Binder1 may 20,2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 91

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Emergency rule: Northern senators divided ...as Senate set to approve extension today

Chukwu David Abuja

crack in the ranks of northern senators, opposed to the extension

of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, may today facilitate the ratification of President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend

martial rule in the three states. The House of Representatives had last Thursday approved the president’s request, via a letter dated

April 13, but the Senate postponed decision of the matter, saying it would need to consult widely on the issue. Earlier, both chambers of the National Assembly had been briefed by the

service chiefs on what the emergency rule had achieved since it was first declared in May 2013 and why there was need to extend it again. The Northern Senators’ Forum, comprising 58

senators drawn from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had last Wednesday announced its opposition to the extension bid and rather urged the Federal C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

Unpaid taxes

Jonathan orders recovery of $7.8bn from Shell, Chevron lPan Ocean wins bid for Shell’s $1bn oil block lEFCC probes fuel dealers over pump manipulation Adeola Yusuf and Emmanuel Onani

resident Goodluck Jonathan has mandated the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other government agencies to immediately recover $7.8 billion unpaid taxes from International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country. Among the IOCs are Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Eni SpA, Total SA, Exxon Mobil Corporation and Chevron Corporation. Some of the IOCs have also begun divestment pro-

cess in Nigeria as a way of repositioning their operations in the country. For example, Pan Ocean has emerged the winner of the bid for the Shell-operated Oil Mining Lease (OML) 24 valued at between $700 million and $1 billion. The juicy oil block is one of the four onshore acreages in Eastern Nigeria that Shell, Agip and TOTAL are currently divesting from. A source at the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) however told New Telegraph yesterday that the president was surC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3

L-R: Senate President David Mark; Vice-President of Ghana, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, during the 2014 first ordinary session of ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja…yesterday

Fashola to Lagosions: Shun religion in choice of my lJonathan, service chiefs meet lUS now to share intelligence on Chibok successor }11 girls with Nigeria lECOWAS to help FG fights terrorism

Police foil another attempt to bomb Kano

lagos

Thunder Storms

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Emmanuel Onani, Emmanuel Anule, Chukwu David, and Muhammad Kabir,

he police in Kano yesterday averted another attempt to bomb the city, a day after a bomb

explosion in a densely populated part of the town killed five persons and injured seven others. A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Force

Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said some policemen found a bomb-laden car in Nasarawa area of

Kano and had moved it to a safe location for controlled detonation of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Although nobody has

claimed responsibility for the Sunday night bomb attack on Kano and the failed one thwarted by the police, many suspect Boko C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

MEND claims responsibility for Port Harcourt explosion

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Police foil another attempt to bomb Kano CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Haram terrorist group to be behind the incident. But a report by Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted some officials as saying that it was too early to link Boko Haram with the violence, which they suggested might be linked to local politics in Kano State. The sect is also responsible for the kidnapping of some 274 students from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State that has attracted global attention to Nigeria. As part of efforts at finding the schoolgirls, the United States, which is playing a major role in the international rescue operation to reunite them with their families, yesterday reached an agreement to share intelligence gathered during the operation with Nigeria. Besides, President Goodluck Jonathan also yesterday met with the service chiefs with a view to discussing the precarious security situation in the north against the backdrop of the weekend summit hosted by France and attended by Nigeria’s neighbours, Chad, Cameroun, Niger and Benin Republic. The Economic Com-

munity of West African States (ECOWAS) has also pledged its support to assist the Federal Government in fighting terrorism in Nigeria. However, giving more details on the bombing incident in Kano, the statement by police said operatives, “acting on intelligence repots, tracked and recovered a Mitsubishi Station Wagon car, ash colour, with registration number Kano – AE 756 GSW– loaded with assorted gas cylinders, one container of fuel and other electrical components

of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).” The statement added that the vehicle was recovered at Tafawa Balewa Street, Nasarawa area of Kano State and “has since been rendered safe by police bomb disposal experts.” Security agencies in Kano have also begun investigation into the Sunday incident, as well as the failed bomb attempt. The Sunday’s attack happened at about 10pm in the Middle Road area, when the busy area was packed with revellers at

its many bars and restaurants. Windows on the twostorey buildings lining the road were smashed and the burnt-out remains of five cars, plus the attackers’ vehicle, were left on the roadside. Kano State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adelere Shinaba, told reporters that it was soon early to say who was responsible for the attack, which is the second time in less than a year that Sabon Gari has been targeted. Three men and a young girl aged 12 were killed in

the blast, he added. Seven others were injured. But some observers were quick to make a link between the blast and local government elections held in Kano on Saturday, at which the ruling party in the state, All Progressives Congress (APC), won all the 44 seats. The last local elections were held seven years ago and the announcement of the results triggered widespread violence. Security had been tight in the city in the run-up to the latest poll. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

34oC 24oC Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

31oC 22oC Storms

KANO

41oC 25oC Mostly Sunny

ENUGU

33oC 23oC Storms

IBADAN

32o C 24oC Thunder Storms

CALABAR

33oC 24oC Storms

MAIDUGURI

42oC 26oC Mostly Sunny

ONITSHA

33oC 24oC Storms

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

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

L-R: Head of Service, Bauchi State, Abdon Dalla; Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Head of Service, Delta State, Sir Paul Evuarherhe, during a visit to the governor by members of a committee set up by the National Council of Establishment to review the issues affecting the health sector in Asaba…yesterday

Disagreement weakens northern senators CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Government to properly equip the military to be able to effectively tackle the insurgency in the North-East. But New Telegraph learnt yesterday that the Senate will ratify the president’s request today after debating the issue. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, said on the phone yesterday that the Senate would vote on the issue, expressing optimism that the proposal would not encounter any opposition from the lawmakers. It was gathered that a sharp disagreement among the northern senators has made many of them to rethink their threat to frustrate the planned extension. Briefing the press after a meeting of the northern senators, the forum Chairman, Senator Umaru Dahiru, had said: “Our meet-

ing this afternoon (last Wednesday) discussed basically, the issue of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. Everybody in attendance made contributions and a lot was said. “The majority position is basically that we are not going with the state of emergency. That is our categorical position because we are not convinced that it is only the issue of emergency rule that could make the security personnel to achieve success in the area.” However, some of the northern senators said Dahiru misrepresented the position of the forum. Senator Nenadi Usman, for instance, said there was no time the group asked its chairman to declare that members would vote against the proposal, rather, they resolved to consult with the governors of the three states under emergency rule be-

fore taking a final decision on the matter. Another member of the forum, Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West-PDP), told New Telegraph that after the Senate meeting with the service chiefs last week, the northern senators started reconsidering their position in the interest of the nation. He said: “I must confess to you that after the service chiefs came and spoke at length to us, quite a number of people changed their opinion; those who were for and against were shifting from one side of the divide to the order in the sense that there were superior arguments coming for and superior arguments against. “So, as it is, I believe that many of the legislators would have made up their minds to support the extension of the emergency in the interest of the whole nation because this is not an issue to play poli-

tics with. What is important is the safety of lives and property of the people. That is of paramount importance to all of us.” When New Telegraph called Dahiru to get an update on the position of the northern senators and how they would vote today, he did not pick his calls despite several trials. Similarly, Senators Ali Ndume, Ahmed Lawan, Ahmad Zannah, Ganiyu Solomon, Solomon Ewuga and many others did not answer their calls to shed light on the likely outcome of the Senate vote on the emergency today. Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, was not available to give his views on the matter, but one of his aides told New Telegraph that the expected approval on the planned extension of the state of emergency was as good as done.

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

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Court rules on Sanusi’s suspension today Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will today deliver judgement in the suit filed by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole had adjourned till today for judgement. The court had listened to arguments on both the defendants’ preliminary objection and the substantive case. Sanusi, who is challenging his suspension, had joined President Goodluck Jonathan, Attorney General of the Federation

(AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as defendants. In his argument, Sanusi through his counsel, Kola Awodein (SAN), submitted that the President lacked the powers to unilaterally suspend the CBN Governor despite his alleged offence. He argued that the President’s exercise of the executive powers provided in the Constitution was subject to the Act of the National Assembly. He contended that the President was expected to exercise his power to remove the CBN governor in accordance with the provision of the CBN Act. Defence counsel, Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), Mike

Ozekhome (SAN) and Solomon Umoh (SAN) had while arguing the preliminary objections, urged the court to strike out the suit because it was employment-related. They argued that by virtue of Section 254(1)(c) of the Constitution, the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdictional powers to hear the case. The defence counsel further argued that the plaintiff ’s claims were caught by the exclusivity conferred on the National Industrial Court by 4ection 254(1)(a) of the Constitution. On the main suit, they argued that the suspension of the plaintiff by the President was within

his powers. They contended that the CBN was an agency of the Executive arm of the Federal Government, whose powers as contained in Section 5 of the Constitution is vested in the President. They contended that the plaintiff is a public officer and an employee of the Federal Government by virtue of his appointment, and was not beyond the control of the President. They argued that the President, in suspending Sanusi did not terminate his employment, but merely asked him to step aside to enable the Financial Regulatory Council of Nigeria (FRCN) a statutory body, perform its role of in-

Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju (right), congratulating the New Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Rasheed Adejare Olaoluwa, after the handing over ceremony at the bank’s head office in Lagos…yesterday

vestigating allegations of procedural and financial breaches raised against him. The defence counsel noted that the suspension was intended to enable an unbiased investigation of allegations that

Sanusi awarded contracts of about N163billion, amounting to 63 per cent in excess of the CBN’s authorised share capital. They urged the court to hold that the President acted within his powers and dismiss the suit.

14 committees submit reports to conference, six yet to

he National Conference resumed plenary yesterday to receive reports of the 20 standing committees assigned to handle “critical national issues”. However, only 14 committees submitted their reports, while six were outstanding and expected to do so to the plenary today. The committees, which submitted their reports included National Security; Politics and Governance; Environment; Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reforms; Social Sector; and Immigration, Citizenship and Related Matters. Others are Science, Technology and Development; Public Service; Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters; Religion; and Land Tenure and Boundary Matters. The committees on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government; and Public Finance and

Revenue Matters also submitted their reports. According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the six committees yet to submit their reports are Transportation; Devolution of Power; and Civil Society, Labour, Sports, Economy, Trade and Investment; Agriculture; Political Parties and Electoral Matters. The Conference Secretary, Dr Valerie Azinge, told delegates that the reports that had been submitted to the secretariat would be distributed to all delegates ahead of Wednesday’s sitting. Azinge explained that some of the reports submitted at the plenary had not been submitted to the secretariat. According to her, reports of four committees will be discussed today and asked those who want to speak for or against any of the reports to indicate by submitting their names to the secretariat.

Jonathan orders recovery of $7.8bn from Shell, Chevron CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

prised by the level of alleged tax evasion by some of the oil companies and he is therefore ready to probe the report. It was also learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun assembling a team to probe oil marketers over allegations of manipulating fuel pumping machines to cheat customers. “The president has ordered the FIRS and other agencies involved in the collection of taxes and royalty in the oil industry to look into the matter. He is expecting a report from them on this,” the source said. NEITI had in its latest audit report, said the joint ventures (JVs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and IOCs operating in the

country evaded $7.8 billion in unpaid and underpaid taxes. According to the audits, the Federal Government has experienced a potential revenue loss of $9.8 billion as a result of under-assessments and under-payments of taxes and rents, process manipulation and poor interpretation of agreements between the government and companies. It added that it had already helped recover $2 billion but $7.8 billion remains outstanding. “President Jonathan has declared his readiness to recoup the money,” NEITI said. “You are aware that the president in June last year showed high level of commitment that his government was willing to recoup the unpaid taxes and I believe this latest move gives credence to the fact

that many wrongs revealed by our report are being addressed. “Our demand however, is that we want a comprehensive implementation of the report. Other aspects revealed in the report also need the attention of the president,” the source stated. However, members of the industry have in the past contested NEITI’s findings. Earlier in the year, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), vehemently denied findings by NEITI that suggested the company owed the government $8.16 billion for crude oil sales made between 2009 and 2011. An industry source suggested that NEITI had misunderstood some of the figures it was given in its last report and clarification had been sought. Total “recently con-

ducted a tax audit over five fiscal years. The audit showed that the group respected its tax duties vis-avis the Nigerian state even if some points were still being discussed relating to amounts substantially lower than those which could be extrapolated from the figures announced,” a spokesman for the French major said. Shell and Eni declined to comment while Chevron and Exxon were not available to comment. New Telegraph has also learnt that Pan Ocean has emerged the winner of the bid for the Shell-operated OML 24 valued at between $700 million and $1 billion. Sources close to the deals have put a value of between $500million and $1billion on each of the blocks (OMLs 18, 24 and 25) the oil major is selling. “Pan Ocean has been keen on acquiring a pro-

ducing asset. It currently produces 7,500BOPD from its OML 98 and is working on field development in Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 275,” the source said. The company is also constructing a 67-kilometre oil evacuation pipeline, as an alternative to the troubled Shell operated pipeline through which it currently exports its crude, as well as the second phase of a gas gathering and processing plant. OML 24 currently delivers 25,000BOPD from three fields, while OML 29, the priciest of the assets, is valued by the partners at over $1.5 billion. New Telegraph had exclusively reported that Royal Dutch Shell had concluded plans to totally exit operations at the onshore oil fields in Nigeria. 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 Officer, Simon Henry, who confirmed the decision to sell more onshore blocks in Nigeria in a conference call with Reuters, however, maintained that investments would only be made in gas and deepwater projects. Shell and its partners own 45 per cent equity of the acreages. In the last one year of the bid process, over 100 companies and consortia were involved in the bid to buy out the oil majors in these four producing acreages. “The final submission of bids took place on February 18, 2014. This current sale is the third of a series of sale of the partners’ stakes in assets located onshore Niger Delta,” the C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

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Abducted girls, others risk HIV, hepatitis –UNFPA Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

he United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) has raised the alarm that the abducted schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State and the condition of other

women and girls in the region, put them at the risk of varieties of sexual and reproductive health issues. The UNFPA listed such health issues to include increased rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as HIV and hepatitis, sexual abuse, teenage

pregnancies and psychosocial trauma. The Fund, however, said that it has begun to respond to the crisis in the North-East states of Borno and Yobe with a view to restoring access to essential reproductive healthcare for about 450, 000 people

including 18, 000 pregnant women. UNFPA, in a statement yesterday by its Executive Director and former Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, said it is urgently scaling up its life-saving reproductive health and violence

prevention and response interventions. The organisation said that the tragedy of the abduction of 276 young girls in Chibok has shown that much more needs to be done in the area.

FG orders recovery of $7.8bn from Shell, Chevron CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

L-R: Alfa Agba of Lagos, Imam Tijani Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, at an interfaith conference in Lagos…yesterday

25.7%

The estimated percentage prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) of Central African Republic in 2004. Source: Blatantworld.com

$147bn

The total expenditures of Middle East and North Africa region on diabetes (20 – 79 years) in 2013. Source: Idp.com

1.79m

The number of refugees in Iraq at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

Police foil another attempt to bomb Kano CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

The president has also ordered thorough investigation into the bomb blast. Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in separate tweets from his Twitter account, said the Jonathan also directed the security chiefs to act quickly on the matter. The postings read: “Kano Blast: President Jonathan summoned meeting of security chiefs today (Monday) on arrival in Abuja after Paris Summit.” “President Jonathan today ordered thorough investigations and security chiefs to act quickly.” “President Jonathan calls on Nigerians to remain united against the al Qaeda of West Africa alias Boko Haram and all enemies of the state.” Meanwhile, Jonathan yesterday again met with the service chiefs and some cabinet members to review the security situation in the country, particularly the efforts made so far towards the rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. Present at the security meeting were Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Ba-

deh; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant- General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Ademola Amosu. Others were Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar and the Director-General of State Security Service, (SSS), Mr. Ita Ekpeyong. The president, it was gathered, briefed the meeting on some major decisions taken during the Paris security summit. In a related development, the United States has agreed to share some intelligence with Nigeria to bolster the search for the abducted schoolgirls. The US military is flying manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft over Nigeria, but had been unable to directly share intelligence with Abuja because it had not established protocols with the government. But a report by Reuters yesterday quoted Pentagon spokesman, Colonel Steve Warren, as saying that agreement was struck over the weekend. “We have finalised an agreement with the Nigerians to share intelligence

with them - specifically intelligence relating to the kidnapped girls,” Warren told reporters. While the agreement would allow the US military to share some intelligence - including aerial imagery - with Nigeria, it did not mean that all raw U.S. intelligence gathered could be shared, Warren added. However, a surveillance jet sent by Britain to help search for the abducted schoolgirls has broken down en route Nigeria. The modern Sentinel reconnaissance aircraft was forced to stop in Senegal with an unspecified technical problem, the Ministry of Defence said. A spokesman said they hoped to have it repaired and on its way to join the international rescue effort “sooner rather than later.” Also, ECOWAS member-nations have expressed their readiness to cooperate to defeat terrorism in the sub region. Ghanaian President, John Mahama, while declaring open the 2014 First Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, yesterday, condemned the activities of Boko Haram.

Mahama, represented by Ghana’s Vice-President of Ghana Kwesi Amissah Arthur said promised that the subregional body would do everything possible to fight the insurgents. He said: “We shall invoke relevant sections of our laws to fight this crime. The recent abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok is reprehensible and so disheartening. No decent society will accept this.” Mahama urged the ECOWAS Parliament to cooperate and support the governments of the sub region in the fight against insurgency. Senate President David Mark, who represented Jonathan told the gathering that the Boko Haram activities had negatively affected the economic and socio- political life of Nigerians. Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament and Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, promised that the legislature would lay the necessary framework for the governments of the sub-region to tackle the menace of Boko Haram insurgency.

The organisation stressed further that it would also provide immediate diagnosis and treatment to the victims to ensure total health, including their sexual and reproductive health.

source said. Shell and other IOCs have sold equities in eight acreages for a total cash of $2.72 billion between 2010 and 2013. Shell’s spokesperson had earlier declined further comment on the divestment, saying that the transaction process was “confidential.” Officials of the company have said it will take up to a year for the entire process to come to closure. It takes the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (NPR) over one year to sign off on the approval. The process of divestment of these four acreages dates back to June 2013 when Shell discreetly intimated some Nigerian indigenous companies of its plans to divest from several unnamed Eastern Nigerian onshore licences. A source at the company however told newsmen that the final decision to exit the onshore operations in Nigeria had already been ratified by the company’s decision makers, adding: “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,” he added. 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 has lost nearly $1 billion through theft and various disruptions to its Nigerian oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations in 2013 and rampant oil theft was costing the country even more. Meanwhile, the EFCC is set to quiz some oil companies found to have manipulated the pump price of petrol to undersell to

customers. A source said already letters of invitation had been sent to the affected companies, requesting their chief executives to appear at the commission, with relevant documents. The source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the commission had assembled a crack team of well-trained operatives from its Extractive Industry Fraud Unit to handle the assignment. He said: “The EFCC is determined to bring all errant oil marketers indicted in the manipulation of pump price of PMS to justice. “We have dispatched letters to the indicted companies and our crack team is set to grill them this week to demonstrate that the commission will not rest on its oars until price manipulation in the downstream petroleum sector, is eliminated.” According to him, the action of the commission followed the forwarding of the list of the errant oil companies to the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Efforts to get the names of indicted companies were unsuccessful as the source promised to do so “subsequently”. DPR had about two weeks ago sealed over 10 filling stations in Enugu for selling petrol above the approved pump price of N97 per litre. The Enugu operation, which was meant to monitor compliance, was led by the Operations Controller of DPR in the area, Mr. Peter Ijeh. During the operation, Ijeh had said: “Some of the filling stations are selling above regulated prices and at the same time under-dispensing, thereby giving the public a lesser quantity of what they are paying for. “Manifests we received showed that the products are coming into Enugu but the marketers are creating artificial scarcity.”

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Ogun govt blasts Mimiko, Daniel over performance RIGHT OF REPLY Governor faults Labour Party chiefs' assessment of his performance Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

gun State government yesterday berated former Governor Gbenga Daniel and the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, over their disparaging comments on the infrastructural development and urban renewal in the state. The Ibikunle Amosunled administration was reacting to the inaugura-

tion of the state secretariat of Labour Party (LP) in Abeokuta on Saturday, where Mimiko and Daniel criticised the state's programmes. Daniel had picked holes in the administration of his successor, saying Amosun was piling up debts under the guise of road constructions, urban renewal and other projects. But in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, the government declared that Daniel was merely trying justify his failure to execute any tangible project in the state in the eight years that he was governor while the state lost billions of naira. The government equally expressed disappointment

at the unguarded and uninformed statement made by Mimiko while speaking at the same occasion. Olaniyonu said: "In some more developed democracy where the machinery of justice move swiftly, Mr. Daniel will not be in a position to be grandstanding and making empty claims. He should be ashamed that in his lifetime, what he failed to achieve as governor is now being accomplished with ease. "He was talking of roads being constructed at high cost. We say it with all sense of responsibility that contracts in today's Ogun State are being awarded at the best possible cost in the country and ours is an administration that is extremely frugal with the

resources of the state. "Mr. Daniel thought he was being smart and playing to the gallery when he was reeling out false figures about the cost of road projects during his tenure and now. We challenge him to mention which of the road projects he constructed could match what we now have across the state." The Amosun-led government challenged Daniel to provide concrete evidence on the contracts whose cost he believed were inflated. It further noted that the former governor was forced to be making the false claims because he needed to explain and justify why for eight years he left major roads in the state unattended to.

On the issue of the state debt, the state government reminded Daniel that if he left billions of naira debt without anything to show for it, he should not believe the present administration is taking a similar devious route. Olaniyonu said: "The allegation of throwing the state into debt is not only an old one but is unfounded. The House of Assembly investigated it and found out it is baseless. In any case, the executive in today's Ogun State cannot take any loan without recourse to the House. "The massive construction work going on across Ogun State is surprising to Daniel and his ilk and the only conclusion they have reached is that the state must be accessing

some secret funds. Our debt portfolio is an open one and the figures are already in public domain." While commenting on Mimiko's statement, the commissioner expressed surprise at how a state governor "will make ignorant statement just because he wanted to play politics and say something to please his host." Olaniyonu queried: "What does Mimiko know about the wishes and aspiration of the good people of Ogun State? What is elitist in having modern roads in a state with sophisticated people like Ogun State? If he is looking for a place to extend the reach of his bat-like party, he should go to another place.

MEND claims responsibility for pipeline explosion Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

he Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), yesterday, claimed responsibility for Sunday’s explosion at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Okrika Jetty. According to MEND, it was a deliberate act of sabotage against President Goodluck Jonathan, the amnesty programme and its operators. In a statement signed by itsspokesman,JomoGbomo, released online, yesterday afternoon,MENDstated,“This attack is in line with our ongoing operation ‘Hurricane Exodus’,whichwasintended tobringdowntheentirerefining facility. This facility was infiltrated by a few of our fighters with the aid of our internal agents within the NNPC contrary to speculations that the sabotage was carried out by ‘pipeline vandals and oil thieves’, which is a very convenient phrase used in shielding the truth from the public.” It advised that “thorough investigationswillrevealthat

the bomb fragments are the sameusedintheWarriRefinery explosion of Tuesday, 22 October, 2013.” “We will persist with our attacks on the Nigerian oil industry due to the inaction of President Goodluck Jonathan who continues to rely on an unsustainable and fraudulent Niger Delta Amnesty programme which is only a guise to line the pockets of Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Patience, Jonathan’s cronies and members of the Amnesty Committee whose sudden wealth remains unchallenged by the Nigerian media,”thegroupcontinued. Warning that “Operation Hurricane Exodus is still on course”, MEND declared that “the entire Amnesty process is a fraud on the people of Nigeria who are being promised peace in the Niger Delta, in the absence of justice.” However, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), called on the Federal Government to launch a thorough investigation into the fire.

A’Ibom SSG lauds NUJ over proposed Akpabio centre Tony Anichebe

Uyo

ecretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has lauded the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State council for deciding to name their proposed International Press Centre after Governor Godswill Akpabio. The SSG made the commendation when members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the NUJ led by its Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert, paid him a

courtesy call in his office. Udom described the gesture as the highest honour such an eminent professional body like the NUJ can confer on Governor Akpabio. “For this all important professional body to name its envisaged ultra-modern Press Centre complex after Governor Godswill Akpabio, is worth commending. “So I see this recognition as one of the highest honours that the NUJ can give to the governor in appreciation of his uncommon transformation of the state and also for his love for journalists."

L-R: Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Bashir Zubairu Gwari; Jack Tilley-Gyao and Special Adviser to the President on Youth Empowerment, Ambassador Obi Adim, after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding at IYEEP Headquarters in Asokoro, Abuja…at the Weekend

Group alleges squander of N3.6trn on security in four years Uwakwe Abugu

Awka

orried by the current state of insecurity in the country, the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law based in Onitsha, Anambra State, has queried the N3.6 trillion budgetary allocations to security in the past four years. In a statement signed by its board chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, the group declared: “Our recent investigation shockingly revealed that out of $120 billion or N19. 525 trillion federal budgets of 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, a whopping sum of $23 billion or N3.632 trillion was spent on a woefully failed security in Nigeria. “The shocking sums covered block budget allocations (recurrent, overheads and capital) to all security agencies, their training institutes and oversight bodies. In the 2011 spent budget of N4.971 trillion, N764.7 billion was spent on security, out of which the Nigeria Po-

lice Force got N296 billion, the Ministry of Defence (Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, NIA, NSCDC, etc) got N380.4 billion and the Office of the National Security Adviser received N87.8 billion.” Thestatementmademore exposé of the security spending in the face of worsening insecurity: “In the 2012 spent budget of N4.877 trillion, N921 billion was spent on security, out of which the NPF got N307.5 billion. In the 2013 spent budget of N4.987 trillion, N953 billion was spent on security, out of which, the NPF got N320 billion, and in the 2014 passed budget of N4.695 trillion, N993 billion is beingspentonsecurity,outof which, the NPF is allocated with N292 billion. “In the four federal budget seasons under reference, the NPF had received a total of N1.215 trillion or $7.5 Billion. In spite of the colossal sum spent on the NPF in the four federal budget regimes, the force has nothing to show for it. It has become one of Nigeria’s public drain pipes,” it alleged.

Rivers APC takes battle to Wike’s domain

… opens office in Obio/Akpo Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has opened its Obio/Akpor Local Government Area secretariat, the home ground of the Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike. The party declared the minister as a non-issue. The official opening took place at the weekend amidst encomiums on the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Amaechi for his strides in development in the state. The state APC Chairman, Dr. Ibiamu Ikanya, in his speech, said the secretariat would ensure victory for the party in the area which is also the Local Government Area of the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike who is of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Accompanied by party

executives and APC loyalists, including the Government House Chief of Staff, Sir Tony Okocha, Ikanya officially opened the secretariat on behalf of the State Governor, Amaechi. The party also rallied at the Akpor Grammar School, where APC stalwarts declared their unalloyed support for the party and Amaechi whose wife, Dame Judith Amaechi was at the rally. In her remarks, Judith commended the people of Obio/Akpor for their loyalty and support to her husband. She said those who wanted to be successful in politics neededtomakeGodtheirfirst priority. “When Jesus is lifted high, everyotherpersonisdownbelow and for that reason when God is lifted high, you too will beliftedupandwhenweplace Christ ahead of all of us, we now see ourselves as equals and there will be no troubles, because the issue of position becomes something that you don’t have to worry about.

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Ekiti 2014

PAPERWEIGHT PDP leader describes ex-Ekiti governor as inconsequential Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

hairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, Chief Ishola Filani, has said that the defection of former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP, is not a threat to the chances of the party in next month’s governorship election. He described Oni as a paperweight politician,” stressing that all his for-

Oni’s defection not a threat to PDP’s victory, says Filani mer supporters in the PDP refused to go with him to the APC. Filani said this yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during a zonal preparatory meeting held at the party’s zonal secretariat, Bodija, Ibadan. Executive members of the party had in July last year resigned ahead of their preparation for the party’s congress, but some elements in the party moved that he and his executive should not return to office when the congress failed to hold af-

ter all. Dissatisfied with the move to oust his executive, Filani went to court and the Appeal Court last week favoured him and his executive, thereby returning to office to continue steering the affairs of the party in the zone. Addressing journalists after their meeting, Filani, on behalf of other executive members, said the party was well prepared to win the Ekiti election on June 21, as well as that of Osun State on August 9. He said the

party has what it takes to reclaim the states lost to the APC in 2011. On the defection of his predecessor in office, Oni to the APC, Filani said: “No official member of the party has decamped. In Ekiti, Oni decamped alone. “None of his supporters decamped with him; we have been gaining more since our candidate emerged. We are determined to do all things legitimate to get back the states. We shall use all in our political arsenals to win back Ekiti and Osun.

By June and August, we shall invite you journalists to join us in celebrating. “We are doing all things possible to ensure that our President returns for his second term. It is only the PDP that has remained solid and unbroken in this political calculation. The APC is an alliance, but we are a political party. Their house cannot hold,” the chairman said. Filani regretted that the lacuna created between July last year and now had disrupted the reconciliation process

embarked upon by the leaders of the party. He said: “We are going to ensure that we bring everybody together and at the end of the day, there is nothing for us to fight on.” He called on everybody “who wants the progress of the SouthWest; who wants the South-West to be a member of the family of Nigeria; who do not want isolation for the Yoruba nation, but want us to be put in the mainstream of politics, to support us.”

Lagos council boosts Fayemi’s re-election bid papa Local Government Ajoined Area of Lagos State has the list of donors to

L-R: Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi; State Women Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Funke Owoseni; wife of Governor Kayode Fayemi, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; a Commissioner in the Civil Service Commission, Chief Kemi Olaleye; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Millennium Development Goals, Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami, during the commencement of APC Women Rally for Fayemi's re-election, led by his wife, at Iye-Ekiti...yesterday

the re-election of Dr. Kayode Fayemi as governor of Ekiti State. The council donated hundreds of branded Tshirts to the John Kayode Fayemi (JKF) Campaign Organisation in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the weekend. House of Representatives member, Mr. Bimbo Daramola, who doubles as the Director-General of the organisation, took delivery of the shirts from the Secretary of the Apapa council area, Mr. Oluwole Adele. Adele said he was making the donation on behalf of his chairman and the good people of Apapa, who he said identify with the performance of Governor Fayemi in Ekiti State since

he came into office three years ago. According to him, the Lagos council made a similar contribution in the run up to the 2007 governorship election when Fayemi first took a shot at the governorship position. “On behalf of the chairman and the good people of Apapa Local Government, we are making this donation for the re-election of Governor John Kayode Fayemi for continuity to the glory of God and for humanity,” he said, adding that the governor has lived up to his words. Responding, Daramola said it was encouraging that such contribution was coming from a council in Lagos, a state bonded with Ekiti in terms of performance and service delivery to the citizenry.

My husband is not APC mopping up jittery – Governor’s wife hotel spaces – Fayose Ekiti won’t regret my Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

ife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has said that her husband was not jittery over the outcome of the June 21 governorship election. Addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) members and supporters in Iye-Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area yesterday, she said her husband, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the APC candidate in the poll, would win hands down. According to her, that her husband and APC leaders were campaigning vigorously across the state did not mean they were afraid of losing the

election. She predicted that the governor would record a landslide victory in the election. She said her husband was running on track records of solid achievements unlike the candidates of other parties. According to her, “I am 100 per cent sure that my husband will defeat other candidates in this election. He will win hands down because he is running on solid track records. “Our consistent campaign for votes is not that we are jittery, but to ensure that no voter is left behind. We have to sensitise our people and increase the advocacy for voters’ education to prevent apathy.

he Peoples Democratic Tcandidate Party (PDP) governorship in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the state of mopping up hotel accommodation ahead of the June 21 poll. Speaking through the Director General, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the group said APC, by the action, intended to prevent other parties from having where to keep their guests. Also, AFCO added that such places booked by the APC would serve as centres to perpetrate electoral fraud during the election. The outfit said more than N100 million was being committed to the project.

The candidate alleged that the state government was owing hoteliers in the state over N200 million since last year and refused to pay. However, the Director of Media, Ekiti State APC, Mr. Segun Dipe, in his reaction described the allegation as a non-issue. Speaking on the phone, Dipe said his party would not react to a trivial matter like that. AFCO, which described the government's action as admittance of fear, said it was wicked for the state government that refused to pay its hotel bills for over six months to have suddenly realised that it needed to pay over N100 million to book hotels just because of election.

choice as Bamidele's running mate – Ogunlade abour Party's governor- and the less-privileged. Lhaja ship running mate, AlShe said her emerAbimbola Ogunlade, gence as Opeyemi has assured Ekiti people that they would have no cause for regret over her choice if elected to office. Ogunlade made the promise at the weekend while paying a courtesy visit on the paramount ruler of her hometown, the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo Adebowale. Accompanied by her husband, Alhaji Suleman Ogunlade, the female politician narrated how her 57-year existence has been that of service to humanity

Bamidele's running was divine, promising that she would use her office to serve humanity. Ogunlade at the event received royal blessing from Elemure of Emure-Ekiti and other monarchs from the area. They included Oba Adewumi O m u yo made, the Olowuro of Orun Ekiti and the Aarinjale of Ise Ekiti, Oba David Adetunji Ajayi who described her as a woman of integrity.

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BIAFRA

Echoes of the past from Southwest activity who are bent on negotiating Nigeria's unity Muritala Ayinla

coalition of Yoruba socio-cultural groups yesterday threatened that the Yoruba nation would secede from Nigeria if the agitation for regional autonomy for the Southwest states was not granted by the Federal Government, saying the unity of Nigeria was negotiable and must be negotiated now. The coalition, which comprises representatives of Yoruba Assembly, Afenifere Renewal Group, Agbekoya Reformed Society, Atayese, Oodua Nationalist Coalition and Oodua Foundation, also said that plans to break away from Nigeria had been concluded, saying the Yoruba nation would not hesitate to pull out from Nigeria if the demands were not met after the ongoing National

Yoruba groups demand regional autonomy, threaten secession Conference. Briefing journalists shortly before unveiling the groups’ publication titled: “Regional Autonomy or Nothing” at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota in Lagos, the leader of the group, Prince Tokunbo Ajasin said regionalism was the most viable instrument for a stronger and viable Nigeria. He said the Yoruba nation was displeased that many of its demands at the conference had been thrown away, saying the northern group had ganged up to defeat autonomy for the regions. He said: “We are therefore baffled at the take-itor-leave-it attitude of delegates from other ethnic nationalities, particularly the northern delegates who circulated a document full of fallacies few weeks ago. Those fallacies have now been exposed by the facts and figures con-

tained in the publication we are unveiling today. “It is inconceivable that the northern leaders are the ones leading the campaign against devolution of power and restructuring of government. If any region needs a stronger federating unit with stronger capacity to provide education, health, security, wealth creation and other social amenities, it is the North where strong link exist between the level of poverty and conscription of innocent youth into extremist tendencies. The group also demanded a negotiated legislative Exclusive, Concurrent and Residual list in addition to a unicameral legislature at the centre. They also want Lagos to be conferred a special status as the economic nerve centre of Nigeria. Ajasin also said Yoruba people in ‘ the imposed

artificial boundaries in Edo, Delta, Kwara and Kogi States’ would also be included in the proposed Yoruba Nation, if the regional government was not allowed to take effect in the southwest states in the country. “It appears northern leaders are not concerned, and indeed have no plan for the teeming youth from the region, as long as they are able to continue clinging to their hold on power. However, we are never in doubt that regionalism is the most viable instrument for a stronger and united Nigeria.” He stated that the Yoruba people demanded a regional government with its own constitution and unfettered political and fiscal autonomy, except on issues it agreed to cede to the Federal Government. The Executive Direc-

tor of Yoruba Academy, Dr Ade Adeagbo, however said that the Yoruba nation was not trying to enforce its demands on

other regions in the country, saying every region is free to explore whatever form of government it chooses.

Falode petitions Tambuwal over son’ death in Dubai Philip Nyam Abuja

ce sports commentator, Aisha Falode, has petitioned Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to help her seek justice from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where her son, Oloruntoba Falode was allegedly killed. In a ten-page petition entitled: “Petition of my son's death Oloruntoba Falode in Dubai' and presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, she demanded an unbiased investigation into her boy's death among others. Falode said: "I am writing to formally petition for the active support of the Federal Government of Nigeria in my efforts to seek justice from the Government of Dubai following the death of my son, Mr. Oluwadamilola Oloruntoba (Toba') Falode, who died unexpectedly on the 15th of February 2014. “I was informed that Toba died following a fall from the balcony of his 17th floor apartment (1703) located in Man-

chester Tower, Dubai Marina, Dubai. Toba at the time was legally living in Dubai as a student in one of the prestigious universities renowned for musical, audio, sound and film production ---SAE Institute, Dubai.” Falode in her petition insisted that the information given by the Dubai authorities were suspect as they are in variance with eyewitness accounts. The FIFA representative said "I would therefore like to petition the Federal Government of Nigeria to support me in finding out the real truth of what occurred that fateful night my son died. Is there a cover-up? Can we access the full case file, translated into English, so that all witness statements are independently reviewed? “I would also like the House of Representatives to request that every support and assistance is provided by the Government of the UAE for a re-investigation and further enquiry into the death of my son. Only the full weight of the Nigerian Authorities will ensure that the truth is uncovered and my son gets justice.”

Uduaghan laments effect of Chibok kidnap on education Dominic Adewole Former Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Prof. Longmas Wapmuk (left), handing-over to his successor, Mrs. Juliet ChukkasOnaeke in Jos..yesterday

Anxiety in Benue schools over abduction threat Cephas Iorhemen

l Police beef up security

(GGSS) Chibok, Borno State. There was heavy security presence within and around the schools as men of the Nigerian Police Force as well as the military were on red alert, while normal classes were going on at the two schools when New Telegraph visited schools. Briefing staff and stakeholders of the two schools, the State Commissioner of Police, Adams Audu and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 4, Mr.

Makurdi

tudents and staff of the Government College Makurdi and neighbouring Mount Saint Gabriel's Secondary School were yesterday gripped by anxiety over the reported threat by the Boko Haram sect to visit the schools and abduct schoolboys. The sect, in a purported letter written in red ink, had threatened to storm the two colleges and abduct schoolboys and force them to marry the over 200 girls earlier abducted at Government Girls Grammer School

Adela Adeniji, said all security arrangements had been put in place and implored them not to take anything for granted, but to report any strange movements to the security agents. Mr. Audu stated that the command has deployed armed policemen to other secondary schools operating the boarding system across the state as directed by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, adding that check-points have also been erected "so that

anybody coming to the schools would be properly checked. "Our men have already been deployed to the schools operating the boarding system, and plaincloth men are also on patrol. We have checkpoints so that nobody penetrates the schools through either of the two exits," he said. The police boss who reiterated his commitment to the protection of lives and property of the students and people of the state in general, however solicited the cooperation of the principal and staff of the colleges.

ASABA

till disturbed by the abduction of over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday lamented its negative effects on the educational growth of Nigeria. While urging members of the Boko Haram sect to cease hostilities, he was noted that the country’s education and health sectors have been crippled, especially in the North. He said the menace of insurgency has not only made some parts of the country unreachable for immunisation and other healthcare services but has portrayed the country in bad light. Speaking in Asaba, the state capital, yesterday while playing host to the chairman and members

of the National Council on Establishments Committee on the Review of Issues Affecting the Health sector, Uduaghan appealed to the sect members to release the girls unhurt. He said, “I want to assure you that Nigeria will soon overcome its security challenges. The kidnap of Chibok girls is not only affecting the education sector but, also, the health sector because it is affecting the health workers going round on their routine duties. “Nigeria ranks”, the governor continued, “among the few countries with polio; this crisis is affecting the eradication of polio and other communicable diseases, the crisis does not help anybody. I want to plead with sponsors and members of Boko Haram to stop hostilities and release the Chibok girls.”

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Ikwerre, Obolo back Ogoni to succeed Amaechi

NERC to sanction DISCOs over non-compliance with reporting directives

Joe Ezuma

Abuja

Port Harcourt

heIkwerreDemocraticInitiative and Alliance (IDIA), and Obolo Consultative Forum (OCF), all of Rivers State, at the weekend, joined the clamour by the Ogoni to producethe nextgovernorof the state come 2015. IDIA has its roots in Ikwerreland while the OCF has its roots from Obolo riverine area, signaling a cross-ethnic push for Ogoni to taste power in the state since its creation on May 27, 1967 by former Head of state Gen. Yakubu Gowon. Coordinator of IDIA, Dr. Eze Emenike, and leader of OCF, Chief Ala Nte, made the declaration in separate speeches at Bori, during the inauguration of the Khana Local Government Chapter of Ogoni Democratic Move-

ment (ODM). Emenike described the Ogoni governorship project as “an idea whose time has come” and called on the people to believe in their ability to produce a successor to GovernorChibuikeAmaechi in 2015. “Ogoni project 2015 is an idea whose time has come, if you believe, unity will come automatically. Carry along other parts of the state during your stay in the Brick House from May 29, 2015; just like my brother Chibuike Amaechi is doing,” he declared. On his part, OCF leader, Chief Nte said the People of Obolo (Andoni) were solidly behind the Ogoni governorship project, noting that their support was in appreciation of similar gesture extended to them by the Ogonis which led to

the emergence of their son as Chairman of one of the political parties in Rivers State. “Obolo people are solidly in support of the ODM campaign for an Ogoni governor. When God says it is time, nothing can stop it. Ogoni governorship project has come to stay. We are supporting the Ogonis because they supported us in the election of our son as Chairman of APC in the state.” He said. Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives, Nesfield Nwikoh, said, but for Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the people of Ogoni had suffered neglect despite their contributions to the growth of the country, adding that Ogonis would not accept anything less than governor while the Coordinator, Ogoni Solidarity

Forum (OSF), Celestine Akpobari, warned that any Ogoni that chooses to work against the project would be regarded as a vulture. Earlier in his address, President-General, ODM, Godwin Bazari, said the people of Ogoni had suffered enough and called on political parties in the country to pick their gubernatorial candidates for the forthcoming governorship election in Rivers State from Ogoni. Bazari said, “ODM stands for the emergence of an Ogoni as governor of Rivers State come 2015. If you are in All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), or any other political party in Nigeria, your gubernatorial candidate must be an Ogoni man.”

James Nwabueze

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has come down hard on the electricity Distribution Companies over non-compliance with their reporting obligations to the regulator. The Head, Public Affairs Department, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, in a statement at the weekend noted that it was the first time the commission was assessing the utilities on their Key Performance Indicators since they took over about six months ago. According to the statement, just three of the 11 Distribution Companies are meeting up with the directive, warning that it would soon enforce the relevant sections of the EPSR Act (2005) on reporting obligation. NERC expressed displeasure on the poor compliance level of Distribution Companies in the reporting and submission of data that would allow for proper network data assessment by the commission.

The reporting obligation as contained in part 10, Section 94(2) of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (2005) states that any person who fails or refuses to furnish a return or to supply information in the manner and time prescribed, or gives false or incomplete information commits an offence and is liable on conviction. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, said the CEOs had been told at their April meeting to comply with the commission’s request on submission of baseline statistics on distribution assets they took over. According to Amadi, there is a need for network data assessment, among which is to establish a data bank of all existing distribution assets, to monitor, track and report performance of the Distribution Companies with respect to strengthening of distribution systems and capacity expansion as well as facilitate expansion and development of the distribution networks.

UNIUYO VC escapes assasination Tony Anichebe

Uyo

he Vice-Chancellor (VC) of TComfort the University of Uyo, Prof. Ekpo, yesterday es-

L-R: Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju; Governor Olusegun Mimiko; and other health officials during the flag-off of the May 2014 Maternal New-born and Child Health Week, at the Mother and Child Hospital, Akure…yesterday

Don’t drag Labour into Edo politics, NLC, TUC warn Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

he leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Edo State yesterday warned politicians in the state not to drag the labour unions into the politics of the state. The unions expressed shock at the reasons canvassed by politicians for resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The union leaders were surprised that those who resigned from the party believed that Governor Adams Oshiomhole will hand over power at the expiration of his tenure to

a fellow comrade. Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Emma Ademokun and his counterpart in the TUC, Comrade Charles Oronsaye, at a joint press conference held in Benin, the state capital, condemned the attempt “by anybody or group of persons to undermine the feelings and sensibility of labour in the state.” Ademokun said: “Members of the organised labour are citizens of Edo State and have the right, when they so wish, to aspire to any position in our state.” He urged politicians not to drag labour to their political theatre. “We members of the organised labour were

shocked to note that anybody will advance the inclusion of workers in government as a reason for their resignation. We wish to put on record our resentment to any attempt by anybody or group of persons to undermine our feelings and sensibilities,” he stated. The labour unions also appealed to the state governor to review the case of workers and teachers, “whose ages were considered controversial or distorted, among who are young and vibrant people who were railroaded into declaring the age they did by their benefactors without knowing the consequence.” They further urged the governor to implement his

promises during this year’s May Day celebration, adding that by doing so, he would have “set a new paradigm and historical landmark that will be difficult to surpass whether now or in the future.” The workers said they acknowledged Oshiomhole’s plan to set the service record straight, when he directed the screening of workers, pointing out they understood that some of the workers overtly or covertly had issues with the age they declared while entering the state’s civil service and that they sincerely understand the implications of the officers having their ages distorted.

caped assassination, when gunmen stormed her residence located at Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo. New Telegraph gathered that the gunmen stormed her residence at night, firing bullets into the building with the intention of assassinating her and members of her family. Thegunmen,accordingto a security detail attached to the residence, had a gun duel with the police on duty, but were said to have zoomed off in their parked vehicle when

they could not break into the vice-chancellor’s house. Prof. Ekpo, apart from the assassination attempt, has had several encounters with hoodlums in recent times. It will be recalled that on June 12, 2013, certain disgruntled elements hijacked a peaceful protest by students of the institution and unleashed mayhem on the town’s campus of the university, during which one life was lost and many university property went up in flames. Meanwhile, the University of Uyo management has alerted security operatives on the ugly development for necessary action to forestall future occurrence.

Ilaje/Ese-Odo by-election: Court fixes June 2 for hearing of suit Babatope Okeowo

Akure

FederalHighCourtsitting Tdayheinfixed Akure, Ondo State, yesterJune2forthehearing

of themotionfiledbythecandidateof thePeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP), Chief Adewale Kukute, seeking to join the suit filed by the Labour Party (LP)overtheinconclusivebyeelectioninIlaje/Eseodofederal constituency. The court presided over by Justice Isiaka Sanni also fixed June 12 for the hearing of the suit seeking the declaration of the LP’s candidate, Mr. Kolade Akinjo, as the winner of the inconclusive election and the preliminaryobjectionseeking to oust the jurisdiction of the

court filed by the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The LP had filed a suit before the court seeking a “declaration that a returning officer has no power under the law to declare a National Assembly election inconclusive after the conduct of election, counting of votes and collation of the results of the election.” Apart from seeking the ordertodeclaretheLPcandidate thewinnerof theelection,havingscoredthehighestnumber of votes, the party also sought the order preventing INEC and the Returning Officer from conducting supplementary election in respect of the vacant seat.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

COUNTER CLAIM Owelle Rochas Okorocha replies MASSOB leader, putting records straight

he Imo State government has dismissed as a lie, claims by the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, that he single-handedly made Chief Rochas Okorocha the governor of the state in 2011. The state government said such claims by the MASSOB leader as pub-

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Uwazuruike did not make Okorocha governor, says Imo govt lished in a national daily was not true. Reacting to the claims yesterday, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, said Uwazuruike did not work for Okorocha during the governorship election in the state in 2011 and therefore could not have made Okorocha governor in the circumstance. “Uwazuruike worked for PDP and his brother, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who

The number of people without access to an improved source of water at the end of 2013. Source: Unesco.org

was the PDP candidate. That was one of the reasons the PDP won in his Onuimo Local Government in the gubernatorial election. Let him say it is not true. “The PDP also won the governorship election in 2011 in his Okigwe zone. Then, the question is, if Chief Uwazuruike could not make Okorocha win in his Onuimo Local Government and in his Okigwe zone, how then he single-handedly de-

79.8%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Austria in 2011. Source: Itu.int

livered Okorocha in 2011. Even the PDP also won in his ward.” T he gover nor’s spokesman averred that the claims of the MASSOB leader are mere noise and disturbance that lack any coherent logic. “You could not make Okorocha win in your ward, LGA, and in your zone, and you are claiming to have made him governor single-handedly. How? I think the

200,000

The number of newly reported displacements (IDPs) of Ethiopia in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

time has come for these people to stop disturbing the Imo State governor. “Don’t forget that before now, both the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi and the embattled National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, had also claimed individually that they delivered Okorocha in 2011 to become governor in the state. And you begin to ask how?” Onwuemeodo, however, said that the only

Joe Obende

Warri

National Emergency Management Agency officers distributing relief materials to the residence of Chibok, Borno State

APC leaders fix convention date today Abuja

eaders of Alliance for Pro g ressives Congress (APC) will, today, (Tuesday) in Abuja fix another date for the national convention of the party. The convention had earlier been fixed for May 24, but was put off for a number of reasons. APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the convention was cancelled due to happenings in the country and some unresolved issues within the party. Mohammed in an interview with New Telegraph yesterday said that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party would meet in Abuja today to fix a fresh date for the convention. "At the meeting, we have to fix a new date

for the convention. This is because 24th of May was to be the convention date but because of the present happenings in the country and also because of some unresolved issues that came up in the congresses, it was decided that we should move forward the date. "At the end of the executives meeting the committee will decide on the new date for the convention. “I can assure you that the date will not be too far, but I'm not aware of any political party today that has already nominated its candidate unless you are telling us the PDP is going to re-nominate President Goodluck Jonathan," he said New Telegraph had reported last week the cancellation of the party's NEC meeting scheduled to hold last week.

Transformation will unlock potential in insurance industry – Accenture recent survey carried Arevealed out by Accenture has that insurance

industry will tap into huge revenue potential only through a deliberate transformation and positioning of the sector. The survey tagged: Consumer Innovation Survey on Insurance, demonstrates convincingly that insurance customers want relevance, convenience and cost-efficient products that address their values and needs. The survey, according to the Managing Director of Accenture, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, shows that the predominant insurance product uptake by 1.5 per cent of the population that is insured is motor value insurance. Another survey across several geographies indicates that 67 per cent of customers would consider buying insurance from organisations other than tra-

ditional insurance companies, while indicating that insurers must take the offensive, make some bets and take some calculated risks to attract and acquire new customers and to retain the customers they already have. According to the survey, “The revenue potential that is at play for the insurance industry is significant but will only be realised through deliberate transformation and positioning that enhances all channels and experiences. “Companies that transform their technologies as well as underlying business models will be equipped to deliver the experiences that customers will increasingly expect and demand. Only true digital transformation at a strategic level will let customers define their own experiences rather than simply provide products for them to buy.”

deduction derivable from all such wild claims is that the governor has done very well in office and everybody wants to share in the glory of his success. “We are not opposed to them identifying with a successful administration, but it should not be done by making wild claims that are totally detached from reality. Imo people elected Okorocha governor in 2011 and nobody else,” he said.

Ex-minister's 29-year marriage collapses he marriage of former Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre, has collapsed A customary court sitting in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday dissolved the marriage between the former Delta State Head of Service, and her husband, Mr. Peter Epkiwhre. In her ruling, President of the court, Mrs. Stella Okah, noted that she dissolved the marriage because there had been no love between the couple for a long time and so the former minister was no longer interested in the

Yekeen Nurudeen

union. Okah, supported by Chief (Dr.) Adadi Omosowho and Mr.Richard Onosigho, members of her court, ordered Ekpiwhre's paternal family to refund N120 paid on her as bride price by her erstwhile husband. The money was ordered to be paid to the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State to the registry department of the court. To the surprise of all, the eldest man of the Akpoguma (Grace's maiden name) family of Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Chief Samuel Salubi, promptly refunded the dowry at the registry department of the court.

Glo powers Africa Movie Academy Awards car rier, bassador initiative which Ntoational Globacom, has accepted raised the bar in corporate power the 10th edition support for the movie inof the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), scheduled to hold at the Bayelsa Cultural Center, Yenagoa this Saturday. African Film Academy, organisers of the Awards, had announced Globacom as the platinum sponsor of the event. Globacom, in a statement, welcomed the announcement and promised to support the highly rated award in a way befitting a milestone event to celebrate African filmmakers. It said African movie makers in general and Nigerian movie gladiators in particular have worked hard in the last 10 years to earn African movies the status of the second largest film industry in the world. In the past couple of years, Globacom has blazed a trail in supporting the industry, especially with the brand am-

dustry. In addition to using its robust nationwide network to promote the Nigerian and African movie industry, Globacom has signed as brand ambassadors top thespians like Nadia Buhari, Jackie Appiah, Van Vicker, Funke Akindele, Desmond Elliot, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha and Ini Edo. The organisers said that as a major official sponsor, Globacom would have premium branding rights of the event venue and organise a pre-event green carpet. AMAA disclosed that thousands of stakeholders in the entertainment, hospitality and tourism sectors of the economy are expected to attend the event set up to promote African film and cinema locally and internationally and also to explore film as a vehicle for African development.

10 NEWS INTIMIDATION

It does appear luck is not on the side of the opposition in Mr. President home state Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over the arrest and persistent harassment of its members in Bayelsa State by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, using the police as its arrowhead. APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

APC to Presidency: Stop arrest, harassment of our members in Bayelsa

a statement issued in Lagos yesterday said the plan being allegedly pursued by the Presidency was aimed at ensuring that the opposition, especially the APC, does not gain a foothold in the home state of the President ahead of the 2015 general elections. He noted that, under the evil plan, leaders of the APC in Bayelsa, who have been strenuously building the party in the state, would be decimated through arrests, persistent harassment and

Boko Haram insurgency not targeted at Jonathan - Aliyu Dan Atori MINNA

hairman of the Northern States Governor’s Forum and Niger State Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has debunked claims that the activities of the Boko Haram sect is aimed at frustrating President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s bid for second, saying the activities of the sect preceded even the vice presidency of Jonathan. Aliyu made spoke yesterday while declaring open the 2014 National Conference of Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics in Minna, adding that the activities of the Boko Haram were different from those of the

Niger Delta militants. According to him "Boko Haram did not start with the Presidency of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Boko Haram is not to stop Jonathan from contesting the 2015 presidential election." Aliyu told his guests that the activities of the Islamic sect started as far back as the 1990’s in Yobe State and since then have been escalating because of lack of political will to stop the sect from wreaking havoc. Aliyu noted that if it was the wish of God that Jonathan will contest and win the 2015 presidential election, nobody can stop him just as they could not stop him in 2011.

ceaseless intimidation in order to scare away all the progressive forces that are keen and eager to align with the APC in the state. ''For those who may say this plan is far-fetched, Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, the former Chief of Staff to former Governor Timipre Sylva, who is a key APC leader in the state, has been arrested in connection with a murder that took place in 2010. Curiously, Ogbuku, who has been resident in the state and who has no im-

147.5

munity from arrest, is just now being picked up by the police over a murder that took place over three years ago. “Realising that the suspect whom the police claimed mentioned Ogbuku's name in connection with the murder has recanted, hence the murder charge can no longer be sustained, the police quickly dragged him to court on a charge related to cultism. “A democraticallyelected President cannot and must not shut the

democratic space against the opposition, whether in his home state where he is expected to show leadership by example or anywhere else across the federation. We are therefore calling on the Presidency to stop the harassment and intimidation of our members in Bayelsa State,'' APC said. The party said the police in particular must not allow itself to be used to stifle democracy and deny Bayelsa citizens of their constitutional rights to associate

15%

The number of newspaper journalists per 1m The percentage share of India’s arms purchase inhabitants of Belgium in 2004. from United Kingdom between 2005 and 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com Source: Blatantworld.com

freely, warning that any further harassment, intimidation and threat to the lives of its members in Bayelsa will not be tolerated. It called on all lovers of democracy and freedom to prevail on the Presidency not to constrict the democratic space in Bayelsa State under any guise, especially in the run up to 2015 when the threats to APC members are expected to be stepped up to send a strong signals to everyone to steer clear of the party.

16.8%

The percentage of households with internet access at home in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) region in 2007. Source: Itu.int

FG begins nationwide economic rebase Dan Atori MINNA

etermined to strengthening the nation’s economy, the Federal Government yesterday said it has started rebasing the economies of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital territory (FCT). Supervising Minister and Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, said at the 2014 National Conference of Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics in the public service that there was the need to shift emphasis from the quantitative to the qualitative GDP growth. According to him; “We

need to ensure effective implementation of the various sector of specific states and national strategic plans in Nigeria, and these must be aligned with the annual budgets at the national and states levels. “No nation can effectively implement inclusive growth strategy, unless it is done within the context of the strategic planning. “We are undertaking the reform of the National Statistical System in Nigeria, a major component of the programme, which is the rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP which is recently conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics, a key parastatal of government.

Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Most Rev. Ayo Maria Atoyebi (left), receiving a souvenir from Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, during a courtesy call to the governor at Government House, Ilorin...yesterday.

NNPC denies fire outbreak reports at Port Harcourt refinery, Okrika Jetty Adeola Yusuf

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday refuted reports in the media that the Port Harcourt Refinery in Alesa-Eleme and the nearby Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) Evacuation/Reception Jetty in Okrika Rivers State were gutted by fire on Sunday. The NNPC in a press re-

lease issued by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, explained however, that findings from its preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by the activities of oil thieves. Alegbe's statement read: "These thieves hacked into a pipeline somewhere in the creek where they were siphoning petroleum products when the explosion oc-

curred and the fire did not in any way affect the refinery or the PPMC Jetty in Okrika as widely reported. “We can confirm that the Port Harcourt Refinery and the Okrika Jetty are intact. The reported fire incident did not in any way affect our operations. While we sympathise with the families of the oil marauders who reportedly lost their lives in the unfortunate inferno,

we wish to implore community leaders in Okrika and its environs to appeal to their wards to refrain from product theft and hacking of pipelines." The corporation affirmed the integrity of its pipelines, stating that engineers and technologists from the PPMC Pipelines Right of Way Unit are being dispatched to the scene of the incident for proper technical evaluation.

240, 000 Nigerian infants die annually of malnutrition –Ezeaka Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

paediatrician from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, has said that Nige-

ria has the highest number of infant deaths in Africa with 700 new borns dying every day and 240, 000 dying yearly. She said this yesterday at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

(IITA), Ibadan, where she participated in a seminar entitled: “Maternal and Infant Nutrition: Taking Advantage of the Window of Opportunity in the First 1,000 days of life.” The programme was

facilitated by Nestle Nutrition Institute, Africa CWAR Advanced Nutrition Programme for Anglophone Countries. The programme had participants from Nigeria and other African coun-

tries who deliberated on the benefits of breast feeding to infants and the adverse effects of its non-compliance to babies, the parents and the society at large. According to Ezeaka, the highest infantile mortality

in Africa is related to maternal malnutrition, which could lead to miscarriages, diarrhea, anaemia and weight loss in babies as well as jaundice, which could eventually result in brain damage for the new born.

News

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Fashola shuns religion in choice of successor Muritala Ayinla agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday broke his silence over his successor in the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state, describing agitation for a Christian or Muslim Governor as baseless. Fashola, who was obviously reacting to the agitation for the choice of his successor by the All Progressive Party (APC) on religion affiliation, had earlier listed qualities his successor must possess saying whoever must succeed him should be able to do better than his administration might have done after his tenure expires on May 29, 2015. He berated those calling for a Christian to succeed him as governor of the state, saying religious affiliation alone could not guarantee good governance. He argued that there was no distinction between a blood donated by a Christian and a Muslim, insisting that choice of leader by religion affiliation

was needless. Fashola spoke at an interfaith conference entitled: “Peace, Religious Harmony and Good Governance: Issues and Challenges,” held at Golden Tulip, Festac Town, Lagos, urging residents in the state to eschew election of political leaders on religion basis. He said: “I read in one of the papers this morning, a statement that was credited to the effect that a group is insisting on a Christian governor. I don’t recall the last time that a governor of Lagos was elected on his religions beliefs." “What will the preference for governor of one faith over the other even benefit us? Will it give one religion roads that other faiths cannot use? Will it give them schools that children from other faiths cannot attend or will it bring water that only one faith can drink, or will it begin to draw a very clear line between poverty and the faith? Does hunger know your faith?

Workers ignore Aregbesola’s directive to resume work Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

directive given by the TthatheOsun State government all striking academic and non-academic staff of its four tertiary institutions should resume work yesterday was shunned by the workers, who described the directive as empty and unrealistic. Though, top management and students of the institutions resumed work as directed, workers to carry out effective learning and administrative jobs refused to turn up, saying they would not yield to the directive of the government until it offsets all their outstanding

arrears. New Tele g raph investigations revealed that few students resumed while top management personnel, who reported, addressed students of their various institutions and appealed to them to remain calm as lectures would soon commence. Speaking with newsmen on the development, The Rector of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Dr.Olusola Agboola, said the management of the institution complied with the government directive, but explained that labour leaders in the institution did not allow workers to resume work.

Wada: I'll deal with cultists Muhammad Bashir

Lokoja

ogi State governor, IdKstamp ris Wada, has vowed to out cultism from all

schools in the state. He said his administration will do everything to end the menace in its schools. The governor said this yesterday in Lokoja during the commissioning of three students’ hostels at the Kogi State Polytechnic. He warned that his administration will make it foolhardy for any individual or group of students found wanting in cultism. The governor added that his administration will give top priority to

education, advising the students to strictly adhere to the primary reason they were in school as cultism will not yield any good dividend. “Consider the sacrifice made by your parents, their commitment to your education, because their desire was to bring up future leaders. But when you become a nuisance and a criminal, your family will not only suffer the consequence, but will also regret sending you to school." He therefore called on the students to be vigilant and report to the authority any form of ungodly meeting at ungodly hours and location in the school.

L-R: Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina and the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, during a solidarity visit to the Minister over the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Abuja…yesterday

10.5m

The total number of refugees under the mandate of UNHCR at the end of 2012. Source: Unhcr.org.uk

8.1

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

1.25m

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

Ize-Iyamu drags APC strongmen to PDP DEFECTION Comrade Governor and Pastor politician still battling for the soul of Edo Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

our All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in Edo State yesterday joined Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Their defection yesterday brings to an end several weeks of speculation on which political

platform they would be pitching their tent. Among the crowd of people that joined the PDP at the Best Western Hotel in Benin, were the four lawmakers of the APC, who submitted their letters of resignation on the floor of the 24-member Anthony Enahoro Assembly complex under the leadership of the Speaker, Hon. Uyi Igbe. The new PDP lawmakers who defected from the ruling APC include Hon. Jude Ise Idehen (Ikpoba Okha); Hon. Patrick Ogieriakhi (Orhionmwon South 11); Hon. Patrick Osayimen (Oredo East) and Hon. Abubakar Rasaq Momoh

(Etsako West 1). With the four lawmakers who defected yesterday, the number of PDP lawmakers in the state House of Assembly has now swelled to eight even as the former APC legislators said more aggrieved legislators would still join the PDP. Those at the event yesterday include; Chief Amos Osunbor, Nosa Adams, Hon, Isaiah Osifoh, former speaker Bright Omokhodion, Chief Evelyn Omokhodion, Alhaji Usman Shagadi, who was the APC vicechairman in Edo north, Dr. Tony Omoaghe and several others. The motion for the defection to the PDP

was moved by Chief Godwin Eseche and was seconded by Hon. Isaiah Osifoh, while the various leaders and former aides of Governor Oshiomhole drawn from the 18 local government areas and the three senatorial districts as well as the entire people unanimously supported the motion. The architect of the APC members’ defection to the PDP and the spirit behind Grace Group, Pastor Ize Iyamu said the action of the group was a clear demonstration that ‘No man is God’ and that ‘thieves’ in the ruling party hijacked the party they laboured hard to build and handed over to them in the state.

Power generation down by 1,500mw in two years – Senate Adeola Yusuf ower generation in Nigeria crashed by 1, 500 megawatts between 2012 when former minister of power, Prof. Bart Nnaji held sway and now, it was learnt yesterday. Chair man Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gbenga Obadara, who said this in Lagos, maintained that the committee was saddened because power supply had worsened after the privatisation of the sector. Speaking while leading members of the committee on a visit to power distribution companies in Lagos, Obadara said the former minister of power, Professor Bart

Nnaji, left over 5,000 megawatts behind, but now it was not up to 3,500 megawatts. He said that the committee was going round to ascertain the challenges the Electricity Distribution Companies were having and how to solve them. Obadara noted at the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC): "Our oversight functions have thrown up several issues. But I remain confident that the nation will ultimately achieve its objectives in the power sector." At the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), the senator said: "We implore you to continue to improve on your work so that power

supply will improve. "We know that the generation is weak, we will work with you and make sure that things work well. If we are able to get it right at least 60 to 70 per cent, we are on a good footing." Meanwhile, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that the institution still lagged behind in the 100 per cent metering target of its customers. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mr. Oladele Amoda who said this also hinted that the company has secured $150million dollar loan, part of which would be used to provide meters for its 360,000 consumers.

Amoda particularly said that the firm would invest N6.9 billion on metering of electricity consumers in the zone. He said: "Presently our main focus will be to replace more than 5,000 Maximum Demand (MD) consumers that are generating 70 per cent of our revenue. We want to know how much they are consuming. "After this, all other consumers within the zone will have meters. We will change all obsolete meters and replace all faulty ones with new ones," he said. He said the company was determined to stabilise power supply in its area of operation and maintenance of safety standard.

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

17-year-old girl flees home to avoid circumcision

A girl dies after genital cutting while another runs away from home to avoid being circumcised Taiwo Jimoh

iss Adefowokan Tosin Esther was only 15 when she fled from home because of her paternal grandparents’ attempt to circumcise her forcibly. That was two years ago. Now she is 17. But nobody know her whereabouts ever since. Esther did not just run away because of female genital cutting. She had a good reason to. Esther watched her younger sister, Omodunni, die after she was forcibly circumcised. The missing girl’s uncle, Mr Yomi

Adesegha, said Esther fled the family home in Akute, a border town between Lagos and Ogun since December 2012. He said: “The girls were living in Lagos with their mum, Mrs Dolapo Adefowokan and has visited their village in Awori, Lagos State, to spend Christmas with their grandmother when the incident happened.” According to him, the grandmother and some family members had ordered the girls, Esther and Omodunni, to be circumcised before returning to their base. Omodunni was circumcised but it triggered excessive bleeding which eventually led to her death. Adesegha said that Omodunni died from injuries as a result of the crude traditional practice of female genital mutilation. The victim, according to him, suffered severe excruciating pains

0802 393 8212

for days after the mutilation of her genital before her death. He said: “It was the fear of falling victim of the same circumcision that made the elder sister, Esther, to flee the community and we reported the case to the police. “Not long ago, someone told us that she was sighted in London in the United Kingdom by a family friend but we found the news difficult to believe because she would have established communication with the family, since many of us are aware of the circumstances that made her to run away in the first instance. “I think that it is high time we stopped this obnoxious tradition of female genital mutilation especially among the Awori because of its dangerous consequences on the lives of young girls.” The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, said he was not aware of the case.

ultism and robbery activities being experienced in parts of Mowe in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have been traced to the absence of vigilance groups in the area. The Balogun of Onigbagbo, Chief Olujimi Aboaba, who lives at Nisi Street where cult members invaded a house and robbed the occupants, said this in an interview with our correspondent. He said: “I want to tell you that my fellow landlords do not want to cooperate

with me to employ vigilantes to monitor this area. They have refused to attend meetings; they have as well refused to contribute to pay our security guards. That is why these bad boys have found their way to this area; since no body will question them.” On the case of cult members who invaded Mr Johnson Osaino’s house, injuring his sons with cutlass and knives, Aboaba said he had advised that the boy they were looking for to leave the street. “I was told that the boy they are looking for, Moses, fought with them at a carnival, injuring one of their members,

hence they are on the lookout for him. But since he has left the area as I told the family, I wonder why the cult members kept coming and disturbing our peace here,” he said. Osaino also told our correspondent that two of the cult members had been arrested while about 20 others were still at large. He said: “The police have arrested two boys who are helping to find others. They have been moved from Mowe police station to Elenweran, the Ogun State Police Command headquarters in Abeokuta.

Elijah Samue

bout 18 p death by yesterday crashed on the Expressway. The Volksw to Oshodi tum Olowu area of Witnesses sa the ‘conducto and had been t pital. It was gathe er of the bus w number, EPE 5 trol when one o burst. The bus sum eral times and w median separa tions of the exp “The bus wa one of the tyre driver lost cont “We were ju if in a movie, h

Adefowokan

‘Why cultism, robbery rampant in Mowe’ Camillus Nnaji

18 e com

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

tuesday, MAY 20, 2014

Genital Mutilation

Sanctity

Tuesday, M

Banker disappears a rendezvous with girl Juliana Francis

29-year-old employee of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr Chukwuemeka Aloysius Nwachukwu, has ‘disappeared’ after going to withdraw money from an ATM. On May 4, Chukwuemeka left his family residence at Ojota, telling his younger sister, Chioma Nwachukwu, that he was going to an ATM to withdraw some money at one of the banks at Ojota. The frantic mother, Mrs Monica Nwachukwu, who travelled to the village when the victim went missing, rushed back and went to Ogundu Police Station, where Chioma had earlier reported the case. The woman was allegedly asked to cough up N20,000 before investigation could commence.

Nwachukwu

The police Tobechukwu at Iyana-Ipaj reportedly se When the was becomin the Network (NOPRIN Fou The Natio Mr Okechuk that on the fa called his mo lage in Imo S belonging to a student of Awka, Anam Lagos for an i Chukwuem Tobechukwu called and in rived Ojota o Lagos. They a ta, which he d to Ugochukw On May 6, that she had left the house on May 4. Nwangum lowing her m went and rep brother at Og The policem around other he had been a them. She we stations inclu but could not

Royal endorsement for Ambode / PAGE 16 | Gathering storm against Ajimobi over LG / PAGE 17

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ayodele Ojo

Deputy Editor, politics

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Second term governors draw battle line with senators

p-14, 15

TUESday, May 20, 2014

Jonathan

Visionary leadership is the principal element that ensures government serves as a vehicle for the attainment of the socio-economic aspirations of the citizens, but dearth of such in Nigeria has prompted calls for a review of the country’s leadership recruitment process ahead of the 2015 general elections, FELIX NWANERI reports

f there is one major challenge that has faced Nigeria in more than half a century of her existence as an independent nation, it is incompetent leadership. The leadership deficit that assails Africa’s most populous country is so legendary that from all indications, the nation has continued to lag behind in an emerging world order that emphasises clear-headed and able leadership. With a few exceptions, Nigeria has been struck by a string of incompetent leaders at the various levels of governance, and who are gradually running the country aground, while “less endowed” nations that got independence the same time with it, have continued to make appreciable progress. Little wonder, literary giant, Prof. Chinua Achebe in his book “The Trouble with Nigeria,” posited: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character… The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.” While officials of successive govern-

Shagari

Obasanjo

Nigeria’s faulty leadership recruitment process ments never stopped lampooning Achebe until his demise last year, for holding such view and what they termed his hard stance on some national issues, there is no doubt that the leadership question, which he raised way back in 1984, when the book was published, is yet to be addressed. To most analysts, Nigeria’s problem has never been paucity of funds and resources, but lack of political will to do the right thing. This, they said, explains why the country has stagnated in almost all facets of national life, as it takes commitment and focus on the part of a leader to deliver good governance. According to the analysts, a critical

look at countries that have made progress showed that they enjoyed visionary leadership at different points in their history. In Nigeria’s case, they put the blame on the process of emergence of its leaders. Pitiable start persists There is apparently no Nigerian past Head of State since independence, whose circumstances of ascension to the throne showed that he was prepared for the Herculean task of leadership. In the First Republic, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, emerged as leader of government business in the First Republic parliament, courtesy of an arrange-

CROSSFIRE

The useless Obas in Yorubaland who will sell out, we know them and it is not yet time to mention names... The good Obas in Yorubaland, who are forthright, firm and stand by the truth are not up to five, they are just three. Oba Awujale, Oba Akiolu and another

– Bola Tinubu

Only someone without history will open his mouth to castigate our Obas, who are the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition... traditional rulers in Ekiti State are not useless and we take serious exception to any individual or group rubbishing our revered Obas

-Ayodele Fayose

ment that he should hold forth for the Sardauna of Sokoto (Sir Ahmadu Bello) as Prime Minister in Lagos. Six years after, the five army majors led by the late Chukwuma Nzeogwu who drew the blueprint for the first military coup that sacked the First Republic, ended up in jail, while Major Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi became the surprise beneficiary of the mutiny. Ironsi was still grappling with the challenges of the bad blood generated by the coup when a counter-coup claimed his life, just six months after he assumed office and Gen. Yakubu Gowon (then a Lt. Colonel), who was not actively involved in events until that point, was named Head of State. The leader of the counter-coup who later succeeded Gowon was Gen. Murtala Mohammed. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, who took over from Mohammed after his assassination in 1976, was equally unprepared for the job at the time, and he gave very graphic details of his lack of readiness in his book “Not My Will.” It was the same story when he emerged as a civilian president in 1999. He was barely out of prison over an alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the then regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha, when he was “conscripted” by the likes of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida for the 1999 presidential election. But unlike in his first coming, Obasanjo demonstrated that he learnt some leadership lessons after he stepped down as a military ruler, given the way he ran state affairs between 1999 and 2007, he was in office under a demoCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

14 POLITICS Like in previous elections, 2015 will witness another set of former governors taking a shot at the Senate. This will ultimately put paid to the reelection bid of some incumbent senators. CHUKWU DAVID brings to the fore some of these state governors and explores if the incumbent senators will either voluntarily surrender their mandates or resist the governors by going to the polls against them in the next general elections.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Second term governors

Akpabio

Imoke

Chime

Suswam

Etok

Ndoma-Egba

Ekweremadu

Gemade

t is interesting and remarkable to note that since the country’s return to democracy in 1999, the hallowed chambers of the Senate has been reputable for attracting very senior citizens from across the country. Former military administrators, governors and ministers, top political leaders, at one point or another have come to the Senate. However, the evolving trend in Nigerian politics and political development today is that most governors, after completing the maximum two terms as provided by the constitution, want to continue their political career in the Senate. In order to achieve this seeming selfish objective, most times, the governors do everything possible to dislodge the incumbent senators, who might not be willing to surrender their unlimited opportunity to return to parliament to anybody. This has, however, attracted a lot of criticism from the various sections of the public. Currently, the development is generating serious tension in the states where such situation exists. It is believed that the state chief executives capitalise on their power of incumbency to wangle their way to the exalted legislative office. For instance, 11 erstwhile governors are currently in the 7th Senate. Certainly, it will increase come 2015, as it did after the 2003 and 2007 elections. Godswill Akpabio He is the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. He was first elected governor in 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Not quite long ago, Akpabio, like some of his second term governor colleagues, who are seeking transition from Government House to the Senate, while speaking on a live television programme, confirmed his touted ambition to contest for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District when his tenure as governor elapses in 2015. His ambition has since pitched him against Senator Aloysius Etok currently representing the senatorial district. Etok has vowed never to relinquish power to the governor. He said though Akpabio has an advantage of coming from a dominant ethnic group, with more local government areas in the state, he has always expressed confidence that he would still defeat the governor in the poll. Nigerians are watching how the politics will eventually play out. By virtue of his performance since the inception of his administration in 2007, Akpabio has surpassed expectation through his Uncommon Transformation Agenda. And based on his grip of the party’s structure and performance in office, Akpabio has nothing to fear about his senatorial ambition. Definitely, he will defeat Etok at Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries. And if he crosses to another party, there is no saving grace as the governor has all it takes to defeat the incumbent senator if he goes ahead

to contest the main election against the governor. Liyel Imoke The Senate is not new to Imoke. He was in the hallowed chamber between 1999 and 2003 before his appointment as Minister of Power in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Though he has not come out to make any categorical statement on whether or not he would contest for Senate, reports have been making the rounds that he is interested in the legislative office, but does not want to make noise about it until time is ripe for him to declare. If the speculation is true, it means that he will wrest the seat from the incumbent Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, who represents Cross River Central Senatorial District. Ndoma-Egba was first elected to the Senate in 2003, and since then no other politician from his zone has been able to displace him. It is therefore, going to be a titanic battle between him and Imoke, if none is willing to surrender to the other. However, one cannot rule out the advantage of incumbency on the side of the governor over the Senate Leader. But looking at the where politics goes in Nigeria, taking into cognizance that fact that majority support comes from the grassroots level, Imoke will certainly determine the direction of the political pendulum in the state come 2015. So, if he wants to make a return to the Senate, Ndoma-Egba may not be able to stop him. Emmanuel Uduaghan A medical doctor by training, Governor Uduaghan will conclude his stewardship as the governor of Delta State in 2015. Despite that Delta has an array of political heavyweights, who shape the political affairs of the state, the governor still has control and determines who gets what in the political equation of the coastal state. Just like others, sources close to him said that he is interested in the Delta South Senatorial seat, which

State

Senatorial District Serving Senator

Governor

Likely Winner

Akwa Ibom

North-West

Aloysius Etok

Godswill Akpabio

Akpabio has an edge

Cross River

Central

Victor Ndoma-Egba

Liyel Imoke

Ndoma-Egba may not be able to stop Imoke

Delta

South

James Manager

Emmanuel Uduaghan

Uduaghan has an edge

Enugu

West

Ike Ekweremadu

Sullivan Chime

It will be a stiff contest

Ebonyi

Central

Paulinus Nwagu

Martin Elechi

Elechi, as Nwagu opts for governorship

Abia

Central

Nkechi Nwogu

Theodore Orji

Orji, as Nwogu opts for governorship

Benue

North-East

Barnabas Gemade

Gabriel Suswam

Odds favour Suswam

Niger

East

Dahiru Awaisu Kuta

Babangida Aliyu

Aliyu has an edge

Kebbi

North

Isa Galaudu

Usman Saidu Dakingari

Not yet clear

Sokoto

North

Ahmed Muhammad Maccido

Aliyu Wamakko

Wammako may subdue Maccido

Kano

Central

Basheer Garba Lado

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Kwankwaso has an edge

Katsina

Central

Abubakar Yar’Adua

Ibrahim Shema

Shema stands a better chance

Bauchi

South

Adamu Ibrahim Gumba

Isa Yuguda

Yuguda will have to work very hard

is currently being occupied by Senator James Manager. It is most likely that Manager will not fight him in the senatorial election. Since 1999, Uduaghan has been actively involved in Delta politics and he is not ready to take the back seat in 2015. He served under Governor James Ibori as the Commissioner for Health and later became Secretary to the State Government (SSG). A strong party loyalist and pro-system politician, Uduaghan has a harmonious relationship with Manager. This, perhaps is the reason they would not fight each other at the senatorial poll. For Uduaghan, his senatorial ambition is not under any threat in 2015. Sullivan Chime Chime took over the mantle of leadership as the executive governor of Enugu State in 2007. He is from Udi community in Enugu West Senatorial District, which Ike Ekweremadu represents in the Senate. His interest in coming to the Senate is no longer a speculation. This means that he is going to have a very tough battle with the Deputy President of the Senate, who is also said to be warming up to return to the Senate in 2015. It was initially alleged that Ekweremadu would be going for the governorship of Enugu. But of recent, it was gathered that the man is not interested in governing the state at least for now. Not until recently, when truce was said to have been made between them through the efforts of patriotic citizens of the state. There had been a subtle warfare between the two political titans. Although the acri-

mony has subsided, according to sources, none of them has shifted ground from the senatorial ambition. Analysts are of the opinion that Ekweremadu is not interested in the governorship position because the incumbent governor has made up his mind to rotate the office to Nsukka Zone, which is different from Ekweremadu’s. However, since power is not given but taken, people are watching to see how it is going to play out. But it will definitely be a stiff contest. The only advantage in Chime’s favour is that he has performed as a governor and is in control of the PDP structures in the state. The governor has told Ekweremadu and his likes, who have spent two or more terms in the National Assembly to forget re-election in 2015. Martin Elechi He is the second executive governor of Ebonyi State, after inheriting the number one office from Dr. Sam Egwu, who actually paved the way for the septuagenarian to have an easy ride into the Government House in Abakaliki. As one of the founding fathers of the state, Elechi is a retired bureaucrat and experienced politician, having been part of the government of the then Eastern region. Though Elechi has not publicly proclaimed his ambition to come to the Senate, some of those who work in his cabinet and some other citizens of Ebonyi say that his body language betrays his interest in the Ebonyi Central Senatorial seat come 2015. If the speculation becomes a reality, then it means that the incumbent Senator, Paulinus Nwagu, who represents the district will give way for Elechi.

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

draw battle line with senators

opposition party of recent, it is speculated that Kwankwaso has started having a change of mind and directing his attention to the Senate, which has become a place of refuge for ex-governors. According to pundits, consequent upon this development, the incumbent Senator Basheer Garba Lado, who represents Kano Central has since parted ways with the governor, which explains why Lado did not defect to the APC with the governor. Kwankwaso is popular in Kano and Lado seems not to be a threat to him.

Orji

Wamakko

Yuguda

Elechi

Nwogu

Macido

Gumba

Nwagu

However, one of the aides of Nwagu said that the senator is being packaged for Ebonyi Government House in 2015; even though such ambition is contrary to the zoning arrangement in the state. In the state, Ebonyi North has produced governor in the person of Dr. Sam Egwu, who ruled for eight years. Then the incumbent governor is from Ebonyi Central. By the unwritten agreement operating in the state, it should be the turn of Ebonyi South to produce the next governor after Elechi. The youth in the state have endorsed the governor for the senatorial election. And with Nwagu’s eyes on the governorship, there is less stress for Elechi. Theodore Orji Popularly known as Ochendo, Theodore Orji’s desire to come to the Senate after his tenure as governor in 2015 was widely speculated. But it is no longer a mere speculation as he recently declared his intention to run for the Senate at a civic reception held by the people of Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano local government areas of Abia State. He hinged his intention to contest on the need to listen to his people’s call for him to represent them in the Upper Chamber. Indicating his intension, he said: “For some time now, there has been so much pressure coming from different groups, communities, individuals and organisations that I should run for the Senate. Since this is coming from my people, I have no choice than to accept the demand.” Those who are conversant with his performance in the last seven years in Abia State attest that he scored a pass mark in the area of provision of social amenities and infrastructural facilities in the state. If he is serious to come to the Senate, then he will take over from Senator Nkechi Nwogu, who is currently representing Abia Central Senatorial District. Nwogu has already declared her intension to run for the governorship of the state. Implicitly, there won’t be confrontation between Orji and Nwogu for the PDP ticket. The governor would have to battle other senatorial candidates of other less visible political parties in the

from returning to the Senate. How he surmounts Aliyu’s onslaught remains uncertain. state for the seat. Gabriel Suswam From the unfolding scenario in Benue politics, Suswam and the former PDP national chairman, Senator Barnabas Gemade are already at loggerheads with each other because Suswam, who was in the House of Representatives from 1999-2007 before he became governor has made a public proclamation concerning his intention to run for the Benue NorthEast Senatorial seat when his tenure elapses next year. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Cletus Akwaya, was recently reported to have confirmed Suswam’s ambition. According to him, it was the people of the zone who are prevailing on the governor to go to the Senate. He further assured that even if Gemade decides to run against Suswam, it would not be a clash because they would present themselves to the party members for election. With the party structure in the governor’s hand, Gemade would have to rely on mother luck to defeat Suswam in the PDP primaries. The only way out of the impeding political battle is voluntary withdrawal of either Suswam or Gemade from the race. As it is, the odds favour Suswam. Babangida Aliyu With a bleak presidential ambition in 2015 on the platform of the PDP, Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu is interested in extending his political career to the Red Chamber in 2015. This, according to speculation, has not gone down well with Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta representing Niger East Senatorial District. Therefore, the two political opponents are not having the best of times. Kuta, in one of his recent interviews with the media, had argued that the Senate was not a retirement place for ex-governors. When Aliyu joined the defunct ‘new PDP’, Kuta did not go with him. Kuta also stressed that he was a founding member of the PDP and nobody will stop him

Usman Saidu Dakingari The governor of Kebbi State is also a second timer. It is also believed that he is in the race for the Senate next year. One thing that is common amongst the senators is that, apart from those who on their own chose not to return to the Senate, like those who want to go for the governorship, all others whose seats are being contested by their governors are always unhappy with the development. Consequently, Dakingari’s ambition would have definitely pitched him against Senator Isa Galaudu, who represents Kebbi North in the Senate. However, Galaudu, clearing the air on the issue when accosted by some journalists recently, said that it would not be fair for him to comment on the matter now since it is based on speculation. Aliyu Wamakko There is already a prevailing battle between Governor Aliyu Wamakko and Senator Ahmad Muhammad Maccido as a result of the speculation that the governor has ambition to take over Maccido’s seat. Maccido who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, interestingly, is the only senator from Sokoto State who did not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a recent media chat with journalists in Abuja, Maccido reiterated that he represents the Sultanate in the Senate, an institution, he says, has been in existence for more than 200 years, which the governor cannot sweep aside. Maccido will surely get the PDP ticket while Wamakko will fly the APC’s flag in the 2015 senatorial election. But given the political weight of Wamakko, he may subdue Maccido. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso Governor Kwankwaso’s ultimate goal is the presidency in 2015. For some time now, the Kano State governor was being positioned to run for the presidency on the platform of the APC. But with the uncertainty that beclouds the frontline

Ibrahim Shema Initially, nothing was said about Shema, the governor of Katsina State with respect to 2015 senatorial ambition. However, of late, just like the band wagon effect is catching other second term governors, it is already being speculated that he is eyeing the Upper Chamber. This means that he will go to the battlefield against Senator Abubakar Yar’Adua, who represents Katsina Central Senatorial District. No doubt, Shema would get the PDP ticket, but his contention has to do with the APC, which is popular in his state because of former military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari. Although the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the legacy parties that formed the APC, won the three senatorial seats in the state in 2011, but with Shema’s interest, the game will be different. The governor stands a better chance given the crisis rocking the opposition party over the National Assembly seats in the state; the case over the 2011 election is still at the Supreme Court. Isa Yuguda In Bauchi, there are also strong indications that Governor Yuguda might want to run for the Senate after eight years as governor. However, he cannot come to the Senate without displacing the incumbent Senator Adamu Ibrahim Gumba, who is currently representing Bauchi South Senatorial District in the Red Chamber. While Yuguda may get the PDP ticket, his major headache will be the opposition who are more rooted in Bauchi than the PDP. The saving grace for Yuguda’s re-election in 2011 was the polarisation of the CPC, which won the presidential election in the state. Yuguda would have to work very hard to realise his senatorial ambition. Murtala Nyako Just as many former retired military generals and other senior citizens of the country have resorted to the hallowed chamber of the Senate, Nyako, who was one-time Chief of Naval Staff would have no option than to bulldoze his way to the Senate as he concludes his tenure in 2015. However, the crisis in the North-East, resulting in a state of emergency being imposed in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states is a limiting factor because it is not certain that elections will hold in the affected states. Despite the political situation in the area, it is still being speculated that Nyako is highly interested in the Senate, and will work it out in 2015. Ibrahim Idris The former governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris is another politician that has concluded plans to come to the Senate in 2015. He is going to fight it out with Senator Atai Aidoko Ali, who represents Kogi East Senatorial District in the Senate. The raging battle has already begun because it is said that the serving senator is not willing to surrender to Idris on a platter of gold on the platform of the PDP. However, Idris is said not to be threatened by the challenge of the senator. Idris, according to sources, is relying on his wealth and the political structure he built, which is still being sustained by the incumbent governor, Idris Wada, to stop Aidoko.

16 POLITICS TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE writes on the recent endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode by Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu as Governor Babatunde Fashola’s successor

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Royal endorsement for Ambode

o one saw it coming, not even politicians, captains of industry, and top echelon of the civil service present at the book launch, but the highly revered Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, dropped the bombshell: he endorsed a former Lagos State Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Finance, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, as the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 governorship election. The validation, without any iota of doubt, has thrown a new dimension into the scramble to succeed the incumbent governor, Babatunde Fashola. Last Thursday at the Civic Centre, Lagos during the public presentation of Ambode’s biography: The Art of Selfless Service, written by Marina Osoba, Oba Akiolu publicly endorsed Ambode as the next Lagos State governor. The monarch said the choice of the former Permanent Secretary is the “choice of God and the people,” warning that Lagos elders and traditional rulers will not support a nonindigene to become governor in the state. Ambode, a Chartered Accountant and public finance management expert with 27 years distinguished career in the Lagos State Civil Service, is one of the APC governorship aspirants, whose popularity in the last few days has been a topic of most political discussions in the state, with speculations that he is the choice of the ‘oracle’ that domiciled in Bourdillion – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu – to succeed Fashola. Though last Thursday’s event was the presentation of a book, the ceremony eventually turned into an endorsement arena. As it is, the position of the Lagos monarch has steered the hornet’s nest in Lagos politics. In his endorsement mantra, Akiolu said no amount of pressure within the camp of some leaders of the APC or any other opposition can stop Ambode from becoming the next Lagos State governor. His words: “A political party is entitled to meet and take a decision on who will be governor. But, in my capacity and in accordance with the wish of God and the elders around, I will make my position clear on this matter. The elders have been meeting and many traditional rulers and elders 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. I have not for once gone out of my way without giving due respect to whom it is due. We review things regularly. My father, Senator Fashinro, who will be 95 in September, and Dr. Adeniyi Coker, who will be 89 on his next birthday, usually come to my palace. The elders have said that Ambode should be the next governor of Lagos State. “Don’t misquote me, other aspirants are entitled to aspire for the governorship, but as for me, I will never allow the son of a traditional ruler from Ewekoro (Ogun State) to come and be governor in Lagos. But all things are in the hand of God Almighty. Those of you that are annoyed, you should be patient. He (Ambode) is not from Ilaje. He is a Lagosian and he will be governor. 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 him to defeat all his opponents.” In what seemed like a royal blessing, Akiolu prayed that God should continue to endow Ambode with wisdom so that

Akiolu

Ambode

he can triumph over his rivals. “God will help you. You will triumph. God will give you wisdom. Nobody can predict any human being, until he finds himself in a position of authority. God will stand by you. The alfas and bishops will stand by you. Whoever gangs up against you will not triumph over you. Before I became the Oba of Lagos, many things were said against me. In respect of my son, Fashola, you can see the level of his achievement in Lagos. You will surpass his achievements. “When 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 the governor…. Those who are opposing Ambode are deceiving themselves; he will become the next governor of Lagos State,” the Oba of Lagos declared. Apart from Akiolu, several speakers at the event also tactically endorsed Ambode for 2015 by extolling the virtues of the former Accountant-General, describing him as the best man for the Lagos

governorship in 2015. While the endorsement was well celebrated and accepted by a section of APC folks within the venue, a barrage of knocks was already waiting for the Lagos monarch outside the pavilion for publicly pitching his tent behind a particular aspirant. Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement

Ambode is not from Ilaje. He is a Lagosian and he will be governor. 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 him to defeat all his opponents

by its spokesman, Taofik Gani, described Oba Akiolu’s pronouncement as unfortunate and an attempt to support the wish of the former governor of the state, Tinubu. It, therefore, advised the monarch to apologise to the people of Lagos and publicly retract the endorsement of Ambode within seven days. “Now that Oba Akiolu has openly manifested his partisanship and favouritism for a party and an aspirant, we have no choice but to call him to order. The monarch’s action is regrettable and very unbecoming of a traditional ruler who is expected to be a father of all. His decision to openly descend into the murky waters of partisan politics has unequivocally confirmed him as not fit and proper to be a ruler, or Oba of Lagos,” said Lagos PDP. In the same vein, a political group, the Visioners for New Lagos (VFNL), in a statement by its leader, Mr. Bambo Akin-Johnson, said the Lagos monarch did not have the kind of powers he arrogated to himself but merely relishing in grand illusion. “If Akiolu could stoop so low as to jettisoning every known decency and honour attributable to monarchical institutions, then he should be ready to live with the consequences of his actions. The monarch has clearly out-stepped his bounds; he has bitten more than he can chew and has taken more than he really can contain. He has stepped on the sensibilities of the electorate by usurping their rights to choose through their votes, their choice governor. “If Akiolu wants to play politics, he should take off his royal robe and prepare for a dog fight by stepping on the arena? To think it is part of his role as a traditional ruler to determine the choice of a democratic governor because he and his business partner want to appropriate the state is a dream that will never be realised, not in 2015 or thereafter. It is particularly shameful that a Lagos Oba of his level would come down to such a level to run errands for phantom elders all in the name of economic survival,” the group stated. Irrespective of the position of Lagos PDP and VFNL on the endorsement, APC chieftain and former Lagos State chapter Vice Chairman (West) of Action Congress (AC) Alhaji Fatai Oyewuwo told New Telegraph that the monarch’s endorsement is not out of place, nothing that democracy allows an individual to express his opinion. His words: “What he did is not out of place. I am telling you that contribution from any monarch or any other institutions is not final. He is entitled to his own opinion. I don’t see Akin Ambode as a bad aspirant and if he eventually emerges as the candidate, no problem. Ambode is a good candidate and as far as I know, if he emerges, he will be a good candidate going through his background.” Oyewuwo also noted that irrespective of the endorsement, APC will use its best in 2015. “We are looking for someone who will measure up or at least beat the records of the existing incumbent governor,” he said. Clearly, Ambode’s royal endorsement is going to have implication on the battle for 2015 Lagos State governorship. Considering the closeness of Oba of Lagos to Tinubu, many people believe that the monarch’s position may be the true reflection of the kingmakers in Lagos politics and this seems to be why there is jitters in some quarters over the endorsement. To many political observers, considering the array of aspirants in the governorship race, it is too early for any aspirant to be endorsed. Some people are also of the view that the early endorsement of Ambode by Akiolu may jeopardise the chances of the former AccountantGeneral at the poll. Will Ambode become the next governor of Lagos State in 2015? The answer lies in the hands of the electorate.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Gathering storm against Ajimobi over LG The removal and appointment of chairmen of local government caretaker committees in Oyo State is causing disaffection among members of the state ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Sola Adeyemo reports that the amicable resolution of the crisis, or otherwise, has the potential of affecting the fortunes of the party in the 2015 elections

he three-year tenure of the caretaker chairmen in the 33 local councils of Oyo State expired on Friday, May 9, 2014. The retention of 25 of the council chairmen and the removal of eight others is already causing discontent among party members in the state. With the 2015 elections around the corner, analysts posit that this development has the potential to affect the fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Because of the legal bottlenecks occasioned by political manoeuverings of the last two administrations, many of the council chairmen had their three months tenure renewed for three times, while another six months renewal was for four times. But some of the Accord Party (AP) members that initially went into gentleman’s agreement with APC were later removed and replaced with candidates of the ruling party when the political relationship between Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of the state and leader of AP, went sour. Ajimobi in adherence to the law, sacked all the chairmen penultimate Friday, and sent another list to the State House of Assembly for approval of another three months. Twenty-five of the sacked chairmen still made the new list, while the remaining eight were fresh candidates. The eight newly appointed chairmen are: Mr. Ope Salami, Akinyele Local Government; Oyeleke Simon, Ogo Oluwa LG; Hon. Lord Balogun, Orelope LG; Adekunle Bankole, Orire LG; Kayode Obisesan, Egbeda LG; Ladi Oluokun, Ibadan North East; Yinusa Gbadamosi, Saki West and Aworinde Lasisi,Surulere Local Government. No sooner had the House under the leadership of Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu gave express approval to the list, than some people rose in protest of the retention of some of the old council helmsmen. While some from the four local councils in Oyo town in their hundreds, besieged the Agodi Government Secretariat last Monday, others from Ogbomoso joined them, complaining that the returned chairmen fell short of their duties to their communities. The protesters from the five local governments included: Oyo West, Oyo East, Atiba, Afijio and those from Ogbomoso. Oyo protesters were led by Alhaji Bisiriyu Isiaka Ajisope while Fola Anifaloba led those from Ogbomoso. In their separate presentations, they complained that the state government and the state House of Assembly had not responded to their pleas, made known to the government and the political leadership in the state. Ajisope said that Oyo people were against the imposition of the caretaker chairmen on them for another new term, stressing that: “We oppose the imposition of these people – Prince

Ajimobi

Ajimobi said that there was no way everybody would be satisfied with the appointment and removal of the caretaker chairmen, explaining that he had no grudge against those who were removed Akeem Adeyemi (Alaafin’s son), Timothy Ogunkunle, Adekunle Muktar Adegboye and Ojoawo Adesoji in all the four local governments in Oyo again. They have refused to relate with us. We never enjoyed dividends of democracy under their reign,” he said. In their separate protests, some leaders of the party in Ibarapa Central Local Government also expressed displeasure over the return of Mr. Bola Olawoore as the caretaker chairman. The leaders in separate interviews with newsmen claimed that the return of the council boss was against an earlier agreement that the caretaker chairman and the party chairman must not emerge from the same ward. They threatened to dump the party for another if their earlier agreement on position sharing was not respected. According to Mr. Najeem Fasasi, the APC Secretary in the council, “The new party chairman, Mr. Babatunde David and Mr. Bola Olawoore are from the same ward 2 in Idere town. If party agreement cannot be respected, then the party would have risked its chances in the future elections,” he said. Mr. Fagbemiro Ayinde, the party’s organising secretary, also said that all was not well with the party in Ibarapa Central APC, adding that it was not too late to correct the anomalies. His words: “I am part of the agreement as the organising secretary and it was stated that the two positions cannot come from the same ward.” Discountenancing allegations against his choice by some leaders of the party in the Ibarapa zone, the returned council chairman, David, however said that there was no such agreement, adding that all wards benefitted from the political positions. “I wonder where such agreement emanated from. The agitation was baseless and a cheap blackmail to get me out of office at all cost,” he said.

Alaafin

Reacting to the protest by the aggrieved Oyo residents, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Sunmonu, who is herself an indigene of Oyo, said the Assembly and the executive considered all meaningful reasons before coming up with the new approval of new term for the transition committee. She, however, agreed that the protest was a normal way of expressing one’s feeling, politically. But she appealed to the protesters that all interests would be taken care of politically and evenly. Similarly, Chief Alake Adeyemo, deputy governor who stood in for Ajimobi, thanked the protesters for making their grievances known to the government in “a polite and peaceful manner.” He promised to deliver their message to the governor. The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, had in a recent statement attributed the delay in the conduct of local government election in the state to legal, rather than political considerations. According to him, the legal constraints, which hindered the constitution of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), have made the conduct of the local government elections to be put in abeyance until a competent court of law pronounces on the matter. “It is obvious that the state government is confronted with two sets of judgments from the High Court of the state, with each of the judgements validating the appointment of the claimants before each of the court and also with the earlier judgement declaring as nullity the appointment of the latter OYSIEC men of Otunba Alao-Akala,” he said. Adebayo said it will certainly amount to contempt of court for the state government to urge the state House of Assembly to proceed with the screening and clearance of chairman and members of OYSIEC already forwarded to the House of Assembly by Governor Ajimobi, in view of the court judgements. He said that the state government therefore chose the path of honour and constitutionalism by subjecting the latter judgement to the Court of Appeal for determination, while the state also settled all the entitlements of the OYSIEC men of 2003 to 2008. The Attorney General said that the appeal on the case was yet to be heard by the Court of Appeal, Ibadan where it was lodged.

Nevertheless, Ajimobi had appealed to the aggrieved party members who were against the choice of some caretaker chairmen, saying that the protest was normal, but that they should appreciate the spirit of give and take being enshrined in the party. He appealed for the understanding of the aggrieved APC members while addressing groups of party faithful who thronged his office from various local governments across the state. Ajimobi said that there was no way everybody would be satisfied with the appointment and removal of the caretaker chairmen, explaining that he had no grudge against those who were removed from office. He said that his action was aimed at giving others chance to serve at the local government level. The governor further stated that his administration and the party had been very fair in the choice of the caretaker committee chairmen, stressing that the development was the outcome of wide consultations within the party hierarchy. “APC is a party that has done so well for the masses. If you see people complaining, they are either political opponents or selfish individuals. Otherwise, we have tried and we have done well as a party.” Ajimobi explained that none of the caretaker committee chairmen had spent less than two years in office, pointing out that they were retained because of the pending court case and the understanding currently reigning within the party. The governor also seized the opportunity to thank the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwole Adeyemi III for his support and cooperation with his administration, saying that there was no rift between him and the monarch. As it is, it is unlikely that the eight sacked caretaker chairmen will be committed towards working for the success of the party in future elections. Analysts believe that some of these politicians are likely to switch camp to other parties in the state along with their supporters. Depending on how the APC manages the situation, the result could either make or break the chance of the party winning the 2015 election. If the aggrieved members that protested the alleged imposition are not appeased, they are likely to defect to an opposition party and diminish the chances of the APC. Should the party win the hearts of the aggrieved members and the appointed chairmen are allowed unfettered chance to administer, cohesion of the party could work wonders for it in the 2015 elections.

18 POLITICS CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

cratic setting. For Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the first executive president of Nigeria, he only wanted a seat in the Senate before he was drafted to run for the presidency in 1979. What later became of his government, especially his inability to control some ministers in his cabinet proved that he was ill-prepared for the job. The same goes for late President Umar Yar‘Adua and his then deputy, and now president, Goodluck Jonathan, who many believed were handpicked in 2007 by the then President Obasanjo. While Yar’Adua never showed interest in the presidency until he was drafted into the race by Obasanjo, Jonathan was set to contest the governorship election of his home state – Bayelsa before he was equally picked as Yar’Adua’s running mate. And as fate would have it, Jonathan became president three years into their four-year tenure following Yar’Adua’s death in May 2010. Expectedly, he (President Jonathan) presented himself for re-election in 2011. He was so popular in the build-up to that election that he got a pan Nigeria mandate. But the euphoria, which heralded his victory was soon to go down over what some Nigerians, particularly members of the opposition political parties termed his “government’s lack of vision.” Such claim has prompted some stakeholders to thumb-down the country’s leadership recruitment process, saying it has not produced the headship needed by the nation in an emerging world order that emphasises clear-headed and able leadership. Auto-pilot theory Main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has continually put the Jonathan administration on its toes, recently reviewed the state of the nation and came up with the position that the nation has been on autopilot since the inception of the present administration even without the Boko Haram crisis. “Even without the Boko Haram crisis, the nation ran itself as if on auto-pilot. The Jonathan administration did little and depended on the ingenuity of the Nigerian people to fend for themselves and cover up governmental shortcoming,” the party’s chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, said at a press conference. Akande added that the government had failed to contain growing extremism, leaving the country on the rim of crisis. According to him, “a stupendous national disaster beckons. But this current leadership can help avert disaster if they wake up to what true governance is. The time for excuses and half-measures is long past. The well-being of the nation hangs in the balance.” Akande also berated the handling of the abduction of over 200 students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. he said: “First, the administration was in denial, believing the girls were indeed not kidnapped and that the whole abduction story was choreographed to embarrass the President and dim his chances for re-election in 2015, which is the only thing that matters to the President and his party, the PDP, now “In fact, on the same day the girls were abducted, our President was dancing ‘azonto’ at an illegal campaign rally in Kano, not minding that a few hours earlier, 75 innocent citizens were bombed into smithereens under his watch in Abuja! “When the reality dawned on the administration that this was not a fluke, it reacted by doing nothing! It took all of 19 days before President Jonathan made any public statement acknowledging the abductions. That is almost three weeks of lost opportunity to engage in a hot pursuit of the abductors and rescue our girls.” The Presidency, however, dismissed the claim, describing Akande’s comment as dishonest and unpatriotic. Presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, said: “Nigeria is not on auto pilot. There is a

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Nigeria’s faulty leadership recruitment process

Akande

government in place, there is a president who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He is doing his very best to provide quality leadership and to reassure Nigerians that government stands ready always to defend their best interest.” Thumbs-down for recruitment process Visionary and committed leadership is the principal element, which ensures that government serves as a vehicle for the attainment of the socio-economic aspirations of the people. But to some analysts, the less experienced a nation in the practice of democracy, the more it requires qualitative leadership. It is against this backdrop that some stakeholders have persistently called for a review of the country’s leadership recruitment process, as Nigeria’s democratic experience since 1999, when civil rule was restored, has shown that the nation is faced with lots of challenges given its size and complexity. Nigeria ranks among the world’s largest developing nations. It is the most populous nation in Africa, with a population of over 160 million, comprising over 300 ethnic nationalities and a multiplicity of cultural and religious diversities and therefore cannot make do with incompetent leadership. Stakeholders, who spoke on the issue, posited that the forthcoming 2015 elections provide the opportunity for the emergence of a visionary leader who will understand the critical problems of the country, such as poverty and corruption. To Second Republic Presidential Political Adviser, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, the process through which leaders are recruited in Nigeria had always been faulty, and is responsible for poor governance quality currently bedevilling the country. In a memorandum he submitted to the Committee on Restructuring the System of Government at the ongoing National Conference, he identified corruption, godfatherism and imposition as impediments that have made sure the various parties do not put forward their very best for elections. He said: “The presidential system that we operate today is patterned after that of the United States. Political leaders – presidents, governors and members of the congress emerge through an elaborate primary election process, which culminates in the general election. The candidates move from zone to zone to canvas for support and votes from members of their respective parties. Party men, without exception, have a say in who emerges as their flag bearers. That has

Tinubu

The country is crying out for leaders that model integrity, excellence, compassion and responsibility. The vision is to develop ‘no excuse’ leaders of integrity and exceptional organisational skills from both the private and public sectors in Nigeria not been the case in Nigeria.” Leadership not a tea-party Most past Nigerian leaders, no doubt, were railroaded into positions of leadership without any demonstration of ability to comprehend the problems of the nation, however, analysts and stakeholders insist that such should change if the country is to make progress. For instance, Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, who lamented that the nation has consistently gotten it wrong in the process of emergence of its leaders since independence, called for a new order that will make way for visionary leaders. “We have gone past the military era; we are still bedevilled with leadership challenges, aftermath of military interventions with its attendant effect on leadership recruitment in the country. We are now at a point where we need to turn things round with a new generation of leaders and must not allow the old variables to bug us down. “We must therefore, find ways and means to produce legitimate, competent, visionary and skilful leaders in this country. We must take into cognisance that leadership is not a tea-party! No! Leadership requires knowledge, character and principles to engender success, progress, peace and stability,” he said at a public lecture in Lagos, recently. Aliyu added that a country without visionary leaders will be faced with social and economic instability, as leaders with vision inspire citizens and mobilise them for nation building; employ wisdom, foresight, sense of purpose and commitment to galvanise them towards self-actualisation, and propel the national spirit in them. The Nigerian revolution Former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, who also believes that Nigeria cannot continue with the

Yakasai

present arrangement, highlighted failed policies of the present government on power, employment, management of the economy and security as evidence of bad leadership. To Tinubu, who is a national leader of the APC, “leadership and national development are twin engines. You need good leadership to conceive dynamic policies that will drive development at all levels. It is not rocket science, yet we pretend that our path to national development will be different from that of other countries which paid the price for good leadership, dynamic and result-oriented policies.” He added: “Nigeria needs a new leadership that can take bold steps and initiate time-tested policies. The Glorious Nigerian Revolution of which I speak has nothing to do with force of arms. The revolution of which I speak has two major parts. First, is the peaceful conversion of our quasi-democracy into a full-fledged one. Second, is the implementation of policies turning the political economy away from its retrogressive, elitist bearings.” A one-time gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, also agreed that there is need to review the country’s leadership recruitment process. He said: “One of the biggest challenges facing our country today is ineffective leadership. This is so because over the years, our leaders, with the exception of a few, have plundered the trust that they hold for the people that they lead. Nigeria, therefore needs authentic leadership characterised by new perceptions, approaches and behaviours that begin with the individual, expand to the organisation and then extend to the community, the nation and the world, generally. Agbaje added that leadership must be by positive example, saying: “The country is crying out for leaders that model integrity, excellence, compassion and responsibility. The vision is to develop ‘no excuse’ leaders of integrity and exceptional organisational skills from both the private and public sectors in Nigeria and the Diaspora who will perform instead of just pronounce; give expertise and competence instead of title and position; initiate bold developmental programmes instead of seeking handouts; respect and honour our people instead of dictatorship, control and abuse; and, leave legendary positive impact instead of failures and excuses.” While it is indisputable that change is not easy to come by, the forthcoming general elections, however provide ample opportunity for Nigerians to effect the change they desire by electing leaders that will take the nation to the next level irrespective of their political leaning to avoid another era of trading endless blames on why the nation has come to a pathetic leadership crossroad.

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

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

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

TUESday, MAY 20, 2014

The Degree and Diploma dichotomy

he Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, recently declared that the issue of dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Degree holders will soon be resolved as President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Pius Anyim, to address the challenge and other issues related to the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). He added that since the pronouncement in 2005 by the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for improving the career progression of HND holders, which would make their public service career to terminate at the same level with Degree holders, a lot of efforts towards removing the disparity have been made but the efforts have not yielded the expected fruits. It is imperative to point out that HND is obtained from Polytechnics, while Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) is obtained from Universities. However over the years there has been a lot of displeasure expressed by HND holders about how they are treated. They claim that the system has deliberately created an unconstitutional dichotomy which has affected them adversely. Their position is that with such a prevailing attitude, there is an entrenched negative perception of technical education

which is doing the country more harm than good. They have cited various examples of the discrepancies and the consequences. Some of these include: inequality in salary Grade Level (HND:GL 07 and B.Sc :GL 08), security personnel; B.sc (Commissioned), HND (Non-commissioned), promotion; HND (maximum of GL 12), while B.Sc (Unlimited), banking/Financial institutions treat HND holders like slaves and B.Sc holders employed as Administrative staff, while HND holders are kept as cheap staff. Moreover they claim that some of the dangers imposed on organizations and this country at large are: unemployment for HND holders, which has caused some of them to engage in all kinds of vices, such as; assassination, kidnapping, armed robbery, money ritual, etc, nonchalant attitude in place of work, hiding of acquired/inherent ideas that could move organizations and Nigeria higher, hatred among colleagues or comrades, causing each to kill one another through, poison, assassination, charm, etc. as well as candidates now rush and lobby for University admission, thereby killing Nigerian’s technical education which polytechnic mainly offer. Some of these sound absurd but indicate the extent of disenchantment being felt by the HND holders. However, Elder Alwell Abalogu Onukaogu, Rector, Abia State

Polytechnic, Aba, has argued that there is no disparity between B.Sc and HND holders. “What we have are idle minds, minds that are not well equipped, minds that think that the brandishing of certificate is what matters; there is no disparity. The Nigerian Law and Educational Policy are very clear about it. Those who think about disparity are those who think that the eyes must perform the same function as the noses or the fore limbs must perform the same function as the hind limbs. It can never be so. But think of the entire system as a human body, you know that none is superior and none is inferior. So, the idea of thinking about the superiority or inferiority of a B.Sc and HND is something that derived from a negative mind and a mind that is not well informed. “ He went on to explain that the “university graduate is a theorist. He is a designer. He draws the plans, he does the concept, but he cannot bring them into being, but the polytechnic person practicalises. He realizes. He nurtures. That is the difference. The university person designs and leaves it as designed. But until it comes into functionality which is the duty of the polytechnic graduate, it is useless. So, no one can do without the other. Someone has to do the designing.” However simplistic this explanation may sound it provides an important contextual perspective. The government must at this

time look at the reasons for establishing universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Obviously the reasons are not the same, and they are not supposed to address the same needs in the society. Even in Britain, where we copied our educational model from, there are different roles for degree and diploma holders, which the reward system reflects. Besides, the point must be made that, too much emphasis has been placed on certificate acquisition instead of acquiring requisite knowledge that can help in no small measure in the discharge of responsibilities and nation-building. What is the essence of acquiring a certificate that cannot be defended anywhere at any time? Who will cater for the middle level needs of the economy if all polytechnics become universities? This is even at a time when there is a clamour for vocational and entrepreneur education. This is a murky terrain that must be carefully and painstakingly navigated by the government to arrive at a perspicacious conclusion that must be in the overall interest of the country and all parties involved. To properly do this, there is the exigent need for an all-encompassing education summit that would critically look at all the knotty issues involved and reach a decisive decision that will make certificate holders of whatever mode to be more productive and jettison unnecessary trivialities. 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

OPINION Salvaging the Nigerian judiciary Adewale Kupoluyi

he rot in the judiciary appears to be worsening by the day. As a sacred institution that is saddled with the administration of justice, all efforts should be deployed to ensure that the canker-worm called corruption tearing the soul of this important arm of government is uprooted without further delay. Judicial corruption could be a deliberate act or omission that promotes the use of public authority for the private benefit of judges, court personnel and other justice sector officials resulting into improper, unfair delivery of judicial decisions, abuse of court procedures and inappropriate influence on the impartiality of the judicial process. Corruption of judges is nothing but a clear indication of the inability of the various anti-graft agencies to nip the monster in the bud. Corruption may remain in the bench as long as judges found culpable are not given stiff and deserved punishment. Without prejudice, Nigerian judges have been accused of belonging to political parties and associating with controversial social gatherings. This should not be. Judges, by virtue of their noble calling are expected to distance themselves from politicking and flirting with people of questionable character because a corrupt judicial officer could be likened to a malignant growth in the body - which should urgently be expunged from the body - otherwise it will spread fast and contaminate other healthy body organs. To the image of the nation, it could lead to total loss of corporate credibility since the judicature remains the sole custodian of justice, interpreter of the laws, hope of the common man and conscience of the nation. Regrettably, judges with integrity problems are known

to engage in reckless granting of interlocutory injunctions, give reliefs not sought by plaintiffs, grant judgments that have no basis in law and ensuring that important cases remain for years in their courts unattended to. Several examples abound that show the failure of the Nigerian judiciary. Recently, a report by the Economic and Financial Crimes Corruption (EFCC) had alleged that some judges - who were supposed to be above board, were found with illicit fundswhosesourcestheycouldnotconvincinglydefend.Also, anoutspokenandretiredjudgeof theCourtof Appeal,Justice Ayo Salami had lamented that corruption in the judiciary was stilldeep-seatedand‘asorethathasrefusedtoheal’,ashechided someof hisretiredseniorcolleaguesforallegedlyperfectingthe act of bribing serving judges, to pervert the course of justice. Nigerians too will not forget so easily, the dismissals of Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court and Justice T. D. Naronof thePlateauStateJudiciaryforimproperadministration of justice while Justice Shadrach Nwanosike of the Abia State Judiciary was also recommendation for retirement by theNationalJudicialCouncilforanallegedfalsificationwhich ‘invariably affected his retirement age’. The ‘infamous ruling’ byJusticeMarcelAwokunlehinconcerningChief JamesIbori, the Delta State governor between 1999 and 2007 - who was freed of corruptionchargesleveledagainsthimbytheEFCC-inspite of overwhelming evidence against him, was eventually sentenced to a 13-year prison term by a British court for the same offences, is still fresh in our memory. Corruption, by its nature, is attitudinal, social problem and a chronic national disease. As a way out of this quagmire, there is an urgent need to embark on judicial reform involving a multitude of institutions and players in a bid to improving our legal system - the entire legal framework of regulations, constitution, statutes, customary law, international legal obligations, as well as other institutions within the judicial process - to guarantee

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

fair-play, efficiency and the rule of law. To begin with, the way and manner judges are appointed and promoted these days is anything but objective and professional because cherished ideals of integrity, hardwork, competency and good standing appeartohavebeenjettisonedforpoliticalpatronage,nepotism, cronyism, lopsidedness and ethnicity. What is in dire need is that radical, judicial reform that would cut across the entire judicature at the federal and state levels. The most important componentof judicialreformandanti-graftcrusadethatweare talkingaboutistoensuretheindependenceof thejudiciaryby preventing undue influence from the ‘almighty’ executive and the over-bearing legislative branch of government. It appears theanti-corruptionsearch-lighthasbeenbeamedtoomuchon other arms of the government at the neglect of the judiciary. Todate,manySub-SaharanAfricancountriesstillfacejudicial corruption today because of the complex factors that borderedonappointments,promotions,discipline,remuneration and judicial funding. Therefore, there should be adequate pay packet for judges and other court personnel. Poor remuneration invariably leads to poor motivation and commitment of these officials and the resultant likelihood of seeking bribes as an avenue - though condemnable means and quick - of acquiring financial security. Judicial integrity, another weapon against corruption, is seen as the heart and soul of the rule of law. It is necessary to establish clear codes of conduct, ethics, training and education to judicial officers and the increasing judicial effectiveness lies in the automation of court management and the adjudication process through computerization of records that minimizes the incidents of vital documents, rampantmanipulationandimproperinterferencewithhighly confidential legal materials bearing in mind that justice delayed is justice denied. •Kupoluyi, vide, adewalekupoluyi@yahoo.co.uk, Twitter, @AdewaleKupoluyi) writes from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Playing hide and seek with Chibok girls Ikeogu Oke

hatever has been said about allowing the United States to assist in the search for the “274” girls of the Chibok secondary school said to have been “kidnapped” by Boko Haram insurgents, I believe the need to find and rescue the girls should be paramount. So I support the United States’ involvement and the Nigerian government’s acceptance of its offer of assistance. Not to do so would amount to insensitivity to the anguish of the families whose daughters are trapped in the cruel and immoral mess that the “kidnap” saga clearly is. Would those who object to the United States’ involvement (on whatever grounds) do so if the victims were their daughters? As Wole Soyinka has said, let’s rescue the girls first and discuss any other related issues later. The direct involvement of the United States – and the other countries that have reportedly pledged support – is a huge psychological boost to the search for the girls. This is already evident in the change in the rhetoric of some of our powerful politicians from the part of the country where Boko Haram originated, who had made excuses for the activities of group and, without condemning the essential evil of the attendant mass murders and other

violent acts like the recent mass “kidnap” of the schoolgirls, preferred to blame the President Goodluck Jonathan for such activities, and even canvassed for a regional amnesty for the culprits. It is noteworthy that, with the mere mention of the coming of the Americans and their allies, such raucous, chest-thumping posturing in the face of patent evil has reduced considerably or disappeared altogether. And most people, however reluctantly, seems to have rallied under the “Bring Back Our Girls” slogan generated to drive the search for the victims, and raised to a global crescendo by CNN and other cable news networks. But if the American soldiers and their foreign allies succeed in Chibok, where their Nigerian counterparts have seemingly failed, it is not because they are inherently better. The bullet is no respecter of nationality. It is rather because some of us are not likely to show them the politicsand-ethnicity-induced contempt they have for the rest of us, our current government and its institutions, which I believe drove their resistance to or non-cooperation with the government’s effort to combat the Boko Haram menace, making such foreign intervention a necessity. No homebred terror can overcome the strength of a united people. And it is our lack of unity as Nigeri-

ans, not the incapacity of our government or soldiers as some allege, that has made it hard for our forces to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency. However, while we rally under the compelling “Bring Back Our Girls” slogan, we must keep in mind that the rescue effort is still being trailed by a host of unanswered questions as to what really transpired on the night the girls were taken into captivity. Some of the questions amount to wondering if what transpired was a normal kidnap or a staged abduction, with a hint that some powerful interests behind the incident may be playing hide and seek with the Chibok girls to achieve political ends, not least of all the end of portraying President Jonathan as incapable of providing security for our country and thereby undermine his electability should he decide to run in the 2015 elections. From the imponderable logistics of “kidnapping” such a huge number of human beings at once in an operation that seemed too smooth for a state under emergency rule, to the gaping hole that some analysts have identified in the stories of a supposed eyewitness of the incident, to the apparent implausibility of some of the stories told by some of the “victims” and their “parents”, to the near-total obscurity of the identity of the

“victims” and their “families”, questions have issued from sceptics as to what really transpired that night, and what is currently going on. Suffice it to cite the following publications by Fox News (of the United States) and The Punch (of Nigeria), of accounts by Asabe Kwabura, the Principal of Government Secondary School, Chibok, from where the girls were “kidnapped”, to buttress why some people have questioned the credibility of the story of the “kidnapping”. From Fox News: “Kwambura said the students were kidnapped because of a terrible mistake. She said the insurgents arrived after midnight … wearing military fatigues and posing as soldiers ... She said she believed them when they told her that they needed to move the girls for their own safety. So she allowed the extremists posing as soldiers to load the students on to the back of a truck. It was only as the armed men were leaving, and started shooting, that she realised her mistake…” (Source: http:// www.foxnews.com/world/2014/04/17/ fate-115-abducted-girls-unknown-nigeriasays/). • Ikeogu Oke (ikeogu.oke@gmail.com) Tel: +234(0)8034531501

OPINION 21

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

What shall we tell Mr. President? Bunmi Oluyomi

resident Goodluck Ebere Jonathan is no doubt a listening President. Many curious observers and the legion of objective and rabid critics of his administration would readily score him high on his listening skills, especially when compared with some occupants of the exalted position of President and Commander-in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces in recent times. Whether President Jonathan’s ability to listen could match his ability to deliver on promises is however open to debate. Many times the President has demonstrated his ability to listen as well as his openness to discussion and consultations to the consternation of many. Some critics even argue that his penchant for wide consultations on knotty national issues account majorly for his seeming and sometimes apparent inaction when it matter most. This, they point out is responsible for his slow pace of delivery- a development which has made many Nigerians become impatient with the President. The President, I fear may likely be treated to this avalanche of criticism when he arrives Ekiti State this week. Whereas the President would be coming to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital to flag off the electioneering campaign of his party-the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ekiti people surely have a dozen questions for the President which they would demand answers for. Already the planned visit of the President, and the concomitant promises and deliverables have dominated major group discussions at vendors stands, drinking joints, market place and even on campuses, where both the well informed and barely-informed citizens take time to review what the “GEJ years” portends for Ekiti and Ekitis and what questions to ask or cause others to ask the President. President Jonathan’s Thursday visit will be his second to Ekiti State since he was inaugurated President

and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces on May 29, 2011. The state has yet to witness a state (working) visit by the President. His first visit in October 2013 was a private one- to witness activities marking the first convocation ceremony of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. Even though there were plans for him to visit the Federal Polytechnics, Ado-Ekiti, which is a walking distance from ABUAD, the President departed Ekiti shortly after the ABUAD event. As short as the ABUAD visit was, it was remarkable for Ekiti and Ekitis because it afforded the citizens the opportunity to raise some posers for the President. This they did through the speech delivered by the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi at the event. The speech which was greeted by a thunderous applause by those present at the event which was broadcast live on NTA, bordered on the apparent neglect of Ekiti State by the Federal Government. Governor Fayemi, catching in on the President’s presence in the state capital, had carefully pointed out instances of glaring neglect and short change of the state by the Federal Government for the President’s consideration. The Governor’s speech which many saw as an abridged score card of the Jonathan’s administration on Ekiti matter was re-echoed in different fora by well meaning Ekiti elders, youth, artisans, workers as well as its cream of professionals and academic. Some important take away from Governor Fayemi’s list to the President include the need for the President’s urgent intervention in fixing some federal roads in the state and the need to reimburse the state government the billion naira it has expended on rehabilitation and reconstruction of some federal roads. The Governor pointed out that of the N14.752 billion expended so far on fixing of federal roads in the state, only N2 billion paid to the immediate past administration in the state had been received as reimbursement, thereby complicating the state’s financial situation. The ecological challenge in some parts of the state

was another major point raised by the state government, which had spent over N3 billion to tackle ecological challenges in Ado-Ekiti, Moba, Ikere, Ekiti West and Ijero local government areas and require about N5 billion more to effectively tackle the menace. The failure of the Federal Government to build a federal secretariat in the state, thereby making Ekiti state the only state in the federation without a federal secretariat was also a major poser by the Governor, just as the inability of the planned Ekiti airport to take off because the federal government has yet to make available the budgeted N400 million to match the state’s N300 million counterpart funding for the establishment of the airport project for which a budgetary provision has been made since 2011. Whereas some have argued that airport is not a major priority of the people of Ekiti, yet no one needs the power of clairvoyance to know that the children and “children’ children” of these sceptics would one day land on the Ekiti Airport. Suffice it to say however that if other states have airports built for them by the federal government or through collaborative efforts between the states and the federal authorities, Ekiti should not be an exemption. And Mr President remains the only one that can give the Ekiti people a convincing answer on when the airport would become a reality. As reported in the media however, the President had in his response to Governor Fayemi’s posers at the ABUAD event, directed relevant authorities involved in the various areas of neglect to provide answers (I had thought corresponding action) to the posers raised by the Governor, while promising to look into the matter. Prior to the President’s comments,however, the then Minister of Police Affairs and PDP Chieftain from Ekiti, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade (rtd) had , in an apparent breach of protocol, grabbed the microphone and announced that the Presidency was already attending to most of the posers raised by the Governor. • Bunmi Oluyomi, a journalist and public affairs commentator writes from Ayegbaju Ekiti

Specialisation: Prerequisite for Nigeria’s development Nduwugwe Chimaobi Churchill

watched a documentary once, about a study carried out in the US, where the impact of names, on their bearers was being studied. The startling thing was that a ‘baby naming specialist’ was interviewed. And she talked about, the best names to give your child that would – according to her statistics – guarantee a prosperous future – good job prospects, as well as wealth. The above example clearly shows the mindset of the west. They are perpetually committed to growth and development in every facet of their society. This makes them study every phenomenon – from the impact of names, to how lighting affects learning in the classroom, to the powers of the human mind etcetera. –They are always interested in finding the inner workings of things In the evolution of human society, man at the first stage, was at the mercy of nature. He did not have the knowledge on how to shelter himself – he lived in caves, he did not have knowledge on how to grow his food – he subsisted on the provisions of nature, he did not have the knowledge of how to clothe himself – he wore leaves. Human society had to depend solely on nature for its subsistence, because of a low level of knowledge on

how to bend the resources of nature to his advantage. Evolution or development only came when man learnt how to adapt nature to suite himself. He learnt how to grow his own food, build shelter against the elements and make tools. This only came about when he gained more knowledge on nature, by studying his environment. Even in economic evolution of man, the role of specialised study cannot be overemphasized. Historians say there were various stages to that evolution. Communalism was the first. Everything at this stage was owned in common by the people. The nest stage was feudalism, where the means of production was controlled by a few people. The rest of the people worked on the land for their sustenance. After feudalism, the society either evolved to capitalism, as in the case of Germany, the United States, India etcetera, or socialism, as in the case of Canada, Sweden and Finland. Capitalism or socialism, as the case may be, has proved to be a very powerful tool in the development and growth of human society. I am not advocating for a change in our economic system – that is not required – rather, I am bringing to the fore, the very reason why these systems are powerful, and why various societies that practice these systems, achieved unprecedented growth, and rapid development, which culminated into increased prosperity of

the people. This reason is also responsible for the continued push for development in every sector of their society. This push for development has created a situation whereby these societies have placed themselves on the path of perpetual growth and development. This reason is specialisation; individually, and collectively. Now is it possible to have the economic system, and not have the push? The answer to that is yes. That is what we have in Nigeria, we have the system (which is not really clearly defined, it is said to be capitalist – nominal at most – and mixed system), without the push. Look at every sector of our economy, and you will realize. Capitalism’s lifeblood is in increasing productivity in every area. For example, industries in Germany have prospered, because the country made it a priority to train its labour force to succeed in various industries. Are we doing that in Nigeria? Japan, instead of going into too many business areas which are diversified, decided to specialise. And by so doing they have become industry leaders in various fields. By specializing, they devoted time, manpower, and most importantly; study, to those areas, thereby placing themselves on a path of perpetual growth and development in those areas. What then is this specialisation? Specialisation, basically can be defined as the act of concentrating all your mental forces – in study – on a task or problem,

In order to bring about an individualized solution to carrying out the task or solving the problem, and also encouraging improvement in the process of carrying out the task, or solving the problem. How do the prosperous nations in the west apply specialisation? First – the most crucial stage – they encourage study. Everything is studied to its barest minimum, in order to bring about greater productivity in that area. And this study is carried out without prejudice. Research is of utmost importance, and it is immensely encouraged, by both the government and citizens. This is the push; I am talking about. The push of specialisation, which causes men to explore a task, to the extent where there is always improvement in that task. These men are detached from the status quo and past successes, always looking for the next level, the next frontier to be conquered. Seeing that, there are so many gains to be made if a society carries out specialisation, why is it strangely lacking in Nigeria? The main reason is that we are irresponsible. The government does not take responsibility; the citizens do not take responsibility. We still have not outlined the reason for our nationhood. We do not have clear-cut plans for the future. We function based on the emergency of the moment. •Nduwugwe Chimaobi Churchill (chimaobichurchill@ gmail.com)

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

ARTS TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

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

CULTURE

23 From the viewpoint of analytic psychology, the theatre, aside from any aesthetic value, may be considered as an institution for the treatment of the mass complex.

― CARL JUNG, Psychology of the Unconscious.

Centralised theatre not viable for practitioners – Fosudo

Ebere Ameh

igeria has not always had a robust theatre culture, the type that is obtainable in the developed world. Even as the other areas of the entertainment industry in Nigeria thrives, creating so much employment and attracting international acclaim, theatre still struggles to survive and thrive. In this interview, Otunba Sola Anthony Fosudo, an accomplished actor and dramatist, said that the dearth of infrastructure remains the bane of the theatre in Nigeria. “What is providing the limitation for theatre to be viable is lack of infrastructure. The unavailability of performance venues is seriously hampering their success. When compared to films, you realise that people do not need infrastructure to watch film. As long as you have a TV in your house you are good to go” he said. Fosudo who is also a Lecturer at the Department of Theatre Arts at the Lagos State University (LASU), noted that the film has become a more convenient medium for Theatre Arts graduates to get their career going. His words: “You produce a film, you cut it to CDs and people buy from stores, take it home to watch while you do another one and continue to make your money. Compare it to the theatre where you do one play and take it to the National Theatre. How many people will come to the National Theatre to watch movies? Besides, the conditions for people to use the National Theatre are not even encouraging. So a lot of theatre artists have been strangulated professionally, and others have joined the movie industry.” Despite the success of the other media of entertainment in Nigeria, live theatre performance has special qualities that distinguishes it from the rest and make it an awesome experience that is comparable to none. With the move by the Lagos State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, (NANTAP) to revive cottage theatre, there is hope that theatre will soon regain its vibrancy in Nigeria for good. “It is good to know that theatre practitioners are rolling out an agenda of cottage theatre, regional theatre, little theatre or community

Otunba Sola Fosudo

theatre; whatever name you choose to call it. The truth is that theatre is best practised through the community. Tested researches have proven that when you centralise theatre, the patronage will not really be encouraging. And what do we mean by centralisation? You have the National Theatre there at Iganmu and you don’t have any other theatre no matter how small, there is bound to be problems,” Fosudo said, adding that if there is only the National Theatre and non in other strategic places like Yaba, Surulere, Agege, Satellite town, Iyana-Ipaja, Ogudu and other places in Lagos, for instance, the patronage will be poor as people from such remote places may find it difficult coming, let alone becoming regular attenders of such shows. “When your theatre is over centralised, definitely it cannot be viable. That is why regional theatres have been seen as a solution to viable theatre practice all over the world. That is what is done in America, Germany, France and even UK - there they have little theatres. However, what we have in Nigeria is that there are no performance venues for practitioners to practice.” Reminiscing on his life as a professional artiste, Fosudo who has his own theatre company and introduced Theatre Arts as a course of study at the Lagos State University, narrated how his passion for the industry and his com-

The truth is that theatre is best practised through the community. Tested researches have proven that when you centralise theatre, the patronage will not really be encouraging munity caused him to lose so much. “There was a time I started a community theatre in satellite town here. I met the owner of one property that is strategically located, and told him my intention of developing a community theatre in the place. He wanted me to be paying N300, 000 but I solicited with him to agree for a collaboration. I invested and made it viable and attractive for people to come. “Being a swampy place, with water everywhere, I did a lot of sand filling, painted the place and did all sorts of renovation and named it Satellite Town Theatre and Amusement Park. I remember that some of my friends warned me that I was investing so much on another person’s property which will revert back to the owner at the end of the day but I was so engrossed with what all and sundry, especially the community stood to gain from

such investment that I did not listen.” According to him, in spite of their warning, he continued, bringing in so many artists like Sunny Nneji, Daddy Showkey and other popular artists to the place. “When I celebrated my 40th birthday, I brought Shina Peters there too, just to make the place popular. We were also doing wedding reception there, and it was already becoming a popular events venue within those two years. As if my friends were seers, after spending all that money and promoting the place, we couldn’t break even the first financial year. The man did not understand that it was too early to start expecting returns. After the second year, we were at breakeven point but the man said he wanted his property back. And that was how I lost everything I invested,” he recalled. In spite of his experience, Fosudo still advises those who have the resources to invest in local community theatres, where films can be shown, where plays can be performed and where events can also hold. “A lot of people are already doing it but they are investing in event venues alone. That should not be the focus; the focus should be the development of theatre. But we have never really had a vibrant theatre culture in Nigeria so many people don’t know how lucrative such a combination could be. Government, corporate organizations and

individuals should all lend their hands, invest in infrastructure, i.e. theatres or performance venues so that together we can revive community theatres in Nigeria.” Fosudo, who could not hide his excitement over the planned bid to establish community theatres in Nigeria, highlighted the fact that the role of the theatre in national development cannot be overemphasised. “The advantages are numerous. The benefits of a vibrant entertainment industry generally are immense. You can see already that the growth of the entertainment industry, especially in the area of movie and comedy in the last five years has changed a lot of things. The number of people that this sector - the comedy industry, the music industry, and even Nollywood is employing is amazing. “So if we now add regional theatres, where many more people can be employed, where more people can have venue to go and practice their arts, it will take many youths out of the streets.” He added that the government can use the cottage theatres to propagate their programs and policies, insisting that the existence of such theatres will impact on the lives of the people in the community in terms of enlightenment, education and social transformation. While Fosudo blames lack of infrastructure – performance venues and technical personnel – as the reason for the dearth of the theatre, the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, is of the opinion that the professionals are to blame for its woes. “For the theatre profession to take a pride of place in the country, trained theatre artists, like professionals in other disciplines like Law, Engineering, Medicine etc. must develop interest and be committed to the survival of theatre practice by practising it. Furthermore, funding of the theatre has to be taken seriously, as it obtains in advanced cultures, because theatre has the potentials of enhancing national development,” Ayakoroma said. Now that the professional have risen to revive the practice, Fosudo advises the government, corporate organizations and individuals to invest in the sector as the benefits are manifold.

24 ARTS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

My Country, My Pride for 2nd Macmillan Youth Cultural Day Tony Okuyeme

omorrow, the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, will come alive with cultural performances that will not only showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage but also, significantly explore a theme that is fundamental to the goals of the Nigerian nationhood. The event is the 2nd Macmillan Youth Cultural Day which is on the theme My Country, My Pride. It is one of the yearly youth events orIdubor by Macmillan Nigeria ganized Publishers Limited. Announcing this in Lagos, the chairman Macmillan Literary Events Committee, Mrs. Francesca Yetunde Emanuel, CON, said every year they have different themes; themes that are relevant to what is happening. “At a time like this, channeling the thoughts of our youths in the direction of this theme will encourage them that despite all the challenges faced by the country, we can still remain strong, united and equipped with all the capacities needed to build a country that we all can be proud of.” She explained that the Macmillan annual youth event since its maiden edition in 2002, has explored two significant areas of the human endeavor: Literary and Cultural. The Macmillan Youth

Literary and the Macmillan Youth Cultural Day are thus alternated, on an annual basis, especially since 2012 when the latter became a permanent feature of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme. While the Macmillan Youth Literary Day encourages students to directly engage in literary creations which they ultimately put on stage, the Macimillan Youth Cultural Day challenges them to interpret culture as a way of life transmitted with all possible elements of Nigerian cultural expression. “Characteristically, each youth event, like the adult counterpart, explores a theme that is fundamental to the goals of the Nigerian nationhood. Thus, the theme for this 2nd edition of the Macmillan Youth Cultural Day is “My Country, My Pride”. To drive home the chosen theme for this year, six schools have been invited to use our cultural values and aesthetics to interpret the various sub themes,” Mrs. Emanuel said, adding that the six schools were carefully chosen from the three senatorial districts of Lagos State on the basis of ownership, religion and gender to give a wide coverage of the mix. “It might be true that we have not been reaping the dividends of our immense natural wealth and the democracy that the move to civilian

Mrs. Emanuel (middle), Adelekan (right) and a staff of Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited during the press briefing.

To drive home the chosen theme for this year, six schools have been invited to use our cultural values and aesthetics to interpret the various sub themes government was supposed to have ushered in, yet we do not have to give up. There are still some green shoots to show that there is hope for the country. And these shoots are symbolically, the young ones. The fact that the country has maintained a strong and expanding economy in the midst of different oppositions is enough reason for celebration, especially in this centenary of Nigeria’s existence,”

Funke Akindele, Carol King for Coloured Girls on stage Tony Okuyeme

he Nigerian adaptation of Ntozake Shange's play for Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, goes on stage Sunday, June 15, at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Produced by Keke Hammond and directed by Wole Oguntokun, and featuring a crop of stage and screen stars such as Carol King, Funke Akindele, Matilda Obaseki, Osas Ighodaro, for colored girls is a series of 20 poems, collectively called a "choreopoem." Shange's poetry expresses many struggles and obstacles that African-American women may face throughout their lives and is a representation of sisterhood and coming of age as an AfricanAmerican woman. The poems are choreographed to music that weaves together interconnected stories. The choreopoem is performed by a cast of seven nameless women only identified by the colors they are assigned. COOL DJ Lalathe lady in red, lady in orThey are ange, lady in yellow, lady in green,

lady in blue, lady in brown, and lady in purple. Subjects from rape, abandonment, abortion, HIV/AIDS and domestic violence are tackled. By the end of the play them women come together in a circle, symbolizing the unity they have found sharing their stories. Shange originally wrote the monologues as separate poems in 1974. In December 1974, Shange performed the first incarnation of her choreopoem for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf with four other artists at a women’s bar outside Berkeley, California. After moving to New York City, she continued work on the piece, which opened on Broadway in 1976. Shange’s for colored girls was the second play by a black woman to reach Broadway, preceded by Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun in 1959. For colored girls has been performed Off-Broadway and on Broadway, and adapted as a book, a television film, and a theatrical film. The 1976 Broadway production was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play.

she said, adding that everyone should appreciate the fact that Nigeria is still a work in progress. Thus we should all be encourage and challenged every day to keep building in spite of various obstacles that we may be facing. “Nigeria is a great nation that any citizen can be proud of. The country has produced many resourceful, intelligent and talented sons and daughters, who have exhibited strong passion to take the world to great heights. Every day, these men and women all over the world keep contributing immensely to global development. Thus, we want to use this medium to assure all Nigerians that there is no country like Nigeria and that we have to think Nigeria and be proud of Nigeria. Nigerian youths therefore should show love, and respect to the country and to one another. We should stop the destruction of lives and wasting of our talents. We

should rather come together to realize and harness our diversity and potentials for the development of our nation.” Managing Director of Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited, Dr. Adesanya Iyiola Adelekan the event will explore the significance for peace and unity, especially, against the backdrop of the current challenges facing the nation, adding My Nigeria, My Pride On the presentations by the different schools, Mr. Ben Tomoloju, a dramatist, culture activist, theatre director and consultant for the programme said, “Whatever the schools are presenting on that day are going to be done by the children to present their views about what is happening.” The main theme is My Country, My Pride, but each school has a sub-theme – different aspects of the main theme – religion, culture, education, and so on.

Array of talents at 3rd Talban Minna Inter-Schools Art Competition

he 3rd Talban Minna Inter-Schools Arts Competition/ Exhibition, with the theme, “Arts for Peace, held last Thursday, at the UK Bello Arts Theatre, Minna, Niger State, brought together various schools in the state. This event was aimed to bring out the talents in young children and develop them creatively. Schools from all the three geo-political zones in the state were contacted to submit entries for final selection and all those whose entries qualified for the finals were invited for the on-the-spot assessment which was witnessed by invited guests. In his opening speech, the Permanent Secretary, Niger State Council for Arts and Culture, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Dan’Asabe, said that the programme has been a veritable tool

the competition will inspire the culture of peace, hope and education for non-violence, as alternatives to create a sustainable, equitable and harmonious society

for the Arts Council to hunt for young talents in the field of Art, adding that the interest by participants was overwhelming. In her goodwill message, the Head, NICO Minna State Office, National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Mrs. Funke Ndukwe, said that the creative arts constitute one of the paramount components of the tangible culture of the people, quoting George Bernard Shaw, as saying, “Imagination is the beginning of creation; you imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last, you create what you will;” and that the competition will inspire the culture of peace, hope and education for non-violence, as alternatives to create a sustainable, equitable and harmonious society. Other dignitaries at the programme include, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Mrs Susan A. Gana, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Mrs. Deborah D. Salawu, the Executive Director/CEO, National Council for Arts & Culture, Mr. MM Maidugu, Curator, National Museum, Minna, Mr. P. M. Usman, and Curator/Head of Station, National Gallery of Art, Minna, Mr. Eze Mgbemene.

BUSINESS TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS World Bank, others averse to funding DISCOs –Minister The World Bank and other global financial institutions are reluctant to fund the Distribution Companies in Nigeria, minister of power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has said.

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Over 2,000 containers trapped at port Over 2,000 containers are currently trapped at the seaports in Lagos due to poor implementation of government fiscal policy.

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Fuel loading scam at PEF degenerates Fuel loading scam rocking the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) has degenerated with high-level stealing of registration tags for trucks under PEF’s electronic loading scheme, tagged Project Aquila.

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CEO’s replacement: Total shuts door on outsider Total, at the weekend, shut its doors on ‘outsider’ candidates as a replacement for its out-going Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Christophe de Margerie.

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

ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

EXPLOITATION Some marketers, including Forte Oil, are exploiting motorists Adeola Yusuf

arketers have employed new tactics to evade the Federal Government’s directive on N97 per litre pump price for the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, investigation by New Telegraph in Lagos and Ogun states has revealed. President Goodluck Jonathan set the regulated price for the product after the January 1, 2012, partial removal of fuel subsidy. While some of the marketers have adjusted their dispensing pumps to accommodate the N110 per litre price, others who have refused to adjust their pumps tell motorists to either comply with the new price or leave their premises. A survey of the filling stations showed that the Forte Oil filling station along Ijegun road in Lagos and many other filling stations in Ikotun, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos are exploiting motorists. An undercover investigation by this newspaper showed that filling stations such as Fowobi filling station in Oju-ore, Ota, Iswat Petroleum, Florinkay, Faith and Marvelous along Itele road in Ota, Ogun State, sell the product at N110 per litre. In all these stations, our correspondent was made to buy the product at N110 per litre based on insistence by petrol attendants. “The price is N110 per litre. Are you ready to buy it or you leave the road for those behind you?” a female attendant at Fowobi filling station said. “Please do not be fouled by the N97 per litre price, which they display on their pump, they all sell it at between N110 and N120 per litre,” Mr. Ibrahim Salami, a commercial motorcyclist, who said that he has been buying the product at this price for over two months declared. A motorist in Ikotun, Alimo-

L-R: Senior Partner, PwC Nigeria, Uyi Akpata; Chief Executive Officer, NSIA, Uche Orji; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Sola David-Borha; Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Devakumar Edwin, and Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Colin Coleman, during the PwC networking breakfast meeting to discuss the Africa Business Agenda at the recent World Economic Forum in Abuja.

sho area of Lagos, Mr. Henry Ogunbambo, corroborated his view. According to Ogunbambo, motorists have lost confidence in the ability of government to tame the excesses of fuel marketers. “It is no more news,” he said, adding; “We are already getting used to it. The attendants do not even hesitate again that they can only sell fuel for us at N110 per litre. So, if you go round this area you will discover that all of them sell at that price and as a result of this, we are left with no

choice but to buy at that rate,” he lamented. Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has warned owners of filling stations against profiteering and other sharp practices of selling fuel above the pump price of N97 per litre. Its Commandant, Mr. Desmond Agu, gave the warning in Yenagoa, the state capital, at the weekend. “They are currently working with officers and men of

NSCDC to ensure that these acts of destroying the nation’s oil pipelines and vandalism are over,” Agu said. He called on youths in Nembe, Brass and Ekeremor local government areas to emulate the people of Southern Ijaw. “The act of vandalism and illegal bunkering is the major cause of fuel scarcity in the country. We want to also warn filling station operators who still sell above the official pump price of N97 to stop or be arrested,” he said.

Aircraft operators want N23bn aviation budget probed OUTRAGEOUS Aircraft graveyard cost N50m Wole Shadare

ircraft operators under the aegis of Aircraft Operators Association of Nigeria (AOAN) have called for the probe of the utilisation of aviation budget. The group also insisted that

Petitions President Jonathan

the merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) would invalidate the letter of comfort signed by Nigeria to the United States Government. This might make Nigeria to lose its case on category one aviation status. In a letter sent to President Goodluck Jonathan and made available to New Telegraph,

dated May 16, 2014, signed by the Secretary General of AOAN, Captain Mohammed Joji, stated that the amalgamation of NCAA, NAMA and NIMET seem to be a pre-planned agenda by the leadership of the former Ministry of Aviation “and is of no coincident’. Joji stated that the usual capital budgetary allocation to NAMA and FAAN (which is not CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

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Marketers raise fuel price to N110 per liter in Lagos, Ogun

ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW AIRLINES: A BOOST FOR NIGERIA'S AVIATION }p-37

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

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at May 16)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167.50 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N286 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N231 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $37.54bn as at 14/5/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at May 16)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N261.31 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N216.69 Source: CBN

26 BUSINESS | NEWS PRICE SURGE The plan to hike the domestic gas price has made electricity tariff hike more imminent Adeola Yusuf

he World Bank and other global financial institutions are reluctant to fund the Distribution Companies in Nigeria, minister of power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has said. Noting that over 2.7 million electricity customers are not metered in Nigeria, he said: “We’ve taken this to international funding agencies and even World Bank, and World Bank said: ‘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.” Speaking during his official visit to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), he noted that people are concerned about funding of the power sector, which is faced with funding draught for the planned $18 billion investment by the new owners. Professor Nebo however declared his ministry’s determination to find a solution to the challenge through stoppage of electricity theft and metering problems. Electricity theft, according to him, “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.” Meanwhile, electricity tariff hike has become more imminent as the Federal Government finalised plan to jack

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

World Bank, others averse to funding DISCOs –Minister

 Crazy billing to persist up the domestic gas prices in Nigeria – the world’s fourthbiggest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exporter. This move, according to government, is to boost supply to power plants hit by shortages. The country exported about 27 billion cubic meters of LNG in 2012, making it the world’s biggest supplier after Qatar, Malaysia and Australia, according to BP Group Plc’s Sta-

tistical Review. Supply from Nigeria fell more than three million metric tons last year, equivalent to almost four billion cubic meters of gas, BG Group said on March 18. It was learnt that the country would apply “export-parity pricing” in 2016, Timothy Okon, group coordinator of strategy and planning at Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC) said in an interview at the Power Investors Summit in Abuja. That means producers will get the same price locally as they would for export projects such as LNG contracts, he said. According to Bloomberg, Nigeria needs gas to supply power companies as it seeks to build an electricity market after finalising the sale of 60 per cent stakes in 15 power distribution and generation companies spun out of the former state-owned monopoly, Power

L-R: Company Secretary, Weco Systems; Ronke Falade; Human Resource Manager, Evelyn Chukwudubem; Chief Operating Officer, Nnamdi Onyebuchi; Director, Chief Ulu Mba; Chief Executive Officer, Obinna Ekwonwa; Director, Chief Godwin Obidike; Chief sales Officer, Ambrose Okoigbo and Finance Manager, Nobert Amu, during the official presentation of double Cisco Awards to Weco Systems Board of Directors where Weco Systems won Best Enterprise Partner of the year 2014, Africa and MEAR- Middle East, Africa and Russia, held in Lagos.

Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), in September. Current output is about 2,000 megawatts or half total capacity, due to gas shortages caused by sabotage on pipelines, Chairman of NERC, Sam Amadi, who oversees the power industry, said. One megawatt is enough to supply about 2,000 average European homes. “There’s no use being an exporter of gas and then be using candles at home,” Okon said. Nigeria’s gas supply needs to triple to satisfy current demand, driven by the power sector, he said. In the same vein, the Managing Director/CEO, Egbin Power PLC, Mike Uzoigwe, has described results of privatisation to the generation firm so far as undesirable. The revenue profile of the industry, he maintained, is poor, hinting 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 seven billion naira had been invested in Egbin to get it to its present state, said that the lack of gas was impeding the progress of the electricity sector.

operators want N23bn Over 2,000 containers trapped at port Aircraft aviation budget probed POOR EXECUTION

Port users are facing problems at the seaport over poor implementation of government policy

Bayo Akomolafe

ver 2,000 containers are currently trapped at the seaports in Lagos due to poor implementation of government fiscal policy. Stakeholders are blaming the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials for the hardship they are passing through at the various terminals. They bemoaned Customs for laying emphasis on revenue generation rather than trade facilitation at the seaports and borders. The stakeholders made their grievances known at a forum on 48 hours cargo clearance organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in Lagos. Also, they identified cumbersome processes, multiple check-

points and poor infrastructure as major factors militating against prompt clearance of goods at the nation’s seaports. According to the Representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on the board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. John Aluya, Customs had forgotten that when trade are facilitated, more revenue would be generated and that would have solved the problem. He said it wrong interpretation of the Federal Government’s fiscal policy by Customs official that led to the trapping of over 2,000 containers inside the port. Aluya noted: “If a circular is sent from the Ministry of Finance to the customs on a particular issue, when it gets there they will give the circular another interpretation, which will take several weeks before it is clarified. “There was a circular of government that says anyone that has perfected his documentation of imports is allowed to pay the duty at the old rate but customs said that no and it was given another interpretation and as we speak, over 2,000 containers are still trapped at

the port.” He disclosed that a meeting scheduled to hold between the owners of the trapped containers and the management of Customs in Abuja two weeks ago, failed to hold because of the World Economic Forum Africa hosted by Nigeria. “This week that we are supposed to meet the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, we were told she was in Dubai. How can the country move forward with this trend?” he argued. Also speaking, the General Manager, Western Ports of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Adenike Shonaike, said documentation procedures at the port must be addressed if the nation desires to attain 48hour cargo clearance. Sonaike was represented by the Barr. Effiota Ephraim at the forum. She noted that too many documents have to be signed before a consignment can be cleared at the port. The Chairman of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs. Julie Ogboru, urged importers to embrace honesty when declaring their cargoes.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

part of the amalgamation) is now allocated to the Ministry of Aviation to directly execute and supervise all capital projects of the above parastatals, adding that the NCAA, over the years funds itself from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Speaking on “Budgetary Allocation: Some contraptions in the aviation parastatals”, Joji with documentary evidence, stated that the NAMA and FAAN capital projects to be executed directly by the Ministry of Aviation includes but not limited to the following: Purchase of air navigation equipment - NAMA - N300, 000, 000; Construction/provision of airport/aerodromesFAAN N20, 225, 635, 593; Rehabilitation/repairs-airport/ aerodromes-FAAN - N208, 306, 443; Security gateways on express roads-FAAN N100, 000,000; Provision of Instrument Landing System-NAMA-N100,000,000; Solar Runway Light - NAMA N100, 000, 000; Bird hazard control - FAAN, N100,000,000; Provision of water hydrant-FAAN, N100, 000, 000; Horticultural/ landscaping of airports: MMIA, PHIA, NAIA, MAKIA-FAAN

N208, 306,443; Modernisation/ remodeling of airports-FAAN N18, 360, 000,000; Avio BridgesFAAN - N100, 000, 000; Development of regional terminal hub, Lagos-FAAN - N100, 000, 000; Fixed bridges and tunnels-FAAN - N250, 000,000; Construction of airport graveyards and movement of graveyards-FAAN N50, 000,000; Airport perimeter inspection road-FAAN -N120, 000, 000; Aerotropolis consultants-FAAN N100, 000, 000; Cabling all airportsFAAN N200, 000, 000; Airport fencing-FAAN - N100, 000, 000; Airport internal access roads-FAAN N200, 000, 000; Airport toll gates-FAAN - N100, 000, 000; Runways repairs and painting-FAAN N100, 000, 000; Consultancy-Other - N100, 000, 000; Consultancy: Institutional reforms, legal services and commercial (PPP) N425, 635, 593; Maintenance pact for the Tracon support services, automation of NAMA N820, 000, 000; Bilateral/ multilateral air services agreements N100, 000, 000. Experts noted that it was a huge fraud that aircraft graveyards movement and construction cost a whooping N50 million.

BUSINESS | NEWS 27

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

ICT experts seek inclusion in terror fight LOCAL SOLUTION ICT experts want local solutions to the nation’s problems Jonah Iboma

xperts in the Nigerian information and communications technology industry have blamed government’s refusal to engage them as one of the reasons why little success has been realised in the current fight against terror. Speaking at the weekend with New Telegraph in Lagos, a cross-section of them noted that government’s penchant of always seeking for foreign consultants when it comes to developing solutions to local problems rather than turning to home based experts, was one reason why government efforts, including technology based projects fail. According to Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, a former President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, (ATCON), government has been labouring for some time now to tackle the current national insurgency

and has not sought for help from ICT professionals. This, he noted, is why solutions that ICT could have delivered are not available to government. “There is no time that the government has tasked us (ICT professionals) to come up with any solution to problems that they have been having. If they had done so, we would have given them something,” he said. Ekuwem said that there were some specific solutions that ICT professionals would have made available to government, which would have made it easy to track the movement of insurgents, especially Boko Haram, and give government a better way of dealing with the sect. The same sentiment was echoed by the President of the Nigeria Internet Group, (NIG) Mr. Bayo Banjo, who noted that to always turn to some unproven foreign professionals for solutions to Nigeria’s problems, especially in the technology space, was inimical to national growth. “We should stop this idea of importing foreign solutions wholesale in the country without looking at the local challenges,” he said. According to him, while foreign experts may sometimes be able to come up

Wole Soyinka Prize: Globacom plans big for subscribers S ubscribers on the Globacom network who increase their airtime usage by 50 per cent between May17th and 23 June 2014, will get a huge surprise, the mobile phone company has said. In details made available to New Telegrap, the national telecommunication operator said such subscribers stand a chance of being invited and honoured as special guests at the forthcoming event to crown the winner of 2014 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature. The award, being sponsored by Globacom, is a biennial event staged to recognise the best literary work produced by an African. It was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 to promote literary excellence in Africa and has since become the African equivalent of the Nobel Prize. According to the firm, 10 African authors have been selected for the 2014 edition, which coincides with the 80th birthday of the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka. Presentation of the prize is slated for 5 July, Lagos. Globacom's Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel said in a statement in Lagos :“Professor Wole Soyinka is a symbol of professional excellence, and we are always happy to be part of this momentous event, which celebrates liter-

ary excellence. To add spice to the occasion, Glo subscribers who increase airtime usage by 50 per cent by 23 June will be our Special Guests on that special night.” Apart from this honour, he said such lucky subscribers would also be entitled to other special perks. The organisers of the award have released the names of the authors who made the long list from where a shortlist and the eventual winner will be announced. They include Othuke Ominiaboha, Akin Bello, Soji Cole, Comfort Adesuwa Ero, Toyin Abiodun, Isaac Attah Ogezi, Moshood Oba, Mayowa Saja, Wumi Raji and Akin Adejumo. The long list was made from a total of 163 entries submitted from 17 African countries in the genre of drama, which is the focus of the 2014 edition. The organisers announced that two entries each came in from authors in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, South Africa, Tanzania and Rwanda. Three entries each came in from Angola and Namibia. One entry each came in from Cameroon, Liberia, Togo and Zambia, four from Kenya, five from Uganda, and 128 from Nigeria. The five Judges are from Uganda, South Africa, Mali, Nigeria and Algeria.

with technically sound solutions, there is need to engage locals who know issues that can cause such good ideas to fail. They cited the failed Abuja closed circuit television (CCTV) project as a clear example of how gover nment just awards contracts

without turning to true local professionals for their input. Ekuwem, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Teledom group, noted that recent Abuja bomb blast would not have happened if there were proper deployment of ICT equipment that could effectively track peo-

ple, saying that if the CCTV project had been done properly, the second blast that hit the city would have been detected. He revealed that proper use of ICT would aid current search efforts embarked upon by the military as arms movement in the country can easily be controlled.

L–R: Vice Chairman, Tantalizers Limited, Mr. Folu Ayeni; Group Managing Director , SO&U Limited, Mr. Udeme Ufot and Managing Director, SHELL Pension Administrator Fund, Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni, during LEAP Africa’s 9th CEO Forum in Lagos.

NMRC seeks model mortgage, foreclosure law for pilot states FAST-TRACK This is to ensure effective administration and creation of mortgages Dayo Ayeyemi

he Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) is seeking the formulation of a model mortgage and foreclosure law. This according to the mortgage company, is in order to fast-track the process for creating legal mortgages (including reducing the cost and the processes for obtaining the relevant consents and registration), timely resolution of disputes arising out of mortgage transactions, consumer protection and creating an efficient foreclosure process. Consequently, the organisation has sent out invitations, calling the general public to submit memoranda in connection with the formulation of a Model Mortgage and foreclosure law to be adopted by pilot States. According to the information emanating from NMRC, it said it has engaged a panel of reputable law firms and experts to advice on and coor-

dinate the process of formulating and drafting the model law, which will be implemented in close collaboration with the pilot states and key stakeholders. The statement by the organisation said: “The key issues the model mortgage law will seek to address include fast-tracking the process for creating legal mortgages (including reducing the cost and the processes for obtaining the relevant consents and registration), timely resolution of disputes arising out of mortgage transactions, consumer protection and creating an efficient foreclosure process.” The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in January 2014 gave an approval in principle (AIP) to the Mortgage Refinance Company (MRC) being planned by the Federal Government to create access to cheap funds by housing finance lenders. According to terms of operation, the company will provide low interest housing loans to middle income earners in the country to enable them own their own homes. The MRC is expected to boost Nigeria’s current housing deficit by raising mortgages from an annual average of 20,000 mortgages to at least 200,000 in the next three years.

Reports show that at the moment, Nigeria has a deficit of about 17 million units of housing and is adding to that at the rate of two to three million units a year. The coordinating minister for the economy (CME) and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had earlier informed that the volunteer states met certain criteria, like showing readiness to comply on the issue of land title and to ease the time it takes to fully own a land from the present months or years to weeks. The NMRC is configured with majority private sector ownership. Already, the government has secured a $300 million soft loan from the World Bank under its International Development Association (IDA) concessionary lending window. Before its launch, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, had allayed fears that the new mortgage firm would not replicate the negative experiences customers had with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) whose contributions to mortgage financing in the country were hardly felt by Nigerians seeking to build and own their own homes.

28 BUSINESS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Fuel loading scam at PEF degenerates LEAKAGES PEF saves N14.4bn through Project Aquila

MRS marketer nabbed

Adeola Yusuf

uel loading scam rocking the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) has degenerated with high-level stealing of registration tags for trucks under PEF’s electronic loading scheme, tagged Project Aquila. Investigations by New telegraph showed that more leakages of the agency’s Aquila electronic loading project’s security are rocking the agency. Further checks revealed that a cartel of fuel marketers is collaborating with staff of the agency to reap the government off. Management board of PEF had earlier alerted stakeholders, after it got a tip of the scam. But a source said that enough has not been done to tame the worsening level of scam rocking the agency. Already, a marketer with MRS was caught in the shady activity and his activities have been suspended at the MRS Tincan Depot. PEF, which confirmed knowledge of the rip-off, tagged the scam as activities of “some unscrupulous marketers”’ who engage in stealing registration tags for trucks under its electronic loading scheme. The electronic loading scheme requires petroleum marketers and transporters to register and tag their trucks for easy tracking and processing of claims by PEF. General Manager, Corporate Services, PEF, Goddy Nnadi, confirmed the scam, when it started rearing its ugly head late last year. He however, said that the

Oil rig

board had been working hard with relevant stakeholders, including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, IPMAN, to get to the root of the matter and sanction those involved in the nefarious activity. Nnadi, who described the activity of the syndicate as an economic sabotage to the nation, said that PEF had already contacted the State Security Service, SSS, with a view to arresting the ugly trend. “We are already working with the SSS and relevant stakeholders in the industry to bring this economic sabotage of the nation to a halt,” he said. He said that the board had already suspended all transactions and operations with a

PIB: 13% oil host communities’ fund polarises confab

he 13 per cent fund for oil host communities has again divided the on-going National Conference. The Conference Committee on Devolution of Power again failed to reach a decision on this contentious issue, resource control and derivation principle. While delegates from the North had spoken in support of the reduction in derivation principle or at best retention of the existing 13 per cent while delegates from the South, particularly those from the South-South, canvassed for more. Co-Chairman of the Committee and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, had informed journalists after the morning session last Monday that each

of the committee members had the opportunity to state their positions on the issues and was optimistic that the committee would arrive at a decision by the end of the day. This however did not happen at the close of last sitting. The committee could also not resolve the argument and counter argument by some delegates from different geopolitical zones that the onshore offshore oil dichotomy should be reintroduced in host states. But On the issue of reintroduction of the abolished onshore-offshore oil dichotomy, some delegates from the South West geo-political zone agreed with those from the North that the abolition carried through an Act of the National Assembly should be reintroduced.

marketer that was caught in the shady activity at the MRS Tincan depot. He said that the management had given directive to its staff to henceforth ensure meticulous matching of truck numbers with numbers registered on the tags. “We have directed all depot reps to henceforth ensure and verify that the truck numbers matches with the truck number registered on their tags before commencing loading operations,” he said. He said that the board had already begun a tour of all its depots in the country to sensitise and enlighten marketers and staff on the need for the

strict and proper implementation of the electronic scheme. Some marketers had allegedly complained of shortage of tagging equipment by PEF. PEF had however, refuted this claim, insisting that its Management Board (PEFMB) had saved the sum of N14.4 billion (N14, 433,104,864.30) through ‘Project Aquila’ also known as `e-loading’ between January and November 2013. Adefunke Kasali, Executive Secretary PEF told the news agency earlier in the year that her agency had been able to check fraudulent activities among the marketers and ensure transparency in the system through the project.

``The new initiative, also known as the ‘e-loading’ ensures delivery of petroleum products at the right destination has saved the nation the huge sum of money by curtailing the unwholesome practices of some marketer,” she said. According to her, the project has also been able to remove encumbrances that normally cause distortions in supply chain such as the issue of prompt payment of bridging claims. Bridging claim is the money paid marketers to take care of logistics in movement of products and ensure uniformity in prices of petroleum products across various region of the country.

15, 000MW hydropower potential redundant –ECN Adeola Yusuf

ndications emerged at the weekend that 15, 000 Mega Watts (MW) of hydropower capacity is redundant in Nigeria, which sparsely generate about 3, 500 MW for its 150 million population. Director-General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN, Prof. Eli Jidere Bala who confirmed this, said that Nigeria is endowed with hydropower potential of about 15,000mega watts, MW, unit of which 23 per cent is small hydropower. The country is pursuing its electricity reforms with the privatisation of many power installations and formations. This move has generally been criticized to have focused much attention on thermal

power generation rather than other alternative sources of generation like hydro, coal and wind. Bala however, stated that alternative power generation sources like hydro are environmentally friendly and contributes less to Green House emissions. He spoke in Abuja during the five-day training course on conducting feasibility studies on Small Hydro Plants by renewables academy (RENAC), Germany. According to him, “Small hydropower schemes of capacities of less than 30MW are known to be environmentally friendly and contributes less to Green House emissions, a major cause of climate change. “Small Hydropower poten-

tials are also available in many parts of rural communities, where majority of the population reside.” Bala, who attributed the training to this situation, noted that it would focus on small hydropower plants feasibility studies to enable the country to have personnel that will identify potentials in suitable sites that can be used to set up the Small Hydropower Power (SHP) plants in virtually any part of Nigeria. He said their suitability for stand-alone utilisation in the rural parts of Nigeria can be further justified by noting that many viable mini plants (less than 100kw) are actually ‘run -of- the river’ schemes that require a minimal amount of civil works.

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PIB stalls major investments seven years on UNEMPLOYMENT Employment of new graduate in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry remained stalled Adeola Yusuf

here have been no major oil and gas investment decision in the last seven years and this is taking a toll on the industry, New Telegraph reports. International Oil Companies (IOCs) such as Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total and Agip have blamed the draught on the foot-dragging in the passage of the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Royal Dutch shell, which at the weekend confirmed its inability to make major investment decision, maintained that the industry has taken almost no significant investment decision in that six to seven years period. It said: “This is the cause of the embargo on employment of fresh graduates placed by IOCs in Nigeria’s oil industry,” an industry source told New Telegraph. A management staff of one of the multi-nationals, who had earlier confirmed the embargo on employment, maintained that the oil companies are going through a difficult time in Nigeria. “No employment in Nigeria

for now,” he said, adding that they now rely “on the services of contract staff to do most of their works.” Blaming government for the dwindling investments in the country’s oil and gas industry, he insisted that Nigeria now ranks among the top five most difficult countries to secure oil and gas contacts in the world. “Government is the stumbling block for us. I don’t want to stress this and I will crave anonymity on this because we are waiting for approvals, but the contracting procedure is killing business in Nigeria. Because of this, there is an embargo on employment in oil industry. Nobody will say it but what we are going through is tough. It is really unfortunate. The investments are capital intensive. For instance, $60 million is still needed to drill oil well in Nigeria but the average contracting cycle in the country is 3-4 years. It is really unfortunate,” he lamented. He also blamed the footdragging on the passage of the 14-year-old controversial PIB by the National Assembly as part of the way government is killing oil and gas business in the country. Royal Dutch Shell had, last week, concluded plans to totally exit operations at the onshore oil fields in Nigeria. Dutch Headquarters of the company, which is on the sale spree of on-shore oil blocks in Nigeria, had also insisted that the risks of working in Nigeria had gone from bad to worse.

Simon Henry, Shell’s chief financial officer, who confirmed the decision to sell more on-shore blocks in Nigeria in a conference call with Reuters, maintained that investments would only be made in gas and deep-water projects. The Federal Government lost a whopping $100 billion over the last four years, following the nation’s inability to attain her annual crude production capacity of about 3.6 million barrels per day. This was the verdict of stakeholders in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, after assessing its growth prospects in the face of declining investment in production infrastructure and bureaucratic bottlenecks against the proposed deregu-

lation of the upstream sector. In a no-holds barred, Chatham House forum on the controversial PIB, the stakeholders including private sector operators in the oil and gas industry, management and financial consultants, warned that government’s business may eventually grind to a halt if the deteriorating level of public and private sector investment in the upstream sector continues over the next few years, particularly against the backdrop of demand and price volatility in the international market. It was revealed that the parlous state of affairs in the upstream sector was responsible for the loss of $100 billion from 2008 to date as Nigeria failed

to attain her annual crude oil production quota, even when resources and investment to achieve same are available. They stressed that this figure would continue to increase until full deregulation and less involvement of government in operational activities was achieved. The major headache now, however, is that the on-going reform in the power sector may be another effort in futility, since guarantees and commitment for regular gas supply to the generating and distribution companies are yet to be extracted from suppliers under the current dispensation due to uncertainties of the nation’s fiscal environment.

Oando G&P achieves 1m man hours without injury

ando Gas & Power Limited declared at the weekend that it had achieved a million industry milestone man-hours with zero Lost Time Incident (LTI) or fatality in all projects and operations, spanning a period of two years and three months. The company said this in a statement by its Head, Corporate Communications, Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune. LTI is a measure of injury sustained on the job that is capable of preventing a worker from performing or continuing with a task or resulting in downtime in the operation. “It is an oil and gas industry benchmark that evaluates adherence to safety and environmental requirements in the course of operations. “As a result, LTI is a critical Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for Oando’s conformity with the best practices of the oil and gas industry,” the statement said. Commenting on the accomplishment, Oando Gas & Power CEO, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, said: “Our managerial and operational teams, along with our partners and sub-contractors, have done tremendously well to achieve 1,001,708 LTI Free Man hours within our power projects and expanding gas pipeline grid. “This is a prime example of

our commitment towards ensuring safety and high quality work performance on all our installations. The health and well-being of our employees and those visiting our workplace are important at all Oando locations, and we are truly pleased with this safety milestone.” Through several subsidiaries, OGP consistently demonstrates competitive market leadership by providing gas and power solutions to industrial and commercial customers, such as the Akute Independent Power Generation Plant, which supplies constant electricity to the Lagos State Water Corporation, significantly increasing the supply of water to millions of residents in the state. Oando PLC’s Chief Environmental Health Safety Security and Quality Officer, Mr. Chjioke Akwukuma, also praised the LTI achievement, saying: “This is a commendable feat in the history of OGP, as the operations team has worked for 41,737 days without any disruption due to personnel injury and this proves our dedication to the safety culture that exist company-wide and our adherence to policies and procedures covering product quality, safety, environment, health, security and emergency readiness, which ensure that all operations always meet international safety requirements.”

Gas flaring in Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Chevron’s oil block dispute: Court ready for hearing DEFEAT Prosecuting counsel recounted how Chevron lost objection on Court’s jurisdiction Adeola Yusuf

he Federal High Court is now set to look into the case of disputed $1 billion oil blocks between Chevron and BrittaniaU, counsel to the prosecutor, Rickey Tarfa, has said. Chevron’s hope of having the case of $1billion oil block sale dismissed had suffered a setback as the Federal High Court ruled that it had jurisdiction over the case. “It would now seek to find out whether the bid was transparently done and why the winner was not declared,” Tarfa

said. Chevron has earlier argued that the High Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case brought to it by Brittania-U. Chevron and Brittania-U are at loggerheads after the Nigerian firm said that it paid a deposit to buy some onshore oil blocks from the US group, only for Chevron to look for alternative bids. The US firm argued that the sale was a private matter and should not be subject to court involvement. However, the Federal High Court ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter and dismissed Chevron’s objections, Brittania-U’s lawyer, Rickey Tarfa, told Reuters outside the court last Tuesday. “It would now seek to find out whether the bid was transparently done and why the winner was not declared,” Tarfa said, adding that the case was adjourned to May 23 for hearing

of pending applications, which includes examining the bid process. Brittania-U, run by former Chevron executive, Catherine Uju Ifejika, was the highest bidder at over $1 billion for the biggest cluster of five onshore oil blocks being sold by the US group – OML 52, 53 and 55. Chevron had begun talks with the company over the sale. Brittania-U paid an initial deposit of $250 million and provided a binding commitment from Nigerian banks for the balance of the bid price, Tarfa said, but Chevron decided to look at alternative bids, prompting Brittania-U to challenge its decision in court. A lawyer for Chevron declined to comment. Nigerian oil firm, Seplat, which raised $500 million via a debut stock market listing in Lagos and London in April, was the second-highest bidder.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

OBJECTION Motorists have tasked the DPR to act fast on sharp practices by fuel marketers

Adeola Yusuf

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), at the weekend, received banters from commercial drivers and motorists over the lingering fuel price crises in the second quarter of 2014. The DPR Zonal Head of Operations, Abuja, Mrs Muinat Bello-Zagi, had earlier blamed commercial drivers for allegedly aiding and abetting fuel black marketers’ activities in Nigeria, particularly Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). But the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Taxi Drivers Unit, Abuja, Mr. Lawrence Fadipe, refuted the claim. Fadipe, who was angered by the allegation, maintained that members of his union are exonerated from the allegation. The DPR and not the drivers, he said, should take up the responsibility of enforcing marketers to sell at the regulated price.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Motorists to DPR: Do not blame us for your ineptitude He said: “Taxi drivers are too busy to get themselves engaged in such business.” The issue of black market operations, according to Fadipe, “starts and ends with the fuel attendants and marketers at different filling stations and the black marketers. “The fuel attendants and marketers always connive to sell fuel to black marketers at odd hours, instead of dispensing to motorists who wait endlessly to get the product,” he said. Some motorists in Lagos State also corroborated Fadipe’s view as they condemned the sharp practices of petrol stations and the attendant scarcity of petroleum products in the state since the second quarter of the year. Most petrol stations in the state now sell petrol at between N110 and N120 per litre contrary to the official price of N97. Mr Bode Akinfenwa, a resident of Ilasamaja, a Lagos suburb, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that petrol

stations in the area are selling above the pump price of N97 per litre. “Even the one that sells at N97 per litre is cheating the motorist because by the time you check your gauge; you discover that they have under dispensed. “These practices are wrong. If government wants to increase the fuel price they should come out and tell the people instead of doing it secretly,” he said. Akinfenwa said that only major marketers are selling petrol at a regulated price while the independent marketers are selling higher. Mrs. Yemi Adeoye, a civil servant, said that some petrol stations would display N97 on their

metres as a disguise, but forced motorists into paying between N110 and N115 per litre. Adeoye urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to live up to its responsibility by sanctioning the erring petrol stations. “If some of these petrol stations are sealed off, the others will sit up and sell at official price,” she said. Some marketers, however, said that the N97 per litre price was unrealistic. Mr. Adewumi Ilori, the Managing Director of Metib Oil and Gas Ltd., who championed this course said: “The cost of lifting and transporting the product to petrol stations if added to the official price of lifting the prod-

uct, will add-up to an amount over N97. “To sell a litre of petrol at the official N97 will mean selling at a loss,” he said. Ilori said that apart from the NNPC’s statutory N84 and the N5 depot charge on a litre of petrol, the marketers paid additional union dues of N3 per litre. “And if you add the cost of transportation, one will definitely know that to sell at N97 is quite unrealistic,” he said. Mr. Isiaka Yahaya, the Auditor General, Sahara Unit of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), told NAN that marketers of petroleum products were not really making profits.

IOC’s divestment, good for local players –Alison-Madueke OPPORTUNITY The divestments will create opportunities for local players Adeola Yusuf

inister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has allayed the apprehension in some quarters that the recent spate of assets’ divestments by international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria could create crisis in the oil and gas industry. She noted that the trend actually provides opportunity for indigenous oil and gas companies to become active players in the upstream subsector of the industry. A press statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) noted that the minister said this on the sideline of an investment luncheon organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) during the recent Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas. The minister, according to the statement by Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs division of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, noted that “with the divestments, indigenous oil and gas companies now have opportunity to acquire the assets being divested as springboard for the development of local capacity.” Speaking on: “Assets Divestments in the Nigerian oil and

gas industry: Opportunities and challenges”, the minister, who was represented by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, stated that the divestments by the IOCs were creating opportunities for indigenous oil and gas companies to partake of the upstream sector of the industry and grow capacity. “Let me allay your fears and assure you that the spate of divestments would not lead to crisis in the nation’s oil and gas industry, rather the divestment by the majors is changing the onshore corporate landscape and creating material brown field opportunities for upstream players looking to enter the Nigerian upstream space,” Alison-Madueke noted. She observed that the divesting IOCs were not leaving the country but only shifting their focus from onshore to the more challenging frontiers of deep offshore, which currently accounts for 60 per cent of Nigeria’s production. “The IOCs remain very much present in Nigeria. Shell still retains ownership of 34 onshore blocks while Total, ExxonMobil, and Chevron are still committing large amounts of capital to assets offshore Nigeria,” she explained. Highlighting the opportunities inherent in the divestment, Mrs Alison-Madueke stated: “The indigenous Nigerian companies have been presented with the opportunity to develop local operatorship capacity as well as boost local production and consequently grow into major upstream players.”

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Andrew Yakubu (left), receiving a souvenir from the Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Emeka Ene, in recognition of the GMD as a distinguished member of 2014 Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, in Houston, Texas, USA recently.

onoil is set to launch fivelitre packs of its renowned lubricant brands, Quatro and Golden Super Motor Oil (GSMO), as part of its strategy to live up to its promise of delivering convenience at every stop and enriching its lubricant range. The new lubricant pack, according to a statement from the company, would be pocketfriendly to motorists and are tailored to suit the engine oil needs of vehicles with bigger engine capacity thereby reducing substantially, the cost borne by motorists anytime they service their cars. Like most lubricant brands in Nigeria, Conoil’s lubricants currently come in one litre and four-litre packs. But with this new initiative, car owners can buy just one pack of lubricant instead of two to service their cars and this would invariably save them money. Conoil said that it decided to introduce the five-litre packs to live up to its bill of being a convenience retailer, always on the look-out for ways to make life more comfortable for its customers and keep them satisfied. “With the current automobiles that come with bigger engines, this will definitely reduce the cost of maintenance on motor-

Conoil slashes engine oil service cost for motorists ists,” the company said. The statement further stated: “The economic situation in the country is tough on most Nigerians so we strive to bring into the market pocket-friendly products that most Nigerians can afford without compromising quality. “In Conoil, lubricants hold a unique position. The company’s award-winning lubricant brands, Quatro and GSMO, are formulated to meet world set standards for automobile and industrial machines’ engines. “The Quatro brand, which has won awards back to back for its world-class quality, contains special additives that ensure minimal fuel consumption, retain oil thickness and protect car engine from rust. Its detergent and dispersant properties clean car engines, keep it sludge-free thereby enabling it to run at its best. “On the other hand, Conoil’s other brand of lubricant, GSMO, offers adequate engine protection in older, gasoline-fuelled cars. Its per-

formance features include comprehensive additive package, good detergency, good oxidation stability and good anti-wear properties. “As one of the most innovative service focused oilmarketing companies, Conoil has a trail blazing record. “It was the first in the country to introduce mega retail outlets which have totally redefined the entire concept of service stations in the industry.” Noting that it is on record that the Conoil was the first to introduce high-tech overhead non-space pumps in Nigeria to the delight of customers, the statement said the company “has continued to set standards in meeting consumers’ satisfaction. Last year, it launched a unique initiative of wrapping its brands of engine oils in cellophane sheens to preserve the quality of its lubricants, in line with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria’s (SON) campaign to rid the country of adulterated products.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Kenya grants extension for offshore block L10B

ancontinental Oil & Gas NL disclosed at the weekend that the Government of Kenya had granted a 12-month extension to the current Initial Exploration Period of the L10B offshore license in Kenya. According to agency reports, following the current period (as extended), the joint venture can then elect to move into the First Additional Exploration Period of the license. Pancontinental considers this to be extremely favorable because it gives the joint venture partners more time to assess the impact of the Sunbird-1 discovery in the adjacent L10A area (PCL 18.75 per cent) and its implications for possible future drilling in L10B. Pancontinental also intends to use the extended Period to secure a farm-in agreement for any future L10B drilling. L10B has a number of large prospects and leads identified using 3D seismic and these are being examined as potential exploration drilling targets. Pancontinental also advises that it has notified BG Group, the London-listed FTSE-100 company, which operates the license, and the other joint venture joint venture participants, that it will increase its stake in L10B from 15 per cent to 20 per cent. Pancontinental has increased its stake in L10B by taking up its pro-rata share of the interest held by Premier Oil, which has elected to withdraw. The changes in interests are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum of Kenya and such approval is not expected to be withheld. Pancontinental will increase its stake prior to June 15, subject to Ministry Approval. Pancontinental believes that the significant prospectivity of L10B and the opportunity to increase its interest with other partners in L10B at no cost, as well as the prospectivity of adjacent area L10A, means it is well-placed to farm-out a portion of its interest in both licenses on attractive terms and in a suitable time-frame under the 12-month extension. Pancontinental advises that the analysis of the Sunbird-1 discovery results in area L10A (PCL 18.75 per cent) is ongoing. L10A is located immediately to the north of L10B. Following Pancontinental’s ASX release April 14 titled “Sunbird-1 intersects hydrocarbon zone offshore Kenya”, Pancontinental notes that L10A operator, BG Group, has announced that oil, as well as gas, has been discovered in Sunbird-1. The characteristics of the oil and gas discovery continue to be analysed and will be announced when a complete and integrated analysis has been made available to the joint venture by the operator.

Gas plant

LOOKING WITHIN Total’s CEO has said that his successor will be an insider of the company

Adeola Yusuf

otal, at the weekend, shut its door on ‘outsider’ candidates as a replacement for its out-going Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Christophe de Margerie. De Margerie, who gave this hint, maintained that the French oil major would pick his successor from candidates within the company and would not seek outsiders. This, he said, is in keeping with tradition at France’s big-

CEO’s replacement: Total shuts door on outsider gest listed company. “At Total there’s a strong logic for the chairman and CEO to come from within the group,” De Margerie told newspaper La Tribune in an interview published on its website. “There are already enough of us, we have enough talents inside to do that, if that wasn't the case, I wouldn’t have done my job well. Because my mission is also to groom a successor.” De Margerie, who will turn 63 this year, has been at the

helm of Total since 2007 and holds the chairman and chief executive roles, a common situation in France. His mandate runs until 2015 and Total’s board will ask shareholders at the group's annual general meeting later on Friday to raise the age limits for the two positions, a move that would allow an extension of de Margerie's term. The Frenchman said earlier this year he would be seeking re-election in 2015 but declined to say if he had already found a

Shell sets age barrier for aid programme BIGGEST HEIR Nigeria has become the largest recipient of social investment by the Shell Group globally Adeola Yusuf

eople aged below 18 and above 35 in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states are disqualified to partake in Shell’s financial assistance programme, the company said at the weekend. Niger Delta youths, according to a statement, are being given yet another chance to start their own businesses through the 2014 edition of the programme tagged: “LiveWIRE programme.” But

Shell said in a statement that only those aged between 18 and 35 are eligible to participate. “People aged between 1835 in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states are invited to apply for the 2014 edition, with a chance to benefit from startup funding and a wide range of support services including training workshops and business awareness sessions,” the company said. “The LiveWIRE programme has become the main means of support for youths in the Niger Delta to start their own businesses. “The success stories of several young entrepreneurs are really inspiring, and we’re delighted that more youths will take up the opportunity in the 2014 edition,” said General Manager, Sustainable Devel-

opment and Community Relations, Nedo Osayande. In 2011, SPDC commenced the implementation of a partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission to expand the LiveWIRE programme with a focus on the economic empowerment of young women. Through this partnership, the LiveWIRE model has been used to create employment opportunities for over 1,600 women between the ages of 18 and 35, the statement added. Launched in 2003, LiveWIRE Nigeria is a flagship programme that provides access to training, business development services and start-up capital to establish and expand youth-owned businesses. To date, the programme has trained nearly 6,000 Niger Delta youths in

successor. No heir apparent has emerged so far, although Philippe Boisseau, head of Total’s new energy division and Patrick Pouyanne, head of the refining branch are often cited as credible long-term candidates. Arnaud Breuillac, who last year was promoted as deputy head of the group’s upstream business, has also taken a more public role in recent months and will join the group's executive committee in October.

enterprise development and management. A highlight of the LiveWIRE programme is the Young Business Leaders Awards for managers who have been in business for up to two years, and can show good progress in service delivery, financial growth, employment generation and improvement in management strategies. The generous cash awards are expected to help the young people further expand their businesses. Employment generation for young people is just one aspect of the social investment portfolio of Shell companies in Nigeria. In 2013 alone, the SPDC JV and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) spent more than $100 million on voluntary social investment activities, making Nigeria the largest recipient of social investment by the Shell Group globally.

32 BUSINESS | ENERGY BASELESS Exxonmobil has described the report by Russian Kommersant newspaper as groundless

Adeola Yusuf

nited States of America energy giant, ExxonMobil, has no plans to pull out of the Sakhalin-1 project in Russia, an ExxonMobil official said at the weekend in response to a Russian media report. The Kommersant newspaper reported last Friday that ExxonMobil might have to pull out of the project to develop the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas field in Russia's far East if US sanctions against Russia are toughened because of the Ukraine crisis. “These rumours are groundless. This situation (sanctions) has neither an effect on our activity in Russia, nor on our investment plans in Sakhalin-1. We have no other plans than to go ahead with the project,” the official said.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

No plan to leave Sakhalin-1 project in Russia-ExxonMobil Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he had “no information” that ExxonMobil might leave the project. The company’s affiliates in Nigeria had earlier formally launched the ExxonMobil Nigeria Contractor Finance Scheme (EMNCFS), an initiative in partnership with 12 Nigerian banks - that offers competitive financing options to the company’s business partners in Nigeria. The EMNCFS is targeted at Nigerian vendors seeking access to better funding options to fulfill ExxonMobil awarded contracts and procurement orders. Contractors participating in the scheme will have access to competitive loan rates from participating banks that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Additionally, loan-processing times will also be significantly reduced due to upfront definition of eligibility criteria by the banks.

Speaking at the EMNCFS launch event, Mark Ward, Chairman/Managing Director, ExxonMobil Upstream affiliates in Nigeria expatiated on the importance of the Contractor Finance Scheme’s to the company’s Nigerian content development plan. “ExxonMobil’s National Content programme has three key elements – workforce development, strategic community investments and local supplier development. This contractor finance scheme underscores the development of local suppliers to form a competitive base, through their access to better and quicker funding options.” Engr. Ernest Nwapa, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), commended ExxonMobil for addressing the challenge of raising capital that many Nigerian contractors face, in addition to the company’s other

Nigerian Content initiatives that had opened new doors to Nigerian contractors. He said: “Now, Nigerians can participate in things that they never even dreamed of participating in a few years ago. Just a few years ago, some of the things that were required of Nigerians were not even conjectured. But today, it is reality that we are getting these things done in Nigeria, and by Nigerians. “I believe that if we do more of this, we are going to get to

Statoil sells stake in Angola offshore block

orwegian oil and gas firm, Statoil, sold its five per cent stake in the ENI-operated block 15/06 offshore Angola to state oil firm Sonangol for a consideration of $200 million, the firm said at the weekend. “The transaction will allow Statoil to unlock capital and contribute to improved financial flexibility going forward,” Statoil sub-Saharan Africa senior vice-president Tove Stuhr Sjoeblom said in a statement. Also, Statoil is more likely to develop the $15.5 billion Johan Castberg field in the Arctic using a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) installation than via an oil terminal on land, a senior company executive said on Thursday. Last year the oil firm suspended the development of its flagship Arctic project due to cost inflation and a tax hike. Finding more resources was germane to making the project economically viable but earlier this month the firm said the results of the latest and final round of drilling were disappointing. Two options were on the table: to transport the oil from

US crude, Brent hit three-week highs I Russia backed off its threat to cut Kiev’s natural gas supply if the country did not pay in advance Adeola Yusuf

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

lobal oil prices rose at the weekend as a draw on US crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, contract delivery point and gasoline stocks pushed Brent and US crude to three-week highs. US crude stocks rose over-

the field to a terminal on land where tankers would load up, or have an FPSO at the field and load vessels there. “It is clear that there had been a negative development with the search (for more oil and gas resources). It is clear it weakens the option of having a terminal on land,” Ivar Aasheim, Statoil’s director of field development off Norway, told Reuters. “A terminal is very good if you have large volumes,” he said on the margins of an oil and gas seminar. Production is projected to start in 2020, he said. The original plan, before the delay, was for production to start in 2019. The base case for daily production is for 30,000 cubic metres of oil per day, he said. Aasheim said Statoil would give an update on the status of the project “before the summer holidays,” which in Norway tend to start in July. Statoil is the operator of Johan Castberg and has a stake of 50 per cent. Italy’s Eni has a stake of 30 per cent and Norwegian state-owned firm Petoro holds the remaining 20 per cent.

Unconventionals, deepwater can co-exist –Experts

Oil barrels

RELIEF

the vision of the Nigerian people, that is to create more employment opportunities, and then begin to innovate so that in a few years’ time we will begin to look at an industry that is supporting the economy, and creating enough opportunities for our young people.” Since the EMNCFS was introduced in November 2013, at least 24 contractors have been able to access funds under the scheme. About $8.6 billion is available for contractors under the programme.

all last week but inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery point fell by 592,000 barrels, data from the US Energy Information Administration showed. Gasoline inventories fell by 772,000 barrels along with distillates, which were down 1.1 million barrels, as refineries cut output or went down for maintenance before the official start of the summer driving season just two weeks away. The Ukraine crisis eased slightly as Russia backed off its threat to cut Kiev's natural gas supply if the country did not pay in advance for June. It instead asked that Kiev pay just part of the “debt” Moscow

it owes. The conciliatory tone did little to reassure European Union leaders, however, who called the demand "unjustified." Half of Europe's imports of Russian natural gas go through Ukraine. Brent crude for June delivery extended gains for a second day to settle 95 cents higher at $110.19 a barrel, its highest settlement since April 24. The contract expires Thursday; a factor that may have exaggerated price gains because there is a lower volume of trades. The July contract for Brent, which will become the frontmonth contract on Friday, rose 77 cents to settle at $109.31 a barrel.

ndustry leaders at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2014 have declared that the impact of unconventional play revolution to the future of deepwater development. Unconventional resources’ rapid growth in North America has grabbed the attention of exploration and production companies both stateside and globally, with many diversifying their portfolio between conventional exploration programs and unconventional resource projects. However, as the enthusiasm for onshore shale play increases, the debate of how the industry should best allocate their capital seems to be the reigning topic. The United States is now the number one unconventional oil and gas producer in the world,

and together with Canada, accounts for more than 25 percent of global natural gas production, a panelist at the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference discussed in “How will Unconventional Play Revolution Impact Offshore Deepwater Industry?” Productivity of oil and natural gas wells is steadily increasing in many basins across the United States because of the increasing precision and efficiency of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in oil and natural gas extraction, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) noted. Many resource-producing basins are experiencing a yield over time in either oil (Bakken, Eagle Ford and Niobrara) or natural gas (Marcellus and Haynesville) formations.

PROPERTY&ENVIRONMENT PAGE 33, Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Scenes of collapse buildings in Lagos

CRISIS Escalating cement price has grave consequencies on building production process Dayo Ayeyemi

he seemingly ‘cold war’ between cement manufacturers over quality, the introduction of higher grades and the incessant building collapse in the country have attracted the attention of the nation’s legislators especially the House of Representatives. Disturbed by the controversies trailing cement quality in the country, the ad-hoc Committee on the Composition and Pigmentation of Cement in the country had last week invited professionals in the build environment, including members under the umbrella of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, to hear the their views. Disclosing this during the Lagos Architects Forum at the weekend, President of BCPG, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, told the audience what transpired during the meeting which all cement manufacturers attended. According to him, the committee wanted to know whether cement quality was responsible for collapse of buildings before deciding on the controversial cement upgrade. He explained that there have been allegations that cement has been causing collapse of buildings in the country. Awobodu said that he told the committee that there has not been scientific proof that cement was responsible for most of the buildings that collapsed in the past, adding that none of the findings about collapsed buildings has anything to do with cement quality. He said: “There is no scientific proof as many records of building collapse are available. When SON sent to us that it

House of Assembly wades into cement quality debate ...No scientific proof that cement causes building collapse –BCPG wanted to know from records, we sent to our members to show where cement has led to collapse of building and none was found.” Awobodu blamed collapse of building on poor foundation, engagement of quacks, sharp practices, greed on the part of clients and contractors, poor workmanship, non-engagement of professionals, lack of monitoring by government agencies and use of substandard building materials such as fake iron bars and blocks. He warned on escalating cement price, saying that it has grave consequences on building production process. “Because of high cost, where people are supposed to use 50 bags of cement, they will use 20 bags; but if the price of cement is reduced, there will be less building collapse,” Awobodu told the House committee. The recent controversies over cement quality started when Dangote Cement launched the 42.5 grade of cement into the Nigerian market against the prevalent 32.5 grade 42.5 cement grade, according to SON, which gave the approval, provides higher strength in building and construction. Only last Friday, a group, Anti-Corruption Network, in Abuja, expressed concern over the rampant cases of building collapse in the country with its attendant loss of many lives and property and urged the Federal Government to outlaw the use of 32.5 grade cement. Executive Secretary of the group and former member of the House of Representatives,

Awobodu

Odumodu, DG, SON

Mr. Dino Melaye, told journalists that the 32.5 cement grade had been phased out in many countries such as the United States, India, China and replaced with a 42.5 grade. He threatened that the group would protest if government failed to accede to the call. According to Melaye, the 32.5 cement grade has never given much strength in construction anywhere in the world like the 42.5 grade, insisting that his recommendation would save Nigerians from further building collapse and loss of lives and property. According to statistics by

the Lagos State Tribunal of Enquiry on Building Collapse, no fewer than 135 buildings collapsed in Lagos in the last seven years. Chairperson of the tribunal, Mrs Abimbola Ajayi, while presenting the tribunal’s report to Governor Babatunde Fashola last year, said that 130 cases were recorded before the tribunal was inaugurated while five buildings collapsed after it was set up. She explained that the tribunal discovered that the problem endured because most building projects were handled by quacks. According to her, the poor enforcement of the state building control law has contributed to the menace. “Gross indiscipline and corruption by stakeholders have added to the problem as they have rendered the relevant laws ineffective. The 2010 Building Control Law empowers the relevant government agencies to act and stop the menace, but the system does not, because of political, cultural and adminis-

Because of high cost, where people are supposed to use 50 bags of cement, they will use 20 bags

trative reasons,” she said. Ajayi also blamed the problem on the passive posture of law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice to the arrest and prosecution of violators of building control laws. Cement was not mentioned as one of the causes. Another issue is the escalating price of cement in the market. As at Friday last week, the price of a 50 kilogramme bag of cement, based on market survey by New Telegraph, was between N2,500 and N2,700 in Lagos area. But in a swift reaction, the management of Dangote Cement said that the factory price of its product remain in the region of N1,462 in Ogun environs; N1,564 within south west and south east; N1,735 within North central, west and east; and N1,630 in FCT. However, BCPG had since inception four years ago took a pragmatic step to work the talk of various solutions that have been suggested to stop the menace of building collapse in Nigeria. The guild had allocated coordinators who are built environment professionals to the 57 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State for the purpose of physical development monitoring to nib incident of collapse of building in the bud. BCPG members comprise professionals in the built environment which include surveyors, architects, engineers, builders, quantity surveyors, town planners and estate surveyors. Their responsibility is to C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

property & ENVIRONMENT

Chief Olusegun Bamgbade is the Chairman of HOB Housing Estates. In this interview with DAYO AYEYEMI, he spoke on the downturn of real estate business in the northern part of Nigeria due to the Boko Haram insurgency and other sundry issues in the industry Are you not worried about the spate of crises in the northern part of Nigeria? Crises in the North of Nigeria have taken a serious dimension. At first, it was an issue of some disgruntled agitators with no clear cut agenda. Later it metamorphosed into a jihadist attempt to Islamise the Northern Nigeria. Now, it is a call for the abrogation of western education in the Northern part of Nigeria especially for the girl child. This is barbaric! How has this hampered real estate development? On real estate development in the north, there is nothing serious to write home about. I have said it times without number, even on my facebook profile, that political unrest will not enhance economic development. Any real estate developer that has invested in that area in the last three years may have done so for lack of foresight. Such developer may have done so for immediate gains probably for political reasons. No serious investor will invest his hard earned resources in a warfare centre. What is your advise for members in the north?

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Estate developers in north must look before they leap –Expert My advise for real estate developers in the Northern part of Nigeria is to look before they leap. They should study their immediate environment as regards the security and safety of their clients before they invest. They are to inform and obtain definite assurances of the security of their investment from the respective state government. They must engage the services of the regular police, the vigilante as well as scientific innovations like CCTV (Close Circuit Television Cameras) in their estates. They must not sleep with all eyes closed at any point in time. They must not build expansively - they should only build manageable units of houses at a time and ensure that they are allocated to verifiable allottees. What has Nigerian government done to nip it in the bud at the initial stage? My answer is as good as yours. For God sake, we have security and intelligence officers in various units. Our intelligence officers have not done well in this regard. Politics apart, I am made to believe that there are security intelligence officers scattered all over the local governments of every state in Nigeria. Those that have worked in that region in the last three years should be called for questioning. They have been well paid for the job they did not do. They have been adequately remunerated for the job they failed to do and do well. When those who at one time or the other served in that region are called to give account of their stewardship, the truth about the genesis of this terrible menace called Boko Haram will be revealed and when the origin as well

Bamgbade

as the dramatis personae are brought to the open, it will be very easy to track the sponsors and grab the actors. If a problem is not nipped at the bud, it will degenerate to an unmanageable situation just as we have now. If the former President Obasanjo did not deal decisively with the Odi and the likes those days, we would have had a more cantankerous situation on ground now. Fine, people are accusing President Jonathan of failing on security issues, what of the state governors? Were they not given security votes? What of the local government? Were they not also given security votes? What of the

respective security officers in each of the concerned local government? Were they also not being paid for doing nothing? And if they said they were doing or have done something, can they open up and tell Nigerians what they did and who circumvented them? If I blame the president for being slow to react accordingly until it degenerated, I should be right to blame the state governors for being complacent. I should be right to blame the local government chairman for incompetence. I should be right to blame the security officials in that region for ineptitudes. However, this is not a blame game. We need to act now and act fast indeed. The economy of the north is not growing. The welfare of the north is moribund. The youth of the north are traumatised daily. The mothers in the north are wailing. The fathers in the north are helpless. The students in the north are afraid. Who will help the north? The help of the north lies in the hand of the northerners with God on their side. No serious businessman wants to invest in a war-torn area. No serious investor wants to exploit any investment opportunity in warfare centre. No serious person will venture into any serious business in such a theatre of war. I therefore implore our Northern leaders to call the aggrieved youths called Boko Haram to order. Their warfare is senseless. Whosoever conceived the idea is a moron. Destructions of lives and properties of innocent souls will only aggravate their problems here on earth and in heaven above. No one had ever taken up arms against the defenseless without being punished and disgraced. Examples abound.

Ogun swells Laderin Estate with 200 housing units

One of the housing estates built by Ogun State Housing Corporation in Abeokuta

Dayo Ayeyemi

he scope of Laderin Estate in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has been expanded with additional 200 housing units in an effort of the state government to provide affordable accommodation for the people. Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Daniel Adejobi, while revealing this at the weekend, said that government was committed to the development of housing units that are environmentally sensitive and affordable. According to him, the new scheme christened: “Mission One Estate,” when completed,

would be home to all low income earners and their families. The new estate comes with community centre, central park, neighborhood retail and a number of pocket parks. Adejobi added that government was planning the construction of an international convention centre in Abeokuta for the hosting of big events. Explaining further on the proposed centre, the Special Adviser, Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Mr. Babajide Odusolu, said that with the rapid development being experienced, corporate organisations are now willing to host their conventions in the

state. For this reason, he said that government was planning to build a world class convention centre, assuring that the 10 kilometre road construction in Ag-

bara by the corporation would be ready by the end of the month Also, the Special Adviser, Ogun State Housing Corporation, Mrs. Jumoke Akinwunmi, said that Gateway Savings and

Loans had been recapitalised for people to access loan to buy a home of their choice, adding that those that purchased properties from the corporation could now come for their title document.

House of Assembly wades into cement quality debate C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

monitor physical development in their area from the foundations and to check who the building owners or contractors are and see whether they are using the right construction method, materials, designs and professionals.

Speaking about the mandate of BCPG, Awobodu said that many professionals had talked about solution to collapse of buildings which looked like an academic work but now “we are putting our talk to practice.” According to him, instead of professionals working at cross purposes, they now work to-

gether, calling for more collaboration among them. He said: “We have coordinated the artisans in the state that they should alert BCPG if there is a problem in any site they find themselves. The onus is on us to ensure shoddy job is eradicated because we see construction as a team work.”

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

DAMAGE Increasingly extreme weather causing billions of dollars damage Dayo Ayeyemi

with Agency reports

ome important people and the military have expressed anxiety over the risks associated with climate change, urging insurers to include the damages in their models. These are the people who pick up the bills and those who clear up the mess or try to prevent it happening. It is not only the insurers who believe that climate change is a real and growing risk. Increasingly, the prospect is preoccupying military planners. According to the report from Climate News Networks, the world’s biggest and oldest insurance market, Lloyd’s of London, has published a report that urges insurers to include climate risks in their models. The report said: “Scientific research points conclusively to the existence of climate change driven by human activity. “Nevertheless, significant uncertainty remains on the nature and extent of the changes to our climate and the specific impacts this will generate. Many of the effects will become apparent over the coming decades and anticipating them will require forward projections, not solely historical data.” Quoting the Munich Re insurance group, the World Bank says damage and weather-related losses around the world have increased from an annual average of $50 billion in the 1980s to nearly $200 billion over the last decade. The Lloyd’s report was published the day after the

Climate Change: Insurers, military fret over risks US National Climate Assessment (NCA) warned Americans that climate change was already causing havoc across the country. White House Science Adviser, John Holdren, said that the NCA was the “loudest and clearest alarm bell to date signalling the need to take urgent action to combat the threats to Americans from climate change.” The most expensive year on record for natural disasters was 2011, when insured losses cost the industry over $126 billion. In 2012, superstorm sandy caused $35 billion of insured losses, making it the most expensive hurricane in US history after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The Lloyd’s report says a 20cm rise in sea level at the southern tip of Manhattan Island increased Sandy’s surge losses by 30 per cent (up to $8 billion) in New York alone. Chairman of Lloyd’s, John Nelson, said: “The destruction sandy brought to the eastern US seaboard was responsible for claims of up to $300 millon in lost fine art, a consequence of the many expensive US beachfront homes damaged.” Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated much of the Philippines and other parts of south-east Asia in November 2013, was one of the strongest tropical cyclones on record. Head of Exposure Management and Reinsurance at Lloyd’s, Trevor Maynard, said:

“Climate change is very much here to stay. Hurricanes are getting stronger worldwide, and especially over the north Atlantic. At the moment we are heading for a rise of four degrees by the end of the century.” Mark Wright, a Pentagon spokesman, said: “This is a mission reality, not a political debate. The scientific forecast is for more Arctic ice melt, more sea-level rise, more intense storms, more flooding from storm surge, and more droughts.” A former US Navy officer, retired Vice-Admiral Lee Gunn, is reported by NBC News as saying that the 2011 Arab Spring uprising could, in part, be traced to a winter drought in China, plus record

heat waves and flooding in several other countries, including Russia. A further report, by 16 retired generals and admirals, says climate change is a direct threat to national security and the US economy. The authors, members of the Military Advisory Board of the not-for-profit CNA Corporation, blame rising temperatures for, in part, worsening international tension. Their study says that the impacts of climate change are already intensifying instability in vulnerable regions, especially the resource-rich and rapidly changing Arctic. It says the projected impacts within the US will threaten its homeland security and major sectors of its economy.

One of the 2012 flood scenes in the Nigeria

Four ways to boost locally-controlled forestry businesses –Report TRANSFORMATION The methods have huge potential to provide food, income and stabilise the changing climate Dayo Ayeyemi

elping forestry businesses to secure land and resource tenure; easy formation of effective organisations to achieve economies of scale and the power of collective bargaining; investing in programmes that strengthen business know-how; and revitalising technical extension services to give room for valuable role in forest-farm mosaics that deliver local and global public goods have been identified as four best ways to boost locally controlled forestry businesses. For these to happen, govern-

ments, donors and investors must bolster locally-controlled forest businesses if they wish to deliver public goods, support livelihoods and help tackle poverty and climate change, a new report by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) has stated. Drawing on research in Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Nepal, Tanzania and Vietnam, the report said the identified four main ways support could transform locallycontrolled forestry businesses. Principal researcher in IIED’s Forest Team and co-author of the report, Duncan Macqueen said: “The sheer scale of locally controlled forest businesses means they have huge potential to provide food, energy, water and income and help to stabilise our changing climate. “However, the support they

receive is inadequate. It is crucial that investment in locallycontrolled forestry increases so these enterprises can realise their potential.” The report will be launched on May 20 at the British Academy, during a meeting about the challenges and opportunities that efforts to regulate the timber trade present to small-scale and community forestry. “Small-scale forestry enterprises in Africa, Asia and Latin America already face challenges in accessing raw materials, marketing products and securing finance,” says Simon Milledge, who leads IIED’s Forest Team and will speak at the meeting. “They will now also struggle to conform to new legality requirements. This is not only a problem for such producers but may also lead to conflicts that will undermine a country’s access to the EU market. Meanwhile, law enforcement can dispropor-

tionately penalise the most vulnerable smaller-scale actors.” “For most local forest producers, export timber is only a small fraction of their business, most of which focuses on growing domestic markets,” says Milledge. “What they really need is support from governments and investors to develop their businesses so they can meet rising in-country demand for timber in a sustainable way. The FLEGT Action Plan needs to respond to the realities of growing domestic markets and the needs of the mostly informal, small-scale sector that supplies them.” Worldwide 1.3 billion people rely on forests for their food, energy, water and income. Done right, says the new report, locally-controlled mosaics of forestry and farm businesses can provide sustainable livelihoods for such communities that restore forests on a landscape scale. “The EU FLEGT programme

needs to find new ways to invest in locally controlled forestry,” says Macqueen. “Otherwise, any reputation and positive impacts of tighter regulation on industrial forestry will be tarnished by, at best, indifference to, or at worst, negative impacts on the local livelihoods of the forest dependent poor.” “Helping small scale forest and farm enterprises to organise themselves gives them a better chance to make their presence felt and have their views heard during the process of developing rules and regulations which affect their livelihoods and landscapes,” says Jeffrey Campbell, Manager of the Forest and Farm Facility. “Strengthening their management helps them add value and can generate returns at multiple levels and create strong and sustainable local controls over illegal logging - benefitting a much larger sector of the rural economy.”

36 property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Buying efficient, yet attractive confab table

conference table is not only a place to hold a meeting or give a presentation. It is the focal point of the room, and the image it projects could play a positive role in furthering the success of your business. You will want your conference room to look professional, yet warm; efficient, yet attractive. At first glance, it might seem as simple as just buying a conference table large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably

and where each person sitting at the table can be seen by everyone else. However, there are some other things to keep in mind before making a final decision as to which conference table will best suit your requirements. Since the conference table will be the first thing you see when entering the room, you don’t want one that is too large or too small for the space. It should proportionately fill the center of the room.

Measure the room so you know how much space you have to work with. It will also give you a better idea of how much other equipment, in addition to the conference table, you will be able to add in the future. The ambience and distinct character of your boardroom will largely be defined by the shape of conference table, type of base you select and its style. The most common shapes for conference tables are rectan-

gular, boat-shaped and racetrack. For smaller-sized meeting rooms, round, square and octagonal are also popular choices. The base of a conference table gives it its distinct look, strength and stability. Typical bases include the panelstyle base, trestle base, X-base and the pedestal base. Many conference tables also have traditional legs or legs with stretchers. When selecting the type of base, it should meet

the following criteria: that it will complement the design you want to achieve, that it is strong and durable and that it is stable. How strong, durable and functional your conference table will be depends on the materials used in its design and construction. Laminates are commonly used for conference tables and office furniture because they are strong, durable, easy to care for and don't fade.

Debate on land reforms top agenda as surveyors converge on Benin Dayo Ayeyemi

S practitioners under the aegis of Nigeria Institution of Surveyors (NIS) converge on Benin, the capital of Edo State, this week, for their 2014 Delegates Conference/Annual General Meeting, one of the issues that will dominate discursions is the need to fasttrack the processes of land reform in the country. The discussions will be followed by the election of a new president to replace the incumbent, Mr. Bode Adeaga,

whose tenure expires during the AGM, as well as other officers, who will direct the affairs of the institution for the next two years. Two former vice presidents of the institution, Mr. Akin Oyegbola and Mr. Charles Alabo, are contesting for the post of the deputy president. The conference, which has as its theme: ‘Connect and Collaborate: Creating opportunities and awareness for spatial integration’ will feature a keynote address to be delivered by the Chairman, National Law

Reform Commission, Prof. Osarhemen Osunbor, while the Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, will be the chief host. Justifying the theme of the conference, the institution’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Oluropo Olajugba, said it is meant to provide opportunities for professionals in the built environment, government functionaries and foreigners to share knowledge through interaction in order to collaborate. He said: “Like connect, it is an opportunity to connect with

each other apart from surveyors; government functionaries, foreigners will be there to share knowledge and, of course to collaborate. Surveying and all engineering professionals in particular will relate with one another such as architects and planners. Whatever you are doing, you talk of land use, infrastructure, social survey; so in whatever you are doing, you need to collaborate.” Speaking on the need for land reforms in the country, he pointed out that less than 10 per cent of land mass in Nige-

GIS: C-of-O processing now six months in Ogun –DG Land Dayo Ayeyemi he deployment of GeographTOgun ic Information System in State has given govern-

ment a competitive advantage of fast-tracking timeliness on all transactions, Special Adviser/Director General of Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, has said. According to him, the application of GIS has given the officials of the bureau the opportunity to reduce the period of processing Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to six months as well as letter of consent and letter of allocation.

Besides, he said that the deployment of the technology now gives clients the opportunity to view information on land related issues online. He made this disclosure during the 2014 ministerial press briefing on the achievement of his ministry in the last one year. Oshinowo said that the deployment of GIS has been programmed in a way that each application received in the bureau could be viewed online by applicants and other land related information through the help of a Land Information System (LIS).

“As part of the Geographical Information System (GIS) being embarked upon by the Bureau, the Land Information System (LIS) has been tailored in such a way that information on land can be easily accessible by all stakeholders online, in effect, the development of GIS has provided a platform for clients of the Bureau, the people of Ogun State, to be able to take rational decisions on land related matters before committing their hard earned money on any landed property within the state,” he said. Oshinowo also stated that the payment of compensation

to victims of demolition is a dual responsibility of Bureau of Lands and Survey with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in the state. He said that compensation would be paid to owners of demolished property without any further delay after the assessment and valuation had been done by the two agencies. He further said that the state government was not relenting in its commitment to the re-establishment of boundaries in the border areas of the country as well as the reestablishment of the Olokola Free Trade Zone enterprises.

ria is surveyed while less that 3 per cent has title. Untitled land coupled with lack of survey, Olajugba, who is also the Chief Executive Officer at Lordsfield Limited, said was responsible for low level investment and development in the Nigeria. According to him, without proper surveyed land and registered title, it would be difficult for the country to get accelerated development. “The lands are there and nobody knows the size, nobody knows whether they are allocated and yet people are talking about Millennium Development Goals. Where are you going to put pipeline, railway, roads and other infrastructures except on land? Basic economic tells us that the factors of production include land, labour and capital. If you remove land, you are not going to achieve anything,” he said. Olajugba urged the need for government to survey and give register titles to all lands in Nigeria to attract investment and reduce various abuses in the society. According to him, lands with registered titles will put an end to the problems associated with acquisition, compensation and allocation of land for development purposes.

Pilots, please exercise caution, the rains are p–38 here

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Nigerian airlines are in financial dire straits. Two new entrants, Azman and Discovery airlines are undaunted. Can these two airlines weather the turbulence in the sector? Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE asks?

BUSINESS 37

New airlines: A boost for Nigeria's aviation

obody knows the attraction. Perhaps, there were things that they saw that others may not be seeing. They could have possibly seen how others failed, which could have informed their decision to come into a sector that is not only highly capital intensive, but just has a little margin of profit. The new interest in the airline business by investors with deep pocket, especially in the oil and gas sector, has brought an admixture of excitement and indifference from experts and travellers who have questioned whether they would remain in business for long considering how some highly capitalised airlines had fallen by the way side in the recent past. New entrants

Two airlines, Azman and Discovery have received their Air Operator Certificate (AOC) s from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), an indication that they satisfied all the requirement to operate safe, efficient and reliable air transport business. Just last week, Azman Airlines officially commenced operations and would operate from Lagos to Abuja, PortHarcourt as it plans to expand its services as time goes on. It would operate with three B737500 airplanes for now as the management unveiled a very ambitious business model to ensure that it remains in service for a very long time. Also, Discovery Airlines is said to be gearing up for operations in less than a fortnight. The situation of Hak Airlines is not very clear, as nobody knows what it has up its sleeves, but there were indications that the firm was perfecting arrangements to also join the fray. Experts are of the opinion that the coming into service of these new entrants would engender competition and make air travel affordable to many Nigerians who choose the option of travelling by road because of the alleged ‘astronomical’ air fare. They accused existing airlines of conspiracy to charge the same fares; forcing people who would have loved to travel by air to choose the alternative of travelling by road with its high risk. Air travel is regarded as the safest means of transportation.

Azman and Discovery airlines, new entrants into Nigeria's aviation sector

That may not be correct as the airlines are in serious financial dire straits; a situation that has made air fares to be highly competitive, except at peak periods or at Christmas and Id-elKabir festivals when there are high movement of people. The questions remains, what is the future of these new airlines that are coming to add seats to the number of existing seats. It would be recalled that many other Nigerian airlines made big start but later fizzled out owing to humungous debts, management crises, bad business model, high or multiple taxes and government’s policy dealt a huge blow on them. Those who could not absorb the heat closed shops. Many others, in fact, virtually all Nigerian airlines, are heavily indebted and are at the mercy of the Asset Management Company (AMCON) Limited. Challenges They are equally hampered by high indebtedness to banks, aviation agencies and other entities, payment of charges to the various agencies, high cost of aviation fuel and absence of business model. The high cost of aviation fuel, also known as JET A1, which experts say cost airlines about 40 per cent of their income, has not only make the cost of operation high, it has also make it impossible for local airlines to break even. Other challenges facing airlines are multiple entries granted to well-funded and effi-

ciently managed international airlines by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation, poor management, lack of enough aircraft in their fleet to operate their scheduled routes, lack of maintenance facilities in the country where domestic airlines can carry out major checks such as C and D instead of taking their aircraft abroad, inability to access funds for expansion of their airlines, double digit interest rate paid on loans from financial institutions, lack of feasibility study before embarking on airline business, lack of financial discipline, management indiscipline, introducing charges that cannot be explained and government policies, which often time somersault thereby affecting the operations of airlines. These challenges are choking and have made Nigerians to set up airline business and aviation school in neigbhouring Ghana. Stakeholders’ perspective The rate at which Nigerian

The questions remains, what is the future of these new airlines that are coming to add to the number of existing seats?

airlines come and go under is giving aviation stakeholders, experts and analysts a source of concern to the extent that they warned that if care is not taken the airline business in the country will collapse if these issues are not urgently addressed. Some of the stakeholders who spoke on the issue said that these challenges have not been addressed by successive governments, reminding government that airline business must not be allowed to die. President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, said he was very excited about the entrance of Azman and Discovery Airlines, saying that the two went through rigorous certification. He equally disclosed that the professionals they engaged were some of the best in their chosen field, stressing that they were very unfortunate to have worked for airlines which collapsed under bad management. Ore noted that long before they started, they trained their personnel, an action he said other airlines refused to do, hinting that he was confident they would do well to replace some that would be dying and leaving the scene as time goes on. Member, Aircraft Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Tukur, said the coming of the airlines was a welcome development for the aviation industry. He further stated that the airline would easily fill in the gap for the likes of IRS and Chanchangi which for now are said to be re-organising, just as

he called on the startup airlines to seek strong partnership to boost their operations. Others are of the opinion that Nigerian domestic airlines have short life span due to lack of proper planning and the harsh business environment, in which they operate. They stated that harsh business environment makes it difficult for Nigerian operators to access long term credit facilities from financial institutions. They argued that unlike in Europe and America, where there are finance companies that are willing to lease aircraft to operators, Nigeria is, however, seen as a high risk country and operators are therefore forced to pay upfront making them to grapple with limited resources. A former Nigeria representative at International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr. Folasade Odutola, lamented that the industry is not growing, as a few aircraft are flying today compared to the 80s when Nigeria had over 100 aircraft operating in the domestic scene. “I don’t think so, I don’t think it has grown .You can recall how many airlines we used to have in the past, how many aircraft were flying. In 1984, we had over 100 airplanes flying. Now, how many airlines are operating today? Then, Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) alone was flying so many routes and had more than 20 aircrafts. So, compare that with what we have on ground today. So, what growth are we talking about? She asked.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

WITH

Emirates to operate double AIR RAGE daily services to Seychelles Pilots, please exercise

mirates, a global connector of people and places, has announced it will step up its operations to the Seychelles by increasing services to double daily later this year. The introduction of two more flights per week on the route into the Seychelles will increase the existing 12 scheduled flights to fourteen bringing operations to double daily from the 28th of October this year. “Emirates’ decision to commit two additional scheduled flights a week is a clear indication of customer demand, both for our award-winning product and the wealth of attractions that this popular destination has to offer,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Latin America, Central and Southern Africa. “Emirates’ expanded schedule provides better connectivity and a wider choice for our customers connecting through Dubai. These additional seats every week are central to helping us meet the growing demand and support the Seychelles tourism industry,” he continued. “On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Seychelles Tourism Board,

I congratulate Emirates on the announcement that Seychelles will be served with two additional flights per week, offering customers excellent choice with its three-class configuration. This is indeed good news for our tourism industry which remains the pillar of our country's economy. Emirates has been a strong partner for us and the increase of flights to double daily shows the commitment of the airline to the Seychelles. It also indicates Emirates’ belief that the Seychelles tourism industry is today, more than ever before, on a firm footing”, said Alain St. Ange, Minister of Tourism and Culture for the Seychelles. Emirates operates an Airbus A340-500 on the route, offering customers a choice of cabins with 12 luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 deeply reclining Business Class seats and plenty of room to relax in Economy Class, where there are 204 seats available. Passengers can enjoy the award-winning ice entertainment system, with hundreds of channels of on-demand entertainment to choose from, including movies from around the world, TV channels, audio channels, video games and news headlines.

Emirates customers also have the opportunity to enjoy meals prepared by gourmet chefs and exceptional service from the international cabin crew recruited from over 130 nationalities, speaking over 55 languages. They receive a generous baggage allowance, with 30kg for those travelling in Economy Class, 40kg for Business Class and 50kg for First Class. The Seychelles comprises 115 pristine, tropical islands, 1,600 km from the East coast of Africa. This archipelago contains the only mid-ocean granitic islands on the planet and offers sanctuaries for numerous endemic species of flora and fauna that are amongst the rarest on earth. The islands are also home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: The Vallée de Mai, upon whose ancient palms grows the wondrous Coco-de-mer and fabled Aldabra, the largest raised atoll in the world. Throughout the islands there are unparalleled opportunities for sailing on bare-boat or skippered yacht, deep-sea and fly-fishing as well as a broad diversity of dive experiences for the novice and experienced diver alike.

R-L: Acting Director General, NCAA, Benedict Adeyileka; MD/CEO, Goodnews Travels & Tours Limited and the Platinum Award winner of Top Agent Award, Mrs. Ozioma Ukachukwu; her husband, Jude Ukachukwu and the Emirates Regional Manager for West Africa, Mr. Manoj Nair, during the Emirates Agent Award/Gala Night at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos... recently

Arik adds more frequencies on Monrovia route

est Africa’s biggest airline, Arik Air, has responded to passenger demand by increasing the frequency of its Lagos-Monrovia (Liberia) and Lagos-Luanda (Angola) routes. The Lagos-Monrovia service has been increased from three to four weekly flights using a Boeing 737-700 aircraft. The new flight will operate on Saturday, adding to the existing Monday, Wednesday and Friday services. All four weekly flights are operated via Accra with a

fifth freedom traffic rights approval facilitating traffic between these two cities as well. Similarly, the twice weekly Lagos-Luanda service has been increased to three weekly flights. The service will now operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The outbound flight will depart Lagos at 9:30pm (local time) and arrive in Luanda at 12:35am (local time) while the inbound flight will depart Luanda at 02:00am (local time) and arrive Lagos at 05:05am (local time).

Commenting on the additional frequencies, Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue, said: “There is an increasing demand from our guests on the Lagos-Monrovia and Lagos-Luanda routes. Arik Air is committed to providing all of its guests with a range of services, all at suitable times. "We have identified and delivered on the demands and are continuously reviewing our route network to offer increased and seamless connections.”

Wole Shadare

caution, the rains are here

he rains are here. It is that Trains time of the year when it heavily. For the aviation

industry, it is the period pilots dread so much because of the condition of the nation’s airport runways which are usually flooded. It is equally that time when wind shear phenomenon is prevalent and one that may be catastrophic for aircraft operations and endanger lives. Before the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) could come out with its prediction on the amount of rainfall to be expected this year, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Sunday, came out with warnings that, if applied, would leave the sector safer. The NCAA through its spokesman, Fan Ndubuoke, urged passengers to remain calm, avoid violence and confrontation with the airline officials as this measure is to ensure their safety adding that NCAA’s primary responsibility is to ensure safe and secure air transportation in the country. He said: “We will therefore enjoin intending passengers to exercise restraint/understanding in the event of any weatherrelated cancellations/delays. “It is pertinent to draw the attention of both the operators and passengers to the rights, responsibilities and limitations of all the parties as spelt out in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2012 (NigCAR) Part 19.5.3 which state thus: ”An operating airline shall not be obliged to pay compensation for cancellation if it can prove that the cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures have been taken.” Where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed weather minimum, flights are bound to be delayed, diverted or cancelled; consequently, passengers should expect minimum delays or flight cancellations arising from adherence to weather situations in the interest of safety. Many pilots have had the experience of hearing about a weather-related accident and

thinking themselves immune from a similar experience. Interviews with pilots who narrowly escaped aviation weather-related accidents indicate that many of the unfortunate pilots thought the same thing until they found themselves in weather conditions they did not expect and could not safely handle. Given the broad availability of weather information, pilots continue to find themselves surprised and trapped by adverse weather condition. Ironically, the very abundance of weather information might be part of the answer, with many weather providers and weather product, it can be very difficult for pilots to focus on key facts and then correctly evaluate the risk resulting from a given set of circumstances. With improper equipment, ineptitude on the part of the pilot or bad weather, night flying can certainly be dangerous However, with precautionary planning and with an understanding of night vision shortcomings, night flying can be one of the most pleasant experiences connected with aviation. Making a weather plan In a discussion with a captain with the defunct Nigeria Airways, he said that the step in practical pre-flight planning is to perform a honest evaluation of whether your skill and/ or aircraft capability are up to the challenge posed by particular set of weather conditions. He explained that it is very important to consider whether the combined pilot’s aircraft team is sufficient. “For example, you may be a very experienced, proficient and current pilot, but your weather flying ability is still limited if you are flying a 1980’s model airplane with no weather avoidance gear. On the other hand, you may have a new technically advanced airplane with moving map GPS, weather data link and auto pilot, but if you do not have much weather flying experience, you must not count on the airplane’s capability to fully compensate for your own lack of experience.”

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Etihad Airways bags performance award REWARD Etihad Airways wins global expansion award based on onlinemarketing campaign in 2013.

tihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has received the global excellence in performance marketing accolade at the 2014 Performance Marketing Awards. The prestigious awards celebrate excellence in online advertising and attracted hundreds of entries across 25 categories this year. The winners were announced during a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House hotel in London, attended by more than 900 international marketing experts. The category for Global Excellence in Performance Marketing, which is aimed at companies that have operated or expanded their onlinemarketing activities to more than one worldwide territory, included finalists such as Nokia, Sony Europe and Microsoft Shop.

Etihad Airways was selected as the winner following the successful global expansion of its UK-based onlinemarketing campaign in 2013. Judges were impressed by the “smart execution, expansion and overall success” of the expansion, which was conducted in partnership with the airline’s digital marketing agency DigitasLBi. The campaign focused on the growth of the airline’s online affiliate sales program, including its expansion into key European markets such as Italy, France and Germany. In addition, new direct sales partners were recruited in emerging markets such as Brazil, China and India, while partnerships with travel comparison websites were further optimised. The airline also introduced its first email retargeting campaign, initially in English and later in Arabic and other languages. Overall revenue from the campaign increased by 100 per cent in 2013 compared to the previous year as a result of the global expansion. This included an impressive 107 per cent growth in direct partner revenue and 66 per cent growth in affiliate

revenue. Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways Peter Baumgartner, said, “Performance marketing has emerged as a key online revenue driver for Etihad Airways and winning the Global Excellence in Performance Marketing award, especially with the high calibre of shortlisted companies, is testament to the success of our aggressive expansion in this area last year. “A key challenge was to research and prioritise key international markets, anddevelop sustainable, long-term partnerships in these markets tosupport a substantial revenue increase that still falls within our cost of sale targets. We have ambitious plans to build on the success of this campaign with a number of exciting new developments in 2014.” The success at the 2014 Performance Marketing Awards follows another recent accolade for the airline’s online marketing activities. At the Festival of Media Global Awards 2014, held in Rome last month, Etihad Airways took home the title for Best Digitally Integrated Campaign for its ‘Etihad Mapped Out’ tool.

Virgin Atlantic, British Council to promote young entrepreneurs PARTNERSHIP Participants will compete for opportunity to win return flight tickets to the UK British Council, in partwith Virgin AtlanTtichenership Airways, have announced

a competition called ‘Enterprise Challenge’ in a bid to promote the development of entrepreneurial skills in Nigerian youth. Enterprise Challenge is an online competition which seeks to give young, brilliant entrepreneurial minds the opportunity to further develop their skills in this area and bring their innovative ideas to the fore for possible future development. It will be a battle of the best minds. The competition is designed to test a range of consumerist skills and will take place in three task cycles over a fiveweek period. Participants will compete for opportunity to win return flight tickets to the UK on Virgin Atlantic Airways and an opportunity to meet and be mentored by one of UK’s foremost entrepreneurs and Chairman of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson. The competition is open to Nigerians currently domiciled in Nigeria and those studying in the UK who fall within the 18 to 35 year age bracket. The British Council creates international opportunities for

the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Our 7000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year through English, arts, education and society programmes. Virgin Atlantic Airways was founded by Sir Richard Branson almost 30 years ago after he decided the UK aviation industry needed shaking up. On June 22, 1984, Virgin Atlantic’s inaugural flight to Newark took place, on an aircraft filled with personal friends, celebrities and the media. Today, Virgin Atlantic flies to 35 destinations worldwide, including locations across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Far East. Some of its most recent additions to its flying network include Cancun, Vancouver, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Manchester. The last may not have been heard about the merger of some aviation agencies as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will be in Nigeria to undertake another tedious audit process of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to facilitate the merger should government refuse to overturn the Steve Orosanye’s committee report that recommended the merger of over 200 government agencies.

…Partners Coscharis on ride and drive oscharis Motors in partnerCAirways ship with Virgin Atlantic is creating a truly

Dana's MD83 aircraft

Dana Air strengthens domestic operations with more flights

ana Air has further reinforced its domestic flight operations by introducing additional flights across its existing route network from its hub at the Lagos Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) in response to growing demand by guests who desire convenience. With the development, the airline has inaugurated an earlier flight from Lagos to Abuja that departs at 7:02 whilst it has also strengthened the Abuja to Port Harcourt route with the introduction of an additional flight to cater for the growing needs of the flying public. Announcing the introduction of the additional routes in Lagos, the Head, Commercial, Mr. Obialor Mbanuzuo,

said “Dana Air route plans are entirely a function of customers' demand and the airline is consolidating its operations on the Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt axis following extensive market research that has shown strong customer demand for the additional flights especially the earlier flights that have been inaugurated on the Lagos to Abuja and Abuja to Port Harcourt routes.” He also enjoined passengers in both Abuja and Port Harcourt who do not want to transit in Lagos to take advantage of the additional flights between Abuja and Port Harcourt for both their leisure and business travels. Mbanuzuo also noted the carrier currently offers competitive webfares to guests

who search and book flights on the recently introduced Flydana Mobile app platform and it is therefore imperative for them to visit the app’s stores to freely download the application that puts booking convenience in the hands of discerning guests. In its determination to meet the highest global aviation safety standards, the airline has commenced an Implementation Training Initiative as part of the preliminary process to prepare for the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). Dana Air is one of ten airlines benefiting from the IOSA implementation training initiative that is 100 per cent funded by International Airline Training Fund (IATF).

experiential platform for their customers to Ride and Drive the latest Jaguar Land Rover brands on May 17, 2014, in Lagos. The aim of the event is to offer customers a unique driving experience on the untapped capabilities and luxury features of the Jaguar Land Rover brands. According to GM, JLR Sales, Ufuoma Umukoro, some of the owners of the Jaguar Land Rover variants are underutilising these vehicles given what they actually offer in terms of on-road and off-road capabilities and luxuries. He added that “the lack of expert knowledge in handling these vehicles sometimes results in mechanical and electrical problems.” Consequently, Coscharis Motors is inviting the Land Rover Experience instructors from South Africa and UK to facilitate the Ride and Drive event in Nigeria. This event, which is one in a series targets prospects and customers of premium brands that share similar premium client-base with the Jaguar Land Rover brands; which is where the partnership with Virgin

Atlantic is so important. This Ride and Drive event is designed to offer Virgin Atlantic’s premium customers in conjunction with the company’s customers and prospects, added value in their expert knowledge of handling these luxury vehicles; our business philosophy is to always deliver value for money. The event also entails the exhibition of all the latest Jaguar Land Rover models within the Coscharis dealership. Participating customers and prospects that make purchases or commit financially during the event will enjoy a reasonable discount on the Discovery 4, Range Rover Evoque, Freelander 2, Jaguar XF and XJ. Coscharis Motors has the sole franchise for Jaguar Land Rover models in Nigeria and also offers after-sales services and genuine parts for these vehicles. Virgin Atlantic Airways was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson almost 30 years ago after he decided the UK aviation industry needed shaking up. On 22nd June 1984, Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flight to Newark took place, on an aircraft filled with personal friends, celebrities and the media.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Air Seychelles begins services to Paris A ir Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, has announced it will launch flights to Paris on July 2, 2014, and tickets are now on sale.

The airline in a statement said two return services per week will operate from the Seychelles to Paris via Abu Dhabi, with Air Seychelles deploying its brightly-coloured

Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route, offering 18 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 236 seats in Economy Class. Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, Manoj Papa, said:

“Our return to Paris marks another milestone in Air Seychelles’ journey of growing its international operations by flying to and from key markets. “France has deep cultural and historical ties with the Seychelles and these new flights will allow more travellers to visit our island nation both for business and for leisure. “The response from stakeholders has been great. Travel agents, tour operators and business partners now have additional choice and accessibility options, which will help to further promote what the Seychelles has to offer. “Furthermore, guests will soon experience the world-famous Creole warmth and hospitality to and from the French capital.” Minister for Home Affairs

and Transport, and Chairman of Air Seychelles’ Board, Joel Morgan, said: “I am delighted the French Civil Aviation Authorities have granted approval for our flights to Paris, which build on the already strong ties between our two countries. “Air Seychelles’ return to Paris has been a key target of our long-term business strategy, and thanks to our equity partner, Etihad Airways, we have been able to launch the flights faster than may have been achieved otherwise. I am pleased that we have been able to respond to the demands for links to Paris from stakeholders and tourism partners, locally and overseas.” Beyond Paris, Air Seychelles offers guests connections to and from more than 50 cities in 23 countries across Europe.

Air India asked to stop companion free scheme ir India has been asked to not undertaken together by Apanion immediately stop its Com- the passengers holding main Free Scheme (CFS), and CFS ticket and CFS tickets Virgin Atlantic's business class cabin

Air travel in pregnancy

regnancy was once seen as something that sent women to their homes once their bellies began to protrude, hence the term confinement. It was not considered appropriate for a pregnant women to be seen in public. Nowadays pregnancy rarely changes our schedules, with the exception of complications. Women continue their normal lives usually for the duration of the pregnancy, with minor exceptions (Like knowing where all the bathrooms are!). Travel is no exception. Travel is becoming more prevalent as families move further and further away. Traveling for holidays or as a last trip to see the family before the baby or as a last romantic vacation, is not unusual. This even includes out of the country travel and often air travel. Air travel has had it's share of bad stories told and rumors spread, add pregnancy to the mixture and you probably wouldn't believe the number of things that are said about air travel while pregnant. Most of the studies on pregnancy and air travel have been done on female flight attendants. One study did show that there was a slight increase in first trimester miscarriage, but this was for the flight attendants who worked a greater number of hours. Other studies were worried about in-flight radiation. This was also shown to have a slight increase in potential problems. However, these problems were more related to the length of time in the air, the route flown,

and other flight phenomena. As you can see from the medical literature, flying is fairly safe while pregnant, even for the flight attendant, with some minor adjustments. Considering that the average passengers don't fly for extended periods, these concerns are not very relevant to the average flier. There are some precautions that a pregnant traveler should consider: • Talk to your practitioner before flying. If you are more than 36 weeks pregnant, many airlines will not let you fly for fear that you'll deliver on board. • Try to do the majority of your traveling in the second trimester. Not only will you be more comfortable, but in general the risk of miscarriage and pre-

Kaduna Airport control tower

term labor are lower. • Avoid excessive flying. Although there are no hard and fast numbers. The flight attendants with the higher miscarriage rates flew on average 74 hours per month. • Make comfort arrangements. Try to get seats with more leg room, plan to walk in the aisles, potty breaks, and water... • Avoid travel to countries that would require immunization. Talk to your practitioner for more info on immunizations. So remember, flying is not contraindicated in an uncomplicated pregnancy, but use your common sense and speak to your practitioner about your travel plans. Culled from travelnews.com

after irregularities were detected with fliers not being accompanied by spouse, child or parent, which is one of the prerequisites. The airline's Vigilance Department discovered serious irregularities and misuse of CFS while scrutinising the data between October 2011 and April 2012 for tickets issued at Delhi Airport. It was found that in a sample of 332 CFS tickets issued at Terminal 3 of the Delhi Airport, irregularities were found in respect of 196 tickets. Similarly, 435 tickets issued at Chandigarh airport also had irregularities, which include CFS tickets being issued without any full fare ticket. "Main tickets were cancelled after issuance or use of CFS tickets. For domestic CFS tickets the accompanying passenger should be spouse, child or parent - this stipulation was not followed. Main tickets and CFS tickets don't have the cross reference. "Outbound journey was

were issued on a sector different from the main ticket routing," a Civil Aviation Ministry spokesperson said. Taking a serious view of the irregularities, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has directed Air India CMD to stop the CFS with immediate effect, the spokesperson said. Also, it was found that .most of the CFS tickets issued at Delhi had the agent code of only one employee, a Traffic Assistant. He issued about 130 fraudulent CFS tickets in the sample check at Terminal 3. An FIR has been lodged by Air India Airport Manager against him and he has been placed under suspension. Also he had been asked to lodge FIR against all other errant officials. Apart from it, the Vigilance department had also advised the national carrier's Commercial Director to verify the CF .. to verify the CFS tickets issued on all-India basis and initiate action against erring employees.

MOM&PARENTING

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/mum&parenting

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI oluwatosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com tosin042001@yahoo.com

TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014

Baby! What’s name got do with it? Oluwatosin Omoniyi

here is a whole lot about names. Almost all parents name their children based on particular experiences or circumstances surrounding the birth of a child. In Nigeria, and other parts of Africa, a name is a means of identification. It also reflects culture, beliefs and ethnic differentiation. For instance in Yoruba culture, certain names like Olubode, Eritomiwa, Oritshasehor, connote different meanings. While in Igbo, names like Olaedo, Ihuoma, Nneka, Chukwuebuka also have their meanings. Hausa, names like-Hassana has its meaning as “something that is good or worthy to have, the variant form of Yoruba name Omoniyi-a child is worth having. Babayaaro, means father of plenty children. Samuel Akintewe, a lawyer from the Ilaje side of Ondo State, is blessed with five healthy children, whom he gave names according to the historical events and circumstances surrounding their births. He gave his last child Oritshasehor, meaning,” God deemed it fit to honour me.” Akintewe believed that the birth of the child heralded good tidings and promotion in his place of work. He added that the other name to one of his children is Olueyite, meaning “Never to be disgraced.” “Oluwaseun,” means grateful to God for His goodness in his life. “Oluwafemi” that God loves him to have blessed him and preserved him. The family of Adeyemo had their only child, Eritomiwa out of covenant with God. For nine years in their marriage, no child came forth. According to their faith, they made a covenant with God on the day the church (White garment Church) was having its annual festival tagged “Apoti Eri.”(ark of covenant). The couple believed it was that period they conceived the child. Hence, when they had the child, they named her “Eritomiwa,” literally meaning that God’s testimony trails me. Hillary and Ann are a couple that are blessed with three boys. They begged God for a girl and when their prayers were answered, they named the girl child, “Olaedo” meaning Gold or precious daughter. Another family is the family of Nwakanma, who named his sister’s daughter, Ihuoma, literally means “Face that will always begets favour wherever she turns.” The circumstance that surrounds Ihuoma’s birth was because her mother had her out of wedlock and prayed on her death bed that her luck should not befall the innocent girl in life. Indeed, going by the names and their meanings aforementioned, there is every sense of attachment to names in Nigeria. A typical Nigerian parent would not give English name or names that does not hold meanings or say something about his background to his child. Gbemisola Ifatimele-

What name would you give her?

hin, a lecturer in one of the institutions on African Studies told New Telegraph on the telephone that She refused to marry her first suitor because of his surname, “Edwards.” She said she cherished African names and was not ready to do away with it. Apart from other qualities, she accepted immediately Ifatimilehin asked her hand in marriage. “Even you, already know the meaning. There is a sense of pattern and background in that name. Ifatimelehin means oracles supports me,” she said. She explained that it is western culture that came to erode our sense of Africanism that many modern parents now pattern the western way of naming their children; giving them such names as Silverstone, George, Craig, Edwards. Such names, she stated does not have meanings to African culture. Little wonder, she said children

PHOTO: naijagists.com

of nowadays are cultureless and even shy away from their African names. Reason she added, some children will prefer to be called Princess, Cynthia, e.t.c., names that connote no meaning. Ifatimilehin added that names given to children have telling effects on them. A typical example she cited was in the bible, Jabez. As trendy as the world is, why have people not named their children after Jabez, she asked. She said, parents won’t dare make that mistake because no parent wishes his or her child to witness what Jabez experienced before God turned around his fortune. She believes that when you name a child “stone” in Nigeria, the child could turn out to be emotionless and hard as a stone in character. But names like “Anuoluwa” will have positive effects on the child. “Such child will always have mercy of God in life,” she

said. She further explained that names apart, from means of identification; it gives sense of belonging and background. According to Ifatimilehin, It gives an individual a sense of direction and preservation away from scandal. Name is not just nothing but a very significant part of human existence. Akintewe corroborated Ifatimilehin that name gives sense of purpose and focus. He explained that a child born of noble background would have every purpose to preserve the name. “It gives clear insight into one’s belief and background,” he said. He added that name reflects covenant, war, affluence, wealth, and cultural entity. “How you name your child says a lot about who you are and reflects a lot about your sense of patriotism, religion, cultural attachment and belief,” he said. The sense of direction and cultural attachment could be the reason some names are banned in some parts of the world. No surname are allowed in Germany, nor are names of objects or products allowed. And also, names such as Taylors, Tobys, Rileys or Quinns-all names must be gender specific. About 12 typical baby names are banned around the world. Anderson: If you were Anderson Cooper and you were born in Germany, you wouldn’t be Anderson Cooper. Why? Germany is just one of a surprising number of countries with strict baby naming rules and regulations. In some instances, as in Italy and Sweden, the motivation is humane. Their own reason is trying to spare the child embarrassment, ridicule and bullying in the increasingly wild and wooly international baby name environment. Tom: In Portugal, no nicknames are allowed on birth certificates, so Tomás would be OK, but not Tom. It’s also on the books there that children’s names must be traditionally Portuguese, a full name, and not unisex. In Malaysia, names of all animals, fruits and vegetables are banned. Both Alicia Silverstone and Kate Winslet would have had to find another name for their baby boys if they had been living Carolina: this name would be out in Iceland because C is not a letter that exists in the Icelandic alphabet. As of 1991, the Icelandic Naming Committee decides whether a new given name is acceptable. Duke: New Zealand bans names that ‘could cause offense to a reasonable person’, which includes such other titles as Prince, Princess, King, Major, Sargent and Knight. Elaine: Elaine, as well as Alice, Sandy, Laura and Linda are specifically tagged in Saudi Arabia, fitting into the category of names that ‘offend perceived religious sensibilities- are affiliated with royalty or are of non-Arabic or non-Islamic origin.

MOM&PARENTING

Sanctity of Truth

Let’s hear it from granny For many parents, it is their prayer to see their grand children, nuture and advise them. But how do your children appreciate their grandparents? OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI provides some insights.

“E

very time a child is born, a grandparent is born too” says the old adage. How vital are grandparents to grandchildren? They are said to enrich the lives of kids generally mostly in wisdom, as well as in lightning the load in parents’ own lives. But how children appreciate them matter and goes a long way. Actually, they both need each other. Grandparents need the grandchildren to still feel young at heart and remain strong and healthy while grandchildren need them for wisdom. A look into the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren reveal the sweet and sour side sides of their relationship. Tunde Adeniyi, a civil engineer wished his grandmother had lived longer, at least till the age he is now, wiser to appreciate her better. At the age of 10, he called his grandmother a “witch” because she would not allow him additional plate of food. He said his grandma was over protective and over bearing. He said she wouldn’t indulge him and his siblings. “She makes so much fuss over us and we believed that she was unnecessarily petty. And we very little with no wisdom, we couldn’t tolerate her,” he said. Omobanke Adejuiyegbe, a primary school student can’t help hitting her grandmother with broom any time the 98 year old spoke. No matter the amount of words spoken to her by her grandmother, she won’t voice a word. The reason according to her mother is because; she hasn’t seen someone as old as that. But the little girl cut in and said “no, it’s because she’s too old and ugly!” Oreoluwa Peters, doesn’t like his grandma coming to his parents house. In fact, he couldn’t even stand the fact the old woman is his mother’s mom. Peters doesn’t like her because “she doesn’t give me enough time to play with my friends outside. She chews stick in the sitting room. I wonder what is sweet in that stick she chews.” Interesting how grandchildren appreciate their grandmothers. Different stroke for different folks, the old saying goes. While some don’t appreciate their grandparents, others adore them. Tife Omobolanle, was sick for almost three weeks when his grandpa of 98 years died. He was too used to the old man. His mother said Tife was

A couple and their grandchildren

always by the man’s side when he was alive. He was the one to grind kolanut and meat for the old man. Since grandpa came to live with them, Tife’s lifestyle changed. From the troublesome young man he was, he became suddenly cool headed, philosophical and reflective. Femi Popola, very unlike the young boy of his age, 18, had the tolerance, nerve and patience to bath his 88 year old grandma, fed her and even take a stroll with her. He confessed, “I love my grandma more than my mother because she understands me better. She believed in me and made me confident of myself.” Grandparents are known worldwide as great companions and often shower their grandchildren with special treats and lots of love. Some kids live far away from their grandparents, so they stay in touch by phone, through email, and with letters. Other kids live close to their grandparents, making it easy to visit often. And still

Children can absorb from their grandparents a sense of history, identity, heritage, and the vital connection with the past. Their elders’ life stories will grow in value as the children become adults. Grandparents also can teach values and pass on family traditions

PHOTO: ESSENCE.com

other kids live with their grandparents. There was the story of an old woman who died immediately after seeing her first grandchild. She said that, that had been her prayer. Her daughter said her 96 year old mother told her that she would not release herself to death until she sees her grandchild. It is the prayers of most grandparents to see, carry and even nurture their children’s children. Toyin Adaranijo, a retired chief matron told New Telegraph that she had long looked forward to the retiring time because of her grandchildren. “ I want to be by their side, nurture them and remind them of the values their young parents may not remember to teach them. With my grandchildren around me, I feel accomplished.” She said being a grandparent is a big job, but with lot of experience. “We raise and care for our children’s children when he or she was a kid!” For Olamide Makanjuola, grandparents tend to pamper grandchildren. Grandparents are looked up to as a source of wisdom.” The relationship between both parties tend to be cordial, depending on how the parents handle the grandparent before their children. “It is how you introduce your mom to them that the children will accept him or her. Make the children understand how important she or he is. Makanjuola relishes the moment her mother was alive. She said all her children relate well with her mother. They eat from the same plate with her; even take her meat because she

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

had no teeth. She said her mother indulges her children at times but instill old acceptable values into them. She pointed out that children who live with grandparent are richer in wisdom and more knowledgeable about life. Reason is because they tell the child stories, everything and even secrets of life. It is understandable if modern children can’t live comfortably with their grandparents, except the grandparents are in tune with trendy way of life, which is in line with their own exposure, according to her. Makanjuola added that it is physically, spiritually, and emotionally healthy for children to have a close relationship with someone at the opposite end of the age spectrum. According to kidshealth.org, establishing a bond with grandparents can benefit kids in many ways. Grandparents can be great role models and influences, and they can provide a sense of cultural heritage and family history. Grandparents provide their grandkids with love, have their best interests at heart, and can make them feel safe. Grandparents also encourage a child’s healthy development. Overnight trips to Grandma’s house, for example, may be less traumatic than sleepovers with peers and can help kids develop independence. Another benefit — grandparents may have lots of time to spend playing and reading to kids. Such dedicated attention only improve a child’s developmental and learning skills. Chart a family tree. Both younger and older kids enjoy learning about their ancestors and relatives. Encourage grandparents to share stories of their families. You can even provide paper and drawing supplies so they can chart the family tree. Post snapshots of grandparents in your home and point them out to your kids often. Or keep family pictures in a special photo album and page through it while naming the family members. According to Arthur Kornhaber author of “The grandparent guide and founder of foundation for grand parenting; children learn through close intergenerational relationships that they belong to something larger than themselves, a real blessing in this “me, me, me” society. Children whose grandparents are living the active lives typical of older adults today want to be actively involved with them. It says that grandparents offer unconditional love, encouragement, and support. They also share their wisdom and a wealth of experience. “Children can absorb from their grandparents a sense of history, identity, heritage, and the vital connection with the past. Their elders’ life stories will grow in value as the children become adults. Grandparents also can teach values and pass on family traditions.”

FEATURES

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014

Nomads, farmers’ crisis: A signpost for food shortage

Akinwunmi Adesina, Agriculture Minister

Rice farmers

Farmers may not be able to return to their farms this farming season because of terrorists and herdsmen’s attacks, which in turn may impact on the nation’s food security, writes IBRAHIM ABDUL

“W

e normally commence the planting of our maize and rice as early as possible, but that cannot be possible now because it has become too late to prepare the fields. “Our farms have been destroyed and many farmers were killed by gunmen. “For now, we don’t know where to start. No seedlings, no fertiliser and we are just leaving in an atmosphere of fear of uncertainty.’’ These are words of Mr Danladi Dogo, a farmer in Gindin Dorawa, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. Dorawa was among the villages plagued by recent conflicts between herdsmen and farmers. For indigenes of Gindin Dorawa, a rural community of Taraba State, that fateful Thursday would remain a sad day to remember. That day, the once peaceful agrarian community, was invaded by gunmen. At the end of the attack, no fewer than 25 farmers were killed by the militia who carried sophisticated weapons. Those who survived that deadly night will never forget the tale of that gory tragedy. The villagers, who had gone to bed at 9pm, were rudely jolted about two hours

later by booming gunshots from the attackers. The affected communities are Jibu, Gindin Dorawa, Ibi, Gidan Idi and Wukari town among others, all in southern part of the state. Mr Yakubu Tsoho, a survivor, said that “the attackers first came in the night and attacked the village. The gunmen numbered over 50. As women and children were scampering to safety, they were shot and later cut with machetes. “They set our homes on fire. If you stayed inside, you would be burnt. If you run out, they shoot at you. The men stayed inside, so most of those burnt were men. But the villagers managed to kill some of the attackers. Some of them wore Army uniform.” The story of Dan Anacha and Gindin Dorawa’s invasion is one in the litany of killings that ensued between farmers and Fulani herdsmen across many villages in Northern and Southern Nigeria. Their activities coupled with those of Boko Haram, the dreaded terror group, have led to uncountable number of deaths of innocent Nigerians. The bloody clashes between these herdsmen and farmers have been reported in states like Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Jigawa, Sokoto, Edo, Delta, Yobe and

Anambra. Spurred by the negative effect of the conflict, the Federal Government, after a meeting in Abuja, resolved to set up a technical committee to tackle the issue. Causes of the conflict Government officials and experts have argued that the rising livestock population and encroachment on grazing lands were some of the causes of the clashes. Statistics has shown that in Nigeria only 141 grazing reserves have been gazetted with less than 20 equipped with resources for pastoralists. Experts said that the National Grazing Route and Reserve Commission, if established, would acquire and manage parcels of land across the 36 states of Nigeria for the purpose of providing pastures for nomads and their herds of cattle. Observers have said that the incessant clashes between farmers and nomadic herdsmen could hinder the food security of Nigeria. According to a farmer in Ibi area of Taraba State, Mr Musa Danladi, the incessant conflicts between Fulani nomads and farmers are having a negative effect on food production in the country. He noted that farmers in crisis-prone areas had deserted their villages for fear

of unprovoked attacks on them by the herdsmen. “Many farmers have run away for fear of attack. For instance, I lost all my farm implements and seedlings. Definitely this will affect food production,’’ Danladi said. Sharing similar sentiments, some farmers at Gerio Irrgation Project in Yola, said that unless urgent efforts were made to get farmers back to their farms, the country might experience an imminent food shortage. The farmers expressed the fear that the attacks on farmers by both Boko Haram insurgents and the Fulani herdsmen could spell doom for Nigeria’s food security. One of the farmers, Mrs Jummai Garba, said that the three states that are under the state of emergency in North-East, namely Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, were prone to the insurgents’ attacks. She added that farming activities in the areas had been seriously affected. Garba said that the situation was dismal, as the affected states were among the areas producing a lot of food in the country. She said: “Anything that affects these areas will definitely affect food production in our state and the country’s food security by implication.’’ Garba recalled that most farmers in the areas were unable to cultivate their crops during this year’s farming season because of the fear of attacks from herdsmen and terrorists. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 4

44 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

MMI: Remembering motherless children A group of professionals in different fields rekindles hope of some orphans in Lagos, reports TAIWO JIMOH

ith the poor economic situation in the country, many people have become jobless. While some have lost their means of livelihood, others are either unemployed or under-employed. Many bread winners have become crumb eaters. Many family heads now find it difficult to provide for the needs of their families. With this situation, it has become pretty difficult if not impossible to be one’s brother’s keeper. But in the midst of all this, a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), the Matured Minders Initiative (MMI) still finds time to reach out to the motherless. Recently, the group visited the Heritage Orphanage Home, Anthony Village, Lagos because, according to its President, Olatunbi Hanson, its main concern is to see to the welfare of the less privileged in society. During the visit, members of MMI feted the inmates. “We are here to see that the less privileged among us are cared for in our own little ways. “We want to show love to the kids; wine and dine with them and show affection to them. This is to show that someone outside cares for them,” Hanson said. According to him, one of MMI’s core areas is to care for the needy, irrespective of where such child or the elderly comes from. In a speech, Hanson canvased for equal access to quality education for all Nigerian children, irrespective of their background and economic status. He said the group was at the orphan-

Hanson (left), Secretary, MMI, Mrs. Bunmi Balogun and Kola, during the visit.

age to celebrate and fete with the children. The president added that the decision to interact with the less privileged was born out of the need to appreciate God and contribute to the uplift of the disadvantaged in society. While appreciation the visitors’ gesture, the Administrative Officer of the home, Mr Akinola Kola, said the orphanage was meant for both the abandoned and the orphans. He said: “The home started with about 10 pupils, but today we are 42 in number. “The purpose of the home is to save lives and take away abandoned children from the street. Kids who could turn out to be miscreants in society are taking out of the street and refined to become better personalities in life. “Heritage Orphanage Home is a place where children grow, get qualitative education and become important personalities in society.” Kola urged parents to take care of the girl-child who get pregnant under their

roofs and later dump the babies somewhere to die. He said: “Such babies are the ones we care for here. “We need the assistance of Nigerians to help us move the home forward and care for the children more.” Responding, Hanson said his group was a burden bearer. “We care about others than we do for ourselves,” he added. The MMI president also explained the reason for the visit. He said: “This is not the only orphanage we have visited. We decided that a day like this should be spent wisely, to reflect on one’s life.” Hanson also announced the adoption of one of the children in the orphanage. According to him, MMI will see to the education of the adopted child. He, however, appealed to those in the position of authority not to see themselves as leaders, but as servants, elected to serve their people. One of the children in the home,

PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

12-year-old Samuel Elisha, expressed appreciation to the group for its gesture. He said: “I don’t know when I got to this place. But since I arrived here, my guardians have been taking good care of me. “I am in primary 4 and I am happy living in the house. When I grow up, I want to be medical doctor so that I would be able to take care of people who leave in foster homes like me.” Another inmate, Caleb Elisha who is in Basic 6, also thanked his guardians for taking good care of everyone in the home. Caleb also thanked MMI for remembering them. He said: “I want to study music and become a musician. I also want to use my music to advocate for change for the special child in society.” MMI also donated food, drinks, toiletries, diapers for the infants among the inmates as well as bottled water, beverages among others.

A signpost for food shortage C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 3

She said that the few farmers who planted crops in the last planting season could not harvest them because they had relocated from the areas as a result of the attacks. Mr Yohanna Fidelis, another farmer, echoed Garba’s views. Fidelis said that the few farmers who planted crops last year were unable to harvest the crops because of their relocation from their communities owing to the attacks. He said: “Some of the farmers are currently taking refuge with their relatives in neighbouring urban towns that are experiencing relative peace. “They painfully abandoned their yields to waste in the farms; this portends danger to our food security.” Besides, Fidelis said that the current situation might lead to an astronomical

increase in the prices of farm produce. The development, he said, would in turn result in a higher cost of living for the people. Fidelis suggested that as a palliative measure, state governments should buy and stockpile agricultural produce which they could later sell to the populace in the event of food scarcity. Mr Musa Babagari, who works with the Adamawa State Ministry of Agriculture, agreed that the incessant attacks on farmers would surely make the prices of agricultural produce to rise beyond the reach of the average citizens. Babagari added that the prices of agricultural produce could go up because many farmers had deserted their farms to save their lives. A Yola-based analyst, Mohammad Ismail, corroborated the Fidelis and Babagari’s views that many farmers have fled their farms.

He noted that the farmers were now staying with their relatives in urban towns. Ismail, nonetheless, called on the Federal Government to make alternative arrangements to ensure the nation’s food security. The analyst underscored the need for such measures to avert the imminent hunger which could crop up because of the looming food shortage. He also appealed to the government to buy and store agricultural produce in large quantities as a way of “preparing for the rainy day”. Also, the National Economic Council (NEC), recently raised the alarm over imminent “shortage of food in the entire country” due to nomads and farmers’ clashes in almost 17 states, with a call for urgent security measures to stem the attacks. Like others, both Taraba State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders As-

sociation, the mother union of herdsmen in the country, Mr Mafindi Umaru Danburam, and that of Amalgamated Union of Farmers, Mr Bello Sarkin Noma, appealed to the government to make pragmatic efforts to tackle the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen to enable the farmers to go back to their farms. Danburam said that the government should promptly address the crisis because, according to him, this year’s rainy season, which signals the onset of the planting season, is here already. On his part, Noma urged the government to assist the farmers by providing them with farm tools, seedlings and pesticides, as the farmers had lost most of their resources to the attacks. He said: “It will be good if tangible efforts are made to rehabilitate the farmers, as this will enable them to forget about their calamity and forge ahead with life.”

METRO

of Truth

May 20, 2014

escape death as mmercial bus crashes T

Group condoles with Umeoji family Isioma Madike he Managing Director of Ekwulobia Urban Mass Transit, Mr Obi Okoli, has commiserated with the Umeoji family over the death of its patriarch, Hon. Sir Andy Umeoji. Umeoji’s death, Okoli said, had left a vacuum in the heart of many, especially those in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. Okoli visited the bereaved family in company of eminent personalities in the state such as Chief Nwaobu Alor, Onwa Agulu Igwe Omekannaya from one of the autonomous communities in Aguata and other respected stakeholders. He said: “I am, indeed, happy that the

people escaped y the whiskers y when their bus e Apapa – Oshodi

wagen bus going mbled at the Odothe expressway. aid the driver and or’ were injured taken to the hos-

death of our illustrious son, Umeoji, has not only united Nigerians in one love but has also distinguished Aguata people among the best brains, who are warm and hospitable in both nature and culture. “Going through Umeoji’s biography and goodwill messages, I am convinced that even the nation has, indeed, lost a rare gem.” Okoli urged those the deceased left behind to live a life capable of further uniting Nigeria, even in death, for generations unborn to enjoy a long lasting peace and love. He presented cows and drinks. Responding on behalf of the family, the Chairman, Aguata Local Government Area, Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji, thanked the group for sharing with them in their moment of grief.

ered that the drivwith registration 513 XL, lost conof the front tyres

mmersaulted sevwas halted by the ating the two secpressway. as on speed when es burst and the trol. ust watching, as how the bus was

The scene of the accident

tumbling and the people were being thrown away. They were on the ground, in the middle of the expressway. “But they were so lucky that there were no vehicles coming from behind at that particular moment. It was a great

miracle that they did not die, considering the way the accident occurred. They sustained minor injuries, but the driver and the bus conductor were taken away for adequate medical attention,” a witness said.

Okoli with his entourage

after Man dies fixing faulty rl, cousins high-tension wire

e had since served invitations on u Iwu and Ugochukwu Alfred ja, who were the last persons een with the missing person. e family felt the investigation ng too slow, they approached on Police Reforms in Nigeria oundation). onal Coordinator of NOPRIN, kwu Nwanguma, explained ateful day, Chukwuemeka had other, who travelled to the vilState through a phone number his cousin, Tobechukwu Iwu, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, mbra State who said he came to interview. meka informed his mother that u Iwu and Ugochukwu Alfred nformed him that they just aron their way from Imo State to asked him to meet them at Ojodid and they all went together wu’s residence at Iyana-Ipaja. , Chioma informed her mother not seen her brother since he e to cash money from an ATM

ma said: “On that same day, folmother’s instruction, Chioma ported the case of her missing gudu Police Station, Area ‘H’. men on duty advised her to go r police stations to ascertain if arrested and detained at any of ent round all the nearby police uding Iyana-Ipaja Police Station, t locate her brother.

Joe Obende Warri

34-year-old man, identified as Kurokeme Awudu, has been electrocuted at Ohorhor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The incident occurred late Sunday when Awudu, who hailed from Kpakiama community in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state, was trying to connect a faulty electric power line which transmits power to Bomadi and

its environ. The incident generated a gridlock on the everbusy Ohorhor Junction on the East-West Road as commuters and villagers trooped to the scene where the man met his untimely death. According to a witness, Okpako Bobo, the late Awudu was travelling from his home town Kpakiama to Ughelli and on getting to Ohorhor Junction was surprised that Ohorhor which shares the same power source with Kpakiama had electricity while Kpakiama

and its environs were in darkness. Bobo said the deceased alighted from the commercial vehicle and borrowed a ladder from someone in Ohorhor and attempted to rectify the fault. He was electrocuted while his lifeless body fell to the ground. The witness said the body was there for many hours before it was taken to the Bomadi General Hospital. One of the medical personnel at the hospital, who declined to give his name, he said the man was brought in dead (BID). During a visit to the family house of the deceased at Ogubo Egede Quarters in Kpakiama, men and women wore long faces, discussing the unfortunate incident which had befallen them.

CP urges stakeholders to equip police stations Taiwo Jimoh

ivers State Police Commissioner, Tunde Ogunsakin, has called on stakeholders to equip police stations to fight crime. Ogunsakin made the call when he visited the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area where he reiterated his commitment to the fight against crime with the assistance of well-meaning indigenes of the state. He also solicited the cooperation of the indigenes of the council area. The commissioner

commended the traditional institution in the state. Ogunsakin has earlier visited the newly completed Rumukpakani Police station in the area. The Chairman, Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Chief Larry Nyechie, commended the commissioner and described him as a man with a big heart. Speaking during the tour of Obio/Akpor council, the Apiti of Rumueme Kingdom, Nye Weli O. N. Nsirim (MON), gave his assurance of continued cooperation with the police.

Community gets centre for rape, domestic violence victims Juliana Francis

special centre has been established inside the Adeniji Adele Police Station, Lagos to give attention to victims of rape, battering and other gender-based violence. The centre, the Nigeria Police Family Support Unit (FSU), Adeniji-Adele, was inaugurated recently. Governor Babatunde Fashola, who spoke through his Senior Special Adviser on Security, Major Babatunde Panos, commended the

Ford Foundation and Justice For All (J4A) for partnering with the police, to build the centre. The governor said such gesture would help to improve the services of the police. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Adeniji Adele Police Station, Mr Monday Agbonika, nursed the idea of building such a centre for long before it materialised. He said: “This vision can possibly be traced to the period when Phil Evison and his team from J4A started the Model Police Station

(MPS) project, sometime in 2011. “The idea was to have designated police stations nationwide as models, where initiatives would be trailed, with room for regular adjustments, until best practices are identified, and such practices could then be replicated in other stations. “One of the initiatives was the Family Support Unit. The FSU was to be an upgrade of the traditional Nigeria Police Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC). “In addition to the normal JWC cases of juvenile offenders, missing/found children, sexual offences

against minors, the FSU will also handle all GBV (Gender Based Violence) and DV (Domestic Violence) cases. “After the sound training by the highly professional team of international consultants from the UK, some of whom were themselves police officers for many years before consulting for the British Government, it became clear that, there was a high incidence of GBV/DV cases in our community and cases were not being reported because of stigmatisation and other similar considerations.”

Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014

Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050

46 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET Daily Summary (Bonds)

Sanctity of Truth

Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050

No Debt Trading Activity

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at May 19, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 22 17 39

Current Price 34.00 35.00

Quantity Traded 155,618 354,300 509,918

Value Traded 5,223,046.50 12,409,651.40 17,632,697.90

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 3.20

Quantity Traded 618,170 618,170

Value Traded 1,976,626.00 1,976,626.00

1,128,088

19,609,323.90

Quantity Traded 19,740 120 532 8,110,934 1,125,592 9,256,918

Value Traded 28,663.00 451.20 2,558.92 29,430,126.51 63,072,285.45 92,534,085.08

9,256,918

92,534,085.08

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 CHELLARAMS PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

65 Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 3 3 2 132 66 (Equities) 206

CONGLOMERATES Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSTRUCTION/REAL Published by The Nigerian StockESTATE Exchange © Building Construction ARBICO PLC. Building Construction Totals

Current Price 1.52 3.95 5.06 3.65 56.02

206

Page Quantity Traded 25 25

1 of 14 Value Traded 132.50 132.50

Symbol ARBICO

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 5.30

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

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 1.30

Quantity Traded 267,890 267,890

Value Traded 344,743.00 344,743.00

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 30 30

Current Price 71.99

Quantity Traded 114,936 114,936

Value Traded 8,249,781.03 8,249,781.03

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 18.00

Quantity Traded 145,660 145,660

Value Traded 2,604,903.32 2,604,903.32

528,511

11,199,559.85

Quantity Traded 210 168,945 108,993 1,574,141 1,852,289

Value Traded 2,753.10 30,615,193.77 2,741,597.99 258,395,352.24 291,754,897.10

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Published by The Nigerian StockCOMP. Exchange © 7-UP BOTTLING PLC.

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Activity Summary on Board Household Durables TotalsEQTY CONSUMER GOODS

Products© Published byPersonal/Household The Nigerian Stock Exchange P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

60 Symbol No. of Deals CHAMPION 3 GUINNESS 42 Daily Summary (Equities) INTBREW 27 NB 216 288

Current Price 13.79 181.00 25.60 164.50

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 85.80

Quantity Traded Page 47,369

Value Traded 2 3,906,397.40 of 14 3,906,397.40

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON NNFM UNIONDICON UTC

No. of Deals 52 61 54 33 2 34 1 1 3 241

Current Price 7.99 9.20 69.00 3.70 0.50 12.65 22.01 14.11 0.51

Quantity Traded 1,450,684 1,344,242 961,139 1,390,720 546,363 329,789 423 10 321,450 6,344,820

Value Traded 11,569,764.21 12,405,501.89 66,202,341.53 5,202,095.17 273,181.50 4,199,749.26 8,844.93 134.10 164,124.50 100,025,737.09

No. of Deals 36 56 92

Current Price 70.95 1,076.00

Quantity Traded 100,435 140,329 240,764

Value Traded 7,012,377.44 151,021,304.64 158,033,682.08

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) VITAFOAM 8 VONO 1 9

Current Price 4.12 1.58

Quantity Traded 134,117 500 134,617

Value Traded 550,552.32 755.00 551,307.32

Quantity Traded Page 525,897 698,285 1,224,182

3Value Traded of 14 18,684,777.55 34,702,554.33 53,387,331.88

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

No. of Deals 72 41 113

Current Price 35.30 49.75

9,844,041

607,659,352.87

Current Price 9.40 6.50 14.11 2.05 27.00 3.32 2.24 7.17

Quantity Traded 36,191,919 1,555,007 860,947 13,012,036 6,492,914 8,053,451 1,523,764 4,596,674

Value Traded 343,960,067.88 10,115,489.10 12,120,912.16 26,743,939.29 176,029,056.31 27,396,929.65 3,405,136.31 32,906,187.58

No. of Deals 79 1 23 313 1,496

Current Price 10.20 0.50 0.98 22.99

Quantity Traded 605,738 100,000 1,619,694 29,680,345 104,292,489

Value Traded 6,177,997.21 50,000.00 1,559,732.58 686,776,574.71 1,327,242,022.78

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 14 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE CONTINSURE 6 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 6 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. GUINEAINS 1 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC HMARKINS 2 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 17 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION 1 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 10 Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 2 Printed 19/05/2014 N.E.M16:12:50.050 INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM 13 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 1 OASIS INSURANCE PLC OASISINS 7 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 17 Daily Summary (Equities) SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC SOVRENINS 1 STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STACO 1 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. EQTY UNIC 1 Activity Summary on Board UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNITYKAP 1 FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVINSURE 18 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC 56 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals 175

Current Price 0.80 1.06 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.30 0.50 0.80 0.50 0.53 0.55 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,023,600 132,142 Page 224,700 95,000 41,100 1,253,484 100 492,792 635 538,757 4,000 39,500 3,379,736 500 100 500 3,000

Value Traded 818,720.00 4 138,791.79 of 14 112,350.00 47,500.00 20,550.00 632,063.84 50.00 1,133,853.28 317.50 431,009.60 2,000.00 20,145.00 1,846,850.96 250.00 50.00 250.00 1,500.00

Current Price 0.50 0.80

Quantity Traded Page 12,782,181 3,534,510 23,546,337

Value Traded 5 of 14 6,391,090.50 2,925,312.71 14,522,655.18

FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 Banking Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK Activity Summary on PLC. Board EQTY UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

761

47,369

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 249 DIAMONDBNK 43 ETI 79 FIDELITYBK 118 Daily Summary (Equities) 283 GUARANTY SKYEBANK 133 STERLNBANK 22 UBA 153 Symbol UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 7 3 10

Current Price 6.27 0.95

Quantity Traded 85 107,500 107,585

Value Traded 506.60 102,140.00 102,646.60

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

Symbol ABBEYBDS ASOSAVINGS UNHOMES

No. of Deals 3 1 1 5

Current Price 1.35 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,330 10,000,000 250 10,001,580

Value Traded 1,715.70 5,000,000.00 125.00 5,001,840.70

Symbol No. of Deals AFRIPRUD 43 CUSTODYINS 23 FBNH 430 FCMB 83 Daily Summary (Equities) ROYALEX 8 STANBIC 32 UBCAP 82 701

Current Price 3.20 2.67 12.90 3.99 0.55 22.04 2.31

Quantity Traded 731,659 1,571,991 14,432,544 9,129,898 1,065,235 177,023 4,471,119 31,579,469

Value Traded 2,337,393.42 4,090,611.82 190,624,425.80 36,499,095.02 586,359.25 3,908,024.36 10,561,374.20 248,607,283.87

Otheras Financial Institutions Daily Summary of 19/05/2014 AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL on PLCBoard EQTY Activity Summary Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC.

2,387

169,527,460 Page

1,595,476,449.13 6 of 14

Symbol UNIONDAC

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 260 260

Value Traded 130.00 130.00

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

No. of Deals 3 18 23 13

Current Price 2.70 2.58 67.00 1.74

Quantity Traded 15,354 689,830 73,688 332,810

Value Traded 40,319.21 1,768,408.70 4,812,687.98 588,495.80

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Symbol NEIMETH NIG-GERMAN PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 2 1 3 63

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 IT Services Totals Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals Telecommunications Services MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC Telecommunications Services Totals ICT

Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS Packaging/Containers Totals Tools and Machinery

Activity Summary on Board NIGERIAN ROPES PLC EQTY INDUSTRIAL GOODS Published byTools The Nigerian Stock Exchange © and Machinery Tools and Machinery Totals

Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors

Activity Summary CONOIL PLC on Board EQTY

OIL AND GAS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors 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

Hospitality

Activity Summary on Board EQTY TANTALIZERS PLC SERVICES Published byHospitality The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Hospitality Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 Hotels/Lodging Totals Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC.

Activity Summary onPLC Board EQTY LEARN AFRICA SERVICES Printing/Publishing UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 569,000 569,000

Value Traded 341,700.00 341,700.00

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 3 1 4

Current Price 5.48 1.97

Quantity Traded 1,437 4 1,441

Value Traded 7,486.77 7.52 7,494.29

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 19,483 19,483

Value Traded 9,741.50 9,741.50

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200

Value Traded 100.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol MTI

Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050

200

100.00

590,124

359,035.79

Page

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM WAPCO

No. of Deals 49 22 22 29 35 5 4 2 43 211

Current Price 20.00 10.15 38.51 9.30 223.00 1.06 0.50 1.50 112.50

Quantity Traded 1,571,720 117,775 316,932 231,207 66,395 61,830 135,625 75,000 722,249 3,298,733

Value Traded 31,430,380.93 1,185,872.45 12,366,419.26 2,155,964.00 14,757,438.72 66,339.80 68,502.50 112,500.00 81,115,835.75 143,259,253.41

Symbol CUTIX NIWICABLE

No. of Deals 9 2 11

Current Price 2.01 0.50

Quantity Traded 128,124 5,100 133,224

Value Traded 246,468.05 2,550.00 249,018.05

Symbol AVONCROWN

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.47

Quantity Traded 700 700

Value Traded 1,078.00 1,078.00

Symbol NIGROPES

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 7.46

Quantity Traded 10

Value Traded 70.90

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 10

9Value Traded of 14 70.90

Daily Summary (Equities)

224

3,432,667

143,509,420.36

Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 6.47

Quantity Traded 430 430

Value Traded 2,752.00 2,752.00

Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 100.00 100.00

630

2,852.00

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,856,003 1,856,003

Value Traded 928,001.50 928,001.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 217 217

Current Price 15.99

Quantity Traded 3,834,316 3,834,316

Value Traded 61,508,870.37 61,508,870.37

Symbol CONOIL

No. of Deals 29

Current Price 49.20

Quantity Traded 199,986

Value Traded 9,565,060.19

Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 2 51 20 39 35 176

Current Price 3.61 155.95 119.06 51.49 155.00

Page Quantity Traded 14,945 73,279 34,060 351,177 118,721 792,168

10 of 14 Value Traded 51,261.35 10,708,413.35 4,213,512.84 17,496,713.68 18,389,120.62 60,424,082.03

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 53 53

Current Price 640.00

Quantity Traded 185,036 185,036

Value Traded 118,394,025.00 118,394,025.00

6,667,523

241,254,978.90

Daily Summary (Equities)

469 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 1.08

Quantity Traded 104,844 104,844

Value Traded 115,488.64 115,488.64

No. of Deals 13 2 15 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 4.62 2.31

Quantity Traded 636,374 15,450 651,824

Value Traded 2,922,373.00 34,090.00 2,956,463.00 Value Traded 100.00

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 200

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 0.69

Quantity Traded 718,018 718,018

Value Traded 495,282.42 495,282.42

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 300 300

Value Traded 150.00 150.00

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

No. of Deals 1 8

Current Price 1.80 1.67

Quantity Traded 200 95,939

Value Traded 342.00 160,547.52

Symbol UPL

No. of Deals 5 14

Current Price 3.97

Quantity Traded 4,490 100,629

Value Traded 18,270.00 179,159.52

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 0.84

Quantity Traded 702,500 702,500

Value Traded 591,624.00 591,624.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 9 62 71

Current Price 2.36 4.86

Quantity Traded 373,762 1,727,025 2,100,787 Page

Daily Summary (Equities)

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

7,380,997.57

Current Price 0.60

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Daily Summary as of 19/05/2014 Printed 19/05/2014 16:12:50.050 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

1,224,236

No. of Deals 6 6

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Daily Summary as of OIL 19/05/2014 Energy and Services Totals Printed 19/05/2014Equipment 16:12:50.050

Value Traded 13,440.00 70.00 157,445.88 7,380,867.57

Symbol COURTVILLE

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

Quantity Traded 12,000 10 100,284 1,223,976

ICT Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS

Current Price 1.17 7.36 1.57

Daily Summary (Equities)

11Value Traded of 14 100.00

Value Traded 880,451.45 8,568,407.61 129,448,859.06 of 14

149

4,379,102

13,787,126.64

4,403

206,579,300

2,732,773,182.09

Current Price 1.34

Quantity Traded 12,000 12,000

Value Traded 15,360.00 15,360.00

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 101,058 101,058

Activity Summary on Board ASeM

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

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals MCNICHOLS

2 2

CONSUMER GOODS CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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

Symbol CAPOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

12,000

Page

15,360.00

Value Traded 50,529.00 50,529.00

OIL AND GAS Totals

101,058

50,529.00

ASeM Board Totals

113,058

65,889.00

Equity Activity Totals

4,406

206,692,358

2,732,839,071.09

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 3 4

Current Price 2,053.00 17.89

Quantity Traded 10 310 320

Value Traded 20,530.00 5,513.90 26,043.90

ETF Board Totals

320

26,043.90

ETP Activity Totals

320

26,043.90

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 47

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

19-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

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

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

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

0.11 0.36 0.93 2.24 2.94 3.19 3.29 4.03 5.11 5.43 7.69 9.82 14.53 15.01 15.51 16.18

9.50 10.26 11.09 12.01 12.01 11.98 11.99 12.09 12.30 12.27 12.61 12.60 12.89 12.93 12.97 13.07

8.20 9.84 10.48 11.93 11.95 11.86 11.87 11.99 12.23 12.18 12.56 12.54 12.85 12.88 12.91 13.02

99.93 99.60 93.89 101.95 107.45 94.45 92.97 95.66 113.70 79.55 118.20 108.85 113.67 97.12 70.47 79.50

100.08 99.75 94.39 102.10 107.60 94.75 93.27 95.96 114.00 79.85 118.50 109.15 113.97 97.42 70.77 79.80

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

0.45 1.01 1.50 2.56 2.92 3.13

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.47 13.81 13.74 13.88 15.14 12.97

95.11 87.34 104.82 96.13 89.41 91.97

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

0.21 0.41 1.28 0.89 1.18 1.19 2.92 1.75 3.62 2.59 4.38 2.59 2.59 3.17 3.24 5.51 3.21 3.92 6.53 6.62 3.93 3.96

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

11.33 11.68 15.78 14.27 15.74 14.77 17.53 12.63 13.82 13.68 13.13 12.89 13.10 12.98 12.99 14.22 14.72 14.81 13.41 14.36 13.51 14.03

100.47 100.84 96.26 99.39 98.29 101.17 83.32 102.00 100.44 100.81 102.78 103.62 115.14 103.83 106.44 101.05 100.10 99.84 100.39 102.64 112.05 111.70

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

0.39 0.58 0.62 0.76 0.84 0.92 2.36 2.44 3.37 1.98 2.14 2.31 2.31 4.35 2.42 2.50 6.49

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

11.28 15.92 19.46 15.79 12.00 13.72 12.84 13.20 16.52 13.65 15.29 17.04 16.90 13.13 14.14 17.98 15.16

100.03 98.67 98.57 96.05 100.19 100.68 100.27 102.11 91.12 108.61 101.46 102.07 101.96 102.77 103.27 98.43 100.35

11-Feb-18

3.73

1.00

13.05

91.75

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

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.99

4.83

109.91

110.88

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.27

4.07

103.20

104.00

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.41

5.28

106.92

107.85

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

4.03

3.42

112.09

113.17

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.36

4.83

103.99

105.01

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.33

6.10

98.72

99.63

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.89

6.67

101.00

101.63

ACCESS BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.45

7.90

94.79

96.58

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.29

4.91

113.39

114.13

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.35

6.17

99.56

100.31

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.19

6.76

103.78

105.38

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.33

6.09

101.13

102.09

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

FIDELITY BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 31 38 45 52 59

FIXINGS Maturity 29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14

Bid Discount (%) 9.30 9.20 9.15 9.40 8.95 8.90 8.90

Offer Discount (%) 9.05 8.95 8.90 9.15 8.70 8.65 8.65

Bid Yield (%) 9.32 9.24 9.22 9.49 9.05 9.01 9.03

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.5500 12.3094 13.0801 14.2583

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

10.50

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.49 162.58 162.73 163.01 163.58

162.59 162.79 162.96 163.37 164.19

O/N Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 10.67

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

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

14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

110.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

9.82 14.53 15.01 15.51 16.18

12.60 12.89 12.93 12.97 13.07

12.54 12.85 12.88 12.91 13.02

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

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

0.45 1.01 1.50 2.56 2.92 3.13

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds

Issue Date

48 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

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

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

NSE opens on bearish note C

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds

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

Market closes southwards as investors take profits

Stories by Chris Ugwu

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Market yesterday opened the week on a negative tone as the stock market lost points and returned to the red zone following sell presTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE sure on blue chip companies. Corporate Bonds market perforThe twin A+/Agusto; measures, AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO mance the NSE Aa/Agusto GTB ASI and market capitalisation, Nil NGC lost 0.03 per cent as *UPDC the market Bbb-/Agusto tempo the A-/Agusto lowered following *FLOURMILLS BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS commencement profit taking. A+/Agusto; A-/GCR The market hadNAHCO last week A-/Agusto staged a recovery,FSDH breaking A/GCR µ

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

UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# NAHCO

the jinx of the lull that characterised trading activities the previous week. At the close of business yesterday, 22 stocks recorded price appreciation, while 27 others constituted the losers’ table. The twin market indicators, the All-Share Index rose by 10.94 basis points or 0.03 per cent from 39,018.34 last Friday, to close at 39,007.40, while the market capitalisation dropped by N3 billion or 0.03 per cent from N12.851 trillion to N12.848 trillion. Further analysis of the day’s trading showed that 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 Ikeja Hotels Plc topped the 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 day’s gainers’ table with 9.52 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 per each to close at 69 10.00cent UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 kobo, while Red Star Express 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 Plc followed with 5 per cent to 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 close at N4.62 per share. Cus14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 tody 13.00Insurance, UBA 30-SEP-2017 added 4.71 per 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

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

30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 14-Nov-13

18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 17.00 15.25

cent each to close at N2.67. On the flip side, Nacho led the losers with a drop of 7.25 per cent to close at N4.86. FCMB shed N7.21 percent to close at N3.99 kobo while Nascon dipped by 4.89 per cent to close at N12.65. On the activity chart, the Banking sub-sector dominated in volume terms with 104.2 million shares worth N1.3 billion in 1,496 deals. The sub sector was enhanced by the activities in the shares of Access Bank and Zenith Bank Plc. Other financial services sector boosted by the activities on the shares of FBNH 07-Oct-11 11.50 Plc followed with 31.5 million 18-Dec-09 13.50 units, worth N248.6 million in 01-Apr-10 17.00 701 deals. 17-Aug-10 10.00 In09-Dec-10 all, investors exchanged 12.00 06-Jan-11 14.00 shares, a total of 206.6 million 29-Sep-11 13.00 worth N2.7 billion in 4,406 25-Oct-13 14.25 deals. 30-Sep-10 13.00

averton, one of the leading providers05-Aug-14 of marine, aviation 0.21 and logistics services to0.41 local 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 oil and 1.28gas and international 30-Sep-15 companies in Nigeria, will 0.89 today 30-Jun-16 1.18 lists its shares on the floor of the 30-Jun-16 1.19 Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). 19-Apr-17 2.92 The listing would make 30-Jun-17 1.75the 3.62 company to31-Dec-17 transit from a pri30-Sep-18 2.59 vate to a public company to cre04-Oct-18 4.38 ate a legacy09-Dec-18 business that2.59can outlive its founders and maxi12-Dec-18 2.59 14-Feb-19 3.17 mise the opportunities created 02-Oct-19 3.24 by federal government’s local 22-Nov-19 5.51 content policy . 12-Dec-19 3.21 The company’s 30-Sep-20 3.35 billion 3.92 6.53 shares will27-Nov-20 be listed by intro6.62 of duction on 31-Dec-20 the main board 31-Dec-20 3.93 the Exchange at N9.50 per share. 06-Jan-21 3.96 The shares will be listed 572.90 under Logistics and Support Services, a new sub-category 11.80 07-Oct-14 0.39 created by the NSE. 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.58 The listing will also make 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.62 Caverton the first oil services 15.00 17-Aug-15 0.76 company to09-Dec-15 be listed on the 37.50 0.84Ex1.50 06-Jan-16 0.92 change, a move seen as a major 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.36 boost for NSE’s drive for diver5.53 25-Oct-16 2.44 sification of the bourse and 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.37 federal government’s policy 0.94 30-Nov-17 1.98 of 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

8.01 3.63 1.00 35.00 3.00 0.54 2.05

09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 22-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 14-Nov-20

2.14 2.31 2.31 4.35 2.42 2.50 6.49

FMDQ licences first batch of dealing members tomorrow

MDQ OTC Plc (FMDQ) in collaboration with the FiTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE nancial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA) will toSupranational Bond morrow licence the first batch AAA/S&P IFC of its dealing members. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE This member category according to a statement, Issuer comRating/Agency prises banks and discount FGN Eurobonds houses operational in the Nigerian financial market. BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P The Securities and ExBB-/Fitch; FGN change Commission (SEC) BB-/S&P through FMDQ as a market orBB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P and self-regulatory organiser TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ganisation is coordinating the registration of FMDQ Dealing Corporate Eurobonds Members in orderAFREN to streamB-/S&P; B/Fitch PLC I line trading operations in the GTBANK PLC I B+/S&P; B+/Fitch capital market withGTBANK relevance PLC toB+/S&P best practices. ACCESS BANK PLC TheB/Fitch event represents thePLC B/S&P; FIDELITY BANK B/Fitch formal activation of thePLCcapiAFREN B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

tal market presence of FMDQ Dealing Members vis-à-vis the collaboration with key regulators to further develop the overthe-counter (OTC) market. 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMDQ OTC, Mr. Bola Onadele, Description said: “FMDQ as a self-regulatory organisation has embarked on a mission6.75 toJAN strengthen the 28, 2021 Nigerian OTC market through 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 and caimproved governance pacity enhancement in order 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 to power FMDQ’s mission to empower the OTC financial markets to be innovative and credible in support of the Ni11.50 FEB 01, 2016 gerian economy . Activation of 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 other membership 6.00 NOV 08, categories 2018 (Dealing Member 7.25 JUL – 25,Non-Banks 2017 and Associate – Cli6.88 Members MAY 09, 2018 10.25 APR 08, will 2019 ents and Brokers) com6.25 APR 22, 2019

mence subsequently. Chief Executive Officer FMDA, “Following its launch unto Mr. Wale Abe, FMDA commentthe Nigerian financial market 175.67 ing on the development, said landscape, FMDQ as a SEC he was delighted to see one licenced OTC market has be- 12.00 of the short-term goals of the 11-Feb-13 10.20 11-Feb-18 3.73 gun delivering on its “GOLD” idea behind the establishment 12.00 (Global Competitiveness, Op- of FMDQ OTC come into early erational Excellence, Liquidity , fruition with the licensing of Issue Date Coupon (%) Issue Value ($'mm) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Diversity) agenda and strate- its Dealing Members ahead gic initiatives for the re-engi- of their registration with the neering and transformation Securities & Exchange 4.99 Com07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 of the OTC markets. FMDQ is mission. 18-Dec-09 5.13 4.27 highly focused on its transfor- 500.00“This is12-Jul-18 quite obligatory mation agenda and 6.38 within its 500.00 given the increasing interest of 01-Apr-10 12-Jul-23 5.41 short existence has added un- global investors in our emergprecedented transparency to 1,500.00 ing economy. I strongly believe the OTC markets, implemented that this step will further assist a trading and surveillance sys- 450.00 to promote01-Feb-16 transparency4.03and 01-Feb-11 11.50 tem,19-May-11 reformed the NIBOR, im- 500.00 enhance ethical and profes7.50 19-May-16 5.36 proved on market regulation sional practice in the market; 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.33 and risk management which ultimately 25-Jul-12 7.25 among 350.00 25-Jul-17 will espouse 6.89 others.” market efficiency 09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 and market 8.45 08-Apr-12 10.25 5.29 Executive Secretary and 300.00 deepening,”08-Apr-19 he said.

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.35

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.19

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.33

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

11.47 13.81 Tuesday, 13.74 13.88 15.14 12.97

95.11 87.34

Sanctity of Truth

May 20, 2014 104.82 96.13 89.41 91.97

Caverton lists shares today

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

NEGATIVE

109.15 113.97 97.42 70.77 79.80

4,334.84

Rating/Agency

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

108.85 113.67 97.12 70.47 79.50

deepening indigenous capacity and ownership in the100.47 oil and 1.56 11.33 gas the economy . 1.34sector of11.68 100.84 4.44 96.26 Founder 15.78 and chairman of 3.23 14.27 99.39 Caverton, Mr. Aderemi Makan4.46 15.74 98.29 juola, explaining why the com3.48 14.77 101.17 pany public, said: 5.59 is going 17.53 83.32 “We felt 1.00that given 12.63the significant 102.00 1.79 13.82in the 100.44 opportunities market 1.80 13.68 100.81 and our positioning, the use 1.00 13.13 102.78 of1.00 debt-financing to fund 12.89 103.62 our growth will13.10 be limiting 1.21 115.14 and 12.98 103.83 so1.00 undertook global case stud12.99 ies1.00on companies with106.44 similar 1.94 14.22 101.05 growth trajectories. After that, 2.74 14.72 100.10 we2.74 decided that the equity-fund14.81 99.84 1.00 13.41 ultimately 100.39give ing route would 1.94 14.36on capital. 102.64 the best return 1.44 13.51 “Also, Caverton has112.05 got to 1.95 14.03 111.70 that stage where it needs to access more capital because more contracts are coming in. We also 1.00 100.03 need to train11.28 more people and 5.21 15.92 98.67 ensure that Nigerian engineers 8.71 19.46 98.57 and bene4.88pilots derive 15.79 greater 96.05 fits from the evolving opportuni1.00 12.00 100.19 2.63and that13.72 ties instead of100.68 hiring 1.00 people from 12.84 abroad and100.27 taking 1.34 13.20 102.11 out the money , we can help Ni4.52 16.52 91.12 gerians to acquire the necessary 1.88 13.65 108.61 capacities and hire them.” 3.48 15.29 101.46 5.20 17.04 in 2008, 102.07 Incorporated Caver5.06 16.90 101.96 ton Offshore Support Group (Ca1.00 13.13 102.77 verton) is the14.14 holding company 2.29 103.27 of6.11Caverton17.98 Helicopters 98.43 and Caverton Marine Limited, 2.76 15.16 100.35 two Nigerian companies that have within a short period grown dramatically to become91.75 indus1.00 13.05 try leaders in the oil and gas aviation and marine sub-sectors, two highly technical and capital Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price intensive areas previously domiPrices Yields firms. nated by&foreign Even though its operations 4.83 109.91 110.88 predated the passage of the Lo4.07 103.20by many 104.00 cal Content Act years, Caverton has been seen as the 106.92 5.28 107.85 poster-child of indigenous capacity and ownership since 2010 when one of its subsidiaries, Caverton Helicopters, edged out 3.42 112.09 113.17 long-established foreign opera4.83 103.99 105.01 tors to win a 98.72 $648 million, multi6.10 99.63 year from Shell Petro6.67 contract 101.00 101.63 leum Company 7.90 Development 94.79 96.58 4.91 113.39 114.13 of for the supply and operation 6.17 helicopters. 99.56 100.31 seven 6.76

103.78

105.38

6.09

101.13

102.09

3,460.00

19-May-14

The FMDQBills Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and **Treasury

model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products,FIXINGS fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) DTM OTC PLC TermsMaturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) to the FMDQ of Use and Disclaimer Statement. NIBOR

FGN

10 17 31 Bonds38 45 52 Rating/Agency 59 66 73 80 87 94 101 108 115 143 199 NA 234 248 262 276 290 325 339 353

29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 Issuer 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14 7-Aug-14 14-Aug-14 21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-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

9.30 9.20 9.15 9.40 8.95 8.90 Description 8.90 9.50 9.20 29-JUN-2014 9.50 9.25 28-SEP-2014 9.30 10.00 4.00 23-APR-2015 9.65 13.05 16-AUG-2016 9.90 15.10 27-APR-2017 10.40 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.40 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.15 10.15 10.70 30-MAY-2018 10.30 16.00 29-JUN-2019 10.10 7.00 23-OCT-2019 10.50 16.39 27-JAN-2022 9.95 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.40 15.00 28-NOV-2028 10.30 12.49 22-MAY-2029 10.30 10.30 8.50 20-NOV-2029

9.05 8.95 8.90 9.15 8.70 8.65 Issue Date 8.65 9.25 29-Jun-07 9.25 28-Sep-07 9.05 9.75 23-Apr-10 9.40 16-Aug-13 9.65 27-Apr-12 10.15 27-Jul-07 10.15 31-Aug-07 9.90 9.90 30-May-08 10.05 29-Jun-12 9.85 23-Oct-09 10.25 27-Jan-12 9.70 14-Mar-14 10.15 28-Nov-08 10.05 22-May-09 10.05 10.05 20-Nov-09

10.00 23-JUL-2030

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

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds 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

23-Jul-10

KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER

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

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

Rate (%) 10.5500 12.3094 13.0801 14.2583

Maturity Date

(N'bn)

45.00 NITTY 100.00 Tenor 535.00 1M 470.27 2M 452.80 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 12M 300.00 351.30 233.90 NIFEX 600.00 110.00 Current Price ($/N) BID($/N)75.00 OFFER 150.00 ($/N) 200.00 591.57

10.00

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-2017 Volume(Bn) 965.97 1,108.63 470.30 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 2,544.90 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

Bonds

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 Rate (%) 23-Apr-15 9.6292 16-Aug-16 9.6348 27-Apr-17 10.0557 27-Jul-17 10.8367 31-Aug-17 11.1156 11.4995 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 162.2875 22-May-29 162.3875 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

OBB O/N

Tenor

REPO

TTMCall (Yrs) 1M 0.11 3M 0.36 6M

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

10.50

Spot 7D 14D Offer1M Yield 2M (%) 3M 8.20 6M 9.84 1Y

162.49 162.58 162.73 163.01 Bid Price 163.58 164.15 99.93 166.09 99.60 170.03

Rate (%)

Bid Yield 10.67 (%) 12.27

9.50 12.91 10.26 14.01 0.93 11.09 10.48 12.01 11.93 NOTE: 2.24 2.94 12.01 11.95 :Benchmarks 3.19 Bond 11.98 11.86 * :Amortising 3.29 Bond 11.99 11.87 µ :Convertible AMCON: 4.03 Asset Management12.09 Corporation of 11.99 Nigeria FGN: Federal Nigeria 5.11 Government of 12.30 12.23 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 5.43 12.27 12.18 IFC: International Finance Corporation 7.69 12.61 12.56 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 12.60 12.54 NAHCO: 9.82 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 14.53 12.89 12.85 O/N: Overnight 15.01Property Development 12.93 Company 12.88 UPDC: UAC WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 15.51 12.97 12.91 16.18 13.07 13.02

Offer ($/N)

Price

162.59 162.79 162.96 163.37 Offer Price 164.19 164.99 100.08 167.62 99.75 172.61

93.89 94.39 101.95 102.10 107.45 107.60 NA :Not Applicable 94.45 Rate Bond 94.75 # :Floating 92.97 coupon bonds 93.27 ***: Deferred 95.66 95.96 †: Bond rating expired114.00 113.70 79.55 79.85 118.20 118.50 NGC:108.85 Nigeria-German 109.15 Company 113.97 UBA:113.67 United Bank for Africa 97.12 97.42 70.47 70.77 79.50 79.80

4,334.84

Description

<3 3<5 KWARA >5 NIGER Market

9.32 9.24 9.22 9.49 9.05 9.01 Coupon 9.03 (%) 9.67 9.20 9.68 9.25 9.49 10.24 4.00 9.90 13.05 10.18 15.10 10.73 9.85 10.75 9.35 10.57 10.74 10.70 11.03 16.00 10.84 7.00 11.36 16.39 10.76 14.20 11.34 15.00 11.34 12.49 11.39 11.44 8.50

923.07 951.30 591.57 2,465.94

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 Weighting 20-Apr-12by Outstanding 06-Jul-12 Vol

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

0.00

978.35

17.25 0.00/16.00 Weighting by Mkt 0.00/16.50 Value 0.00/16.50

6.00 112.22 116.70 Bucket Weighting 66.49

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

0.45 1.01 1.50 2.56 2.92 Implied Yield 3.13

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 Implied 3.20 Portfolio 1.00Price

11.47 13.81 13.74 13.88 15.14 INDEX 12.97

95.11 87.34 104.82 96.13 YTD89.41 Return (%) 91.97

FMDQ FGN 0.00 BOND INDEX 24.56

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

37.96 43.56 14.00 18.48 14.00100.00

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

12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00

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

19.84 39.39 40.78 05-Aug-14 100.00 15-Oct-14

12.01 12.52 13.07 0.21 12.64 0.41

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

1.28 0.89 1.18 1.19 2.92 1.75 3.62 2.59 4.38 2.59 2.59

113.8936 127.3215 87.8307 1.56 112.8213 1.34

4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21

1,081.76 1,078.11 1,063.26 11.33 1,070.53 11.68

8.1757 7.8109 6.3261 100.47 7.0528 100.84

15.78 14.27 15.74 14.77 17.53 12.63 13.82 13.68 13.13 12.89 13.10

96.26 99.39 98.29 101.17 83.32 102.00 100.44 100.81 102.78 103.62 115.14

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 49

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

MPC may maintain status quo –Analysts losses, following increased portfolio investor interest and rising LHS flows, it remains outside of the CBN’s official +/-3 percent band around a mid-rate of N155. Khan said: “This is predicated on market conditions, which remained liquid. Treasury-bills have rallied. Interbank rates have been persistently close to the lower end of the corridor. Nonetheless, the naira has appreciated on the parallel market, to a reported N168 from N172 versus the US dollar, suggesting that there is little immediate need for further tightening. “Furthermore, for now, with investor interest in Nigeria still healthy, inflation in single digits, and budget execution still reportedly benign, more Open Market Operations (OMO) may be the preferred response to managing excess liquidity. Bigger policy moves would be justified only with a material change to pressure on the foreign exchange rate.” FBN Capital Research also believed that given the relative calm that finally settled in markets after the turmoil of February and March, the committee’s stance will be unchanged. A statement by FBN research said : “Our symmetrical chart shows modest increases in reserves of just US$300m both last month and

MONETARY POLICY No further tightening envisaged.

Godson Ikoro

s the 238th meeting of the Monetary and Policy Committee (MPC) meeting ends in Abuja today, stakeholders expect no radical changes in the nation’s monetary policy. At the March edition of the MPC, members unanimously voted for retention of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on public sector funds at 75 per cent and raised CRR on private sector to 15 per cent. The consensus among experts who shared their views with the New Telegraph yesterday was that no change is expected and that the acting CBN Governor, Mrs Sarah Alade, should maintain the status quo of the prevailing rates. For instance, Razia Khan, Regional Head of Research, Africa and global Research, Standard Chartered Bank expects the banking watchdog to hold all policy rates steady when it announces its decision on today. She said that although the naira has recovered earlier

Sterling Bank Sponsors Ogun Investment Forum, AMAA Awards

in April 2013, with depletion totalling US$11.0billion in the intervening period. Also, foreign exchange sales in the retail Dutch auction system (RDAS) have eased in recent weeks and the offshore portfolio investor has returned to Nigerian local markets. “An erosion of reserves since the start of this month could be attributed to one-off outflows such as dividend remittances.” Similarly, the Managing Director of Financial Derivative company (FDC) Mr. Bismarck Rewane, believes that the committee as constituted is only acting as a caretaker committee given that a new CBN designate, Mr. Godwin Emefiele would assume office next month to give his the direction of where he want to take the economy. Experts at Cordros Capital Limited also said they expect the policy committee to maintain status quo on policy actions. “We foresee a quiet mood in the market leading to the announcement of the outcome of the meeting. Overall, we believe a rebound in investors' appetite as seen this week, coupled with stability in macro indicators as well as stronger fundamental outlook for stocks in active sectors make a case for the market rally to continue,” Cordros Capital said.

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

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

Atilola reads in part: “The focus of the forum is agriculture and urban development. These are the catalysts needed for any sustained economic development. We need to support laudable projects such as this because Sterling Bank is also highly involved in the funding of the Agriculture sector. “We have devoted a large chunk of our loan portfolio to the sector. We are involved in the Goal Enhancement Scheme (GES) of the federal government, which started in 2012, and Sterling Bank is one of the three banks that supported the federal government on the project. “We are duly committed to ensuring the success of the transformation agenda by supporting the government’s laudable policies and financing all actors along the value chain in the agricultural sector” Speaking on its involvement in the sponsorship of the AMAA Award, which will be hosted by Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency, Mr. Atilola said the decision of the bank was based on the need to invest in the entertainment sector to fully exploit the opportunities that abounds in it. He said the bank is pleased to identify with the Awards seen as the most authentic and widely acclaimed film entertainment awards ceremony in Africa, with the assemblage of successful movie producers and other practitioners from across the globe coming together to celebrate excellence in filmmaking annually.

AfDB raises funding as China boosts role

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

terling Bank has supported the second edition of Ogun State Investment Forum. The lender has also concluded plans to sponsor the 10th edition of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). While the Ogun Investment Forum holds in state capital, Abeokuta at June 12 Cultural Centre, between May 21 and 22, 2014, the AMAA event is built for Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the newly refurbished Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre. A statement from Sterling Bank said the Ogun Investment Forum would focus onAgriculture and urban development. The Ogun State Investment Forum keynote addresses would be delivered by former President of Mexico, Mr. Vincent Fox and the Vice President of European Investment Bank (former Prime Minister of Republic of Slovenia) Anton Rop. The Executive Director of Sterling Bank, Mr. Lanre Adesanya will be part of the plenary session on Financing Agriculture and Housing Development: Investment and Potentials. Sterling Bank explained that it has become necessary to support the Forum because of the unique roles played by agriculture and urban development in wealth creation and boosting the economy of the country. The statement signed by the Bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications Mr. Shina

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

he African Development Bank (AfDB) is stepping up plans to finance power and rail projects as China boosts lending on the continent by half. The Tunis-based lender according to Bloomberg new, is set to endorse this week the Africa50 Fund, which is targeting $10 billion of equity from an initial capital of $3 billion, to finance infrastructure projects. Central bank governors and finance ministers across the continent met last Sunday at the bank’s annual conference in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, to back the plan. African nations have a funding shortfall of $50 billion a year to ease energy shortages and transport bottlenecks, according to the World Bank. The AfDB’s spending on the continent is dwarfed by China, which invested more than $13 billion in infrastructure in 2012, as the world’s secondlargest economy boosts its reliance on Africa’s oil, coal and other commodities. “The AfDB is investing significantly into African infrastructure,” Joe Cosma, head of government and infrastructure at Ernst & Young in Johannesburg, said by phone. “They are investing a lot of time in working out how they

can work with African governments to define infrastructure requirements and investment options. In a sense, they are competing with the Chinese.” The AfDB approved funding of $9 billion in 2011, with infrastructure projects accounting for $3.4 billion of that, according to the lender. Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on a visit to Africa this month that the government would boost its line of credit to African nations by $10 billion to $30 billion. He also pledged to almost double capital in the China-Africa Development Fund, which gives financing to Chinese companies for private equity deals, to $5 billion. Sub-Saharan Africa, a region of 48 countries with a combined population of 800 million, generates the same amount of electricity as Spain, which has a population of 45 million, according to the World Bank. Only a third of Africans living in rural areas are within 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of an all-season road, compared with two-thirds of the population in other developing regions. “Chinese investors provide both funding and technical expertise, a full implementation package, which African governments find attractive,” Cosma said.

50 WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

U.S. accuses China of cyber spying on American companies

U.S. grand jury has indicted five Chinese military officers on charges of hacking American companies and stealing trade secrets, the toughest action taken by Washington so far to address cyber spying by China. China denied the charges, saying they were “made up” and would damage trust between the two nations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it would suspend the activities of the Sino-U.S. Internet working group. The indictments mark the first time the United States has

filed charges against specific officials of foreign governments, accusing them of corporate cyber spying. “When a foreign nation uses military or intelligence resources and tools against an American executive or corporation to obtain trade secrets or sensitive business information for the benefit of its state-owned companies, we must say, ‘enough is enough,’” U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said at a press conference. The suspects targeted companies in the Pittsburg area in the nuclear power, metal and solar

product industries. The companies included Alcoa Inc, Allegheny Technologies Inc, United States Steel Corp, Westinghouse Electric Co, U.S. subsidiaries of SolarWorld AG and a steel workers union, Department of Justice officials said. The move “indicates that DOJ has ‘smoking keyboards’ and (is) willing to bring the evidence to a court of law and be more transparent,” said Frank Cilluffo, head of the Homeland Security Policy Institute at the George Washington University. American businesses have long urged the government to

take action about cyber espionage from abroad, particularly by China. Secret U.S. State Department cables obtained by WikiLeaks traced major systems breaches to China, Reuters reported in 2011. One 2009 cable pinpointed attacks to a specific unit of China’s People’s Liberation Army. Sceptics noted that U.S. authorities wouldn’t be able to arrest those indicted as Beijing would not hand them over. Still, the move would prevent the individuals from traveling to the United States or other countries that have an extradition agree-

ment with the United States. “It won’t slow China down,” said Eric Johnson, dean of the business school at Vanderbilt University and an expert on cyber security issues. Experts said the indictments would have some impact on those accused of hacking U.S. companies. Stewart Baker, a former NSA attorney, said the hackers named in the indictments might have trouble getting jobs in China’s private sector when they move on from employment with the People’s Liberation Army.

UN warns Somalia on verge of humanitarian crisis

Ugandan nurse, Rosemary Namubiru, who is 64 and HIV positive, listens as she is sentenced to three years in jail after being found guilty of criminal negligence for allegedly trying to infect her patient with HIV, at Buganda magistrate’s court in Kampala, Uganda yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Ugandan nurse jailed in HIV transmission case

Ugandan court yesterday sentenced a nurse to three years in jail after finding her guilty of criminal negligence for allegedly trying to infect her patient with HIV. The conviction came despite the work of international activist groups that had rallied in support of Rosemary Namubiru, who is 64 and HIV positive. Many Ugandans, however, see her case as a shocking example of malice or negligence by a trusted medical worker. Namubiru maintained her innocence throughout the trial, saying there was no malice involved when she accidentally pricked herself one day in January and then used the same contaminated needle to give a baby an injection. When the child’s mother realised the needle had not been changed, she raised an alarm and Namubiru was immediately arrested. She was later denied bail in a controversial decision

by a magistrate who ruled that she posed a danger to the public. Two tests have shown the child was not infected with HIV, according to court records. Prosecutors insisted a crime had been committed, but international activist groups said Namubiru was the victim of stigma and discrimination because of her HIV status and that her trial was unwarranted. Namubiru should have faced the disciplinary hearing by a professional body such as the local nurses’ association, not a criminal trial, said the Global Access Project, a New York-based advocacy group. “The deeply flawed ruling shows that stigma and discrimination against people with HIV is alive and well in Uganda,” Asia Russell, the group’s director of international policy, said on Monday. “Because of her HIV status, Rosemary’s trial was plagued from the beginning with bias. Rosemary never had the

presumption of innocence the Constitution guarantees.” Namubiru’s arrest was widely covered in the Ugandan press, with some dubbing her the “killer nurse,” a description that some activists said violated her right to a fair trial. Although the nurse was charged under a colonial-era law against negligence that spreads a deadly disease, Ugandan lawmakers have, since, passed a law specifically criminalizing the intentional transmission of HIV as part of the government’s efforts to stem the growing rate of HIV in this East African country. That measure also has been criticized by groups that say such a law will be difficult to enforce and may also be used to violate the rights of people living with HIV. According to the most recent survey by Uganda’s Ministry of Health, 7.3 percent of the Ugandan population has HIV, up from about 6 percent a decade ago.

omalia could experience massive humanitarian crises against a backdrop of dwindling funds to support life-saving interventions, a senior UN relief official for Somalia said yesterday. Humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, Philippe Lazzarini, told a news conference in Nairobi that Somalia risked drifting into a humanitarian crisis due to fragile food situation, a spike in diseases and insecurity. “The humanitarian needs in Somalia remain vast based on credible assessment on the ground. An estimated two million people are grappling with food stress, malnutrition and communicable diseases,” said Lazzarini. He warned that the humanitarian crises experienced in 2011 could repeat itself in the absence of urgent interventions. Relief agencies sounded warning of severe food and water crises in Somalia in November

last year. The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) requested member states and donors to provide $933 million to support life saving interventions in Somalia. Lazzarini disclosed that donors had so far provided a partly $170 million. “We are facing a significant resource gap that has undermined life-saving programmes like provision of food, water, sanitation and health,” Lazzarini said. Somalia remains an epicentre of humanitarian tragedies fuelled by insecurity, climate shocks and broken infrastructure. Lazzarini regretted that the response to Somalia’s crises was negligible as the international community diverted its attention to new humanitarian catastrophes in South Sudan, Syria and Central Africa Republic.

Saudi Arabia shuts embassy in Libya

audi Arabia closed its embassy in Tripoli yesterday over “security” concerns in Libya, its ambassador said. “All the diplomatic staff has left due to the security situation,” Mohammed Mahmoud al-Ali said in a statement. The government insists it remains in control despite a series of clashes at the weekend, including the parliament building being overrun by militiamen. Libya’s leaders have struggled to bring stability to the country since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in 2011. The statement from Saudi Arabia said its embassy would reopen “when the situation stabilises in the Libyan capi-

tal”. Algeria also closed its embassy and consulate in Tripoli on Friday, saying its diplomats faced a “real and imminent threat”. Earlier yesterday, the AP news agency reported that Libya’s army chief had ordered the deployment of Islamist militias in the capital. The move came after a rogue former army general sent his paramilitary force into Tripoli on Sunday to attack the parliament building. Khalifa Haftar, who quit as head of Col Gaddafi’s army and took charge of rebel forces during the 2011 uprising, now heads a group called the “Libyan National Army”.

Ekeji calls for improved funding

JudeOpara Abuja

ith three months to the 2014 Commonwealth Games slated to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, former Director General of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Patrick Ekeji, has called on the relevant

...says Team Nigeria will excel in Glasgow authorities to improve on the funding of the sports sector. He also warned that poor funding could adversely affect the ex-

pectations of Nigerians from Team Nigeria at the Games and other such events taking place this year. Ekeji who spoke to New Telegraph

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in Abuja insisted that despite the resolve of Team Nigeria to do well at the championship, it is only those that invest more that usually clinch most of the medals because it reflects CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

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That Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mario Zagallo became the first man to win the World Cup as a player and a coach. He won his first title while playing for Brazil in 1958 and won as a coach in 1970

Musa

Ajibade Olusesan

uper Eagles player, Ahmed Musa, has underline the importance of the international friendly match between Nigeria and Scotland, saying the encounter is more than Eagles players contesting just a friendly game. with Scotland players The match is scheduled to hold on May 28th at the Craven Cottage Stadium, London, the home of Fulham as part of Eagles preparations for the World Cup and Musa said the Nigerian team will fight for victory as that will help the confidence level of the team.

Scotland friendly crucial -Ahmed Musa Okagbareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sterling performance excites NOC President }p-52

Van Gaal confirmed Man United boss

West Ham reignite interest in Nsofor

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Iran coach pessimistic about team’s chances Ifeanyi Ibeh

ith less than a month to Iran’s opening World Cup fixture against Nigeria, coach of the Iranian national team, Carlos Queiroz, is no longer as confident as he once was about his team’s chances in Brazil. Queiroz, a former handler of the Portuguese national team, had previously sounded optimistic about his side’s chances of upsetting the applecart in Group F where, besides Nigeria’s Super Eagles, they will be up against World Cup debutants Bosnia and

Herzegovina and two-time winners Argentina. But with international sanctions making it difficult for Iran to find quality opponents ahead of the World Cup, coupled with conflicts with local clubs over the release of players for the national team’s recent camping exercise in South Africa, where the Iranians had only 11 players in camp on the opening day, Queiroz doubts Team Melli can make an impact at the World Cup. Queiroz said on Iranian television that “with such arrangement and program failures, don’t expect much from Team Melli in Brazil.

Van Gaal confirmed Man United boss

anchester United have confirmed the appointment of Louis van Gaal as the club’s new manager. The 62-year-old, who has signed a three-year deal, will take charge of United when his role as the Netherlands coach comes to an end after the World Cup. Ryan Giggs has been named as Van Gaal’s assistant following the announcement that he has retired from playing professional football. Frans Hoek and Marcel Bout will also join the coaching staff at Old Trafford next season. Van Gaal has won multiple major trophies during his managerial career, which includes spells with

Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. “It was always a wish for me to work in the Premier League,” the Dutchman told United’s official website. “To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud. “I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are. This club has big ambitions; I too have big ambitions. Together I’m sure we will make history.” Van Gaal will leave his position as Dutch national team coach this

summer following a two-year stint in charge.

Van Gaal

Okagbare’s sterling performance excites NOC President

lessing Okagbare’s heart-warming performance at the IAAF Diamond League in Shangai, China on Sunday has been described as a good omen for Team Nigeria as the zero hour approaches swiftly for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Okagbare, the reigning African Champion and world silver medalist sparkled yet again in China in the Women’s Long Jump and 200m to heighten hopes of a good outing for Team Nigeria in Glasgow to knock off the ugly outing of Team Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympic Games where Nigeria did not win any medal. Leading the cheer group for Okagbare and Team Nigeria is President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engr Sani

Okagbare

Sport Trending Injured Bosnia keeper delays return to training TWITTER |@NTelegraphSport

Peter Schmeichel Good luck to Louis van Gaal @ManUtd new manager. #vanGaal #ManchesterUnited. @Pschmeichel1 Kanu Nwankwo Yes yes yes congratulations to All Arsenal fans and congrats to the team and congrat Arsene Wenger..F.A cup in the bag others to follow yes. @papilokanu Wayne Rooney Disgusting that English press have flown out to Portugal to follow me while I’m with my children. @WayneRooney Freddie Ljungberg Congratulations to everyone @Arsenal #FAcupwinners2014. @freddie Brown Ideye MON I said a prayer this morning,then went out to get what I prayed for! Home win and a GOAL!! @OfficialIdeye Pelé I have so many memories with Coutinho. Over the 12 years we both played on Santos, we scored 1,461 goals together and travelled all over the world. lFootball legend, Pele, takes to Twitter to pay tribute to 70-year-old former Santos teammate, Coutinho. @Pele Ruggedman All @manutd supporters, join me as we welcome Van Gaal and pray he does right by us. @RuggedyBaba

osnia and Herzegovina coach, Safet Susic, has disclosed that recuperating goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic, is delaying his return to training as a precautionary measure to ensure that the Stoke City star is fit for the World Cup. The 26-year-old keeper missed Stoke City’s final game of the season after suffering a toe injury, but was still able to join up with his national team in Sarajevo as intended last week. He has not joined in training yet, but coach Susic says he is getting better by the day.

Susic said: “The situation with Begovic is better. He could play already but I do not want to risk anything and he will not train just yet. “Everything is about being well prepared for the first game in Brazil. “It is important that there are no major problems in connection with injuries except (defender, Ermin) Bicakcic – and he will do everything he can to be ready.” Bosnia are scheduled to play a friendly match against their under-21 side in Gradacac on Thursday as they continue their preparations for Brazil 2014.

Ndanusa who hailed Okagbare as a true blessing for Nigeria. ‘’I could not hold back tears of joy when I watched her on TV soaring higher in the Long Jump and moments later she brought her grace and elegance to bear in the tracks’’. She was a beauty to behold and indeed her commanding performances are worthy of celebration. It is more so knowing that the Commonwealth Games is knocking on our doors. It is an indication of good tidings for Team Nigeria as we prepare for Glasgow 2014’’, Ndanusa who also is the President of Nigeria Tennis Federation, said. Okagbare took the Long Jump with a leap of 6.86m (+0.1) in round 1 ahead of national record-breaking Ivana Spanovic of Serbia (6.85m, +0.3) to move second on the 2014 world list. Two hours later Okagbare, who skipped her last three jump attempts to rest, made it two from two at the 2014 IAAF Diamond League in Shanghai with another meet record of 22.36 seconds in the women’s 200m, just five hundredths outside her personal best. ‘’I also salute the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmauel Uduaghan for investing on Okagbare. ‘’As Nigerians celebrate Okagbare, we at the Olympic family also celebrate Governor Uduaghan for his tireless efforts in encouraging our sports men and women’’, Ndanusa emphasised.

Odeh drags top American Squash players to Abuja tourney Chimaobi Uchendu

ormer Nigeria Number one player, Friday Odeh, has confirmed participation of top American Squash players in the Abuja Squash Tournament scheduled to hold at the squash courts of Abuja National stadium and the Squash section of TRANSCORP Hilton Hotel Abuja. According to Ebele Igbokwe Bertrand,

Tournament Director and CEO of Bethross Ventures, organisers of the event, the coming of the top players from the USA, to lend a helping hand to Odeh would boost the quality of the tourney and add value to the coaching clinic tagged Secrets of Squash Success for the Younger Players. “Odeh has confirmed the availability of two US based international Squash players that would assist in the program.

Odeh

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Emmanuel Tobi

alter Drenth, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc has reiterated the company’s commitment to Nigerian fans, as Star lager beer launches a series of activations geared towards deepening its association with Nigeria’s favourite sport - football. He revealed that the beer brand has partnered DStv to beam all the football matches of the upcoming FIFA Football Mundial in June, to TV audiences. “We decided to partner DStv so as to give Star beer consumers and football lovers the opportunity of watching live football matches as well as in-depth analysis of games. We do not want them to miss a moment of the excit-

Star Lager beer boosts Nigerian football fans ing and exhilarating games.” Star beer also unveiled ex - internationals, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Kanu Papillo Nwankwo as ambassadors for its football activation.

Drenthe said: “As a proudly Nigerian brand which seeks to promote the positive attributes of Nigeria’s heroes for others to emulate, Star is proud to announce the involvement of Nigerian

rsenal fans in Nigeria were treated to FA Cup Cinema experience at the weekend by Sterling Bank Plc, as they watched English FA Cup final between Arsenal FC and Hull City inside the Silverbird Galeria, Victoria Island and Ikeja Centre. Apart from the experience of watching the final match on big screen, some of the fans were able to win Arsenal jerseys through raffle draws, with our correspondent also winning Arsenal

Brazil: Globacom, Zinox boost Supporters Club dinner Titty Glory

L R-L: Managing Director, Multisports Services and Entertainment Ltd, Mr. Godwin Dudu-Orumen; Financial Director, Promasidor Nigeria, Nick Braley; Managing Director, TPT International Ltd, Mr. Charles Igbinidu; Editor-in-Chief, Harmony Life Magazine, Mercy Ighofose; a visitor, Dr. Alimi Abdulrazaq; and a Board Member, Lagos State Football Association, Mr. Mojeed Adegbindin; at the finals of the Super 6 Academy Football Conference held at the National Stadium over the weekend.

Sterling Bank gives Arsenal fans FA Cup experience Charles Ogundiya

superstar ex-footballers, Kanu Nwankwo and Austin ‘JayJay’ Okocha, two illustrious Nigerian ex-international footballers as the brand ambassadors to help in recognising and rewarding the fans. You would agree with me that Okocha and Kanu have not only made Nigeria proud through football, but have become role models for Nigerians who seek to emulate their victories onthe-pitch.”

away jersey. Speaking to New Telegraph, Kelvin Igbodo, Media and Communication, Sterling Bank Plc, said the cinema experience is reward system for the bank customers. According to him, there will be other promo and incentives by the bank to their numerous customers especially during the World Cup and in the new season. “The cinema viewing is part of our partnership with Arsenal, we are trying to reward those that have the

Sterling/Arsenal Account, a promo for our customers. We are trying to create live atmosphere for those who cannot go to the Emirates stadium. “We have plans for the World Cup, and the new season. We intend to send some of our customers to the Emirates to watch the first game of the season, we are also going to be giving out the new Arsenal jersey, plenty gifts around the world Cup too,” he said. On whether the bank already achieved its target of being Arsenal partner, Igbodo said; “We are yet to hit our goal, but we are gradually getting there. We have over 50,000 account; the Arsenal fans in Nigeria associate with the account. We have a long partnership with Arsenal, and we are hoping that before the end of the partnership, we would have achieved our target,”Igbodo said.

eading Nigerian companies such as Globacom Nigeria Limited, Zinox Technologies Group and Industrial and General Insurance Plc have thrown their weight behind Nigeria Football Supporters Club as they host a pre-World Cup dinner to mobilise financial resources for the travelling supporters who will cheer Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil next month. The dinner Tagged ‘Fund Raising Dinner Towards Brazil 2014’, has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at the Civic Center on Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island. Spokesman of the event managers and veteran sports journalist, Effiong Nyong, disclosed in Lagos that Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola who is the Special Guest of Honor will lead other prominent citizens and captains of industries to grace the occasion. Also speaking on the event, President General of NFSC, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo, revealed that the Supporters Club will roll out the red carpet for the invited guests, adding that, “We are looking forward to realising a large chunk of the money we need to send many of our members, made up of drummers, trumpeters and singers as well as other supporters, to cheer the Super Eagles in Brazil to ensure that our boys feel at home during the competition in the South American country.”

Champions League final: Heineken inspires five consumers

T Cross section of jubilant Arsenal Fans sponsored by Sterling Bank to watch the English FA Cup final match at Silverbird Cinema in Lagos at the weekend.

Diamond League: Nigerian Sports Award hails Okagbare

nmissables Incentives Limited - organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award has commended Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare for her outstanding performance at the ongoing Shanghai Diamond League. Blessing Okagbare won the Sportswoman of the Year and the Track & Field Star of the Year awards at the 2013 edition of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award for her exploits and excellent performance in the

world of sport. According to the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu, ‘’On behalf of the Award Panel and all sports loving Nigerians, we want to congratulate our own Blessing Okagbare, the winner of the Sportswoman of the Year at the 2013 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award for making Nigeria and indeed Africa proud in the Diamond League,” he said.

he Heineken’s five lucky winners of an all-expense paid trip to the UEFA Champions’ League final match are sharply divided on which team to support Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid - the two Spanish sides contesting the final match at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon, Portugal. Unbeaten so far in the competition, Atletico Madrid, in their maiden final, will renew their El Derbi Madrileño tie with Real Madrid, who are aiming for La Decima glory at the 65,647 capacity stadium in Lisbon. As Expected, all the five fans on Heineken’s fully sponsored trip to the final, are united in their excitement at being the ‘lucky’ consumers among several UEFA Champions League fans in

Nigeria that participated in the Heineken ‘Match Your Half Ticket’ promotion to decide who enjoys this two-day trip to Lisbon. Jayne Nelson Uzegbu, the winner from Lagos said, “I will be glad to see Ronaldo and the rest of Real Madrid players celebrate with the trophy in Lisbon. “This should be his year of glory in the competition after losing to Lionel Messi of Barcelona while he was still with Manchester United in 2009 final at the Stadio Olympico in Rome,” she remarked. On the contrary, Usurhyel Auta, who won the sole ticket in Abuja, said, “My passion for the UEFA Champions League competition over the years has to do with the excitement of it throwing up funny results or upsets.

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Scotland friendly crucial - Ahmed Musa C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 1 striker allayed the fears

Scotland who missed out on World Cup ticket have not lost in their last five games and the Gordon Strachan side wants to use the game as preparation for Euro 2016 qualifiers. Musa acknowledged that Scotland would toughen the Eagles, saying such a development is good for the Nigerian team’s preparation for the Mundial. “Every game means a lot to the country and so, we are not looking at that match as just a friendly. It is going to be an interesting game because we, the players, are going to be at our best. “It is always a tough task to play against European teams but we are going to prove that we are getting ready for the World Cup. We are going there to represent our nation and by God’s grace we shall get a good result. It is also crucial to note that the match might determine the fate of some players who will be dropped from the Brazil 2014 train,” he said. The player has been on the sideline for the past few weeks due to injury and there have been anxiety that he may not be fit for the match or even the World Cup. But the former VVV Venlo

saying that he is now fully fit for Scotland game and the World Cup. “I appreciate the concern of Nigerians because it is not a good experience for a player to get injured with the World Cup around the corner. My injury is not a serious one; I knew I was going to be fit for our preparation and for the World Cup. I can tell Nigerians now that I am fit, I am ready to represent my country and put in my best,” he said.

Ethiopian players battling to stop Emenike

West Ham reignite interest in Nsofor Ifeanyi Ibeh

nglish Premier League side, West Ham United, have reignited their interest in securing the services of Super Eagles star, Obinna Nsofor, after the Nigerian striker finished his loan at Chievo in style with both goals in his side’s 2-1 win over Inter Milan on Sunday. Nsofor scored twice in the second half as Chievo came from behind to beat Inter Milan 2-1 in their final Serie A match of the season. Nsofor, who is owned by Lokomotiv Moscow of Russia, had back in the 2010-11 season played for West Ham where he developed an effective partnership alongside Demba Ba, scoring nine

goals and grabbing assists in 23 games for the Hammers. Unfortunately, Nsofor’s efforts were not enough to keep West Ham in the Premier League and, following relegation to the Championship, the Nigerian departed for pastures new, securing a permanent move to Lokomotiv Moscow. But after scoring in sensational style for the Verona-based club against Inter Milan on the final day of the season, West Ham have been offered a timely reminder of what the forward can bring. And with manager Sam Allardyce under pressure to secure the signature of players that will help the Hammers avoid relegation next season, Nsofor could well top the Up-

Ekeji calls for improved funding C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 1

on the preparations of such athletes. The former international further stressed the need for Nigeria to immediately make money available for the Team Nigeria to commence full training and preparation for the Commonwealth Games, adding that the administrators are always faced with difficulties while trying to raise funds to put the athletes in camp for competitions. However, Ekeji while expressing optimism that the Team Nigeria will excel in Glasgow warned that not much could be achieved if the preparations were not adequate because it is always difficult for somebody who will only train for a few weeks to effectively compete with somebody who has been training for the past six months or even more. “I am convinced that our athletes will do well in Glasgow given

the circumstances. First, we know cannot win the Commonwealth Games for obvious reasons; we do not take part in water sports like swimming. Also, we are not taking part in gymnastic etc. that do have a lot of medals. So our performances will depend on the number of sports we registered for, but I wish them well. “Honestly, I feel very sorry for those at the NSC especially this year that that they have a lot of competitions to attend. There is the World Cup in Brazil, Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Youth Olympics Games, African Youth Games and West African Games etc. “Unfortunately, the commission has no money but must attend to all these championships and they would be expected to beat the world. I know what the managers of our sports are going through. It is not fun because it is a tough office,” Ekeji stressed.

ton Park shopping list. West Ham may have to move quickly for the player though as Nsofor is expected to make Stephen Keshi’s final 23-man list for the World Cup. And if he goes on to shine in Brazil, West Ham could be priced out of a move for the Nigerian.

Nsofor

Nieketien turns prayer warrior for Eagles Mercy Jacob

former Super Eagles player, Peter Nieketien, has gone spiritual for the Stephen Keshi led team to be injury free as the World Cup is just three weeks away. According to the Chile 87 Flying Eagles player, injury at the peak of any competition could destruct the team’s plan and equally led to disastrous outing when key players are involved. He commended Keshi‘s provisional list but was disappointed on the way he managed the problem between him and Ike Uche, noting that World Cup is not a place for experiment but meant for the best play-

ers. “Keshi’s list is okay, at this stage there is little or nothing anybody can do, because it is said he who pays the piper dictates the tune. Keshi is the boss and has made his choice, my concern is for God to keep the players away from injury, before the tournament and at the peak of the competition because there is nothing that brings setback in a team like injury and once a key player is injured if not well managed, it could affect the team .” “The only question mark in Keshi’s provisional list is the none inclusion of Ike Uche. In a competition of this magnitude a coach needs to go with his best legs if he wants to compete effectively, he said.

Police will produce world-class athletes again -Abubakar Jude Opara Abuja

he Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has vowed to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force will once again produce for the country worldclass athletes like the late Sunday Bada and legendary Chioma Ajunwa who gave the country her first individual Olympic gold medal at the Atlanta 1996 Games. Abubakar who made the assertion in Abuja at the weekend during the dinner party to mark the end of the first edition of the Police Officers Wives Association Games also added that with active involvement in sports, youths would be taken away from crime. He said the event which was organised to commemorate its golden jubilee celebration showed that there were so many talents that yet to be harnessed for the interest of the country. The IGP who was represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police and head of the Department of Finance and Administration, Suleiman Fakai, also assured that the competition, which he described as a hunting ground for future stars, will now be an annual event. Chairperson of POWA and wife of the IGP, Mrs. Zarhra Bunu-Abubakar, while expressing satisfaction on the standard of the games, added that it would produce future sportsmen and women that will take over from the ageing ones. “The reason we are doing this is that we need to engage our children in a productive way. We need to also showcase their talents because these are avenues where people can see the talents of youths. “It is my believe that this event will produce more Chioma Ajunwas, Sunday Badas, Jay Jay Okochas and Nwankwo Kanu,” Mrs. Abubakar added. The high point the event was the presentation of certificates to and gifts to all the athletes that won medals at the twoday competition.

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FROM THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Plenary resumes, adjourns to study reports Louis Achi Abuja

he plenary session of the national conference which resumed yesterday adjourned till tomorrow to enable delegates peruse the report of four committees - Citizenship and Immigration Services, Environment, Religion and Land Tenure/National Boundary. This development trailed the submission of many committees’ reports to the conference secretariat as Secretary of Conference, Mrs. Valerie Azinge, called out

the chairmen and cochairmen or their representatives to step forward and present their reports. Azinge announced that in all, 14 reports have been submitted while six were outstanding. She also told the delegates that the secretariat would distribute reports that have reached the secretariat to the delegates while they await the committees that were yet to submit theirs. According to Azinge, delegates would be given the reports submitted by the committees to study while those who wish to

speak on such reports at plenary would indicate their names in a register to be provided, indicating whether they are for or against certain aspects of the recommendations of a particular report. The committees, which submitted their reports, were Citizenship and Immigration Services, National Security, Land Tenure and National Boundaries and Committee on Social Sector. Others were Committee on Environment, law and Judicial Reform, ,Economy, Trade and In-

vestment, Science Technology and development, Politics and Governance, Committee on Religion and Political Restructuring. Many of the delegates either argued in favour or against Mrs. Azinge’s proposed format of writing their names to indicate in a register before speaking. Prof. Yadudu, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Mohammed Ibrahim, observed that it would be totally chaotic and disorderly and contrary to the rules of the conference. Also, Mike Ahamba (SAN) and many others

L-R: Senator Azu Agboti; Chief Sergeant Awuse; and Senator Adamu Ailero, at the National Conference venue in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Terrorism: Confab urges commendation of international community l Falana wants N3trn security expenditure probed Louis Achi Abuja

elegates at the ongoing national conference in Abuja yesterday took a look at the security situation in the country and called for commendation on the response of the international community to the nation’s terrorism crisis. However, a senior advocate and confab delegate, Mr. Femi Falana, said there was the need to probe the N3 trillion spent on security by the Federal Government before the motion of commendation would become valid. Falana tasked the conference to adopt a resolution mandating the Federal Government to investigate the N3 trillion budgeted for the Defence sector in the last three years.

The senior advocate, who is also a rights’ activist, said this on the floor of the conference while contributing to the prayer by another delegate, Mr. Eddy Eragba. Eragba had prayed the delegates to adopt a motion seeking to commend foreign countries which are assisting Nigeria in the effort to rescue the 276 abducted Chibok girls in Borno State. The initial motion for commendation of the international community’s response to Nigeria’s security quandary was forced to the front burner by the abduction of some 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State, was moved by a delegate, Hon. Chief Obi Anoliefo. Anoliefo had told the plenary that the scope of the response of the

international community in identifying with Nigeria at this period of intense soul searching occasioned by terrorist activities, especially the abduction of the Chibok girls, deserved to be commended. Supporting Anoliefo’s motion was Chief Anayo Nebo, a delegate who insisted that while Nigeria’s house was on fire any friendly international intervention really needed to be commended. On his part, a senior advocate and delegate, Chief Mike Ahamba backed Anoliefo’s motion, observing that trans-border crimes are quelled by cooperation from international community. He said Nigerians should eschew the attitude of not acknowledging the efforts of others. “Let us encourage those

who came to assist us so that they can do more,” he stated. Another delegate and former Speaker of Akwa Ibom State parliament, Chief Hon. Ignatius Kevin Edet, also supported the motion “that those who came to help Nigeria be encouraged.” But taking a different tack, Femi Falana (SAN) told the plenary that the Federal Government need to explain how it spent N3 trillion of the nation’s money on security before the validity of the motion to commend the international community, would be defensible. Conference Chairman, Kutigi raised the stakes when he firmly stated that forces which are involved in the Chibok girls’ rescue mission deserved to be commended.

favoured the secretary’s style while Gambo Jimeta wanted groups to speak through their heads of delegation to avoid waste of time. Dokpesi did not want delegates to debate through the head of their committees, saying that

it would not make for equality, fairness and justice. He said what the secretariat required was patience and increased working hours to enable delegates contribute to any matter of their choice.

Confab adjourns plenary as six committees fail to submit report Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

he failure of six out of the 20 standing committees of the national conference, sitting in Abuja, to submit reports of their committees to the leadership of the conference yesterday forced the conference to adjourn plenary till tomorrow. Fourteen others have, however, submitted their reports. The conference had, three weeks ago, adjourned its plenary to enable its various committees perform their assignments. The 20 committees were given up till last weekend to turn in their reports to the leadership of the conference for a final debate in plenary. When the plenary session resumed yesterday, it was discovered that six committees were yet to submit their reports. The conference leadership constituted 20 committees to deliberate and subsequently make recommendations on a wide range of issues. Those that have submitted their reports were; the

Committees on Citizenship, Immigration and Other Related Matters; National Security and Committee on Land Tenure and National Boundary. Others were the Committees on Social Sector; Environment; Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reform; Economy, Trade and Investment; Religion and the Committee on Science, Technology and Development. The rest were; the Committee on Agriculture; Public Service; Energy; Foreign Policy and Diaspora; Public Finance and Revenue; and the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government. The Conference Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie Azinge, who invited committee chairmen to submit their reports, explained that the reports would be discussed in phases. She said: “We do not intend to consider the reports in one day. Delegates will be given time to read the reports. Four reports Religion, Land tenure and National Boundaries and Citizenship and Immigration - will be discussed tomorrow.”

‘Demolish churches, mosques in official areas’ Louis Achi Abuja

ll churches and mosques in official areas should be pulled down as religion is a private affair and does not require the closing of roads because people are worshipping. This position was expressed by a member of the Committee on Religion, Dr. Jonathan Obaje, nominated on the platform of Diaspora Nigerians, who said he was shocked at the rate religion was being deployed to commit crime in the country while the perpetrators were allowed to go scot-free. Stating it was unfair that the confab presumed that only Christianity and Islam were the only Nigerian religions, Obaje said that it became the major thrust of his committee to put laws in place to prevent

criminal elements in the society from giving religion a bad name. He also expressed happiness that his fellow committee members adopted the position and recommended the creation of Religion Equity Commission to handle religious issues in the country. The delegate from Singapore stated that he was also appalled that practitioners of traditional religion were not represented at the conference, noting that when such held sway people rarely told lies or embezzled community monies. Obaje was of the opinion that Christians and Moslems were causing most of the problems in the country, adding that there was need to revert to traditional religion since our forefathers lived peacefully and respected the rule of law.

On Marble

World Record

The wisest word man reaches is the humblest he can speak.

Sanctity of Truth

– Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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 TUESday, MAY 20, 2014

Usain Bolt holds the World Record for the 100m sprint at just 9.58 seconds (achieved in Berlin in 2009, beating his own previous record of 9.69 seconds at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing).

N150

Prospects for lasting partnership in Paris

he international community has long grown wary of ceremonial glad-handing at glamorous functions amidst civil discontent at home. When the political leadership of any given nation flies a delegation first-class to a cushy hotel and marblefloored conference rooms, it is understandable that the presumption would linger that the trip rebukes domestic concerns, wastes time and, via the brief jaunt, channels precious funds away from government coffers. However, the events and subsequent agreements from them which took place at the Summit in Paris over the weekend were this time, decidedly different. This time, we see a glimmer of hope from the newfound international commitment to fortify the ECOWAS’ cross-border security and Nigeria’s territorial integrity. With regard to countering the ever-globalizing cabal Boko Haram, we see a light at the end of the tunnel where there previously was but a tragic void. British Foreign Secretary William Hague seemingly left the meeting enthused, suggesting that while open borders have allowed the footprint of Boko Haram to spread, (meaning Nigeria’s francophone neighbours, Cameroon, Niger and Chad were also susceptible to attack), a partnership between the countries with Western support could provide tangible, lasting help in the search for the missing schoolgirls kidnapped by the extremist sect. It should also be noted, in addressing the question of choice of location for the Summit, that France maintains a large military presence in West Africa and is further already participating in battling the spread of al-Qaedastyle Islamists in nearby Mali. “We want to see the countries in the region work together more effectively,” Mr. Hague remarked at the conclusion of the Summit, “…creating an intelligence fusion cell, conducting joint patrols and operations”. Catch 22 Despite the urgency behind practical international support and the greater sharing of intelligence, munitions and indeed operatives to counter the threat of terrorism, as written by correspondent Sarah Chayes in the Washington Post on Sunday, London, Paris and indeed Washington need not be compelled to offer assistance condition-free. “Future counterterrorism support

World View SAM AMSTERDAM

The burden is no longer Nigeria’s to bear alone. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the young pupils

Presidents at the meeting

should be contingent on securitysector reform or include a robust human rights and anti-corruption component,” she began. “Development assistance contracts should not be used as a kind of ‘pay to play’ ticket, delivered in exchange for meetings with officials. All U.S. aid, including anti-poverty programs, should require payback in cases of financial irregularity”. Not Just Nigeria’s Problem Anymore French President Francois Hollande was later quoted as stating that Boko Haram was an al-Qaida-linked

group and that “a comprehensive plan must be put in place to exchange information and coordinate activities”. And with news of foreign expatriates being kidnapped in the proverbial ‘stomping grounds’ of Boko Haram, Chinese workers and Nigerian nationals alike abducted from the town of Waza, it is abundantly clear that the issue could not be more pertinent, the problem not merely domestic, at least anymore. For further example, in Cameroon, Fox News’ Perry Chiaramonte writes that officials have continued to suggest that militants from Boko Haram are routinely sneaking in with a tide of refugees, “…causing a rise in kidnappings, fighting and criminal acts just across the border” from Nigeria’s northeast and from Borno state in particular. Consequently, this was no mere ritualistic, bureaucratic multilateral discussion held in Paris. And the ardent follow up to this multinational Summit, truly the passionate application of the innovative, shared approaches to combating Boko Haram — as Ms. Chayes states “…long after the jolt of horror at this attack [the #BringBackOurGirls abduction] has subsided, could mean that West has

played a very public, significant role in helping to reduce the wellspring of extremism”. The burden is no longer Nigeria’s to bear alone. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the young pupils in Nigeria, along with the hopes that the nation and indeed the international community, can bring them home soon.

OmoBaba

BOKO HARAM: IF I TALK, HEADS WILL ROLL - Gov. Shettima

- Talk now, Gov or remain silent... forever!

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