Binder1 may 2, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Friday, May 2, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 73

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Imo: Okorocha, Ihedioha, Uzodinma, Agbaso test might

Yekeen Nurudeen and Anule Emmanuel

Pages } 13-17

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday faulted the World Bank report which placed Nigeria among the five poorest countries in the world, saying “the nation is not poor.’’ Citing as part of his de-

Jonathan faults World Bank, says Nigeria not poor

lWe must find abducted girls, president assures fence, the number of jets Nigerian businessmen flew to a Kenyan meet recently, the President

said “the challenge of the country is not poverty, but redistribution of wealth.” The president spoke

while addressing workers at the May Day rally at the Eagle Square, Abuja. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

Again, bomb explodes in Abuja ...Scores feared killed Bisalla Suleiman, Felix Nwaneri and Emmanuel Onani

eventeen days after a deadly bomb explosion hit a crowded park in Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, another bomb went off yesterday at a park, directly opposite the bombed park. The fresh explosion, which occurred at 7:30p.m., left scores dead and many others injured. Witnesses said many people were killed with many more wounded. Those who witnessed the two blasts said yesterday’s bomb might have lower capacity than the previous one. Some people around the scene were badly injured, not from the direct effect of the blast but

from a massive stampede that ensued shortly after. One man, an Okada rider, who identified himself as Tanimu was injured in the stampede. He told our

correspondent after receiving treatment in a pharmacy that many people trying to run away from the vicinity were caught in the stampede.

He said he could not wait to see any dead body. Vehicles coming from the City Centre were temporarily stopped, thus creating a massive gridlock. The park serves commuters travelling to Lafia,

Jos, Keffi, Nasarawa and Kaduna. The April 14 bomb blast that devastated the loading bay left scores dead and several others injured. Our correspondents gathered that the blast

Workers bemoan widespread decay, failure of govt

occurred at a make-shift park approved by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) opposite the Nyanya Park. Though details of casualty figures could not be C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

Pages 3, 8, 9, 10

Doctors’ strike caused Amaka Igwe’s death –Husband }4

L -R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar; President Goodluck Jonathan and the President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama at the May Day celebration at the Eagle Square, Abuja...yesterday Photo: Timothy Ikuomenisan

Fuel subsidy: Nigeria loses N2trn annually, says NNPC Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday pushed for the complete removal of subsidy on Premium Mo-

tor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol because “it is creating a N2 trillion drain on the nation’s resources.” The corporation also suggested that the production of 300,000 barrel of crude oil per day be de-

ferred, insisting that Nigeria was suffering from energy crisis because the country exports primary energy sources and imports processed PMS. The NNPC declared too that for Nigeria to reach the level of South

Africa economically, the nation needed to generate a minimum of 50,000 megawatts as opposed to the current 4,000 megawatts. It also advocated the payment of environmental sub-charge, inclusion

of pipeline tax of about N6, into the cost of PMS, as well as the implementation of the five per cent road maintenance charge. The NNPC’s Head of Strategy and Planning, C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

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Jonathan faults World Bank, says Nigeria not poor C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

He added however, that his administration was working hard to ensure the redistribution of wealth. The President also vowed that the over 200 female students abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents in Chibok, Borno State would be found. “Nigeria is not a poor country. Nigerians are the most travelled people. There is no country you go that you will not see Nigerians. The GDP of Nigeria is over half a trillion dollars and the economy is growing at close to 7 per cent. “Aliko Dangote was recently classified among the 25 richest people in the World. “I visited Kenya recently on a state visit and there was a programme for Nigerian and Kenyan businessmen to interact and the number of private jets that landed in Nairobi that day was a subject of discussion in Kenyan media for over a week. “If you talk about ownership of private jets, Nigeria will be among the first 10 countries, yet they are saying that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries. “Some of you will experience that there is an

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

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cial inclusiveness and we are working very hard to achieve this.” Jonathan noted that in the agriculture sector, government introduced the electronic wallet for farmers in rural areas so they could access income through bank facilities. He said government was also moving agriculture from just a rural development programme to wealth creation and major business programme, adding that government had taken pro-active steps and policies to stabilise power “so that small and medium-scale enterprises will thrive. “The key commitment

of government is to make sure that so many Nigerians have access to finance so that they will be able to create wealth for themselves.” The President also read certain political undertones in the processes of ratings by international bodies and global rating agencies. He explained: “So many countries were downgraded economically in the few past months, including some African countries. “They looked at Nigeria and we gave explanations and they could not see any convincing reason but to downgrade our economy, they left us as BB minus.

“They said ‘elections are coming, politicians are shouting at themselves, it may affect their economy, we will no longer give you stable outlook but give you negative outlook,’ which is same as BB minus. “When so many countries have been downgraded, they said Nigeria is one of the five poorest countries.’’ He also reiterated his administration’s determination to bring the Boko Haram insurgency to an end and fish out perpetrators of the Nyanya Bus park bombing in the Abuja. He assured that governC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

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

L-R: Head of Service, Lagos State, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams; Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase; Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola; his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa during the Workers’ Day rally at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos...yesterday.

Fuel subsidy: Nigeria loses N2trn annually, says NNPC C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

Storms

KANO

amount of money you will give to a Nigerian who needs help and (he/she) will not even regard it and thank you, but if you travel to other countries and give such an amount, the person will celebrate. “But the World Bank statistics shows that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries. Our problem is not poverty, our problem is redistribution of wealth.” The President added: “Probably wealth is concentrated in very few hands and a number of people do not have access to it and that is why my administration is committed in terms of finan-

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Mr. Jimoh Okon, stated this while speaking on the economics of crude oil production. Okon spoke when he appeared before the Committee on Power of the National Conference in Abuja during a rescheduled meeting with the NNPC. Okon made a case for the removal of the subsidy on oil while suggesting ways that government can generate revenue. He warned of a situation where there is complete reliance on a product whose price cannot be determined or controlled locally. To him, the use of energy must create wealth for the people rather than as a means of rent collection, expressing concern over the activities of itinerant crude oil refiners who degrade the environment and pointed out that there was no difference be-

tween stolen and legitimate crude. He hinted that crude oil traders are a veritable link between oil thieves and legitimate businessmen. To him, stolen crude goes through the creeks and such activities take place at night with the aid of small vessels that transfer crude into large ships anchored on international waters. Okon lamented that the issue cannot be tackled in isolation (by Nigeria alone) because of its international dimension, and, therefore, called for international collaborative efforts that may involve the use of helicopters and gunboats on international waters. He, however, suggested that to stem the twin evil of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, a dedicated pipeline protection unit as obtained in Russia must be in place.

The NNPC chieftain said there are six main creeks in which barges operate and suggested the procurement of six coastal vessels to effectively police those creeks. He added that the recent meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the United States (U.S.) Assistant Secretary of Defence was part of government’s efforts to curtail crude oil theft. According to him, the Gas Master-plan by the Federal Government suffers a setback because international oil companies did not see Nigeria as a viable market. He spoke at length on the nation’s overreliance on its natural resources as income, especially oil and gas. Emphasis, according to him, should be more on the utilisation of oil and gas at home as these constitute about 15 per

cent of the nation’s GDP, even though it constitutes about 85 per cent of government revenue. While suggesting ways that government can generate revenue, he warned of a situation where there is complete reliance on a product whose price cannot be determined or controlled locally. He doused fears about the possible nonavailability of kerosene in an event of subsidy removal and expressed firm belief that the product will be available. While indicating that the unit cost of producing a barrel of crude oil was approaching $39, Okon said Nigeria currently exports 22 million tonnes of gas per annum from six trains. International gas demand, he said, stands at 992 million tonnes and Nigeria is the fifth gas exporting country with about 7.5 per cent of the international market.

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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MAY DAY

Workers bemoan widespread decay, failure of govt Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

orkers across the country yesterday lamented the state of the nation, saying systemic failure in governance has led to job losses, insecurity in Nigeria. Both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) lamented the failure of government to address the daunting challenges of security, education, employment, infrastructure and healthcare across the country.

In Abuja, despite the fear of terrorist attack, the workers’ rally experienced a huge turnout of members of various labour groups. All the roads to the Eagle Square were closed to motorists while heavily armed securitymen, comprising mobile policemen, civil defence, antiterrorism squad and the military – bearing arms, bomb detectors, scanners and sniffer dogs –took charge of security at the venue. Participants at the rally were subjected to screening before being allowed

into the square. All vehicles, except those belonging to military personnel and government officials, were parked at least 300 meters away from the square. In his address, President General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobbi Kaigama, listed several indicators that the nation is in crises. He said the nation was experiencing serious systemic failure, with homes being destroyed due to jobs loss. “Homes are being destroyed, jobs shed and employees abused at will,

business shut down. Our healthcare is not at its best, our schools are failing as results yearly rolled out by WAEC, GCE and NECO have testified,” he said. Kaigama added that each day further proved that the reform in the power sector might become a mirage all because of selfish interests. “The fact that we are in the midst of crises is no longer disputable. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is threatened by incidents of violence and terrorism due to unalloyed

L-R: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and wife, Martha, and state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Unyime Usoro singing solidarity song during the Workers’ Day celebration in Uyo Township Stadium...yesterday

greed and irresponsibility on the part of many of our successive leaders and our collective failure to nurture our hard-earned democracy and prepare the nation for a new progressive age. “The theme of this year’s May Day, ‘Building Enduring Peace and Unity: Panacea for Sustainable National Development’ is apt, especially in view of the comatose nature of our socio-economic infrastructure, the near-breakdown of security and the recent spate of killings and destruction of property in the North-East and some other parts of the country.” The TUC boss said Nigeria’s greatness could not be measured in words alone, but must be earned. Also speaking, President of the NLC, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, blamed the inability of the Federal Government’s counter-terror war on conflicting political interests, ambiguous operational order and primordial sentiments. He lamented that despite the efforts of the government on security, the situation seemed to be deteriorating, particularly in the North East. Omar said peace and unity were vital for the survival of any nation, adding that Nigerians must be rightly concerned about enduring peace. “The challenges of insecurity had continued to

Disengaged workers mar Workers’ Day in Imo 1,624 staff disengaged by Abia beg Anambra gov for employment Steve Uzoechi and Uwakwe Abugu

n Imo State, the annual Workers’ Day celebration was yesterday momentarily marred as indigenes disengaged from Abia State public service, all dressed in red and black seized the opportunity to convey their plight to the government in the most dramatic manner, holding up proceedings at the Heroes Square, venue of the event, for nearly 20 minutes. The angry workers had been part of the usual march past, but as they approached where the governor stood taking salute, they suddenly stopped, folded their flag, sat on the ground while others lay flat on the ground plead-

ing with the governor to provide them succour from their plight. Some of the workers, mostly women, broke down in tears wailing about their impoverished condition. The very emotional scenario literally brought the May Day proceedings to a standstill, as other workers felt their pain and awaited the outcome of their plea. All entreaties for the workers to stand up and leave fell on deaf ears, as some of the disengaged workers yet rolled on the ground. Some of the workers noted that they made their plea in 2012, begging for help, but had since heard nothing from government circles. It however took the intervention of Governor

Rochas Okorocha, his wife and top government officials who stepped down from the podium to plead with the workers and reassure them of government resolve to ameliorate their suffering , before the crying workers moved on for the programme to continue. The leader of the group, Mrs Angela Madu-Okolie, disclosed that over 1,624 of them, all Imo indigenes, were disengaged by the Abia State Government for no clear reason in 2011. They appealed to the Imo State government to come to their aid and absorb them into the state civil service so as to be able to earn a living. Also in Anambra, scores of workers who were disengaged in 2011 by Abia State govern-

ment from its public service stormed the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka yesterday and joined workers in a march past before Governor Willie Obiano, seeking to use that means to draw the governor’s attention to their plight in the past three years. Already, 47 of the 717 of them (Anambra indigenes) who were among the over 4000 non-indigenes disengaged by Abia State government from its public service in October, 2011 have died. The disengaged workers who wore all red attires marched to make their point shortly after Governor Obiano drew ovation from the workers for declaring that they were special to his administration and all their due rights

would be given to them under his administration. Spokesperson for the embattled former public servants of Abia state, Mrs. Rose Okafor, told New Telegraph that last year, former governor of Anambra State was in the process of re-engaging them, but regretted that it appeared just a political statement as they are still roaming the street. While addressing the workers, Obiano said, “We shall look into promotions, confirmations and other incentives that will enhance your productivity. “We shall also look into the need for training and other capacity-building programmes that will position the civil service to drive the change we envisage.”

threaten peace and unity in the country, yet without enduring peace, our nation cannot truly develop on a sustainable base. “In the past few years, the nation has witnessed unprecedented security challenges that have tasked our imaginations, resources and temperament. “From the Niger Delta to the northern part of the country, we have had one form of violence or the other that threatened the peace and security of the country.” He described the insurgency in the North East, with the kidnap of more than 200 female students at Chibok in Borno, as the most threatening. “Our hearts bleed as we await their safe release,” Omar said. According to him, anytime a bomb goes off or people hear the sound of a gun, “the humanity in us dies.’’ He expressed worry over the insurgency saying people were losing their humanity, adding: “We might even lose the entire nation if something drastic is not done.” The labour leader said that it was immoral to play politics with the lives of citizens. He, however, called on government to address the issues of functional education, unemployment and poverty with urgency. The NLC president also condemned the dispersal of protesting members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) with teargas and water by the FCT Police last Tuesday. He added that if the strike was not resolved by the government in the shortest time possible, the labour movements would mobilise and storm Abuja in solidarity protest. May Day celebration is an historic event that symbolises the struggle and sacrifices of the working class to gain improved working conditions. The international workers’ day is in commemoration of the May 4, 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, U.S. The day is set aside to commemorate the struggle for eight working hours. This year’s is the 168th formal edition, while 68 countries are observing the day on which member countries declared a public holiday.

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Doctors’ strike caused Amaka Igwe’s death –Husband Tony Okuyeme

resh facts have emerged over the death of foremost Nigerian film maker, writer, and television drama producer, Mrs. Amaka Igwe, who passed on Monday night in Enugu. Narrating how his wife died, Mr. Charles Igwe, the husband, said: “They were in her home town in Enugu preparing for her new soap, and Amaka was taking some of the people through acting when she had an asthma attack. After using inhaler without success, she was taken to a nearby hospital, but they were told that the doctor was not around. They then went to the teaching hospital in Enugu, where they were again told that the doctors were on strike. It was while they were taking her to another hospital that she died.” The husband disclosed this while receiving delegates from the national executive of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) who paid him a condolence visit. NANTAP President, Babatunde Obalana snr., who led the delegation,

while commiserating with the family, described the late Amaka as an institution, an epitome of excellence. “Honestly, I am still in shock. Her death is one death that is numbing, confusing, you just can’t understand. The only way I have been able to rationalise it is perhaps God needed a director in heaven and He had to pick the best – because Amaka was top of the class, a fantastic wife, a devoted and caring mother, a supportive friend, very loyal, trustworthy and honest almost to a fault. “As far as honesty is concerned, I know not many directors who are that honest, extremely brilliant, and all her creative works speak for her. She broke several records. Today, she remains the biggest female director in this industry. “She is an institution of creative abundance, talent, intelligence, potentialities. She remains an epitome of excellence in its entire ramification; very stylish, and when you see her productions, you can only doff your hat for her. She does her research. I took part in a film she produced that dealt with drugs; and I know what she made me

Jonathan faults World Bank, says Nigeria not poor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ment was continuously fine-tuning its security strategies to curb the insurgents. Jonathan further called for the cooperation of citizens to overcome the menace. “The recent atrocities by terrorists, particularly the Nyanya Motor park bombing of mainly working-class citizens as well as the cruel abduction of some innocent girls, our future mothers and leaders in a very horrific and despicable situation in Borno state, is quite regrettable. “The government is constantly reviewing and upgrading mechanism to curb this mindless act and together, with the cooperation of the citizenry, we shall triumph over all this evil ... “Those who want to re-write our history negatively will not be allowed to do that. “Those who want to redefine our country to be seen as a country of chaos will never succeed. “We will continue to work hard to ensure the security of our people. We must find our miss-

ing girls and for this act of terror in Nyanya that led to the loss of lives of our people, the perpetrators must be brought to book.” Jonathan assured that with the support of Nigerians and in particular, the organised labour, the nation would overcome its challenges and take its pride of place in the globe. “We must collectively move this country to where we want to go. Government is working with labour leaders and workers of this country to create wealth. We will sure move this country to where we want to go.” The President also reiterated that the on-going National Conference was meant to evolve a roadmap that would redefine Nigeria. He said he had no personal agenda for initiating the conference, but for the common good and progress of the country. The President noted that the overall interest of the country informed the nomination of many representatives of organised labour, civil society organisations and youths to the conference.

go through to be able to enact those roles. That is her for you.” Other members the delegation are former NANTAP president, Biodun Abe; Director of Business

NANTAP (national), Deji Etiwe; Mr. Nifemi Richard Bruce, Mr. Charles Ukpong, Mr. David Ebi Prebai, Ms. Bukky Ogunnote, Describing Igwe’s death as a monumental

tragedy, Abe said he however thanked God for her because she lived a very wonderful life. Ms. Bukky Ogunote in her speech, described Amaka Igwe as one per-

son who was always there to render help to people. “She was always there with a listening ears; she is someone that did not like people to be idle, especially the female folks.”

Women protesting at the May Day celebration in Kaduna over abducted Chibok schoolgirls…yesterday

N5.2bn

The IGR realized from direct assessment sources of Rivers State in 2011. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

53%

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

446,550

The total area (in sq. km) of Morocco. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

Scores feared dead in fresh Nyanya bombing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ascertained at press time last night, New Telegraph gathered that the bomb exploded less than a kilometre from an Army check-point. Efforts to get close to the scene of the blast was unsuccessful as security personnel had cordoned off the place by the time our correspondent called. Residents avoided the scene out of fear of a second explosion. Emergency officials were also seen moving to the blast’s scene. New Telegraph, however, gathered that the casualty figure may be on the high side, as in the last blast, given the crowded nature of the area. Our correspondent had earlier observed the absence of any security measure at the park, despite the fact that a neighbouring park had been hit. Several efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Federal Capital Territory Command, DSP Altine Daniel, were unsuccessful, as she did not pick her calls. However, a senior police officer from the Nyanya Division, who spoke with New Telegraph on the condition of anonymity, said: “The casualty figure will naturally be high, considering the fact that passengers to Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue

and Kaduna states, use that park.” Besides, sellers of a delicacy, popularly called “mai suya”, ply their trade in front of the park, even as most of the cabs conveying passengers from the city centre to suburbs such as Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi and Kurudu, drop-off commuters in front of the deadly scene, where an Ogoja bus station is also located. Our correspondent sighted over 10 emergency ambulances from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) racing to the scene of the incident. More than five Antibomb vehicles of the police, were also sighted driving in that direction. The April 14 explosion occurred at the ever-busy Nyanya park, where about four of the high-capacity mass transit buses (popularly called El-Rufai), were fully loaded, and were about to depart with commuters. A security operative, who did not want his name in print, had told New Telegraph that the “highcalibre bomb” was neatly planted under one of the buses and went off few minutes afterwards. At about 7:15a.m. that day when New Telegraph visited the scene of what

could arguably be considered as the deadliest explosion ever, charred remains of victims were littered everywhere;a scene that was reminiscent of the nuclear holocaust era. The park serves the commuting needs of workers from Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Mararaba and other adjoining suburbs. An official statement from the police headquarters said 71 people died while 124 others were injured, many of them critically. Witnesses said the death toll could be in the region of 200, and it is likely to increase in the coming days. Some of those who survived “had amputated lower and upper limbs; some were unconscious and critically injured,” according to Dr. Reuben of the Nyanya General Hospital. The blast occurred at about 6:45a.m. –a peak hour - at the ever-busy park located at the foot of the popular Nyanya Bridge where workers and other commuters entering the city centre usually board the high capacity mass transit buses popularly called ‘ElRufai’. The park serves as the transit needs of residents in Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Mararaba and other adjoining suburbs.

Scores of copses, many of them burnt beyond recognition were deposited at the morgue in several hospitals in the federal capital where the injured are also being treated. The explosion did not spare children and women, whose dismembered bodies were trapped everywhere, with shoes, bags and other items seen everywhere. It also affected vehicles moving at the point along the AbujaKeffi Road, about three kilometres away from the Mogadishu Barracks, better known as Abacha Barracks, where a bomb blast killed at least 11 people on Christmas eve in 2010. It was a gory scene, as many who besieged the scene could not identify corpses of relatives and friends, who left their houses for work, but were caught in the blast. However, rescue workers at the scene gathered from the ruins, identity cards, ATM cards and handsets which could be used to identify those involved. A woman, who was seen crying and rolling on the ground, said her daughter may have been caught in the explosion. She said the daughter came to board a bus at the park and her number was not connecting.

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Protests mar May Day celebration in Lagos as Fashola calls for caution Siaka Momoh, Mojeed Alabi, Muritala Ayinla

he Worker's Day rally in Lagos was nearly disrupted yesterday as some civil society groups joined students and lecturers of the Lagos State University (LASU) and staged protests at the Onikan Stadium, venue of the May Day rally ground. The traditional march past by workers could not be held following the disruption by the lecturers,numbering about 50 who marched round the venue,chanting solidarity songs, condemning the hike in the institution`s fees. Although, the state`s Commander of the Rapid Response Squad,Mr Hakeem Odumosu battled hard to bring the protesters under control, but the angry protesters never succumbed throughout the programme.

While the Coordinator of Joint Action Front, JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu led a particular group, the son Afrobeat legend, Seun Kuti also led another group to demand reduction in the LASU School fees. The groups protested over the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok in Borno state by the Boko Haram sect. Speaking at the rally, Dr Adekunle Idris,Chairman ASUU,LASU chapter who led the lecturers' protest said they decided to mobilise to the May Day rally ground to reveal LASU's many problems to the public glare. Idris called for urgent steps to adress some of the issues at LASU in order to salvage the institution from collapse. He said:'' We are not here to celebrate because there is no cause for that. We can't celebrate our students pay exorbitant fees."

Kaduna Deputy Governor escapes fire incident

he official residence of Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, was affected by fire on Wednesday night but no life was lost. In a press release issued yesterday, the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr James Swam, stated that only Ambassador Bajoga's bedroom was affected. He was reacting to rumours that the deputy governor's entire official residence, which is located at Tafawa Bale-

wa way, had been completely razed by fire. According to the statement, "the incident, which occurred around 8:00pm, started in the master bedroom through suspected electrical fault but was promptly put out by the combined efforts of firefighters and the security. ''His Excellency was not in the bedroom when the fire occurred and glory be to God, there was no casualty though the room was badly affected," the statement added.

PDP 'll reclaim South West in 2015, says Kashamu QUIT NOTICE

Party chief serves quit notice to governors in the South-West

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, yesterday asked the governors in the South West geo-political zone to start preparing to vacate their positions. Kashamu, who is the chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of South West PDP, declared that the party was determined to reclaim the zone from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. He spoke when the state PDP leadership received

1,500 defectors from APC in Atan, Ijebu North East local government area of the state. The former APC members were led by Alhaji Monsuru Akibu. The programme was witnessed by a former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye, the state PDP Chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo, former Commissioner for Environment, Prince Olukoya Adeleke-Adedoyin, and a party chieftain, Chief Agboola Alausa. Kashamu said he was not seeking any political position but was only interested in ensuring resounding victory for the PDP in the forthcoming election in Ekiti and Osun States as well as other states in 2015. He said the PDP remained the only political party genuinely committed to the welfare of Nigerians. Kashamu said, "We are not in the government but God has given us the con-

$US3.7trn

The nominal GDP of Germany (IMF) in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

trol, authority. If it is like that, we must know that all of us have been working and doing the wish of the people in Ogun State. The people can see clearly that there is no other party that is better than the national party which is PDP. "I am proud to associate myself with PDP and I can tell you today authoritatively whether they like it or not, not only Amosun in Ogun State but other governors in the whole SouthWest, we are set in PDP to take over the South-West. "I am not looking for any position. It's not that I want to be a minister in government. I am not looking for any governorship position. I am your son, I am with you. I want the best for you in Ogun State. I want all of us to join hands together. We have little months to go. Let us work together and push all these rubbish people out so that we will be able to have our dividends."

93%

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

In his address, Dayo said the APC-led administration in the state had failed to live up to the expectation of people of the state. The PDP chairman, however, expressed satisfaction that the APC was now going through internal crisis, which he noted the PDP had experienced in the past. He said, "To defeat Ibikunle Amosun is not going to be easy because he is in government. But we are going to defeat him. Let all of us work very hard in our respective wards and local government areas, we are just representing you at the state level. It is you at the grassroot that are doing the job. We are just coordinating what you are doing. "We will assist you morally and financially to make it possible for us to defeat Ibikunle Amosun. APC is now going through what we had gone through three years ago. "

133,427

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Benin Republic in 2010. Source: Itu.int

Biometric exercise won’t affect workers badly - Aliyu Dan Atori MINNA

he Niger State government yesterday told its workforce, especially those in the employment of the local government councils that the on-going staff verification and biometric exercise was not designed to inflict hardship on them. Rather, the government said it was to sanitise the entire service. Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu gave the assurance in Minna at this year's workers day ceremony held at the old 123 battalion field in the Niger state capital. Aliyu, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto, said government was aware of the hardship some of the workers were facing as a result of the

verification exercise but said that at the end of the entire programme, the government would have succeeded in ‘eradicating the ghost worker syndrome from the service in the state’. According to him: "Let me reassure you that the verification exercise and other policies of government are not meant to bring hardship to workers but to position us to render better services to the people". Governor Aliyu unfolded welfare packages by the government for the workers, among which are the floating of a civil servant car ownership scheme, which will kick off in the next two weeks with 1,000 vehicles to be allocated to all category of workers at subsidized rates.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (left) and Niger State Governor, Babaginda Aliyu, during the governor's visit to Uduaghan in Government House, Asaba…yesterday.

Nigeria must address injustice of wealth - Tambuwal Umar Danladi Ado Sokoto

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said that Nigerians must end the vice grip that corruption has on our nation's jugular vein. He noted that in order to end the cynicism and easy resort to violence that is all too prevalent in our society today, we must change the way that government is run.

He maintained that Nigeria needs a credible leadership, pushing an agenda of social justice in order to escape the maze of failed potentials and deferred dreams that is threatening to become our nation's epitaph. His words:"We must subordinate our greed to the grief that our people go through as a result of failed policies. We must end the vice grip that corruption has on our nation's jugular", he added.

He stated this at the second edition of the Sam Nda-Isaiah annual lecture series with the theme: social justice and credible leadership sustain a nation held at Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur'anic and General Studies, Sokoto yesterday. Tambuwal noted that Nigeria has become a nation whose moral deficit is so high, adding that it is bankrupting our economy, robbing our children of their future and threatening the

very foundation of the nation's unity. The legislator observed that over the years, successive governments have failed to prosecute programmes and policies that will deliberately bridge the gap between the haves and the have not. Instead, the country has been run in such a way that the rich have all the advantages and the poor suffer the full brunt of living in a society where welfare is based almost entirely one's bank balance.

ekiti 2014

NEWS

Ex-council bosses declare support for Fayose Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

ormer local government chairmen and their deputies, who served in the administration of former Governor Olusegun Oni yesterday declared their support for the governorship ambition of former Governor Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Led by Chief Obafemi Falayi, the former council chairmen, said that their motive for pledging their support was for the PDP to win, stressing that their prayer was for the best candidate to win to push out the Fayemi administration. According to a press statement issued by Fayose's spokesman, Mr Idowu Adelusi, and made available to the press in Ado-Ekiti, the council chairmen added that the best thing that had happened to the Ekiti State PDP of recent was the emergence of Fayose as its candidate. They, therefore, promised to work very hard, noting that the Fayemi

Administration had killed the third tier of government. Other local government officials that declared their support for Fayose were 177 ward councillors, 58 supervisors, special advisers and 58 advisers. Responding, Fayose welcomed the former council officials and promised to conduct local government election as soon as he becomes the governor. Fayose told them that he was not out to discriminate against anybody, saying PDP in Ekiti State was one and the leaders were more united. He appealed to the followers to be mindful of their actions and inactions that could divide the party, stressing "Adeyeye, Olubolade, Omoyeni and other leaders are with me to win this state for the PDP. " When I was governor then, I tried to be impartial in handling party matters. I will not pay evil with evil but pay evil with good. I want the PDP to be strong like the way I left it."

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

INEC to use PVCs, not Card Readers, for Ekiti, Osun elections Wale Elegbede

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be used for the Ekiti State governorship election on June 21, 2014, and the Osun State governorship election on August 9, 2014, and not card readers. The Commission, however, said card readers, alongside PVCs will be used for the 2015 general election. In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu,

the commission said reports in some sections of the media that card readers will be deployed for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections was a misrepresentation of what Acting INEC Chairman, Dr. Ishmael Igbani said. "What the Acting Chairman said was that PVCs, and not Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) that were issued in 2011 and during the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two states, will be used for the imminent governorship elections; while card readers will be deployed in 2015. This is in line with the Com-

mission’s programme to incrementally fortify the electoral process against age-long susceptibility to abuses." INEC said PVCs were distributed simultaneously in Ekiti and Osun states from Friday, March 7, 2014 to Sunday, March 7, 2014, preparatory to the governorship elections. CVR was also conducted in the two states from Wednesday, March 12, 2014 to Monday,March 17, 2014. "The use of PVCs for Ekiti and Osun governorship elections will ensure that all duly registered persons, whose names are on the biometric register and for

whom PVCs have been produced, will be able to exercise their franchise in the imminent elections. The CVR was an opportunity for eligible persons who were previously not on the biometric register to get their data captured, and their PVCs will shortly be produced. The Commission urged registered voters in the two states, who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, to go to respective local government office of the Commission for collection, adding that Temporary Voter Cards will not be used for the elections.

Why I am not supporting MOB -Ex Gov Adebayo

former Ekiti State Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, has said he decided to back Governor Kayode Fayemi for a second term because of his impressive performance and in deference to the laid down rotational order . Similarly, Adebayo said he refused to support the governorship aspiration his townsman and candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, because he failed to heed his advice and that of other well meaning Ekiti men that Iyin Ekiti, where they both hail from, could not produce governor, barely 10 years after it produced one between 1999 and 2003. Ekiti has about 132 towns and communities divided along 16 local government and three senatorial districts. Adebayo, who spoke at the Re-Elect JKF Campaign rally in Iyin Ekiti yesterday, appealed to the people of the town to reject Bamidele and vote massively for Fayemi, whom he said had impacted positively on the lives of the people of the state and whose administration had favoured the Iyins. Adebayo told the cheering crowd of supporters that they would be labouring in vain if they make the mistake of voting for Bamidele, adding that the LP candidate does not

represent the collective wishes and aspirations of the Iyin people. “Bamidele’s aspiration, is a product of inordinate ambition and sheer opportunism and not because he has genuine desire to serve”, Adebayo said, adding, “I am the one who introduced my brother Opeyemi to you and appealed to you to vote for him when he wanted to become a legislator. But less than three months after he was elected into the House of Representatives, he came to tell me he wanted to become governor. “I sat him down and told him the futility of his aspiration. Because one, he has not done anything to justify the confidence of the people that put him in the House. Two, I told him Iyin Ekiti, where we both come from had less than 10 years ago produced a governor that Ekiti people will see us (Iyin Ekiti) as greedy and unreasonable people if we now want to produce another governor while other towns have yet to do so. “I then advised him to delay his aspiration till the time it would be okay for an Iyin man to come out. But he refused and said he must be governor at all cost and that he could do it alone with or without the support of the people."

Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (left), exchanging pleasantries with some elders, during a township rally at Iwaji Ekiti in Efon, Ekiti State.

ALLEGATION

Aides to former governor wants security agencies to investigate APC's claim

he Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO) has called on security agencies in Ekiti State to investigate the claim by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose planned to burn his own campaign office. Director General of AFCO, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, who made the call in a statement issued yesterday in Ado-Ekiti said; "APC members are noted for accusing other people of planning to do what

Fayose tackles Fayemi over plot to burn office they are plotting to do." The group was reacting to the statement made by the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation that Fayose was planning to burn down his own office and lay the blame on the APC. The statement was signed by the Head of Media, Mr Dimeji Daniels and said the group's alarm was to let the people of the state be on the alert. AFCO said it was obvious that the APC thugs were planning to carry out further attack on the AFCO campaign office as they did on April 7, 2014. "For Governor Kayo-

de Fayemi and his APC people to have made such an allegation, it means that they have facts and they must be made to come and substantiate it. "The police and other security agencies in the state must therefore investigate the allegation because it is obvious that the allegation is just a diversionary tactic," AFCO said. While describing the APC as a party of criminal minded people, AFCO said; "It is on record that the party chairman in the state, Mr Jide Awe, a member of the State House of Assembly, Kehinde

Boluwade and others are standing trial for murder. "It is also on record that the Special Assistant to Governor Fayemi on Internal Security, Mr Adedeji Adesokan and others are standing trial for their alleged involvement in the attack on Fayose's campaign office on April 7, 2014. "Therefore, if a party, whose major leaders are being tried for offences as grievous as murder, gun-running and attempted murder, security agencies must investigate allegations of plans to commit crime coming from such a party."

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Abducted schoolgirls: DHQ directs inquiry to Borno govt Emmanuel Onani

here appears a crack in the ongoing efforts to rescue over the students of Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, Borno State, abducted by suspected Boko Haram members. This seeming crisis of confidence, manifested in a statement issued yesterday, by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade. In the statement, the spokesman of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), noted with concern, the fact that some persons purporting to offer clues or information on the location of the girls, do so with the

11%

aim "to distract it (the military) from its goal of dealing with terrorism and other violent crimes aimed at crippling the nation." While acknowledging the agitation by the public for the release of the girls, and the compelling need for regular updates, the DHQ asked that inquiries, henceforth, be directed to Borno State, even as it requested the cooperation of troops in that regard. The statement reads in full: "The Nigerian Armed Forces understands and appreciates the concerns being shown by all citizens in and out of the country on the unfortunate incident of abduction of some female students from

The percentage of global arms supply of Germany between 2005 and 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. "Alongside the search for the girls, the military is currently committed to various security operations in most parts of Northern Nigeria where troops are deployed in forests and mountains combating terrorists and armed gangs of various descriptions. "The military reaffirms its unflinching resolve to continue to discharge its responsibility in defending the territorial integrity and the people of Nigeria in the most professional manner. "This will apply in the search for the missing girls which is ongoing concurrently with other security operations na-

N1.43bn

The IGR realized from direct assessment sources of Ogun State in 2011. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

tionwide. "A lot of information has been received in the efforts at securing the freedom of the girls. "The Armed Forces assures all Nigerians that it will continue to appraise every information received during this operation accordingly. "Unfortunately however, most of the information, some of which have been mischievously publicized for sensational reasons, have always turned out to be spurious and of no operational use. "Disturbingly, some of them have been mischievously sensationalised and publicised with a view to heightening tension and inflicting more pain on the nation as envisaged by the terrorists.

0.72%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010. Source: Itu.int

L-R: Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youths and Student Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe, celebrant, Otunba Gani Adams; his Wife, Mojisola; Seriki Fulani of Lagos, Mohammed Bambado and the Eze Nidigbo of Ikeja, Eze Uche Dimgba, during the 44th birthday celebration of Gani Adams in Lagos…yesterday . PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

OUTRAGE

Imo residents decry governor's plan to demolish state library for motor park Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has given a fresh directive for the demolition of the state library complex to make way for a parking lot for the Government House chapel and the gift shop being built by the governor. The directive came barely two weeks after the removal of the director

Okorocha insists on demolition of Imo Library for car park of the state library, who had resisted the move to demolish and relocate the library last year. It will be recalled that Governor Okorocha had, early last year, taken over the library recreation park where he is presently constructing the gift shop called Douglas Souvenirs. New Telegraph reliably gathered that the Head of Department for Works in the Government House, Mr. Emeka Duru, had, last Monday, paid a

visit to the library to convey the directive of the governor. Duru had, during the visit, taken some of the principal staff of the library to show them a new location behind the House of Assembly Complex, where they have been directed to evacuate to. He had given the library staff till yesterday to evacuate, but it was learnt that it had been extended to this weekend. The library staff were said to have grumbled that

the state library, which is the only library presently serving the entire state, was being relocated to a relatively obscure place outside the city centre. The library has over twelve specialised departments that conforms to the building design of the state library, which includes a public library, children library, research library, school library and library for the handicapped that is presently the only existing one in West Africa.

APC carpets Chikwe over comment on kidnapped girls l I was misrepresented- Chikwe Wale Elegbede

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday voiced its displeasure to comments credited to the Peoples Democratic Par ty (PDP) National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe, for expressing doubts about the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State. The party said that by the comments, Chikwe has simply crossed the line and plunged the depths of absurdity and insensitivity. This is as Chikwe denied making such comment, saying that her speech at the PDP Women’s Prayer on Wednesday, April 30 for the release of the Chibok kidnapped school girls and the Nyanya bomb blast victims was straight-forward and the interpretation by an online medium does not, in anyway, reflect her intentions. "The prayer event was specifically organised to pray for the release of the girls. If I doubted their abduction, why would I pray for their release?” she said. In a statement issued in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed concern that such an incautious and insensitive statement could be made by a woman, a mother, a grandmother and a top official of the ruling PDP over an issue that is, undoubtedly, the worst tragedy and biggest embarrassment to Nigeria. It said the comments raised even more concern because of the position in the ruling party of Mrs. Chikwe, wondering if the statement represented the closet opinion of the ruling party or the unstated stand of the presidency - in which

case it will explain the Federal Government's dawdling approach to the rescue of the girls. “It has been said that politics should not be brought into issues of national security. But how can anyone keep quiet in the face of this glaring assault on the sensitivity of a whole nation by a supposed leader of the ruling party? Who indeed is attempting to politicize a national tragedy, undoubtedly the worst in the history of our nation, if not the PDP?,” Mohammed asked. Clarifying her stance on the issue, Chikwe said, "My rhetorical questions were questions of concerns, which any distressed mother should ask in seeking for solutions and clues. Furthermore, I raised the issue of pictures in response to newspaper publications of their whereabouts. Someone, somewhere could provide useful information, as would be the case of lost persons. "It is unfortunate that the online medium chose a mysterious political interpretation, and even asking if it was my party, PDP’s position. It is also unfortunate that the mothers and families of the girls will be stirred to believe this false and wicked information. "I am deeply in sympathy with them because I was totally misinterpreted. I also believe that when the Borno State Governor reads my speech critically, it will be obvious that I am in no way in doubt of the kidnapped schoolgirls. The calculated political misrepresentation of my speech should be disregarded. My prayer point remains that God in his infinite mercy will secure the release of these girls," she said.

Ondo monarch commends Mimiko on development Babatope Okeowo Akure

he Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Olateru-Olagbegi has commended Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration for the ongoing massive infrastructural development at the state-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and in Owo Local Government. The monarch, in whose town the institution is located, spoke when he led a delegation of Owo

community on a thankyou visit to Mimiko in his office in Akure. On the Olowo’s entourage were the Asuada of Isuada, Oba Rufus Aladetanye, a member of the state House of Assembly from Owo, Hon. Olatunji Dairo, Chief Imam of Owo, Alhaji Ahmed Aladesawe, the Caretaker Chairman of Owo council area, Tunde Fadimbola and the Rector of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun.

2014 WORKERS' DAY

Anambra State Head of Service, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke (left), and Governor Willie Obiano, at the May Day Rally in Awka...yesterday

L-R: Chairman, Enugu State Nigerian Union of Journalists (Nuj), Comrade Louise Dilibe; Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Enugu State, Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe; State Commissioner for Labour, Mrs Vivienne Eze and Head of Service, Mr Chidi Ezema, in Enugu …yesterday

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

L–R: Deputy Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Victor Sam-Ateki; Chairman, TUC, Bayelsa State Council, Tari Dounana; Chairperson, NLC, Bayelsa State Council (Mrs.) Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson; his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rtd), and the Speaker, Konbowei Benson at the Peace Park, Yenagoa….yesterday

L-R: Chairman, Oyo State NLC, Comrade Basir Olarenwaju; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Moses Alake-Adeyemo; Gov. Abiola Ajimobi; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Mrs Badejoko Adeniji and State Vice-Chairaman, Trade Union Congress (Tuc), Comrade Innocent Onoja in Ibadan.

Nigeria Union of Photographers, Plateau Chapter, at the rally in Jos.

L-R: Special Assistant on Artisans to the Kwara State Governor, Oye Adetunla, State Artisans President, Abdullahi Lanky and Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed during the presentation of bus to artisans at the Ilorin Metropolitan Square to mark the Workers' Day celebration.

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun; Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties, Comrade Didi Adodo and Governor Adams Oshiomhole, at the 2014 May Day rally in Benin City.

L-R: Rivers Nigeria Labour Cngress (NLC) Chairman, Chris Oruge; Gov. Chibuike Amaechi and Chairman, Rivers Trade Union Congress, Mr Chika Onuogbu in Port Harcourt.

MAY DAY

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

NEWS

Amaechi expresses disappointment with Labour Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

overnor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the current national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of failing to live up to the expectations of Nigerians. Amaechi who spoke yesterday at the 2014 Workers' Day celebration in Port Harcourt, said the leadership of the two labour unions had failed to find the solution to the problems currently facing the country, even when they had the solution to the problems. "Listening to the TUC

Chairman, he took me back to my school days; he was able to analyse the problems of Nigeria. But typical of the current leadership of the NLC and TUC in Nigeria, they know the problem, they know the solution, but they don't want to go for the solution. "I don't know why they don't want to go for the solution. There has never been any successful democracy in Nigeria without the contribution of NLC and the TUC. What is happening currently is frightening to me; therefore, I decided to stay in my house and not to come here," he said. He stated that Nige-

2.62

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Cameroon in 2010. Source: Itu.int

ria would never change until labour unions, student unions and the masses of the country, took up the challenge to correct the wrongs in the country. In his address, TUC chairman in the state, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, said apart from the fact that no day passed without report of the massacre of Nigerians by fellow Nigerians, there were also structural and cultural violence against Nigerians. Onuegbu said; “Our Governor, Sir, kindly permit me to respectfully remind us that hardly does any day pass in Nigeria, without a report of a massacre of Nige-

176,220

The total area (in sq. km) of Uruguay. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

rians by Nigerians or at least, coordinated by Nigerians. Hardly does a day pass, without the report of a major violent crime committed against Nigerians by Nigerians. Hardly does a day pass, without the story of how large sums of money are stolen by Nigerians who are in positions of trust. “Hardly does a day pass without stories of how Nigerian crude oil is brazenly stolen by oil thieves assisted by their collaborators in high places. The revelations at the various probes by the National Assembly are heart-breaking as billions of naira (and now trillions of naira) meant for the improve-

ment in the welfare and condition of living of ordinary Nigerians are brazenly stolen by those who they are entrusted in their care. All these are examples of violence against the people of Nigeria. “The killings and maiming of Nigerians, whether by Boko Haram, Militants, cult groups, kidnappers, armed robbers, misguided youths, political thugs and other forms of societal vices by deviant groups under whatever guise, are all examples of direct violence. There are also structural violence, which is violence through social structures that produce

2.83m

FG bemoans prevalence of child labour in the Nigeria

The number of internet users in Republic of Ireland in 2008. Source: Blatantworld.com

Dan Atori MINNA

HE Federal Government yesterday condemned the prevalence of child labour in parts of the country and urged stakeholders to ensure that it is stopped. A director of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in Niger State, Akpabio Brown, made the declaration at the May Day celebrations in Minna, saying Nigerians must build a society that is child labour-free. He said “Let me take advantage of this occasion to inform us of the prevalence of child labour in this part of the country. Child labour means the engagement of children in any work that is exploitative and injurious to their physi-

poverty, chronic unemployment, death, and enormous suffering such as: corruption, injustice, and bad governance.” Also in his address, the Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Chris Oruge, condemned the poor handling of the recent Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment that resulted in the stampede which caused fatalities in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Benin. Oruge also condemned the recent bombings in Abuja, and Maiduguri as well as the kidnapping of over 200 schools girls and called on the perpetrators of those crimes to rethink and mend their ways.

cal, mental, social and moral development and also denies them of educational opportunities.’’ According to him, the move against child labour has become a national policy aimed at building a society that is child-friendly and progressively child labour free. “Almost all the countries, including Nigeria, have made commitment to take urgent action by rectifying the International Labour Organization’s convention on tackling child labour as a matter of urgency’’ The controller called on the state government, employers of labour, workers organizations, the civil society, media and other stakeholders to join hands in eliminating child labour in the region.

Joint Action Front and others protesting against the killings, bombings and kidnappings across the country in Lagos…yesterday.

Workers tackle Uduaghan on PENGASSAN boycots Eagle Square rally moribund firms, pensions

ABDUCTION

Petrol workers stay away from May Day rally over Chibok Girls Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

embers of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) yesterday stayed away from Eagle Square, Abuja where their counterparts from all other labour bodies gathered to mark this year's Workers' Day. President of the association, Comrade Babatunde Ogun, who spoke to journalists said the decision to stay away from the Eagle Square was a mark of identification with the plight and pains of parents of the over 200 girls abducted by terrorists at

Chibok, Borno state. Ogun called on the Federal Government to, without delay, take concrete steps to rescue the girls. He lamented that the inability of the Federal Government and security agencies to rescue the girls has put the nation in a mournful state. "We demand that all machinery, including collaborating with foreign countries that have sophisticated and hitechnology equipment for surveillance, should be put in place to ensure

the rescue and restoration of the girls to their parents and guardians," Ogun said. He added however that another reason for staying away from the rally was to protest maladministration by the TUC leadership under the headship of Comrade of Boboi Bala Kaigama as President and Comrade Musa Lawal as Secretary General. While calling on the Federal Government to invest more in decent job creation programmes to

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

reduce poverty and unemployment, PENGASSAN said high level of unemployment and poverty feeds criminality. However, he quickly added, poverty must not be an excuse for criminality. The association also called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) saying that the delay in passing the bill was a disincentive to investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

It’s time to defend agitations, says Nweke jnr Leo Sobechi General of the Dmitirector Nigeria Economic SumGroup, (NESG) and

Senatorial aspirant, Mr. Frank Nweke jnr., says

time has come to defend all labour aspirations aimed at uplifting the country. While congratulating the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) for

their understanding which has led to peaceful resolution of labour disputes, Nweke said if elected senator, he would participate actively in labour-related legislation.

Dominic Adewole ASABA

elta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, was yesterday bombarded with dozens of demands by workers in the state. Among others, he was asked why ailing industries, including the Asaba Textile Mill (ATM), the African Timber and Plywood (ATP, Sapele), the Delta Glass (Ughelli), Delta Steel Constructions (Warri) and Delta Hotels Group, have not been resuscitated. The workers also queried the Governor on the backlog of their arrears based on the 142 per cent pension increase of 2000. At the May Day celebration held at the

St. Patrick’s College playground, West-End, Asaba, yesterday, the workers wondered why reptiles, weeds and cobwebs are now taking over the once- booming premises of the firms. The state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Williams Akporeha, flanked by his counterpart at the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Mike Arinze, reminded the governor of his earlier promise to resuscitate Asaba Textile Mill (ATM), among others, to create employment for the teeming youths in the state. In the 1990’s when ATM was at the peak of production, it engaged over 3,000 workers and paid their salaries without tears.

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Friday, May 2, 2014

may day

Fashola advocates collective action against insecurity

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, joined thousands of Lagos workers to celebrate this year’s May Day in in the state with a charge on all Nigerians to rally as one body against insecurity in the country irrespective of ethnic or religious diversities. The governor, who addressed the workers at the Onikan Stadium in Central Lagos, warned that except Nigerians unite with a sincerity of purpose to fight the current insecurity, the challenges would continue to grow until the nation would be overwhelmed by them. The celebration was attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs.) Adejoke

Orelope- Adefulire, Senator representing the Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, members of the State Executive Council including the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa and Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase and featured match past by workers from various unions and groups. He noted that the country cannot find a way out of the current security challenges by infighting or seeking to benefit from the situation, adding that infighting would only give the enemies of the country more power while seeking to benefit from a state of insecurity would only lead

to collective destruction in the end. The Governor warned, “Greater damage is done if you sectionalize the problem. I think it may be tempting to think that insecurity could benefit the opposition as a sign of inefficiency of Government in power. This may be true but the truth is greater damage is done to the system”. Citing the recent abduction of over a hundred female minors from a girls’ secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, Governor Fashola, who expressed sadness over the state of insecurity in the country generally, pointed out that all Nigerians have a responsibility to safely return the girls to their parents and find those responsible

adding that this can only happen if Nigerians come together. The Governor commended the leadership shown by women and groups on the issue, saying, “We must reinforce the capacity to speak truthfully and be honest to one another because as long as there is a pretention that the truth is inconvenient, so long shall the nation’s problems remain”. “Everyone must stand up and fight the scourge of insecurity under one flag by ensuring that everybody for now subsumes his flag of whatever colour and collaboratively run it not as Yorubas, Ijaws, Ibos or Hausas but as Nigerians who rally under one flag to defeat insecurity”, the Governor said. Governor Fashola, who

charged the workers to resort to strikes only as tools of last option when negotiations have broken down irretrievably, urged them to rise and condemn illegal strikes and support lawful strikes that seek to restore injury to aggrieved workers emphasizing that workers should not use strikes to blackmail government. According to the Governor, “There is a process for convening a strike and according to law one of the conditions includes determining how many workers participated in the motion that led to the decision at an Annual General Meeting convened to discuss the strike”. “There must be a meeting called for the purpose of calling a strike and that issue must be tabled as an

agenda with people voting for or against and those abstaining also being recorded”, the Governor said adding, “Thereafter, a notice would be given to the employer that the workers have indeed voted by a particular number for and those against and given a notice of a number of days before declaring an industrial dispute with the management”. He said within the aforelisted steps there could be a genuine negotiation to resolve such problems adding, “But when a strike is called because the Secretary General or the President of the union is angry or displeased with the employer, it becomes very difficult for the employer to know what the problem is.”

PDP calls for sober reflection Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

ivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called on civil servants in the state to use the occasion to reflect on the neglect, disregard and hopelessness that have become the fate of the public service in the state. The party in a statement issued by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser, Media to the state Chairman, Felix Obuah, regrets that the insensitivity of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration to the plight and welfare of the civil servants in the state has made nonsense of the state workforce, leaving practically nothing to celebrate. Recalling that thousands of newly recruited

teachers in the state are still owed nine months’ salary arrears, while those interviewed and due for promotion since 2011 have been endlessly waiting for their letters besides similar disregard and non-payment of salaries of other staff of government agencies, the PDP questions the rationale for still marking the Workers’ Day in the state. Workers, the party demands, should rather use the period to protest against the regime of segregation, apathy to welfare of civil servants and criminal diversion of their salaries and entitlements to party politics, where their welfare is indignantly being scarified on the altar of inordinate political ambition of those entrusted with the state’s resources.

Oshiomhole insists on competency test for teachers Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday insisted that his decision on the competency test for primary and secondary school teachers in the state remains. The governor declared his stand at yesterday’s May Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital. He reminded the workers that should his purpose in government and governance not guarantee the future of the Edo child; it then means that he has no business being a governor in the state. However, members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) wore long

faces and denied the governor the traditional salute during their march past at the event. But Oshiomhole, who remained unperturbed, said his administration was determined to accord education a pride of place for maximum benefits of the Edo child. He also announced the restoration of all the sacked workers of Edo Line Transport Company and the commitment to pay all their salaries and entitlements in arrears. Besides, Oshiomhole urged Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or regional leanings to work together towards addressing the threatening spate of terrorism in the northern part of the country.

PDP governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore (left) and CAN Chairman, Rev. Elijah Ogundiya, during Omisore’s visit to Osogbo … yesterday

N3.72bn

The internally generated revenue of Gombe State in 2012. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

70.5%

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

380,748

The number of sixed-telephone subscriptions of Kenya in 2010. Source: Itu.int

Ekiti 2014: We don’t want war, say workers

Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

s the people of Ekiti State eagerly await the conduct of the June 21 governorship election, workers in the state have called on politicians not to turn the state into a theatre of war. The workers, who trooped to the Kayode Oluyemi Stadium, AdoEkiti, for the annual May Day celebration, called on politicians and their parties to engage in violence-free campaign. Speaking on the occasion, state Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayodeji Aluko and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Kolawole

Olaiya, advised politicians not to shed the blood of innocent citizens in the name of politics. Olaiya appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and peaceful conduct of Ekiti and the general elections scheduled for 2015. He expressed disgust at the level of violence being unleashed on Nigerians by Boko Haram insurgents, pleading with the Federal Government to involve neighbouring countries in the fight against insurgents. On the abducted 200 female students of Chibok Government Secondary School in Borno State, he described their abduction as “barbaric and calami-

tous.” “We should remember that from our historical antecedents, we have been brothers and sisters. Our state being homogenous one, we should therefore not allow politics to divide us. Let us embrace peace and shun violence.” Speaking on violence that has characterised electioneering campaigns in recent time, the TUC chairman appealed to politicians to refrain from using inflammatory comments that could heat up the polity. Olaiya said: “INEC must adhere strictly to the rules. Underage voting should not be allowed or voting by proxy during election. Everybody must realise that

this state is bigger than all of us and its development must take priority in our hearts,” Olaiya declared. In his speech, Governor Kayode Fayemi appealed to Nigerians to be vigilant in the face of anarchy being visited on the country. “Communal vigilance and human surveillance is the first thing to do when a nation is to fight against anarchy,” he said. He urged workers as critical stakeholders to continue to mediate among all political parties in their respective domains for the coming election to be devoid of bloodshed, saying playing such role would stabilise the polity.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Groups woo Transformation Initiative

Dominik Umosen

ver 400 independent support g roups have indicated interest to partner with Transformation Initiative, the umbrella civil society platform rooting for a credible administration to succeed the uncommon transformation administration of Gov Godswill Akpabio in 2015.

The scramble for a successor to the incumbent governor of the oilrich littoral state, New Telegraph learnt, has generated considerable excitement in the three senatorial districts in the state, with stakeholders in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, raising the stakes with the resolution that the position should go to Eket Senatorial District in the

existing spirit of powersharing which was brokered in 2007. Under that resolution which has continued to prove controversial, some party stalwarts like the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Chief Don Etiebet, have continued to argue that the resolution is undemocratic and forecloses the door of opportunity against other interested aspirants.

North East: Jonathan has done more than past presidents L-R: Captain, Matured Minders Initiative, Mr. Olatunbi Hanson; Secretary, Mrs. Bunmi Balogun and Administrative Officer, Heritage Home, Mr. Akinola Kola, during the Initiative’s visit and presentation of items to the home in Lagos…yesterday PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

Transcorp Hilton ready for WEF on Africa Andrew Iro Okungbowa

S the country prepares to host the 24th edition of the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the management of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, has said that the hotel is ready for the event. It also assured of security and safety, a hitch free event and provide a world class

hospitality experience for all the visiting delegates. Speaking on the state of preparedness for the global economic summit, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Hotel and Tourism Services Limited (owners of the five star rated hotel), Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, said that the hotel is proud and honoured to be the host of the event and is sparing no effort to mak-

ing it a historic and enjoyable occasion for the country and delegates. ‘I would like to assure all the delegates of our best efforts to ensure they have a comfortable and hassle-free experience during their stay with us. We are proud to be the first host of WEF in the West African sub-region and we are set to create a refreshing hospitality experience for all the WEF delegates,’’ he said.

Informal workers charge govt on corruption, insecurity Temitope Ogunbanke

he Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria (FIWON), has called on the Federal Government to demonstrate leadership and seriousness by fighting corruption and insecurity in the country. It also wants the government to work on the reduction of the cost

of governance in Nigeria. FIWON in its May Day message made available to New Telegraph by its National Secretary, Comrade Gbenga Komolafe, yesterday also charged government at all levels to invest more in Citizen Social Security and halt labour degradation, noting that government, especially the Ministry of Labour

must act to stop the new fashion of employers to engage workers only as casual. The group also described Nigerian self - employed workers as the worst victims of governance failures and the unacceptable social contradictions in the country, stating that informal workers in Nigeria are suffering needless harassment, intimidation and extortion on the streets.

Orji calls for rededication, commitment Ikechukwu Ucheoma Umuahia

bia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has urged workers in the state to rededicate their overall work ethics of their service to the well being of the people. Orji made the call in his address presented to workers in the state at the event to mark the 2014 Workers Day celebration

in the state which held at the Ibeku High School yesterday. He, however renewed his confidence in the abilities of the state workers., He also acknowledged that the workers of Abia State have been alive to their responsibilities and it was your votes that helped liberate Abia State from the clutches of oppression, making it possible for the government to focus on the

needs of our workers and in the development of our overall economy”. He appreciated the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of the state, for their support of the security and peace efforts in the state, which he noted has earned the state the recognition as one of the most peaceful and investment friendly state in the nation.

Kogi NLC wants FG to address insecurity Muhammad Bashir

Lokoja

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kogi State branch has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to rise to the challenges of the lingering insecurity and kidnap in the country.

The Kogi State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Odaudu James, gave the charge during this year's Workers' Day celebration in Lokoja. He noted that the current security challenges occasioned by Boko Haram insurgence in the North, kidnapping in the

South- East and SouthSouth, as well as human trafficking and sacrifices in the South-West, have pitched some ethnic groups and religious bodies against one another. He added that "the ugly trend has led to cracks in all fabrics of our national psyche.

Hassan Jirgi

DAMATURU

he Nor th-East Coordinator of the Transfor mation Movement for Jonathan 2015, Dr Ado Adamu, has said that the administration of

President Goodluck Jonathan is the best in terms of ensuring dividends of democracy reached the people at the grassroots in the northeast region. The Coordinator of northeast, who started this yesterday while address-

ing newsmen in Damaturu, the state capital, said that under Jonathan, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is one project among many which has touched the common man at the grassroots positively in the northeast.

EFCC establishes 150 clubs in schools Dan Atori

MINNA

n a bid to intensify the fight against economic and financial crime in the country, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has established 150 Integrity Clubs in secondary schools across the nation. Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, made the remark during the launching of the Integrity Club at the Police Secondary School, Minna

yesterday, saying that the clubs represent the commission's shift from traditional law enforcement to crime prevention through education and citizens engagement. According to him: "there is no better level to start from, than the level of the Nigerian child; it is this reason that the commission has established the EFCC Secondary School Integrity club. "The Integrity Club is an association of students, whose goal is to advocate

integrity and good governance in schools and the society as a whole. "The clubs are joint proactive efforts by schools and the commission to instil in our young ones important core ethical values of honesty, fairness, responsibility and respect for self and others as well as the citizenship". He said corruption can therefore be best prevented if an individual imbibes early on in life, strong, moral values of integrity, honesty accountability.

Nyako never grilled by detectives – Media Ibrahim Abdul

Yola

he Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Murtala Nyako has said that at no point was the governor grilled by police detectives contrary to a newspaper reports. Some national dailies had reported that the governor was grilled by detectives for four hours at the government House Yola. Sajoh in a telephone interview denied that the governor was grilled by police saying that the newspaper story was carefully

scripted and planted in the paper to achieve the twin aim of stocking embers of discord between the Governor and the police force and also to embarrass governor Nyako. “Our attention has been drawn to a news story in a national daily to the effect that Police Detectives from Force Headquarters grilled Governor Murtala Nyako for four hours at the Government House, Yola on Tuesday the April 29, 2014”. Sajoh said the story which was not authored by the Adamawa State Correspondent of the Na-

tional daily was planted by some persons in Abuja with a view to embarrass the State Governor and create friction between the Government of Adamawa State and Police Authorities both in Yola and Abuja. “This is rather unfortunate and dangerous. It has become the stock-intrade of some persons based in Abuja to continuously stock the embers of hatred and discord between the Governor of Adamawa State and Federal Government Agencies for very unwholesome motives.

May Day observed separately in Osun Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

he annual celebration of workers' day in Osun State took a different dimension yesterday as workers in the state gathered in two different venues in Osogbo, the state capital to mark the event. As half of the state workers gathered to observe theirs at Technical College, another half con-

verged at Nelson Mandela Freedom park, Osogbo while the Governor and his representative were both present at the two occasions. At the Technical College where Governor Aregbesola was present, he charged workers to be united, saying there is power in unity. He also remarked, "I want to say further that, government would not relent in paying your sal-

ary and allowances as at when due while I am urging you to continue to be a good representative". Also addressing them at the Freedom park, the state governor represented by the state Commissioner for Human Capacity Resources, Miss.Mobolaji Akande, assured them that the state government would try its best to see that all their interests are taken care of.

metr

NEW TELEGRAPH

Tanker ABIODUN BELLO

wo robbery suspects, Mutiu Onifade and Taofeek Adeosun, have told detectives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State, how one of their friends, Ramoni, organised a robbery operation, while still in prison. Onifade and Adeosun, now in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), said members of the gang were apprehended on the day of the operation, at Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos. The suspects claimed that they did not know each other until Ramoni, who is still in incarceration, called each of them at different times, telling them about each other. They also told the police that they both met Ramoni while they were in prison. While both men denied going to prison for robbery, they claimed that Ramoni that is serving term for robbery. A police source said: “On January 1, the suspects came to Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos on a robbery operation. In the process of the robbery, both of them were caught.

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

FRIday, MAY 2, 2014

0802 393 8212

Onifade and Adeosun. Inset: Guns recovered from the suspects

“They came for the operation with two double barrel pistols and about four cartridges. They also came in a Nissan Sunny salon car. The incident happened in the evening. People around the neighbourhood raised the alarm that robbers were operating.” It was gathered that immediately men of SARS received the distress call, they raced to the scene and arrested the two robbers. It was after their arrest that preliminary investigations showed that the robbers had been in prison in the past. Onifade and Adeosun, at different periods, were imprisoned in Ibara Prisons, Ogun State. The 27-year-old Onifade is married and has a child. He said: “I’m a generator mechanic. I once had a shop, but when the roads were being expanded, my shop was demolished. “I was arrested because Ramoni called me to go and collect money from somebody for him. He said I and Taofeek should collect the money at Iyana-Ipaja. When we got there, police arrested us.

Juliana Francis

FEATURES Editor

Inmate plans robbery from prison

Juliana Francis

Friday, M

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

“Ramoni is still in Ibara Prison. It was from the prison he called me to meet Taofeek Adeosun for the robbery. I met Taofeek at Abule-Egba. It was from there we proceeded to Iyana-Ipaja where we were arrested.” The suspect also recounted how they got their guns from someone in Benin Republic. He said: “We got our guns from someone in Benin Republic. It was Ramoni that knows him. Ramoni gave us the Alhaji’s phone number and I went to him to collect the guns. The Alhaji gave me the guns and said I should not worry, promising to discuss with Ramoni.” Onifade also spoke on how he landed in Ibara prison. “It is true that I’ve been to prison before. It was a friend who led me to prison. He goes out most Mondays and comes back at weekend. Whenever he comes back, he gives me N2,000 or N3,000. I used the money to start a daily contribution. I had a fairly used motorcycle, so I told him I wanted to sell it for N40,000. He said he would give me N20,000, to add to the N20,000 I had. For three months, he did not pay the N20,000 after which I sold it,”

he said. According to him, as soon as he sold the motorcycle, his friend came with police to arrest him. He said: “I spent four months in the prison before I was released as he later wrote a withdrawal letter. It was in the prison that I met Ramoni.” His 24-year-old accomplice, Adeosun, said he was an automobile mechanic, married and had three kids. According to him, he was arrested after Onifade called him to meet him somewhere. He said: “There was a day Mutiu called me on phone. I did not know him before. I believe it was Ramoni who is still in prison that gave him my number. I know Ramoni in prison when I had a problem. “Mutiu told me he was coming to Lagos to meet someone at Iyana-Ipaja. He called me on December 29, he said he will come to Lagos on January, 1. “When he got to Lagos, he called and informed me that he was already at Abule-Egba. I picked my car and drove to meet and pick him there. He

told me to take him to IyanaIpaja that he wanted to meet somebody there. “When we got to Iyana-Ipaja, he asked me to park and told him to remain inside the car. He called the person on phone. About 10 minutes after Mutiu came, the police came to arrest us. It was around 6pm. He is the one that knew where we were going to rob. I have never robbed before. Ramoni knows my number because when I was leaving the prison, I gave them my number.” Adeosun explained that he landed in Ibara prison for murder. He said: “A friend gave me a car to repair. After repairing the car, he refused to pay me. I went to ask him for my money. He tried to fight me, but I left him. He later came to my house to meet me. Another quarrel ensued. I told him that he was the one who owed me and has come to fight me. As we were pushing each other, he fell down and died. “My family members went to meet with his relatives. They withdrew the case. They said they should go and bury the boy. I spent more than a year in the prison. “I feel bad that I was arrested for robbery. I have already got there before I know it was a robbery mission.”

female cleaner with the Lagos Sta Management ity (LAWMA) has die tanker crushed her leg Ikorodu Road, Ojota State. The woman, iden

ICPC, em

he Independent C Practice and Other R Offences Commission said its collaboration with embassies had helped to visa scams in the country The ICPC Chairman, M Nta, who disclosed this hosting the Indian High C sioner to Nigeria, Mr A. R nashyam, in Abuja, said possible through sustain rests and issuance of adv Nta said ICPC had in one year arrested 32 pers visa-related offences per to the Indian High Comm Thirteen of them, accor him, have been charged t in Abuja and Lagos. He ex that the commission comm investigations of visa sca years ago following an inv from the United States Em “The successful investi generated similar invi from other embassies,” th chairman added. Nta said ICPC was a laborating with the Mini Foreign Affairs and banks issue, adding that some c vants involved in visa sca been charged to court.

Five men gan 21-year-old g DECOY Five friends rape girl after luring her to hotel Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

olice in Ogun State said yesterday that they had arrested five persons who allegedly gangraped a 21-year-old

woman (name withheld) in Sagamu area of the state. The incident occurred at the Sagamu Palace Hotel on Wednesday. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that two other accomplices were now in police net. It was gathered that

the ra victim the pre them, be her celebr day. It learnt pects range 24, rec interc as the rape h Ade

POLITICS Friday, May 2, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/politics

ayodele Ojo

Deputy Editor, politics

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

ayodeleojo@yahoo.com

There is no doubt that our nation is at war. The enemy has clearly and unequivocally served the nation notice of its vile intentions. Therefore, a clear, unambiguous and decisive military response... is an option we must consider now -David Mark

2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Imo bigwigs battle for Douglas House Steve Uzoechi Owerri

mo State is home to array of political stalwarts well versed in the intricacies of politicking in the Nigerian political space. They come in divers shades; each competent in his own right and ready to give as much he can take in the political terrain. Imo is made up of three senatorial districts comprising Imo West, otherwise known as Orlu Zone with 12 council areas; Imo East, otherwise known as Owerri Zone with nine council areas and Imo North, also known as Okigwe Z o n e with six council areas. T h e prevailing agitation a c ro s s t h e state is that of equity a n d fairness, same being reas o n most of the aspirants would willingly cite the unwritten Imo Charter of Equity as their ground for demanding even-handedness in the system. Owerri people who are landlords to the Government House are the most agitated, they are actually the people who have sustained the call for equitable consideration of the three senatorial zones of the state with respect to the governorship of the state. Since the present democratic experiment started in 1999, a governor of Owerri extraction is yet to emerge. As 2015 draws near, politicians from Owerri zone are putting ground works in place to ensure the seat of power does not elude them again, while Okigwe Zone of the state which had only done four years in the Douglas House, would also be angling to consummate their second term of four years which slipped off the hands of their son, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim in 2011. Orlu Zone, which, with Governor Rochas Okorochaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four years in office, would

have governed Imo for a total of 12 years is not letting go of the governorship seat also have a smattering of candidates wanting to consolidate their hold on Douglas House. With the foregoing, the stage is set in Imo for a big political showdown come 2015, with the unwritten Imo Charter of Equity becoming a viable leverage for negotiation of power. While some of the key political players bring robust debate to the political turf, others bring old scores that need settling, while yet some others have only one argument â&#x20AC;&#x201C; zoning driving their bid for political office in 2015. While some even bring political glamour and fanfare to the table, others merely add to the numbers. In all, these political gladiators and actors contribute in their various ways to the shape of things to come in Imo 2015.

Rochas Okorocha He is the incumbent governor of Imo State. He has given clear hints to his resolve to bid for a second term in office. Though there is an avaof governorship aspirants gunning for not a stranger to political contests and

lanche his seat, Okorocha is intrigues. His influence and support base leans largely towards the artisans who are convinced that the governor is a large-hearted humanitarian. In 2011, Okorocha demolished the perceived zoning arrangement in the state

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Governorship: Okorocha, Ihedioha,

Okorocha

Madumere

Ohakim

Araraume

Anyanwu

Agbaso

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 4

by emerging governor so soon after his kinsman, Chief Achike Udenwa had served as governor of the state for eight years. Both Okorocha and Udenwa are from the Orlu zone of the state, while the Owerri zone is yet to get a shot at the governorship seat of the state since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. With Okigwe zone kicking that they are yet to have a full share, zoning will definitely be an issue in the 2015 governorship election in Imo. Though the governor has tried severally to dismiss zoning as fostering mediocrity, it is definitely one of his major disadvantages in the forthcoming governorship election in 2015. Okorocha has put some structures in place - whether qualitative or not; people-oriented or not; purpose-driven or ego-driven; futuristic or impulsive – there are some new infrastructure in place in Imo that people can point to Okorocha’s credit. Much as some extol the governor for this, very many others would easily accuse the governor of indiscriminately erecting structures that bear little or no relevance to the welfare of the people. Whatever is the case, Okorocha is in

the 2015 Imo governorship race for good and it will take immense effort in mass mobilisation and strategic planning to unseat him. He has a lot going for him, and even a lot more going against him, but only a meticulous strategy can oust the Ogboko-born politician.

midable aspirant in the 2015 elections, even if not for the governorship seat, but the way things are going, he neither falls into the category of a kingmaker or an aspirant and that is a gross disadvantage to his boss who is still eying the number one seat in Imo State.

Eze Madumere The chubby Imo State Deputy Governor would have been tailor-made for the seat of governor, if only his boss could quit seeing him in the light of pre-2011 - as his domestic staff. Madumere is gifted with a network of friends and allies transcending areas within the reach of his boss. This is his strongest political capital and at every point of need, the present administration leverages on that which is why he is largely viewed in political circles as the governor’s trouble shooter. With the internal political intrigue in the Imo government, which rather than building on the strength of the deputy governor, is strategically whittling it down, may render Madumere incapable of bringing his political advantage to bear, no matter what it is worth, in the 2015 election. Madumere would have been expected to be a for-

Benjamin Uwajumogu Uwajumogu is the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly. Before 2011, so very little was heard about Uwajumogu beside the fact that he comes from a wealthy family with flourishing interests in hotel business, relatively nothing of political importance was known about him. He quickly became the centre of the state parliament as soon as he was elected Speaker of the Assembly ahead of ranking members who fell into the minority party. Uwajumogu is known to be aspiring for the Imo North (Okigwe Zone) senatorial seat in 2015, but he seems to have gathered more of financial clout than political clout within the last 35 months. Be that as it may, Uwajumogu cannot entirely be taken for granted in 2015 without dire consequences as he can at least hold down his local gov-

ernment for his party in a worst case scenario. He had recently begun a process of reaching out to the electorate with empowerments and donations to the needs of the people and communities within his constituency. This is a boost to his popularity, but if nothing is done about the prevailing perception among a section of the electorate that Uwajumogu is more of a contractor than a legislator, his acceptability may take a lethal knock even before 2015. As the clock ticks towards 2015, the popularity or notoriety of Governor Okorocha, as the case may be, would definitely rub-off on the Speaker as he is widely viewed as the governor’s Man Friday. Ikedi Ohakim Like or hate him, the former governor of Imo State has charm and charisma to his advantage. Even as a former governor, Ohakim is street-wise and wields enormous social capital, vital in politics. Ohakim who in 2011 was victim of a mass action by the Imo electorate, endorsed by an elite conspiracy is meticulously picking up the pieces of that

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Uzodinma, Agbaso test might

Iwuanyanwu

experience, rebuilding bridges that were burnt and enhancing his acceptability both at home and at the national level. This, he has done very well. Today, all you need to shut down traffic in Owerri is the appearance of Ohakim on the street. For every single error the Okorocha administration makes in Imo today, Ohakim gains even more prominence. Also for most people who have faulted Okorocha in any area of his administration, Ohakim becomes a better option. It is however not always easy for the same people who rejected you at a point in politics to so quickly accept you again without letting the years bridge the gap. But it has been said that the Nigerian electorate have short memory and anything can happen in Nigerian politics. This, however, does not in any way indicate that Ohakim has thrown his hat in the ring for the 2015 governorship battle. But whether he does or does not, it cannot diminish the fact that he is a key stakeholder in the politics of Imo State and a power broker in the politics of Imo North. Ohakim also would perfectly fit the bill if he decides to operate as a kingmaker in the 2015 elections. The former governor has a string of loyal followers most of whom were former appointees during his days as the governor of Imo state. He brings some robust dynamism to politics. Ifeanyi Araraume From 1999 till date, Senator Araraume has been actively relevant in Imo politics. Serving two uninterrupted terms as senator for Imo North from 1999 to 2007, Araraume has bidded for the governorship seat of Imo since 2007 till date. He is known to be the first politician in Imo State to have suffered a hydra-headed elite conspiracy. The episode brought to the fore, Araraume’s doggedness and staying power. He beat the candidate of an incumbent governor in the person of Udenwa in the state party governorship primaries and humbled former President Olusegun Obasanjo in court for bluntly denying him the ticket he won. However, the elite put words around that the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) no longer had a candidate for the Imo governorship at the time, thus abandoning Araraume to his own devices and embracing Ohakim of the then Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA). Through it all, it is still common knowledge to political pundits that Araraume brings a lot of experience to the table. His major strength is the die-hard attitude of his followers and his unflinching support and assistance to them in everything they do. It is on record that in 2011, in spite of Araraume’s political misfortune, he still took time to broker a deal with the then governor to pave the way for one of his loyalists in the person of Matthew Omegara to emerge House of Representatives member for Okigwe North Federal Constituency. He goes the extra mile for his loyalists. Ararume is also not a stranger to political adversity, stiff opposition or competition. In spite of

Ihedioha

Udenwa

While some of the key political players bring robust debate to the political turf, others bring old scores that need settling, while yet some others have only one argument – zoning - driving their bid for political office in 2015 all the expenses he had incured since 2007 till date without actualizing his governorship ambition, it is still widely believed that Araraume is coming into the 2015 governorship with a loaded war chest. It is also a known fact that aspirants under his campaign organisation are often handsomely empowered to execute their aspiration, thus enhancing their capacities to deliver him in their areas. Though Araraume enjoys an appreciable level of popularity and acceptability across the state, some sections of the state especially Owerri Zone, who are bidding to rule Imo for the first time since 1999, may want to view his dogged consistency in vying for the governorship seat as desperation. Whatever be the case, Araraume who is expected to have learnt from past mistakes and made necessary corrections, would be bringing a lot of first-hand experience to bear in the run up to the 2015 governorship election in Imo state.

Uzodinma

Tony Chukwu He is a billionaire contractor and businessman who never fails to invest in popular governorship candidates. He is not an experienced politician in the real sense, but with his fund, he is consulted on issues even good politicians are ignored. Chukwu plays a major role in every election year but his major flaw is his inconsistency. He mostly favours any government in power with his enormous resources and once that government falls out of favour, he moves on to the next prospect. His brand of politics is largely believed to be predicated on primarily protecting his business interests. In the Okigwe Zone where he comes from, he has the capacity in some cases, to sway political balance with his fund and influence. Most governors and governorship candidates pander to him to boost their financial muscles in his area whenever elections approach. He knows relatively little about political stratagem. Chris Anyanwu This two-term senator represents a brilliant deCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Chikwe

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Friday, May 2, 2014

2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Imo: Udenwa, Ohakim, Ararume,

Chukwu

Iheanacho

Onwuliri

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

ly enormous support behind any candidate of his choice. Presently, Iwuanyanwu is past contesting for any political office but remains one of those political variables that must be taken into account by every serious-minded politician running for political office.

with in the Imo 2015 elections and his impact from the primary election to the main election may be a pointer to the shape of things to come in 2015.

parture from the previous all-men domination of the National Assembly slots in Imo. With her sojourn in the Senate, she has proved that she is not merely filling-in a space in sympathy to a gender. In any case, Senator Chris Anyanwu cannot be considered a charity case, as she fought for her mandate every step of the way. She fell out of favour in the PDP, when the party’s ticket was served Kema Chikwe on a platter, after two controversial primary elections. She pulled out of the party and pitched tents with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and again had to contend with Chikwe in the election proper. She beat Chikwe to a second place against all odds. So, it is unarguable that Anyanwu represents the strongest bid of the women folks for the Imo governorship seat since return to democracy. Having actively played politics at the highest level in the country, she comes with a lot more political dexterity, clout and experience than most of the aspirants in the race. Anyanwu had always tried to play down on her gender in her politicking and had repeatedly urged the electorate to see her for who she is and the ideals she represents and not as a woman. It is however believed that though she would make immense in-road for the female folks by her formidable bid for the highest office in Imo State, it is highly uncertain that the Imo electorate is yet prepared for a female governor bearing in mind their cultural inclination and predisposition to the men folk. Be that as it may, Anyanwu has a lot of work to do and it is her responsibility to rise above chauvinistic misconceptions and plant a solid feminine presence in the Imo political landscape. Anyanwu cannot be taken for granted in Imo politics, as she does not in any way carry herself as one needing either sympathy or pity, but instead bidding her credibility and competence against even the very best the men-dominated governorship turf in Imo. She cowers before no aspirant and this is the confidence that drives her followers from across the state. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Chief Iwuanyanwu is a kingmaker any day and has remained consistent in that role for the greater part of the last decade. There is no shade of sentiment or political antics in Imo politics that can faze Iwuanyanwu. He has a formidable national presence in the politics of the country and a compelling presence in the politics of Imo State. Iwuanyanwu’s home is a political Mecca for many politicians in the state. Either they are coming to identify with the leader as he is often called or dutifully consulting with him on their ambitions or next political adventure. As a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, the Ikeduru-born politician cannot be ignored in Imo politics especially with his uncanny ability to ral-

Emeka Ihedioha Ihedioha is the Deputy Speaker and one of the few third-term members of the House of Representatives. Nobody wins three successive federal constituency elections by chance without some strokes of ingenuity, experience and dexterity in the electioneering process. A strong party man who was earlier perceived as not having any political structure outside his federal constituency, but have in recent times, rapidly raised structures across the 27 council areas of Imo State to the chagrin of his political rivals. Ihedioha to his advantage has over the year instituted structures to empower members of his federal constituency and had sustained and spread same long before voicing his desire to govern Imo State. He has leveraged on his position to impact on his constituency with various developmental projects. A stabilizer of sort at the National Assembly but a rugged mobilizer at the party level. He is one of the frontrunners in the Imo governorship race with enormous political clout within the state and at the federal level. Ihedioha’s biggest threat is the fact that most of the over 18 governorship aspirants in the PDP view him as a major hurdle to their ambition and this may inadvertently create a cluster of anti-Ihedioha aspirants among the PDP fold. This is one of such scenarios that pave the way for an elite gang-up against a particular aspirant. A political watcher once dismissed Ihedioha’s candidature with this remark, “Ihedioha is too powerful to win a governorship election in Imo State. He will fall by an elite conspiracy.” He advanced the argument that the elite will gather and stop Ihedioha at all cost, enthroning another candidate who may seem more accessible and politically pliable. Another political analyst, Mr. F.C. Jones, who is apparently tilted towards Ihedioha differs, arguing that Imo is still living with the consequences of the elite conspiracies of the past. He is convinced that no politician would want to go that road again in 2015. Be that as it may, Ihedioha is a force to reckon

His influence and support base leans largely towards the artisans who are convinced that the governor is a large-hearted humanitarian

Achike Udenwa Udenwa may be as gentle as he comes but has a way of staying dominantly relevant in the political calculations of Imo State. He remains the first Imo governor to have served out two tenures giving him the opportunity to build a massive network of followers. His strength and size of his followership was showcased again when he dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP. Within a 48-hour interval over half a dozen of his loyalists in the Okorocha administration resigned their appointments to follow him back to the PDP. Since then, his loyalists have been moving in droves out of the APC, and by so doing affirming the clout the former governor wields. Udenwa is more of a quiet storm, hardly ever bandying words or creating any form of political scenes. Close to 70 per cent of the politicians relevant in the Imo political space can trace their rise to relevance to the Udenwa administration. It would also be recalled that his last minute declaration of support for Okorocha in 2011, against the shaky stands of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), was also instrumental in ensuring the emergence of the present administration. It is not likely that Udenwa would be seeking any political office but would be one of the prominent kingmakers in the 2015 elections in Imo. With his political clout, Udenwa is not the kind of leader to be crossed or taken for granted by any aspiring politician in Imo. Desperation is not one of his strong points as he is widely respected across the state. When duly consulted, it is a known fact that there are very few things Udenwa cannot concede to his loyalists and allies. Easy going, with enormous grassroot popularity, since Udenwa completed his tenure as governor in 2007, he had remained in Imo, except for the period of his stint as a minister. Udenwa is on ground in Imo with massive grassroots appeal. Hope Uzodinma Like or hate him, Senator Hope Uzodinma cannot be ignored in Imo politics. The fair-skinned federal legislator is not new in Imo politics, as he had actively made his input from 1999 till date. A former governorship candidate under the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003 and the first runner up in the 2007 governorship primary of the PDP, Uzodinma is a first term Senator in the National Assembly and has abundantly left his imprint in the hallowed chambers. His strongest point is his generosity and goodwill. He has diligently serviced and maintained his political structures. His poverty alleviation programme and empowerment projects is yet unrivalled in Imo

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

Anyanwu, Chikwe lead PDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s battle

Chukwueke

Uwazuruike

Odom

in the 2011 governorship election, which turned a sordid misadventure, may after all take its toll on his political fortune in the Imo political landscape. A section of Owerri politicians believe that Agbaso ceded the governorship seat due Owerri Zone to Okorocha from Orlu in 2011 and may not be inclined to give him another chance. Intelligent and dexterous as he is, it may be an uphill task for Agbaso to make his usual groundswell impact in the 2015 election, but his force of presence would still be felt in the political landscape especially in APGA where he is the leader.

Anumudu

Amadi

State, not even by the state government. Uzodinma is one of the few political leaders that have consistently been servicing the PDP structure in the state despite being in the opposition. His followers are near fanatical about him. Nearly all the strategic local government areas he had held sway in since 2007, have till date remained in his clutches simply because of his dutiful attention to the welfare of his followers making him a political brand of choice. Large-hearted as he is, what Uzodinma may lack in his legislative representation, he compensates for through the massive goodwill he enjoys across the state particularly in the 12 council areas he represents in the Senate. Uzodinma is said to be gunning for the governorship seat of Imo against the zoning and equity calculation in the state. This, however, may be a wellmade kite by the senator to re-launch his bid for a second term to the National Assembly. He is known to be a master of political strategies with the best hands handling every department of his political machinery, so it may not be off the mark to say that whatever Uzodinma eventually decides to run for, he would come into the race smoking hot. A number of scandals are tearing at his image and integrity, but it needs no saying that majority of the Nigerian electorate, with the prevalent poverty level, cares very little about scandals or tainted reputations, as long as the aspirant has bread to offer. It is safe to hazard the guess that if Uzodinma makes a return bid to the Senate, he would have a jolly ride to victory, having saturated the area with

his benevolent impact. Kema Chikwe She is the PDP National Woman Leader, a former Minister and immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland. She has been in the Nigerian political space since 1999. She has not been very successful in elective positions as she had lost both elections she stood for â&#x20AC;&#x201C; House of Representatives and Senate â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this however does not diminish her influence and political sagacity in Imo politics. She is known to be diligent in oiling her political structures and is looked up to by most women aspiring for a space in the Nigerian political landscape. In the politics of Imo East (Owerri Zone), Chikwe cannot be ignored or taken for granted, as she is known to have enthroned notable politicians of the area to very high elective political offices. Chikwe may re-launch her senatorial bid in 2015 and being very strategically placed in the party; she may yet have her field day. Martin Agbaso In spite of his string political misfortunes, Agbaso remains a force in Imo politics. Having run for the Imo governorship seat since 2003, Agbaso has on more than one occasion been tipped as a governor in-waiting, especially in 2007 where it was widely believed that he won the election. Most of these episodes went sour just at the last minute with the political calculation turning against him. His surprise support and backing of Okorocha

Emmanuel Iheanacho The former Minister for Interior and shipping magnate did not miss the brief opportunity provided by his appointment as minister to warm himself into the heart of his people. Iheanacho like none other before him, leveraged on his position as minister to gainfully employ scores, if not hundreds of Imo citizens and this cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Since leaving office, he has sustained his empowerment programmes reaching out to his people and in the most unmistakeable term, conveying his empathy for their plights. Iheanacho may not be a regular politician but his humanitarian approach to politics has gained him large space and followership in the Imo political landscape. Gunning for the governorship seat of the state for Iheanacho, is not a justifiable reason for over two dozen aspirants to swamp one political party when all that should matter is the credibility and competence of an aspirant. Having been a PDP member since 1999, Iheanacho was temperate enough to move out of the crowd and head to APGA to execute his ambition. His followers even respected him more for the move than opting to go through the grind and intrigue of PDP primaries in pursuit of his ambition. Iheanacho is seen by a vast majority of the Imo electorate as an embodiment of integrity, credibility and purposeful leadership centred on the people. He has kept his words and approach to his ambition temperate without any hint of desperation. Iheanacho is well able to fund his project without mortgaging the government, if he is voted in. It is believed that in a free and fair election in Imo, Iheanacho would be the man to beat come 2015. Viola Onwuliri She is a university professor-turned politician and largely believed to know relatively little about the intricacies of partisan politics. As a minister of the Federal Republic, it cannot be denied that Onwuliri wields quite some influence in the state. Her biggest political adventure has been emerging as the deputy governorship candidate in the failed CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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2015: 500 POLITICIANS TO WATCH

APC, PDP, APGA in rat race for Imo guber CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

second term bid of Ohakim before being appointed into the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan. With her recent media confrontations of Governor Okorocha, it is believed that Onwuliri would deploy everything in her kitty to ensure that the incumbent is upstaged in 2015 and it follows that as a minister of the Federal Republic, she would definitely not play a passive role in the 2015 elections in Imo. It is yet unclear whether Onwuliri will be mounting the soap box to bid for any elective office but until then she remains a highly interested party in the outcome of the 2015 elections moreso when more than two of her Mbaise kinsmen are in the race for the governorship seat. Her contributions, no matter how little will shape the outcome of 2015 in the state. Jerry Chukwueke With his posters flooding the state and aggressively announcing his interest in the governorship seat, Jerry Chukwueke may be assiduously trying to work up a formidable political profile for himself. One thing that seems to give him media visibility is his seeming fearlessness in engaging the system, and robustly arguing and condemning perceived disservices against the people. Chukwueke has become a voice in Imo politics but his previous antecedents may yet catch up with him. Much as the Germaine Group boss cannot be trifled with, he is perceived as a seasonal leader who remembers his responsibilities to his people only in an election year. By far he cannot be said to be on ground, but his immense work rate is creating foot soldiers for him as there were hitherto none before. It is not clear how close he has been with the state party structure and leadership but for all his sojourn in partisan politics, his recent appointment as the Chairman, Contact and Mobilisation seems the highest party position and recognition he has attained since joining the PDP. The last that was heard of him was in 2007, when he tried to establish a solid presence in the politics of Imo State. Thereafter, he disappeared from the political scene until recently when he became a regular voice in the electronic and print media. If he sustains his drive, and not conjure up another disappearing act, he may leave his imprint for all times in the Imo political space. Ralph Uwazuruike He is the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), a self-determination group known to be forceful when pushing a political position. The sheer size of the group intimidates any politician at cross purposes with MASSOB in Imo State. This is the same reason Uwazuruike maintains that he gave Okorocha the APGA governorship ticket in 2011. Prior to the 2011 general elections, Uwazurike’s home was a Mecca of sorts for aspiring politicians including the incumbent governor, Okorocha, who was a regular visitor at the time. Uwazuruike’s political clout is massive in Imo and in Nigeria, which is also why, even the presidency recognises his strategic role in the political stability of the region and Nigeria. Uwazuruike has already taken a stand for Ndigbo insisting that Igbo should only aspire for the presidency only after President Jonathan. And

Uwajumogu

over time, it seems to have become the adopted position by majority in the region. To understand the size of Uwazuruike’s foot soldiers, one needs to know that 70 per cent of keke operators, taxi drivers, commercial motorcycle operators, artisans from the mechanic villages to the timber markets, motor parts markets and other craftsmen across the state have affinity with MASSOB. Moreover, it is in the villages that you find hard-line MASSOB adherents who would take Uwazuruike’s every word as gospel. Any politician worth his salt in Imo knows not to trifle with Uwazuruike and same goes for every state in SouthEast Nigeria and beyond. As 2015 approaches, Uwazuruike is believed to have scores to settle with the incumbent governor of Imo. Though he had maintained a reticent attitude in this regard, their squabble remains an immutable fact which inevitably will prompt the MASSOB leader into the political fray in 2015, not as a contestant but as key player; pulling decisive strings in areas of critical political importance. Humphrey Anumudu Anumudu’s best outing had been in 1999. Though he had progressively lost steam, he still has a large chunk of followers especially among the crowd that recalls his exploit during his 1999 bid for the Imo governorship seat. His large Mbaike federal constituency are totally rooting for him but his major challenge lies in the fact that he is perceived as often distancing himself from the electorate after every election year, only to reappear after four years. Though his political reach has become doubtful, his genteel outlook to politics to some extent still makes him an impressionable aspirant. As he unfolds his roadmap for Imo, it is believed that his acceptability would soar and sustain his relevance and formidability in the Imo political space. Bethel Amadi Amadi is a third term legislator at the House of Representatives. His emergence at every point was hardfought and largely believed to have been facilitated by Iwuanyanwu against agitations.

Nwagwu

Amadi was widely believed to be disconnected from his constituency, but until recently, when he put forward empowerment programmes that covered a vast area of his constituency and gave a little more visibility to his person. Through his Pan African Parliament where he presides, Amadi has also left serious imprint in the area of advocacy for the media industry in Imo State and Nigeria, having empowered several practitioners with relevant experiences through educative exposures and networking with practitioners from different climes across the globe. Even at that, Amadi brings some level of experience to the table having been actively involved in the politics of the state and at federal levels for more than one decade. The 2011 election, from the primary to the main election, showcased his field experience in the execution of elections; with street popularity and an unexpected grassroots appeal. Amadi emerged candidate defying the plots of the state government at the time and the conspiracy of some political heavyweights. As 2015 approaches, Amadi is said to be bidding for the governorship of the state, but this time in a crowded political turf. Whatever is the case, his experience, sagacity, style and peculiar strategy would contribute in shaping the outcome of 2015. Chuka Odom Odom rose from being a Deputy

With Ohakim losing out in the 2011 governorship contest, the former ambassador is said to have seized the opportunity of his benefactor’s failure to strengthen his political machinery in Okigwe Zone

Chief of Staff in the Abia State Government to being a Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. His intelligence and razor-sharp acumen easily stands him out in a crowd, but the Imo governorship is a different ball game altogether. Odom has over the years shown a clear disconnect with the people. His intelligence and informed opinions are tucked away until every election year adding little or no value to the lives and situation of the people he aspires to govern, and this cannot go unnoticed by the people. It is common knowledge that Odom is well connected and this also breeds suspicion that a gover nment under Odom would be heavily influenced by exter nal forces, most of whom he cannot resist. And nothing could make a government more rudderless than unbridled interference. If however, Odom is supplied with adequate resources for his electioneering project, he could through his brilliance shine beyond expectation. Running for the governorship of Imo State, Odom will definitely strive to leave an imprint and obviously add his voice to the change that would come. He is the type that no mid-way politician would want to cross in an election debate. Matthew Nwagwu He represents Imo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP. A native of Obowo Local Government Area, Nwagwu was said to have emerged as senator in the first place in 2011 to hold forth for Ohakim, whose game plan then was to retrieve the ticket from him in 2015 if he (Ohakim) had been re-elected governor. However, with Ohakim losing out in the 2011 governorship contest, the former ambassador is said to have seized the opportunity of his benefactor’s failure to strengthen his political machinery in Okigwe Zone, possibly to return to the Senate in 2015. The ambition has pitched him against Ohakim who is also believed to have an eye on the Okigwe senatorial seat should his governorship ambition fail in 2015.

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EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

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

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

FRIday, MAY 2, 2014

The low capacity refining dilemma

rom available statistics it is explicitly evident that production capacity of Nigeria’s refineries is abysmally low. The combined average capacity utilization of the four refineries at 25.95 per cent for the month of December 2013 typifies the situation. Specifically, the NNPC put the respective average capacity utilization of the refineries for that month as: Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), – 32.96 per cent, Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC 1 & 2) – 4.48 per cent, and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). – 40.41 per cent. The rising operational costs in the oil industry, among other challenges, have been limiting the industry’s growth in the country. The sector is also affected by inadequate finance, poor policy implementation, professional knowledge gaps and low capacity building. Some other challenges in the sector are crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Currently, oil remains the cash cow of the country as it accounts for almost all the revenue accruable to the federation account, yet oil contribution to the Gross Domestic Product is infinitesimal. Furthermore, Nigeria has a total of 159 oil fields and 1481 wells in operation according to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The most

productive region of the nation in this context is the coastal Niger Delta Basin which has 78 of the 159 oil fields. Most of the oil fields are small and scattered, and as of 1990, these small unproductive fields accounted for 62.1% of the country’s total production. Over the years, Nigeria has not built new refineries, but billions of tax payers’ money has been committed to Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) on the refineries with no appreciable improvement. Nigeria, a key member of Oil Producing Export Countries (OPEC), imports the bulk of the oil for local consumption, and it is sometimes very scarce and when available, the price is astronomical. This is very worrisome bearing in mind the fact that, Nigeria’s economy is largely mono-cultural dependent solely on oil that accounts for over 92 per cent of the total revenue that accrues to the Federation Account, but the oil sector has been stagnant and grossly underdeveloped. Governments, at state and federal levels, have sustained the attitude of sharing revenue that accrues from the sector, but without paying due attention to reinvesting some of the income generated. No effort has been made to properly enhance local production, as even the government-owned oil companies have not received the empowerment to take a leading role. Nigeria is the largest economy in

Africa and the 26th biggest economy in the whole world, yet the country lacks the capacity and capability to refine all the oil required domestically and export refined oil to other countries to generate revenue for the government. The existing refineries were built during the military era, and they are old in comparison to industry standards. Technology has changed, as in the past steel was used to build refineries but there is a shift to fibre glass, with smaller refineries incorporating cheaper technology now the vogue. There is so much graft and rot in the oil sector that it requires urgent surgical overhauling to strategically reposition the all-important sector of the Nigerian economy. Nigeria used to be the 6th largest oil producing country in the world, but it now about the 12th, with countries like Angola, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroun mounting serious pressure on the dominance of Nigeria. It is important to note that countries like Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are now building modern refineries, thereby improving their refining potentials and capacities. Besides, Venezuela has about 15 refineries within its territory and places emphasis on refining its crude oil within its territory. So, why is Nigeria finding it difficult to be a genuine oil world player? Perhaps, the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be a right step in the right direction in

terms of sanitizing the sector. Efforts to review about 16 different sets of oil and gas laws, and convert them into one single and comprehensive law has in the last five years received several punches and setbacks due to the interest of the influential oil and gas companies and their parent countries. The last PIB was thrown out by the 6th National Assembly due to allegations of counterfeiting and external influences. President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration re-drafted the PIB and submitted it to the current National Assembly for consideration. The new PIB was repackaged with security marks that will make it difficult to be faked. But first, a total audit and review of the ailing oil sector must be carried out in the country to restore sanity and decorum to the sector that is presently in a very big mess, which is totally unacceptable. There is so much negligence in the oil sector. Corruption looms large, as sharp practices and under-the-table-deals characterize the industry, and these must be promptly halted. The oil sector, like other key sectors of the economy has been neglected, mismanaged, with square pegs in round holes over the years. To continue in this tortuous journey to perdition in the 21st century is unacceptable. The way out is a wholehearted transformation of the oil sector starting with a vastly improved refining capacity. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALLA Managing Editor, North AYODELE OJO Acting Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

OPINION Hammering Hammanyero Nyako’s yarns T

ell it to the marines! Admiral Murtala Hammanyero Nyako is not just a good story teller, do not lose sleep over his pen. One good thing about him is that he wears grizzled beards. He also wore white as a naval officer. It is so easy to soil your white when trapped in mud. Nyako is so moody that whatever comes out of him stinks and does harm to both individual and country. As governor of Adamawa state, he is fighting a personal war with President Goodluck Jonathan. It is no more politics, what i see is a deadly war that he has also extended to Nigerians. And i know Nyako is lettered enough to understand the consequences of his recent missive to Northern governors. “Nigerians,” he wrote, “this is the first time we have collectively elected a citizen of this country from the former Eastern region as a president. Dear citizens of Eastern Nigerian origin, please note that this federal administration under your son is giving you a very bad name”. Nyako was not done.” One is quite sure that if you had condemned the cold blooded murder of political and military leaders of Northern and Western Nigerian origin in the night of January 15, 1966 by your sons, it would not have led to the subsequent massacre of the innocent and the Nigerian Civil War,” he continued. The Adamawa governor also accused Jonathan and his fellow Easterners of plotting to eliminate prominent Northerners like the Senate President, Benue governor and Emir of Kano among many others. At first you would, think that the letter was coming from a toddler who woke up from a nightmare. But Nyako did the writing. A former military governor, ex-service chief, and presently a state governor.

Now I will tell Nigeria why Nyako is fighting the East. When Gen. Murtala Mohammed created Seven new states in February 1976,Commander Murtala Nyako was sent to Niger state as pioneer governor. After the coup that claimed the lives of the Head-of-state, and the governor of Kwara state Ibrahim Taiwo, changes were made. Nyako lost his position to Commander Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe. Of the governors of the new states, only Nyako was dropped. The rest retained their positions. Ndubbuisi Kanu [Imo], Abdullahi Shelleng [Benue], Muhammadu Jega [Gongola], Ita Ikpeme [Ondo], Bello Kaliel[Bauchi], Atom Kpera [Benue], and Saheed Balogun [Ogun] were not affected. Nyako could have felt bad that he lost his place to Ukiwe, from the East. The same Ukiwe re-appeared in 1984 as member of Muhammadu Buhari’s Supreme Military Council [SMC]. There was no top position for the man from Adamawa. In the next one year,the Ibrahim Babangida government appeared, Again, Ukiwe was shoulders above Nyako. While the former was appointed Chief-of- General Staff, the latter joined the Armed Forces Ruling Council[AFRC]. February 6 1989,Babangida dissolved the 28-man AFRC. A new council of 19 members was constituted. Nyako lost out again. Guess who took the navy’s slot? Admirals Chijioke Kaja and Promise Fingesi, both men from the East. On December 29,1989 Nyako was made Chief of Naval Staff, same day that Buba Marwa became governor of Borno State. So all should know why Nyako is bleeding from the eyes against the Eastern region. Then, let us look at his misinformation. In the bid to paint the East dirty,the Adamawa governor said our sons killed leaders from the West and North. May I remind him that Chukwuma Nzeogwu and Timothy Onwuatuegwu were from the Midwest. Wale Ademoyega came from the West. It should strike Nyako that the same Onwutuegwu spared Governor Kashim Ibrahim. Emma Nwobosi did not hurt Deputy governor Remi Fani Kayode either. Nyako should also be reminded that all those who foiled the January coup were from the East. Gen. Thomas

Aguiyi-Ironsi,Alexander Madiebo, and even Col. Emeka Ojukwu would have been shot on Chukwuma Nzeogwu’s order. The former Navy chief tried to pitch Yoruba against Igbo. History will not spare him. Does he think the West will ever forget how Northern officers murdered Adekunle Fajuyi, tied to a tree at Olodo village, near Ibadan, and shot wearing just underpants while Ironsi died stark naked ?Maj. A.D. Ogunro and Second Lieutenant A.O. Olaniyan were assassinated in Kaduna. ‘Black Scorpion’ Benjamin Adekunle still carries scars on his head.He got that in Minna from unruly Northern soldiers. They used bayonet on him, it did not work. Adekunle would later humour that it was his Ogbomosho background that saved him from being cut to bits. Eventually, the soldiers placed his head on the rail line for the train coming from Lagos to crush. Lucky man, he survived, thanks to two northerners. That was also in 1966. Just because of politics, Nyako wants to set this country on fire.He is plotting an ethnic war. Nigerians are no fools. Nyako is not too old to go to war.And he is going to fight it all alone. Even his children will not support him. No Hausa, no Fulani not even Yoruba will listen to this carpet knight. This man must be deficient in so many ways. He fought former Vice President Abubakar Atiku. He fought Prof. Jubril Aminu. He is still fighting Marwa. Now Jonathan and the Easten region, his next fight.This is one fight that will drown this former seaman. We all cannot remember what Nyako achieved as CNS. Nobody remembers him for the good he did in Niger, or for any feat in Adamawa. Perhaps posterity will place him as the only naval officer on the Charles Bebeye Ndiomu Military tribunal that condemned a naval officer Commander Anthony Ogwiji to death for plotting a coup. Nyako is well known as ‘Baba Mangoro’, the farmer. This is mango season. I think when we talk politics, we could excuse him. There is so much to gain from mango production. In terms of export, we could go closer to this man. And i am sure the Finance minister does need Nyako now as part of her mango cabinet.

National Assembly should do the needful Ijele Agha-Ibeka

igeria has in the past seven years been toying with the idea of undertaking revolutionary reforms in the oil and gas sector of the national economy. Oil, discovered in 1956 at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta. was first drilled in 1958 and shipped abroad, placing Nigeria on the world map as an oil producing and exporting country. From a paltry production of 5100bpd in 1958, Nigeria is today doing an average of 2.5mbpd. That is the background. Over the years, however, our wobbly match as a country saw oil contributing some 90 percent of Nigeria’s total foreign exchange earnings. The irony in this is that, while oil is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, the petroleum industry which is the goose that lays the golden eggs, has been subjected to mindless corruption. An offshoot of this corruption and attendant lethargy is that the oil industry has continued to be governed by outdated laws and statues, some of which are over half a century old. This result is that, of all oil-producing and exporting nations of experiences similar to ours, Nigeria lagged behind in terms of deliverables from the various arms of the industry and on various efficiency indicators. During 2007 a presidential committee was set up to contemplate and posit drastic and positive reforms in the oil and gas sector, the aim being to place Nigeria as one of the most industrialized countries of the world by the end of the decade. The recommendations of this presidential committee gave birth to the first draft of Petroleum Industry Bill. For pecuniary, political and

other vested interests the bill, which received overall plaudits, was grounded by a big overdose of political intrigues that saw critical stakeholders in the oil and gas industry fight each other from a variety of fronts. Subsequently, the emergence of different clones and versions of the bill buried our collective interest in a shallow grave of time. Smarting from this needless loss of momentum and driven by President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, and her team did a daring job of repackaging the Petroleum Industry Bill in 2012. The 223-page document, with 362 sections and 5 schedules, seeks among other things to revolutionize the Nigerian oil industry. At the presentation of the bill, the Petroleum Resources Minister made the following telling remark: “We have successfully undertaken the repackaging of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), an omnibus petroleum legislation that will overhaul the petroleum industry and position it for the realization of increased revenue and empowerment of Nigerians from petroleum business, in a form that will meet the expectation of the National Assembly.” Put briefly, the PIB seeks to achieve the following: • Creation of a conducive business environment for petroleum operations. • Establishment of a progressive fiscal framework that encourages further investment in the petroleum industry, while optimizing revenues accruing to the Government; • Creation of efficient and effective regulatory agencies; and • Promotion of transparency and open-

ness in the administration of the country’s petroleum resources. Unfortunately, subsequent developments tied to the politics of the passage of the new PIB suggest that not every distinguished member of the National Assembly shares in the above lofty objectives. In an article titled “PIB: Why Nigeria Must Act Fast”, which was posted online on Thisday Live on December 17, 2013, Johnson Eze, opined that “If the history of bill processing in Nigeria is analyzed, the Petroleum Industry Bill PIB must rank among the unenviable topmost in the bills that have suffered longest delays, lengthiest arguments and perhaps most distracting political connotations.” An examination of the process and procedure summersaults at the NASS regarding the bill lends credence to Mr. Johnson Eze’s position. The point is that the delay in passage of the bill is worrisome to stakeholders in the oil and gas industry in particular and Nigerians in general as the country losing tremendously in the face of this unwarranted delay. According to Johnson Eze, “...available economic indicators show that petroleum contribution to the national GDP has been on a downward trend since 2009, a year after the first version of PIB was introduced to the National Assembly – from the initial 18.89 percent in the first quarter of 2009 to about 13.42 percent for the third quarter of 2012.” In other climes the downward slide in the country’s fortunes from the oil industry indexed above would have been a wakeup call to the Federal legislators to get off their hunches and promptly do the right thing by our country. Several other made within and without the hallowed chambers

of the National Assembly should also have prompted the lawmakers on the need to act. On February 20, 2014, for instance, Senate President David Mark ordered the Joint Committee on the PIB to conclude deliberations on the bill and return same to the Senate for prompt passage. But, nothing doing! It may well be that the front-page report of Thisday newspaper of April 29, 2014 headlined “Senate inches towards passage of PIB” is one such way of answering David Mark’s call. The report quoted the Senate Committee Chairman on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, as saying that “contrary to the general opinion that the lawmakers were not committed to the passage of the bill, work on it was in progress.” The good thing here is that the law makers appear to be aware of the fact that Nigerians are not prepared to wait indefinitely for the passage of the PIB. It is understandable that various vested interests have been insisting on additions, alterations, amendments and subtractions from the repacked PIB. Yet, it remains the place of the National Assembly to repudiate undue delays and insist on promptly harmonizing the various positions in order to submit to the Executive Arm of government a rounded document for presidential assent. The National Assembly should therefore save us the stress of empty impeachment threats against President Jonathan by the 37 members of the House of Representatives whose torn coats can no longer protect their ridiculous nudity. The National Assembly should do the first things first by finishing its work on the PIB. • Mr. Agha-Ibeka is a commentator on national issues.

ARTS FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

CULTURE

21 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs" ― Thomas Wolfe

TONY oKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

Amosun (middle), flanked by Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa (left), Mrs. Amusan (right); Ajayi (2nd left); and Kareem (2nd right); during the official flag-off of International Cultural Exchange (Arts Exhibition) towards Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 80th birthday in Abeokuta.

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

ifth edition of the annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme has been flagged off with Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, stressing the imperative of youth empowerment and mentoring to enhance nation-building as well as socioeconomic development. Amosun spoke during an exhibition of life paintings of Wole Soyinka mounted at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, where students from various tertiary institutions gathered for training. The event was conceived as a countdown to WS80 – marking the 80th birthday of the Nobel Laureate. From Thursday, last week, when it was kicked off, the exhibition will run through midJuly, 2014. The project was designed by Zmirage Multimedia Company for the purpose of using the platforms of literature, arts and culture to affirm and uphold the dignity of man. It settled on Soyinka – renowned playwright, poet and human rights activist – as a worthy role model and pivots for the ideals it seeks to propagate. This year’s edition was held in conjunction with the Ogun State Ministry of Education as well as Culture and Tourism. Declaring the exhibition open, Amosun said Nigerian youths deserved to be properly empowered and mentored. This, according to him, would help secure the country’s future. The governor extolled the virtues of Soyinka, noting that the Nobel Laureate as an iconic indigene of the state was truly a worthy role model for Nigerian youths. Speaking in an interview with New Telegraph, the CEO of Zmirage and Ex-

Soyinka at 80: Amosun, culture enthusiasts canvass youth empowerment ecutive Producer of the WS80-ICE project, Alhaji Teju Kareem, said arts and culture can be leveraged upon to foster unity in the country. “The leveraging on it depends on individual commitment. There is no society without a family, there is no family without a male, and no male exists without a female. So, if you take it from the unit and let it gravitate into what we call a nation, once there is peace with you as individual, then there will be peace in the family, peace in the society that makes the nation and then, there will be peace in the entire world,” he said. Kareem noted that the project was not about mere birthday celebration but to drive inspiration for the youth. “Soyinka cares less about birthday. It’s not about celebrating birthday but there is an icon who has agreed that we centre our efforts to bring new thinking into the youth using the angle of what he has done. We all know his activism, intellectual prowess, humility as a person and his commitment as a Nigerian. So, where else do you want to drive inspiration for the young ones?” Corroborating him, the WS-ICE producer, Mrs. Lilian Amah-Aluko, stated that the youths remained the only hope

What we are saying to the youth is: select your mentors carefully; look around you, you will find people who combine the qualities of the ideal man for the future. “We’ve looked around us and we’ve seen that the whole world is in chaos, violence is escalating, man’s inhumanity to man is rising. The Nobel Laureate said sometimes ago that this generation is a wasted generation. So, the only hope for change in the future lies with the youths. So, this programme focuses on the youth. We want to be able to hold a global icon up to the youth as a role model; an icon whose life, works, and speech all showcase those ideas,” she said. Amah-Aluko advised Nigerian youths to shun corruption and social vices. “Things are difficult, things are precarious and all around them, all the youth see is corruption. But there are still a few

people like the icon we have used as our face. There are still a few people like the distinguished governor of Ogun State who believe that service to humanity is more important than grabbing wealth. “What we are saying to the youth is: select your mentors carefully; look around you, you will find people who combine the qualities of the ideal man. Nobody is perfect but there are people who epitomize some of those qualities, look around you for them, identify with them and try to imbibe the values they espouse.” Also speaking, the curator of the exhibition, Mr. Olu Ajayi told New Telegraph that the participating students were drawn from various tertiary institutions in the state. Ajayi disclosed that the art works were a collection of life paintings produced during the maiden edition of The Legend Series which he coordinated and curated in 2008. About 20 artists of diverse orientations and techniques had, that year, hosted the Nobel Laureate in a studio session, and painted him life. “So, that is what has inspired this. The students are meant to come and participate in workshops where they would be trained on the different styles of art and empower them,” he said.

22 ART

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Ebere Ameh

laboludele Simoyan is one of those who believe in the maxim, ‘nobody will do it for us if we don’t do it ourselves’. With unwavering moral passion, she resigned her appointment to find a solution to Nigeria’s problem. The result is a twoin-one book titled “The 8th Wonder of the World - Made in Nigeria” and “The 8th Wonder of the World - Made in Naija”. While the ‘Made in Nigeria’ according to her, “is where we are now, with all our problems and all our grumblings, ‘Made in Naija’ is “where we are going”. The 8th Wonder of the World - Made in Naija is about the new Nigeria, with new ideologies and a new way of thinking. To be able read the ‘Made in Naija’ you have to turn the ‘Made in Nigeria’ upside down. “I purposely planned it that way so as you turn the whole book upside down to read either the second book or the African proverbs, you start thinking of looking at your problems from different angles too. I know I don’t have all the answers but as you read mine, you may come up with your own answers and we begin to grow and multiply, with so many answers to choose from. It is a very solution oriented book. I’m not interested in talking so much about the problem, but the many answers available,” Simoyan said. Talking about the problem with Nigeria, the 8th wonder as she is fondly called explained that it is multidimensional. “If we put all of our problems in one basket and you only have one problem to pick and solve, and if you solve that problem, it has a ripple and far reaching effect on all the other problems, which problem will you pick and solve?’ I’ll pick the mindset problem. Somebody that steals millions of naira is corrupt. It is because he is not thinking straight. There is something wrong with the way he is thinking because at the end of the day, you will have that money, but you are still going to drive your car on the bad road that you refused to have fixed with the money and end up dying or losing your loved ones. So it is a problem with the way we think, the way we see our country and the way we analyze situations. There is too much unilateral thinking – one line, one mode. There are many answers to just one problem, many solutions but we should start thinking multi-dimensionally. “Whether we like it or not, BokoHaram is aggressively pushing what they believe in. All the evil and corrupt people are also pushing Nigeria to a certain direction, those of us that are patriotic should begin to push purposefully, deliberately and aggressively in the opposite direction, pushing Nigeria on the direction we want her to go. When we should also begin to do crazy things in the good and we can achieve the change we desire,” Simoyan said. For Simoyan however, a revolution is not what is needed to move this country forward. “If we have a bloody revolution and clear out all the political elite, if we don’t have the right people to take over we are still going to have the same problem because it’s the same Nigerians that will take over. That’s why I say we need to form a new Nigeria. I rather think we should work on becoming better citizens, transformed Nigerians with a better mindset that is a better revolution.” An Architect by profession, Simoyan who is the daughter of a former

Simoyan

Why I wrote The 8th Wonder of the World –Simoyan diplomat graduated from the University of Lagos and has three degrees. She worked at various times as an Architect and subsequently, as an insurance broker before she resigned her well paid job, to think and find a solution to Nigeria’s problem. Working steadily and assiduously for five years, researching and reading close to a hundred books, Simoyan came up with the book that she thinks contains the solution to the problem of the country. “I’m 100% ajebota and 100% ajepako,” she enthused. “I have only one passport - the Nigerian passport. I don’t intend to get another; that is how much I love Naija. I have no car, I use the BRT, Keke and other public transport so there is nothing anybody can tell me that I have not experienced. I’ve not changed my wardrobe since I started this project. I chose to pay the price to build the new Nigeria because there is something unique about Nigeria that even the foreigners that come to Nigeria can attest to. We are focusing too much on the negative part of our lives instead of the positive. The fact is, if we Nigerians don’t get up and do something about Nigeria, Oyibo man won’t do it for us. I wrote the book because I was pregnant with something and God gave me the ability to write it. There is job to be done quite alright but if we don’t roll up our sleeves, nobody will get the job done.” Laced with enough humour and rich African proverbs, even the laziest of readers will find the book interesting.

“I wrote this book to change the mindset of the people not to make money. Getting the information out there is what is uppermost in my mind. That is why I give out the soft copy free of charge for anyone from any part of the world to download and read by visiting www.naijamania.com. People think I’m crazy to put free copies of my five years sweat online and they are right – I’m crazy about Naija. “Ask yourself as I always do ‘if the future of Nigeria is dependent on me, what will I do? What can I do? What must I do?’ And starting with yourself, do those little things you can that could create a change in your environment and in people around you. Start shunning corruption, stand up for the right causes, create order where there is disorder, be an agent of peace and you will see that when you make a demand on others to follow suit, they will, because you have set the example,” Simoyan said, adding that her focus is

Getting the information out there is what is uppermost in my mind. That is why I give out the soft copy free of charge for anyone from any part of the world to download and read by visiting www.naijamania. com. People think I’m crazy to put free copies of my five years sweat online and they are right – I’m crazy about Naija

on sensitizing children in secondary schools. “I tell the students that nobody owes you anything. don’t come out and start having entitlement mentality. That’s my message. I tell them, that there is a problem you are going to solve, find that problem and solve it because you are wired to be solutions and answers to problems. When you find that problem, you will be working on it 24,7 because there is no problem that defies the act of sustained thinking.” In one of her many acts of patriotism, Simoyan is inspiring the Super Eagles to bring back the World Cup in a her usual extraordinary way. It is an 8th wonder hairstyle indeed! “A team of us did an extraordinary inspirational victory walk for the super eagles, from Ketu, all the way to CMS after their victory last year. It was an extraordinary walk and we did it because we wanted people to wake up and do something extraordinary to better Nigeria. That is what the 8th wonder is all about. This year I have this extraordinary hairstyle, which is first among the extraordinary world cup hairstyles and other things that I’m going to be doing to inspire the Super Eagles. I call it Keshi Kick off Right! You can call it an 8th wonder hairstyle,” she said, adding that she will display all the other ideas that she has as a build up to the world cup. if I sells more of my books or get sponsorship. “For now, this is what I can afford with my shoestring budget. We are coming up with these extraordinary ideas so that people will now copy us at the world cup, instead of us always copying them. Bringing the world cup home will be an 8th wonder and when that happens, Nigerians will begin to believe in Nigeria, that we can do all things, we can change our country.”

ART 23

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Salami, Oluwafadeyinmi shines at Ikorodu Community Development Awards Tony Okuyeme

eteran actor and filmmaker, Mr. Adebayo Salami has won the art category in this year’s Ikorodu Community Development Awards. He defeated two veteran actor Babatunde Omidina a.k.a Baba Suwe and producer, Benson Akindeju to win the coveted award. Also, Ogundowo Oluwafadeyinmi of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, emerged winner in the Best Student in Wassce May/June 2013 category, ahead of Oyejide Damilola Tolulope of Jane-Nath College, Ikpakodo, Kolawole Oluwatola Mary of Jane-Nath College, Ikpakodo. Other recipients of the awards are Mr Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, a FIFA recognised referee, who won in the Sport category, while the Community Service category was won by Elepe-Aga CDA. The Public Service award was won by Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade; and the Most Outstanding Senior Secondary School award went to Oriwu Senior Model College. Initiated by the The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Liberty Parish, Ikorodu, last year, to celebrate individuals and organisations that impact Ikorodu community for good; engineer a rebirth of the positive values that define us as a people; foster the continued development of Ikorodu; and ultimately enthrone the values of Jesus as Ikorodu lifestyle; this year’s edition of the award held penultimate Saturday, was colourful and had with several dignitaries including nominees and Nollywood stars in attendance. It was preceded with a red carpet. The colourfully decorated auditorium resonated with performances by the Church drama troupe and choir. Mrs. Bukky Odudu who was the master of ceremonies (M.C) for the event ensured that there was no dull moment while the show lasted. Added to this was a brilliant stand-up performance by Afeez Oyetoro a.k.a Saka, as well as the presence of other notable stage and screen stars such as Mr. Edmond Enaibe (a.k.a Teacher Chike), Ngozi Nwosu and Sola Onayiga (of “Fuji House of Commotion”), Mike Odiachi, Joseph Ofili, among others. In his speech, Pastor Mike Egwu, the pastor in charge of TREM Liberty Parish, Ikorodu, said ICDA annually celebrates positive grassroots impact in Ikorodu beyond tribal or religious lines, adding that it is also to encourage and engender positive grassroots leadership for the overall development of Ikorodu. The director of the Directorate of National Transformation of the Liberty Centre branch of TREM, Mr. Austin Awulonu in his welcome address said ICDA is the annual celebration of positive grassroots impact in Ikorodu beyond tribal or religious lines following set out criteria. According to him, ICDA is a vision of the Directorate of National Transformation of the Liberty Centre

The Levite Singers in performance

R-L: Ngozi Nwosu and Tunde Ibrahim receiving the award on behalf of Adebayo Salami.

branch of TREM. “What started only last year is fast becoming a model for others to follow. We are particularly proud to be associated with this award because it has the capacity to really change not just our community but our entire nation for good. We have been too long on the highways and byways of criticism, denigration and the general pull-himdown syndrome. We as a people must crossover to the freeways of positive celebration and re-affirmation of good no matter how little that good might seem now knowing full well that the journey of a million miles begins with one solitary step. I am glad to inform you that

We have been too long on the highways and byways of criticism, denigration and the general pull-himdown syndrome. We as a people must crossover to the freeways of positive celebration and re-affirmation of good no matter how little that good might seem now

ICDA is already receiving enquiries from other communities on the possibility of replicating it in other parts. Of course we are absolutely excited by this because what it simply means is that grassroots development will be accelerated across our land as more and more communities catch this Ikorodu fire,” he said. This year’s edition, Awulonu further said, “Has been rejigged to accommodate our evident future – secondary school students who excelled in the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination May/June 2013 on the one hand and the best Senior Secondary School award on the other. For the former we obtained the results from WAEC, the sole body saddled with the responsibility of organising that examination in West Africa. On the best senior secondary school in Ikorodu award, we leaned on the Lagos State ministry of Education. “When we started ICDA, little did we know it will be such a huge success. We knew it was a timely idea through the ready wide acceptance it received immediately. What we did not know is the full extent of the financial burden that comes with organising an award of

this magnitude. This is particularly so because we, as matter of deliberate policy, refuse to solicit support of any kind from any nominee. To help sustain this noble idea through the years, Planning Committee has opened up opportunity for reputable individuals and organisations to partner with us by writing their names in the sands of time through either acquiring rights to have awards named after them or by endowing any particular award category through the institution of prize for winners of their preferred award.” Moments after receiving the award, Agunbiade while commending TREM for initiating the award, said “Society should not be about criticism alone, but should be about being able to encourage individuals who are doing things to move the society forward. “To whom much is given, much is expected. So the award is a challenge to us all; and that is why I think if pastors or imams engage those who lead the society in objective criticism and objective appraisal, most of us will not be able to walk the street with our heads tall, because words of truth will be told to us,” Agunbiade.

Wise Women Awards 2014: Nominations begin ominations for this year’s edition of son Wilkins who serves as Chaplain to Naward Wise Women Awards have begun. The Queen Elizabeth and Chaplain to the will provide Christian women speaker of the house of commons. It’s from across the denominational spectrum and across Nigeria with an opportunity to be recognised and nominated for their contributions in the world of work, church and ministry and win an award, the organisers said in statement. “A good majority of Nigerians all across the country attend church in various denominations. Of this number, approximately 65-70% are women of all ages.Women play a major role in the Nigerian churches and in our community as a Nation. Through their work as volunteers they run or actively participate in the many ministries within the church and community. Women also serve on the leadership teams of churches and NGO’s where they are given the opportunity to exert their influence. “Wise Women Awards has it’s roots in the United Kingdom and has had very important women within the black Christian community participate in the awards including Rev Rose Hud-

with these facts in mind that the first Wise Women Awards was held in Nigeria 2013.” The Award is again being organised by Wisdom For Women International a UK based organisation in collaboration with Connecting Hearts Initiative, and scheduled to take place at Ikeja, Lagos, Sheraton Hotel on June 21, 2014. Pastor Marjorie Esomowei, is the founder of Wisdom for Women International is the founder and brainchild behind the Wise Women Awards, which it founded in 2005 in the United Kingdom to highlight and recognise the achievements of Christian women within the church and wider society. “My aim is that the Wise Women Awards becomes, as it is in the United Kingdom , recognised for acknowledging excellence and achievements and also becomes a major part of the Nigerian Christian Calendar as it is in United Kingdom,” Marjorie stated.

24 TOURISM Andrew Iro Okungbowa

t was meant to be an exhibition and an award dinner but it turned out to be a colourful and entertaining event headlined by the Cross River StateTourism, which stole the show not just with the presence of the state governor alone, Senator Liyel Imoke but a presentation of the tourism offerings of the state and the display of the Carnival Calabar troupe. The event was the fourth edition of the yearly Abuja Bantaba, held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Sheraton Hotel, last week Friday. It is a travel and tourism trade exhibition for buyers, suppliers and operators in the industry across Nigeria and Africa to showcase their various products and services as well as network amongst themselves. This year’s edition was particularly an interesting one as it took on a different dimension; it was devoted to celebrating the centenary anniversary of Nigeria. To this effect, 100 persons, who according to the organisers of the travel trade exhibition, African Travel Quarterly (ATQ), had contributed in different ways to the growth and development of the travel and tourism industry. The twin event commenced with the travel exhibition with many exhibitors, including South Africa Airways, Emirates Airlines, Royal Senchi Resort, Ghana, House of Gold International, Remlords, Current Link, El Pazio and Cross River State. The exhibition lasted for over two hours then followed by the dinner and climaxed with the award ceremony, which saw a lot of industry players and government officials, aside of the awardees in attendance. The list included the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Ministry, which was represented by the Special Assistant to the Minister, Chief Edem Duke and three directors while the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo was represented by a director alongside other staff members. Speaking before the award ceremony, the organiser of the event, Mr. Ikechi Uko who is also in charge of Akwabba, another travel trade exhibition holding in Lagos yearly and has become a reference point for the industry in the Africa continent, said Abuja Bantaba was credited as a platform to promote the travel trade in Nigeria. He gave credit to the South Africa Airways management in Nigeria, which saw the need for such a platform and encouraged it and has ever since the first edition supported it and attended without fail. He also commended the exhibitors and awardees as well as others in attendance for their support and encouragement for the event without which the event would not have been a success. However, Ikechi took a swipe at the tourism industry describing it as an orphan neglected by the government and other key sectors of the economy which should have over the years supported it to grow as the example of other Africa countries have showed. He also lamented the fact that, operators in the industry who have made commitment to its growth and development have not been recognised in anyway by the Nigeria government hence his organisation decided to use this year’s event to celebrate people who have through the 100 hundred years of Nigeria devoted themselves to nurture and promote the industry. Speaking later during her presentation, the Minister of Land and Housing who was one of those honoured as ‘Travel Legend,’ however disagreed with Uko on the orphanage status of tourism insisting that the industry has enjoyed the attention of the government over the years, particularly the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as she outlined some of the

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Cross River South Africa Airways, Emirates shine at Abuja Bantaba

L-R: Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers with the Carnival Calabar revellers lined behind during his speech at the Abuja Bantaba.

However, Ikechi took a swipe at the tourism industry describing it as an orphan neglected by the government and other key sectors of the economy which should have over the years supported it to grow as the example of other Africa countries have showed interventions of the government in the industry in recent time. The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah Esq. who represented the state governor who was also honoured as Aviation Governor made a presentation of the Asaba Airport built by the state government. According to Ogeah, the airport is envisioned to attract development to the state’s economy, particularly its tourism industry, which he said, has been receiving the desired attention from the state government. Some of the exhibitors, which also made a short representation during the award ceremony included the South Africa Airways, which represented by the country manager, Thomi Duma, made a huge impression on the audience as she reeled out the various services, products and incentives that the airline has on showcase for the market. Emirates Airways, Royal Senchi Resort, El Pazio Limited, which also used the occasion to announce it rebranding from EIL Telecoms Limited and House of Gold International. Then it came the turn of the Cross River State to make its presentation and they never failed to impress the people, keeping alive the dream of the best tourist destination ever in the country. The head of the state’s conservation agency, Dr. Odigha Odigha took everyone on excursion of the eco –tourism sector of the state and effort made to conserve and promote it while

L- R: The Chairman of Remlords Tours and Car Hire Services, Mr. Nkweremwen Onung receiving his award from the Minister of Lands and Housing, Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi during the Abuja Bantaba event

the man in charge of the new project of the state, Summit Hills, also exposed the details of the project, which is presently under construction and due for commissioning by February 2015. The Chairman of the Carnival Calabar, Mr. Gabe Onah was also on the podium to speak on the carnival project, which has over the years stood out Cross River and attracts hundreds of visitors yearly to Calabar for the Calabar Festival. Then came the turn of the Carnival Calabar troupe, which true to type never disappointed the ecstatic audience as they wowed everyone with scintillating and sensual performances. While the carnival dancers and revellers enthralled and kept the audience spellbound with their gripping showpiece and theatrics, the state governor who was declared the ‘Tourism Man of the year,’ in a way also held the audience in his grip with his talking. Definitive and instructive quite alright but he did not fail to take a swipe at the federal government for what he described as their lack of support for the tourism industry while he also held the people culpable for failing to understand the industry and develop the right interest and commitment to growing and investing in the industry. While it was necessary for him to attend the event as a way of support for the organisers, Uko and his team, who he said has tremendously assisted in the development and promotion of the Cross River tourism, however, he said what was most paramount for him was not coming to pick the award but rather to create awareness about the

industry and draw attention to what Cross River State has done over the years and is doing presently to shore up the gains of its tourism economy. According to him, it was important for him to publicise the industry and showcase its gains because Nigerians seem not to have a clear understanding of the working of the industry and what it means to develop a tourism economy or tourism destination. And he never failed in his campaign bid as he got the audience rapt attention through his delivery. Imoke told his audience that the lack of understanding and not developing the right appetite for the industry are responsible for the sorry state of the tourism industry. He also pointed out that the federal government on its part has also failed because it has not given the right support for the industry. The tourism man of the year who had some of the carnival revellers lined behind him on stage, to add colours and enliven his presentation, said Nigeria and not just Cross River State has a lot to give to the world but, has failed to realise this and instead are watching helpless while the industry rot and go into extinction. Some of the 100 Nigerians honoured at the event included the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah as a Travel Legend, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State as a Aviation Legend, the former governor of old Kano State, the late Audu Bako who was represented by some of his children and the Minister of Land and Housing, Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi as well as this reporter.

Entertainment

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www.newtelegraphonline.com/entertainment

SOny Neme Entertainment Editor

sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com 0811 181 3096

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Amaka Igwe: Nollywood in shock…

LIFE & TIMES

he Nigerian movie industry has been thrown into deep mourning with the death of Mrs. AMAKA Ene Igwe (nee Isaac Ene), MFR, on Monday night at 51. The death had occurred at her home town, Udi in Enugu State at about 10 PM after the family had had their dinner. The Top FM boss was building content for her channel on DSTV which was why she journeyed to Enugu. New Telegraphs’s visit on Tuesday to the Igwes’ Palm Avenue, MKO Garden, Ikeja Lagos residence cum office revealed a solemn atmosphere that explains the grim situation. Their boss had just passed on. The creator of Fuji House of Commotion, Checkmate and producer of Rattlesnake, Violated and lots breathed her last 14 hours earlier. Mr. Ayeni Adekunle, deputy to late Igwe on productions, who we met as we arrived the Igwes residence further confirmed the sad news. Popular comedian, Tee A was also there to commensurate with the deceased family. Curiously, as we step into the duplex we met actors on Infinity Hospital television series on set. A further climb upstairs was a different scenario: lamentations, wailing and swollen eyes resulting from sustained cries by her employees. Chris Ehindero, COO, Amaka Igwe Productions tried consoling another male staff who could not keep back his tears. Then Ehindero explained what transpired minutes to her last breath thus: “She was full of life, had time watching her children playing football were playing at her home town. Thereafter the family had dinner and she went to relax and breathed her last. We are still in shock.” To calm the wailing cast, Ehindero marshaled them to continue with their shoot. According to him, "That is our own way of honouring hecause if she was here that would have beren her directive. She will tell you that, ‘nobody is big enough to stop productions’. We still Have 16 more episodes to shoot. So the show is on. They are crying while doing their job.” This aspect of art was corroborated by Fred Amata who told New Telegraph while expressing his condolence to Igwes’ at his Surulere home. According to the popular actor, “That is part of our training. So long the actor whose role is being shot is alive, no postponement. You can only postpone that aspect if the director that is supposed to be on set dies. When you hear people say, the world is a stage, each person is playing its part that is what they mean. So the show

goes on. It is so painful. The industry will miss her greatly.” Zeb Ejiro was with a handkerchief dabbing his tearful eyes in his office as he spoke with New Telegraph. While recalling how they built the industry, Ejiro, recalled that the late Igwe, Ken Nnebue, Opa Williams and a few others and himself built the industry from nothing to a multi billions naira industry that it is today; while providing jobs for millions people. Others stakeholders who poured encomiums on the pioneering role of Amaka Igwe were Chief Eddie Ugbomah, Bond Emerua, Saidi Balogun - President, Movie Ambassadors of Nigeria(TMA), Yomi Fashlanso- DPR and Media Affairs TAMPPAN and Don Pedro Obaseki, PhD (Enogie-Isi of Benin Kingdom). From the security man at the entrance of the estate, as you identified your mission, the next question from them was, ‘Is it true she is dead?’ at the Austin A d e b ayo house, Estate office, the situation was not different as staffs c o u l d not conceal their mourning The late Amaka Igwe mood before one of the ladies managed to attend to our enquiries. She summoned courage to ask, “Is she truly dead? I have tried consoling my colleague who has been wailing all day since we resumed this morning to hear the sad news. She was such a nice woman. So many lives are attached to her, how are they going to cope without her?” Theirs are three houses from there is the Igwes’ abode. For Shaibu Hussein, a movie critic, “I was happy to hear that early callers to her studio found people working. That is the spirit. For Amaka, it is the business first. The show can come later. So it is to keep up with her works and sustain her legacies. I understand that she was building content for her channel on DSTV which was why

Amaka Igwe had drawn international recognition for the burgeoning Nigerian motion picture industry. Some of her early efforts like Checkmate and Violated has largely remained a watershed in the history of soaps and movie production in Nigeria. Born to Isaac Ene, a retired civil engineer from ObinaguUdi in Enugu State, was born and bred in Enugu. An old girl of All Saint School, now Trans Ekulu Primary School, Girls High School Awkunanaw, Enugu and Idia College Benin City where she had her A levels, It was at Idia College that Amaka’s arts inclination fully germinated. One of the foremost movie directors and by far one of the few contemporary filmmakers in the professional class… Popular in her early school days as Ogwu Azu, (Igbo word for Fish bone) because of her slim built frame, Amaka read Education and Religious Study at the University of Ife. From University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo Uni-

versity, Amaka who signed the MNET short celluloid film ‘Barbers Wisdom’ as director proceeded to the University of Ibadan where she grabbed a master degree in Library and Information Services. In between, Amaka took part in a number of theatrical productions particularly as a member of the NYSC drama troupe. With the NYSC troupe, Amaka took plays around. She found the massive studios of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service from where such classics like the long rested Basi and Company and the New Masquerade were produced, a good ground to learn how program are produced. Not only was Amaka fascinated by the sheer massiveness of the ESBS studios, her creative drive was further accelerated when she was encouraged by the inimitable female television director Lola Fani Kayode.. Amaka disclosed that she conceived Checkmate by watching Mirror in the Sun.

s h e journeyed to Enugu. “I understand that as she lie very

For Amaka, it is the business first. The show can come later. So it is to keep up with her works and sustain her legacies still in the morgue, work is on-going on about 10 soaps and a few movie project she commissioned. Work must go on, on those projects. Her dear husband, Charles Igwe must brace up and continue to provide leadership. Auntie Amaka will rest well if her dream of birthing that channel on DSTV is not allowed to die”. For Justin Akpovi-Esade, a journalShe had written a script about an all-conquering female hero like Queen Amina and had conceived it like a traditional stage play. But when she saw Mirror in the Sun, she decided to make it a modern all conquering female hero story. she was the driving force behind BOBTV ( Best of the Best African Film and Television) and CEO of Amaka Igwe Studios an outfit that is best known for dropping off quality television and video offerings Amaka has received numerous industry awards including Life Time Achievement from the Best of Nollywood awards in 2009,and the annual African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has her creative pouch filled with works that have been rated as best seller. She has penned scripts for notable producers and production outfits Mrs Igwe is survived by her husband of 21 years Charles Igwe, three children, an aged mother, siblings and a large extended family.

ist and media relations expert, “I would best describe her as a Nollywood rights activist. She was so passionate about the industry that her passion became an obsession. No matter how hard hearted you are, Amaka Igwe was able to infect you with her passion for Nollywood. .. Amaka Igwe was truly an amazon as most industry people described her today. The sector and nation will sure miss her immense contributions…” Obaseki nwas more frontal with his brief elegy on the lady he described as “The singularly most important WOMAN in the creation & evolution of Nollywood… A pioneer….” He stated further thus: “Starting out as a young Lecturer Assistant at the then Anambra State University, Amaka Isaac Ene dedicated her young adult life to the creation of Checkmate ... Her star actors were the first stars of Nollywood. Her Rattlesnake movie trilogy though came out a few weeks after (Ken Nnebue’s) Living in Bondage, was the first artistic success of Nollywood's videography. “With her FUJI House of Commotion, Amaka redefined the landscape of Situation Comedy on national TV.” Married to ex-banker-turned-Film producer/marketer Charles Igwe in April 1993, Amaka was Nollywood's female colossus. And together, Amaka & Charles Igwe strove to evolve a seismic paradigm CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 6

26 Entertainment

Friday, May 2, 2014

Nex2, Obed evicted from Nigerian Idol 4

l Judges’ lifeline saves Antwon

L-R: Antwon, Nex2, Obed and Miss Oge at the Nigerian Idol Season IV show where Nex2 and Obed were evicted by public voting.

aturday witnessed penetrating suspense at the Dream Studios, Ikeja, Lagos. It all began when Nigerian Idol 4 host, Ill Rhymz,

called out contestants voted by the public to advance to the next stage of the Etisalatsponsored reality show. The first two to be so

Obioma out with Higher Higher

igeria’s leading entertainment outfit, Raw Gold Entertainment has unveiled its latest signing Obioma Chinomnso madu to set the ball rolling. Obioma new single is out and ready for the airwaves. The charming indigene of Abia state who has been a music

lover from her childhood had mastered the art of lyrics recitations of songs done by popular gospel crooners while growing up. The songstress after launching herself into the music industry with her debut studio effort tagged, ‘You Said That You Love Me,’ years back is back and better on the beat. In order to prove her dazzling worth, the versatile artiste has released her first official single titled, ‘Higher Higher,’ under the young but promising label, on Saturday, April 12. Obioma said, “The album was inspired by her passion to see people all over the world inspired to worship God through spirit-born music and lyrics and to see the name of God lifted up through her music. I am not in any competition with anybody. I am out to make a difference, impact lives and propagate God’s kingdom.”

evicted were Obed and Nex2. Though sad that their journey to the ultimate prize had been cut short, they were, however, grateful for the opportunity to C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 5

shrift in Entertainment Content provision in Nigeria, the latest being TOP FM Radio, Lagos. Toe-to-Toe with men she stood! In recognition, she was awarded national honours as Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). Obasakei concluded thus: “Amaka was on set of her current movie! And … Amaka died, still working on a movie! Goodnight, great woman! Goodnight!! :'( Tears rain down. Rest in Peace, Great Amazon. Rest. We Won't Miss you, because everywhere we turn in Nollywood, we see you! We feel you, Amaka!! I remain your friend, even in the afterlife!” From Saidi Balogun: "Amaka IGWE is one of the few iconic figures The Movie Ambassadors of Nigeria look up to and still hope to meet soon to tap from her wealth of experience. We received the sad news of her death with shock amidst tears. On personal achievement as a thespian she is a doyen but most importantly is her quest to unify the movie industry with an identity of professionalism, which is enormous and glaring. We will always remember you and pass this on to generations to come.

have been a part of the competition. Before the announcement were the surge in emotions, especially by the Judges when Antwon, Nex2 and Obed were discovered to have gotten the least votes at the close of the voting period. Already The top 9 contestants ‘safe’ in the competition announced for tomorrow were Beebee Bassey, Nyro Love, Xolani, Jesse Ray, Evelle, Eye-D and Miss Oge. One of the Judges, Nneka, while sharing her thoughts on the results, made no effort to conceal her emotions, saying that it did not matter to her if she was on TV. Her fellow male Judges, Darey and Dede also expressed shock. The three Judges then employed their collective lifeline to save Antwon, in a difficult choice that had to be made. Interestingly, the lifeline remains the only available that was activated during the Top 12 stage of the competition. The use of this lifeline implies that the Judges can no longer save any contestant they deem fit to continue as the competition progresses.

Amaka Igwe (1963 - 2014)

“Her contribution to MOPICON alongside other movie greats and other relevant and progressive programmes that would have set practitioners free from the cancerworm that has eaten deep are immeasurable. A silent achiever she was. It is an understatement to say we will never see another Amaka IGWE, the truth is she has left a big shoe difficult to be filled. She left when the industry needs her most. You will live a million years more. We will miss you. TMA sympathy goes to Mr Charles, the children, her family, in- laws, colleagues and friends. A national icon is gone. Nigeria will miss you.” Fashlanso sent in this: “The entire members and Exco of Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Practitioners Of Nigeria - TAMPPAN - commensurate with the family of late iconic, professional and symbolic filmmaker Amaka Igwe and the Nigeria film industry as a whole. Truly the African world of make believe have lost a credible filmmaker in the person of Amaka Igwe. Rest forever in peace.”

Gaga Crazy crooner for Europe tour aga Crazy Crooner, Gbetter Chuddy Ken Aghali, known as Chud-

dy K, is set for his first tour of Europe tagged ‘Gaga Crazy Tour 2014.’ Tour manager, Alex Ozone of 03 Media, who confirmed the package to the media during the week, said that the response to the tour from Europe-based promoters has been unprecedented. he said that the tour which commences from the first week of May and ends in July is packaged and sponsored

A visibly shaken Antwon, who could not believe his luck when his name was called out by Dede, said he was honoured to be the recipient of the only lifeline in the competition. “It means the Judges believe in me, for them to have chosen to keep me on the show. I am truly grateful for that and I will not let them down,” he said. The competition just got tougher with ten contestants left in the race to be Nigeria’s music idol. With this development, Nigerians will keep voting for their favourite contestant by texting the contestant’s number from an Etisalat line or sending the number to 33680 via SMS to help him/her earn a spot in the next stage.

by America Entertainment and Ruling House of Music; a Nigerian but Europe based entertainment company. An enthusiastic Chuddy K said, “I am looking forward of seeing crowds at my show. I know that Gaga Crazy and Brazilian Hair are very big in Europe. I am aware that my latest songs ‘Rambo and Immabong,’ have also been well received by my European fans too. So I am looking forward to shooting two music videos in Europe. I am also planning a US tour in August. I have no plans to release any album this year except more singles and video." As confirmation for the goodwill that has followed the tour, organizations that have showed support include Isisi Models House, Kent Recordz and Red Bull Energy Drink.

Naeto C joins Now Muzik

oft spoken rapper, Naeto C has pitched his tent with Now Muzik. Though details of the deal are still shrouded in secrecy, the Efe Omorogbe-managed outfit will henceforth be managing the soaring career of the cofounder of World Famupous Akademy. Naeto C already has two albums in the market. Born Naetochukwu Okeoma Chikwe, Naeto C’s first album (U Know My P) released in 2007 had established him as a creative artist and producer. It came with a blockbuster single Kini Big Deal, which was followed in 2011 by his second album (Super C Season) as well as other successful singles such as 10 over 10 and 5 & 6. The Biology graduate also have to his record other nonalbum singles like I Gentle, Can u do it and Tony Montana (Bad Pass) featuring D’Banj, just as his latest singles, Finish Work and Limited Edition off his forthcoming album is enjoying massive airplay. An apparently happy Naeto C reportedly said, “I believe so much in Now Muzik because of their pedigree. They are a seasoned management outfit, tested and trusted. I know I am in safe hands with them and we would soar higher together.” Other notable artistes with Now Muzik Entertainment services, one of the country’s finest entertainment management company, are 2face Idibia, Tony Oneweek, Romeo, Rocksteady and K-Slim.

Entertainment

Friday, May 2, 2014

LYRICS for the week

Anifowose By Olamide

2Face Prepares for Video Shoot with a Brief London Visit.

2face Idibia handcuffed, sent to prison in Head Gone

ultiple awards winning Nigerian music star, 2face Idibia has called on Nigerian musicians and other music industry stakeholders to throw their weight behind the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) to ensure the realization of the real value and dividend of intellectual property across the country. 2face said that in an environment where everyone is busy looking out for their own interests, approving several collective management organizations in Nigeria will simply open the door for people to use the opportunity to feather their own nests at the expense of right owners. Mr. Idibia made the call while presenting a paper titled, Slaying the Col-

lective Rights Monster at the Nigerian Entertainment Conference held recently at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos. According to him:, “A world class collective management system will not fall on our laps. All stakeholders will need to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in a bid to grow, nurture and sustain it. Is this possible? Obviously, yes! We have started the journey and I'm optimistic we shall succeed.” The singer who acknowledged COSON as “the single collecting society recognized by the law of the land”, called on all music industry stakeholders to join hands with COSON, and ensure the emergence of a more profitable industry that provides wealth for the

Jude Okoye defends D'banj sets to launch new single Peter's wife, Lola l Sister engaged in London

fter taking fans for a boo boo, with many pointing fingers to Lola, as the cause of the rift, her brother in-law, Jude Okoye has come to her rescue. jude, the elder brother of the singing duo have come out in her defence saying she was never the reason for the issue that arouse. According to him, "Pls we are all family including lola, stop blaming her, this was never about her, thank you" Before now Lola has been at the butt in social media but choose to be silent... Even her Instagram comment section has was not spared with hate messages ... Meanwhile, the Okoye's bid to shake off the disturbing news of break up is paying off as they are bent on starting a new generation with a season of love with another celebration in Okoye family.

inger and songwriter Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly as Dbanj the Kokomaster, has announced that he is set to officially launch his latest single ‘Bother You’. The ONE.org ambassador who made this announcement on his Twitter page, released the video for his single as a (OST) soundtrack for the movie adaptation of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie’s award winning book, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’. ‘Bother You’ is a love song inspired by the love story in the movie. The music video was shot in South Africa and produced by GodFather Productions and DKM Media. Special appearance for the official launch of ‘Bother You’ is Hollywood and British actor Idris Alba.

nation and employment for Nigerian citizens. Meanwhile, the celebrated artiste is among a group of comedians and musicians starring in a new movie, Head Gone. The movie has many celebrities in the showbiz industry in Nigeria as part of the new movie by Olanrewaju Fasasi, who is better known as Sound Sultan. The movie features celebrities like Zack Orji, Eniola Badmus, Basketmouth, Basorge Tariah, Pappy Luwe, Akpororo, IK Osakioduwa, and many others. The filming of the film, according to information, is taking place in Ibadan, Oyo State. In the movie, 2Face was handcuffed for an offence, dressed in a prison robe and taken to prison.

Kim, Kanye and three wedding ceremonies

im K and and her third husband-to-be Kanye West are planning three wedding ceremonies… The couple plan to have two ceremonies in France and one in Southern California for legal purposes. The Paris wedding date is rumored to be May 24th. To avoid long lines and red tape, our source said the couple’s lawyers recommended they hold a civil ceremony in the United States prior to their French nuptials on May 24. According to an insider, “Typically, the U.S. recognizes citizens getting married in France, but dealing with a foreign government and paperwork could be a nightmare. So just to make sure it’s legal, Kim and Kanye will first be having a civil ceremony in Southern California.”

Onyeka to launch phones for women in distress

Onwenu, Director Ofornyeka General, National Centre Women Development

(NCWD), is out to help women in distress. The elegant stallion recently disclosed that her organization is teaming up with Tingo Mobile Limited to launch a phone with special applications to assist women in distress in Nigeria. According to the artiste, the phone will address the lack of access information by women and also to assist them in trade facilitation. She said the mobile device will also help to prevent violence against women and girls in the country. her words: "This application also has a feature with which by pressing a digit, a woman who is being subjected to violence or assault can contact security agencies in her vicinity."

Omo anifowose. Omo anifo Iru ki le yi. Omo anifowose Omo anifo. Iru ki le yi Omo anifowose Won mu ewure dudu Won mu re igbo ifa Omo anifowose Won m’aguntan bolojo Won mu re ile osun Omo anifowose Osun o gba aguntan Ema se gba emi mi Omo anifowose Eni ti o le se bi alaaru l’oyingbo ko le se bi adegboro l’oja oba Ayinde ooh eh Ayinde ooo. eh. Won ni kilode, Ki lo ba de, ki lo n wa n bi, ki lo fe They never thought i’ll make it to the top but that’s not fair To ri mommy wa o l’owo To ri daddy wa o l’owo Hustled from the house and every damn thing na sorrow A de solo o. A de soro o Highclass dem say we are so low o Mommy ta’so ati bata e fun paro Daddy ta’so ati bata e fun paro To put food on the table Ko ma d’abi pe won wa capable Salary daddy o wa stable Everyday ko la ma je vegetable All the same, ice water la ma ti fi mu garri lebu Awon omo Landlord chance wa Cos won pass wa, won embarass wa, Won ni e kuro ni house wa Won frustrate mommy ati house wa Awon omo alhaja To ba so mi m’ole le yin, ma ja Mi wa ja but t’owo mi ba d’eyan, wa ja Omo anifowose. Omo anifo Iru ki le yi. Omo anifowose. Omo anifo Iru ki le yi. Omo anifowose Won mu ewure dudu. Won mu re igbo ifa Omo anifowose. Won m’aguntan bolojo Won mu re ile osun. Omo anifowose Osun o gba aguntan. Ema se gba emi mi Omo anifowose. Eni ti o le se bi alaaru l’oyingbo ko le se bi adegboro l’oja oba. Ayinde ooh eh Ayinde ooo. eh Mo n da gba. Mo n da fa Mi o mo ile onisegun, mi o mo ile alfa Bo ya mommy ati daddy lo sise lori mi Glory be to alpha Before life hard Poverty fi mi se cypher Sorrows and pain ma fi mi ka *** Ma tun se high 5 So we roll up just to get high but e no stop so bad girls open eyes Oga Ade. Ewo ibi ta ba de. Omo eru d’oba Igboro demilade. Ema kun pancake Me i am getting my cake Niggas dem be like **** When they see my picture on the *** Them no rich God, them know this Won fe si office le mi lori. Se mo jo novice I love this. I can be rolling like a borris Versace, versace. You rocking versace….. Mommy you saw me, oloshi Nourish, awon parents mi jo awon eyan to nourish Omo anifowose. Omo anifo. Iru ki le yi Omo anifowose. Omo anifo Iru ki le yi. Omo anifowose Won mu ewure dudu. Won mu re igbo ifa Omo anifowose. Won m’aguntan bolojo Won mu re ile osun. Omo anifowose Osun o gba aguntan. Ema se gba emi mi Omo anifowose. Eni ti o le se bi alaaru l’oyingbo ko le se bi adegboro l’oja oba. Ayinde ooh eh Ayinde ooo. eh Long live king wasiu ayinde marshall for the inspiration Living legend toh bad Kwam I the ultimate Mo sample your voice baba, e ma kana Olamide badoo

28 Entertainment TELEMOVIES

Friday, May 2, 2014

olin McLeod, Managing Director Emerging Markets, Universal Networks International was in Lagos recently. A first time visitor to Nigeria, Mr McLeod visited the country to gain a better understanding of the Nigerian market following the success of Universal Networks International latest channel in Nigeria – Telemundo. MultiChoice Africa and Universal Networks International launched Telemundo in Africa on 12 August 2013, promising GOtv and DStv subscribers a dramatic rollercoaster of romance, mystery, action and adventure. True to this promise, at launch, viewers were given fascinating stories of love, success and betrayal with high quality productions including Aurora, Precious Rose, My Heart Beats for Lola and Behind Closed Doors. In no time at all, this channel had become a hit among female folk and even some men, with My Heart Beats for Lola stealing the hearts of many from the outset. During his visit, Colin McLeod gave select media a sneak peek into new programmes to premiere on the famed Telemundo channel among others. He mentioned that Universal Networks International is committed to keeping the content on Telemundo fresh with each telenovela to air for a period of about six months. Mr McLeod also disclosed that Universal Networks International will continue to deliver exciting content by leveraging characters who have been identified as viewers’ favourites such as – Jencarlos Carnela who starred as Andres Santacruz cum Suarez in My Heart Beats for Lola, while exploring new story lines in varied settings. The Del Monte Dynasty with

Queen of the (Gold) Coast! Yvonne Nelson shines on the second cover

L L –R: PR Manager GOtv, Miss Efe Obiomah; Managing Director, Emerging Markets for Universal Networks International, Mr Colin McLeod, and PR Manager DStv, Miss Caroline Ogbuma.

Telemundo sneak peek a rustic setting, Queen of the South based on the lives and antics of drug cartels and the soon to be launched – Ghost of Elena which he revealed may be a bit chilling but captivating, attest to this. The Ghost of Elena launches in May starring Ana Layevska as the main character along with Segundo Cernadas and Elizabeth Gutierrez. For most viewers who now associate Telemundo stars with previous roles, Ana Layevska played Debora Noriega in the tenovela - My Heart Beats for Lola. In the Ghost of Elena, young and beautiful, Elena and her widowed father, Tomas manage a small but excellent hotel on the ocean shore in Key West. Raised in her father’s shadow and shielded from the maternal side of her family, Elena has never known true love that

is, until she finds Eduardo unconscious in the middle of the forest. Elena falls hopelessly in love as she nurses Eduardo back to health. The rich, young businessman is equally passionate, and they’re married in an impromptu ceremony on the beach. Elena joins Eduardo in his mansion where he resides with several family members and household staff. From a photograph, Elena learns of Eduardo’s deceased wife, also named Elena, who died in a tragic accident on her wedding day. The new bride isn’t given the warmest welcome to the castle but it is the screams and moans coming from the castle’s tower that mostly terrify Elena. Also coming soon on Telemundo are – Brave Heart and Where is Elisa? To find out more, visit www.gotvafrica.com

or www.dstv.com. Telemundo is available on GOtv channel 13 and DStv channel 118. Universal Networks International also offers E! Entertainment Television (available to both GOtv and DStv subscribers), Universal Channel, The Style Network, and Studio Universal all on DStv in this market. ut excellent hotel on the ocean shore in Key West. Raised in her father’s shadow and shielded from the maternal side of her family, Elena has never known true love... that is until she finds Eduardo unconscious in the middle of the forest. ut excellent hotel on the ocean shore in Key West. Raised in her father’s shadow and shielded from the maternal side of her family, Elena has never known true love... that is until she finds Eduardo unconscious in the middle of the forest.

ast week, it unveiled its first cover with Africa's youngest billionaire, Ashish J. Thakkar sharing his inspiring story of surviving his environment and building a global business. The 32-year-old from Uganda is founder of the Mara Group and the Mara Foundation. This week, it has issued the second cover - actor, producer and serial entrepreneur; Yvonne Nelson. The Ghanaian superstar talks about her work, her businesses, her vision for the creative industry, and where she sees Africa's future. "Y! Africa is focused governance, enterprise and technology, but it also has an eye firm eye on the culture," says its associate editor, Tunde Kara. "The culture weaves the underlying thread that advances the aspirations of any people, and those like Nelson who are its glittering stars, make it possible." Y! is available in stores and from vendors across Nigeria, and is also distributed in Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa. In Nigeria, you can also pay for the magazine with your mobile phone or online at Okada Bookswww.okadabooks.com) and Exodus Estore (www.exodusestore. com), and have it delivered to any part of the country (click on magazine, click on the Y! Africa logo and place your order).

Gist writers workshop for May 2 N

Bond Omeruwa

ollywood Workshops in conjunction with the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria has concluded plans to host it's first Gist Writers Workshop, a one day event for script writers on May 2. The event will offer an interesting theme, ‘Entertainment, Creativity and Health.’ The one day event is meant to better equip screenwriters to play a more involved role in bettering the lives of Nigerians. This workshop is part of Nollywood Workshops' series of Gist events that will be held across the country with other relevant stakeholders in the motion picture industry. Gist, an ongoing program of Nollywood Workshops, was launched as a Global Center for Health and Development in collaboration with Hollywood Health & Society/ Norman Lear Center of University of Southern California, USA. Gist aims to inspire and inform filmmakers around the world on important social, health and developmental issues. Says Nollywood Workshops Co-Director Bond Emeruwa "Gist... According to Mr Yinka Ogun, Vice President of SGWN, “This workshop is coming at the most appropriate time when Nollywood is moving to the next level and assuming its appropriate place in Nation building. Because of the importance of script writers in the industry; they have to be mindful of the accuracy of information and data when passing across issues bothering on health." Speakers at the workshop will include Bond Emeruwa, a film maker and co-di-

rector of Nollywood Workshops who will present Gist to the attendants, Dr Bola Kusemiju, Deputy Director Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, Kunle Afolayan will speak on ‘What does a director want in a script? Paul Emema, a seasoned writer and filmmaker will speak on "The Power of the Writer- Writing for Development", Former ITPAN training school Director and Rector of International Film and Broadcast Academy(IFBA) will also be there to speak on "Screen writing as a sole source of Livelihood; In addition to providing training for filmmakers, Gist serves as a free on-demand resource center that connects writers, directors and producers with top health experts—all service offered free of charge to entertainment professionals. Offerings include health and development related site visits, customized location tours, phone, Internet and in-person consultations with medical doctors, social workers and others. With Gist, filmmakers and tv producers get the information they need to make accurate and compelling films and television programs, and audiences learn more about the health issues that plague our society. Nollywood Workshops has formalized a partnership to support Gist with relevant Guilds and Associations in Nigeria's movie industry.

Photography: C. Asare Photography in Ghana. Creativity, art direction and profile: Tunde Kara. Styling: House of Cramer. Make Up: Contours by Valerie.

Entertainment

Friday, May 2, 2014

CinemaWatch (Radio/TV/Events Guide)

APRIL 25 – May 2 HIGHLIGHTS

OTV: Tune in to GOtv this week for an adventurepacked line-up of movies, reality shows, kiddies entertainment, best of local and international music plus documentaries for the whole family. Here is some of what you can look forward to this week:

sheep flock for their wool for profit, Natalie is constantly burdened knowing that one wrong decision could not only kill an animal—but could cost her the entire business. With her “Mr. Mom” husband Sean, Natalie must balance her farm business and deal with the daily impacts it has on her family. It airs on Friday 25 April at 7:00pm.

M-Net MOVIES ZONE (Channel 2) - GOtv PLUS ONLY • TAKE THE LEAD A professional dancer becomes a volunteer at an inner city school. His belief in the talent of a group of problem kids sees them compete in a professional dance contest. Saturday 3 May at 19:30 CAT. SONY ENTERTAINMENT (CHANNEL 20) – GOtv PLUS ONLY • LAST RESORT (SEASON 1) This military-themed drama series tracks the crew of a fictional US Navy submarine that is given an order to launch nuclear ballistic missiles at Pakistan while stationed in the waters off that country’s coast. However, the sub’s commanding officer, Captain Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher – Glory, Homicide: Life on the Street), refuses to obey this strange command, making his vessel a target and he and his men de facto enemies of their own country. Armed with a payload of nukes, they must find a way to prove their innocence and find out who in the US government has set them up. Expect political drama and maritime action aplenty! Starts: Monday, 5 May at 20:55 CAT. • TATTOO NIGHTMARES (SEASON 2) People choose to get tattoos for various reasons – on impulse, as a romantic gesture, to make a statement or for the sheer thrill of living on the edge. But sometimes those tats can go horribly, horribly wrong. In this series, we meet a selection of unfortunate souls who have wound up on the wrong side of the tattoo gun – and have emerged with permanent markings ranging from the hilarious to the downright grotesque. But help is at hand in the form of three of the best cover-up artists in the business – Tommy

General Manager, Marketing, DSTV, Martin Mabutho presenting a gift to Eagles coach, Steven Keshi at the BoxOffice Launch in Lagos.

Helm, Big Gus and Jasmine Rodriguez – who try to work miracles to turn victims’ inky disasters into masterpieces. It airs on Fridays at 21:00 CAT. BET (Channel 22) • RUN’S HOUSE Who’s House?.....Run’s House! Led by patriarch Rev Run, the Simmons family open their doors and their hearts to our cameras, proving that a family that prays together stays together. For six seasons, we follow the ups and downs of the Simmons family as Rev Run and his wife Justine parent in their own unique and effective way, navigating their family with grace and class in good times and bad. Watch as The Rev strikes a balance between being a father, a reverend and an icon, all in his attempt to keep rap's royal family securely grounded while living a uniquely privileged lifestyle. How does he do it? With his one-of-a-kind preaching and teaching style. Tune in every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 23:00 CAT. • THE REAL HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD…THE STORY SO FAR Actor and comedian Hart, gives viewers the exclusive in-

side scoop as takes us through each episode like only he can. Featuring the all-star cast Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe, Nick Cannon, JB Smoove, Duane Martin, Robin Thicke and Nelly, catch the ‘mitch ‘ shenanigans of the crazy motley crew as they navigate their way through their surreal lives with a hard dose of all man reality…Hollywood style! Add to this a star-studded guest line-up including Chris Rock, Khloe Kardshian-Odom, Bobby Brown, Erykah Badu and more, you’ll never tire of ‘the fakest reality show ever!’. It airs ON Monday 5 May at 08:00 CAT. E! ENTERTAINMENT (Channel 25) • GIULIANA AND BILL Tune in this month as one of America’s favourite celebrity couples, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, try to maintain their high-profile careers while keeping things simple at home as they adjust to life with a new baby. This month, Giuliana takes time out of her busy schedule to plan a surprise party for Mama DePandi’s 70th birthday, while Bill tries to help manage Duke’s travel troubles. Later, the Rancics are excited to take their first family vacation with Duke, but soon discover that it promises to be a very different sort of trip. Watch it on Sundays at 20:00 CAT. • HELLO ROSS Apart from being a popular talk show host and best-selling author, ‘Chelsea Lately’ star Ross Mathews also prides himself on being the world’s biggest superfan! Join him this month as he brings his signature flair and unique viewpoint back to E! with a brand-new season. Ross shares his love for all things pop culture, continues to discuss the most buzzworthy topics in Tinseltown, and hosts a series of exclusive and exciting interviews with today’s hottest celebrities. With a range of new segments and a swanky new set, this season is set to be even better than the first! Tune in on Saturdays at

22:00 CAT. AL JAZEERA (Channel 40) • LIFELINES: THE QUEST FOR GLOBAL HEALTH This is Al Jazeera’s new eight part series of health documentaries. Compelling stories from across the globe focus on the life-saving work being carried out by dedicated health workers, often in remote areas, where preventable diseases thrive. In River of Hope (1 and 5 May), a novel experiment is underway in Senegal to control parasitic

DISCOVERY WORLD (Channel 50) • THE PRESIDENTS' GATEKEEPERS The series reveals the extraordinary behind-the-scenes history of the White House Chiefs of Staff. Called the world's second toughest job and also the world's worst - the White House Chiefs of Staff translate the Presidents' policies into reality - or disaster. They are the inside eyewitnesses to history, and the confidants with whom the President, and the First Lady, share their secrets. Spanning nine administrations, discover which White House Chief of Staff Dick Cheney blamed for bringing on his first heart attack. And why was Rahm Emanuel so apprehensive about taking the job? Also, which 25-year-old Chief of Staff was put in charge of reviewing J. Edgar Hoover's infamous FBI files before forwarding them to the President? In this four-part special, The President's Gatekeepers provides a look at the world of the closest confidant the President has. From Tuesday 6 May

Escaping the Prophet on TLC Entertainment.

worms 'schistosomiasis' that stunt growth in youngsters and can cause major organ failure. Prawns could be part of the solution to reducing this deadly disease. In Between Life and Death (15 and 19 May) maternal and neonatal mortality is dropping dramatically in Malawi. Low cost, innovative midwifery initiatives such as bicycle ambulances, and basic equipment for under-resourced clinics helps to keep mothers and babies alive. It airs at 22:00 CAT. Shear Madness takes viewers on a real-life “Green Acres in reverse” as it follows Natalie Redding, former model and sheep farmer, as she juggles her many farm animals and her family of five children with her husband Sean. Relying primarily on her precious

at 21:00 CAT. MTV BASE (Channel 72) - GOtv Plus ONLY • AFRICA DAY Join us in celebrating our heritage being proudly African. With themed music blocks from your favourite pan-African artists, we bang out hits and keep you dancing all day long. • MOST VOTED PLAYLIST : DRAKE It’s quite simple: you vote for your favourite artist songs and we play them. Back to back music videos from MTV Base fans will keep you tuned in. Cast your vote for your favourite song @MTVBaseAfrica and see if it makes the playlist. On Wednesday 8 May at 15:00 CAT.

30 Entertainment TELEMOVIES

Friday, May 2, 2014

Coming Soon to the cinemas Silverbird, Warri

Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 100min A small-town father must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. That Awkward Moment (Movie Of The Week ) Rating :R Viewing Time - Friday 1:45PM, 8:40PM Viewing Time - Saturday 1:45PM, 8:40PM Viewing Time - Sunday 1:45PM, 8:40PM

Viewing Time - Wednesday 12:00PM, 4:30PM Viewing Time - Thursday 12:00PM, 4:30PM Featured Actors Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack, Dean Norris Genre Drama Running Time 105min

Golden Tulip Hotel, PTI junction, Effurun, Warri, Delta State Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Rating:PG) Viewing Time - Friday 6:15PM, 8:50PM Viewing Time - Saturday 6:15PM, 8:50PM Viewing Time - Sunday 6:15PM, 8:50PM Viewing Time - Monday 6:15PM, 8:50PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 6:15PM, 8:50PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 6:15PM, 8:50PM Viewing Time - Thursday 6:15PM, 8:50PM Featured Actors Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Cobie Smulders Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 128min Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier. Heaven Is for Real (Rating:PG)

An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events. Viewing Time - Monday 1:45PM, 8:40PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 1:45PM, 8:40PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 1:45PM, 8:40PM Viewing Time - Thursday 1:45PM, 8:40PM Featured Actors Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Imogen Poots Genre Comedy Running Time 94min Three best friends find themselves where we've all been - at that confusing moment in every dating relationship when you have to decide "So... where is this going? The Frozen Ground (Movie Of The Week ) Rating: R Viewing Time - Friday 12:00PM, 4:30PM Viewing Time - Saturday 12:00PM, 4:30PM

Viewing Time - Friday 6:05PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Saturday 6:05PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Sunday 6:05PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Monday 6:05PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 6:05PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 6:05PM, 8:45PM Viewing Time - Thursday 6:05PM, 8:45PM Featured Actors Binta Goudiaby Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Thomas Haden Church |

Non-Stop (Movie Of The Week) Rating: PG Viewing Time - Friday 11:40AM, 6:30PM Viewing Time - Saturday 11:40AM, 6:30PM Viewing Time - Sunday 11:40AM, 6:30PM Viewing Time - Monday 11:40AM, 6:30PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 11:40AM, 6:30PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 11:40AM, 6:30PM Viewing Time - Thursday 11:40AM, 6:30PM Featured Actors Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 106min An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account. Son of God (Rating: PG-13) Viewing Time - Friday 2:00PM, Viewing Time - Saturday 2:00PM, Viewing Time - Sunday 2:00PM,

Viewing Time - Sunday 12:00PM, 4:30PM Viewing Time - Monday 12:00PM, 4:30PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 12:00PM, 4:30PM

Viewing Time - Monday 2:00PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 2:00PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 2:00PM Viewing Time - Thursday 2:00PM Featured Actors Sebastian Knapp, Paul Knops, Darcie, David Rintoul Genre Drama Running Time 138min The life story of Jesus is told from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection. HOURS (Rating:PG-15) Viewing Time - Friday 11:05AM, 1:00PM, 2:55PM Viewing Time - Saturday 11:05AM, 1:00PM, 2:55PM Viewing Time - Sunday 11:05AM, 1:00PM, 2:55PM Viewing Time - Monday 11:05AM, 1:00PM, 2:55PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 11:05AM, 1:00PM, 2:55PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 11:05AM, 1:00PM, 2:55PM Viewing Time - Thursday 11:05AM, 1:00PM, 2:55PM Featured Actors Paul Walker, Genesis Rodriguez, Nancy Nave Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 97 min A father struggles to keep his

infant daughter alive in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. 300: Rise of an Empire (Rating: R) Viewing Time - Friday 4:15PM Viewing Time - Saturday

4:15PM Viewing Time - Sunday 4:15PM Viewing Time - Monday 4:15PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 4:15PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 4:15PM Viewing Time - Thursday 4:15PM Featured Actors Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Hans Matheson Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 102

Greek general Themistokles leads the charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy. SINGLE MOM'S CLUB (Movie of the Week) PG15 Viewing Time - Friday 3:50PM Viewing Time - Saturday 3:50PM Viewing Time - Sunday 3:50PM Viewing Time - Monday 3:50PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 3:50PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 3:50PM Viewing Time - Thursday 3:50PM Featured Actors Nia Long, Wendi McLendonCovey, Amy Smart,Tyler Perry Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 111 min When five struggling single moms put aside their differences to form a support group, they find inspiration and laughter in their new sisterhood, and help each other overcome the obstacles that stand in their way.

BUSINESS FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS Insurgency slows air traffic in the North The decline in air traffic in major airports in the northern parts of the country, particularly Maiduguri and Kano International Airports, has been attributed to the impact of the deteriorating insecurity, which has forced majority of travellers to shun the airports.

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Nigeria accounts for only 1% of global outsourcing revenue worth $480bn Outsourcing business in Nigeria is at low ebb as the country contributes only about 1 per cent ($4.8 million) of world's outsourcing business worth $480 billion. The global industry, which is worth $480 billion was just $48 billion a few years ago - meaning that the industry is growing.

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Nigeria far behind Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, in cocoa production A paper by Monitoring African Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) titled “Analysis of incentives and disincentives for cocoa in Nigeria” has given a vivid insight into the state of cocoa rebirth.

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How far have we gone with cocoa rebirth? We had it so good with cocoa in the past, just like we did well with some other agricultural commodities like palm oil and cotton. But at a point, there was neglect.

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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) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter

}p-38

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

FINANCIAL INCLUSION Leading telecom operators agree to facilitate financial inclusion via mobile Jonah Iboma

obile money services are set to gain greater traction following the agreement by nine major network operators to accelerate the implementation of interoperable services across Africa and the Middle East, according to the GSM Association (GSMA). The companies are Airtel, Etisalat, Millicom, MTN and Ooredoo. Others are Orange, STC, Vodafone and Zain. GSMA, the global body that represents the interests of mobile operators, said, by this development, the firms will develop and offer services that can be used across their networks or simply interconnected. The cooperation is part of GSMA’s global Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) programme, which includes mobile network operators from other regions. MMI work focuses on helping operators to successfully launch and scale interoper-

Bayo Akomolafe

nited States’ jet fuel and kerosene have flooded Nigerian petroleum wharf jetties, making the country the second-largest importer of US jet fuel. Currently, Nigeria is the top exporter of crude oil in Africa. According to data released by the US Energy Information Administration, Nigeria imported 864,000 barrels of US jet fuel last February, in line with its monthly average for 2013, when imports increased. After Nigeria came Argentina with 376,000 barrels, its largest-ever US pull. Chile, Mexico and Panama were the other countries with the

L-R: Group Head, Membership Services, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Segun Shonubi; Group Head, Learning and Development, Mrs. Sena Ayodeji; Registrar/CEO, Dr. Uju Ogubunka; General Manager/ Chief Representative, Middle East and Africa Regional Office, Institute of International Finance (IIF), Mr. Wolfgang Engel; Director, Global Events, Dr. Abdessatar Ouanes, and Head, Corporate Communication & External Relations, Mr. Ben Igbokwe, during the stakeholders’ ceremony with the Institute of International Finance in Lagos

able mobile money services through identifying and sharing best practices, guidelines and processes, creating performance benchmarks and providing regulatory support. GSMA’s Director General, Anne Bouverot, said: “We have seen the significant benefits of mobile financial inclusion in the developing world and operators recognise that, through collaboration, there are opportunities to extend this inclusion even further.” GSMA said that though

2.5 billion people in lower to middle income countries lack access to financial services, 1.7 billion of these people have a mobile phone, providing existing infrastructure that can be used to offer financial services According to GSMA, the number of active mobile money users continues to grow rapidly, with over 61 million accounts active as of 2013. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is home to 52 per cent of all live mobile money deployments worldwide. In 2013,

deployments in Middle East and North Africa represented six per cent of the live mobile money services globally and 13 per cent of total planned services. As of December 2013, mobile money in the sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East and North Africa regions accounted for 58 per cent of the world’s 218 mobile money deployments, while 66 per cent of all registered accounts and 73 CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

US jet fuel, kerosene flood Nigerian ports, jetties equivalent of one cargo of US jet fuel in February. It was disclosed that February’s jet fuel draw from the US was the equivalent of three medium-range cargoes for Nigeria, although it was short of the record 1.58 million barrels imported in November. Nigeria also brought in 292,000 barrels of kerosene, its largest cargo in February, and only its fifth-ever kerosene cargo from the US, including one each in July, October and

November. Canada is the only country that regularly takes in full US kerosene cargoes, prized for cleaner-burning, cold-weather properties and used for blending or kerosene heaters. Canada took in 213,000 kerosene barrels in February and a six-year high of 714,000 barrels in January, but generally only takes in a cargo or two a month during the winter. January and February saw the two highest US kerosene

export months since January 2008, when it was 887,000 barrels. Jet fuel exports, meanwhile, registered 4.06 million barrels, compared with 4.27 million in January and 3.19 million in February 2013. Jet fuel exports have trended higher in the last five years, hitting a record 6.42 million barrels in November before dropping in the winter due to domestic demand as Canada CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Airtel, Etisalat, MTN, others to offer interoperable mobile money

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

PHCN: PENSIONERS SEEK TRUCE WITH WARRING FACTION

INFLATION RATE January 2014 ...........................8.00% December 2013.......................8.00% November 2013..........................7.90%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate. . . . . . . . . . . 10.75% Prime Lending Rate. . . . . . 17.01% Maximum Lending Rate. .24.90%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Feb. 28)

USD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N172 Pounds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N286 Euro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N236

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Feb. 28)

USD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.75 Pounds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N261.96 Euro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N234

BUSINESS | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Insurgency slows air traffic in the North FEAR Nothern travellers shun air travel over security issues in parts of the zone

Aircraft movement declines in 2013 Aviation added N32.2bn to rebased GDP

Wole Shadare

he decline in air traffic in major airports in the northern parts of the country, particularly Maiduguri and Kano International Airports, has been attributed to the impact of the deteriorating insecurity, which has forced majority of travellers to shun the airports. This was the verdict of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) while releasing domestic passenger traffic from January 2012 to December 2013. The provisional total for 2013 shows a 1.3 per cent increase on the previous year. This marks some striking variations between airports. Traffic through Lagos, which accounts for almost half of all journeys, rose by just 0.7 per cent last year. Abuja, by contrast, posted an increase of 13.9 per cent, which was attributed to both the expansion of government and a pick-up in conference business. Traffic through Port Harcourt

L-R: General Manager, Keskese Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Lagos State, Dr. Yakub Olajide Basorun and Managing Director, ARSVEEPEE Limited and organiser of the Naija Food Fiesta, Ms. Kemi Koyejo, during the closing ceremony of the maiden edition of Naija Food Fiesta held Lagos.

was flattish. The trend for the other airports combined was a decline of 12.9 per cent. The growth in traffic is far below that in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Supply constraints could be a factor, with

only five airlines operating domestically with more than one aircraft, and most are heavily indebted. Virtually all Nigerian airlines are heavily indebted to Asset Management Company

Nigeria accounts for only 1% of global outsourcing revenue worth $480bn Siaka Momoh

utsourcing business in Nigeria is at low ebb as the country contributes only about one per cent ($4.8 million) of world's outsourcing business worth $480 billion. The global industry, which is worth $480 billion was just $48 billion a few years ago meaning that the industry is growing. President, Association of Outsourcing Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr. Austin Nweze, disclosed this in Lagos. He said: “Conservatively, Nigeria’s is one per cent. Nigerian programmers do well. They are getting jobs outsourced to them. We hope that other sectors of the industry will pick up and provide services to international clients.” Commenting on the place of outsourcing in the justconcluded Gross Domestic CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

per cent of active accounts are located in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa. Mobile money users in these regions accounted for 77 per cent of global transaction value in June 2013, performing 341 million transactions totaling $5.7 billion. GSMA said the nine operators accounted for 582 million mobile connections across 48 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Bouverot said: “Mobile network operators are en-

Product (GDP) rebasing, he said: “I will like seeing outsourcing standing alone to get counted just like Nollywood and all that. But we have not seen that. Outsourcing has not been captured in the GDP. I will like to have a situation in the next rebasing where outsourcing is standing alone. For instance, some of our companies here employ more than 20,000 people, some more than 30,000 people, and some 15,000. They are not captured. So, I believe that gradually we will get there. But it is a good start because by 2050, the service sector will provide 80 per cent of jobs globally. That is the projection from ITC.” Nweze stressed the need for governments to begin to outsource their services. He said: “If governments outsource about 10 per cent of their business, it will turn around the industry. It will

create more jobs, something that is better than having civil servants doing nothing. A job one person can do, they employ five people to do it. But with outsourcing, it will be more cost effective. Five peoples’ job can be outsourced to one person. But you will find people say what about jobs that will be lost and all that. However, outsourcing can absorb those who lose their jobs. Government anywhere does not provide jobs for individuals." He cited the case of some AOPN members: “Resource Intermediaries is a N2 billion business, it employs about 10,000 people. Vic Lawrence employs about 20,000 people. So, by the time the enabling environment is created and government begins to outsource business, outsourcing will become more known in Nigeria.

Airtel, Etisalat, MTN, others to offer interoperable mobile money gaging with each other, with banks, financial institutions, regulators, governments and ecosystem partners, to identify and implement solutions that will successfully allow more mobile financial services to be delivered to a broader range of people across both regions, while maintaining high service quality. “Mobile money is a young industry, with over 80 per cent of all deployments launched

during or after 2010,” added Bouverot. She said that in order to accelerate the growth of mobile money, there is need to call on telecommunications, financial sector regulators and policymakers to provide a policy and fiscal environment that enables these services to be rolled out successfully to promote a nascent and important driver of commerce and socio-economic development.

PHOTO:TONY EGUAYE

Limited (AMCOM), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), aviation oil marketers and aviation ground handling companies to the tune of over N200 billion, a situation that has made it impossible for them to expand their operations. NBS, in the statistics, said that the Domestic Air Passenger Traffic – January 2012 to December 2013 - revealed that about 50 per cent of average total passenger air travel between 2012 and 2013 were through Lagos Airport, domestic and international wings, while 25 per cent were through Abuja airport. The NBS report said that the aviation sector has con-

tributed N32.2 billion in the recently rebased GDP, adding that the air transport contributed N48.8 billion in 2013, N42.7 billion in 2012 and N36.6 billion in 2011.The 2013 contribution represented an average 4.8 per cent of transport and storage sector and an average of 0.05 per cent of total nominal GDP during the period under review. Aviation sector grew at a common average rate of 14.3 per cent between 2010 and 2013, stated NBS. Other airports with high traffic, the report said, are the Port Harcourt International Airport, which recorded 23,627 in 2013 and 23,043 in 2012; Aminu Kano International Airport recorded 6,200 aircraft movements in 2013, as against 6,580 in 2012. The statement said that the Minna Airport recorded 466, compared with 617 movements recorded in 2012. The Makurdi and Katsina airports handled the least numbers of aircraft movements with 264 and 403 in 2013 as against 303 and 382 in 2012, respectively. This is almost in tandem with statistics released by FAAN, revealing that the country has recorded 222,967 aircraft movements last year, a 3.9 percentage drop, compared with 231,599 movements in 2012. The revelation was contained in a statement by FAAN spokesperson, Mr Yakubu Dati. He noted that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, recorded the highest movement of 96,549 as against 95,849 movements in 2012, adding that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, had the second highest traffic, recording 57,153 in 2013 as against 56,477 movements in 2012. Airbus had predicted that Lagos would become an “airline megacity” and transport 10,000 long-haul passengers per day within the next 20 years.

US jet fuel, kerosene flood Nigerian ports, jetties CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

remained the top US jet fuel importer in February, with 1.28 million barrels. The upward march for US exports may restart, especially with sources seeing constant demand to Latin America and Canada, and increasing demand to West Africa. Platts cFlow vessel-tracking software and sources showed at least four jet fuel cargo candidates capable of carrying at least 300,000 barrels headed to Nigeria: Torm Amalie from Port Arthur, Texas, chartered by ENI; Pacific Diamond out of Alliance in Louisiana chartered by T&S Shipping; Undine out of Houston chartered by Delaney Petroleum; and Isola Bianca out of Alliance. At least five other ships were en route to other parts of West Africa, but those were said more likely to contain gasoline or diesel.

The Nigeria-based Sahara Group is understood to be bringing jet fuel to Nigeria, but sources also noted some major trading companies have shorts in Africa and need the fuel. Despite being Africa’s top crude oil producer, Nigeria imports over 80 per cent of its petroleum products because of its inadequate domestic refining capacity. Nigeria’s four refineries with a combined capacity of over 450,000 b/d are undergoing scheduled upgrades to improve their reliability. Officials have said that they want to boost utilisation rates for the refineries to about 90 per cent of their installed capacity. The four refineries operated at an average of 31.1per cent of capacity in 2012, according to recent data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Agric

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 02, 2014

BUSINESS 33

How far have we gone with cocoa rebirth? BGL analysis reiterated the underlying structural deficiency, which is the fact that a Nigerian chocolate industry is nonexistent as a result of many years of structural weakness particularly transport and electricity. Siaka Momoh

e had it so good with cocoa in the past, just like we did well with some other agricultural commodities like palm oil and cotton. But at a point, there was neglect. Our love for crude oil bestowed on us the rent economy. Nigerians came to love big and quick business. Before we knew it, the cocoa trees had aged, producing fewer beans. We could cut down old trees and replant, planting new breed seedlings that would grow faster and produce more tonnage per hectare of land. Thank God, we knew better latter. Cocoa rebirth programme was launched in 2005 by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Worried about the deteriorating status of cocoa in Nigeria, a product that was one of the frontline cash crops Nigeria depended on largely in the past, the Federal Government floated the National Cocoa Development Programme aimed at reviving and restoring cocoa production and marketing in Nigeria. That year, the 14 cocoa producing states raised 5.9 million seedlings which could plant 5,454 hectares of new cocoa farm and were distributed to farmers at no cost to them. Old plantations were also rehabilitated through the application of agrochemicals and better husbandry practices. In order to sustain and improve on these performances, Mr. President launched a special programme tagged “Cocoa Rebirth” in Ibadan, Oyo State, in order to create awareness on the wealth creation potentials of cocoa, promote increase in production, attract youth into cocoa cultivation and help raise funds for the development of the industry. The Ibadan event was replicated in Yola, Adamawa State. As a follow-up to this, a National Cocoa Day was fixed for every second week of February, flagged off in 2006. Cocoa rebirth may have been successful after all, what with

a record production figure of 500,000 tons in 2007, according to a BGL Agriculture Report. This figure, one must say, is suspect. May be the explanation for this may be to admit that leakages accounted for the possible excess figure. The report also stated that in 2009, it was announced that cocoa producing states increased from 14 that it was earlier in the year to 20, although 80 per cent of production output recorded came from five traditionally advantaged states. As the cocoa rebirth policy incentives took hold, according to the report, the industry attracted greater private sector participation in three to five years. It is, however, regrettable that the alarming analysis reiterated the underlying structural deficiency which is the fact that a Nigerian chocolate industry is non-existent as a result of many years of structural weakness particularly transport and electricity. “Although recent reforms

have sought to address these problems, the long term actions have been weakly implemented. It is noteworthy that the surge in the financial markets in 2006/2007 fed into successful capital-raising for top local grinding companies like Multi-Trex Plc and FTN Cocoa Processors,” the report said. In an exclusive interview

Cocoa producing states increased from 14 that it was earlier in the year to 20, although 80 per cent of production output recorded came from five advantaged states

with this writer a few years back, the then Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest Resources, Jibayo Oyebade said: “There is no cocoa rebirth in place yet (Ondo State accounts for about two-thirds of cocoa production in Nigeria). To give new life to cocoa, you need to start from the farm. And cocoa rebirth is not distribution of seedlings. The first thing to do is actual rehabilitation. Cocoa rebirth has not started at all, this is personal to me. “ For me, cocoa rebirth is clearing to reduce heating, hard pruning to determine canopy, then replanting of seedlings and replanting of seedlings must be backed with the first dry season watering. That is the only time we can have survival rate that is high. There is no feedback statistics on the mortality rate of the seedlings given out.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Nigeria far behind Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, in cocoa production YIELD Low yields, inconsistent production patterns, disease incidence, among others, lead to decreasing cocoa production in Nigeria.

paper by Monitoring African Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP)

titled “Analysis of incentives and disincentives for cocoa in Nigeria” has given a vivid insight into the state of cocoa rebirth. According to the paper, average cocoa beans production in Nigeria between 2000 and 2010 was 389,272 tons per year. “There was an overall increase in the production trend between 2000 and 2006, followed by a decline in 2007 and a slightly ascending trend ever since. While the trends in production and area harvested

were correlated up to 2006, the negative downturn in production for 2007 was associated with an increase in the area harvested during the same period, followed by a relative stable trend in area harvested between 2007 and 2010,” it states. As for the yields, it notes that while ascending between 2000 and 2006, identify low yields, inconsistent production patterns, disease inciCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Hard Facts About 30.000 farmers grow cocoa in the country and, in general, cocoa production in Nigeria is left to smallholders. The shortage in rural labour is a major constraint to production expansion as well as the relatively old workforce. About 57 per cent of the cocoa farming households in Ondo State are food insecure About 123 cocoa exporting firms are registered with Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) but a few of them account for about 60 per cent of cocoa exports, the cocoa export market being dominated by three export companies. These companies face challenges namely the unregulated market structure, taxation and levies imposed by federal, state, local governments and unions. The lack of infrastructure facilities and the inadequate trade information also hamper cocoa exports. On the whole, the marketing channel between farmers and exporters include at least two middlemen: small traders and wholesalers. In some occasions, cocoa can be sold directly to exporters by farmer’s cooperatives. The National Investment Plan (NAIP) sets a target of 30 per cent increase of fertilizer use in the period 2010-2015, with an overall demand expected to grow from 2.6 to 3.4 tons by 2015. Nigerian trade policy has been partially implementing the Common External Tariff Regime (CET) in ECOWAS countries since 2005. Nigeria is currently applying the 35 per cent tariff line on 167 tariff line items (none of these items has non-zero import value) (World Bank, 2010). The country’s average MFN (Most Favorite Nation) tariff stands at 12 per cent, while the average import tariff for agricultural products is 16.5 per cent. Building on its restrictive regional trade policy approach, Nigeria adopted a protectionist stand with its other international counterparts. The country rejected in 2008 an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union (ECOWAS Commission, 2008) (WB, 2010). Although the adoption of the CET shows the political will to adopt trade and investment reform to harmonise policies within the sub-region, there is still resistance in embarking on further reform (USTR, 2009). The Federal Government of Nigeria prohibited the importation of some agricultural commodities in 2004, as an incentive to the development of local production, and items such as poultry and eggs are still facing import prohibition (Nigeria Customs, 2011). Nigeria declared no domestic support or export subsidies to the WTO Committee on Agriculture during the 1995-2009 periods (WTO 2011), with agriculture contributing an average of 40 per cent to the national GDP (WTO Review, 2011).

BUSINESS | AGRIC

With Nigeria’s current condition as an import-dependent economy, it would be counter-productive to completely open doors for imports without first developing the industrial sector to compete globally Siaka Momoh

igeria has taken a bold step on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) by refusing to sign the $8.94 billion (6.5bn Euros) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union. The 15-member ECOWAS body concluded technical negotiations for the trade agreement with the EU on March 28, 2014, under which the West African countries would have full access to European markets. The agreement also gave Mauritania, a non-ECOWAS member state, full access to all markets within the EU. In it for ECOWAS is the opening up of 75 per cent of its markets to Europe over a 20-year period. The EU provided $8.94 billion package over the next five years to help ECOWAS cushion the effects and costs of integrating into the global economy. Nigeria’s Minister of Industry Trade and Investments, Olusegun Aganga, does not see anything attractive in this and so will not commit the country

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Friday, May 02, 2014

EPA: Nigeria takes a bold step to it. Said he: “The agreement appears harmless because over the first five years, there will be no major impact as they will open all their doors for us to export to Europe. However, the problem here is that currently, we are not exporting much to Europe and so the benefit will not be significant. For Aganga, With Nigeria’s current condition as an import-dependent economy, it would be counter-productive to completely open doors for imports without first developing the industrial sector to compete globally, especially in those sectors where the country had comparative and competitive advantage as provided in the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan recently launched by President Goodluck Jonathan. “Nigeria is the biggest country in ECOWAS and we are already producing some of those goods that they want us to liberalise their importation. What this means is that from 2025-2026, based on the items that have been included and excluded, there will be significant loss of revenue to government. There will be loss of jobs, investment and loss of even the ECOWAS market,” the minister said. Nigeria has therefore refused to swallow the $8.94 billion package bait put forward by the EU. It would be recalled that the EU-AU recent summit in Brussels agreed that EU and AU should continue negotiations on EPAs by exploiting all possibilities to reach a satisfactory conclusion of developmentoriented and WTO-compatible EPAs. The summit came up

with The Roadmap 2014-2017 which says that EU-AU will continue working on outstanding Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the aim of fostering intra-African trade and Africa’s regional integration efforts and the planned Continental Free Trade Area. “In this regard, both parties should continue negotiations on EPAs by exploiting all possibilities to reach a satisfactory conclusion of developmentoriented and WTO-compatible EPAs that promote African integration, economic transformation and industrialisation and ensure the prosperity of nations to the benefit of both continents,” the roadmap says. The roadmap says that it is important that Africa and Europe develop globally competi-

tive industries that can succeed in today’s global markets and contribute to sustainable development and that EPAs should be structured to ensure that our trade expands and that it supports growth of intra-regional trade in Africa. It promises to explore modalities to exchange information on the implementation of trade agreements and their implications for Africa’s regional integration and industrial development agenda. “We will promote continental integration and trade as well as the engagement of the private sector as a key partner in development. This will include strengthening the capacity of stakeholders to develop publicprivate partnerships. To fasttrack the establishment of a

Continental Free Trade Area in Africa, the EU offers to draw on its experience of building the single market to provide capacity support to this initiative,” the roadmap says. Nigeria will not buy such sweet talk. It would not because it has heard so much of it in the past. Nigeria’s stance aligns with that of its private sector who, of course, the present administration has been taking along in its policy formulations. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has always seen the European Union-ECOWAS Economic Partnership Agreement as a deadly bait whose assent will result in the collapse of all manufacturing firms in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.

Protest against EPA

How far have we gone with cocoa rebirth? C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

He recalled his governor asking him the value addition on product increase these seedlings being provided would account for. He said: “I gave reasons to support that it is government that will go into replanting. I told him Farmers Congress tonnage on cocoa, that is rebate, should be increased to contribute to fund for development of cocoa. Government should push good money into it and for life, cocoa will continue to be in demand since consumption rate will continue to increase.” The first step in cocoa rebirth, according to Oyebade, is rehabilitation. “It is a good idea. For me, they have not started at all. Copper sulphate is not rebirth, seedlings supply is not up to 10 per cent of cocoa rebirth. There is no statistics to tell us how much value the supply of a particular tonnage of seedling has added to cocoa production.” Meanwhile, according to the former International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) Executive Director, Jan Vingerhoets, with good extension services, worldwide average cocoa yield per kilogramme can be increased by 150 per cent. Average cocoa yields worldwide are around

600 kg per hectare, higher than the 500 kg/ha average of the 1970s, but a fraction of the 1,0001,500 kg/ha levels researchers had found were possible with good extension services, Vingerhoets said. “It should be possible to produce much more cocoa on a much smaller area of land. However, if successful, that could easily result in a considerable over production, with a disastrous effect on prices and thus on the incomes of cocoa farmers. “Diversification could prevent overproduction of cocoa and diversify the income sources of the farm families. In the case of Cote d’Ivoire, I would, for example, think of products such as rice, rubber and palm oil as options for diversification,” he said. Many cocoa farming families in West Africa, which produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s cocoa, live below the poverty line, Vingerhoets told a workshop, which was focusing on the use of child labour on cocoa farms. The present administration’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda is furthering cocoa rebirth. It calls it Cocoa Transformation Agenda. The team leader, Cocoa Value Chain Development of the Agricultur-

al Transformation Agenda, Dr. Peter Aikpokpodion, has noted that the cocoa transformation agenda of the Federal Government has a target of doubling cocoa production in the country from 250,000 metric tons in 2011 to 500,000 metric tons by 2015. This is more like it. As part of efforts to attain this objective, Aikpokpodion revealed that government plans to set up a Cocoa Corporation which will be burdened with the responsibility of addressing all issues relating to the production and marketing of the commodity in the country. “Once the Cocoa Corporation becomes operational this year, it is expected to facilitate the increase of production to the targeted 500,000 metric tons by 2015,” Aikpokpodion said. According to him, “in 2012, Nigeria had an increase in production as the record provided by the Federal Produce Inspection Service domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment captured the figure of cocoa export as amounting to 300,000 metric tons. It also gave us a figure of 350,000 metric tons as of July 2013.” For him, the increased production is as a result of the Cocoa Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) which he said is different from the regular

GES for other aspects of agriculture, as it is tailored towards meeting the critical input needs of cocoa farmers – such as agro-chemicals to counter black pod diseases, insect that attack the pods and also fertilizer to make sure the cocoa trees produce well. “A study carried out recently

shows that not many Nigerian farmers use fertilizer but I can tell you that last year, we succeeded for the first time to introduce a specifically formulated fertilizer for cocoa” he said, while lamenting that at 350,000 metric tons, Nigeria is well behind Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, in terms of production.

Nigeria far behind Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, in cocoa production CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

dence, pest attack and little agricultural mechanisation as key factors leading to decreasing cocoa production in Nigeria. It adds that additionally, the ageing of cocoa producing trees also plays a role in the decrease of productivity. “Particularly, 60 per cent of cocoa farms are over 40 years old, thus hampering productivity. Overall, farms in Southern/southern Eastern Nigeria tend to be younger and generally more productive.” The paper argues: “When compared to other cocoa producing countries, Nigeria presents yields among the lowest, together with Ghana and Cameroon, while Cote

d’Ivoire is the best performing country in West Africa in terms of yields, and Indonesia is the best performer in terms of yield at the global level. “Alomnado cocoa is the main variety grown in Nigeria, which is one of the highest quality cocoa varieties often associated with a premium price in the international market. However, while Nigerian cocoa used to receive a premium in the average of USD 75 per ton when compared to that of Cameroon, Ghana, Indonesia and Cote d’Ivoire (the major international producer), such premium disappeared since the 1990s, following the dismantling of the Nigerian Cocoa Board and the relaxation in quality control.”

business | AGRIC

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How to invest in integrated Jatropha plantation, bio diesel plant One of the main crops currently being promoted for bio-diesel production in several countries globally is Jatropha curcas Olumakinde Oni

he global economic and energy crisis calls for bold steps by individuals and corporate bodies for extensive diversification of global economy. One of the ways of achieving this is encouragement of efforts aimed at producing alternative sources of energy. Jatropha Plantation and Jat-

ropha oil production is one of the alternative sources of energy (fuel oil). Despite being a major oil producer, rising oil prices have put a severe strain on Nigeria’s economy as the country depends solely on fuel imports for about 98 per cent of its requirement because the country’s refineries are not working. The need to intensify efforts on bio diesel production can further be justified from the point that all our energy needs for transport, industrial and power sectors come from fossil fuels. With the number of vehicles, industrial generators increasing at geometrical pace, the current supply of fossil fuel may not be enough, hence the need to promote the production of bio diesel. Continuous digging of the

earth for fossil fuels is creating faults in the ecological crusts that sometime result in quakes, surges and flood, among others. An illustrative example is the Tsunami and the Quakes of Iran. The World’s bio-diesel is poised for significant growth as the supply security of fossil fuels exhibits serious vulnerability as experienced worldwide by the shocks of the 70’s and the gulf war. Additional justification for the promotion of bio-diesel production is the environmental concerns about global and local pollution. There is going to be reductions in vehicle emissions through the use of bio-diesel. Bio-diesel production will reduce the high unemployment level in Nigeria. One of the main crops cur-

Jatropha

Agricultural Commodity Prices - Grains Commodity CBOT Corn CBOT Wheat CBOT Oats CBOT Rough Rice CBOT Soybeans CBOT Soybean Meal CBOT Soybean Oil ICE Canola

Units USd/bu. USd/bu. USd/bu. USD/cwt USd/bu. USD/st USd/lb. CAD/mt

Price 518.25 708.25 363.00 15.41 1,505.50 486.30 42.96 480.90

Change +4.50 -0.25 +0.50 +0.04 +5.50 +1.50 +0.13 +3.90

% Change +0.88% -0.04% +0.14% +0.23% +0.37% +0.31% +0.30% +0.82%

Contract Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14

Time(ET) 10:20:06 10:19:50 10:20:05 10:18:24 10:19:56 10:20:16 10:20:10 10:19:54

Units USD/mt USd/lb. USd/lb. USd/lb. USd/lb. cents/kg USD/tbf JPY/kg USD/gal.

Price 2,947.00 199.90 17.44 161.40 93.30 332.00 207.00 2.20

Change +1.00 -1.25 -0.12 -2.05 +1.07 +2.30 +0.70 0.00

% Change +0.03% -0.62% -0.68% -1.25% +1.16% -% +0.70% +0.34% +0.05%

Contract Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jun 14 Jul 14 Oct 14 Jun 14

10:09:07 05:59:59 10:13:28

Units USd/lb. USd/lb. USd/lb.

Price 136.95 186.28 124.43

Change +0.13 -0.08 +0.20

% Change +0.09% -0.04% +0.16%

Contract Jun 14 Aug 14 Jun 14

Time(ET) 10:20:00 10:19:59 10:20:24

Softs Commodity ICE Cocoa ICE Coffee "C" ICE Sugar #11 ICE Orange Juice Conc ICE Cotton #2 SFE Greasy Wool CME Lumber TOCOM Rubber CME Ethanol

Time(ET) 10:20:01 10:20:05 10:19:00 10:19:43 10:20:22

Livestock Commodity CME Live Cattle CME Feeder Cattle CME Lean Hogs

Commodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change always shows from the previous close price. Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency. Time is ET. Source: Bloomberg

rently being promoted for biodiesel production in several countries globally is Jatropha curcas. There have been substantial political and social pressures to promote the growing of Jatropha in many countries as a means of economic empowerment, social upliftment and poverty alleviation within marginalised communities. Jatropha is a valuable, multipurpose crop, to alleviate soil degradation, desertification and deforestation which can be used for bio-energy to replace petroldiesel, for soap production and climatic protection, and hence deserves specific attention. It can help to increase rural incomes, self-sustainability and alleviate poverty for women, the elderly, children and men, tribal communities, small farmers and other vulnerable groups. It can as well help to increase income from plantations and agro industries. The project can further be justified on the following grounds: The cost of establishing Jatropha plantation is low Jatropha has high oil content of about 37 per cent Gestation period is about three years Jatropha can survive on any soil and very easy to maintain. Technical information Jatropha is a drought-resistant perennial, growing well in both rich, marginal/poor soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly, producing seeds for 50 years. Jatropha produces seeds with oil content of 37 per cent. The oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. It burns with clear smoke-free flame, tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engine. The by-products are good organic fertilizer and can also be used as livestock feeds. Medically it is used for diseases like cancer, piles, snakebite, paralysis and

dropsy. Bio-diesel is now being used in countries like China, India, Australia and Ghana. The idea is to establish a plantation of 50 hectares and also establish a mill where the oil will be extracted and sold as bio-diesel. It can be used alone or blended with fossil diesel. Implementation procedure includes plantation establishment and setting up of a mill to extract oil. Serious minded investors can be assisted in the establishment of this project. Federal, state and local governments can embark on Jatropha plantation to create jobs and wealth for Nigerians. Financial implication Pre-investments : 250,000 Farm land acquisition (50 hectares) : 2,500,000 Plantation establishment : 2,500,000 Plantation management : 2,000,000 Oil mill establishment : 3,000,000 Total N10, 250,000 ========= Profitability analysis One hectare of Jatropha plantation can yield 10 tons of Jatropha seeds. 50 hectares will give 500 tons yearly. This translates to 200 metric tons of bio-diesel yearly. At a conservative price of N100,000 per ton of bio-diesel, this gives N20 million annually. The by-product can sell for as much as N20,000 per ton, this gives another income of N5.040 million. Total income of N25.04 million has been computed. Annual operating expenses of N10 million has been estimated. This project can readily give the investor a net income of N15.040 million annually. Serious minded investor can be assisted to realise this project. • Contact Olumakinde Oni through olumakindeoni@yahoo.com.

Fear of El Nino cause jump in cocoa price

he global market is expected to experience a second straight deficit in 2014. Cocoa prices jumped to their strongest in over two years in February on concerns a returning El Nino could cut output in main producers - Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia, Bennett Coleman&Company Limited has said. The global market is expected to experience a second straight deficit in 2014. Erratic weather could affect the development of coffee cherries and cocoa pods. In Indonesia, the world’s thirdlargest cocoa producer, El Nino usually means extremely dry weather. Indonesia’s coffee output is forecast to fall to 9.5 million

60-kg bags in 2013/14 from 10.5 million in 2012/13 after dry weather at the start of the season reduced flowering and excessive rain during cherry development cut yields, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Indonesia competes in the robusta market with Vietnam, which would also suffer from an El Nino. The Central Highlands region, which produces about 80 per cent of Vietnam’s coffee, has entered the dry season, and falling waters in rivers and streams coupled with strong wind would raise the risk of water shortages, according to the Science and Technology Department in the central highland province of Kontum.

BUSINESS | AGRIC

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Friday, May 02, 2014

Benue remains largest rice producer in Nigeria –Aondoakaa Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) veered into large scale rice production in Benue State from law making immediately he was relieved of his appointment as cabinet minister by President Goodluck Jonathan after his boss, the late president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died. He played an active role in the on-going 7th national trade fair organised by the Benue State Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture where he unveiled his new packaging of MIVA Rice. Aondoakaa who is also a governorship aspirant, bared his mind on issues bothering on his firm, among others. He spoke with CEPHAS IORHEMEN. Excepts: You veered into agriculture after you left office, what has been the challenges so far? Thank you very much. You see, I don’t want to talk about challenges now, I would prefer to talk about the successes recorded, because if you talk about challenges, then you are scaring people away from your business. The motivation is to woo people to come into the business of agriculture from agricultural processing perspective so that we can boost the economy of Benue State. If we begin to talk about challenges then people will withdraw so like I said earlier greater success has been achieved so far. So, what are the successes? The success is that we have created awareness in the productivity of MIVA Rice in Benue State and then increased the income of the ordinary rice farmer. The end result of setting up an agrocompany is to motivate farmers to produce more and then get better income. If there is the processor, he earns over 10 per cent of the total castor raw materials, because if I buy a bag of rice at N3,000, I am only going to get about 10 per cent of that as my profit. So the bulk of the money goes to the farmers, and it is a success because for me to woo the US Ambassador who is also participating in the company, to come to Benue State and talk to farmers, I think it is no mean success aimed at stimulating the growth of agriculture. One of the main reasons is to get the young people out of the streets, make them productive so that they do not idle about. So if somebody does not have a job, you cannot blame him for committing crime, so, that is the motivation. When I started the factory, more people started coming in, and barely a year

after the Minister of State for Trade and Investment and Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, set up an animal feed plant. He was buying the bran from my rice industry so if I start talking about challenges he would not have come to patronise me. What about raw materials, do you have enough to facilitate production? Yes, we have raw materials. In 2011 it was a challenge, but in 2012, the people rose up because of the motivation. But the calamity that occurred in 2011 affected us, the communal clashes in 2013 also affected us because rice is predominantly produced in Benue State within the axis of Gwer, Guma, Gwer West, Makurdi and Agatu local government areas which is not less than 120 metric tons and any rice must be enough to take care of my rice farm. And of course my sister company, Ashi Rice, because we started at the same time, bought the same equipment at the same place. The idea was that the two companies will stimulate growth. Why venture into rice production? I ventured into rice production because it is an international staple food. It is a food item eaten everywhere on the continent. You talk of yam here, but it may not be eaten in America or Asia, but rice is eaten in all continents of the world. So that is why we said let’s look at rice. Then, Nigeria was spending N1 billion on importation of rice so, the idea was that if we are able to contribute at least 10 per cent of the rice consumed in Nigeria, we are not talking of export, then out of the N365 billion, Benue will be going home with N36 million and that is quite a lot of money. Sir, the local government areas you mentioned earlier as the highest producer of rice in the state have been immersed in crisis following the invasion by Fulani herdsmen. Is your company threatened by this development? The crisis is not going to be there forever. Today, I met one of my rice suppliers who he is from Naka in Gwer West Local Government Area and the young man started with me in 2011 and in 2012 he bought his car. Three of them from this axis came to me and said, ‘this is the money we earn from your company and we bought these cars.’ Today, he is boasting that he is going to cultivate 50 hectares of rice, so certainly he is hopeful, he is not nursing fears of his business folding up. You know, I am not afraid of anything. We should make people feel that we are a determined people and food is one of the factors. First, they have attacked us, and second, if we don’t farm we will go hungry so, I am not afraid. Sir, many people say your rice is local and will not patronise it..... (Cuts in) The rice that was supplied to the Aso Villa in 15 trailers was to the credit of Mr. President. He made the order himself and the money was paid. That was the first time because people shy away from the fact that if you buy local food, you are helping somebody in the village, so there is patriotism in you. If you buy yam from the road side, you are helping him, if you go and buy indomie you are helping an Indian because Nigeria has laws, the laws allows for 100 per

If you buy yam from the road side, you are helping him, if you go and buy indomie you are helping an Indian because Nigeria has laws, the laws allows for 100 per cent repatriation of profit cent repatriation of profit. But if you buy yam from somebody by the road side, you have helped him to pay school fees apart from the fact that you have also failed yourself, you have also helped the man. Recently, the minister of agriculture said that Nigerians should patronise locally produced products, but people thought it was just an attempt to publicise local rice but that is not so. And because of ignorance, people say rice must be white, but white rice is not good rice because it has no nutrients. Sir, your efforts at encouraging agriculture in Benue State has attracted international recognition as you earlier talked about collaboration with the US government to boost rice farming. What is the US government doing to sustain this? For the past two years, the American government has done so much to the

Aondoakaa

state through me. In 2011, the American government signed an agreement with my company to train 6000 farmers and 75 per cent of the funding came directly from the American government. I was to convert 30 per cent basically if they came to launch but the basic support came directly from the American government. They later expanded that to Cross River State which I am also a partner. We are hoping to expand to Taraba State next year where I am a partner also. Out of these, our people are moving away from the short grain rice to the long grain rice; they are having new technologies, new methods of application of farm inputs like fertilizer and insecticides, among others. All these are coming from the American government. And this collaboration has been unique and incidentally we got a letter also from the German government to come in next year. So, that alone is helping our people, research is also very important if you want to become a successful rice farmer. What we want Benue farmers to do now is to increase the yield per hectare because of the increasing population of the state. That is why I said that Benue people should make me governor come 2015 because I know what to do to uplift the standard of living of my people.

Pension

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

BUSINESS |PENSION 37

PHCN staff during a protest. Inset: Prof. Chinedu Nebo

AGITATION Aggrieved pensioners of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria vow to continue their demand for better welfare package Sunday Ojeme

he leadership of the National Union of Pensioners (PHCN chapter) has called on its protesting members to shield their swords in order to resolve whatever grievances they have against the union. The union pleaded and assured them that necessarily steps would be taken this month to make sure the issue of entitlement was resolved. Disclosing this to New Telegraph, the spokesman for the factional group, Mr. Olu Ayeni, said a meeting had already been scheduled between the two groups to discuss the matter. He, however, insisted that the agitation would continue until the Federal Government met their demands of improved welfare package and pay-off. Ayeni said, “We were meant to understand that the Accountant-General of Nigeria is the one holding us to ransom as he has been reluctant in releasing our entitlement. What we are saying now is that the accountant general should release our money as we have vowed to continue with our protest if by ending of April and May 2014 nothing is done to effect payment of our entitlement.” He said after the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the retirees were pushed aside and the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company was created to manage the payment of their entitlements. “Ever since inception of NELMCO it has been manipulations, tentative inequitable payment. Contrary to initial agreement with Federal Government, the initial agreement was to improve our welfare and to pay our severance package. Here we are two years after the agreement nothing what so ever was done,” he said. It will be recalled that the aggrieved pensioners had protested within the premises of the NUP Secretariat about a month ago. The tension, which got to a head, was calmed by officers of the Nigeria Police Force who quickly intervened as the elderly pensioners attempted to manhandle some of the

PHCN: Pensioners seek truce with warring faction union executives. New Telegraph gathered that the pensioners were unhappy with the executive over their inability to ensure an improvement in their welfare especially after the Federal Government paid out huge sums as severance package to PHCN workers who were laid off as a result of the privatisation exercise. Although a source among the warring pensioners said the agitation was as a result of inequitable payment of pension, an official of the union said the aggrieved pensioners were asking for an outright payoff, which is not constitutional. The retirees also alleged that the union executive was conniving with the management of the Nigerian Electricity Management Company led by Mr. Samuel Agbogun to deny them due benefits because of what they derived from the Federal Government in the name of overseeing the welfare of the pensioners. Ayeni said there had been series of manipulations by those handling the benefits as some of the retirees who retired on the same grade level earned more than their counterparts. He said, “Let’s take level 6 officers Step 12 as an example, some recently experienced higher payment of pension than other officers who retired the same year in the grade level which is strange. This is exactly one of the manipulations we are complaining about. They claimed to have paid off those who retired from 2004 but as you can see, many among us protesting right here before you today are those who retired before and those that retired before 2004/2005. We are yet to receive a dime of their acclaimed pay off. If those that retired from 2004/2005 were not paid off, what then is the hope of those who retired before then? It is all tricks, manipulation and fraud. “Personally, I have no trust in whatever their plans are about pay off. In April 2012, I attained 45 years and the documents were forwarded to NELMCO to implement my payment from January 2013, while PHCN compensation and benefit were to pay my arrears from April 2012 to December 2012. The

document was forwarded to NELMCOM, ironically, instead of effecting payment from January 2013, they deliberately effected payment from May 2013 leaving behind four months unpaid till date. “Despite letters of complaints to Agbogun substantiated with bank statements nothing was done. Many of us were affected. Mine and many other severance packages were left unpaid. These are the people who have been struggling to pay arrears of pension even though we never experienced tentative and inequitable payment when PHCN was handling our payments.” On the privatisation of PHCN, he said it was highly underestimated and sold to those in charge and the facilities shared among them, stressing that with the sale the Federal Government shouldn’t be struggling to pay off the retirees like it did for the workers. He also alleged that rather than pursue the pensioners’ case, the union leaders chose to conspire with the management of NELMCO to deny them their benefits because of the N1,500 deductions they collect from the pensioners at the end of every month. “I think there is a mix up. Our union is not doing anything to help us. What they are interested in is the deduction of N1,500 from each retiree monthly. The retirees are about 25,000, so you can see how much they make from the deduction. That is why they don’t want us to be paid off so that they can continue with the deduction. They don’t want that to stop,” he added.

We were meant to understand that the Accountant-General of Nigeria is the one holding us to ransom as he has been reluctant in releasing our entitlement

When contacted, the Administrative Assistant to the secretariat, Mr. Anthony Magnus, said the agitation by the retirees was not necessary as their demand for an outright payoff was unconstitutional and unheard of. He said the best thing was for the aggrieved retirees to direct their grievances to the PHCN headquarters in Abuja instead of disrupting activities at the union’s secretariat. According him, the elderly men came to the secretariat and started fighting everybody over a matter that is unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the union. He said, “Their pension is regular. What some of them are asking for is payoff, which is not possible. It is not constitutional. If they are to be paid off, how is it going to be calculated? If you say you should be paid for five years and you end up living for 20 years what is going to happen, and assuming you also live for two years who will bear the brunt? “We have told them that this is not PHCN office. Anybody who wants to protest should go to Abuja. We have always advised them that whatever grievance they have should be peacefully brought before the union executive who will table everything and forward to Abuja. The way they are going about it now won’t yield any result.” Ayeni, however, lamented the fact that the Federal Government rather than take proper care of retirees in the country has resorted to paying delegates at the National Conference N12 million each. According to him, “Imagine those delegates at the Confab going home with N12 million for sitting in Abuja for three months. Also I watched with utter consternation on national television someone accused of spending N20 billoin within two years traveling and for the maintenance of aircraft, while those who served an establishment sensitive as NEPA for 20, 25, 30, 35 years have resorted in wearing sad expression on their faces for people to be sympathetic towards them to be able to feed themselves and their family. I think it all boils down to cupidity.”

BUSINESS | PENSION

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Retirees deserve more from govt –Adeyemi EMPOWERMENT People deserve financial empowerment more than big projects Sunday Ojeme

Lagos-based businessman, Mr. Ayodeji Adeyemi, has called on state governments to work towards improving the welfare of retirees in their domain. He said apart from the monthly stipend which they earned as pension, other means of empowering them financially should be created as done by the Ekiti State government that pays N5,000 monthly to each of the elderly in the state. Adeyemi, who recently declared his interest to contest for a position in the Ondo State House of Assembly under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, reminded those in authority that any money given

out to people as part of social security would certainly end up being spent in the same state. He said, “Now Ekiti is giving out something to retirees and the elderly. They pay N5,000 as social security to this group of people. Don’t forget when you empower people financially the money would also be spent there. I would want the programme in Ekiti extended to Ondo. I will sponsor the bill on making life better for retirees and widows. “When you are offering social security programme, you should also increase people’s level of involvement. You come across people and you easily know that they are detached from the government. Social security brings people closer to the government and also makes them feel a sense of belonging.” He advised leaders to empower people financially instead of scrambling to outdo opponents by putting projects in place which the people cannot directly benefit from. According to him, “Putting projects in place without empowering the people is non-

Adeyemi

sense. If you build recreational places and the indigenes do not have money to visit there it means you are only constructing such projects for the same set of people, who probably had stolen money. “That is why the average white man would protect his country. He would not want his country to collapse because of what he is enjoying from the

government. Over there, they know you have to support the human psyche to elevate it to greater heights. That is why Africa is stagnant. You build projects which the poor cannot make use of. You build good looking schools yet people cannot attend then you say you are developing the state without developing the people.” He also cited the example of Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola’s initiative on feeding school children everyday, saying that the action had increased the population of children in schools in Osun. He said by way of extension it has robbed off positively on other things in the state. At least more children now attend schools and business people or farmers supply the food. Recalling the exploits of the late Obafemi Awolowo in governance, Adeyemi implored leaders to learn how to touch lives. He said, “You will never hear anybody say Obafemi

Awolowo paid my school fees but you will hear people say he made education possible for many. “My intention is to create jobs in my constituency and also take okada riders off the streets. I am from a border community, Constituency 1, Akoko North West LGA. In states, border communities always suffer lack of development. It is inherent on you to give the state a programme. No state presence in my community. There should be something to take the boys off the streets. We need a specialist hospital, no state college of education or a federal polytechnic. “The question is what have those representing the Constituency been using the constituency allowance for? There should be an industrial borehole, not solar powered. It is better to carry your constituents along and let them determine what the allowance should be used for.”

Pension Scam – HoS, 11 others to be re-arraigned May 2

ension Scam – HoS, 11 others to be re-arraigned on May 2 An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, has postponed the re-arraignment of a former Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Kudirat Iyabo Adeleke, and 11 others implicated in a N5.6 billion pension scam. The postponement according to a release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission followed the sudden collapse of one of the defendants, Mr. Oguntayo Banjo, who allegedly had an asthmatic attack when the court was about taking their pleas. The twelve defendants were originally arraigned on November 7, 2013 before Justice Bolaji Yusuf, who was later elevated to the Court of Appeal. Her elevation meant that the trial of the accused persons had to commence de novo. Earlier, counsel to the 5th defendant, I. M Obiachuru, presented an application before the court, objecting to

the re-arraignment of his client and prayed the court to quash the charges preferred against him. However, EFCC counsel, Gbolahan Latona, said the notice of preliminary objection moved by Obiachuru was incompetent and lacked merit. He reminded the court that such an application could only come after arraignment. Justice Gbolagunte upheld his submissions and dismissed the application. The other accused persons who are to be re- arraigned alongside Adeleke are Muili Hakeem Aderemi, former executive secretary, Oyo State Pension Board; Adeduntan Johnson; Oguntayo Banjo, former internal auditor, Oyo State Pension Board; and Kareem Rasheed. Last year, the Oyo State government, through the Chairman of the Board and the Local Government Service Commission, Chief Lasisi Ayankojo, reported a massive fraud of N2.6 billion at the state’s LGSPB.

Commercial Director, Lagos and West Region, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Mr. Dan Frantila (left); presenting the keys to the TATA Truck won by NBC Dealer, Toyin Stores, Alhaja Toyin Ige to Master Temitope Ige, at the incentive Raffle Draw for Distributors, Lagos Region held at the NBC Ikeja Plant, Lagos.. With them is the Commercial Manager, Marina Depot, NBC, Mr. Gbenga Olatunji

New pensions advice will be rudimentary says minister T he quality of new pensions advice that people get when they retire will be "fairly rudimentary", Pensions Minister Steve Webb has admitted. As part of its pension reforms, the government is planning to offer free face-toface advice to people planning

Australia may review pension for retirees overseas

USTRALIANS are paying $100 million every year to thousands of disability pensioners living overseas, prompting concern that taxpayers are financing holiday lifestyles. As the Abbott Government prepares to slash entitlements and introduce a debt tax to rein in the Budget deficit, the Herald Sun can reveal 7313 disability support pensioners are living overseas, costing $99.9 million a year. The most popular destination is Greece, where 1242 live; Turkey has 849.

Another 870 are in New Zealand and 506 are in Croatia. Many also prefer Asian holiday destinations: Thailand (370), the Philippines (457), and Indonesia, including Bali (83), official figures show. Social Service Minister Kevin Andrews said he was seeking clarification on the residency requirements for such pensioners. “It concerns me that some DSP recipients may be choosing to live overseas for lifestyle reasons, at the expense of taxpayers,’’ he said. Andrews said he was also seeking departmental advice on

the case of a Melbourne man in Bali who succeeded in getting his pension restored, arguing that the warm climate helped his back injury. The Federal Government now disallows the pension for those who are overseas for more than six weeks. Until last year, recipients had to visit Australia every 13 weeks to claim the pension. Successive governments have tightened restrictions on the disability pension, and about 1000 fewer people living overseas claim it today than did so 10 years ago.

their retirement. BBC reports that But Webb told a committee of MPs that the guidance provided would be very basic. He said the advice would help "get people to the starting gate". "We are not expecting someone to have a post-doctorate in financial education to deliver this guidance guarantee," he told MPs on the Works and Pensions Select Committee. "It is fairly general. It is fairly broad," he added. The plan to give people free financial advice comes alongside pension reforms, which will give people more freedom over how to spend their retirement savings. We're talking to the Pensions Advisory Service, the Money Advice Service and Citizens Advice to see whether they might play a role” From April 2015, people will be able to take as much money as they like out of their pension pots and will

not be obliged to buy an annuity - an income for life. However, apart from a 25 per cent tax-free lump sum, they will have to pay income tax on any money they withdraw. Webb said the government was still consulting on what the advice would include and who would provide it. "We're talking to the Pensions Advisory Service, the Money Advice Service and Citizens Advice to see whether they might play a role," he said. He said a £20 million fund set up for the purpose would not be used to provide the advice. Instead, it would be the provider of the advice who would pay for it. Mike Thornton, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, said the £20 million fund was "totally inadequate" and suggested there could be an industry levy to fund the service. Steve Webb said that would be a heavy cost, but the option would be considered.

CRIME

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

JULIANA FRANCIS juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Weird methods of women drug traffickers Juliana Francis

or long now, a good number of women have demonstrated the saying that, “what a man can do, woman can do better.” This may not be true in many spheres, but it is slowly becoming the norm in the ongoing drug trafficking business. As each year goes by, many ladies are diving into the criminal world of trafficking illicit drugs. The competition has become stiff, with grandmothers challenging younger women in the trade. Below is the story of women in narcotic business, who were arrested in 2013 by agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Ladies hide drugs in underwear, hair wigs Three ladies were arrested by NDLEA over smuggling of 4.500kg of narcotics, which they hid in under wears and hair wigs. The women were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Two of the suspects who were to board an Egypt airline flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through Cairo were caught with 3.6kg of methamphetamines neatly hidden in customised under wears and hair wigs. Another female suspect who claimed to be three months pregnant, was found to have ingested 900 grammes of a substance, unmindful of the foetus, that tested positive for cocaine. NDLEA Commander at the Abuja Airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, gave the names of the suspects as Anene Blessing Iruoma, 26, Obiakor Maryann Okwudili, 34 and Mbechi Obiageli Susan, 38. According to Hamisu: “Iruoma and Okwudili concealed 1.7kg and 1.90kg of methamphetamine in under wears and hair wigs, while Susan ingested 900 grammes of cocaine. The drugs were detected during routine screening of passengers.” Iruoma was found to be wearing a customised brassier, pants and hair wig all stuffed with substances which tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 1.7kg. Okwudili was apprehended on the same flight with Iruoma. She too concealed 1.90kg of methamphetamine in her under wears. Susan ingested 900 grammes of cocaine and was arrested on her way from Sao-Paulo, Brazil with the aid of scanning machines. Susan later excreted 51 pellets of cocaine weighing 900 grammes. Grandmother held for concealing cocaine in herbal syrup Sixty-five-year-old Hassan Fatimat Abike also known as Chika Okoye was supposed to smuggle the 1.740kg of cocaine, concealed in herbal syrup, to London, but mother luck was not on her side that day. It was not her fist time of going to London and the drug was cleverly packed to avoid detection. It was packed in balloons and inserted in ten

Hassan Fatimat Abike

Anene blessing

Louis Chinel Uchendu

trying to assist an old friend. I blame myself for everything because I should have turned down his request.”

1.800kg wraps of heroin recovered

plastic containers of herbal syrup. The suspect was to board a British Airways flight when officers of the NDLEA arrested her at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA). Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said that the grandmother has two international passports bearing Hassan Fatimat Abike. Her passport numbers are A03348648 and A3771781A. Umar added: “She was caught during the screening of British Airways passengers to London. The cocaine found in her possession was packed in balloons and prepared into the shape Table of Arrests 2012/2013 Year

Male

Female Total

2012

7,510

542

8,052

2013

8,324 519

8,843

of the plastic bottles. It was also wrapped in black polythene inside 10 plastic bottles of local herbal mixtures. Each bottle was neatly sealed to avoid suspicion.” Preliminary investigation revealed that the woman speaks Ibo and Yoruba fluently. Her father is a native of Abeokuta while her mother hails from Owerri, Imo State. She has six children and many grandchildren. She currently lives alone in Owerri and sells clothes to earn a living. The drug found in her bag tested positive for cocaine and weighed 1.740kg. The grandmother said: “I live at Owerri alone because my children are grown up and now have their families. I sell clothes to take care of myself. I met an old friend two weeks ago and during our discussion, I told him I will soon be traveling to London. He asked me to deliver some herbal medicine to his sick relative in London. I was only

Table of Drug Seizures In Kilogramme 2012/2013 Year

Cannabis

2012 2013

Cocaine

Heroin

Others

Total

228,794.13 131.888

211.325

3,905.447

233,699.875

205,373

24.53

134,280.4

339,968

290.2

Woman inserts 66 wraps of narcotics in private part Mande Fatima Bala, 48, was described last year by narcotic agents, as setting a new record in narcotic smuggling in the country. She inserted 66 wraps of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine, weighing one kilogramme in her private parts as she attempted to board a Kenyan Airways flight to Nairobi. According to the agents, no suspect had ever inserted such a large quantity of drugs in their private part since the establishment of NDLEA in 1989. The suspect, who is a graduate of accountancy, was apprehended at the MMIA. The quantity of the drugs was so much that it affected her gait, thus attracting attention of NDLEA official. Unfortunately, nemesis caught up with her when one of the wraps fell on the floor at the screening area as she bent down to pick up her belongings. Upon interrogation and examination, she confessed to the crime, stating that she was asked to swallow the drug, but was scared it could kill her. Preliminary investigation revealed that she lived in Australia for about two years before she was deported in 2010. Umar described the case as shocking, adding: “This is incredible! She was desperate but I’m happy that she was promptly detected. No suspect has ever inserted such a large quantity of drugs in the country. Usually, cases of insertion are not more than 300 grammes. It is amazing!” Bala, who is a widow and mother of three, said it was how to pay school fees that lured her into the criminal act. “It was N45,000 school fees for my child and my landlord who is threatening to eject me by July for not paying my rent that pushed me into drug business. I was instructed to swallow the drugs but I was scared because I had never seen drugs in my life. I used to sell water and drinks after my husband died in an auto accident in 2007. Few years after, I lost everything and could CONT INU E D ON PAGE 40

40 CRIME

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Why mothers embraced illicit trade

The 3rd Eye Nyanya bomb blast: This isn’t a war against Christians

A One of the brazier showing where the drug was hidden

Obiakor Maryann

Fetz Joyce

Some of the parcels of drug wrapped in black polythene

Mbechi Obiageli Susan

Mande Fatima Bala

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

not feed. I studied accountancy, but I have never practiced.” She continued: “I was given the drugs in a hotel. I was afraid of death because I have heard of people dying because of drug ingestion. I decided to insert the wraps on my body. It was difficult because I could not walk normally but I had to try my best to avoid suspicion. I have nobody to take care of my children.” Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said: “Apart from the quantity of drugs caught with her, her route is also a new development in drug trafficking. Drug barons now adopt a relay approach to drug trafficking. They wanted to use her to take the drug to another African country before using an indigene of that country to take the drug to other continent where the profit is higher. We are not oblivious of their moves and we are prepared to nip them in the bud.” Housewife caught smuggling drugs to Spain A Nigerian woman, married to a German was also apprehended for attempting to smuggle 14.400kg of cannabis into a Turkish airline flight heading to Spain. The suspect, Fetz Joyce, 32, was found with drugs by operatives of NDLEA at the MMIA. Umar said: “The parcels of compressed cannabis, weighing 14.400kg were found in her luggage at the baggage checking desk.” Joyce said that she was paying the price of being nice to friends. “I was given the drug by a relative of my friend who resides in Spain. I was only being nice. When they opened and confirmed that it was marijuana, I told the officers that I had no objection because I was only helping my friend. If I had known that I would be arrested, I would have declined taking the luggage for her. She was to collect the bag from me in Spain while I take another flight to Germany.” Grandma conceals drugs in bag handles A 46-year-old woman who imports female shoes and handbags to Nigeria was arrested by the NDLEA for trying to smuggle

The bag containing the herbal mixtures

1.800kg heroin. The suspect was arrested during the screening of passengers on an Iberia flight to Spain on December 31, 2011. The woman, who was travelling with her two-year-old grandson to San Sebastian, Spain allegedly concealed 149 wraps of heroin in the metal handles of her three bags, containing foodstuff and personal effects. The suspect, Mrs. Louis Chinel Uchendu, during interrogation, said that her problem began in 2001 when her husband was killed during a riot in Kano. Her words: “Since my husband was killed in Kano, my life has been in shambles. First, I had to relocate to my village with my daughter and two sons. Later I began to sell female bags and shoes until I travelled to San Sebastian, Spain in 2005. I was doing fine in business, but the medical crisis in my family brought me to this condition. I was paralised for two years and when I recovered, my son developed kidney problem. I also lost my daughter, the mother of my grandson that I was travelling with at the time I was arrested.” Uchendu said that it was in the process

I accepted the offer because of my predicament. My son needs kidney surgery. I know that there is no justification for my action but the health condition of my son forced me into this mess

of looking for sponsor to pay for her son’s surgery that she was recruited to smuggle drugs. “I met a Nigerian in Spain for financial assistance for my son’s medical problem. He told me to bring drugs from Nigeria, that he would give me 2,000 Euros. I accepted the offer because of my predicament. My son needs kidney surgery. I know that there is no justification for my action, but the health condition of my son forced me into this mess. I tried all I could to raise money, but this is how I ended up.” NDLEA spokesman, Mitchel Ofoyeju said: “In 2013, 8,843 persons were investigated in connection with drug trafficking. They include 8,324 males and 519 females. Illicit drugs seized weighed 339,968kg. The breakdown is as follows; cannabis 205,373kg, psychotropic substances 133,920kg, methamphetamine 340.8kg and cocaine 290.2kg. Others are heroin 24.53kg, amphetamine 19.297 and ephedrine 0.28 grammes. “However, in 2012, a total of 8,052 persons comprising of 7,510 males and 542 females were investigated. Drugs weighing 233,699.875kg were also seized from traffickers. The seized drugs include 228,794.13kg of cannabis, 3,905.447kg of psychotropic substances, 461.15kg of ephedrine, 211.325kg of heroin, 176.55kg of methamphetamine, 131.888kg of cocaine and 19.385kg of amphetamine.” The analysis from the tables of arrest and drug seizure shows an increase of 791 arrested persons over that of 2012. While male arrest increased by 814, females reduced by 23. Seized drugs increased by 106,268.125kg over that of 2012. While cocaine and methamphetamine went up by 158.312kg and 164.25kg respectively; cannabis reduced by 23,421.13kg. It is worthy of note that the rise in cocaine seizure is due to the single seizure of 163.5kg made in 2013. The Agency at the Apapa Port command, Lagos recorded a significant seizure of 129,901kg of Toluene, a precursor chemical used for methamphetamine.

re we sad about the Nyanya Abuja, bomb blast, where hundreds, if not thousands of our brothers and sisters were massacred irrespective of religion and ethnicity? Yes! Are we praying that such horror will never visit us again? Yes! Are we sure it won’t happen again? No! It will likely happen again! I’m not a fatalist, but a realist. Even as this pen is flying across these pages, the killers’ swords are being sharpened. They’re preparing another bitter dish, which as usual, will give every one of us, acute indigestion! And, as usual, the killers will sail home, to watch the heartbreaking news on television. They would be the first to visit the vendor’s stand, to gloat over their latest deeds. Cries from the wounded and bereaved gladden their hearts. They’ll listen to politicians make political statements and promises they will forget as soon as the doors of their cars are shut. The solution to curtail further deaths is not unfulfilled promises and vows. The solution is multi-dimensional. But let’s start with the mounting of CCTV at strategic and sensitive areas in the country. Let’s train specialists who will be in charge of monitoring the CCTV. The Nyanya bomber(s) are not ghosts, but a breathing being like you and I. The earlier the government begins to channel money into the right source to prevent further deaths, the sooner we will stop weeping and singing dirges. The Boston bombings show that CCTV has been doing better lately. Using three security cameras in different positions in downtown Boston, and corroborating this footage with contemporaneous photographs, the FBI was able to track Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s movements as they got into position to detonate their bombs. The cameras tracked them as they walked towards the marathon’s finishing line. Footage appears to show one brother putting his backpack on the ground; a photograph taken from the opposite side of the street shows the backpack on the ground at his feet. Boston’s CCTV network has demonstrated its ability to capture an image of the person, or people, who committed the atrocities and piece together what, happened. CCTV can’t stop terrorism, but it can act as deterrence and lead to identification and arrest. A friend of mine on Facebook said: “Anybody that still thinks GEJ is the root of this problem is merely joking. Let me tell you what may happen if GEJ is stampeded out of power. We will face a greater insurgency. It will be better if we approach this war as a collective one. Stop pushing blames and identifying faults.

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FAMILY AFFAIRS Page 41, FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Many men with Hydrocele don’t take it as serious, because it often does not come with any symptom at the initial stage. But study has shown that a Hydrocele really could mean more danger than imagined. In this report, ODUNAYOMI OKE writes on the effects of a Hydrocele on the male gender.

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What men should know about hydrocele

INTRIGUING If the cause of most hydrocele is unknown, then what measures could be taken to prevent it?

What is a hydrocele? hydrocele is a painless buildup of watery fluid around one or both testicles that causes the scrotum or groin area to swell. This swelling may be unsightly and uncomfortable, but it usually is not painful and generally is not dangerous. Although hydroceles are common in newborns, they can also occur at any age in later life.

What causes a hydrocele? The cause of most hydroceles is unknown. Hydroceles in newborns may mean there is an opening between the abdomen and the scrotum. Normally such openings close before birth or shortly after. Hydroceles that appear later in life may be caused by an injury or surgery to the scrotum or groin area. Or they can be caused by inflammation or infection of the epididymis or testicles. In rare cases, hydroceles may occur with cancer of the testicle or the left kidney. This type of hydrocele can occur at any age but is most common in men older than 40.

Herbal treatment balm for Hydrocele

What are the symptoms? Often, a hydrocele does not cause symptoms, but you may notice enlargement of your scrotum. Symptoms, when present, can include; pain, swelling, or redness of the scrotum or a feeling of pressure at the base of the penis. How is a hydrocele diagnosed? A hydrocele is usually diagnosed by an exam of the scrotum, which may appear enlarged. As part of the exam, your doctor will shine a light behind each testicle; this is called transillumination. This is to check for solid masses that may be caused by other problems, such as cancer of the testicle. Hydroceles are filled with fluid, so light will shine through them (transillumination). Light will not pass through solid masses that may be caused by other problems, such as cancer of the testicle. An ultrasound may be used to confirm the diagnosis of a hydrocele. How is it treated? Hydroceles are not usually dangerous and are treated only when they cause pain or embarrassment or when they decrease the blood supply to the penis. Though, that occurs in rare cases. Treatment is not usually needed if a hydrocele does not change in size or gets smaller as the body re-ab-

sorbs the fluid. Hydroceles in men younger than 65, may go away by themselves. But hydroceles in older men do not usually go away. Fluid can also be removed from a hydrocele with a needle; this is called aspiration. But hydroceles that are aspirated often return; and surgery may then be needed. Aspiration is recommended only for men who are not physically able to have surgery because of the risk of infection and recurrence. If the hydrocele gets larger or causes discomfort, surgery to remove the hydrocele (hydro-colectomy) may be needed.

• Hydroceles are painless, soft swellings and may be either present at birth (congenital) or develop later. • A very large majority of hydroceles present at birth resolve spontaneously by one year of age. • Hydroceles that are not congenital or those still present after one year of age generally warrant surgical correction.

Facts about hydrocele • While hydroceles may occur in either gender, they are much more common in males. • A hydrocele is a collection of clear fluid in a thin walled sack present in the scrotum. • Hydroceles may be either one sided or occupy both sides.

• A hydrocele will usually pass light, while a tumor will not, except in the case of a malignancy with reactive hydrocele.

Female children or women may also experience a hydrocele. In this case, the sack and connection exist in the labia majora; the outermost and larger of the two labial structures

THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT HYDROCELE • A hydrocele is not a cancer, hence; it may be treated surgically. • Hydroceles are usually painless as are testicular tumors.

•A related region in females that can have a hydrocele is the canal of Nuck. • A hydrocele can also be the result of a plugged inguinae lymphatic system caused by repeated, chronic infection of Wuchereria bancrofi or Brugia malayi, two mosquito-borne parasites of Africa and Southeast Asia, respectively. As such, the condition would be a part of more diffuse sequelae commonly referred to as elephantiasis, which also affects the lymphatic system in other parts of the body. • Female children or women may also experience a hydrocele. In this case, the sack and connection exist in the labia majora; the outermost and larger of the two labial structures.

42 FamilY AFFAIRS | woman to woman

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Coping with difficult in-laws (1) Odunayomi Oke

or better, for worse, that is what they say, and that was what obtained between Mimi and her spouse. They were together as a couple for just three and a half years, but theirs was a typical case of “Till death do us part.” The couple started to face stiff opposition right from the time Folly’s people discovered Mimi was not from their part of the country. But they did not allow that to stop their love for each other; as they went ahead undeterred. The courtship last for a period of two years, after which representatives were sent from the South-West, to the South-South, to pay Mimi’s dowry. To both of them, that was a welcoming development, as they saw it as a sign of acceptance; after two years of serious dis-approval. But what they did not realise on time, was that; what is behind six, is more than seven. Every day in their home, was always from one in-law problem, to another. And just two years into the marriage, the real trouble reared its ugly head. Folly was rushed to the hospital from work, but two days after being discharged, he began to run temperature, and the next was that he developed a stroke.

By then, they already had a son who was just a year old, and the whole task of nursing the baby, as well as taking care of her sick husband fell on Mimi. Things got so bad; she had to plead with her mother-in-law, to send her husband’s younger sibling who had just graduated from school, to come and assist. But that was turned down, as the mother-in-law insisted it was her duty to be by her husband; for better, for worse. That was how she got saddled with the responsibility of bathing her husband, feeding him, taking him to the hospital for check-up, amongst others; for close to a year. As she was bathing him one day, she noticed he came ‘alive’, and the whole pain was like transferred to his face; as if he was pleading with her to help him release some tension. At that, she allowed nature to take its full course. That, she continued to do each time she noticed he was aroused; both to bond with him, and also to ease him of some pain. Her business suffered during the period, as she devoted more time to taking care of him, because she never left the care of her husband to any outsider. One night, she got a fright. Her husband went into a bad fit, and was rushed to the hospital, but he passed on that same day.

The shock was too much for her to bear, so she fainted. When she came round the following day; she received another rude shock. ‘Madam, considering your pregnant state; and the effect of the news of your husband’s death on your blood pressure, we would advise you to take things easy.’ How the news of her pregnancy got to her in-laws, she did not know, but they warned her not bother to show up at their son’s burial, nor at the house. It got so bad she moved back to her parents’ house, until she completed a section of the house she started building with her husband before he took ill; and moved in there with her son and a younger relation. The in-laws locked up her matrimonial house, and did not allow her pick any of her belongings. They also spread the news of her ‘infidelity’ all around, and many believed it. She could not even convince some of her neigh-

How the news of her pregnancy got to her in-laws, she did not know

bours and Church members, so she bore the shame; while trusting God for vindication. About six month after, she gave birth to a boy. He was a splitting image of the father, and just as the news of the pregnancy spread round, that also went round with speed. The boy was about six month when the mother-inlaw finally got the courage to visit. When she saw the boy, she could not help the tears, and she wept uncontrollably. As she held the baby to her bosom, her eyes went to a mark on the boy’s neck. It was exactly like the mark on the father’s neck, she wept some more, and praised the woman for her courage, and love for her late son. This woman, who I called Mimi in this story, went through un- imaginable torture in the hands of her in-laws, during their courtship, in marriage, while her husband was sick, and even more; after his death. But like she said, God gave her strength to bear it all, and cope with the situation while it last. As a family woman, how are you coping with your difficult in-laws? Be free to send us your story, as we continue on this topic next week. Till then, strive to be a woman of an exemplary character; both in your home, and to your inlaws.

Watch out! IT’S NEW, IT’S EXCITING, IT’S HERE AT LAST!!! l Is your family a happy one? l Have you been together as a Family for a decade or more? l Is your Family the envy of friends and people around you? l Are you proud of your family, wanting yours to be an inspiration for others to stay strong? lDo you have a good (award winning) family photograph, recently taken? Then, you could be the winning family for this year 2014. To participate, simply send your family photograph, which must be SHARP, BOLD, and PRESS READY; to odunayomitide2010@gmail.com NOTE: Entries will be treated on first come, first served basis, while quality of photograph is a major– criteria for selection. To qualify as a weekly, monthly or overall winner, you must encourage your family and friends to vote for you by texting to a shortcode to be provided soon. The entry with the highest number of votes takes the prize. Voting starts immediately on days of publication (Fridays) and ends 10:00 pm on Tuesdays. Prizes to be won at the different levels are cool, while the overall prize is fantastic.

FamilY AFFAIRS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Eight things women do not know about men and sex With Christianah Akindolie 081666555271 (sms only)

ASTONISHING The idea that men are ever-ready, ever-willing is actually not true. It may be true at 18, but things change once they have responsibilities. Odunayomi Oke lMEN CAN, AND DO FAKE ORGASMS In the case study that inspired his book on men and sex, one man went to him, complaining that he did not know how to stop faking orgasms with his girlfriend. He had not been able to climax during intercourse for most of his life, but since he really cared about his new girlfriend, he had resorted to faking it so that she would not get offended. Shocked? He is not the only one; many men said they have faked it in their lives. lA MALE ORGASM DOES NOT ALWAYS COME WITH EVIDENCE Seriously! In some cases, men can actually orgasm without ejaculating. In some men with diabetes, the opening to the bladder doesn't close well, and the fluid can go back into the bladder (it is released when they urinate after sex). Another slightly more common example is older men who have had a radical prostatectomy. Although he is not totally sure about this one, people who practice tantric sex often believe that men can experience an orgasm without ejaculating. lTHEY FAKE IT FOR THE SAME REASONS WOMEN FAKE IT According to most of the men he has treated, the primary reason for faking it was because it just was not going to happen for them during sex (which is also one of the reasons women fake orgasms). Maybe he has had too much drink, he is feeling anxious, or he is on medications for anxiety or depression that make it harder to orgasm. That is almost the same as what happens with women. It is a way of saying to their partner that they still did a good job, everything is fine, and it is enough for now. Essentially, both genders fake it for pretty unselfish reasons. Though, it does not make it the best idea. lYOUNGER MEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ERECTIONS, TOO It's not just the over 40 crowd that is seeking sex therapy and little blue pills, even young men, have a lot of sexual issues. This is not rare by any means, and it is not just erectile problems that they are suffering, but premature ejaculation affects about 20 percent of all men, irrespective of age. lMEN ARE OFTEN MORE FOCUSED ON YOUR PLEASURE THAN THEIR OWN There is a myth that guys can be a little selfish in the bedroom, but from the cases Morgentaler has seen in his practice, it is quite the opposite. Men, like women, are often more concerned with pleasing their partner. As soon as a man has any kind of feelings for a partner, even on the level of wanting her to like him, his own satisfac-

PHOTO:Courtesy huffingtonpost.com

tion gets shifted to wanting to be good in her eyes. One of his favorite examples of this is a patient who is a paraplegic and was finally able to have sex with his wife with the help of penile injections. He was thrilled and told him he felt like a man again. But remember, he couldn't feel any of this sensation himself. That story is really about what it meant to him to be a sexual provider. The thing is, firmness does nothing for a guy's sensitivity or orgasm, it is just the level of stiffness they are able to provide their partner. Meaning, it is not about the guy; but about who he is trying to be for his partner. lMEN ARE NOT ALWAYS IN THE MOOD We think it is normal when we are not in the mood because we are stressed or bloated, but for some reason we assume guys are immune to stuff like this. The thing is, they are not. So if he is not really feeling like it tonight, don't freak out; it is totally normal for guys to pass on sex every now and then. lSOME MEN ARE INCREDIBLY SENSITIVE ABOUT THEIR SEXUAL PERFORMANCE Again, we are not all that different, right? But, some men’s sexual dysfunction could be traced all the way back to a single negative comment or bad experience. From buff, tough men breaking down in his office to guys who are devastated when they find out their wife faked an orgasm. These cases have shown him that some men's confidence and masculinity is deeply rooted in how they see themselves through the eyes of their sexual partners. Obviously this does not mean you should lie to a guy about being amazing in bed (you wouldn't want someone doing that to you, either!) If women want to know the single best thing to keep a relationship positive, I say that if a guy has done something good for you sexually, let him know. Even a simple 'that was great,' will do wonders. lYOU MAY HAVE A HIGHER LIBIDO THAN HIM We are in the midst of a major sexual shift. Women today are more sexually liberated and more comfortable asking for exactly what they want in bed, which is an overwhelmingly positive thing. But interestingly, it is resulting in way more business for physicians. Guys are just as familiar with the stereotype that they should have the higher libidos, though that does not make it true. What i am seeing much more now are men who come in and describe a relationship where their partner wants to have sex a lot more than they do. It is not that their desire is so low; it is just that some women have a stronger libido. That has probably always been true, but culturally they were not expressing it as much as they do now. As a matter fact, more men ask for help "keeping up" with the libidos of the women they are dating. By no means are we suggesting that women should have lower libidos or ever feel embarrassed about their desire. Instead, it seems that both genders are going to have to accept that mismatched libidos (in either direction) are a totally natural thing, and we may start to see it becoming more prevalent. • Culled from women's health

Communication in marriage I

recently watched an hour DVD featuring a workshop session titled Communication 101 by Gary Chapman, a renowned writer of Five Languages of Love. Watching this interesting video spurred me into writing this article. One particular activity Gary instructed the couples to carry out during the workshop really kept me thinking. He asked each couple to speak to one another on three things that happened to them that day. After several minutes of talking, Gary asked how the couples felt after talking; the response was all smiles. Then I asked myself, how many couples have time to discuss what took place at their workplace, shop, school and others with their spouses? Words such as “Good evening” or “Goodnight” are common greetings amongst couples. Next morning; it is “Good morning”. The communication goes a little further, “Please try to purchase fuel for the generator on your way home, or “Please pick our clothes at the drycleaners”. Most couples leave home at 5:30 a.m. to get back at 8:00p.m. While waiting for dinner, daddy watches a football match (Arsenal and Manchester United) or grabs one of the National Dailies to catch up with some news. Mummy is busy in the kitchen cooking dinner. Dinner is served, everyone retires to bed. Many couples go on for days without talking to each other. Everyone is involved in busy schedules, we simply communicate on those things necessary for carrying on the daily routine. They gradually fall apart emotionally. According to Gary Chapman, “Every couple needs a daily time when they can look into each other’s eye. This kind of quality time spent daily is one of the most fundamental exercises a couple can do to enhance intimacy in a marriage relationship.” Pastor Bimbo Odukoya of blessed memory in her book titled “Marriage – Real people, Real problems, Real Solutions tells a pathetic story of how a couple lost their ailing daughter due to a breakdown in communication. According to her “When communication in any relationship breaks down, the very chords that hold the relationship together start to unravel”. As soon as negative emotions such as malice, lack of forgiveness, and bitterness get into a home, the devil has a free ticket to enter. The bible says we should never let the sun go down on our wrath, all differences must be settled before going to bed. Divorce cases have risen to an alarming rate. Research has shown that one of the highest causes of divorce is LACK OF COMMUNICATION amongst couples.

- To reach an understanding of one another - To develop true intimacy with each other - To avoid keeping secrets Since communication is a two-way street, it cannot take place when you are angry, proud, defensive, not listening or domineering. Lack of good eye contact, negative facial gestures, and fear of the other person, pouting (i.e. having your lips stuck out and showing negative thoughts going through your mind can distort communication.

COMMUNICATION IS VITAL You need to always communicate with your companion. Conversation fills many needs such as:- To be connected to one another - To discover and learn new things about each other - To have feelings and thoughts heard and respected - To sort through issues and problems - To discuss and explore solutions

BEST TIME TO COMMUNICATE Discover your best time to communicate! It could be in the early hours of the morning or just before you go to bed each night. It’s impossible to fall asleep angry when you’ve just held hands together in God’s presence. Grab every opportunity to talk – in the car, even in the kitchen! I am very sure many wives will prefer having their husbands sit and talk with them while preparing lunch or dinner, than watching a football match!

NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT? Take a few minutes and reflect back to your dating years. Did you have times when you had nothing to say to one another? I don’t think so. Time was not even enough for that. When a couple reaches a point of not having anything to say, their marriage is in serious trouble. People don’t marry someone they cannot converse with. A good conversation is when you both contribute to the conversation. Contribution ought not to be one-sided. When you are having a good conversation with your spouse, you are both giving each other undivided attention. Imagine couples who have been together for eight hours and all they ask is “How was work today? “Fine”! Was it really fine? What about the row your hubby had with his boss at work today? Don’t you think you need to know about it? Or how about what your wife went through on her way to get some groceries for the family. You need to know the details! Terry Northcuh observed that most couples engage in meaningful conversation of less than fifteen minutes per week. Hints on what you can talk about! - You can talk about your hobbies and other interest. - You can share your childhood memories with your spouse and have a good laugh. - Your dreams and aspirations for the future e.g. things you would like to experience and places you would like to go. - Plans for a future trip together - Something you learnt during the day at work or something you did differently or new that day. - Your thoughts and feelings about the day e.g. what made you happy or angry. - Ask questions such as “Have you ever”, “Do you believe”, “What if?” Though your finances, the news, kids, jobs, money, household chores, health issues, in-laws, friends are all important topics to talk about, don’t let them be the main focus of your conversation with each other.

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“On the Day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done, and all the evil he has done, he will wish that there were a great distance between him and his evil.” ( Surat Al-Imran, Verse 30)

MAY 2, 2014

Ecclesiastical Court: Grant Christians their demands, MURIC charges Confab HARMONY MURIC has appealed to Muslims and Christians to see each other as partners in progress Adeola Yusuf

he Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC) has called on the leadership of the on-going National Conference to grant the requests of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the establishment of ecclesiastical Courts throughout Nigeria. The group, which stated this through a press statement by its Director, Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola, maintained that it is pertinent to note that this is the first time CAN has openly made such demands. “We welcome these demands as they indicate a positive response to requests from the secretariat of the national conference and the call made by President Jonathan for all aggrieved and neutral groups to present their cases and requests. The latest submissions by CAN will no doubt move the dialogue machinery forward. “We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) have always asked Christians in the country to tell Nigerians what they wanted instead of always opposing what the Muslims want. It is our belief that if all stakeholders in the Nigerian project openly make their demands, the task of harmonizing our interests will become easier. We believe that

demands which fall within the fundamental human rights of each group should be granted while no group should stand in the way of another so long as a group’s demand does not encroach on others’ rights. All groups should respect the ‘Live and Let Live’ golden rule,” the group said. According to Akintola, it is in this respect that “we are asking the national conference to approve CAN’s requests. We are not unaware the existing courts in the country which use common law are Christian courts. Even British Prime Minister David Cameron affirmed last week that Britain is a Christian country.” MURIC continued: “Yet unlike the hostile stand of CAN when Muslims demanded

Shariah law, Islamic banking, etc, Muslims are prepared to tolerate Christian courts so long as the latter will serve Christians only and no Muslim will be brought before them. This was also the argument of Muslims when they made demands but our Christian neighbours defied logic when they opposed it. “MURIC appeals to Christians in the country to see their Muslim compatriots as partners in progress. Can is also advised to change its mindset regarding the national conference as it is obvious that its delegates came to the conference singing war songs. CAN has a perception complex whereas negotiations and dialogues require openmindedness to succeed.

L-R: Chairman, Aiyepe Muslim Community, Alhaji Musibau Oyefese; Sultan of Sokoto/President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar ; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his Osun counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and Chairman, Odogbolu Local Government, Ahmed Wale Shittu, during the formal commissioning of the biggest mosque in South West, at the New Aiyepe Central Mosque, Ijebu Aiyepe, Ogun State

Cleric alerts parents on growing lesbianism traits among wards Muritala Ayinla

he Chief Imam at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque and former aide to the Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Kosoko has called on parents to pay special attention to their wards to prevent them from developing traits of lesbianism. The cleric who said the existence of human race is constantly threatened by the ideology of gay marriage advocates, said in addition to the prohibition of the alien culture by the Federal Government, parents must also contribute their quotas by ensuring that children do not expose to such culture.

“An example is the avoidable controversy started by CAN’s false claim that Muslims in the committee on religions were 12 while Christians were 8, making the total 20 members. It is gratifying that the secretariat of the national conference has debunked the claim. According to the secretariat in a statement issued on Wednesday 23rd April, 2014, Muslims are 11 while Christians are 10. “MURIC is constrained to assert that although the secretariat was right on the total number of members of the committee (21), it erred regarding the number of Christians and Muslims. It is Christians who have the higher number of 11 while Muslims have the lower number of 10.”

Speaking at a seminar organised for the Muslim couples and singles by the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Imam Kosoko charged the parents to develop special interest in the attributes exhibited by their children with a view to knowing the kind of information they are exposed to. He said: “Whenever you see a male child longing for clothes that are meant for a female child or a female child who prefers to wear cloth meant for the male child, then, there is a problem somewhere. These are part of the things we need to pay attention to Allah (SWT) wants us to look after them properly. The gay mar-

riage is threat to our existence. Our existence as human race has never been this threatened. By the time we all die, that means there will not be human being on the surface of the earth again.” Imam Kosoko urged Nigerians to go back to the Islamic and African values which are in consonance with the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammed, saying such values are more rewarding than the foreign culture imposed on them by the colonial masters. “Our values are taking away from us. We need to continuously realise that that values, culture and traditions are

part of us. Somebody cannot just come and say my culture is archaic. The culture which they are giving us is animalistic. It is animal that doesn’t respect their parents. “They themselves are adopting our values in their own ways of life. For instance, the international football star, Steve Gerard still stay with his mum despite his wealth, the queen’s family in England stay together,” he added. On her part, the Chairperson of Woman Sub-Committee of the mosque, Alhaja Sekinat Kazeem, said the seminar was organised annually for Muslim singles and couples in order to build and sustain true Islamic homes that is devoid of hatred and disharmony. “As you all know, call to Islamic understanding is an ordained assignment by Allah in order to ensure a peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the faithful Muslims,” she said.

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH Repentance: The only Way out of Hardships All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. May His blessings and benedictions be upon the Messenger, his household and companions. Fellow Muslims! Fear Allah and hold fast unto Islam. That is the most trustworthy handhold. It is the fear of Allah that sets the matters of one’s life and Hereafter right. Know also that Allah’s Sunnah ( His rules on His creatures) in this universe never changes. Allah says, “No change will you find in Allah’s Sunnah (way of dealing) and no turning off will you find in Allah’s Sunnah.” (Surah Faatir 35:43) It is in the Sunnah of Allah and His rules that whoever sows good will harvest good and that whoever sows evil will harvest evil. He says, “Whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom shall see it.” (Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:7-8) It is a rule of Allah over His creatures that whoever takes the way that leads to the success of his life of this world and its pleasure shall attain whatever Allah has destined for him of this world and whoever takes the way that leads to the success of his hereafter and the Paradise, Allah will make him reach his goal. Also, whoever takes the way that leads to the success of both this world and the Hereafter, obeys Allah and abstain from sins, he will attain the success of this both world and the Hereafter. Allah says, “Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected (far away from Allah’s Mercy). And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it, then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated. On each –these as well as those- We bestow from the Bounties of your Lord. And the Bounties of your Lord can never be forbidden.” (Surah AlIsraa’ 17:18-20) It is also of the rule of Allah to test His slaves with the good and evil. He says, “We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned.” (Surah AlAnbiyaa’ 21:35) As for the Muslim, whenever any good affects him he knows that it is a favour from his Lord, for he knows that he deserves nothing from Allah by right and this belief will make him thank his Lord and praise Him. Also, if any evil afflicts him he perseveres and seeks the reward of his Lord, TO BE CO NTINUED

METRO 45

May 2, 2014

r crushes, kills LAWMA cleaner

working ate Waste Authored after a gs on the a, Lagos

ntified as

Kikelomo Bamidele, was cleaning the expressway when the tanker carrying fuel, rammed into her and crushed her legs. The accident occurred on Wednesday. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident, identified the tanker

driver as Ubale Mohammed from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. She said: “The driver lost control and crushed Bamidele’s legs. The tanker also hit one Mercedes Benz C300 with registration number KSF 800 AZ. The Benz car was driven by a lady, identified as Olutiti

Ekumola. “Bamidele was rushed to Lagos State Accident and Emergency Unit where she later died. The corpse has been deposited at Mainland Hospital mortuary for autopsy. The incident is under investigation at Ojodu Division.”

embassies wage war on visa scam

Corrupt Related n (ICPC) h foreign reduce y. Mr Ekpo s while CommisR. Ghad it was ined arvisories. the last sons for rtaining mission. rding to to court xplained menced am two vitation mbassy. igations itations he ICPC

also colistry of ks on the civil serams had

L-R: Ghanashyam, Executive Secretary, ICPC, Elvis Oglafa and Nta during the visit

He said: “We are going to organise a public sensitisation workshop and we will invite all embassies and trading communities to educate them on the issues involved in securing travel documents.” The ICPC chairman said that in the course of investigations, 325 international passports were seized from various visa agents. Nta, therefore, called on Nigerians whose passports were seized to come to ICPC to collect them. To enhance good business ethics, he told Ghanashyam that

ICPC had, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, prepared a draft National Policy on Integrity and Ethics which “is being vetted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation”. Earlier, Ghanashyam commended ICPC for helping his High Commission in the challenges over visa scams. He said that the High Commis-

Christian body praises C&S youth programme

ng-rape T girl

apists lured their m to the hotel on retext that one of , who was said to r boyfriend, was rating his birth-

was, however, t that the suswhose ages e between 22 and corded the sexual course on video ey took turns to her. ejobi told our

Samuel Inyang

correspondent that the police command had begun investigation into the matter. The PPRO said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, adding that they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.

sion recently introduced online application so that applicants would no longer need to go through third parties to apply for Indian visa henceforth. The High Commissioner advised applicants intending to go to India for medical, business and educational reasons to be factual and seek consular assistance when in doubt.

he World Christian Association, Chamber of all Churches, has commended the Children Ministry of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Ayo Ni O, Surelere District, for organising a teachers’ re-orientation training and rededication programmes for the youth. The association’s spokesman, Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin, gave the commendation in a statement. According to him, the General Leader of the church, Prophet G. O. Fakeye, who spoke at the training, said the children ministry was designed as an “engaging ministry of Angels” aimed at ensuring the spiritual growth of the youth. Also speaking on the programme, the Shepherd of the Children Ministry, Rev. T. She-

banjo, said the best “time to lay the foundation of true message of salvation is in the early years”. The church, according to him, is fully committed to this. He said: “God’s design is to worship Him with our whole heart and lives. These are actually the spiritual habits that we can build in our children and their lives; the regular habits of reading the Holy Bible, fearing God and obeying God.” Also speaking, Apostle Kunle Agboola said he regarded “children as our infrastructural development and employment generation”. “We appreciated our loving mothers: Special M.I.I. Ajike, Special M.I.I Pro G.A. Fakeye, Special M.I.I Pro Lara Oyeyemi for the counsel, support, care and for making our children growing in the Lord Jesus,” the statement reads in part.

Group offers elderly, pupils free medical treatment Taiwo Jimoh

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Society for Love and Social Justice (SLSJ), has provided succour to the residents of Ebute-Meta and its environs. About 200 elders and 20 school children benefited from the group’s free medical treatment. A 78-year-old Mutairu Owolabi, who has suffered stroke and diabetes for about four years, was among the beneficiaries. Owolabi was full of praises for the leadership of the organisation. He said: “If not for the benevolence of the president of the group, who doubles as the medical doctor in charge of the hospital where we are being treated most elders in this community would have died. “We could not afford the bill given to us at other private hospital in the community. But when his group came, it came as a relief to us. “Out of the group’s generosity, we are given free drugs and a token of N200 every month.” Another beneficiary, Madam Sidikatu Ishola (62), battling with high blood pressure, was also treated free. Ishola said that scores of people had been treated free, while those outside our community also benefited from the gesture. The President, SLSJ, Dr Adeola Olusodo, said one of cardinal principles of the organisation was

Doctor attending to a beneficiary

based on “Ziqunm Olam,” meaning correcting the world. He said: “What we are doing basically is that every of our action is geared towards correcting the world. “If you look at Nigeria and the world today there is need for correction and I believe it can only be done when there is social justice. “What we are preaching is that thereshouldbeequalrightandjustice foreverybodyirrespectiveof thatperson’s background. Everybody must be given equal opportunity to develop and access what is available for them from the government.” Olusodo also called on Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper and give to the less-privileged in society. “We attach love to what we are doing because it is only through love we can care for one another,” he added.

Pa Ayorinde for burial

ites of passage for Chief Ladimeji Adebiyi Ayorinde JP commenced yesterday with a Christian wake keep at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State. Funeral service and thanksgiving come up today at the Christ Church, Mapo, Ibadan at 10am while interment follows immediately at the church cemetery, Eleta, Iletitun, Ibadan. Entertainment of guests follows at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado, Ibadan. Ayorinde, the patriarch of the Laala Ayorinde dynasty, died on January 13 at the age of 85. The Bobajiro Olubadan of Ibadanland was the first officer in West Africa in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ibadan, to take over responsibility for the fertiliser programme in Western State from a Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) expert in 1969. The deceased was the founding national president, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union of Nigeria (AAWUN).

He was also the former president of Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) of Ibadan and the longest serving president of YMCA, Mapo Church, Ibadan. The late Ayorinde is survived by many children and grandchildren among whom are Rev. Abodunrin Ayorinde, Yetunde Ayorinde, Yemi Ayorinde, Pastor Abioye Ayorinde of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Mrs Funmi James and Lekan Ayorinde.

The late Ayorinde

46 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

30-Apr-14

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

45.00 100.00 535.00 435.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 75.00 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

0.16 0.41 0.98 2.30 2.99 3.24 3.34 4.08 5.16 5.48 7.75 9.87 14.58 15.06 15.56 16.23

10.72 11.33 12.21 13.00 13.05 12.99 12.99 12.98 13.06 12.98 13.03 13.09 13.29 13.31 13.34 13.43

9.82 10.95 11.62 12.92 12.99 12.86 12.87 12.88 12.98 12.89 12.98 13.04 13.25 13.27 13.28 13.38

99.70 99.15 92.62 100.05 104.95 91.87 90.37 92.91 110.75 77.04 116.00 106.00 110.87 94.67 68.57 77.50

99.85 99.30 93.12 100.20 105.10 92.17 90.67 93.21 111.05 77.34 116.30 106.30 111.17 94.97 68.87 77.80

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,264.84 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

0.50 1.07 1.55 2.61 2.97 3.18

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00

12.52 14.90 14.80 14.90 14.47 13.99

94.11 85.79 103.41 93.30 90.28 88.82

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

0.27 0.46 1.34 0.94 1.24 1.24 2.97 1.80 3.67 2.64 4.43 2.65 2.65 3.23 3.29 5.56 3.26 3.97 6.58 6.67 3.98 4.01

4.88 5.99 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 7.60 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 2.46 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

15.80 17.40 16.85 15.38 16.82 15.84 18.57 20.26 14.78 14.71 13.98 13.91 14.12 13.99 15.45 14.92 15.73 15.72 13.98 14.92 14.42 14.93

99.40 98.51 94.93 98.27 97.09 99.99 81.07 90.59 97.81 98.64 100.02 101.42 111.21 101.33 100.22 98.42 97.68 97.30 97.95 100.27 108.08 107.75

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

0.44 0.64 0.67 0.82 0.90 0.98 2.42 2.49 3.42 2.04 2.19 2.36 2.36 4.40 2.47 2.55 6.54

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 3.06 2.29 6.11 2.76

12.36 16.92 20.47 16.85 13.09 14.83 13.86 14.21 17.51 14.65 16.29 18.04 17.90 16.04 15.16 19.00 15.74

99.61 97.97 97.84 95.06 99.28 99.66 98.26 100.07 88.73 106.90 99.63 100.19 101.93 93.68 101.21 96.49 98.02

11-Feb-18

3.79

1.00

13.99

89.12

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

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

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00 5.00 5.00 5.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

572.90

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR Aa/Agusto Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto A/GCR BBB-/GCR BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR 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)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.23

5.08

108.51

109.42

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.45

4.25

102.53

103.31

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.69

5.56

104.87

105.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

Corporate Eurobonds AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.79

3.22

112.85

113.89

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.28

4.46

104.24

105.85

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.14

5.89

99.46

100.43

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.08

6.68

100.48

101.61

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.22

7.70

95.48

97.20

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.26

4.58

113.65

115.02

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.29

6.13

99.84

100.50

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.13

6.70

104.04

105.64

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.59

6.32

100.13

101.18

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

ACCESS BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 15 22 29 36 50 57

FIXINGS Maturity 8-May-14 15-May-14 22-May-14 29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.05 10.15 10.15 10.15 10.15 10.65 10.45

Offer Discount (%) 9.80 9.90 9.90 9.90 9.90 10.40 10.20

Bid Yield (%) 10.07 10.19 10.21 10.23 10.25 10.81 10.62

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.5417 12.4844 13.2176 14.2554

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

10.50

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

160.57 160.87 161.13 161.70 162.85

160.67 161.14 161.50 162.41 164.18

O/N Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 10.25

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

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

9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 75.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

Sanctity of Truth

Description

Issuer

12.87 12.88 12.98 12.89 12.98 13.04 13.25 13.27 13.28 13.38

90.37 92.91 110.75 77.04 116.00 106.00 110.87 94.67 68.57 77.50

90.67 93.21 111.05 77.34 116.30 106.30 111.17 94.97 68.87 77.80

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Analyst tasks investors on undervalued stocks Agency Bonds

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

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

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

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Expert highlights the benefits of underrated stocks

Stories by Chris Ugwu

he Managing Director, Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze, has enjoined local investors to leverage on the opportunities offered by some compaTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE nies whose stocks are grossly Corporate Bonds undervalued and take investA+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO ment position. Aa/Agusto GTB NilEze, who statedNGC this in a Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC chat with New Telegraph, said A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS the Nigeria Stock market is a BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS goldmine yearningNAHCO to be fully A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto tapped. FSDH A/GCR UBA fundaHe noted that the BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING mentals of the market are very BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA strong, adding it is eviA-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR that *TOWER AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR denced in the fact that the re*TOWER A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA of most turns on investments Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA ofBBB-/DataPro†; the companies quoted on BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS the NSE remain one of the best A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO inTOTAL the OUTSTANDING emerging market, yet VALUE most of the country’s stocks Supranational Bond are still grossly undervalued. AAA/S&P IFC µ

# #

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

KWARA 5-AUG-2014 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 IMO 30-JUN-2016 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 EDO 31-DEC-2017 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 DG, NSE, Oscar Onyema 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

Eze linked speculative trading that has lingered in the Nigerian capital market to the dominance of foreign investors. He noted that the present state of the market showed “foreigners are not exiting per say rather what is happening is that they are taking away the profits, which they have made both in the equities and the bonds markets. The expert said that it was noticeable this time around 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

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

0.50 1.07 1.55 2.61 2.97 3.18

Bank of Nigeria HoldFported ings Plc (FBNH) has rea 21 per cent decline in

irst 1,304.32

because they have devised a systematic approach to their attitude towards it. “They now do short-term profit taking instead of what used to obtain in the past where they leave their funds in the system for a longer period of time because of probably the fact that the longer the more money, but now that the market has crashed. If they stay long they may end up losing their money,” he said. Eze noted that the issue of foreigners coming into the market and exiting at would always be a big issue since the Nigerian capital market crash of 2008. 07-Oct-11 11.50 “Now under a normal mar18-Dec-09 13.50 01-Apr-10 ket situation, there17.00 has to be 17-Aug-10 10.00 a level playing field provided 09-Dec-10 12.00 by proper and distinct 06-Jan-11 14.00 regulation 29-Sep-11 where participants are at 13.00 25-Oct-13 liberty to enter and 14.25 exit at will. 30-Sep-10 13.00 So, the fact that foreign inves30-Nov-12 18.00 tors are leaving the 16.00 equity and 09-Apr-11 bond09-Sep-11 markets should not really 18.00 09-Sep-11 16.00 be an issue because a proper22-Sep-11 14.00 ly regulated market like ours 18-Oct-13 15.75 should make provision for free 17-Feb-12 17.00 entry and free exit 15.25 points, de14-Nov-13 pending on the discretion of the investor, in this case the foreign investor. 10.20 11-Feb-13

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

05-Aug-14 profit before tax for the 0.27 first 15-Oct-14 0.46 quarter ended March 31, 1.34 2014. 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 0.94 to The report submitted 30-Jun-16 1.24 the Nigerian Stock Exchange 30-Jun-16 1.24 (NSE) showed that the com19-Apr-17 2.97 pany’s profit before tax fell 30-Jun-17 1.80 to 31-Dec-17 3.67 N24.779 billion from N31.409 30-Sep-18 2.64 billion. 04-Oct-18 4.43 Similarly,09-Dec-18 profit after2.65tax 12-Dec-18 2.65 declined 13 per cent to N21.555 14-Feb-19 3.23 billion from N24.691billion, 02-Oct-19 3.29 while gross earnings increased 22-Nov-19 5.56 slightly by12-Dec-19 6.4 per cent 3.26 to 30-Sep-20 3.97 N81.479 billion N76.570 billion 27-Nov-20 6.58 in the first quarter of 2013. 31-Dec-20 6.67 FBNH had proposed a divi31-Dec-20 3.98 dend payout06-Jan-21 of N1.10 per share 4.01 to its shareholders during the 572.90 financial year ended December 31, 2013.07-Oct-14 11.80 0.44 contained on0.64the 13.17This was18-Dec-14 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.67rebank’s audited financial 15.00 17-Aug-15 0.82 sults for the year ended De37.50 09-Dec-15 0.90 cember 31, 2013 presented 1.50 06-Jan-16 0.98 to the NSE. 29-Sep-16 15.00 2.42 5.53 A cursory 25-Oct-16 2.49 look through the 20.00 30-Sep-17 numbers showed a 7 per3.42 cent 0.94 30-Nov-17 2.04 growth in gross earnings2.19 year 8.01 09-Apr-18 on N370.2 billion 3.63 year, from 09-Sep-18 2.36 in 1.00 09-Sep-18 2012 to N395.9 billion in 2.36 2013, 35.00 4.40 while net 22-Sep-18 interest income 3.00 18-Oct-18 2.47 stood at N230.1 billion, up by 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.55 1.5 per cent year-on-year from 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.54 N226.6 billion recorded in 2012. 175.67 Non-interest income was down by 9.311-Feb-18 per cent to N67.0 12.00 3.79

12.00

estle Nigeria Plc has reRating/Agency Issuer corded a post-tax profit of FGN Eurobonds N6.004 billion for its first quarter 2104 report compared BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P with N5.995 billion in the same BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P of 2013. period BB-/Fitch; The beverage maker also BB-/S&P declared a pre-tax profit of TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE N7.071 billion compared with Corporate Eurobonds N7.053 billion, while revenue B-/S&P; at B/Fitch AFREN PLC stood N33.425 billion inI as GTBANK PLC I against N30.696 billion reportB+/S&P; B+/Fitch GTBANK ed in the same period of PLC 2013; B+/S&P BANK PLC indicating a growthACCESS in revenue FIDELITY BANK PLC ofB/S&P; 8.9 B/Fitch percent. B/Fitch AFREN PLC

Nestle records N6b Q1 post-tax profit Description

Issue Date

The Managing Director of Nestle Nigeria Plc, 6.75 JAN 28, Dharnesh 2021 Gordhon, had during a prod5.13 JUL 12, 2018 uct launch said that the current business in 6.38environment JUL 12, 2023 Nigeria requires an intense focus to maintain competitive edge in the market. 11.50 FEBnecessitated 01, 2016 This, he noted, 7.50 MAYof 19, the 2016 Maggi the introduction 6.00 NOV Chicken cube as 08, a 2018 brand ex7.25 JUL 25, 2017 tension of its Maggi range of 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 seasoning. 10.25 APR 08, 2019

Coupon (%)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

FBN Holdings Q1 profit drops 21%

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

Maturity Date

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

12.99 12.98 13.06 12.98 13.03 13.09 13.29 13.31 13.34 13.43

4,264.84

Friday,Rating/Agency May 2, 2014

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

3.34 4.08 5.16 5.48 7.75 9.87 14.58 15.06 15.56 16.23

Issue Value ($'mm)

Gordhon said that the company07-Oct-11 guided by its6.75 strategic roadmap, has always consid5.13 ered18-Dec-09 how it could work smarter to01-Apr-10 deliver its promise to be 6.38 the leader in nutrition, health and wellness. He said that the company 01-Feb-11 needs to challenge11.50 its estab19-May-11 7.50 “that is lished norms, noting why08-Nov-13 we rethink our6.00business 25-Jul-12 7.25 models and find new ways to 09-May-13 6.88 differentiate our products and 08-Apr-12 10.25

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

provide value to our customers.” 28-Jan-21 5.23 Gordhon asserted that Nes500.00 12-Jul-18 4.45 tle has a history of delivering regardless of the external 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.69environment, “this is because of 1,500.00 the strength of our brands, our consumer understanding and 450.00 01-Feb-16 3.79 our programme of continuous 500.00 5.28 of innovation 19-May-16 and renovation 400.00 6.14 our product08-Nov-18 to ensure they are 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.08 the best products available in 300.00 02-May-18 8.22 the market.”08-Apr-19 300.00 5.26 500.00

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00

12.52 14.90 14.80 14.90 14.47 13.99

94.11 85.79 103.41 93.30 90.28 88.82

billion as against N73.9 billion posted in 2012 while operating income was also declined by 15.80 1.74.88 per cent from N301.199.40 billion 5.99 17.40 98.51 to 4.44 N296.1 billion. 16.85 94.93 3.23 15.38 98.27 for Impairment charge 4.46 97.09 credit losses16.82 of was N20.3 bil3.48 15.84 99.99 lion during the year under 5.59 18.57 81.07 review billion 7.60 as against 20.26 N12.5 90.59 1.79 14.78 97.81 recorded in 2012. 1.80 14.71 98.64 The bank’s PBT and PAT 1.00 13.98 100.02 declined by 2.8 per cent and 8 1.00 13.91 101.42 1.21 14.12 111.21 per cent to N91.34billion from 1.00 billion13.99 N93.9 and N70.63101.33 billion 2.46 15.45 100.22 from N76.8 billion respectively . 1.94 14.92 98.42 The bank15.73 had during 2.74 97.68 the 2.74 under 15.72 97.30 year review acquired 1.00 13.98 97.95 ICB West Africa operations 1.94 14.92 100.27 (Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Le1.44 14.42 108.08 one, and added107.75 77 new 1.95Guinea)14.93 business locations in 2013 (including 31 branches from the recently completed ICB99.61 acqui1.00 12.36 sition), bringing to 867. 5.21 16.92 the total 97.97 8.71 97.84 The bank 20.47 had also acquired 4.88 16.85 95.06 Oasis Insurance by FBN Life 1.00 13.09 99.28 Assurance Limited, which 2.63 14.83 99.66 was 1.00 completed 13.86 last January 98.26 1.34awarded14.21 100.07 and $12 million grant 4.52 17.51 88.73 from the Bill and Melinda 1.88 14.65 106.90 Gates Foundation for99.63 First3.48 16.29 Monie, FirstBank’s mobile 5.20 18.04 100.19 5.06 17.90 101.93 money business. 3.06 16.04 93.68 Commenting on the re2.29 15.16 101.21 sults, Chief Executive officer 6.11 19.00 96.49 of 2.76 FBN Holdings said, Bello 15.74 98.02 Maccido, said the prevalent theme over the course of 2013 was one of moderate economic 1.00 13.99 89.12 growth within the context of significant regulatory changes in Yield our(%)sector. Offer Bid Price Offer Price “Our financial performance & Yieldslargely due to rewasPrices impacted vised charges, whilst 5.08 banking 108.51 109.42 the increase in the cash re4.25 103.31 serve ratio102.53 (CRR) impacted our performance 5.56 overall104.87 105.79 as reflected through FirstBank, our flagship subsidiary. “During 2013, whilst the Group de3.22 112.85 113.89 livered a year-on-year rise in 4.46 earnings 104.24 of 7.0 per 105.85cent gross 99.46 to5.89 N395.9 billion, profit100.43 before 6.68 100.48 101.61 tax dipped marginally by 3 per 7.70 95.48 97.20 cent to N91.3 billion,” 115.02 he said. 4.58 113.65

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.29

6.13

99.84

100.50

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.13

6.70

104.04

105.64

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.59

6.32

100.13

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

101.18 30-Apr-14

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

8 8-May-14 10.05 15 15-May-14 10.15 22 22-May-14 10.15 FGN Bonds 29 29-May-14 10.15 36 5-Jun-14 10.15 50 19-Jun-14 10.65 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 57 26-Jun-14 10.45 64 3-Jul-14 10.45 9.20 29-JUN-2014 71 10-Jul-14 10.10 9.25 28-SEP-2014 78 17-Jul-14 10.55 4.00 23-APR-2015 85 24-Jul-14 10.55 92 31-Jul-14 10.55 13.05 16-AUG-2016 99 7-Aug-14 10.30 15.10 27-APR-2017 106 14-Aug-14 10.70 9.85 27-JUL-2017 113 21-Aug-14 10.70 9.35 31-AUG-2017 120 28-Aug-14 10.85 10.70 30-MAY-2018 127 4-Sep-14 10.55 NA NA 162 9-Oct-14 10.85 16.00 29-JUN-2019 218 4-Dec-14 10.60 7.00 23-OCT-2019 253 8-Jan-15 11.10 16.39 27-JAN-2022 267 22-Jan-15 11.15 14.20 14-MAR-2024 281 5-Feb-15 11.20 15.00 28-NOV-2028 295 19-Feb-15 11.05 309 5-Mar-15 11.10 12.49 22-MAY-2029 344 9-Apr-15 11.20 8.50 20-NOV-2029 358 23-Apr-15 11.20 10.00 23-JUL-2030 *from the Amortising # bonds, theOUTSTANDING average is TOTAL 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

Modified Duration ***LCRM 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†

<3 3<5

>5 KWARAMarket NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI

9.80 9.90 9.90 9.90 9.90 10.40 Issue Date 10.20 10.20 29-Jun-07 9.85 28-Sep-07 10.30 23-Apr-10 10.30 10.30 16-Aug-13 10.05 27-Apr-12 10.45 27-Jul-07 10.45 31-Aug-07 10.60 30-May-08 10.30 10.60 29-Jun-12 10.35 23-Oct-09 10.85 27-Jan-12 10.90 14-Mar-14 10.95 28-Nov-08 10.80 10.85 22-May-09 10.95 20-Nov-09 10.95

23-Jul-10

10.07 10.19 10.21 10.23 10.25 10.81 (%) Coupon 10.62 10.65 9.20 10.30 9.25 10.79 4.00 10.82 10.84 13.05 10.60 15.10 11.04 9.85 11.07 9.35 11.25 10.70 10.95 11.40 16.00 11.32 7.00 12.03 16.39 12.14 14.20 12.26 15.00 12.13 12.25 12.49 12.52 8.50 12.58

NIBOR

Bonds Tenor

10.00

Rate (%) 10.5417 12.4844 13.2176 14.2554 Maturity Date

O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M Value

(N'bn)

45.00 NITTY 100.00 535.00 Tenor 1M 435.27 2M 452.80 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M 351.30 233.90 NIFEX 600.00 Current75.00 Price ($/N) BID($/N) 75.00 OFFER ($/N) 150.00 200.00 591.57

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 Rate (%) 10.2427 16-Aug-16 10.6448 27-Apr-17 10.7991 27-Jul-17 11.2129 31-Aug-17 12.1307 30-May-18 12.3247 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 160.5500 160.6500 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

OBB

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

O/N

10.50

Spot 7D 14D Offer1MYield (%) 2M 3M 9.82 6M 10.95 1Y

160.57 160.87 161.13 161.70 Bid Price 162.85 164.11 99.70 167.73 99.15 174.66

REPO Tenor Rate (%)(%) TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield

Offer ($/N)

Price

160.67 161.14 161.50 162.41 Offer Price 164.18 166.06 99.85 171.90 99.30 183.67

Call 1M 0.16 3M 0.41 6M

10.25 11.65 10.72 12.53 11.33 13.68

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.50 1.07 1.55 2.61 Implied 2.97Yield 3.18

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 Implied 1.49Price Portfolio 1.00

12.52 14.90 14.80 14.90 INDEX 14.47 13.99

94.11 85.79 103.41 93.30 YTD Return 90.28 (%) 88.82

0.98 12.21 11.62 2.30 13.00 12.92 2.99 13.05 12.99 :Benchmarks 3.24 12.99 12.86 * :Amortising Bond 3.34 Bond 12.99 12.87 µ :Convertible 4.08 Management12.98 12.88 AMCON: Asset Corporation of Nigeria FGN: Federal Nigeria 5.16 Government of 13.06 12.98 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 5.48 12.98 12.89 IFC: International Finance Corporation 7.75 13.03 12.98 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 9.87 13.09 13.04 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 14.58 13.29 13.25 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 15.06 13.31 13.27 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 15.56 13.34 13.28 16.23 13.43 13.38 NOTE:

92.62 93.12 100.05 100.20 104.95 105.10 NA :Not Applicable 91.87 92.17 # :Floating Rate Bond 90.37 coupon bonds 90.67 ***: Deferred 92.91 93.21 †: Bond rating expired 111.05 110.75 77.04 77.34 116.00 116.30 106.30 NGC: 106.00 Nigeria-German Company 111.17 UBA: 110.87 United Bank for Africa 94.67 94.97 68.57 68.87 77.50 77.80

4,264.84 Description

Issue Date

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Porfolio Market Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Volume(Bn) Value(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 910.70 1,085.06 458.47 14.00 KWARA2,454.23 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

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

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

0.00 BOND INDEX 978.35 FMDQ FGN 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 Weighting by Mkt 0.00/16.50 Value 0.00/16.50

24.56 6.00 112.22 Bucket116.70 Weighting 66.49

888.07 951.30

36.53 39.13

37.11 44.21

1,304.320.37 0.39

19.59 39.76

13.03 13.04

111.0049 123.9749

1,054.32 1,049.77

5.4320 4.9772

591.57 2,430.94

24.33 05-Aug-09 100.00 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

18.68 14.00100.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50

0.24 17.00 1.00 6.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00

40.65 05-Aug-14 100.00 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

13.43 0.27 13.20 0.46 1.34 0.94 1.24 1.24 2.97 1.80 3.67 2.64 4.43 2.65

85.2878 4.88 109.8222 5.99 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 7.60 1.79 1.80

1,032.48 15.80 1,042.07 17.40 16.85 15.38 16.82 15.84 18.57 20.26 14.78 14.71 13.98 13.91

3.2477 99.40 4.2070 98.51 94.93 98.27 97.09 99.99 81.07 90.59 97.81 98.64 100.02 101.42

1.00 1.00

48 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 25, 2014

Challenges facing SMEs, by Gov Dickson al Conference on SMEs at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Yenagoa, Dickson tasked delegates to the conference to proffer solutions to the challenges bedeviling the sub-sector. He announced government’s desire to inject N20billion into SMEs development, which would be further be raise to N30 billion. The governor said a bill would be forwarded to the State House of Assembly to provide a legal framework for the establishment of a SMEs Trust Fund. According to him, “The move is to guarantee the security of the funds for stakeholders and develop a robust SMEs programme for the empowerment of the people.”

FINANCE Governor Dickson has made N30 billion commitment for SMEs in the state. Joe Ezuma

PORT HARCOURT

overnor Seriake Dickson has identified lack of access to finance and skills as the major challenges militating against the growth of small businesses in the State. He also announced N30billion boost for SMES in the State. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 20th Internation-

Finance Minister, Dr. Ngizi Okonjo-Iweala

Governor Dickson, who hailed the World Association

NDIC reviews five-year strategic plan tioning NDIC for Operational Excellence”. Alh. Ibrahim pointed out that the 2011-2015 strategic plan marked a departure from the traditional approach the corporation adapted in its first strategy in 2007 with the introduction of balanced score card, performance management system, performance-based budgeting and development of early warning system. He stated that the dynamics of the financial sector had continued to throw up emerging and mundane issues, which demanded a new focus and made a review very imperative. The NDIC boss maintained

Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

he five-year strategic plan of TCorporation the Nigeria Deposit Insurance (NDIC) will be con-

tinuously reviewed to make it remain relevant and effectively discharge its duties, the corporation’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Alh. Umaru Ibrahim, has said. A statement from NDIC said Ibrahim dropped this hint in his opening remarks at the corporation’s two-day Strategy Review Retreat held at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja last weekend. The retreat was christened “Reposi-

that emerging issues like sustainable banking, mobile and ebanking, consumer protection and consumer education not only attracted the attention of regulators worldwide but also required appropriate strategic responses if the corporation was to remain relevant in its operating environment. He said the quest to have an organisation that is driven by excellence and performance and in which employees aligned themselves with its vision, mission and strategy put in place to actualise its mandate had informed the corporation’s choice of four pillars in its current strategic plan.

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

for Small and Medium Enterprises, (WASME) for granting Bayelsa the hosting right, said the conference was taking place at a period, when efforts were being intensified to diversify the economy beyond the oil and gas era. Enumerating efforts made by his administration for wealth creation and poverty reduction in the state, the governor said with the Bayelsa Geographical Information System (BGIS) in place, the citizenry could easily access finance with their assets. In his address, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, represented by the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, Alhaji Bature Masari, commended the state’s untiring efforts at developing the entrepreneurial ability of the citizenry as well as building the innovative capacity of enterprises in the state. He noted that SMEs provide employment opportunities to 32.4 million Nigerians and

stressed the need for all stakeholders to tackle the problems facing the sector. In her remarks, Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr. Arunma Oteh, described the state’s SME fund, SME Council and Micro Finance Agency, as laudable steps that would boost entrepreneurship. She, however, suggested that government should consider the setting up of business incubators to provide, not just financial support to SMEs, but also nurture them to grow into bigger productive engines of growth. The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dickson on SMEs, Mr. Ebiekure Eradiri, noted that the government has created a SMEs database to effectively manage the sub sector. In a keynote address, the United Nations Aids Ambassador and Chairman/Co-Founder of Africa Rising Foundation, Mr. Ndaba Mandela, said Africa Rising is an organisation dedicated to creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive in the continent.

Shareholders approve Access Bank’s recapitalisation plan Chris Ugwu

ccess Bank Plc has received shareholders’ approval to raise $1 billion to finance loans for the energy and power projects. The approval was given at the bank’s 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos last Thursday. The funds will be raised in tranches when needed and will be used in the bank’s priority growth sectors and in market segments that guarantee steady earnings in conformity with the bank’s sustainable growth agenda. Commenting on the plans, Chairman of the bank, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, said the Board has considered a variety of available capital raising options and came to the conclusion that having the option of raising additional financing of up to USD 1 billion or its equivalent in local currency via the issuance of debt instruments is the most cost-efficient option to meet the Bank’s capital adequacy objectives. He said: “The injection of fresh capital into the Bank’s operations would accelerate the attainment of its aspiration of becoming the world’s most respected African Bank and help consolidate its position as a leading African financial institution. “Enhancement of the bank’s capital base is a key imperative for the realization of its developmental goals and commitment to society”. In a related development, the shareholders also unanimously approved the re-election and election of new Directors to the bank’s board. The new directors are Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN and Dr. (Mrs) Ajoritsedere

Awosika. They commended the bank’s management and Board for the performance recorded for the period under review. According to Alhaji Mukhtar Mukhtar, Chairman, Shareholders Trustee Association of Nigeria (SSAN), “Amidst the changes experienced in the operating environment, the ability of the Bank to grow deposits at a double-digit rate is impressive and highly commendable.” He noted that such signals stability and security of a financial institution”. Corroborating Mukhtar, Dr. Farouk Umar, President, Solidarity Shareholders Association of Nigeria (SSAN), who formally welcomed Mr. Herbert Wigwe as the new Group Managing Director of the Bank, noted that shareholders were happy with the Bank and will continue to support its aspirations. He added that the payment of a final dividend of 35 kobo; totaling N8 billion to shareholders in 2013 is demonstration of responsibility and fulfillment of the promise of creating value for shareholders. Mr. Boniface Okezie, President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria Shareholders (PSAN), said that Access Bank has an impressive history of delighting shareholders. He urged the bank’s new Group Managing Director to continue to sustain the tradition. Earlier in his address, the Bank’s Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe had expressed his gratitude to the Bank’s shareholders for their support for the institution. He assured them of consistent superlative performance and growth year-on-year.

BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET 49

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at April 30, 2014

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014

Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Bonds)

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

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Symbol FG9B2022S1

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 122.50

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 1,500 1500

Value Traded 1,904,053.08 1,904,053.08

1,500

1,904,053.08

1500

1,904,053.08

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

Symbol LIVESTOCK

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037

No. of Deals 42 11 53

Current Price 33.50 40.12

No. of Deals 7 7

AGRICULTURE Totals

Quantity Traded 555,512 257,460 812,972

Value Traded 18,965,123.86 10,366,453.80 29,331,577.66

Current Price 3.30

Quantity Traded 56,881 56,881

Value Traded 178,606.34 178,606.34

869,853

29,510,184.00

Current Price 1.56

Quantity Traded 7,629

Value Traded 12,035.23

Current Price 3.95 3.45 56.56

Quantity Traded 7,535 13,619,027 311,937 13,946,128

Value Traded 28,331.60 47,365,648.79 17,798,112.47 65,204,128.09

13,946,128

65,204,128.09

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC.

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) AGLEVENT 5

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Page

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries CHELLARAMS PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 1 186 71 263

CONGLOMERATES Totals

263

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS NIG. PLC. Summary as ofBERGER 30/04/2014 Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Daily Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 1.47

Quantity Traded 797,887 797,887

Value Traded 1,084,863.50 1,084,863.50

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 28 28

Current Price 70.90

Quantity Traded 697,344 697,344

Value Traded 48,909,466.99 48,909,466.99

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 62 62

Current Price 24.06

Quantity Traded 876,385 876,385

Value Traded 21,104,927.21 21,104,927.21

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 11.02

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 1,047.00 1,047.00

Daily Summary (Equities) UPDCREIT

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

114

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

2,371,716

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 500,000 500,000

Value Traded 250,000.00 250,000.00

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 103 27 113 243

Current Price 176.00 26.00 150.00

Quantity Traded 217,459 230,960 13,690,468 14,138,887

Value Traded 38,108,914.30 5,722,288.70 2,045,252,981.54 2,089,084,184.54

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

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 90.00

Quantity Traded 9,800 9,800

Value Traded 837,900.00 837,900.00

Symbol No. of Deals DANGFLOUR 56 DANGSUGAR 151 FLOURMILL 51 HONYFLOUR 35 MULTITREX 1 NASCON 46 NNFM 1 UNIONDICON 15 Daily Summary (Equities) UTC 2 358

Current Price 8.08 9.90 68.43 3.69 0.50 11.51 22.01 14.11 0.53

Quantity Traded 299,120 4,712,212 213,025 1,077,001 2,000 1,406,100 5 453,551 9,887 8,172,901

Value Traded 2,350,679.09 46,034,338.20 14,464,953.65 3,920,162.05 1,040.00 16,180,641.77 104.55 6,056,752.27 5,240.11 89,013,911.69

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified

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

Activity Summary CHAMS PLC on Board EQTY

Symbol DUNLOP

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC

Computers and Peripherals Totals Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 IT Services

ICT Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals 14

Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014

Packaging/Containers Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC

Daily Summary as ofPLC 30/04/2014 CONOIL Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 ETERNA PLC.

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 4.30

Quantity Traded 501,706 501,706

Value Traded 2,123,858.32 2,123,858.32

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 42 60 102

Current Price 36.00 47.50

Quantity Traded 335,897 379,693 715,590

Value Traded 12,011,484.40 18,215,434.52 30,226,918.92

24,373,258

2,361,369,385.99

Quantity Traded 9,384,764 4,964,174 5,811,911 1,665,609 9,727,800 10,590,775 13,041,076 13,327,144

Value Traded 76,592,194.54 30,091,799.39 76,943,907.25 3,229,861.60 259,118,538.69 36,522,920.63 29,042,789.15 90,754,247.46

FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Printed 30/04/2014 SKYE15:41:37.037 BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA

823

Daily

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Activity UNITYSummary BANK PLCon Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. OASIS INSURANCE PLC PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Brokers©and Services Totals Published by The NigerianCarriers, Stock Exchange Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

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

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 100 DIAMONDBNK 93 ETI 87 FIDELITYBK 53 GUARANTY(Equities) 308 Summary SKYEBANK 126 STERLNBANK 57 UBA 200

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol UBN UNITYBNK

Symbol WEMABANK ZENITHBANK Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST GNI HMARKINS INTENEGINS MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS OASISINS PRESTIGE STDINSURE UNITYKAP WAPIC

No. of Deals 89 10

Current Price 9.95 0.50

Quantity Traded 997,187 1,004,300

No. of Deals 31 336 1,490

Current Price 0.98 22.70

No. of Deals 21 14 6 1 2 11 2 1 29 3 13 4 5 3 28 143

Current Price 0.79 0.98 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.54 2.31 0.50 0.76 0.50 0.55 0.60 0.50 0.50 0.72

No. of Deals 1 6

Current Price 6.27 0.81

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

Current Price 8.19 6.06 13.50 1.95 26.23 3.49 2.20 6.75

Page

Traded 3Value of 14

15,310,499.55 134,522,112.97 149,832,612.52

Value Traded 9,887,746.88 502,150.00

Quantity Traded 3,178,321 20,323,541 94,016,602

Value Traded 3,116,043.24 460,514,791.60 1,076,316,990.43

Quantity Traded 840,145 2,001,340 614,146 10 100 223,994 2,262 1,500 3,588,490 150,000 764,390 4,293 1,020,000 300 977,682 10,188,652 Page

Value Traded 668,003.94 1,927,628.20 307,075.00 5.00 50.00 120,136.26 5,202.60 750.00 2,725,456.23 75,000.00 409,547.79 2,575.80 510,000.00 150.00 692,583.17 7,444,163.99 of 14

Quantity Traded 100 100,280 Page

Symbol

No. of Deals 7

Current Price

Quantity Traded 100,380

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol INFINITY

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.61

Quantity Traded 300 300

Value Traded 468.00 468.00

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

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 65 30 768 85 8 35 44 1,035

Current Price 3.04 2.35 14.16 3.54 0.62 23.00 2.25

Quantity Traded 5,926,528 3,485,000 72,060,978 5,252,248 45,500 2,591,315 3,242,954 92,604,523

Value Traded 17,910,593.58 7,948,320.00 1,028,011,224.69 18,415,470.91 27,304.00 59,547,843.05 7,296,701.50 1,139,157,457.73

196,910,457

2,223,000,912.35

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,677

Value Traded 81,832.20

18,876,518.00

Quantity Traded 67,250 67,250

Value Traded 43,742.50 43,742.50

Symbol OMATEK

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 100.00 100.00

No. of Deals 1 1 2 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 5.48 1.97

Quantity Traded 100 50 150

Value Traded 521.00 94.00 615.00

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 53,400

Value Traded 26,700.00 8Value Traded of 14 26,700.00

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 2

Symbol

No. of Deals 2

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 53,400

Symbol MTI

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 300

SERVICES Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. Apparel Retailers Totals

300

150.00

121,300

71,307.50

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Symbol AFRPAINTS ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER FIRSTALUM WAPCO

No. of Deals 1 39 11 27 15 79 2 4 67 245

Current Price 2.72 16.50 8.75 40.35 9.15 226.01 1.06 0.50 108.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 1,382,027 107,878 196,646 122,265 286,710 2,250 136,533 745,493 2,981,802

Value Traded 5,180.00 22,739,655.15 947,963.19 7,920,469.90 1,120,174.25 65,011,556.29 2,497.50 68,266.50 80,002,678.56 177,818,441.34

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.90

Quantity Traded 59,033 59,033

Value Traded 112,162.70 112,162.70

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 18.97

Page Quantity Traded 333 333

249

9Value Traded of 14 6,003.99 6,003.99

3,041,168

177,936,608.03

Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 6.47

Quantity Traded 5,620 5,620

Value Traded 34,563.00 34,563.00

Symbol ALEX

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 10.50

Quantity Traded 220 220

Page

Value Traded 2,195.60 2,195.60

5,840

36,758.60

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 603,127 603,127

Value Traded 301,563.50 301,563.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 182 182

Current Price 16.00

Quantity Traded 3,615,930 3,615,930

Value Traded 57,767,491.50 57,767,491.50

Symbol No. of Deals BECOPETRO 1 CONOIL 32 ETERNA 4 FO 27 MOBIL 35 MRSSummary (Equities) 2 Daily TOTAL 25 126

Current Price 0.50 49.20 3.61 148.99 118.22 51.72 161.20

Quantity Traded 393 115,047 65,040 231,710 53,522 122 38,104 503,938

Value Traded 196.50 5,211,557.57 234,794.40 31,195,710.80 6,310,213.80 5,995.08 5,876,769.92 48,835,238.07

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 33 33

Current Price 626.31

Quantity Traded 430,954 Page 430,954

348

Value Traded 265,348,473.34

11 of 14 265,348,473.34

5,153,949

372,252,766.41

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.31

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 31,500.00 31,500.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 1.19

Quantity Traded 133,447 133,447

Value Traded 158,801.93 158,801.93

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 12 4 16

Current Price 4.16 2.13

Quantity Traded 627,500 49,901 677,401

Value Traded 2,644,910.00 101,316.03 2,746,226.03

Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 3 4 7

Current Price 4.55 0.63

Quantity Traded 60 45,050 45,110

Value Traded 259.80 29,283.00 29,542.80

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 8

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 424,200

Value Traded 212,100.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 8

Current Price

Quantity Traded 424,200

Value Traded 212,100.00

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 2 14 4 20

Current Price 1.80 1.61 4.00

Quantity Traded 1,500 519,297 170,000 690,797

Value Traded 2,565.00 835,568.96 680,000.00 1,518,133.96

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 0.82

Quantity Traded 46,798,570 46,798,570

Value Traded 38,684,336.65 38,684,336.65

Specialty SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC Specialty Totals

Symbol NSLTECH

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 170 170

Value Traded 85.00 85.00

Transport-Related Services

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 7 67 74

Current Price 2.14 4.60

Quantity Traded 861,580 2,776,484 3,638,064

Value Traded 1,843,781.20 13,362,378.04 15,206,159.24

147

52,417,759

58,586,885.61

4,799

300,257,816

5,377,945,759.28

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014

Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 Hotels/Lodging

CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

SERVICES Media/Entertainment Media/Entertainment Totals

AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board ASeM OIL Published byAND The GAS Nigerian Stock Exchange © Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors NAVITUS ENERGY PLC Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Symbol UNIONVENT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.66

Page Quantity Traded 200 200

OIL AND GAS Totals

200

138.00

ASeM Board Totals

200

138.00

Equity Activity Totals

4,800

300,258,016

5,377,945,897.28

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 2,016.00 17.47

Quantity Traded 13 1,000 1,013

Value Traded 26,208.00 17,470.00 43,678.00

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.72

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 3,540.00 3,540.00

ETF Board Totals

1,013

43,678.00

Symbol EVANSMED

No. of Deals 13

Current Price 2.46

Quantity Traded 156,576

Value Traded 381,116.32

ETP Activity Totals

1,013

43,678.00

13 of 14 Value Traded 138.00 138.00

Symbol EKOCORP

Page

Symbol LENNARDS

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

Value Traded 150.00

Symbol

OIL AND GAS Totals

Value Traded 596.00 81,236.20 6

FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Activity Summary on BoardProducts EQTY Distributors Totals

OIL AND GAS Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Published byExploration The Nigerian Stock ExchangeTotals © and Production

1,046,388 Current Price 0.71

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Quantity Traded Page 203,991 130,383 334,374

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

EQTY

NATURAL RESOURCES Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Metals Totals

Current Price 75.05 1,040.00

Value Traded 1,167,221.78 16,997,130.23 212,384.46 114,874.01 251.20 18,872,978.00

No. of Deals 6 6

Daily Summary (Equities)

No. of Deals 31 72 103

NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

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

NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Activity Summary on Board Chemicals Totals

Quantity Traded 420,872 246,156 124,545 97,079 160 1,045,388

Symbol COURTVILLE

Daily Summary (Equities)

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Activity Summary on Board EQTY Building Materials

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

ICT Systems Published byProcessing The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Processing Systems Totals Telecommunications Services Daily Summary as of 30/04/2014 MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA Printed 30/04/2014 15:41:37.037 PLC Telecommunications Services Totals

71,100,304.70

Page

CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Current Price 2.83 69.50 1.78 1.24 1.57

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 25 26 23 6 3 96

HEALTHCARE Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

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50 WORLD | NEWS

oon after the ferry begins to tilt, nervous laughter can be heard from the high school students huddled below deck. In video clips from the cell phone of a victim of a disaster that has shaken South Korea, the teenagers wonder if they’ll make the news and discuss posting about the excitement later on Facebook. The fear in the cabin builds as the listing becomes worse. Some say they feel dizzy, that their legs are shaking. One student can be seen walking with his hands braced against the wall for balance. “Am I really going to die?” a student asks at 8:53 a.m. April 16, less than two minutes into the video and two minutes before a crew member on the bridge made the ferry’s first distress call. Students ask whether the ship will sink and where their teachers are. “What’s the captain doing?” Several times they are warned over the loudspeaker to stay where they are, even as the tilting increases and it becomes less possible for them to flee. The shaky video was on the cell phone of a 17-year-old student, Park Su-hyeon, when rescuers recovered his body. The boy’s father provided it yesterday to The Associated Press, saying he wanted to show the world the ship’s condition as it sank. Park Jong-dae, the boy’s father, earlier released it to a selected South Korean media. The tragedy, which has left more than 300 people dead or missing, has created a sense of national mourning, anger and shame. About 220 bodies, mostly from inside the

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Heartbreaking video shows students as ferry sinks

submerged vessel, have so far been recovered. More than 80 percent of the victims were students from one high school in Ansan, south of Seoul, on their way to the southern tourist island of Jeju for a school trip. Only one can be seen wearing a life jacket at the beginning of the video clips, which start at 8:52

a.m. and end, with a small break between them, at 9:09, when everyone appears to be wearing them. Some of the students were seen in the video struggling to buckle their life jackets. As the ferry lists, they joke about “final commemorative pictures” and “defying gravity” by trying to walk on the walls.

“It’s like we’re becoming the Titanic,” one student says. At the beginning of the video, a message blasts from the ship’s loudspeakers: “Don’t move away from your places and brace for any possible accidents.” In subsequent announcements, passengers are again told to stay put, even as some students question whether they should flee.

Workers wearing traditional funeral clothing shouting slogans during a May Day rally to pay tribute to the victims of the sunken ferry, Sewol in Seoul, South Korea...yesterday. PHOTO: AP/Ahn Young-joon

140 migrants storm Spain-Morocco border fence

ore than a hundred people stormed the fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla yesterday. Officials said in the latest attempt by migrants to breach the border. According to a statement from Spanish officials in the city, the early morning surge of 500 people ended with 140 immigrants of sub-Saharan origin entering national territory. Some who did not make it to Spanish soil were caught in the border zone, where they stayed for a number of hours shouting “freedom!” before being later arrested by Moroccan police, according to local media. Six migrants

and three police officers were injured, according to the statement, with some of those trying to jump the fence setting fire to their clothing “to throw at the agents”. Another group of around 200 people made a further attempt to cross the border a few hours later, but were stopped by border guards. Melilla, on Morocco’s northern coast, provides one of only two land borders between the European Union and Africa, along with another Spanish territory, Ceuta, to the west. Both have seen a flood of illegal border crossings by African migrants seeking a better life in Europe. In March,

1,000 people tried to jump the triple-layer fence separating the city from Morocco, with half of them getting through - the biggest such crossing in nearly a decade. In February, 15 migrants are believed to have drowned in Moroccan waters while trying to swim to Ceuta from a nearby beach. Rights groups and witnesses accused Spanish security forces of firing rubber bullets at the migrants in the water, although the government denied its forces had targeted the migrants directly. The territories, which sit across the Mediterranean from Spain, are a draw from migrants who do not want to make the treach-

erous journey to Europe by water. Depending on treaties with the immigrants’ countries of origin, some migrants who make it to Spanish territory are repatriated. But the recent influx is putting pressure on Spain with a temporary immigration centre in Melilla, designed for 480 people, now holding 1,900, many of them in tents. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has urged the European Union to provide more money and resources to help manage the border. Spain is also boosting security. In late April, the government agreed to spend 2.1 million euros ($2.9 million) to try to stem illegal border crossings.

Five million children in Africa’s Sahel face acute malnutrition

id operations need urgent funding in north Africa’s Sahel region where five million children face the prospect of acute malnutrition, UN humanitarian agency OCHA said. “We are facing a funding bottleneck at a very critical moment. The planting season is only a couple of months away,” said UN Assistant Secretary General Robert Piper. This year, 20 million people in the region face food insecurity and “five

million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement. “If humanitarian operations are delayed or have to scale down, the full impact will be felt in a couple of months -- and the most vulnerable families will be the first to suffer,” said Piper. Sahel countries, which include land-locked Chad, Mali and Niger, are among the most isolated areas of the world.

“Access is often challenging and delivering aid takes time,” said Piper.Mali descended into chaos when Tuareg rebels and Islamist groups took over the north after a military coup in March 2012 far to the south in the capital Bamako. The Islamists later routed the Tuareg, who made a comeback following a French intervention. A humanitarian crisis sparked by the conflict came on top of years of drought in the Sahel region, with 800,000 Mali-

ans relying on food aid. “We need funding today to ensure that a child in a remote village can be treated against severe malnutrition in July,” said Piper. A three-year plan for the Sahel aims to help more than 15 million people in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. Since its launch in February, the plan has received only 19 per cent of the required $2 billion funding for this year alone, OCHA said.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Russia stages first Red Square May Day parade since Soviet days

ussia staged a huge May Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square for the first time since the Soviet era yesterday, with workers holding banners proclaiming support for President Vladimir Putin after the seizure of territory from neighboring Ukraine. Thousands of trade unionists marched with Russian flags and flags of Putin’s ruling United Russia party onto the giant square beneath the Kremlin walls, past the red granite mausoleum of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin. Many banners displayed traditional slogans for the annual workers’ holiday, like: “Peace, Labour, May”. But others were more directly political, alluding to the crisis in neighboring former Soviet republic Ukraine, where Russian troops seized and annexed the Crimea peninsula in March, precipitating the biggest confrontation with the West since the Cold War. “I am proud of my country,” read one. “Putin is right,” said another. Unlike Kremlin leaders in Soviet times, Putin did not personally preside at the parade from atop the mausoleum. But he carried out another Soviet-era tradition by awarding “Hero of Labour” medals to five workers at a ceremony in the Kremlin. He revived the Stalin era award a year ago. Putin has described the breakup of the Soviet Union as a tragedy and overturned decades of post-Cold War diplomacy in March by declaring Russia’s right to intervene in former Soviet countries to protect Russian speakers. Laws have been changed to make it easier for Russia to annex territory from other former Soviet states and for inhabitants of other parts of the old Soviet Union to get Russian citizenship. Since the annexation of Crimea, proMoscow gunmen have seized territory in eastern Ukraine and Putin has massed tens of thousands of troops on the frontier. He denies he is planning an invasion but proclaims the right to launch one if necessary to defend Russian speakers. May Day, always an important date in the Soviet calendar and still a major holiday for Russians, has been marked by rallies in other parts of Moscow since the Soviet Union collapsed at the end of 1991, but until now parades were kept off Red Square. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin told Rossiya 24 TV from Red Square that more than 100,000 people had marched through it. “This is not by chance, because there is a patriotic uplift and a good mood in the country,” he said. Russian television also showed footage of a May Day parade in Crimea’s capital Simferopol, with Russian flags and banners reading “Crimea is Russia. Welcome home.” “We are sure that the current patriotic uplift in Crimea will spill over into the whole Russian Federation.”

AWC: Nkwocha, Oparanozie for Rwanda cracker

World Table Tennis: Nigeria beats Canada, finishes second

France: Enyeama nominated for Best keeper award

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That the first player to be red carded was Chile player Carlos Caszely, during the 1974 World Cup

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

FRIday, MAY 2, 2014

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

Moses

Anich

ebe(r

ight)

Jude Opara Abuja

head of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, the Nigeria Football Federation has cautioned Nigerians not to expect too much from the Super Eagles despite the fact that they are current African champions.

Don’t expect too much from Eagles -NFF CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

Ogba to open Okpekpe race Saturday

P Oshiomhole

resident of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba, will flag off the 2nd Okpekpe 10km road race tomorrow in Okpekpe, Edo State. Disclosing this in Auchi yesterday, the race’s technical manager,Yusuf ‘Ali, said

Ogba was a fitting choice because of his position as the leader of the athletics family in Nigeria and a lover of sports. “’There was no hesitation over the choice of Chief Ogba,’’said Ali who assured all arrangements for a very

successful event have been concluded. ‘We have some of the best personells on ground to oversee the race and ensure everything complies with the standard set by the International Association of Athletics Federation further, “Ali said.

Ali is also confident a new course record will be set tomorrow. Last year, Kenya’s Moses Masai ran 29 minutes, 39 seconds to set the course record enroute his victory. ‘I am confident we can get a sub 28:50seconds run tomorrow in the men’s race to better Massai’s record.’’ Ali added. CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

Perpertual 52 SPORT

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WITH Tobi Emmanuel

0805 400 5669

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Friday, May 2, 2014

ifestyle

Nkwocha

Super Falcons striker & 4-time African Female footballer of the year Best food: Ofe Owerri and Pounded Yam Best Drink: Andre Rosi Best Colour: Black Best City Visited: Paris Best Club Supported: Arsenal Best Car: Toyota Venza Best Designer: Dorathy Pekins

Best Perfume: One Dollar Gosple Best Actor: Majid Michael Best Actress: Genevieve, Tonto Dike and Mercy Johnson Women’s World Cup 2011 Best Boot: Addidas Best Jersey No: 4

NBBF embarks on community service Kalu weeps …visits Old Peoples’ Home

s part of giving back to its immediate community, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, will on Friday embark on its community outreach programme with a visit to future

players of the game and the less privileged in the society. According to the president of the NBBF, Tijjani Umar, the day’s programme will begin at 10.30 am with a visit to the current cham-

pions of the National Secondary Schools Basketball Championships, the International School, Akoka Lagos, where the students will be given career talks and other motivational addresses. Speaking through Olumide Oyedeji, Board member and

AWC: Nkwocha, Oparanozie for Rwanda cracker Mercy Jacob

igeria Football Federation has extended invitation to Perpetual Nkwocha and seven other foreign players in other to strenghten the Super Falcons squad ahead of their African Women Championship qualifier Rwanda match later this month. According to the Super Falcons team administrator, Ruth David, the players invited include: Perpetua Nkwocha (Sunnana SK, Sweden),

Sarah Micheal (KIF Orebro, Sweden), Francisca Ordega (Pitea IF, Sweden), Onome Ebi (Minsk FC, Belarus), Osinachi Ohale (Houston Dash, United States), Faith Ikidi (Pitea IF,Sweden), Desire Oparanozie (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey) and Helen Ukaonu (Sunnana SK, Sweden). She added that letters of invitation have been sent to the clubs of the eight players listed by the Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon, for the May 24 date with Rwanda.

“All the invited players for the qualifiers are expected to report to the Abuja camp of the team latest May 13 to enable them to have minimum of five days training with other players before the final squad for the match will be selected,” he added. Meanwhile, coach Okon has insisted that all the foreign pros must report early to camp to allow him ascertain the level of their fitness maintaining that they must justify their inclusion before they can earn a shirt in the team.

member of the Local Organising Committee for the All Stars Game, Umar said the NBBF team which would include some members of the All Stars team would take the students on some basketball skills as well as allow a question and answer session with them. “The president and I will take the students on career talks and motivational interface. I will particularly talk to them about myself, how basketball took me from nowhere to where I am today while allowing them time for questions and answers,” he said. Oyedeji who is the co-captain of the senior men’s national team said the Community Outreach programme would also take the NBBF team to the Old People’s Home in Yaba where “we will be having lunch with them and then present some gift items to them thereafter.”

for Chelsea Chimaobi Uchendu

t was blackout at noon for former Abia state governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu in Singapore City on Wednesday as Chelsea crashed out of the Euro champions League. Kalu, who is on a business mission in Singapore was glued to the T.V from 2pm (local time) expecting to see Mikel Obi’s Chelsea romp into the grand finale, but Atletico Madrid bruised his eyes, with a bucket full of tears. “I can’t believe what happened, it is like a dream to me because I had wanted Chelsea to win the match because of our own Mikel. In fact, I had already made arrangements to be in Lisbon to watch Mikel play in the final since he was not eligible to feature in the semifinal. “The final match and possibly, the lifting of the trophy in Lisbon would have boosted Mikel’s morale ahead of the World Cup with the Super Eagles.” Kalu also said one of the reasons he rooted for Chelsea to win the match was because no Nigerian had won the champions League twice.

sport fanzone

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

Who is Nigeria’s best player in Europe? With just few weeks to the end of the ongoing football season in Europe, our correspondents went asking stakeholders to name the best Nigerian player.

Emenike is the man

menike is my best player in Europe. He scored many goals for Fernahbahce as they won the league and he also give his best anytime he plays for Nigeria.

It’s Enyeama

believe Enyeama has done very well this season. Though his club may not win anything this season, the goalkeeper has been outstanding for Lille, you remember that he went about 11 games without conceding, creating history in France. So, I believe he is the best Nigerian player abroad.

-Precious Justus, Student

Emenike for winning the league

-Yusuf Jamiu, Financial consultant

mmanuel Emenike, because he won the Turkish league, even though I like what Efe Ambrose had done for his club to be league champion in Scotland

Difficult to say I

t is difficult to say who the best Nigeria player is this season because we have a couple of them who have done well. Enyeame has been fantastic for Lille, Emenike won the Turkish league and he Mikel scored goals for them, Ike Uche too has done well and don’t forget Osaze. It is good that we have these players in good shape before the World Cup.

Ambrose

-Alfred Okoloigwe

I give it to Efe Ambrose It’s Mikel of Chelsea Consistent

-Shogeke Kamoru, Businessman

Mikel is the player

ikel Obi is my player of the season, despite not playing all the matches for Chelsea this season, he has been outstanding anytime he was called upon. If you watch the matchagainst Liverpool, Mikel was everywhere on the field which makes me confident that Nigeria will have a good outing at the World Cup. I just pray he is injury free. -Awe Davies, IT consultant

Osaze is the best

saze Odewingie is my best Super Eagles player in Europe judging by performance,he has scored more goals in his club more than every other Nigerian player and by my own assessment he is fit for the World Cup even though Keshi seems not to be looking his way. -Okoro Emmanuel,Student

Its Mikel any day

bi Mikel is my best any time any day,he is playing well for his club and has contributed much in the success of Chelsea this season which has even earned him a praise from his coach, Jose Morinho,he has also been in the Super Eagles and has been able to control that midfield very well. For me, no Mikel no World Cup. -Obas Panama-Hairdresser

Mikel has been outstanding

bi Mikel is my best player for the season because he has been very outstanding in the few matches he played for Chelsea. He also had a very good outing in all the matches he played for the Super Eagles in the outgoing season. I like his game and commitment to football because he now plays with maturity. -mercyOsiebe,Student

or me, Efe Ambrose is the best Nigerian player abroad this season. He won the Scottish league with Celtic for the second year running and as a defender he played a huge role in that success. It is not easy for a defender to get so much recognition.

Okewale Tunji, Graphic artist

Efe Ambrose won trophy

or me, Efe Ambrose is the best Nigeria player in Europe this season. He has been consistent for his club, playing every week for Celtic and at the same time doing a yeoman job for the club. He has also won a trophy this season, so without doubt, Ambrose is the best Nigerian player this season. -Kelle Victor, student

I give it to Mikel

or me, my best player in Europe is Mikel Obi, even though he is not seen enough playing time in his club, but any time he comes out his presence would always be felt. He is one of those players who are not easily noticed on the pitch because of the kind of role the play. I believe with him in this World Cup there is hope for the Super Eagles. -Oluchukwu Patrick, student

love how Mikel Obi fared this season with Chelsea, even though he spent most time on the bench .He is contributing very well in Chelsea, which happens to be a good and big club. -Izuakolam Ugwala

Mikel is the best

bviously it’s Mikel Obi. Though he hasn’t featured much for his club, Chelsea this season, but he has effectively played important roles to achieve crucial results for his club. -Abdulgafar Ogboola

It is Efe Ambrose

will go for Ambrose Efe. Most of our players have not done anything tangible this season, he has been the only one featuring for his club every week. I would have gone for Mikel Obi, but how many matches has he played this season for Chelsea? Gone are the days when we have players commanding regular shirts every week for their clubs. -Alonge akinlolu, journalist

Osaze is my best

saze is my best Nigerian player in Europe despite not playing for a popular club, he has been helping his club to win matches through his goals and the teammates say he is vital to the club .In the national team he also gives his best before the Super Eagles coach shut the door against him. -Okoli Theophilus-Businessman

Enyeama

incent Enyeama. Consistent, ever present for Lille, saved them on many occassions this season, won games almost single handedly, he best goalie in France. won about two player of the month awards.

-Ugo Okeke

Enyeama is my man

incent Enyeama is my man this season. He created different record for his club this season, and playing for a good club in a competitive league in Europe. He has recorded the highest number of clean sheet for Lille this season. Fine Efe Ambrose won a cup this season, but I don’t think any player playing for either Celtic or Rangers will surely win a trophy within two years, for me Enyeama is our best ambassador this season. -Nnambi Obanya, Radio presenter

The crew Chimaobi Uchendu Ifeanyi Ibeh Ajibade Olusesan Charles Ogundiya Mercy Jacob

54 SPORT

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Friday, May 2, 2014

Don’t expect too much from Eagles -NFF CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 1

General Secretary of the NFF, Musa Amadu, while speaking on the expectations of Nigerians from the team said the watchword should be caution because the Super Eagles could be at best described as outsiders to the trophy. According to Amadu, if care is not taken such high expectations may work against the team because winning the African Nations Cup is not the same as the World Cup which he added are two different championships with different composi-

tions. “Let us not be carried away by the fact that the Super Eagles are the African champions. Despite that, we should also understand that the World Cup is quite different from the African Cup of Nations. Despite our African status, we are going for the event as outsiders. “All we are doing is to ensure that the team is adequately prepared for them to give their best in Brazil and we are hopeful that they will give Nigeria the best of representation because we are providing them all the enabling environment to excel

at the championship,” Amadu added. He further noted that even as the federation and indeed all Nigerians would want the team to excel and equally surpass the record of any other African country at the World Cup, it would be out of place to set a target of a semifinal berth for the Super Eagles. Stakeholders including the Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, have said they expect the Stephen Keshi boys to progress to the last four stage of the global soccer fiesta.

Enyeama

France: Enyeama nominated Ogba to open World Table Tennis: Okpekpe race Nigeria beats Canada, for Best keeper award finishes second Ajibade Olusesan

Emmanuel Tobi

igeria table tennis team continued their superlative run Thursday by beating Canadian counterpart in the last group match of Group E of the ongoing World Team Table Tennis Championship holding in Tokyo, Japan. In most of their meeting in major competitions, Nigeria have always dominated Canada and again in Tokyo on Thursday, the Segun Toriola-led male team overcame the Canadians 3-1 to finish second behind Czech Republic in the group. Despite Toriola’s 13-15, 8-11, 6-11, loss to Canada’s Andre Ho in the first game, rave of the moment Aruna Quadri put the match at par when he beat Theriault Pierre-

Luc 7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10. Ojo Onaolapo increased the lead with another 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 win over Vincent Rousseau-Emond to complete the 3-1 victory over the Canadians, Toriola was made to work hard in his bid to beat PierreLuc 8-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5. Also on Thursday, Czech Republic maintained their 100 per cent record in the group with a 3-0 bashing of BosniaHerzegovina. The Czechs won all their five matches to top the group ahead of Nigeria, which won four of the five matches to play second fiddle to the European. Nigeria male team is still in the race for promotion, as the knockout stage of the division two will hold on Friday.

uper Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has been nominated for the Best Goalkeeper Awards in the French Ligue I. National Union of Professional Footballers unveiled the nominees for the most outstanding players in France this season and the Nigerian top the list in the goalkeeper category. The former Maccabi Tel Aviv shot stopper is competing for the gong with Salvatore Sirigu of PSG, Steve Mandanda (Marseille) and Stephane Ruff-

ier (Saint Etienne). The Nigeria has been established as the front runner in the race for the award after an impressive pwerformance for Lille since he returned to the club at the summer from his loan spell in Israel. The goalie attracted international attention in the course of the season when he played 1,063 minutes of football without conceding a goal. In the category, Player of the Season, three PSG players - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta - and one from Monaco, James Rodriguez made the shortlist.

ormer Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo, is set to thrill television audiences across the country with a reality show tagged ‘ultimate naija soccer fans Television reality show’. In a media launch in Lagos on Wednesday, Kanu, who is the project Ambassador of the programme , with Nolly-

Meanwhile, Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, is ready to face all-comers tomorrow. This much was disclosed yesterday by Ali,the manager of the race, who also doubles as the governor’s trainer. ‘His Excellency is ready. He concluded his training programme on Thursday and will be one of the over 3000 athletes that will run the race tomorrow,’’ Ali said. Governor Oshiomhole is expected to race alongside some other distinguished Nigerians including the governors of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan,that of Rivers,Rotimi Amaechi, and the Osun State number one man, Rauf Aregbesola.

Omeruo joins call for abducted girls’ release Ajibade Olusesan

S Omeruo

Kanu unveils Naija soccer fans TV reality show Camillus Nnaji

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

wood actresses Benita Nzeribe and Chioma Chukwuka, said it’s time for soccer fans who had suffered supporting their clubs to be rewarded.” Football is important as a tool for uniting Nigeria, for instance when world cup begins , every body become brother again, no ‘bombings’. As for the fans we want to reward them who always weep when their clubs loose, we want you

to stop that cry and win something at least a Jeep and cash, this is real and a real fan can win” he said The Television soccer reality show put together by De Soccer Richweb Limited a football promotional outfit according to Onyebuchi Abia , spokesperson of the programme is aimed at rewarding fans who are soccer stakeholders.

uper Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has joined the call for the released of the school girls abducted by the Islamic extremists, Boko Haram. The girls were seized few weeks ago by the dreaded sect and efforts to rescue them have not yielded results. The Federal Government has been enjoined to expedite actions to retrieve the young girls and the Middlebrough defender has joined the growing calls. The player posted on his instagram account on Monday, calling “#BringBackOurGirls #Nigerian girls ages 16-18 were kidnapped from their schools in Nigeria 2 weeks ago when an armed terrorist group broke into their school.. Repost pls to get attention and let’s hope it touches hearts.. This is too extreme,” he wrote on an Instagram post.

Brazil: Siasia wary of Iranians

ith just 42 days before the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil, former coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia says debutants, Iran (Nigeria’s 1st foes), might just be her toughest opponent during the group phase of the mundial when actions gets underway this summer. “Now is the time for the compilation of videos and data that can truly reveal the Iranians” Siasia said in an interview with 365footballnews.com. “I am not afraid of Argentina like I am of Iran. We really don’t know much about Iran and if you are going to fight an enemy, then you should know the kind of enemy you want to fight.

NEWS 55

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, May 2, 2014

HELP Association seeks help from the U.S. to prevent escalation of violence in North East Nigeria Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

United States-based group, the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANAN) yesterday asked the United States government to exert its influence on Chad, Cameroun and Niger to be more supportive of the Nigerian government in dealing with the growing insurgency in the north. According to a statement by the association’s Executive Director, Mr. Laolu Akande, the call became necessary in order to prevent further escalation of the violence in the region in the wake of the seeming inability of the Nigerian

Day: Suswam, others American group seek May to slash salaries by 25% help over Chibok girls Cephas Lorhemen Makurdi

government to rescue the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. Part of the statement which was made available to our reporter reads: “It is now over two weeks after Boko Haram kidnapped about 200 innocent schoolgirls from their Middle/High School in Chibok, Borno State of Nigeria. Since then the world has been waiting! “We may be confused as to the real facts of the number and the circumstances of the attack and some of its fallouts. However, it is clear and certain that there are parents, families and relatives of the schoolgirls who assert that their wards are missing and are believed to be among those who have been abducted by this

530,000

gang of evil terrorists. “At the last count, media reports say the parents have counted about 234 missing girls. “CANAN stands with the parents and condemns the shameless behaviours of these terrorists. We pray for the safe return of these young girls, who are students and whose only guilt is that they seek education. “No one should have to suffer and come under such acrimonious onslaught because they seek knowledge, just as no one should have to suffer because of their faith.” “For one, the Nigerian government has continued to show itself very helpless, by itself alone to secure the well-being of the people in the areas where the Boko Haram

N8bn

The number of internally displaced persons The internally generated revenue of Ondo State (IDPs) of Sudan in 2009. in 2011. Source: Blatantworld.com Source: National Bureau of Statistics

attacks have become common. “The officials of the Nigerian government often say the right things in their public comments, but the activities on the ground are fast turning the Nigerian government’s response to mere rhetoric. “Promises have been made over and again by the Presidency, especially in the aftermath of grievous terrorist attacks. “But then the situation does not improve. The terrorists carry out attacks over and over again in places that are meant to be under an emergency rule regime! The bitter truth is that the terrorists are having a field day and the authorities in Nigeria are yet to contain them.”

4.12m

The total population of Abidjan, Cote’d Ivoire in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

L-R: Director of Communication & Strategy, Ndigbo Lagos, Chuma lgwe: President-General, Ndigbo Lagos, Prof Anya O. Anya and Executive Vice Chairman, Techno Oil, Mrs Nkechi Obi, at the press conference on the planned grand reception for Ndigbo who left office recently in Lagos …yesterday

Mimiko blames PDP for non-conduct of LG polls

ndo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday blamed the non-conduct of local government elections in the state on the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whom he said is using the judiciary to frustrate such elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had listed the state amongst the 10 in the country that are yet to conduct local government elections. But Mimiko, who spoke at yesterday’s May Day rally, said the opposition PDP had filed a suit against the election and

the case is pending at the Supreme Court and as a law-abiding government, it would not do anything that would jeopardise the outcome of the suit before the highest court in the land. “On the non-conduct of local government elections in Ondo State, this is due to the court case instituted by the PDP; the case is now at the Supreme Court as soon as judgement is given, we shall conduct election into the various offices in the local government councils.” But the PDP through its Director of Publicity, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, denied

the allegation that the party was in court to stall local government elections in the state. According to him, it was the LP administration that ‘illegally’ dissolved the constituted local government administration in the state, adding that it was the officials that were dissolved that challenged the government in the court. Mimiko, who said the Labour Party administration is workers’ friendly, said salaries are paid as at when due, workers get promoted on time and that local government and teachers

get status equivalent to their colleagues in the civil service. He said the introduction of the much criticised contribution pension scheme is to make sure that workers get their pensions and gratuities as at when due. “Let me assure you that the decision of the state government to fully implement the Contributory Pension Scheme as witnessed by the signing into law on 25th March 2014, the bill passed by the House of Assembly, was borne out of the desire for our workers to get their retirement benefits as and when due.

enue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, yesterday announced the resolve of his administration to cut down his salary and those of other political appointees by 25 percent to settle striking primary school teachers that had down tools since October last year. The governor, who announced this while addressing workers at the McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi to mark this year’s Workers Day celebration, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants in order to sustain a healthy relationship with the organised labour. Governor Suswam said in an effort to ensure the welfare of workers, his administration in 2007 implemented a worker-

friendly policy to boost the welfare of workers, adding that he will continue to embrace policies and programmes that would transform the lives of the people as enshrined in the development blueprint of his administration. He cautioned against politicising the primary school strike, adding that he will relent in dialoging with labour unions to finding lasting solution towards ending the impasse that has crippled the primary school system in the state. The governor stated that efforts by his administration at resolving the matter over time were hampered by the refusal and demand by the Nigerian Union of Teachers in the state for the implementation of what he termed a rather skewed salary structure of the national minimum wage.

Adamawa APC gets female chair Ibrahim Abdul Yola

damawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako’s candidate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) state congress, Hon. Binta Masi Garba, yesterday emerged the state chairman of the party through consensus. Garba, who was a three-time House of Representatives member, emerged after her two rivals in the contest, Mr. P. P. Elisha and Reverend Iliya Agowa, voluntarily withdrew from the contest. Before the position of Garba was endorsed as the state chairman in the wake of the withdrawal of her rivals, a voice vote was conducted where members endorsed her election as stipulated by the party’s constitution. Deputy Chairman of the party, Shuaibu Yamusa, however, emerged unopposed as he was the only person that contested the position. Out of the 35 available positions, only seven

were keenly contested as the contestants for the other positions were unopposed. The position of the Vi c e - C h a i r m a n s h i p North was keenly contested between Muhammad Abdullahi and Abdullahi Buba Digil; and Muhammed Abdullahi emerged victorious with 173 votes against 110 votes scored by his rival. Also, the position of the vice-chairman central was contested between Dimas Ezra and Adamu Magaji Jijiwa that produced Dimas Ezra as the winner of the contest with 288 votes against 156 votes scored by his rival. The position of the state Secretary of the party was contested between Abdullahi Bakari and Alhaji Abdulrazak Namdas and Abdullahi Bakari was declared the winner with 849 votes against 413 votes scored by his rival. The election was conducted without hitches as maximum security was deployed at the Lamido Cinema and its environs.

…As Atiku hails emergence of woman APC chairman Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ormer Vice-President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has commended the peaceful conduct of the just-concluded congress of the APC in his native Adamawa State. The former vice-president described as historic and exemplary, the emergence of Hon. Binta Masi

Garba as the first-ever female elected state party chairperson. He expressed confidence in the ability of Hon. Garba to lead the party to total victory in all future elections in the state. The former vice-president also congratulated all those who emerged in the process, saying; “The party is assured of my total support until we win all our elections.”

World Record

On Marble Let us take heed how we laugh without reason, lest we cry with it. – Charles Dickens

Sanctity of Truth

w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha FRIday, MAY 2, 2014

N150

Before we kill the book M Graffiti ention the word revolution and two things flash across the minds of most people with the speed of lightning, radical change and violence. The latter perception has done a lot to undermine the quest for radical and progressive change especially in a political context. In popular thought therefore, violence and anarchy are closely connected with revolution. A perception enhanced by some events including the circumstances that triggered some of the famous political revolutions from the French Revolution to the recent Arab Spring. Yet revolution is not all about politics nor is every revolution driven by violence and anarchy. Revolution does take place in almost every sphere of human life. T hus the first revolution that took place in communication was the production of the book through the process of printing. Jo h a n n e s G u t e r n b e r g ’s e n t e rprising innovation ensured the radical mar riage of the technolog y of printing with the for matting of the written word to birth the book. Since its delivery, the book has become not just the first means of massification of communication, but a durable source of enlightenment, entertainment and instruction. This modest device has become the source for the phenomenal spread of knowledge and ideas across borders. In other words, even the advancement of civilization has been fast-tracked by books. Societies that place a premium on the book know that it plays a significant role in the life of their citizens from childhood to adulthood. Indeed the kind of books produced and patronized in a society say much about it. Where ideas are taken seriously for society’s prog ress, the book is always an important companion. Thus several societies take adequate measures to protect the book and ensure it production is not jeopardized, even in the face of technolo gical advancements. Indeed despite the endless prophecies of the death of the book b e c a u s e o f n ew t e ch n o l o g i e s, especially with the Infor mation Communication revolution of digitalization, the book continues to show an amazing durability. However, Nigeria seems more than willing to kill the book. A Book Tariff Policy dropped out of the blue of of ficialdom on March 26, this year and had been back dated as taking ef fect two months back from January 1. This tarif f which is essentially targeted at books imported into the country is a cocktail of asphyxiation: import duty – 20 %; surcharge – 7 %; ciss – 0.5%; levy – 30% and VAT – 5%, bring the total of the toxic composition to 58%. The of ficial line is that the new tarif f is designed to encourage

EMMAN USMAN SHEHU prohabe@hotmail.com - 08051614969 (sms only)

local printers. In theory this sounds like a laudable motive. T he reality though once a g ain highlights our poor process of policy making, as there is always a failure to properly inter rogate the issues at stake, consequently under mining the country’s pro g ress. If those responsible for this new policy had bothered to come down from their elitist high-horse to make the necessary consultations, they would have realized that there are pertinent subsisting issues. Top of the list is the fact that Nig eria has in the past sixty years been a signatory of an inter national ag reement under the auspices of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Org anisation (UNESCO), which requires that customs duties or other charges will not be imposed on books, publications, educational, scientific and cultural materials that are imported. Whoever pushed through the new tarif f has shown a dismal lack of understanding of the nexus between the country’s printing and publishing sectors. It is no secret that despite the proliferation of printing presses, the general standard of production is very poor. Thus the end products, especially books, are comparatively shoddy. The printing sector also does not have the capacity to cope with the huge demand for books from the nursery, primary, secondary and ter tiary tiers of the education system. Add to the fore going a virtually non-existent distribution network and the unhealthy state of the book sector becomes glaring. Since 1981, as a fallout of the Structural Adjustment Prog ramme which almost sapped the life out of the publishing sector, stakeholders have brainstor med for solutions. According to the author, educationist and traditional ruler, Chukwuemeka Ike, these have included “the creation of a number of taskforces, study g roups, conferences and committees set up to make recommendations on various facets of book production and distribution, including ways to equip the book sector and make it meet the needs of the educational system.” It is doubtful if the makers of the new policy made any effor t to tap into this cor pus of

propositions, nor did they even bother to ask for suggestions before cranking out their decision. They also seem to be ignorant of the fact that serious publishers, because of the unpleasant experiences they have had with local printers, are forced to print outside the country. One such publishers recounts his experience: “The sample (100,000) copies supplied by the printer bore no resemblance to the pallet of books eventually delivered. The books were so poorly put together, with thin sludge –g rey paper that they were unsellable. We had to throw them away, with no hope of compensation. Our business was nearly killed off before it had be gun.” T he Cassava Re public experience g raphically typifies the highly problematic situation that includes blank pages, weak binding, ir re gular cutting, poor design and finishing among other production failings. To attain quality at a reasonable price, publishers who can a f fo rd i t t h e re fo re t a ke t h e i r material overseas for printing to benefit from the skill and related resources available there. With the new tarif f, these books technically become imports and the consequence is that they can no longer be af fordable. Smaller publishers who cannot af ford to publish across the seas are forced to produce a limited print run of 1,000 copies because of the prohibitive cost of printing materials that would provide quality almost consistent with those produced in India, Turkey, Dubai or China. At the end the effort is self-defeating not only because there is no assured quality control, but the copies produced are expensive and not in a quantity that would be commercially viable for the publisher. Too many ne g atives are being propelled by the new policy. There is no guarantee that the standard of printing will improve nor is there any provision in this re gard. The cost of books will not reduce because most of the printing materials are impor ted and are also af fected by some for m of tarif fs. It will be a huge set-back for the publishing sector, especially as pirates will exploit the situation to be more active. But the biggest blow will be to the reading culture. All the efforts

Rebecca Soni (USA) recorded a time of 2:19.59 in the final of the Olympic 200m breaststroke at the Aquatics Centre, London, UK, on 2 August 2012.

at getting the populace to rekindle interest in reading books will come to naught. Quite a sizeable proportion of books are secondhand imports responsible for the thriving ‘bend-down bookstalls”, or those that have been brought in as donations. Indeed foreign sponsored book donations play a significant role in sustaining the reading culture. The tariff will inevitably increase freight costs and force foreign book donors to call it a day, to the detriment of for mal and non-for mal education The situation also points to what looks like deception. One of the much-touted slogans of the administration during the 2011 campaign, “Bring Back The Book”. Not much effort has manifested in that direction, as there was no plan in the first place. The tariff, instead of bringing back the book will only succeed in doing what SAP could not do – kill the book. Considering also that Port Harcourt is now the Book Capital of the World, it makes our policy makers look like technocrats out of synch with reality. It is expedient to dispose of this tariff. It is also an opportunity to holistically consider practical interventions for both sectors that produce the book. A robust and implementable national book policy is long overdue, and could be the spark for a revolution of some sort that would open a new chapter in the knowledge industry. It is also an opportunity to revive the moribund National Endowment Fund for the Arts. A country that does not cherish the book is toying with retrogression, something that is already apparent in our thinking and the state of the education system. Simply put, we must not kill the book.

OmoBaba

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