FIRSTALUM IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 1 2 2 6 55 222

Current Price 0.50 0.50 1.50 4.86 111.82

Quantity Traded Page 500 21,000 30,000 15,000 1,175,231 3,035,569

Value Traded of 250.00 12 10,720.00 45,000.00 73,702.00 132,180,702.67 337,519,269.79

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

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 2.01

Quantity Traded 176,158 176,158

Value Traded 350,149.36 350,149.36

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 1.47

Quantity Traded 33,423 33,423

Value Traded 46,792.20 46,792.20

3,245,150

337,916,211.35

Activity Summary on Board EQTY INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials

IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044 OIL AND GAS

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

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC on Board EQTY Activity Summary Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © PLC BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals 12

Value Traded 21,872.98 21,872.98

No. of Deals 58 22 12 21 (Equities) 43

ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

5,905,112.60 6

Current Price 1.34

Symbol UNIONVENT

237 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 780,807 780,807

Value Traded 390,403.50 390,403.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 136 136

Current Price 15.98

Quantity Traded 1,487,320 1,487,320

Value Traded 23,805,197.41 23,805,197.41

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 3 3 3 87 34 4 31 165

Current Price 0.50 49.20 3.61 155.95 120.80 51.72 155.00

Quantity Traded Page 1,445 14,791 11,750 375,425 183,783 305 106,661 694,160

Value Traded 8 of 12 722.50 691,331.34 40,302.50 56,811,724.32 22,300,676.93 14,987.70 16,505,110.56 96,364,855.85

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 635.01

Quantity Traded 51,693 51,693

Value Traded 32,958,875.99 32,958,875.99

3,013,980

153,519,332.75

Daily Summary (Equities)

OIL AND GAS Totals Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

7,912,394.73

4,429,653,317.04

Activity Summary on Board ASeM

5Value Traded of 12 3,959,390.20 8,911,322.63 729,361,345.22 80,381,498.17 22,800.00 17,718,042.67 8,064,883.83 848,419,282.72

250,202,420

4,780,696

291,521,573

No. of Deals 1 1

OIL AND GAS Totals

Symbol Symbol 7UP

43,397

253

5,013

Symbol MCNICHOLS

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Current Price 177.00 25.00 162.50

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded 691,937.00 102,928,234.53 of 12 3,620,171.53

Activity Summary on Board ASeM

No. of Deals 55 (Equities) 33 320 408

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

Value Traded 20,000.00 20,000.00

SERVICES Totals

Symbol JBERGER

CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Quantity Traded 40,000 40,000

Road Transportation

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

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Current Price 0.50

Activity Summary on Board EQTYPLC ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY

70,554,972.30

No. of Deals 1 1

Daily Summary as of 15/05/2014 Printing/Publishing Printed 15/05/2014 15:14:44.044 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol CILEASING

339 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 1.08

Quantity Traded 486,986 486,986

Value Traded 526,338.74 526,338.74

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 9 3 12

Current Price 4.50 2.20

Quantity Traded 206,800 215,855 422,655

Value Traded 938,072.00 474,712.25 1,412,784.25

Page

50 WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May16, 2014

9/11 museum: Unimaginable loss, courage, and compassion at ground zero

resident Obama and victims’ families gather yesterday to launch a week-long ‘dedication period’ for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Nearly 13 years after the attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center in Manhattan, the completed National September 11 Memorial & Museum will finally open its doors, on May 21. In a ceremony yesterday, President Obama and his wife, Michelle, joined victims’ families and the nation’s top officials to dedicate the contentious and long-delayed 9/11 museum. It stands amid the urban oaks, an angular structure of glass and stainless steel, jutting between the two waterfalls and reflecting pools that trace where the Twin Towers once stood. Spaces devoted to reflection can sometimes come off as trite, but for many of those who have already toured the new museum, the experience has evoked the kind of silent, stunned moments that have long driven human beings to consecrate a space, preserve its relics, and mark the passing of time. “One hundred years from now, nobody alive will have witnessed 9/11,” says Steven Davis, one of the architects of the museum. “But this is a museum that is going to live for many, many, many generations.” And, like any museum, it will house thousands of artifacts from that day, from a 70foot steel trident from the base of the North Tower’s east side, to a half-charred ID from an

office worker lost in its southern twin. Most of these are displayed seven stories beneath the Plaza, down to the very bedrock reaches of Manhattan, which once anchored the foundational girders of two 110-story towers. But the museum will also

house 7,930 slivers of human remains that have yet to be identified. Of those who perished, there are still 1,115 victims who have not been identified – or 41 percent of the 2,753 people reported missing in New York that day. For the past week, a number

of victims’ families protested, saying it was disrespectful and undignified for these remains to rest in a place where visitors must pay a $24 admission fee. After yesterday’s ceremony, there will be a week-long “dedication period” for all 9/11 fami-

Jew, Muslim join Pope’s delegation in Holy Land

Overloaded ship that capsides

Bangladesh ferry tragedy: Six bodies found

Bangladeshi ferry with around 200 passengers on board capsized in a river near the capital, Dhaka, with police reporting that at least six bodies had been recovered with a rescue vessel still on the way to the site. The M.V. Miraj-4 ferry capsized in stormy weather in the

Meghna River at Rasulpur in Munshiganj district, 27 kilometers from Dhaka. The accident occurred at around 3:30 pm (0930 GMT). The ferry had been going to Shariatpur from Dhaka.”We are heading to the spot with rescue team,” said Saiful Hassan Badal, Deputy Commis-

sioner of Munshiganj district told Reuters. He said the navy and coast guard were sending rescue teams and a ship had been sent from Dhaka. So far, six bodies had been recovered, including that of a child, according to Oliur Rahman, a police officer at the scene.

Egyptian expatriates vote in presidential poll

gyptian expatriates began lining up yesterday at polling places in more than 100 countries to cast ballots in four days of voting for Egypt’s coming presidential election. Egyptians dropped their votes into clear ballot boxes at consulates and embassies across the world, with Gulf countries and Australia seeing a relatively high turnout, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said. In Jordan, a crowd waved the Egyptian flag and cheered the vote. The voting comes ahead of Egypt’s May 26-27 vote to elect a new president after last

lies, including survivors, rescue and recovery workers, and lower Manhattan residents and business owners who will never have to pay a fee. The museum will remain open 24/7 during this time, before opening to the public on May 21.

year’s military overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, the country’s first freely elected president. Retired Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who led the July 3 overthrow after millions protested against Morsi, is widely expected to

win on a wave of nationalistic, anti-Islamist fervor. ElSissi faces leftist Hamdeen Sabahi, who has the support of youth groups who led the 2011 uprising against autocrat, Hosni Mubarak. Morsi’s overthrow sparked a wave of militant attacks.

The military-backed interim government launched heavy crackdown on Morsi’s supporters after the overthrow, killing and arresting thousands. Authorities hope for a high turnout in the poll as a way to legitimize Morsi’s overthrow.

Sudanese woman sentenced to death for ‘apostasy’

udicial officials say a Sudanese court has convicted a woman doctor who married a Christian man on charges of ‘apostasy’ and sentenced her to death. The officials say the sentencing took place earlier this

week and that Meriam Ibrahim was given four days to repent and escape death, a deadline that expired yesterday. They say the court in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, also ordered Ibrahim be given 100 lashes for committing

“zena” Arabic for illegitimate sex for having sex with a nonMuslim. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Ibrahim in 2011 married a Christian and the couple has a child.

rabbi and a Muslim leader will join Pope Francis on his upcoming trip to the Holy Land, the first time an official papal delegation has included members of other faiths, the Vatican said yesterday. Francis’ two longtime friends and collaborators from his days as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Omar Abboud, a leader of Argentina’s Islamic community, are on the official delegation for the May 24-26 trip to Jordan, the West Bank and Israel. The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said their presence on the delegation was an “absolute novelty” desired by Francis to show the “normality” of having friends of other faiths. Skorka and thenCardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio together wrote “On Heaven and Earth,” which explores Jewish and Catholic perspectives on a host of issues. Abboud, meanwhile, was Bergoglio’s main Muslim interlocutor as archbishop and recently participated in an Argentine interfaith pilgrimage tracing the key stops of Francis’ upcoming tour. Francis’ main aim during the trip is to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic visit to Jerusalem by Pope Paul VI, the first foreign trip by a pope. During that 1964 visit, Paul met with the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, ending hundreds of years of estrangement between Catholics and Orthodox. Francis will meet with the current Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, on four separate occasions during his packed three-day visit, including for a prayer service inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of Christianity’s holiest sites where the faithful believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected.

Federer blown off As Nadal scrapes through

Mourinho is a fool -Eto’o

Ronaldo’s girlfriend goes topless for Chibok girls

}p-53

}p-54

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

Charles Ogundiya

shdod FC of Israel defender, Juwon Oshaniwa, who is also in Nigeria’s 30-man provisional World Cup list has sounded it clear that the major opponent in Brazil will be Iran and Bosnia. According to him, it will be unwise to think that the Super Eagles can overrun the two teams easily ahead of the final group game against Argentina. “People are just talking about Argentina, but we have two games before playing them. We will take it a game after the other. I personally will take Iran and Bosnia as the tough teams because underrating any team at this level is bad and will have negative effect. From our interactions, I am sure my colleagues in the Eagles are thinking in same direction,” he said. Super Eagles will start their World Cup campaign against Iran on June 16 before taking on Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 21. Their final game in Group F will be against Argentina on June 25. Speaking further, Oshaniwa declared that Super Eagles would do well in Brazil 2014 as the unity of purpose will be the team’s watchword. Oshaniwa said they know Nigerians expect a lot from the team and they will do their best not to let the country down. “Playing in World Cup is the dream of every football player,

NEW TELEGRAPH

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

That the oldest referee in a World Cup game was George Reader of England, who was 53 when he took charge of the BrazilUruguay World Cup final in 1950

Eagles defender raises World Cup alarm

Oshaniwa Ambrose

Echiejile

Nigeria not good enough in swimming – Fatai-Williams he president of Nigeria Swimming Federation, Babatunde Fatai-Williams, has said Nigeria has no team to win medals at the Commonwealth Games, add-

Did you know?

FRIday, MAY 16, 2014

CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

Charles Ogundiya

ing however, that with proper investment in the sport, Nigeria can compete favourably with the best in the world. Fatai-Williams said there was need to build new swimming pools across the country for

the swimmers to train and lear n moder n technique like their counterparts around the world. “To be honest with you, we don’ t have swimmers that can win medals at international competitions. Apart from

few swimming pools in the country, there are no proper facilities for the swimmers to train. Thank God for Lagos State government that provided the facility at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, but CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

SportL

Desire Oparanozie

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ifestyle

Super Falcons striker

Best Food: Fufu with native soup Best Drink: Coca-Cola Best Colour: White Best City visited: Tokyo Best Club: Manchester United Best CAR: Toyota venza Best Perfume: D&G Best Music: Soft Blues Best Actor: Jackie chang Best Actress: Angelina Jolie Best Competition Attended: Germany 2011 FIFA WOMEN World Cup Best Boots: Nike Best Jersey No: 9

Bostwana AYC: Sports Minister tasks athletes to win gold

thletes to the Africa Youth Championship taking place in Gaborone, Botswana this month have been urged to win gold medals to put smiles in the faces of Nigerians. Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, on Wednesday charged the team when he paid an unscheduled visit to the training camps of the contingents in Abuja to determine the level of their preparedness towards the event.

He said; “if you make gold, you will bring recognition to yourself and Mr. President will as well have a quality handshake with you in addition to other incentives.” The Minister who was accompanied by the Director General, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye and some management staff of the National Sports Commission assured the contingents maximum support and admonished them to train hard in order to bring laurels to the country.

2,000 athletes storm Lagos for DAWN Games Chimaobi Uchendu

bout two thousand athletes from six southwest states are expected to converge in Lagos from Friday for the first edition of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Games. According to Lateef Ibirogba, Lagos State commissioner for information, who also

Osaze: West Brom fans insulted my wife, son Emmanuel Tobi

uper Eagles and Stoke City striker, Osaze Odemwingie who courted controversy in the past with his former club, West Browmwich Albion, has accused the club’s fans for the bad treatment melted on his wife and son. Osaze’s image went bad after he unsuccessfully tried to force a transfer to Queens Park Rangers in January, 2013 but the former Bendel Insur-

ance of Benin striker however insisted he was made to look like the “bad guy” following the incident. “It was hard to take. I didn’t know she was going (to be in the stadium). I was so surprised. It was her first time at a football stadium. I went to welcome her, my wife and baby, but the atmosphere was bad,” Odemwingie told www.express.co.uk. “Peoplejustpickedupsingingabusive things. My wife was in tears. But these fans, they don’t know nothing about

what really happened. People were misinformed and they are still (being) misinformed. “The club asked me to show some respect to them and my team-mates. The club showed no respect to me. “I am not an angel, I have a temper sometimes, but I love peace, I was never like that before. “I never went to the public with my laundry, I was always trying to protect West Brom’s image, until they went too far.”

doubles as the Chairman, Media committee for the games, athletes of secondary school age from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Oyo and Ekiti states will compete for honours in twelve sporting events at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Teslim Balogun Stadium and Agege Stadium. He also said that the

essence of the games is to bring back the brotherhood lifestyle that had been lost among Nigerians and discover budding talents for national assignment. “In the past Nigerians lived like brothers and sisters without friction but these days no one trusts his neighbour or his friend because of either political or religious affiliation. We decided to introduce this event as a way of teaching our young ones how to love themselves irrespective of whatever and also discover athletes. On Friday, we expect about two thousand athletes to be camped at the Ipaja Youth Hostel, as the Games is expected to begining three different centres across Lagos State.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

renchman Jeremy Chardy caught Roger Federer on the hop and Rafael Nadal had to fight to survive as leading seeds were tested by Frenchmen in Thursday’s second round of the Rome Masters. Federer fell to Jeremy Chardy after missing a match point in a wind-blown 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) defeat. Nadal was manhandled by Gilles Simon before the Spaniard came up with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (4-7), 6-2 win in almost three and a half hours. The seven-time champion wasted

Rome Masters: Federer blown off as Nadal scrapes through a match point in the 12th game of the second set and lost the ensuing tiebreaker. Federer has never won the Rome title and faced brutal conditions amid strong bursts of red clay blowing regu-

larly through the air. Sixth seed Tomas Berdych beat Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 6-3 and seventh seed Andy Murray took revenge for a defeat a year ago as he beat Marcel Granollers to open with a 6-2, 7-5 victory. In the women’s, Australian Samantha Stosur won through to the third round with a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Elena Vesnina of Russia, while top seed Serena Williams showed no sign of the thigh injury which forced her withdrawal from Madrid with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Andrea Petkovic.

Nadal

Brazil: Nigeria, Iran venue gets pass mark Emmanuel Tobi

O Eto’o celebrating as an old man after scoring a goal against Tottenham

Mourinho is a fool -Eto’o S

amuel Eto’o has described Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as a “fool” for questioning his age and vowed to play on at the highest level for some time to come. Mourinho, who was also Eto’o’s manager at Inter Milan, was caught on camera making unguarded comments suggesting the Cameroon striker was older than his official age earlier this season. The 33-year-old, in line to feature in his fourth World Cup this summer, responded by celebrating his next Chelsea goal as if he was a geriatric. Now Eto’o, who is out

of contract this summer after scoring 12 Chelsea goals, plans to continue to ply his trade in one of Europe’s top leagues. Eto’o told africanfootball.com: “Thanks for informing me that it will be my last World Cup. “Today, I am 33 years old. And it is not because a fool called me an old man that you must believe it. “And you may have noticed that the old man was better than the youngsters. “Some believe I am going to retire in the United States or in the Middle East, but I have regained

the joy of the Champions League and I am going to carry on playing in the Champions League. Where? I am not going to tell you. “But I am going to carry on playing because physically and mentally I feel great. “So I am going to go to this World Cup and to the next one when I will be 37. “Some did it at 42, so I can still play in two more World Cups.” Following Chelsea’s final game of the season at Cardiff, Mourinho suggested Eto’o would depart this summer, at the end of his one-season deal.

Ghana coach rejects €25,000 World Cup bribe

hana coach Kwesi Appiah has revealed rejecting 25,000 Euros meant to be a gift from an unknown Black Stars player. The coach made the chilling revelation during an extensive interview with Accra-based Montie FM on Wednesday.

There is a widespread perception that Ghanaian coaches take monies before selecting or even fielding players in matches. “I can reveal that a player brought 25,000 Euros to me as a gift but of which I rejected immediately,” he told Montie FM.

fficials of the 2014 World Cup have given a pass mark to the Arena da Baixada, venue of Nigeria versus Iran group match opener, after the stadium hosted an important test event without any major setbacks on Wednesday. The exhibition match between Corinthians and host Atletico Paranaense at the delayed Arena da Baixada in the southern city of Curitiba, one of Brazil’s most troubled stadiums, was a step forward, local officials said on Thursday. Apart from the Nigeria,

Iran match billed for June 16, the 40,000-capacity Arena da Baixada will host three other World Cup matches next month —HondurasEcuador, Australia-Spain and Algeria-Russia. There were some problems during test match with fans having difficulty getting into the venue. But organizers said that was expected because the stadium infrastructure remains unfinished. “The pressure paid off after we had all the delays with construction work,” said Ricardo Trade, CEO of the local World Cup organising committee.

“There are some adjustments to make, but everything went well.” The test match was held at Arena da Baixada despite seats still being installed and unfinished work outside the stadium. Arena da Baixada is one of FIFA’s main concerns ahead of the June 12 opener. It is one of the three stadiums yet to be completed, along with Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba and Itaquerao in Sao Paulo, which will feature the high-profile match between Brazil and Croatia.

Ndubuoke faults Heartland management sacking Mercy Jacob

R On-going construction works at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.

CBN Tennis: Atseye, Aiyegbusi hit semis Ifeanyi Ibeh

ays after eliminating top seed Blessing Samuel, Aanu Aiyegbusi on Thursday continued her giant-killing run by defeating fifth seed Airhunwunde Osareimen 6- 4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the on-going Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Tournament holding at the National Stadium, Lagos. Also through to the semifinals is the National junior champion, Elizabeth Pam,

who outclassed women’s number two seed, Ronke Akingbade, in two straight sets. In the men’s singles category, defending Champion, Henry Atseye, also cruised to the semi finals by beating Thomas Otu 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in one of the quarter final games that looks like a final before the final. Atseye will on Friday face Nonse Madueke in one of the two semi final matches to decide who plays the final on Saturday.

ecuperating Heartland chairman, Fan Ndubuoke, has described as heartless and insensitive the sacking of the management of the Glo Premier League side and two-time Federation Cup winners. The Imo State commissioner for sports, Comrade, Kenneth Emelu on Wednesday dropped the hint of the sacking of Heartland management and other parastatals in the state as directed by the executive governor, Rochas Okorocha. “I discovered that the commissioner is hell bent on carrying out the dissolution of Heartland management to achieve his age-long dream of installing his choice candidate,” Ndubuoke said.

54 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Crime gangs launder $140 bn yearly through sports betting

riminals are using betting on sports events to launder $140 billion each year, a report said on Thursday, exposing a lack of effective regulation which has allowed matchfixing to spread. The report identified football and cricket as the sports most threatened by criminals seeking to rig the gambling market, but tennis, basketball, motor racing and badminton were also affected. ``The rapid evolution of the global sports betting market has seen an increased risk of infiltration by organised crime and money laundering,” said Chris Eaton of the Centre for Sports Security (ICSS) in Qatar. The report, compiled

by the ICSS and the Sorbonne in Paris, said 80 per cent of global sports betting were being carried out on illegal markets. This has placed it beyond the reach of regulators and investigators. A number of football leagues have been hit by match-fixing scandals in recent years. Three Pakistani cricketers were jailed for a plot to deliberately bowl no balls during a test match against England at Lord’s in 2010. Technology and live television have transformed the sports betting market in recent years, allowing viewers to bet on a wider range of events. This has also allowed them to gamble in real time as a match progresses.

Injuries threaten F/Eagles’ preparations for Tanzania Ifeanyi Ibeh

lying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has disclosed that his side may not get to play any tune-up games before taking on Tanzania in the return leg of their African Youth Championship second round tie owing to the spate of injuries that has ravaged the Nigerian side.

The Flying Eagles have been hit by injuries to key players such as central defenders Wilfred Ndidi and Izu Omego, who again stayed away from training on Thursday morning at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium following injuries they picked up in last Sunday’s AYC second round, first leg clash in Tanzania. Ndidi is nursing a right knee complaint while Omego is carry-

Nigeria not good enough in swimming – Fatai-Williams

Brazil: OSMI signs Olofinjana, Alabi, Okeleji as match analysts

ptima Sports Management International (OSMI), the exclusive 2014 FIFA World Cup terrestrial broadcast rights owners for the Nigerian territory, has appointed Nigeria’s former Super Eagles player, Seyi Olofinjana as a guest analyst, and ace broadcasters, Jide Alabi and Shina Okeleji, as presnters for its 2014 FIFA World Cup broadcast. Olofinjana, a defensive midfielder who played 44 times for the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2010, began his career with the domestic sides Crown FC, Ogbomosho and Kwara United of Ilorin before moving to Europe with Norwegian

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 1

side SK Brann. The combative player also played in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Cardiff City, Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday. He also holds a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering from Aberdeen University. Jide Alabi is the Manager, Sports on both Rhythm 93.7 FM and Silverbird Kelechi Television while Shina Okeleji has about a decade experience in sports reporting for BBC World Service. Both of them have covered various domestic and international football CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 1 events including FIFA World Cup, African Na- so it is a privilege for us to be selected. I tions Cup, and CAF Awards, am looking forward to it and I am sure, among others. with unity, dedication and hard work,

Eagles defender raises World Cup alarm

Ronaldo’s girlfriend goes topless for Chibok girls

ristiano Ronaldo’s model girlfriend Irina Shayk has surprised everyone by posting a topless picture of hers on Twitter in a social media campaign to garner support for Nigerian schoolgirls captured by Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist group in Africa. According to reports, about 130 girls were kidnapped from a school in northern Nigeria on April 14. Shayk, who is known for her appearances in the Swimsuit edition of the Sports Illustrated magazine,

ing an ankle problem. Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, did not also feature fully in training as a result of a hamstring he has been nursing for a while, and Manu is not ready to risk any further injuries to his side ahead of the visit of the East Africans. “These injuries may force us not to play any test match before our match against Tanzania,” Manu said. On a positive note though, FC Porto forward, Chidera Eze, has recovered fully from a hamstring injury and Bernard Bulbwa is also fit after recovering from a groin injury. The Flying Eagles host the Ngorongoro Heroes of Tanzania on Saturday, May 24, in an AYC second round, second leg match. Nigeria won the first match 2-0 in Dar es Salaam.

has been dating Real Madrid star and FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldo since 2010. Shayk has been criticized by several users of the social networking website for her latest ‘act.’ Shayk covered the top part of her body with a piece of cardboard that had ‘bring back our girls’ written on it, in the form of a hashtag. The model has followed celebrites such as Angelina Jolie, Michelle Obama and Cara Delevingne in becoming part of the campaign.

Shayk was also in the news recently for flashing her topless body during a photoshoot in Hawaii while having fun on the beach.

Shayk

we will do very well in Brazil, make ourselves, our family, fans and the entire Nigerians proud. It is not a small job but we are equal to the task,” Oshaniwa said. He was full of confidence that he would make the final cut to the World Cup in Brazil on June 2 when Coach Stephen Keshi is expected to roll out the final list to the Mundial in accordance with FIFA deadline. The 2014 World Cup holds between June 12 and July 13 in 12 cities in Brazil.

we need more like that in the country,” he told New Telegraph. “We have swimmers in the country but, we need good facilities to groom them up to the level that we want. We want other states to lear n from what Lagos State is doing by providing facilities and investing in competitions for our swimmers. If they did that, Nigeria will have swimmers who can compete well with others in the near future.” During the tenure of Bolaji Abdullahi as the Minister for Youth and Sports, Swimming was removed from the list of sports going for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. After assuming office, the Director General of National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said that building facilities to develop swimmers in the country was one of the major aims of his body. Elegbeleye said; “We have to put in place standard swimming pools for our swimmers to compete well and improve their skills. That is why we are talking about developing our facilities. “Nigeria has a lot of swimmers from the riverine areas, but the kind of water they swim in is not of Olympic standard. Swimming in a natural river is quite different from competitive swimming pools used in inter national competitions. We have to penetrate these riverine areas where we have good swimmers, fish them out and develop them.”

NEWS 55

FROM THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 16, 2014

Committees conclude debate, revert back to plenary Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ajority of the committees of the ongoing national conference in Abuja yesterday concluded their assignments and will be reverting back to plenary on Monday, May19. The few remaining ones that are yet to conclude will do so today. The conference has twenty standing committees. These committees are Devolution of Power; Political Restructuring and Forms of Government; National Security; Environment; Politics and Governance; Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and

Legal Reform; Social Sector; Transportation; and Science, Technology and Development. Others are committees on: Agriculture; Civil Society, Labour and Sports; Public Service; Political Parties and Electoral Matters; Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters; Land Tenure and National Boundaries; and Economy, Trade and Investment. There are also committees on Energy; Religion; Public Finance and Revenue; and the Committee on Immigration and Related Matters. The committees have up till today to turn up their recommendations to the secretariat of the

conference. The national conference will commence deliberation on the recommendations of the various committees on Monday after reverting to plenary. As the committees were winding up their activities, a pressure group within the conference, under the aegis of the National Unity Forum (NUF) has joined the campaigns for the safe return of the abducted students of the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, in Borno State. The NUF, which comprises delegates like Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Florence ItaGiwa, Senator Adolphus

Wabara and Senator Bala Adamu, among others, also condemned what it termed religious bigotry, tribal sentiments, violence and unguarded utterances from some people, adding that unnecessary grand stating cannot help Nigeria’s development as a nation. Alhaji Mantu, a former Deputy President of the Senate, who read a prepared statement on behalf of the group yesterday said; “No development can take place in a state of confusion. We must unite in our fight against the forces of evil, destabilisation, enemies of our collective resolve and continuity as a nation matching towards great-

ness.” Mantu said that the NUF condemns the abduction of the schoolgirls by the Boko Haram group. According to him; “We appreciate the determination of Mr. President and the security forces to restore peace in the North-East. We appreciate and commend the President for accepting assistance from the international community to rescue the innocent schoolgirls. We join fellow Nigerians and the world to say, Bring Back Our Girls Safely”. Mantu said the objective of the group is to ensure that peace and stability reign supreme in the country.

“Accordingly, he said; “Peace in our nation would give birth to development, progress and prosperity. We therefore appeal to the conscience of the national conference and all Nigerians to consider the well-being and survival of Nigeria first before any other primordial and selfish consideration. The group appealed to delegates to eschew any dangerous game that is planning to tinker with the unity and destiny of Nigeria as a nation, saying; “We can make progress only by eschewing divisive politicking and rancour. We cannot possibly be great, when our house is in disorder.”

Take your grievances to confab, NANS tells Boko Haram Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

L-R: Secretary, Committee on Energy, Mrs. Ntuk Bassey; Chairman, Chief Rasheed Ladoja and Chief Richard Akinjide, during the committee’s meeting…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Committee kicks against emergency rule Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

he national conference Committee on National Security yesterday disagreed with President Goodluck Jonathan, over his request for another six months extension of the current state of emergency imposed on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. The Mohammed Gambo Jimeta-led committee specifically described the request as undesirable. President Jonathan has on Tuesday sent a request to the National Assembly

for an extension of state of emergency imposed on three North-East states. Alhaji Gambo Jimeta, a former Inspector-General of Police, said this when he addressed journalists at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), venue of the ongoing conference. The chairman of the National Security Committee, who spoke on behalf of his committee, maintained that the state of emergency has outlived its usefulness, adding that it is no longer desirable. “It is not desirable in any state in the world. A reporter asked me yesterday why Chief Obafemi

Awolowo’s Western Region government in the first republic was put under emergency. Why did Obasanjo declare emergency in Plateau? “These are circumstances that happened. In the case of the Western Region, I was alive and I knew what happened. There was a total breakdown of law and order; people were being burnt in their cars, houses and so on. But it was necessary for the Federal Government to step in and stop that and it did not last more than necessary. “In this case, we have been under emergency

rule for how long now? One year in three states affected by the crisis and there has been no improvement. So we have to now review the whole thing, reassess the whole thing, there is something more than just declaring emergency rule. “If you declare an emergency rule in such disturbed states, you should have enough resources to revamp the architecture of security in those states immediately and for a long time to come, while you also bring the other states into consideration, so that this thing don’t happen again,” the former

ITF seeks fund to establish training centres Louis Achi Abuja

he Federal GovernTfunds ment should provide for the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), even on loan basis, for the immediate establishment of training centres

in 36 states of the federation and Abuja. The Director General of the Centre, Prof. Sambo Longmas Wapmuck canvassed this position when he addressed the National Conference Committee on Labour, Civil Society, Youth and Sports yester-

day in Abuja. According to Wapmuck, ITF which is targeting secondary school leavers and drop-outs for the training would graduate 625 people in each state saying that if they are empowered with skills they would be able to set up

something for themselves after the training. Wapmuck further stated that now the revenue base of the agency is increasing, it should be able to pay back the loan if assisted by the Federal government to set up the centres.

elegates representing National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at the ongoing national conference has asked members of the Boko Haram sect to channel their complaints to the relevant committees of the conference. The NANS’ representatives also condemned the abduction of the Government Girls Secondary School in Borno State, describing the action as barbaric. The students’ association, in a statement signed by one of its delegates, Comrade Clifford Abur yesterday in Abuja, called on Nigerians to join hands in securing lives and property in the country. The delegates also advocated the establishment

of vigilance clubs in all the Nigerian universities and other schools to report issues on security to appropriate agencies. According to the statement; “We commend the effort of the international community and the Federal Government for their concerns so far; an indication that the world is reducing to an actual global village where symbolic approach to human relationship is becoming more prominent, hence, we seek more of global partnership to end the issue of insecurity in Nigeria. “We thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his tireless efforts in trying to see that the security challenges are checked, especially his commitment to ensuring that the abducted Chibok girls are brought back alive.”

Confab recommends removal of immunity clause Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ational Conference Committee on Security yesterday recommended the removal of immunity clause from the 1999 Constitution. This, the committee said, would go a long way in curbing the menace of impunity among office holders in the country. A co-Chairman of the committee and erstwhile Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammadu Gambo Jimeta, who spoke with journalists at the end of its sitting yesterday, declared that no citizen of Nigeria should be above the law. Gambo Jimeta identified the immunity en-

joyed by political office holders in Nigeria as the bane of corruption and the impunity of rulers, which he said gives rise to insecurity in the country. “We have recommended that immunity should be removed from our statute books. No citizen of this country should be above the law. “The issue of national security is all embracing and torches on everybody’s life. We decided to take the central issues. “Good governance, corruption, impunity of rulers and the way and manner our laws are being made, which is totally at variance with what happens in civilized societies, that is why there is a revolt,” he said.

World Record

On Marble

Winners make a habit of manufacturing their own positive expectations in advance of the event.

– Brian Tracy

Chandra Bahadur Dangi from Nepal has been confirmed as the world’s shortest person with height of 21.5 inches (54.6 centimeters).

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 FRIday, MAY 16, 2014

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#Bring back the truth F Graffiti ads have a way of catching on and spreading with the fervency of combustion. In no time they take on a life of their own and become a statement of correctness. This could be attributable to their inherently limited life-span, and the intensity within that period becomes a maximal compensatory device. A socio-political cause such as Hashtag Activism, that gets traction through being a fad, faces not only the short life-span challenge, but also that of not enabling those directly involved to reflect deeply on the causatives and seek for effective curatives. A quick resolution to the immediate demand becomes more of a cosmetic success, and where there is no quick-fix as has happened with the Joseph Kony campaign, the issue becomes buried with the debris of a forgotten fad. The April 14 seizure of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State, has steadily taken on all the trappings of a Hashtag Activism fad. Personalities of various sizes and sympathizers of all shades are ratcheting up the tempo of demand for the release of the abductees. The photo-opportunities, protest rallies and vigils are propelling the cause across borders, powered primarily by social media. #BringBackOurGirls and its synonymous variants have become an instantly recognizable symbol. As with all emblems representative of a fad, it is increasingly finding space on all manner of display platforms, as is to be expected in a world where the Midas touch of commercial interest is opportunistically lurking. Hopefully, before it becomes more of statement of commercial correctness, than an impetus for socio-political action, the fate of the Chibok abductees (and all the others before and after them) would have been successfully resolved. At the same time, Nigerians ought to be reflecting deeply on how the country has come into the severe glare of global attention for all the wrong reasons. The general opinion swirling abroad is that Nigeria has a serious leadership deficit, with The Economist, New York Times and Hillary Clinton offering some of the harshest summations. A uniting theme is that the country is in the throes of ineptness. We may cringe and in what has become a typical Nigerian default mode of denial, rant that the foreigners should mind their own business. This time around, that certainly is not good enough a reaction because at the moment our inability to do things properly is as obvious as a sunlit sky. We have not been minding our own business well enough over the years, and

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the evidence stretches in all directions. It has been a steady slide to infamy. The return to democratic governance after the serial military interventions had raised a lot of hope. It seemed it was a fortuitous prospect of starting all over again. Yet from day one, it steadily became apparent that the leaders and followers had not allowed the past misdemeanours to provide a constructive education. While the essential virtues of good governance as the imprimatur of democracy were being proclaimed at every opportunity, the old habits were subversively bourgeoning characterised by a deliberate replacement of truthfulness with deceit. The virtue of being truthful in governance is not just about some convenient moral persuasion. It implies the need for adhering to honesty and openness. The deliberation omission of these principles in governance is an open invitation for deception. Twelve years ago, deceit was gradually becoming the driving force of governance. On January 22, 2002, following closely on the perfidious decision of forging an Electoral Act, some of the lawmakers turned around to give one of the principal lawmakers a clean-bill of health. Those involved were not bothered that they were being unprincipled and exhibiting moral bankruptcy. Deceit was beginning to take the high-ground in the management of the country’s affairs. I had made the following remarks then in “Goodnight, Nigeria” (Asterisk, Daily Independent, January, 2002): “A leader cannot be principled if he is not honest. He cannot be honest if he is morally bankrupt. A leader who is morally bankrupt has no respect for the rule of law. It is the rule of law that guarantees order and safety in a society, thereby providing an enabling environment for progress. One of the reasons for the success of democracy as a mode of governance is the critical role the rule of law plays. In all the developed nations, there is no disguising the fact that the rule of law is sacrosanct…. “When a nation chooses to sweep respect for the law under the carpet, it finds itself thrown into a state of moral turpitude. It is the leaders who always start this awful

process of pushing the society into a cesspit. In Nigeria we have been cursed with leaders who have feudal and military tendencies. For these people leadership is only a means of personal enrichment at the expense of the larger society. They turn blind eyes to the standards thatgowiththevariouspositionsof leadership. Thustheyapproacheveryissue,everysituation and every problem, based on their self-serving agenda rather than that of the common good. Not for the progress of the nation, but if that happensincidentallyinthecourseof theirpersonaladvancement,allwellandgood.Insucha situation deceit becomes an acceptable instrument of governance.” Typicaly in keeping with the dishonest game of political musical chairs, the man who twelve years ago was part of the deceitful process that led to his becoming the Senate leader, has today become the Secretary of the current administration which is manifesting ineptness and deceitfulness more than has ever been experienced. The international spotlight on the country is showing the kind of progress that is available for the citizens. Thus Chibok is not only a metaphor of how unprotected the citizens of the country are, the road to Chibok as revealed by the x-raying cameras of the international media has become a symbol of Nigeria’s shameful underdevelopment. Our leaders have been occupied with a democracy of deceitful dividends for the populace while they wallow in their personal achievements marked by a new baseline of acquiring private aircrafts. In this morally bankrupt democracy, a sophistic pretense has enabled established notions of wrong to be given makeover definitions of acceptability. Theft is no longer categorised as corruption. By this logic, which ought to be named after the leader of the administration, corruption which is really the country’s scourge does not exist. Only thievery and that too is justified because it had taken place in previous administrations, except that this time around it is a means of poverty alleviation, the transformation formula for wealth distribution. Deceit is now successfully bringing us into the realm of tyranny, as the rule of law is manipulated. So extra-judicial kill-

ings are on the rise, alternative views are not tolerated, crackdown on peaceful demonstrations is encouraged save for those not against the administration or its members, manipulation of information to deceive the public is becoming established, while people with no constitutionally recognized positions are increasing meddling with serious security issues. Meanwhile there is gross failure to provide meaningful development for the citizenry, while their attention is being diverted by the propagation of divise propaganda, the favourite tool in the arsenal of our vacuous leadership class. The country’s potentials that would favour the majority continue to be undermined. But as the BringBackOurGirls advocacy is revealing, there is a gradual realization that the administration is not dependable and trustworthy. The abductions may unwittingly serve as a wake-up call for all concerned Nigerians, that it is not a problem of the North, East, West or South. It is our problem. The leadership deficit is a Nigerian problem. Quality governance is sorely lacking because of the pervading deceit. Continuing in this direction is a recipe for even more chaos and destruction. This descent will continue unless we begin to speak and act truthfully. The prospect for good governance which will redeem us must be anchored on the demand to #BringBackTheTruth. The ongoing Hashtag Activism, before it runs its full-cycle, may just be the much needed blessing in disguise for Nigerians to embark on a sober introspection. The prospect is already proving uncomfortable for the administration.

OmoBaba

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-Even with guns and cutlasses?

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