Binder1 nov27, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Vol. 1 No. 282

Thursday, November 27, 2014

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N150

IGP refuses to recognise Tambuwal as speaker }7 NEW TELE

CBN withdraws N568bn from banks

Jurist

n a bid to save the naira that has lost 10 per cent of its value this year,

the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday withdrew a total of N568 billion from banks’ accounts domiciled with it to meet the 500 basis-point hike in

Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on private sector deposits. The move, which is specifically to prevent banks from speculating at the official foreign exchange

market, caught banks off guard as they were not given enough time to prepare for the debits. “CBN just notified us CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

THURSDAY , novembeR

27, 2014

ts, by Muk

htar

Interview

Law

l'Apex bank didn’t devalue naira' Ayodele Aminu and Chukwu David

GRAPH

My regre

23&24

Should the Assembly National Preside endorse nt Jonathan’sGoodluck request for furt her of the em extension erg rule in the ency north-eas troubled Adama t states of wa, Bor no and Yobe? Law yes. TUN yers say no, DE OYE SINA, AKEEM NA APPOLO FIU and S CHRIS report TIAN

Olatoye: Why Jona seek re-e than shou lection ld not

Discord request ant tunes ove r Jonath for eme rgency ru an’s le

or the four months, th time in 18 luck JonaPresident Good sought than last weekof the Nationalthe endorsem further Assembly ent for a gency extension of north-earule in the an emerwa, Bornstern states troubled of his reso o and Yobe Adamafollowing the affeclve to end insu rgency ted in His first regions. 2013 whe time was on of the Natin he got the May 14, Boko approval Haram the first onal Assembly Islamic fundermen extensiosix months elap . Since talists ment may ns had sed, two there had been previous hit the bric been no made yet sults. desired to achi emergency ks as the eve succ rule is re- 2013 Does the yet ess sinc . Presiden another e May 14, However ther exteendorsementt deserve , lawyers to New for nsio who spok furTele rule, espe n of eme fer on the graph yest e bled state cially when rgency containe President’s erday difthe s have trou requ ven for d in the become - tion the 1999 Con est as . fundame Boko Hara the hastitum While no, yes. ntalists? Law Islamic Jonathan some say Presiden tagonists According yers say tension ’s request to t for an further there was no the anwas cosm cons exbasis for etic eque rule in grant of the eme is desi nce, others and of no the rable in request troubled zone rgency believe cum the it for s stan as the present it by would ce as cironly not achi the Presiden mili results. eve any t inhi operate perf tary could desired ectly bitio Although laration n when ther without e is Presiden than has of Specificaan emergen a decSections the powers t JonaNwobike lly, while cy rule. Dr. 14 (2) (b) 217(2) (c), 218, under Nigeria , a Senior Adv Joseph Jonathan deploy of the Constitu 13 and Ali, SAN(SAN), Mal ocate of tion to am north-eatroops to the ers, SAN , Mr. Norriso Yusuf Nationalst, his requ troubled Akanbi, , Professor Muhn QuakAssembl est for the y’s endo SAN, Mr. Malami Abuammed rseFestus Tunji Aba Keyamo bakar, and Dr. Jonathan yomi said Pres a cosm ’s request was ident etic one tension as a furthmerely in the of the emergen er extroubled the solu states cy rule FOLUSO war beintion to the insuwas not OGUNMO DEDE JUDICIARY rian nati g declared on rgency EDItoR Haram on by the violethe Nigefoluso.ogun Islamic nt newtelegrap modede@ ists, Chie fundameBoko honline.com © Daily f ntal SAN, Paul Adeniyi Telegraph Akintola,Publishing Baiyesea Ananaba, Company Limited SAN Ozekhom, SAN and Chie , John e, f To the SAN differ. Mike proponen ts, the Pres Mark i-

dent’s requ of the eme est for an extensio rgen a long way to cy rule would n it from achieve result. go abou the sour desirabl ce. e disil t the perceiveI am talking But Nwo lusioned d mili Presiden bike insi tary So, and was of t Jonathan sted that an we need to do annoyan ce. ’s achievedno use as it request ruleextension of more than just the eme . 18 mon any success had not rgency ths. in the last “Look at wha He said at the Nati t is extensio : “So, aski onal Asse happenin mom ng for sequencen to me is an sent ent. The Hou mbly at theg of no atives se of Repr consituation as far as the has whil cerned. in those plac security chao e the who been polariseele asse es d But, is s. Ther conmbly hopefully to belie is in in the polit e are mor , I wan e problems may be ve that the y than Presiden t an exte nsion of just asking strategierejigging his t rule for the eme ’’. ing has s because so security rgency To the that somhappened but far noth- amo activist lawyer, as soon ething shou we pray brou, “emerge Key ncy ld happ as en So, ght succour rule has notHe was possible’’. the kind to the echoed Senior peop of by I advo Adv cate for emergency le. Quakers ocate, Mr. another will rule is Presiden , who qua Norrison pungbe more effec the type that rried tive ent the tension t’s rationale insurgenenough to dealand more had beenwhen nothingfor an excy’’. with the months, achieved in tangible ing,Ali said “fra the nkly uncalled said the requ last 18 achi nothing speakfor. est was eved sinc much has He how been of the emergene the existenc Jonathan ever tasked have security to address thePresident Our witnesse cy rule. All e we d to brin challenge withnation’s insu security can’is escalatio ging an t contain n. a view rgency cy rath end to this er “At the . to exte than lookinginsurgen- caliz initial nd the trou the emergen for a way into ed, but now stage, it was locy rule bled it in it the marrow is eating deep He said states. is just of the coun the exte : “To wha like a canc loca try t nsio exte , l gove er n? I thin nt is go beyo have been rnment andwhereby k address nd the emergenwe must towns the prob “I thin captured. cy rule k we shou lem and , attack ld go back

Page 21

FIVE pages of LAW

Obasanjo hits Jonathan CoNt INUE

D oN PAGE

lPresident a dictator, destroying democracy lNational Assembly, an assembly of thieves }5

‘

President Jonathan

Mark: Senate President

Tambuwal: House Speaker

When the head is rotten, the whole body is useless... As a leader, you must not deliberately do evil, you should know that you will one day give account to God

Buhari's jet denied landing in Makurdi

Travel Advisory lWe won't vote for ex-head of state –Imo speaker

Your guide to local and international flights 4

Wole Shadare, Steve Uzoechi, Cephas Iorhemen and Emmanuel Masha

ormer Head of State and presidential aspirant of the All

Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, was yesterday taken aback by events in Imo and Benue states in the pursuit of his presidential ambition. The private jet conveying him to Benue State

was denied landing at the Makurdi Airport while the Imo State House of Assembly pointedly told him they would vote against him at the APC national convention. Buhari was to hold consultations with party

supporters in Benue State ahead of the December 10th primaries yesterday, but the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) denied the jet landing permit and had to turn back. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

‘

Telegraph

Obasanjo

Quick Read

Editorial

Capacity building and SME devt }19 Controversy over T.A. Orji son's eligibility }46

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Travel Advisory

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE FIRST NATION AIRWAYS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45 (SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50 AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30 MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 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 AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE WEEKLY SCHEDULE Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 12:40pm Lagos-Abuja/Kano 4:00pm Abuja-Kano 5:45pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kan 10:10am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 12:40pm Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm WEEKEND SCHEDULE SATURDAY Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Sunday Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 10:30am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 1:20pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm

British Airways flights from Nigeria (Mon - Sun) Flight path

Distance

Departure

Lagos (LOS) to London Heathrow (LHR)

4990km

23.30hrs

Abuja (ABV) to London Heathrow (LHR)

4762km

08.00hrs

Flight path

Distance

Departure

London Heathrow (LHR) to Lagos (LOS)

4990km

11.00hrs

London Heathrow (LHR) to Abuja (ABV)

4762km

6 hours 25 minutes

British Airways flights to Nigeria

Daily flights from Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja) (Mon - Sun) Airliner

Airports

Stops

Arik Air

London to Lagos

21:30hrs

Arik Air

Lagos (LOS) to New York (JFK) 23:35hrs

Arik Air

New York (JFK) to Lagos

12:00hrs (NY time)

Delta Airlines

Atlanta Lagos

16:00hrs

Delta Airlines

Lagos to Atlanta

22:00hrs

Emirates Airlines Lagos to Dubai

14:00hrs; 20:00hrs

KLM

Lagos to Amsterdam

23:05hrs

Virgin Atlantic

Lagos to London

11:00hrs

Lufthansa

Abuja to Frankfurt

23.10hrs

Lufthansa

Lagos to Frankfurt

21.00hrs

South Africa Airways

Lagos to Johannesburg

22.15hrs

United Airlines

Lagos to Housten, Texas

22:10hrs

Air France

Abuja to Paris

23:55hrs

Air France

Lagos to Paris

21:20hrs

Ethiopia Airways Abuja to Addis Ababa

20.10hrs

Ethiopia Airways Lagos to Addis Ababa

14:00hrs

Emirates Airlines international travel tips UAE Visas Before you travel to the UAE, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa if needed. Holders of non-standard passports and travel documents may also have different entry requirements: please check your visa and passport requirements here. Citizens of the GCC nations of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia do not require a visa to travel to the UAE. Visas on arrival If your country of nationality appears on the list below, no advance visa arrangements are required to visit the UAE. Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International Airport and proceed to Immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a 30-day visit visa free of charge. This can be extended for an additional 30 days at an additional charge. Travellers from countries not listed above will need to arrange a visa in advance of travel. Apply and pay for your UAE visa online Nationals of countries requiring a prearranged UAE visa can now apply and pay for their visas online through emirates.com. If you are travelling to or stopping over in Dubai with Emirates, you can submit an application and receive your UAE visa entirely online – without having to submit your passport for stamping. You can apply for your UAE visa through our Manage a Booking tool after booking your Emirates flight. The online visa application service is available for residents of many countries around the world: find a list of eligible countries here. Applicants' passports must have at least six months' validity as of their date of travel to Dubai. This service is only available to passengers with a confirmed Emirates booking where an Emirates eticket has already been issued and the flight itinerary already includes the desired time in Dubai. Note that any itineraries including any flights to or from Dubai on other carriers are not eligible for the online visa service. A minimum of four international working days prior to arrival in Dubai is required, however Emirates does recommend that online applications are made as early as possible. Visas issued through this service are available for a period of stay in Dubai of 96 hours or 30 days.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Obasanjo hits Jonathan, lawmakers Tunde Oyesina, Yekeen Nurudeen and Kenneth Tyohemba Abuja

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday launched broadsides against President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the National Assembly for their handling of the affairs of the country. Obasanjo, at the launch of two books in honour of former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), retired Justice Mustapha Akanbi, in Abuja, accused the president of intimidating the opposition. The two books are: The story of my two worlds: Challenges, experiences and achievements, which is an autobiography of Justice Akanbi and A life of ser-

vice and grace (Perspective shared). The former president, who also described senators and members of the House of Representatives as corrupt, said the president, by his action, was endangering democracy. He urged Jonathan to stop promoting "verbal violence which may not physically hurt, but has ways of degenerating into physical violence". Obasanjo, who spoke against the backdrop of the police raid on the data centre of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and police invasion of the National Assembly, said: “Management of democracy without resorting to brute force and dictatorial tendencies must be cultivated. “As a leader, you must not deliberately do evil or condone evil. You should know that you will one day give account to God, you may cover up here,

but before God, there is no cover up.” Yesterday's attack on the president by Obasanjo is the second within one week as he had, last weekend in Abeokuta, scored the Jonathan administration below average. The former president also accused the president of mismanaging the economy and the Boko Haram insurgency. He decried the growing corruption in the economy, with its attendant toll on the wellbeing of the people. He said: “What the public know or see of the economy is not what the economy truly is. “For quite some time, the covered and the hushed up corruption has had its toll on the economy. The non-investment and disinvestment in the oil and gas sector by the major international oil companies has added its own deleterious impact.

“Our continued heavy dependence on one commodity has not adequately prepared us against any shock in that one commodity on the international plane. “With the figure of $78 per barrel as benchmark, we will be in a bind if oil price falls to $75 per barrel. I am made to understand that Saudi Arabia used $68 per barrel as benchmark for its 2015 budget. “Our inadequate protection of almost all local industries with heavy cost of energy has dealt a hard blow on most indigenous industries. The economy is in doldrums if not in reverse. “The often-quoted GDP growth neither reflects on the living condition of most of our people nor on most of the indigenous industries and services where capacity utilisation is about 50 per cent." He also decried the poor

understanding and handling of the insurgency in the North-East region Jonathan. He described Boko Haram as not a menace based on religion or one directed to frustrate anybody's political ambition, but essentially a socio-economic problem that is tainted with religion. "It is a gargantuan danger to the nation and to all Nigerians. President Jonathan's understanding of Boko Haram phenomenon suffered from wrong reading and wrong imputation. That is what led us to where we are today," he added. In his attack on National Assembly members, Obasanjo accused them of extorting money from government officials and contractors. He described the legislature as a haven of corruption and regretted that the executive arm of govern-

L-R: Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola; author of ‘A new kind of dance’, Hajia Amina Salihu and her husband, Salihu Lukman, at the book launch in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Reps order Shell to pay N604.8bn compensation for oil spill Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday directed Shell Nigeria Exploration Company (SNEPCo) to pay $3.6 billion (N604.832 billion) for the damage caused by oil spill owing to its equipment failure in Bayelsa State. The House Committee on Environment, chaired by Hon. Uche Ekwunife, gave the order during an investigative hearing into the SNEPCo Bonga crude oil spill, which occurred on December 20, 2011.

According to the committee, N63.6 billion is to be paid for direct losses, termed irreversible damage; N103.192 billion for loss of income; N85.785 billion is for water provision while N27.399,520,512 is for forestry and NTFP. For the indirect losses, SNEPCo is to pay N14.350 billion for health hazard; N8.089 billion is for injurious affection while the sum of N302.416 billion is for punitive damage. According to the report, the Shell crude oil spillage had harmful chemical pollutants that affected 350 coastal communities and

satellite villages. SNEPCo in its report agreed “to an oil spill estimate at 40,000 barrels into the marine environment in Bonga on December 2011. The cause of the spill was equipment failure resulting from a snapped loading hose under water.” Earlier in his presentation, Peter Idabor, DirectorGeneral of National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency (NOSDRA), who accused the company of frustrating moves to hold the multi-stakeholders meeting as directed by the committee, disagreed with the insincerity of SNEPCo

on the unilateral adoption of different nomenclature like ‘mystery oil spill’ and ‘meeting of SNEPCo palliative’ at different forum. He said various stakeholders resolved to withdrew from the meeting, adding that the Minister of Environment when briefed on the outcome of the multi-stakeholders meeting, directed other parties not to attend any meeting henceforth. On his part, Manager, Environmental Matters of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Agada Jerome, accused SNEPCo of frustrating

efforts to find lasting solutions to the problem. He alleged that SNEPCo at a meeting held in Lagos presented false report that DPR certified the dispersant used in the affected communities, adding that the palliative provided so far by the oil company was done unilaterally. Ekwunife chided SNEPCo for failing to alleviate the suffering of the communities and flouting the environmental laws. The lawmaker directed NOSDRA to ensure compliance and report back to the House within two weeks.

ment was also complicit in bribing lawmakers. He said: “Apart from shrouding the remunerations of the National Assembly in opaqueness and without transparency, they indulge in extorting money from departments, contractors and ministries in two ways. "They do so during visits to their projects and programmes and in the process of budget approval when they build up budgets for ministries and departments, which agree to give it back to them in contracts that they do not execute. They do similar things during their inquiries. "Corruption in the National Assembly also includes what they call constituency projects which they give to their agents to execute but invariably, full payment is made with little or no job done. “In all this, if the executive is not absolutely above board, the offending members of the National Assembly resort to subtle or open threat, intimidation and blackmail. When the executive pay the huge money, normally in millions of dollars, all is quiet in form of whitewashed reports that fail to deal effectively with the issues investigated.” At the book launch, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, said before the inauguration of Obasanjo as president, the former president had pledged to ensure transparency in the Nigerian oil sector but he later reneged on his pledge as the oil sector became a cesspool of corruption. "Obasanjo failed to address the problems with the number of crude oil per barrel produced daily, how many barrels are exported for sale as well as the use of the proceeds," he stated. However, the former president differed from the royal father, stating that it was during his tenure that allocation to states became transparent with the publication of monthly revenue to the three tiers of government. According to him, his government also worked out modalities to enthrone accountability and transparency in the oil sector. Although, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati promised yesterday to issue a statement in reaction to Obasanjo's attack, he had not done so as at press time. Also, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, could not be reached as calls to his telephone line did not go through.

News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP screens Jonathan, overrules disqualification of aspirants Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan has appeared before the presidential

screening committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the screening of presidential aspirants on the platform of the party. The president, who arrived PDP national sec-

Court reserves judgement in suit to unseat Mu’azu Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday reserved judgement in a suit filed by an aspirant to the House of Representatives from Adamawa State, Aliyu Abuba Gurin, seeking to unseat the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, and at the same time stop the December 10 convention of the party. Joined as first to fourth defendants in the case are the PDP; its former national chairman, Bamanga Tukur; Mu'azu and the Independent National Electoral Commis-

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

31o C 25oC Thunder Storms

ABUJA

35oC

22oC

Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

25o C 18oC Storms

KANO

32oC

12oC

Mostly Sunny

sion (INEC). At the resumed hearing, counsel to the plaintiff, Rotimi Oguneso, argued that the resignation Tukur did not comply with the provision of Section 47(5) of the constitution of the party which stipulates that a 30-day notice be given to the National Executive Committee (NEC) by the former national chairman. He further argued that the appointment of Mu'azu as the new chairman did not follow the laid down provisions of the party constitution. The second plaintiff, Tukur, in his counterclaim, argued that he was forced to resign his post as the national chairman of the party in order for the five governors that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the party. Opposing the application, counsel to PDP and Mu'azu, Solomon Umor (SAN) asked the court to dismiss the suit on ground that the plaintiff lacks the right to institute such suit. He further noted that the counter-claim filed by the second defendant is strange in law and cannot be accepted by court. After listening to all the parties, the trial judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu, reserved judgement.

34oC

33oC

Partially Cloudy

IBADAN

32oC

22oC

Partially Cloudy

CALABAR

29o C 23oC Thunder Storms

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

33oC 14oC Mostly Sunny

33oC

23oC

Partially Cloudy

and was headed by former PDP national chairman, Senator Ahmadu Ali while former national legal adviser of the party, Olusola Oke, was the secretary. The president was expected to present before the committee his PDP membership card, academic qualifications, NYSC discharge certificate, tax clearance papers, evidence of contribution to the growth of the party in his constituency, and, as well answered some questions from members of the panel. National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh, who spoke after the screening, said though he is not a member of the panel, the president will

know his fate in the next 24 hours. "We don't know the outcome; the screening panel will inform the leadership of the party of the outcome and submit the result in accordance with the constitution and guideline of our party. "I hope by this evening or latest tomorrow morning they will come up with the result," Metuh added. Apart from Jonathan, the screening committee also attended to Dr. Abdul Jhali Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, who also picked PDP presidential nomination forms. Meanwhile, the PDP Presidential Appeal Panel has been set up to listen to any complaints that may

arise from the presidential screening. The committee is headed by Mu'azu and is composed of members of NWC. The National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo is the secretary. Meanwhile, PDP has overruled its Screening Appeal Committees on the disqualification of some aspirants. The party said the committees do not have the power to disqualify already cleared aspirants by screening committees. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Metuh, PDP directed those affected to disregard "any purported disqualification by Screening Appeal Panels."

Chairman, Senate Committee on the Environment, Senator Bukola Saraki and former United States Secretary of State, Senator Hillary Clinton, at the just-concluded cleancook stove summit in New York

Central bank didn’t devalue naira, says deputy gov CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ENUGU

retariat by 3:15p.m. was accompanied by Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, some state governors led by the Chairman of PDP Governors' Forum, Godswill Akpabio and some ministers. He was received on arrival by members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) led by the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu. "The screening, which lasted for nearly one hour was held at the NWC hall

this afternoon (yesterday) that they were going to debit us and they effected this debit almost immediately,” said the treasurer of one of the big banks who craved for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter. The withdrawal triggered a scramble for funds in the interbank lending market, where the cost of borrowing among banks almost doubled. The overnight interbank borrowing rate closed at 20 per cent yesterday compared with 10.25 per cent on Tuesday. Among other monetary measures to shore up the currency, the CBN had on

Tuesday at its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, hiked the CRR on private sector deposits to 20 per cent from 15 per cent but left that of the CRR on public sector unchanged at 75 per cent. It also raised interest rate by 100 basis points, the first change in two years as well as devalued the naira by 8.3 per cent or N13, from N155 to $1 to N168. At the interbank market yesterday, the naira exchange rate initially rose to N177.25 to $1 in the morning before dropping to N170.67 after the CBN intervened. But the naira exchange rate rose to N182 to $1 at the parallel market. The benchmark inter-

est rate of the CBN, otherwise known as Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), is the nominal anchor of all interest rates in the economy. It is the rate at which the CBN gives loans to banks and as such, influences directly, the level and direction of change in interest rates, while the CRR is the proportion of banks total deposits held in cash balance with the CBN. Reacting to the funds sterilised by the CBN, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said it was going to affect banks’ balance sheets and it “would have profound implications on their end of the year results.” But foreign investors

still believe that the CBN has not done enough. The central bank’s moves will not be enough to entice many foreign investors to buy naira bonds, according to Phillip Blackwood, a Londonbased money manager at EM Quest Capital LLP. Local-currency bonds lost 8.3 per cent this month, the most on a dollar basis among 31 emerging markets tracked by Bloomberg indexes. Meanwhile, Dr. Joseph Nnanna, who was recently nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan as CBN Deputy Governor yesterday explained that Tuesday's purported devaluation of the naira was only a response to the

market forces by the apex bank. Nnana said this while the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions was screening him at the National Assembly complex, Abuja. He, however, urged Nigerians to be patient to enable the leadership of the apex bank to pursue a policy that would be a blessing to the country in the long run. He added that it was necessary to delicately balance the desire for low interest rates, low inflation and a strong currency, saying that, with this approach, low interest rate will be eventually achieved in future.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

I won’t recognise Tambuwal as speaker –IG lSenate probes police invasion of National Assembly

Philip Nyam, David Chukwu, Johnchuks Onuanyim and Emmanuel Onani Abuja

nvestigations into last Thursday’s police invasion of the National Assembly ended abruptly yesterday as the Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Abba, refused to recognise Aminu Tambuwal as the speaker of the House of Representatives. Rather, the IG accused Tambuwal of bringing thugs into the National Assembly. He also alleged that policemen on duty were beaten and disobeyed by the thugs imported by the Speaker. But the members of the House Committee on Police Affairs protested and insisted that the IG must accord the speaker his due respect and honour. Trouble started when Abba, who appeared before the committee to explain why the police condoned off the National Assembly and prevented lawmakers from accessing the chambers, preferred to refer to the speaker as “Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal”, insisting that the issue was before the court, and as such, he will not comment on it. The lawmakers protested vehemently. Hon. Hakeem Muniru (APC Lagos) demanded that “the IGP must retract his state-

ment calling the speaker; ‘Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal’ or I take my leave as I would deem this sitting as an illegal one. Because I can’t participate in a hearing where the office of the speaker through whose authority we are having this meeting is not even recognised by an appointee of the executive.” Following protest from members of the committee to what they termed disrespect for the person and office of speaker, chairman of the committee, Hon. Usman Kumo (PDP, Gombe) sought a clear declaration from the police boss. Kumo said: “I believe the IG does not mean he did not recognise the institution of National Assembly. Mr. IG, simple question that triggered this hullabaloo is about the statement that is perceived by members which you can correct or which you can assert, whether the speaker is Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as it is today or not, simple, finish.” Responding, the IG said: “Mr. Chairman and esteemed members of this committee, you know too well matters before the courts are not to be debated. I believe it will be subjudice for me to comment on the matter.” Consequently, Kumo adjourned the investigative hearing indefinitely announcing that he was going to report what transpired between the

committee and the IG to the House. Earlier, the IG in his presentation, explained that the deployment of policemen was occasioned by an “intelligence and credible information” that some hoodlums were planning to attack the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Presidential Villa on that fateful day. On the tear gas that was

fired at the lawmakers, the IGP explained: “The tear gas exploded outside the gate and that is being investigated; the circumstance is being investigated. Like we saw how security arrangement at that gate was compromised and we saw how people we suspect to be thugs scaled the fence and that resulted in the unfortunate incident where tear gas exploded.” Meanwhile, the leadership of the All Progres-

sives Congress (APC) yesterday met with the Speaker at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja. Although there was no official reason given on the Speaker’s visit, feelers from the secretariat said it has to do with the impeachment threat against President Goodluck Jonathan by the lawmakers. Members of the House had, on Tuesday, raised 50 impeachable offences

against the president. The Speaker, who drove himself to the party secretariat at about 12noon, met the APC leadership, led by its National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun. After the meeting, neither the Speaker nor the party leadership spoke to the media about the discussion held. Tambuwal only stated that “I have been speaking.”

L-R: Former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd.) and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the launch of Akanbi’s books in Abuja…yesterday.

We won't vote for ex-head of state –Imo speaker CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Our correspondent, who was at the airport, observed that thousands of APC supporters who had thronged the airport to welcome the presidential aspirant left disappointed. New Telegraph learnt that Buhari came in from Bayelsa State where he had met with his supporters on how the party could win the 2015 presidential election. Benue State chairman of APC, Comrade Abba Yaro, told journalists that the former Head of State was initially granted permit, but it was later turned down for undisclosed reasons. It was learnt that Buhari's visit was to also afford him the opportunity of meeting with some aggrieved members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are contemplating of defecting to the opposition party. But spokesman of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati,

told New Telegraph that the Makurdi airport is not under the jurisdiction of the airport authority but a military facility used by the Nigeria Air Force. According to Dati, “The Makurdi airport is not under our jurisdiction. We do not have control over it because it is a military facility that has is being used by both the military and commercial airlines.” Dati disclosed that usually private operators seek and obtain permit before they can be allowed to land in that airport. Makurdi Airport, which was closed to commercial flight operations over 15 years ago reopened to commercial flights in 2010. Also, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu yesterday told Buhari in clear terms that APC delegates from Imo State would not vote for him in the presidential primaries.

Uwajumogu made the pronouncement when Buhari paid an unscheduled visit to the Imo Assembly to solicit support from the APC legislators who are automatic delegates to the national convention where the presidential flagbearer will emerge. The Speaker told the former Head of State that just like most Igbo men, the Imo Assembly is supporting Governor Rochas Okorocha for the APC presidential ticket and as such would not vote for Buhari. He said: “The perception is that APC is not an Igbo party. Hence the Assembly is joining men of goodwill and indeed the entire Igbo nation to support Okorocha and by so doing prove that Ndigbo truly have a stake in the APC.” While commending Buhari for his renowned anticorruption stance, Uwajumogu lamented what he described as the marginalisation of Ndigbo in all the

relevant frontiers of the Nigerian polity, noting that Buhari would have been a veritable option if an Igbo man was not in the race. Earlier in his address, Buhari solicited for the support of the APC lawmakers, urging them to join him in the bid to reclaim Nigeria from maladministration as vividly reflected in the increasing number of uncompleted projects scattered across the country; wanton loss of lives occasioned by insecurity and the deep-seated corruption ravaging the country. The meeting was held in the office of the Speaker shortly after the House plenary was adjourned to December 16. But in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Buhari said that nobody has the power to Islamise Nigeria under any guise, just as he said that the APC has no plan to pursue such programme if voted into power in 2015.

Buhari, who spoke yesterday while soliciting the support of APC delegates from Rivers, distanced himself from Islamic fundamentalism, and noted that those who link him with such only want to rubbish him. He noted that Nigeria, as a nation with diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, is not a country where anybody can force others to practice a particular religion. He said it would be extremely difficult for anybody to accomplish such programme. It was Buhari’s third visit to the state within two months. Similarly, Governor Chibuike Amaechi has described as mischief makers and political opponents those that describe the APC as an Islamic party. He called the APC a party of progressives who have the interest of Nigeria at heart. Amaechi also distanced

Buhari from Islamic extremism. He said: "APC is not an Islamic party. This is so because, when General Buhari was Nigeria's Head of State as a young man, he did not Islamise Nigeria, and to do that he needs the endorsement of the National Assembly to debate over the issue. Buhari cannot Islamise Nigeria. Don’t be perturbed by what our detractors are saying.” Amaechi lamented that the political economy of Rivers State has been stagnated by the Presidency and their detractors. “They caused mayhem in the last administration. We assumed office and chased them away. Now, as my tenure draws close to an end, I can see, they have brought them back. You and I have a responsibility to stop them from repeating what they did before. We will not allow them again to steal our funds,” Amaechi said.

News

thursday, november 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

JAMB lists conditions for UTME 2015 registration Mojeed Alabi

L-R: Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga and President, Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industry, Mr. Chukuwu Nwachukuw, at the National Summit on MSMEs in Abuja

2015: ACF wants courts to decide all cases against Jonathan before December 18 Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) has advised that all pending court cases regarding President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest

the 2015 election must be concluded before the December 18 deadline when parties are expected to submit names of candidates to the Independent Electoral Commission(INEC). In a press release issued yesterday, the Rapid Response Committee

of ACF said that it ‘’has resolved that elections must hold under all circumstances and in every part of the country’’, just as it condemned the insurgency that is ravaging the North East zone. According to the ACF, the deteriorating security situation in the country and the inability of the government to provide minimal security to the citizenry

“questions the Federal Government’s capacity, willingness and sincerity in prosecuting the insurgency war and bringing it to a speedy end.’’ The forum advised members of the National Assembly to reject President Jonathan’s request ‘’to extend the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state for the fourth time,’’ adding that previous exten-

sions proved to be total failures. The press release, which was signed by retired Col JIP Uba, decried the recent attack on members of the National Assembly by policemen, describing it as ‘’another manifestation of the impunity and disregard for the rule of law that have characterised this administration’s approach to governance.’’

head of the full implementation of the computer-based testing mode, CBT, policy in the forthcoming 2015 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has listed some of the criteria used to appoint its partners for the registration of candidates and the requirements for the candidates to get registered. Speaking in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph yesterday, the examination body’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fabian Nnenche, said the decision to bar roadside cybercafés from registering candidates for the examination was to address the cases of corruption identified so far. Nnenche also said parts of the conditions for accrediting cybercafés for the registration were that each centre must have a minimum of 160 computer terminals, 100KVA generators, durable power storage facilities, among others. He added that the exam body was aware of the fact that parents could no longer obtain scratch cards and register their wards personally because of the need for biometric machines, but assured them that the about 400 registration centres accredited nationwide will be enough to take care of the candidates.

Atiku: I'II salvage Nigeria from PDP’s bondage Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

ormer Vice President and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said the party remains the only platform that will salvage the country from the hands of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). Atiku spoke yesterday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi

State capital, while addressing party supporters as part of his farmilarization tour of South-East states ahead of the party's national delegates convention in Abuja. According to him, he was in Ebonyi State to acquaint himself with the party's problems, believing that after the visit, he would be able to solve some of the differences. "Since APC was formed last year, Nigeria now has a chance to make

positive change. If APC did not come, we couldn't have gotten what is in other countries. "If we can fight military rule, we can fight one party system. Because of the sins of PDP, there is no place for them in the forthcoming elections, both in Ebonyi and other parts of the country. "Whoever wins the APC primaries, vote for the party. That is the beauty of democracy. No matter the number of candidates, only

one person would emerge. All of us are operating in the party's interest." "This would bring about the change we are advocating to lift the party. Please support the candidate. Don't vote for another party. Speaking, the factional chairman of party, Hon. Ben Nwaobasi, said that APC remains the only party to beat in the 2O15 general election in the state, promising to welcome all the aggrieved members in the fold.

N247m theft: Adoke loses bid Kwara governor, Enugu guber to stop trial of ex-TFC's staff aspirant return APC forms Appolos Christian

ustice Kudirat Jose of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, yesterday dismissed an application by the nation's Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke, asking the court to stop the trial of five former employees of the Lagos Trade Fair

Complex (TFC) accused of stealing. The accused persons, Bassey Eyamba, Francis Dajilak, Lazarus Okocha, Barnabas Kolo and Eunice Okafor, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly stealing N247 million belonging to their employer.

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday returned his completed nomination form to the All Progressives Congress secretariat in Abuja. Similarly, an aspirant of the same office in Enugu

State, Okey Ezeah, a lawyer, also returned his nomination form. Ahmed, who spoke to Journalists shortly after he made the submission, stated that he had confidence that his achievements in the state would lead him to victory at the polls, despite the exit of most chieftains of the party to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2014

News

NATIONAL

FEC okays purchase of N9.2bn cooking stoves Anule Emmanuel

he Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved a contract worth N9.2billion for the purchase of clean cook stoves and wonder bags for rural women under the National Clean Cooking Scheme. The amount is inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT), for the procurement of 750,000 units of clean cook stove and 18,000 wonder bags.

3.83m

Wonder bag is a nonelectric slow cooker invented by Sarah Collins, a South African eco-entrepreneur, who invented the idea six years ago as a result of power cut, which she used in cooking her dinner by surrounding the pan with cushions. Briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the supervising Minister of Information, Nurudeen Muhammed, joined by the Minister of

the Federal Capital Territory FCT and the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Lawrecia Mallam, stated that the stoves are expected to be delivered by Messrs Integra Renewable Energy Services Limited within a period of 12 weeks. He explained that the stoves will be assembled locally, stating that it will provide jobs for Nigerians among other benefits. Mohammed said, “The National Clean Cooking Scheme is an aggressive

2,127

The total population of women in Bulgaria The number of refugees in Jordan at the in 2012. beginning of 2010. Source: Un.org Source: Blatantworld.com

drive to engender clean cooking culture amongst the poor, rural women, to reduce and possibly eliminate cooking with solid fossil, which is detrimental to health. “The scheme is expected to provide 20 million clean stoves over a fiveyear period at the rate of four million stoves yearly, which will be distributed without charge. “It will also reduce incessant felling of trees which exposes the country to ecological problems. He added that the ad-

72,000

The estimated number of Americans above 65 years with Alzheimer’s in Connecticut State in 2014. Source: Alz.org

ditional benefit to Nigeria in switching over to this technology by the rural households is the carbon credit arising from the registration by the United Nations framework convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), stating that Nigeria stands to gain 50 per cent subsidy of the price through the generated carbon credits. The minister noted that the stoves will be distributed irrespective of party affiliation across the country.

3,223

The number of confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone as at October 19, 2014. Source: Who.int

L-R: Senior Special Adviser to the President on Maritime, Mr. Oyewole Leke; Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu and President, Nigeria Committee of Managing Director of Custom Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, at a Stakeholders’ Forum on the Maritime Industry in Lagos… yesterday.

Mojeed Alabi

he Committee of ViceChancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria (CVRPU), has urged lawmakers to consider the review of the laws establishing the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, to accommodate private universities in its disbursement of funds the group said that the private institutions are major players in the nation’s human and economic development. This was the committee’s reaction to the statement credited to the

PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

Ilorin

he police authority in Kwara State, said yesterday that it had commenced investigations into the attack on Tuesday on the convoy of Governor

EFCC arraigns woman over N65m theft Shola Adefuwa and Cynthia Johnson

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday arraigned a septuagenarian, Alhaja Mulikat Shonekan, at a Lagos High Court in Ikeja, for alleged stealing and fraudulently converting N65 million kept with her for the purchase of 90 acres of land in Ogun State. Shonekan was arraigned alongside Martins Ogiogwa and Mujekanm Petroleum Nig. Coy Ltd, on a 5-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses, stealing and issuance of dishonored cheque. One of the count reads: “Alhaja Mulikat Shonekan, Martins Ogiowa and Mujekanm Petroleum Nigeria Coy Ltd sometime in September 2008 at Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud, stole and fraudulently converted the sum of N65,000,000.00 (Sixty-Five Million Naira only) property of Kuta Stones Ltd. entrusted to you for the purchase of 90 acres of land located at Kemta Ososun Village, Odeda Local Government Area of Abeokuta in Ogun State of Nigeria.” According to EFCC, the offence is contrary to section 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003. However, when the charge was read to the defendants in English and native Yoruba language, the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

Private varsities want tertiary institutions’ funding reviewed

Law reform commission proposes amendment to FRSC Act

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, who said the laws establishing the body bars it from extending the funds to private universities. Bogoro, stated that on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 8th International Conference of the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA), which held at the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.

Abuja

In an exclusive interview with New Telegraph yesterday, the Chairman of the committee and Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, BELLSTECH, Ota, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi, said he was present where Bogoro made thetatement but agreed with the TETFund boss, saying the law establishing the agency bars him from doing so. However, Adeyemi believes that Nigerians need to understand that

private universities are not established for profit, and that apart from opening up access to varsities’ candidates, they have also challenged the existing public universities to live up to expectation. He stated; “Our reaction is that after due process might have been followed with justification and a repeal of that section of the law, private universities would benefit.

Police probe attack on gov’s convoy Biodun Oyeleye

AbdulFattah Ahmed, by persons suspected to be members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kaiama, Kaiama Local Government Area of the state. But chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief

Iyiola Oyedepo, said the police or government should not make a ‘scape goat’ of his party and its members for what he described as a ‘pure and normal reaction of a people neglected over the years by the government.’ It was gathered that the

youths launched their attack against the governor’s convoy just as it moved from the remodelled General Hospital in the town which had just been commissioned to the emir’s palace where Ahmed was billed to be turbaned as the ‘Jarman’ Kaiama.

Tunde Oyesina

he Nigerian Law Reform Commission yesterday proposed amendments to the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act in order to reduce accidents on roads across the country. The Chairman of the commission, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor who stated this in in Abuja said the proposals for reform of the FRSC was imperative at this time of the nation’s life, noted that rivalry among agencies and overlapping functions were making the task of stopping accidents in the road very difficult. He however, noted that FRSC is faced with the difficulty of rivalry with organizations like the Nigeria Police Force, the Di-

rectorate of Road Traffic Services, Vehicle Inspector Officers among others. He further stated, that the management of drivers license remained a major challenge in the country adding that by statutorily, the FRSC is empowered to produce license while VIOs are empowered with the issuance of drivers license. “This legal arrangement makes the management of drivers license rather untidy. The result is that many drivers hold forged and invalid drivers’ licenses, with multiple issuances from different states”, he added. Osunbor, also stated there was a need to give FRSC power to introduce and issue operator’s license as well as the need to centralize the production of drivers license in the country.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Fake Dangote kidnaps Miss Nigeria contestant A SUCKER PUNCH A beautiful lady falls for the tricks of beasts on Facebook and gets into the net of kidnappers

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

Taiwo Jimoh and Shola Adefuwa

23-year-old man, Patrick Ifada, is now in the hands of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly kidnapping a former Miss Nigeria contestant, Miss Sa-adat Usman Bibire. Ifada allegedly posed as the business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Facebook to abduct Bibire. Ifada was arrested in Warri, Delta State, where he lured Bibire, before kidnapping her and demanding N20 million ransom. The suspect was able to convince the victim to leave Lagos for Delta after telling her that ‘his’ company wanted to make her ‘Brand Ambassador of Dangote Noodles.’ The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, said that the suspect was friend with the victim on the social media. He said: “After a while, the suspect told the victim that being a friend to the Chief Executive Officer, she should count herself lucky that she had been offered a job opportunity as the Brand Ambassador of Dangote Noodles. The victim was told to

Musa Pam Jos

he tax enforcement team of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday sealed 16 companies owing taxes amounting to over N110 million in Jos North and Jos

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Imo Film Academy building collapses

Ifada

come down to Warri, where the Dangote Noodles factory was sited. She proceeded to Delta State and was kidnapped. “The suspect demanded for N20 million ransom from her father. The father was directed to transfer the money to a bank in Malaysia, after which his daughter would be released.” According to Aderanti, the Officer in Charge of SARS, Mr Abba Kyari, with his men, tracked the victim and the kidnappers through phone conversations. The victim was rescued unhurt from the kidnappers’ den in Uzoro area of

Delta State. One of the kidnappers, assigned to watch Bibire, was arrested, while the other is still at large. Ifada is the unlucky kidnapper who was arrested. He said he was not the person who posed as Dangote on Facebook, to fool Bibire. He said: “It was my friend, Marcus Omajuwa. It was due to the money involved in the deal that made me to join the gang. My friend met her on Facebook and convinced the lady to come down to Delta State. “When she got to Delta State,

she discovered that everything was a lie. She called her father that she had been kidnapped and we demanded N20 million ransom.” Ifada said that although the victim’s father promised to send the money, they decided to bring the amount down after they did not receive any bank alert to signify that their account had been credited. He added: “We decided to renegotiate with her father again for N15 million and later N500,000. My own role in the deal was to take proper care of her and prepare her food.”

FIRS seals 16 firms over tax default South local government areas of Plateau State. The defaulting companies include the governmentowned Hill Station Hotel, Magnum Night Club, Lamonde Hotel, Dadinkowa Microfinance Bank, H.BC Resort and Healthy Body Clinic, Elim Top Suites and Anderson Drilling Nigeria Limited, a borehole and water engineering company, among others. It was gathered that the task force carried out the two-day enforcement in all the companies without hitches except at the Dadinkowa Microfinance Bank and Hill Station Hotel where it faced some level of resistance from bank staff and

officers of the Special Task Force (STF). Investigation also showed that at the microfinance bank, which allegedly owes more than N20 million, the staff and manager refused to vacate the premises and were locked up in the bank. But armed officers of the STF threatened the team including the FIRS zonal coordinator for North-East, Zakari Isa Husaini, at Hill Station Hotel. FIRS agreed to hand over the keys of the hotel to STF with a warning that the hotel must not be opened for business. The Managing Director of Dadinkowa Microfinance

Bank, Irimiya Jatau Mamman, told journalists shortly after the bank was sealed that there was no prior notice to the action except for a demand notice for tax liability. Mamman said the tax issue was being handled by tax consultants who also serve as the bank’s external auditors. He said: “When the bank commenced operation, we had a profit of N66 million and we paid N11.5 as our tax. In 2012 our profit was N13.8 million, our external auditors told us that our tax is N23.5 million and that became the source of the problem. How can you pay the tax of N23.5 million from the profit of N13.8 million.”

he multi-million naira Imo Film Academy constructed and inaugurated by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State about two weeks ago has collapsed. This came a few weeks after an academic complex being construction by the state government at the Imo State University, Owerri, crumbled. The academy is located within the premises of the Imo State College of Advanced Professional Studies (ICAPS) on Egbu Road, Owerri. It also came four months after a new security gate being constructed behind the main entrance gate to the Government House collapsed. A security man from the Imo Civil Guard who had been posted to a facility near the said he saw the rubble on Monday morning. At press time, it was not certain whether anyone died in the collapsed building. Okorocha had set up the Film Village as part of measures to promote the identity and cultural heritage of the Igbo and made the Nollywood actress, Nkiru Sylvanus, as its director-general. Efforts to reach Sylvanus proved abortive as several calls put through to her phones were not answered. Earlier in June, dozens of students of the Imo State University escaped death when the academic complex housing lecture halls and offices under construction caved in. Sometime in February, the multi-million naira Princess Hotel, Okigwe, being constructed by the state government also collapsed. The structure, which was still in the early stages of construction, was said to have crumbled after the concrete beams were put in place by the contracting firm. No life was lost in the incident but a civil engineer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, blamed the crash on substandard materials. He added that it was also possible that the contractor might have tried to cut corners.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Couple abducts oil magnate, demands N50m ransom

Three of the suspects

Taiwo Jimoh and Shola Adefuwa

couple was among four people arrested for kidnapping an oil magnate at Egbeda area of Lagos metropolis. When policemen from the Spe-

cial Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout, they found the victim, Alhaji Hammed Fashola, 55, tied up in the toilet. The kidnappers abducted Fashola, an oil dealer at his home at Egbeda about 7pm on November 13. Since then, the kidnappers

had been in touch with his family, demanding N50 million ransom. The husband and wife are Kelvin Igah, 39, Ogechi Igah (32). Other suspects are Victor Igah (35) and Chukwuma Kingsley (43). The victim was successfully rescued and the suspects confessed to their crime.

Ijaw monarch rescued after JTF, kidnappers’ shootout Chris Ejim Yenagoa

he Joint Military Task Force codenamed Operation Pulo Shied yesterday confirmed that its men engaged suspected kidnappers in a shootout at Kokori community in Delta State while rescuing the abducted paramount ruler of Oporomor Kingdom, King Augustine Ebikeme. Ebikeme, who is an Ijaw monarch, is the First Vice Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and the Perekere the Sixth, the Ebenanaowei of Oporomor Kingdom in Ekeremor Local Government Area, was kidnapped at Kokori town on November 16. Ebikeme, according to the Ijaw, is the spiritual

leader of the worshippers of the Ijaw traditional deity known as the Egbesu. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) through its spokesman, Comrade Eric Omare, condemned the kidnap of the revered monarch, describing it as a joke taken too far but which would not be tolerated. The IYC had earlier said it would hold an emergency national congress on Friday at Olabrakopre community, Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri, for all Ijaw youths where decisions on practical steps would be taken to ensure his release. The Joint Military Task Force, in a statement issued yesterday by the Coordinator of the Joint Media Centre, Lt. Col. Mustapha Anka, said the rescue opera-

tion was carried out by a special team of soldiers attached to the JTF in collaboration with members of Department of State Security (DSS). The special security team, according to Anka, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout on Sunday evening and engaged them in a shootout. It was gathered that the rescue team stormed the kidnappers’ den during a telephone negotiation with the family of the traditional ruler where a N10 million ransom was demanded. Anka said Ebikeme was rescued unhurt while suspects fled into surrounding swampy forest. “The suspects are being trailed, while the house used as hideout was set ablaze,” he added.

The suspects said they had taken part in a series of abductions within Lagos. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, explained that his men had responded swiftly after receiving information about Fashola’s kidnap. He said: “SARS decoy teams tracked the location of the suspects to No 18, Adeniyi Street, off Bola Road, Isheri Oshun area of the state. “Immediately the hideout was discovered, the area was cordoned off and the search began; it was led by the Officer in Charge of SARS, Mr Abba Kyari. They found where the victim was hidden. He was rescued on November 17.” Aderanti said that among the suspects, two were siblings, adding that they were nabbed at their hideout, including the wife of one of the siblings, who is a cook. One of the suspects, Kingsley, said he was contracted by one IK, now at large, who instructed him to hang around Isheri Oshun roundabout, to monitor the vehicle Fashola was driving and send him feed backs. He said: “Before I was asked to go to the junction, I was given the car’s colour and number. I was also promised N150,000, if I was able to carry out the duty successfully. “I got to the junction very early that fateful day so as not to miss the vehicle. I did not want to miss the promised money. I

was arrested at Kelvin’s house when IK asked me to accompany him there. When we got there, we did not know that policemen had laid ambushed for us. IK bolted when he sighted the police, while we were arrested.” Stating his own side of the story, Victor Igah denied being a kidnapper. He said he was relaxing in his home when policemen came to arrest him, along with his elder brother. According to Kelvin Igah, Victor’s elder brother, his stupidity got him into the mess. He said: “I used to live in a single room. I needed a two-bedroom apartment. A friend of mine called Odogwu, introduced me to IK. IK told me that he had a two-bedroom apartment he could give to me and my family.” Kelvin said that he had never lived in a twobedroom flat before. He was quite happy. But within a few days, he knew he was in trouble when he saw IK, dragging Fashola into his apartment. He said: “IK and his friend brought Fashola to our house. He told us that Fashola owed him some money. When they brought him, he was chained and they dumped him in a room and left. It was my and I wife who used to feed him.” The police commissioner, however, said efforts were still on to arrest other gang members.

21 guns, ammunition recovered in Kwara Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

olice yesterday said that they had recovered about 21 guns of various types from parts of Kwara State in the last three weeks. The Commissioner of Police, Salihu Garba, who made the announcement while parading some suspected criminals at the command headquarters, said the guns were recovered as part of efforts to mop-up illegal arms ahead of the 2015 general elections. Garba, who spoke through the state Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, said the mop-up became necessary in view of the coming elections. The commissioner listed some of the recovered arms and ammunition to include one locally-made revolver single-barrel gun, one cut-to-size single bar-

relled gun, one locallymade pistol and one shot locally-made double barrelled gun which were abandoned by their owners at a hideout at Bode Saadu. He said they were discovered on November 11, adding that two locallymade pistols were recovered from two Fulani men on November 18 on Ajase-Ipo Road. The police boss said his men also recovered one Browny pistol with registration no CAL1661 and three fabricated single barrelled guns while on surveillance patrol of Eleyoka village at

Ajase-Ipo on November 21, while one cut-to-size locally-made gun and one automatic cigarette lighter pistol were recovered from five suspected cult members on November 23 around Elekoyangan area of Ilorin, the state capital. He said on November 24, the police also recovered one locally-made cut-to-size single barrelled gun from one suspect during a stop-andsearch operation at Oloje area of the state capital. Other items recovered by the police include three cutlasses, five live cartridges and two live ammunition.

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thursday, november 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

nation's capital

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Nigeria pushes for quota increase as OPEC meets today Adeola Yusuf

igeria will go ahead with push to get nod from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to increase its production quota as the cartel meet in Vienna, Austria today, New Telegraph has gathered. OPEC's meeting will be one of its most crucial in recent years, with oil prices having tumbled some 30 per cent since June to below $79 per barrel due to booming U.S. shale oil output and slower global economic growth. OPEC leader, Saudi Arabia, signalled on yesterday that it was unlikely to push for a major change in oil output at the producer group's meeting this week, a day after Russia refused to cooperate in

any production cut. Nigeria, Africa's biggest crude exporter depends largely on proceeds from crude to service over 85 per cent of its budget. An industry source, who is privy to engagements at the Nigeria's caucus in Vienna, told New Telegraph yesterday that the country did not support calls for OPEC to cut quota. "Although for the sake of diplomacy, our official position on this matter cannot be made public, but when the meeting is convened tomorrow, Nigeria will not support calls for OPEC to cut quota. Instead, we will push for quota increase," he said. The country has reduced its benchmark for the 2015 budget to $73 per barrel but it is still going ahead with 2.3 million barrels per day production.

Meanwhile, Saudi Oil Minister, Ali al-Naimi, said that he expected the oil market "to stabilise itself eventually" but did not comment on talks with Russia held on Tuesday, which produced no firm pledge from Moscow to help support flagging oil prices. Iranian Oil Minister, Bijan Zangeneh, also said that some OPEC members, although not Iran itself, were gearing up for a battle over market share and insisted that non-OPEC producers needed to participate in any OPEC-led output cut. "The most important thing for all of us is the unity and solidarity of OPEC, and in this situation, I believe we need to have the contribution of non-OPEC producers for managing the market," Zangeneh told reporters."

FCTA seals four churches, hospital Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Department of Development Control of Federal Capital Territory Administration yesterday sealed off three branches of Redeem Christian Church of God, a branch of Deeper Life Bible Church for contravening the FCT Land Use Act. Other properties sealed off were a Super Market and a hospital, all of which were sited in EFAB Estate, Life Camp. While briefing journalists at the end of the exercise, which forced

occupants of the affected properties to be locked outside, the Public Relations Officer of the Department, Kalu Emetu, said the properties were converted from residential to other purposes which he said contravenes the Land Use Act. He said the approval given by the Department for the properties was for residential use but were converted by their owners to commercial and religious use. Emetu, who noted that such conversion has negative effects on infrastructure already put in place by the FCT administration, which according to

him, were suited for residential properties. While saying that such properties' owners are made to pay certain amount of money for such contravention, the Department's Spokesperson noted that the main concern of the FCT administration was for them to revert to the use for which the sites were approved for initially. He said: "Today, we have sealed off seven properties at EFAB estate for contravening the Land Use Act." The properties were approved for residential but have been converted to commercial use.

L- R : Mrs Oluwaseyi Salam; Head of Media, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Mr Bamidele Salam and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, during Salam's call to Bar, in Abuja.

PDP guber aspirants shun parley with police boss Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

uber natorial aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State yesterday shunned a meeting with the state’s police commissioner, Mr. Salihu Garba. The meeting, according to Garba, was meant to discuss the ‘security and logistics’ of the forthcoming primaries of the party in the state. The po-

lice boss said only Professor Shuiab AbdulRaheem, out of the 13 aspirants turned up for the meeting, scheduled to hold in the conference room of the command. Apart from Shuiab, other expected at the meeting included Senator Simon Ajibola, Senator Makanjuola Ajadi, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Mr.John Dara, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Alhaji Bio Ibrahim, Chief Sunday Babalola, Mr. Dele Belgore, Alhaji Kale Belgore, Alhaji AbdulRazaq AbdulRahaman

and Alhaji Hakeem Lawal. He said five others sent representatives but since his mandate for conveying the meeting was to meet directly with the aspirants, he could not discuss with the representatives. Three others, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim and Alhaji Bio Ibrahim and one other aspirant whose name he could not recollect, had called to excuse themselves from the meeting because they were still engaged with clearance issues in Abuja.

Embattled Ekiti speaker alleges threat to life Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he embattled Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon.Adewale Omirin, who led 17 members of the House to Osun House of Assembly, yesterday raised the alarm that the Governor of the state, Mr. Ayodele

Fayose was after their life. Omirin, who raised the alarm on the floor of the Osun State House Of Assembly, called on concerned authorities to call him to order before it goes out of hand. The embattled lawmaker stated that they could not sleep with their two eyes closed since Fayose became the governor

of the state and warned him to desist from the inhuman act he said would add no value to the development of the state. He, however, insisted that he remains the Speaker of the state and that members of the public should disregard the PDP hired mercenary that referred to himself as the speaker of the House.

Adedoja, Babalola others protest Oyo congress NCC organises open forum to educate ICT consumer Alao-Akala, hree days after the the aegis of Concerned Others are former Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

ourth quarter open forum meeting organized by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) started yesterday in Abuja, with issues on the interest and concerns of customers of ICT products and services including the physically challenged persons and the elderly. In his opening remarks, the Executive Commissioner-Stakeholder Management of NCC, Dr Okechuwu Itanyi, explained that it was the core value responsibility of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that the industry at all times satisfy the vari-

ous needs of the customers where possible. The theme of this year’s open forum meeting tagged “Consumer rights and Obligations in the Telecom Industry” is aimed at shedding light to the consumer on their rights and their obligation as consumers of telecoms industry. “This is in consonance with the commissions mandate and also the “PIE” mandate of the consumer affairs Bureau”, the organizing department that protect, educate and inform telecoms consumers, he added. While he pointed out, that the customer is the major stakeholder in the telecom industry and as such, enjoys a primary focus at the commission,

he noted that, the commission was conscious that consumers have different needs and expectations from the industry. Earlier speaking, the Director- Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs Maryam Bayi, pointed out that the objective of the forum is to act in an advisory capacity and make recommendations to the commission regarding the interests and concerns of consumers of ICT products. “We shall ensure that services of persons with disabilities and the elderly, as well as unfair practices are looked into”, she assured while presented a brief background statement on the industry consumer advisory forum (ICAF).

re-scheduled ward congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was held in Oyo State, seven of the 13 governorship aspirants angling to pick the party's ticket have petitioned the Ward Congress Appeal Panel, saying the congress never held. The aspirants, who wrote the petition under

Oyo State PDP Governorship Aspirants, comprised former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso North Local Government Area; Senator Ayo Adeseun from Surulere and Ogo Oluwa Local Government Areas; and Engineer Femi Babalola from Afijio Local Government Area.

Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Professor Taoheed Adedoja from Ibadan South West LGA; former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarunmi from Ibadan North LGA; Dr. Isaac Owolabi from Ibadan North East LGA; and Professor Soji Adejumo from Ibadan North West LGA.

Fashola decries litigations against projects Muritala Ayinla

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday decried activities of some residents, who instituted legal actions against some of the ongoing projects embarked upon by the

state government, saying such actions impede completion of the projects. Speaking shortly before commissioning the Agege Transfer Loading Station, Fashola said some projects that are almost completed were stopped

by court injunctions. The governor appealed to the residents to always consider the overall interest of the majority before obstructing public projects, even as he lamented that sometimes the court don't listen to superior arguments.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

FCT

Speakership

Ambition

14, 15

Tambuwal should vacate his seat –Kaze

Bala: We’ll probe owners of unoccupied houses in Abuja

Tambuwal’s defection in order, says Jime

Politics Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila is an ardent supporter of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and was in the heat of the crisis that rocked the House last Thursday. In this chat, Gbajabiamila tells ONWUKA NZESHI why Tambuwal cannot be removed

Gbajabiamila: Nothing’ll happen to Tambuwal

What is your reaction to what happened in the House last Thursday? You saw what happened. It was least expected. We didn’t think that this impunity that people have been talking about will get to this level. This is an independent arm of government. It was a siege on the House and a siege on democracy. Nobody in his right senses would have thought that the Presidency or the Executive would invade the House of Representatives the way they did last week Thursday. Unfortunately, I did something that I thought I will never do in my life which is to climb the gate of this institution. But I had to because my members were waiting for me in the House and I had to come in here and take charge. I did what I needed to do. Why do you think this kind of thing happened? The fear of one man and that is the Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal. It tells a lot when the Presidency with all its might is scared and panics over one single individual. It tells you the powers the Speaker has and unfortunately we have sent that message back to them that everybody is behind the

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Gbajabiamila

Gbajabiamila scaling the gate of the National Assembly

Speaker. The House is behind the Speaker, the world is behind the Speaker and nothing can happen to him.

wanted tempers to cool before we do any other thing. So, we’ve decided to adjourn because the House is under siege and if the House is under siege then democracy is under siege.

What would you say you have achieved by your actions? I think we have made it very clear to the Presidency; we’ve made it very clear to enemies of democracy that this Speaker is here to stay and nothing is going to happen to him. That is the point we have made and the message we have sent across. It is as simple as ABC. After the encounter with security men at the gates, you met behind closed doors. What was the essence of that meeting? It was basically because a lot of our members were angry and the Speaker being who he is just

Everybody is behind the Speaker. The House is behind the Speaker, the world is behind the Speaker and nothing can happen to him

Did you take any decision on the state of emergency? There is no more state of emergency because by law under Section 305, the state of emergency must be extended for another six months before the expiration of the subsisting six months. If you want an extension, that request must be granted before the current one expires. It expires today (Thursday) and we haven’t done it. So, there is no more state of emergency. What is the implication of this non-extension of the emergency

rule on the security challenges in the North East? I believe that the governors would take charge. They should take charge and the security situation will get better because each time we had extended it, it has gotten worse. Go and look at the statistics. The more you look the less you see. What next? We are waiting and watching. My message is that we are going to be very careful because those who ride on the back of the tiger sometimes may end up in the belly of the tiger. So, they are going to be very careful. Is the House contemplating any action against the executive? No. We are not. We will keep our guns dry for now.

Politics | Interview

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bala: We’ll probe owners of unoccupied houses in Abuja

lSays don’t compare my performance with my predecessors Senator Bala Mohammed is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In this interview with ANULE EMMANUEL, he speaks on efforts to tackle issues of abandoned buildings in Abuja, his performance, and several reforms in the nation’s capital How daunting has it been managing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)? It is obvious, we came in at a time the FCT had a lot of challenges; we were going through a period of institutional and infrastructural problems and challenges. There were gaps here and there and we had to re-define our priorities and institutionalise them in tandem with the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President. In doing so, we try to really have team work, a bureaucratic buy-in of the ways and means that facilitate the provision of infrastructure and services in the FCT. This is by incentivising the private sector while plugging our leakages here and there in terms of IGR (Internally Generated Revenue). Because our major area of revenue generation is land administration, we had to make sure we brought some reforms, where we brought land registration to a level of globally accepted practice of getting land not through speculators and all the fraud associated with it. We were able to augment our revenue generation by 40 per cent since most of the money we were getting was from the Federal Government through the budget. Since the money was not forthcoming because of the other responsibilities of the Federal Government in health and education, we knew we had to look inward. We had to innovate, recreate and therefore we had to come out with frameworks that are globally accepted, like the land swap where we incentivized the private sector to provide what is traditionally the responsibility of the Federal Government in terms of development of the infrastructure and services in the districts by using land as a resource and all the primary infrastructure is being provided by the private sector in which case, we have doubled or tripled the kind of services and infrastructure that we are producing through the normal budget. Through this, we are able to reduce leakages and making sure that corruption is at the barest level. We institutionalised this by making sure we carry the bureaucracy and the civil servants along by way of buy-in. That it is

not something that is casual and ad hoc, that it is not only going to be prevalent during my time, it will stand the test of time even when I leave the scene. Why is it that the area council recertification has not really worked the way Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) came up in terms of improving the IGR? One area that I mentioned what we are doing is land reform and I said there has been a lot of abuses. Abuses in terms of delegated power given to the area councils to give land and of course the obnoxious practice, the unwholesome attitude of our area council land officers. So, we said we are here to provide service, to provide transformation in line with the vision of Mr. President’ agenda, doing things peculiarly different from the way that it is being done. Doing it in such a way that it will impact positively on Nigerians. From the lowest to the highest level of authority, we decided to bring the land accreditation or re-certification of land that was acquired over the years in the area councils, by establishing something that is similar to the AGIS because AGIS could not do it. Again, like I said earlier, we are trying to look for ways and means to generate revenue. Most of those who got the land through area councils did not have deeds and titles in the form of Certificate of Occupancy C-of-O. So, there were challenges but we tried to change our challenges to opportunities and so we incentivized the private sector and ICT portal to do something akin to AGIS in the form of Area Council ReCertification Information System (ACRIS). This ACRIS is strictly for area councils re-certifications. Because of the bureaucratic bottlenecks and the conflicts between the system, I have not been able to achieve what I want to achieve. Again, I added the re-certification of title within the mass housing area. All those houses that were purchased by Nigerians, from the mass housing service providers have not been titled. For

I don’t compare myself with others in terms of what I do; it is you that will assess me. If you assess me as somebody who has not performed, that is your own assessment. Somebody else will say no, he has done well; another person will say that I am in the middle

Bala

example, in Gwarinpa which is a sprawling, biggest city within the city, no deed of title has been given to all the owners. Like I said, the bureaucracy and conflict is what is stalling the activation. But it gladdens my heart to say that we have started signing about 5,000 deeds of titles. What is the FCT debt profile as at 2014 and what are you doing to bring in some funds? The FCT debt profile is a dynamic thing. We cannot say this is actually the amount because the contractors or the development partners keep churning in evaluation certificates for the work done. As at June this year, we had about N420 billion debt. These are debts not incurred by this administration but by previous administrations. But it has been accentuated by our passion for work. When we came in, we showed to the development partners a robust cash flow that is transparent and of course we made sure we give each and every company the opportunity to take part and understand what we have in the treasury. So, every company is trying to ensure it meets its contractual obligation. The debt keeps on multiplying but somehow, the companies are still confident because of the transparency, because of the harmony and then partnership that we have established.

The other leg of the question is that we have been looking for money from inside. Recently, we were able to get about N24 billion but we have only recertified N12 billion. Mr. President allowed us to have it from the leakages we have from the sale of government properties. About N24 billion was discovered in some banks that were not remitted to the Federal Government and we had to really innovate to make sure we called in experts to audit these accounts and we were able to get these monies. These are some of the revenues that are coming in. Again I told you that from our land premium, our deeds of transfers and other revenue we have augmented our IGR by 40 per cent because we have plugged the leakages. But our problems and challenges are that we pay for illumination of the city, that is lightings; about N400 million every month because we had challenges of security. You can see illumination has graduated from 30 per cent where we were. In fact some of the bulbs were no more in some of the corridors because they were being stolen, we had to do something that I am not obliged to tell you because it is a security issue. You can see the bulbs are no longer being stolen again. Again the cleaning of the city, because of the expansion and demography and the increase in population, is most challenging. We are paying about N500 mil-

Politics | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

plan where our own obligation as a country, as a state are clearly provided for and satisfied so that the draw down will be done without any contradictions and apprehension from the lending authorities of China. All these have been removed. And then the only thing that we needed is to make sure that we build the 13 stations which have been launched and they have started. Certainly, the project has gone very far and Lot 2 which is going to take passengers from the City Centre to Nyanya and Karu is the most viable in terms of feasibility studies. And so many companies have already approached us, we are discussing with them and the project will cost close to $800 million at no cost to the Federal Government apart from giving then the right of way and the concession agreement and a lot of them have agreed. The other three will either be done through concession or through the Federal Government.

lion monthly. That is just a small aspect. So even if we were generating about N3 billion a month, it is not enough to pay for contractors and pay for the overheads, the running cost of maintaining the city. But certainly, the way out is to look within and do what Lagos and other jurisdictions in the world that are cosmopolitan like Abuja are doing. So, we have been trying to partner with other stakeholders like the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). My vision is for us to be given some minimum autonomy in terms of collection so that we can defray our own indebtedness and give the Federal Government an operating surplus. One project that is raising hope is the light rail. What stage is it now? The light rail is about 60 per cent completed. If you notice, we even went to the Federal Executive Council last week to get approval for the consultancy services, to really do the Lot 4, 5 and 6. Lot 1 and 3 are on course and are being built by CCECC. We have gotten the financial plan by the augmentation we got from the Chinese EXIM Bank soft loan of $500 million and then SURE-P has given us N10 billion so that we will be able to give the counterpart funding that is required. The challenges we had in the past is lack of clear cut financial

Why do we have parameter fencing at some villages on the expressway fenced? Nobody has actually asked any question on this innovation before. The fencing we are doing along the airport is not a condemnation of the aborigines or original people or those underprivileged people that are living along the airport road. All the villages on the airport road are supposed to be moved to Galu Shere but we have not been able to finish the resettlement of Galu-Shere and you can see that the villages are expanding by the day. Of course, some of the villages are eyesores on the road. You know we had the World Economic Forum for Africa, I had the privileged of being in India and some Asian tiger countries and I saw where some settlements were encircled and fenced, because the rights and privileges of those citizens have not been settled, they are cordoned off. Even in Delhi, the capital city of India, you will see similar things. It is a mark of tolerance and accommodation of those people while at the same time making sure that they don’t constitute an eyesore and their expansion is controlled and we provide security for them also. You will notice the trooping of population into these settlements; you will see that all the villages have become car parks of sort and of course they are a huge problem in terms of security. And when there is VIP movement around the airport, they can be used for anything. Our development partners built all these things free of charge. When I discussed with the Executive a Secretary of FCDA, he called our development partners and contractors; Julius Berger, Salini and all of them and the decided to do that the way it is being done in Europe and they are doing all these fencing free of charge. You once boasted that you are going to replicate some of the shopping malls you see abroad but we are yet to see anything close to that. What is causing the delay? I don’t normally boast; I say things when I am sure. If I don’t see something that is feasible I don’t say it. The Jabi Mall was supposed to be launched on Monday but the investor is out of the country. In fact, Mr. President had directed the

Some of the highbrow buildings you see, very costly, billions of Naira have been expended and abandoned. Their suspicion is that these monies that were used to acquire these buildings are ill-gotten

Bala

vice president to perform the inauguration. It is a multi-billion dollar mall handled by Bougeis. As for the city, we must have a heart. Without Oxford Street you don’t have London, without Ulysses you don’t have Paris, without Manhattan you don’t have New York. We are building the Abuja Centre because even those from the satellite towns will also want to come and enjoy the facilities at the heart of the city. You can see it has been cleared; it is a $2.7 billion project. The World Trade Centre is also a mix of malls, hotels, and offices. About 30 per cent of the project is already completed, the rest are coming because the projects are in phases. The Jabi Mall is another $2.7 billion and you add that to the centenary city. You were quoted as saying that the administration will soon begin to confiscate unoccupied houses in Abuja. How do you intend to go about this? We don’t need to wait for the property tax for us to enforce the Land Use Act. One of the offshoots of the Act is to create development control. The Development Control Department is there to provide guidance in terms of enforcement of the building code of the country and to some extent, Abuja. You cannot just build a house and leave, then it becomes a security problem. We have been approached by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies with concerns. Some of the highbrow buildings you see, very costly, billions of Naira have been expended and abandoned. Their suspicion is that these monies that were used to acquire these buildings are ill-gotten. So, it is part of their statutory responsibility to pursue and find out who owns the buildings. Why are they not being occupied? If they are not being occupied, are they being used surreptitiously for some obnoxious activities? That is why I said we will soon get at them. We have set up a committee to partner with the EFCC because there is no where you will acquire a building of N2 to N3 billion and abandon it. There must be a reason. The thing is that the challenges of abandoned buildings are not only in Nigeria, even in Europe, they are there. In London, you can buy a property but there

must be an occupancy, if there is no occupancy, you are going to be surcharged. The owner must be known. I have told you the problem in area councils, there must be follow ups to deeds of transfer. Certainly, we will not allow the prevalence of abandoned buildings that are unoccupied to be there. It is not the function of property tax, it is a function of security responsibilities. Again, there are some uncompleted buildings that dot the city and you remember what happened to the Apo security issues which I don’t want to revisit. It is because somebody has to be liable and responsible, you cannot start a building 10 years and abandon it and people will come and stay in it and be fomenting trouble and planning evil against innocent citizens. We have given them a time line and we will soon start. If you don’t finish it and we conduct integrity test, we will demolish the building while you bear the cost of demolition. This is the standard all over the world. In other countries, even your building, you cannot renovate unless you get approval. In our own case, you see construction waste everywhere because we are not enforcing it. We are trying to establish capacity in our development control to do our statutory duties not because we want to persecute anybody but we want to bring people to follow and obey the law. People who compare your administration with that your predecessor say you have not done well in terms enforcing compliance with development standards and rules in the city. What is your reaction? It is one thing to talk about enforcement and another thing to look at the human factor involved. You cannot compare me with my predecessor, no minister has managed five million people in Abuja. The last minister, Senator Adamu Aliero who I took over from managed 1.5 million people. After the last elections, everybody trooped into the city. All these people are coming with unwholesome background and you don’t criminalise poverty. With my humble background, I don’t do that and I don’t carry a sledge hammer and kill a fly because the people have some citizens’ right. My boss is someone who respects the citizens of this country. Certainly, I am even overstretching the discretion by making sure we do some enforcement. The demolition that we have done has never been done before. It is because there is nowhere the common man can choose to live other than the shanties and the encroachment, but it doesn’t mean we should condone them, we have to remove them. You saw what happened to us when we were removing Mpape and other places, no minister have had that challenge and we are doing it. How many estates have we destroyed? Along Nyanya, even the building on the rocks, we destroyed them. Someone that is highly placed built an estate in Kuruduma about 500 houses; I destroyed them not because I want to cause pains and waste to them but because we have to show that government must be obeyed. This is not a jungle; it is a capital and people must obey our development control laws. We are doing it, but what we may be doing is not be enough.

16 Politics | Interview

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tambuwal should vacate his seat –Kaze Hon. Bitrus Kaze is a high ranking member of the House of Representatives. In this interview with ONWUKA NZESHI, he says going by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal ought to have resigned honourably to save the House all the embarrassments of the past few weeks What is your position on the crisis in the House arising from Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC)? The trouble is not that the Speaker defected to another party, but that he decided to defect to the APC without due consideration to the constitutional provisions. Given the ruling of the Supreme Court and given the ruling of other courts which said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no division and was not involved in any merger, the consequence of his defection is that he should vacate his seat. In the case of Hon. Abegunde Ifedayo, the court ruled that a crisis in a state does not amount to a crisis at the national level, so his (Abegunde) defection was a breach of the constitution. Justice Gloria Okeke of the Federal High Court, Akure gave the order asking the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to send Abegunde, out of the House following the court’s verdict declaring his seat vacant. The court therefore ruled that he ought to vacate his seat. This also applies to Mr. Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal. I hold the opinion that having defected from the PDP to the APC when there is no crisis and no merger, he ought to have vacated his seat. Why do you think the matter is dragging this long? It takes a presiding officer sitting and presiding to pronounce a seat vacant. I say that as at this moment, nobody has declared the seat of the member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Sokoto State as vacant. That being the case, Tambuwal remains till this moment, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and if that is the case, you cannot afford to treat any member of the House of Representatives or any member of the National Assembly the way security operatives treated us last week, how much more the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in such a despicable manner. It is so unfortunate; it’s a very sad commentary on civil conduct as far as relationship with the society and the security agencies is concerned. I join many Nigerians in decrying what happened. It’s so sad. After Thursday’s commotion, you met behind closed doors for about two hours, what was the outcome of that meeting? Naturally, after the tension, the Speaker and even members needed to talk. When you come to the House you can predict the mood of the House. It was all over the papers that we were reconvening to deliberate on the extension of the state of emergency in the North East but when the Speaker noticed that the mood of the House was tense, what he did was to call for an executive session where he tried to calm down nerves. To say, look gentlemen, because there is a mistake, we cannot afford to transfer that mistake to the floor

Kaze

of the House or else it will further dent the image of not only the parliament but the entire country. So that was what Mr. Speaker tried to do. He tried to calm down nerves and he tried to give assurances to every member that there is need for us to maintain calm and that was how we were able to come to a resolution to adjourn, probably to further calm nerves. The adjournment was done so that we do not sit with the anxiety, tension and anger that was brought to the floor of the House as a result of the events that occurred before the extraordinary session. In other words, the executive session was an attempt to manage the crisis that had erupted earlier that Thursday morning. Before the events of last Thursday, there were speculations that those of you from the PDP were planning to ask Tambuwal to step down and not to preside over the House again. Is that true? If anybody says there was any plot to ask the Speaker to step down, that is unfair to PDP members, particularly myself because when the 37 members defected, we came to the floor of the House and asked Speaker Tambuwal to declare their seats vacant because that is what the law says. I remember just like that Thursday, Mr. Speaker called for an executive session and pleaded for our understanding otherwise, he had no option other than to declare their seats vacant and if he did, they would have gone because the court ruled that there was no merger between PDP and APC and there was no crisis in the PDP. It was naturally expected of Mr. Speaker to declare the seats of the 37 lawmakers vacant. If he considered defecting to the APC, he should have honourably resigned and saved this House of all these tension and embarrassment because what happened today is an offshoot of his defection whether he likes it or not. So, it is not for PDP members to say he should step down, it is a constitutional provision. So how do we resolve it now? Are we waiting for the courts? The Supreme Court has ruled that it is automatic. Once you defect from a party that brought you to parliament to another

party without any merger or crisis, automatically you lose your seat. But you see, there is this clause in the constitution, that a presiding officer must pronounce your seat vacant, that is all that is left.

If he considered defecting to the APC, he should have honourably resigned and saved this House of all these tension and embarrassment because what happened today is an offshoot of his defection

In that case, don’t you think that Tambuwal is holding the House to ransom because as the presiding officer, he cannot pronounce his own seat vacant? In my view, you know this legal maxim, that you cannot be a judge in your own case. When the former Speaker, Olubunmi Etteh had a problem, we asked her to step aside and there was a Speaker pro-tempore. In this case, we can ask the Deputy Speaker or any other person among us to be Speaker pro-tempore for that purpose alone and he makes the pronouncement and that will be all. So, in my view, truly, if Mr. Speaker had acted very honourably, he would have saved us all these tensions. But that he didn’t act is not an excuse for this despicable treatment. In other instances, people had defected from other parties to the ruling party. In Ondo State, Governor Olusegun Mimiko and all the members of the State House of Assembly defected to the PDP and there were no problems. How come Tambuwal’s case has become a big issue? How will it not become an issue? It is an issue. Once anybody from any party either APC of PDP or whatever the name of the party might be, defect and there is no crisis or merger you are bound to lose your seat. Your seat ought to be declared vacant. It doesn’t matter who you are. The law does not tolerate anybody. Everybody is subject to the law. So, if somebody defected in a state together with his party members, they ought to lose their seats. That is the law and it has a precedent. Once the party they left has no crisis and there is no merger they have to lose their seats in parliament. However, this doesn’t apply to governors because this provision does not apply to the executive; it only deals with legislators. It is a constitutional issue that applies only to members of the national parliament and state legislature.

Politics | Interview 17

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

You nominated Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives in June 2011, today there are calls on him to resign based on his defection to the APC. What is your take on this? First, I think that defection, as far as the practice of our democracy is concerned has become what you may call an acceptable norm of how we have conducted our business from 1999 till now. There have been several defections, very high profile defections in the past. Most of the time those defections have been from other parties to the PDP. You will want to recall governors elected on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and most of the members who were elected into the National Assembly on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Those were defections that were for the most part in the direction of the PDP. Every time there were defections, in most cases either the president himself or the leadership of the PDP moved with champagne bottles to celebrate the capture, so to speak, of the big fishes that were coming from the other parties. For the most part, and I say with the greatest respect, that they are either being mischievous or maybe to a lesser extent, ignorant of what the laws of the nation pertaining the question of defection is. And that is why I said I would prefer to take a holistic look at the concept of defection and whether it is anathema to the practice of democracy. And my humble opinion is that there is nothing wrong with defection in so far as that defection is consistent with certain principles. I don’t see why that should become such a big problem. Added to that is the hypocrisy that has been brought to bear on this conversation. Why is it okay to defect to the PDP? Why is it morally wrong to defect from the PDP? Now, my reading of Section 68 subsection 1(g) provides that you cannot defect from the party on whose platform you are elected simplicita. The proviso to that section is to the effect that where there are certain conditions, one of which is that if there is a faction, or if there is a division or there is a merger in the party on which platform a member of the National Assembly was elected. That is the proviso that, I think people out of either mischief or ignorance, are deliberately refusing to focus on. There are decided cases in our country right now at the Federal High Court. I can remember three of those cases. One by the Judicial Division of the Federal High Court in Sokoto, the second by the Judicial Division of the Federal High Court in Ilorin in Kwara State, all of which have actually decided the issue of whether there was a division in the PDP or not. And there is also the judgement of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court that has spoken to the fact that there was no division in the PDP even when it was clear that the issue before that court was not about whether there was a division or not. I would prefer that we should look at the judgement that has been delivered by these two Divisions, Sokoto and Ilorin where specifically the question of defection, whether it is constitutional, whether it is valid.

Tambuwal’s defection in order, says Jime Hon. Emmanuel Jime is the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, he nominated Hon. Aminu Tambuwal for the position of Speaker in 2011. In this interview with PHILIP NYAM, he speaks on the defection of the Speaker and his governorship aspiration. Excerpts:

Jime

And so far, the Hansard that we have gotten from the court is that so far as the proviso to Section 68 sub Section 1 (g) is available, a member can defect. So, I would prefer as a lawyer to argue from the point of view of law instead of worrying so much about morality. What does the law say with regards to the ability of someone who has been elected on a platform to be able to defect? How does this relate to Tambuwal’s case? It is from that platform that I’d like to situate the issue currently in play, which is the defection of Mr. Speaker from the PDP to the APC. First, you have to remember that when the Speaker read out his defection statement on the floor, he actually referred to the situation in Sokoto his home state and I have already mentioned the fact that the Sokoto Division of the Federal High Court has held that there is a division in the PDP. Now, the Speaker being a member of the new PDP which had now merged with the APC in my own opinion, rightly, constitutionally, legally and validly could defect. And that is what the Speaker has done. I would think that if anybody had questions with regards to this matter therefore, instead of the approach that the PDP has taken, which is to go extra-legal, which is to begin to make pronouncements that appear as if they are also judging the matter, the proper thing to do is to take up this matter with the law courts with the view to finally ascertaining whether a

I don’t see why that should become such a big problem. Added to that is the hypocrisy that has been brought to bear on this conversation. Why is it okay to defect to the PDP? Why is it morally wrong to defect from the PDP?

sitting member can defect or not to the extent and in so far as there is no final court judgement from our justice system. I think that for now, not only is it prejudicial and peremptory to begin to make those assertions that the Speaker should vacate the seat that he is occupying at the moment. So, are you saying there is no basis for the Speaker to vacate office? In my opinion, there is no legal basis for the request that has been made that the Honourable Speaker should resign his position. There have been arguments that the Speaker should reconvene the House before December 3rd to enable Mr. President present the 2015 appropriation bill. What is your take on this? When the House Leader, who is the leader of the PDP in the House, moved the motion for the House to adjourn till December 3, she, more than anyone else, ought to know if the executive had any intention of bringing in the budget because all of such collaborations with the executive are actually anchored. She is the direct channel through which the presidency, because it is the ruling party, through which communications are done. Therefore, for her to stand on the floor of the House and to move the motion for us to adjourn it has to be taken that there was no communication whatsoever that the presidency had any intention. So, this is an afterthought. But it’s all politics and I think members of the public ought to be aware.

And let them be knowledgeable enough to know that this is only a trick that is being pulled. There is no intention whatsoever for any budget to be presented even if we resume before December 3. Finally, on that point I want to suggest even if you present the budget in December, there is nothing that stops us from passing the budget before January. Because we have the mechanism within the National Assembly to pass a budget in a very record time if the will is there for us to do our jobs. You were elected to the House on the platform of the PDP but defected and now you are contesting for governorship in APC. There are assumptions that the APC’s popularity is waning in Benue State? I really do not agree with this assertion. People have to understand that the APC in Benue State is truly a movement. It is a movement that started in 2011 with the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). So, clearly APC in Benue in 2015 is definitely not the same as ACN in 2011. Because there is now a greater mass of individuals that have come together to team up in order to form this party. I call it a movement because this is a direct reaction of our people against maladministration; this is a direct reaction of our people against poor policies of the PDP especially in Benue State. The PDP has been in governance in Benue for the last 15 years and during that period it is fair to say that not very much has happened in terms of how the welfare of the people has been enhanced. Rather, what we have seen is that there has been a serious degradation in terms of human capacity of our people. So, if that is the situation, the question then will be what is the alternative? The real problem is the selfdestruction button that the PDP itself has pressed which now stands the APC in a very good position. So, I am not one of those who think that the fortunes of the APC in Benue are dwindling. The greatest campaign manager for the APC in Benue is the PDP. The only way, quite frankly, that the PDP expects to win any election in Benue State is by rigging. And since we know what the strategy is, I think we have a duty to ensure that we do not provide for them an opportunity to be able to rig this election in 2015. What are your expectations on the coming gubernatorial primaries? I have very high expectations. Without meaning to be immodest I truly believe that I am a candidate to beat in the APC. I believe that leadership recruitment in our country in a time when democracy is beginning to take root must be anchored on the antecedents and record of performance of people who are in offices. It should no longer be an all comers affair. I have a record on which I am running and I challenge anybody who is running for office to also bring up his record so that we can put it on the table and then let the people be the judge. I truly know from my consultations and the discussions we have had with both leaders of the party and stakeholders, from the outpouring of support that I am getting, if we have a truly free and fair primary nobody is going to see my back.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Between the governed and the governing

Shedrack I. Light

n Nigeria as in most other Africa and other thirdworld countries, citizens’ social stance has been divided into many categories according to each and everyone’s socio-economic status. There are in Nigeria for instance, the elites {mostly the economically empowered and political fortified echelons} and the masses {mostly those with economic earning of less than 2 dollars a day} mostly found within the rural places as peasants who toil day and night, yet couldn’t afford third square meals. They are strategically schemed out in vital decision taking and have become the end sufferers of political deceptions and violence. In political equation, the so-called masses accounts for over 80 per cent of the entire population of Nigeria and this 80 per cent give legitimacy to the powers the only less than 5 per cent elites wields. In Nigeria as in most third world countries, these masses have become cannon-fodders of the wealthy class. They are only relevant for the purpose of availing the elites their votes and helping them wield the sword of violence should they {the elites} have political scores to settle with opponents. They are least educated and in most cases are not carried along by the elites in making decisions that concern the entire populace which in most cases are pro-elites. Imagine for instance a situation where Senators and Members of House of Reps have unanimously agreed or at the verge of advancing a bill to availing themselves of immunity {an additional fortification outside their security details and attaches and their economic buoyance} in a poverty-ridden country like Nigeria where the greater number of the masses on daily basis are living face to face with the viral prevailing poverty, the Boko Haram menace; when many of the social amenities are extinctive. Taking inventory of the violence that beclouds the nation, the spark-off points are usually in very rural isolated areas among people who have been fed with ideologies that defiled every morality and saneness. This happened because of the gap between those that have mounted leadership positions and those that look to them for social justice. Should there have been a systematic co-option and education of the masses, the

nation would have been free from the level of idiocy and religious maladies we experience today. Every untamed mind must be occupied and it lies on who and what occupies it first. The present administration may have started the process of carrying everyone along by creating the never-existent middle class, establishing Sure-P programmes and setting up Almajiri schools, there have been evident improper coordination of these schemes to enable them attain the full potentials of bequeathing the youths the virtue needed to thrive and place the nation within the comity of great nations beyond theories. Sure-P has a misguided objective since up until now, it has not mass produced youths that could be independent of government through self-empowerment vocations. Attaching graduates as traffic warders on Nigerian roads is the most effective ways of ‘killing’ talents of these young stars. They have not thus been empowered. Sure-P should focus more on self-empowerment programmes and not what we see currently. There are myriad opportunities that could be tapped within agro-allied, tourism, entertainment, literary circles which have not been highlighted and explored. While many believe that Nigeria is a great country, most believe otherwise and would rather use the word ‘Nigeria is potentially a great country’ going by the many economically viable mineral and human resources which are yet to be optimized for national growth and development. There have not been conscious efforts at bridging the gap that exists between the elites and the masses and the violence we see today is the output of this glaring gap. In order to find solutions to the prevailing violence, hatred and restiveness that have bedevilled the nation, we should begin to understand that the political class in Nigeria wants power at all cost, while the masses who give them legitimacy want justice, peace and security in order to attain their full potentials. When the power struggles of the political class become frustrated, they incite the common people to violence. The political class on their own cannot cause violence, (because they are relatively fewer and would prefer to be faceless). They rather use the people whom they induce to action as cannon fodders, hiding under religious and tribal sentiments.

Education is a basic pointer to change. A situation where the greater numbers of Nigerians are not educated, one begins to wonder the feasibility of a positive change in a country that is in dire need of change. The eyes of the ruling class should be opened to the dangers of political rascality and brigandage because if they continue to blare the flute of war just to have their personal or collective ambitions realised, they are the worst hit because when the ember of hatred is fanned to a full blown anarchy and restiveness, their primary source of sucking the clan-field juice will elude them. Stirring wars and its threat have destructive effects on all and sundry. While the masses may lose their lives in violence, the elites lose their wealth and their sources of wealth in wars. We need to find a way to bring about dialogue between political parties, contestants and divisive institutions and encourage them to resort to peaceful resolutions of issues when they disagree. Since as a result of lack of education of Nigerian citizenries, what we now experience is the crude form of efforts of self-emancipation. They have no better way to air their grievances than what we are seeing now. Nigerian governments in the past seem to have made no frantic efforts at educating their citizenries on the morality of leadership, sanctity of lives and the need for virtuous and ethical education. Because they have not sown this noble seed, they should not expect any yields either. It was Jefferson who opened our eyes on the need for a country to mass educate her citizens for political stability, economic progress and patriotic stance. “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be . . . whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; ... whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them right.... Ignorance and sound self-government could not exist together: the one destroyed the other” ---Thomas Jefferson • Shedrack I. Light is a poet, a creative writer, novelist and lyricist. He lives in and writes from Abuja.

Are they really working for Mr. president? John Paul Ezeaku

f recent, we have witnessed enough political theatrics in which the ruling PDP is the main character to warrant the above question. Yes, could the current powers in PDP really be working for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election? Ok, let’s start from the most recent event. Only last week, as they say (Wednesday, Nov 20 actually), the PDP, apparently unable to fathom the most effective way to tackle the Tambuwal menace, simply got the authorities to lock up the gate to prevent him from entering the House of Representatives Chambers. The result was the chaos we saw on national television and the disgraceful photographs the newspapers splashed on their front pages the following day, of Hon. Members of the House scaling the fence to enter the premises of the National Assembly. And you ask, was that necessary at all? With his current reputation as a shifty, dodgy politician, Aminu Tambuwal, in my view, is a damaged political brand. A man who has changed party affiliations five times in a 16year political career, who buys presidential nomination form today and drops it barely two days later to go for governorship cannot have the kind of

political capital that we all tend to give Aminu Tambuwal credit for. For me, the seeming mass hysteria in the PDP over Tambuwal and the dilemma over how to handle his continued leadership of the House after his defection to APC should, therefore, not arise. If PDP had loyal and reputable party strategists, it should be very easy to tackle Tambuwal. To physically prevent him from entering the House is to make a hero out of a political harlot and create a poor public image for both the government and the ruling party. Who could have advised that line of action for the ruling party? About the same time the show of shame in Abuja took place, seven members of the PDP in Ekiti State House of Assembly (or is it 10) out of a total of 27 Members also sat in the assembly chambers to impeach the Speaker Omirin Adewale Albert. In the build-up to a crucial election year, that is not exactly good politics for the ruling party. Peter Obi, an APGA governor ran Anambra with all-PDPMember House from 2003 until 2011 when his APGA won the majority seats in the House and there was no need for the kind of drama in Ekiti. A more strategically-thinking gentleman would simply have made Ekiti a ‘project’ and everybody would fall in line. Fayose should be advised to

dispense with this strong-arm style of politics and embrace decorum, civility and finesse in the conduct of public affairs, not only for his own sake but also for the sake and overall good of the party that brought him to power. In Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi and Enugu States, the PDP is contending with self-imposed leadership crises that may well have inexorably set it on the path of self-destruction, barely five months to crucial general elections in which victory is not exactly assured for the ruling party. For most imponderable reasons, the PDP, has practically wrenched the party leadership in the aforementioned states from the state governors and handed same over to some senators from those states, people with little or no structures on the ground or electoral values even in their constituencies, to win the party any election. And you ask again, what kind of political strategy is that? How could a political party structured the way PDP is decide that it serves its electoral interests better in political Nigeria to make a Senator leader of the state chapter of the party than the state governor? If it does not make sense as, indeed, it does not, is it not an indication that some chieftains of the party are working towards an objective other than that, which should

be in the overall interest of the party? The case of Enugu is particularly interesting, for want of a better way to put it. On Saturday November 1 this year, PDP stakeholders in the state waited all day for the materials and members of the electoral panel detailed to conduct the ward-delegates election in the state to arrive. They waited in vain. Meanwhile, a group of national assembly members simply assembled themselves at the house of a ranking member in Enugu and whiled away time--none of them even cared to visit his constituency to participate in the congress. As the day wore off, residents saw them emerge from their ‘hiding’ and started clicking glasses. Why? Because, according to them, the ward-delegates ‘election had been successfully conducted’ in their favour as most of those elected as delegates were their friends and associates. But, were they joking or something or something? Their jubilation was mere foolishness because we all knew that the ward-delegates election did not take place in Enugu? Even the police headquarters in Abuja confirmed that the materials for Enugu ward congress were safely locked up in a safe in Wuse police station because there were disagreements. • Ezeaku wrote in from Enugu-Ezike, Enugu State.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

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Capacity building and SME development

he Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, has attributed lack of capacity building to the death of more than half of entrepreneurship businesses in the country. He said apart from providing access to funds to sustain small and medium businesses, the bank had also evolved capacity building for small business owners at no cost. Okonkwo spoke during the Fidelity Bank Day at the last Lagos International Trade Fair. The event attracted both local and international businesses. He explained that, “we have noted certain things about most of the small and medium businesses. Within the first five years of their take-off, 60 per cent of them don’t survive; not because of lack of funds but lack of capacity to manage. That is why we want to empower and build Nigerian entrepreneurs to become conglomerates of tomorrow, and we are poised to do that. We are committed to nurturing and providing advisory services and capacity building. For us as a bank, we don’t want to be everything to everybody. That we must provide long services that will have optimal efficiencies. We also want to make sure that the services we offer are easy and accessible.” Today in the country, the SME’s are confronted with a myriad of problems, namely lack of capital, inadequate management arising from

lack of capital to even fund training and acquisition of skills, restricted access to institutionalized credit and management skills. There are managerial deficiencies in marketing, account and finance, human resources and production. There is no gainsaying that good management strategy will have a positive impact on the modus operandi of SME’s in Nigeria. We concede that, there are serious inherent problems with Nigerian SME’s especially in terms of ownership, management, record-keeping, structure and even cultural constraints. We concede that, there are serious inherent problems with Nigerian SMEs especially in terms of ownership, management, record-keeping, structure and even cultural constraints. These problems must be effectively checked so that SME’s can survive. The government must match its preachments with action, if indeed, it really wants the people to be gainfully employed and not be a burden on the government, it must create the enabling environment for private enterprises to thrive. People can employ themselves where there is constant power supply and availability of other basic amenities that can take away the burden and stress of investing in a hostile environment. Multinational companies have left Nigeria for some other climes, as the cost of doing business here is just too high. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 97 per cent of all busi-

nesses in Nigeria employ less than 100 employees. It then means that 97 per cent of all businesses in Nigeria are realistically, “small businesses”. The SME sector averagely provides 50 per cent of Nigeria’s employment, and 50 per cent of its industrial output. Which government can afford to ignore such a high contributor to its economy? The proportion of Nigerian SMEs and their impact on the economy is pretty much similar to those in other countries of the world, especially in the advanced economies. There are approximately 23 million small businesses in the United States of America, and they employ more than 50 per cent of the private workforce, while generating more than half of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). In the European Union, SMEs are seen as largely essential for European employment. Annually, one million new SMEs are set up in the European Union. SMEs account for 99.8 per cent of all companies and 65 per cent of business turnover in the European Union. The era of ‘lip service’ to Nigeria’s SME sector should be done away with. The employment creation cannot be developed without a vibrant SME intervention. If there is adequate financial support, more unemployed Nigerians will engage in small scale enterprises than looking for unavailable while collar jobs. Nigerians are probably one of the most entrepreneurial people on

earth. But this is not enough. In order to positively encourage the spirit of enterprise among our people, especially the youths, universities and other institutions of higher learning must be encouraged to become more commercially focused and more entrepreneurial. They should be encouraged to develop more ties with local businesses and hold more business related activities on campus. Students should be encouraged to take business studies modules as part of their main courses. This will help develop the interest in business, and provide the basic understanding of what to expect when going into business. The knowledge gained will help provide students with a ready option when they graduate, rather than wasting their time looking for the jobs that are not available. This will ultimately help to reduce the pool of unemployed young people in the country. We strongly believe in the establishment of small-scale enterprises since they ensure community stability and do less harm to the physical environment than large enterprises. They will easily promote cottage industries, improve rural welfare and generally reduce unemployment and poverty in the country. The challenge of SME’s in the country transcend non-availability of finance to lack of capacity building, hence government in conjunction with the organised private sector must provide requisite training for those they give funds to, in order to make SME’s sustainable.

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20 Politics | Interview

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

My administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll focus on economic growth, says Ekere Nsima Ekere is a onetime deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State. He is apiring to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio in 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He spoke with DOMINICK UMOSEN on his ambition

Ekere

What will be the focus of your administration? The right temperament, vision and the experience, that is what Akwa Ibom needs to get to the next level, especially after the massive infrastructural revolution by

the present administration. We need a government that will come and not only sustain this massive infrastructural revolution but also build the foundation for the economic development of the state. We need to

systematically activate the private sector to underpin the economic development of the state; an active private sector for the state simply because it is the private sector that will bring in the industries that we so desperately need to drive a robust private sector in the state. It is the private sector that will necessarily create jobs for the people, grow the economy, create the needed wealth and better living conditions of the people of the state. It is neither

the job nor the responsibility of the government to build industries. The role of the government is to create the enabling environment for the private sector to create wealth and grow the economy. I will definitely encourage the private sector to be active, discharge and play this role robustly. My focus shall be to midwife Akwa Ibom into solid and sustainable economic development. Are you satisfied with the performance of the pres-

ent administration in the state? The emphasis of the present administration was, basically, to build as much infrastructural base for the state. If you go around the state today, you will see several infrastructural projects. May be it is because of my background as a private sector person. I will focus on what my administration will do exceedingly well and not bother with what someone did well or did not do well. Unemployment is a serious issue in Akwa Ibom. How do you intend to address this issue? That is why I said I will go the extra mile to attract and encourage a robust private sector. It is only the private sector that can pull the needed industries into the state. This will, in turn, lead to wealth-creation and improvement of the living standard of the people. The industries that will spring up when the private sector has been fired up will consequently lead to an explosion in economic fortunes of the people. By the time you complete the Ibagha Deep Sea Port, the multiplier effect would become very obvious. The same thing could also be said about the cargo wing of the Ibom International Airport when completed. And by the time the Ibom Industrial Park is built, you would have been talking about a different Akwa Ibom, economically, from what you now know. Thousands of jobs would have been created, directly and indirectly, by the time this blueprint manifests. The basic idea is not just to create jobs but to encourage the people to become enteepreneurs. Has Akwa Ibom been adequately compensated for its contribution to the economy of the nation? Nigeria, as you know, has an acceptable revenue-sharing formula. And I am sure that whatever we are getting from the federation account is in line with this formula. I do not want us to dwell excessively on this so that we do not create the impression that ours is just an economy based on sharing and receiving, instead of one where beneficiaries should be preoccupied with what they are contributing towards that economy. The Nigeria of my dream is where the constituent elements would be concerned with production, not receipts from a tireless and benevolent donor.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, november 27, 2014

Jurist

Interview

My regrets, by Mukhtar

Olatoye: Why Jonathan should not seek re-election

23&24

Law Should the National Assembly endorse President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for further extension of the emergency rule in the troubled north-east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe? Lawyers say no, yes. TUNDE OYESINA, AKEEM NAFIU and APPOLOS CHRISTIAN report

Discordant tunes over Jonathan’s request for emergency rule

or the fourth time in 18 months, President Goodluck Jonathan last week sought the endorsement of the National Assembly for a further extension of an emergency rule in the troubled north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe following his resolve to end insurgency in the affected regions. His first time was on May 14, 2013 when he got the approval of the National Assembly. Since the first six months elapsed, two extensions had been made yet there had been no desired results. Does the President deserve another endorsement for further extension of emergency rule, especially when the troubled states have become the haven for the Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalists? Lawyers say no, yes. According to the antagonists there was no basis for further grant of the emergency rule in the troubled zones as the request for it by the President would not achieve any desired results. Although President Jonathan has the powers under Sections 217(2) (c), 218, 13 and 14 (2) (b) of the Constitution to deploy troops to the troubled north-east, his request for the National Assembly’s endorse-

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY Editor

foluso.ogunmodede@ newtelegraphonline.com

Boko Haram Islamic fundermentalists

ment may hit the bricks as the previous emergency rule is yet to achieve success since May 14, 2013. However, lawyers who spoke to New Telegraph yesterday differ on the President’s request as contained in the 1999 Constitution. While some say President Jonathan’s request for an extension was cosmetic and of no consequence, others believe it is desirable in the present circumstance as military could only operate perfectly without inhibition when there is a declaration of an emergency rule. Specifically, while Dr. Joseph Nwobike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Malam Yusuf Ali, SAN, Mr. Norrison Quakers, SAN, Professor Muhammed Akanbi, Malami Abubakar, SAN, Mr. Festus Keyamo and Dr. Tunji Abayomi said President Jonathan’s request was merely a cosmetic one as a further extension of the emergency rule in the troubled states was not the solution to the insurgency war being declared on the Nigerian nation by the violent Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalists, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, Paul Ananaba, SAN, John Baiyesea, SAN and Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN differ. To the proponents, the Presi-

Jonathan

Mark

dent’s request for an extension of the emergency rule would go a long way to achieve desirable result. But Nwobike insisted that President Jonathan’s request was of no use as it had not achieved any success in the last 18 months. He said: “So, asking for an extension to me is of no consequence as far as the security situation in those places is concerned. But, hopefully, I want to believe that the President may be rejigging his security strategies because so far nothing has happened but we pray that something should happen as soon as possible’’. He was echoed by another Senior Advocate, Mr. Norrison Quakers, who quarried the President’s rationale for an extension when nothing tangible had been achieved in the last 18 months, said the request was uncalled for. He however tasked President Jonathan to address the nation’s security challenge with a view to bringing an end to insurgency rather than looking for a way to extend the emergency rule in the troubled states. He said: “To what extent is the extension? I think we must go beyond the emergency rule, address the problem and attack

it from the source. I am talking about the perceived military disillusioned and annoyance. So, we need to do more than just an extension of the emergency rule. “Look at what is happening at the National Assembly at the moment. The House of Representatives has been polarised while the whole assembly is in chaos. There are more problems in the polity than just asking for an extension of the emergency rule’’. To the activist lawyer, Keyamo, “emergency rule has not brought succour to the people. So, the kind of emergency rule I advocate for is the type that will be more effective and more pungent enough to deal with the insurgency’’. Ali said “frankly speaking, nothing much has been achieved since the existence of the emergency rule. All we have witnessed is escalation. Our security can’t contain this insurgency. “At the initial stage, it was localized, but now it is eating deep into the marrow of the country, it is just like a cancer whereby local government and towns have been captured. “I think we should go back CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Law | Jurist

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, november 27, 2014

She was the nation’s Chief Justice and the first female to occupy the office until November 20 when she bid the Bench a farewell after the mandatory retirement age of 70. Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria has just spent one week in retirement. She speaks on her background, choice of career, challenges, governors’ impunity to justice admnistration and sundry issues. TUNDE OYESINA met her.

My regrets, by Mukhtar

ustice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar retired as the nation’s Chief Justice last week Thursday after she attained the statutory age of 70. She was born into a humble family of Mukhtar and Hadiza in the present Adamawa State. Her fraud father, an itinerary trader was a wares’ merchant. Following her father’s itinerary, she moved with him from one place to the other. Justice Mukhtar, who attained 70 years on November 20 was born in Lagos, where she started her elementary school. She was her father’s second child and mother’s only surviving child. This, however afforded her to major in some Nigerian languages, especially the Yoruba which she speaks fluently. The retired Chief Justice, however chronicled her ‘judicial’ journey to the highest echelon regretting that despite her effort to free judiciary from the grips of the executive arm of government, the third-arm of government still experiences unnecessary interference from the executive. She said: “What readily comes to mind is the recent refusal of state Governors to implement the orders of the Federal High Court to allocate to their states Judiciaries the funds they are entitled to in the state’s Budgets. As a result of this refusal, Judicial Staff have gone on strike, suspended it and have threatened to resume if the orders are not implemented. The non-implementation of the orders may in future be disastrous to the Judiciary and the country as a whole”. Justice Mukhtar said the impunity must stop if the independence of the judiciary must be guaranteed. On her journey to the highest echelon of the juduciary, she said she would not have attained the laurels bestowed on her without her parents, lamenting their deaths while describing it as the most harrowing experience of her life. She said: “I was born into the family of Muktari and Hadiza seventy years ago in the City of Lagos. I am the second child of my father, the first died at a very tender age and the first of my mother. My father was born in Wuro Sambe in the present Adamawa State to a

Mukhtar

father who was an itinerary trader who traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria selling wares, from his Village of Janguza in the present Dawakin Tofa Local Government of Kano State. My mother was an indigene of Misau, in the present Misau Local Government of Bauchi State. Her forefathers migrated from Borno and lived in Misau until their death. They were called Fulata Borno i.e a mixture of Fulani and Kanuri, not Hausa. So you can say I am a Hausa and the above two put together. “I started growing up in Lagos amongst the Yorubas, the Yoruba language being my first often spoken language. I will at this juncture state that contrary to what many people want to believe I am not Yoruba. No doubt I speak Yoruba fluently, sometimes better than the Yorubas themselves as some people say even better than my native Hausa language. This is so with all my siblings as they also speak perfect Yoruba. As a matter of fact there is one who can never converse in Hausa without alternating with Yoruba words. My mother died on the 29th of August 1991, and my father on 30th of August 1992, exactly one year and one day after the other. It was a devastating period for me, for they were both very loving parents who spared nothing to ensure I achieved the goal I set for myself. They were very patient with me, and I would say without them and God I wouldn’t have reached where I am today. My upliftment

I speak Yoruba fluently, sometimes better than the Yoruba themselves as some people say even better than my native Hausa language

by the Almighty Allah was made possible through them, and I can never thank all of them enough. My father had 17 children nine of whom are alive today, eight having died either as young children or adults. My mother had two of us, but I am the only surviving one, my sister Mrs. Hairatu Gwadabe having died in 2000. It was a most traumatic experience for the whole family because of the circumstance of her death. She had five children, but one died in the same circumstance, leaving behind four children. Justice Mukhtar said her status and the height she had attained in life would not have been possible without her father. Her words: “On my father’s return from Sierra Leone, I told him of my desire to travel to Britain to further my education, having completed my Primary School and a part of post Primary education, he was agreeable and thought it was a splendid idea, in view of my past performance. A passport was secured for me after I had gained admission to Rossholme School for girls in the county of Somerset England. The school was in the small village of East Brent, near High Bridge. In 1961 I flew to England on board the BOAC to complete my post primary Education. I was met at the airport by the Secretary of the then Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Alhaji Abdulmalik who was my Guardian throughout the period of my studies in England. I was conveyed to his residence, the fa-

mous 34/36 Chapel Street, Belgravia, London where I continued to spend my holidays with his family. It was a time when black people were very few in the United Kingdom and in particular in the villages. In fact I was the first black person to reside in East Brent, and it was the most harrowing experience initially, because I was always inundated with most ridiculous questions, like whether people lived on trees in Africa, and if it was true that Africans had tails like monkeys. Some months after my admission into the school another Nigerian joined me, and I became relieved as their inquisitions were transferred to her and with the two of us in that Community they became more accommodating. I settled down to my studies and took my G.C.E. ‘O’ level Examinations in 1962 and was successful in the subjects I took and scored the highest grade in History. As a matter of fact before the results were out I had been awarded the prize for the best history student in the school. After my Ordinary Level Examinations I applied for the Northern Nigeria Government Scholarship, which I got to start the G.C.E. Advanced level programme. Choice of career I was admitted to Reading Technical College to study Economics, Economic History and the British Constitution. The first year virtually covered the whole syllabuses, and we were told we could attempt the examination if we wished. Many of the students expressed their interest, so I also saw no harm in giving it a shot in preparation for the examination after completing the two years programme. It was in this wise that I did not fill the UKAS form for admission to any university. Alas! to my utter dismay I passed two of the three subjects with good grades. Armed with two ‘A’ level subjects I went to the Northern Students Affairs Officer, Alhaji Usman Suka in the Agent General’s office in the Nigerian High Commission. The late Mallam Usman Suka looked at the result and in his excitement said, if I could attain this result after only one year he was certain I will pass the three subjects with flying colours after the second year. I asked him what he meant by that, and he replied that I should go back to Reading to complete the course and take the examinations again. I told him with my two ‘A’ levels I can secure admission to any college for any professional programme. I toyed with the idea of being a librarian or a Radiographer at different times during that period. That was after jettisoning my longtime dream of adorning myself with the white Nursing Sister uniform and its cap when I was growing up. Prior to that there were three gentlemen who were studying law in Chapel Street, and who had always teased me about studying law too. I say teased because I never thought I would be able to sit for lengthy hours reading books, the way I see them do. When I showed them my results and told them the dilemma I was in, not wanting to go back to Reading for the completion of the ‘A’ level programme one of them suggested that I enroll in CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Law | Jurist

THURSDAY, november 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘I read Law by happenstance’ CONTINUED FROM PAG E 23

the Inns of Court to read law. I again asked the question do you think I can do it? They all in chorus said I can. The three gentlemen were Moshood and Muazu Abdulmalik (of blessed memory) and Lameen Metteden. I heeded their advice and headed to the High Commission to meet with Malam Suka again on what the next course of action on my studies will be. As soon as I entered his office, he looked at me with frustration in his eyes and asked if I had made up my mind about going back to Reading. He had a dream for me to further my education up to a master’s degree level in the university. At that time my view was that a minimum qualification would suffice for any woman, and I conveyed this to him. He gave me a stern look and said “yarinya nan kina da taurin kai”, meaning I was a stubborn girl. I am afraid this description followed me!! Anyway, he agreed to process an admission for me into one of the Inns of Court to see if I can become a lawyer as I had earlier told him I wanted to try. He succeeded in enrolling me into the Middle Temple and also into the Gibson and Weldon School of Law on Chancery Lane, London. Law programme I started the Bar programme with Roman law and another subject, and yet another subject of learning to glue myself to the chair in the library, for at that time I was restless and liked to be on the move all the time. It was like a punishment initially but with time and practice I got used to it and became properly focused. In early 1966, I was ready to attempt my part II English Bar Examinations and I took it with some of my Northern Student mates. At that time it was difficult to pass the final Bar Examinations at the first attempt, most especially because of the most ever difficult subject called ‘Equity’. I will digress a little bit at this juncture to narrate a joke associated with the subject. Two women met at the popular Shepherds Bush Market in London and one after the usual greetings said to the other “Mama Tokunbo o ma to ijo meta, mo se bi eti pada lo si ile ni” to which the other answered, “Equity ni o je ka ti lo o” meaning ‘Mama Tokunbo it’s a long time, I thought you have gone back home, to which the other retorted that the subject of Equity had prevented their return, as her husband had been battling with it without success. Now, back to the first attempt at the final Bar Examination, I took the Examination and to my surprise I got a conditional pass, which left me with a failure in Common law and not the almighty Equity which was the fear of every law student. I beseeched myself with joy as it was as though I had already become a Barrister at Law. The fact that I still had a subject to sit again was inconsequential because it was the easiest subject,

having done its components in the first part of the Bar Examinations. In fact that must have led to the failure in that subject because I took it for granted, and so did not revise the different components very well. On reading the result, I quickly proceeded to Mallam Suka’s office. I entered his office with such excitement that he stared at me with consternation. I broke the good news to him that I had a conditional pass at the first attempt. Having been the Student Affairs Officer for some years he appreciated my excitement and joy for he was experienced in the intricacies of the Bar Examinations. He congratulated me. I told him my plans which were to work towards sitting for the Common law subjects which I failed and the booking of my journey back to Nigeria immediately after the Examination. He did not understand the sequence of events as tabled before him, so he told me to carefully layout what I was contemplating to do in detail. I told him I will take the Examination in July and then proceed to Nigeria in August to await my resumption at the Nigeria Law School in the 1966/67 session. I will apply for provisional admission pending the outcome of the result. He couldn’t believe what he heard. He shouted that I would be taking a big risk in the circumstance as I may fail the subject. I told him I can’t fail, for it was an easy subject which I failed because I was careless, and that if I failed I could always come back to repeat it, as I was tired of England. In his characteristic way he looked at me with disbelief, shook his head and reiterated my stubborn tendencies. He tried to convince me to change my mind, but I refused, so he recorded my requests to pay for the resist Examination and book my passage on the ship, MV Apapa to return to Nigeria; and also to apply for provisional admission in the Law School for me. In September, 1966 I set out on MV APAPA from Liverpool, England for a two week journey by sea to Apapa Lagos. On arrival I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School at Igbosere Street at the earliest opportunity. I met with the Administrative Officer who gave me some forms to fill and informed me of my provisional admission that will be confirmed as soon as the result of my common law is out. I already knew when the result will be out, so on that day I went to Kingsway Stores along the Marina to buy a copy of the London Times Newspaper in which the Bar results are usually published. As soon as I saw my name under the reference list of the results, I proceeded to the Law School to show the Secretary, who had in fact already seen it and had already prepared all papers necessary for me to commence the one year programme. On the 22nd day of November 1966 during the Michaelsma Term I was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple in absentia. In absentia meant I was not present

Mukhtar

at the call. We were called to the Bar in June, 1967. There were only eight females in that set, and only three of us became Judges. Some became successful Private Practitioners, and one became a business woman.

I watched one of my seniors being sworn in on television one evening and I said to myself; this is for men only, not any woman. Little did I know that even with my pessimism, I was destined to head the Judiciary of Nigeria

Pupilage As it was the practice during that period, letters of appointment were already waiting for all of us on Scholarship. I proceeded to Kaduna to obtain my letter of employment as a Pupil State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice. A few months later I was seconded to the legal drafting department of the Interim Common Services Agency as a legal draftsman under an English man called Mr. King. I think he is late now because even at that time he was well over fifty years old. As I was still interested in court work as the legal drafting was less demanding on my time I made myself available for any assignment that involved going to court. Towards this end, I would sometimes travel to Ilorin or Bida to appear in Magistrate Courts. At that time there were no official cars or drivers in the Ministry. I could not drive myself on such long journeys, so I would always travel by train. Early 1969 I transferred my services to the then North-Eastern State which then covered the present Borno, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and Yobe States. The State had a single Ministry of Justice based in Maiduguri, the then Capital. I was the only female amongst males, and indeed from when I started work in 1967 I was the only woman amongst men. In Maiduguri, again the problem of travelling to different provinces for Assizes or Appeal Sessions arose, more so that there were no railway lines in some areas. On some occasions the Judges would take me to and from Assizes/appeals sessions, and sometimes the District Officer or DPO will

provide a landrover to convey me. Career In 1971, the State was short of magistrates and there was a backlog of cases especially in Maiduguri. The late Alhaji Buba Ardo (God bless his soul), after pondering over the situation invited me to his chambers to discuss the problem with me. He wanted me to become a Magistrate. I was disturbed and it was palpable, for he immediately added that it will be temporary until they are able to recruit lawyers from outside the State. I did not like the proposition as I was happy with what I was doing then and did not want to leave my colleagues. He gave me an undertaking that it will be for only six months after which I will return to the Ministry. I became the first woman to be appointed a Magistrate in the Northern States of Nigeria. Of course, I never returned to the Ministry. In 1973 I moved to my home state Kano as an Acting Chief Magistrate. No sooner that I moved, the then Chief Registrar moved to the Ministry of Justice, and I became the Ag. Chief Registrar, a position which I held until I was confirmed in 1976. My career right from inception to that point was smooth and fast, for I had everything so easy and as a matter of course, it was as though I was on the fast track line. In January 1977, I was sworn in as a Judge of Kano State thus becoming the first female to be appointed a Judge in the Northern States of our beloved country, and the third in the country as a whole. The first female Judge in the person of the late Mrs. Modupe Omo-Ebo was appointed in November 1969, and the second one Elsie Oguntoye, a Briton married to a Nigerian was appointed just a few months before me, and so an era of women Judges in a terrain that was hitherto dominated by the male began. At the time I became a Judge, I was only thirty two years old, which made me the youngest Judge in the country. As a pioneer in the North and virtually one in the country I was determined to acquit myself and justify the confidence reposed on me by the members of the then Advisory Judicial Council who found me worthy of the position. I was also determined to carve a niche for myself with a reputation without parallel, hence I applied myself to the work because I knew that if I was to excel I had to work thrice harder than the men. Indeed, as I watched one of my seniors being sworn in on television one evening I said to myself this is for men only, not any woman. Little did I know that even with my pessimism I was destined to head the Judiciary of Nigeria. At that stage I did not even think of the Supreme Court, not to talk of the position of the Chief Justice. I reported at the Jos division of the Court of Appeal where I worked for five years before I was transferred to the Ibadan division of the Court. As the first woman Chief Justice of Nigeria I knew I had lots of challenges before me. First, a challenge to show the nation that given the opportunity a woman can perform the function of the Chief Justice as effectively and efficiently as any man. Secondly a challenge to reform a Judiciary that was always a subject of attack and ridicule to one that is worthy of commendation.

Law

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, november 27, 2014

Akintola, Malami, Baiyeshea, others differ

Faces at the Aelex’s 10th anniversary dinner held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos

L-R: Fubara Anga; Theo Emuwa; Funke Adekoya; Dapo Tunde-Olowu; Soji Awogbade, and Sina Sipasi

Akintola

Ali

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

native to the emergency rule being canvassed by the government. Akintola said “a lot might not have been achieved so far with the emergency rule but for the military to continue the fight against the maniacs, the continuation of emergency rule is a necessity”. He went on: “Anybody could give millions of reasons why the rule should not be extended but it is under the rule that nobody will be offended with the military operations fighting the Boko Haram”. Ozhekome, said, since the problem had not been solved, the President was entitled to the extension of the emergency rule in the three troubled states. He said: “It is constitutional and if the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are patriotic and do not see the request as a political matter, they should approve it without blinking an eye. But, I would say that if for any reason, any of them decides to frustrate the President, he should use his constitutional power to deploy armed forces fully to those region as in the state of a civil war. “That would mean that the limited operations which the state of emergency is meant to do will no longer apply because, unlike former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when he declared a state of emergency during his tenure, President Jonathan did not remove elected governors of those states. So, the President may be forced under the constitution to do what his predecessor has done. Even though, I had warned him when he wanted to declare a state of emergency not to remove the democratically elected governors of the three states, the President is at liberty to declare a full blown state of war in those states if the National Assembly see his request for an extension of emergency rule as political. Anybody who wants to feel it should remember what happened in the Nigerian civil war of 1967 -1970 and that is why we must be careful. We are doing too much of politicking and I am grossly ashamed of the two political parties, the PDP and APC, to the extent that in the last two and half years we are just being treated to ‘Alawada Kerikeri’ movies. That is what they are doing. There is no governance in any part of the country, whether at the Federal, States or Local Governments’ level and it is the masses that are suffering. They are playing with our collective feelings. I am highly disappointed in this political dispensation.

to the drawing board. The government should take away it’s concentration from 2015 and see how lives and properties will be protected and secured. An unsecured people cannot go out and cast votes. “For me, there is no need for the extension”. To Malami, “another extension will not have any meaningful impact, instead, it will further escalate it. So, I don’t see any reason why it should be extended. We should not deceive ourselves, it seems that the government is not ready to tackle the insurgency. “If a method had been employed and it did not yield any result, will it be wise to continue using that method? The answer is no. Lives and properties are being wasted on daily basis, but it is a pity that our government is playing politics with it”. Malami was echoed by Akanbi, who believes the extension of the emergency rule in the affected states may not solve the nation’s security challenge. He said: “Emergency rule may not be the direct answer to the problem of insurgency and its catastrophic effects on both the three states and Nigeria at large, but the removal of military presence in its maximum force will be tantamount to the states becoming hell. Considering the fierce nature of the Boko Haram, it will be the worst decision to remove the military from these states in the capacity of emergency rule now. In fact, I think there should be more presence of the military in and around the states in the sense of combating and flushing them out. So, let no one be un-necessarily sentimental about this because the insurgency situation needs more and more force than before if the war must be won. Abayomi described the extension as unnecessary. He said: “It does not improve the situation, it does not help in any way. Like the members of representatives have said, the law gives the President some power to handle this kind of situation. “I don’t even understand what the initial emergency is for. The type of emergency being adopted was the type intended by the drafters of the constitution. “Emergency ordinarily grounds all the apparatus of government but in this situation, government is still functioning. I think we should forget about the extension”. But Akintola, Ozekhome, Ananaba and Baiyesea believe there is no alter-

L-R: Theo Emuwa, partner, Aelex; Emeka Emuwa, GMD/CEO, Union Bank, and Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange.

L-R: Knut Ulvmoen, Group Executive Director, Dangote Industrie Limited; Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, and : Fubara Anga, partner, Aelex, at the company’s 10 anniversary dinner in Lagos. Pic by Francis Abiagam.

L-R: Dapo Tunde-Olowu, partner, Aelex, and Tunji Mayaki, deputy MD, corporate services, Addax Petroleum.

Herbert Wigwe, GMD, Access Bank Plc

Law | Interview

THURSDAY, november 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Olatoye: Why Jonathan should not seek re-election What is your take on the arms deal scandal? To the best of my knowledge, anything being done by the Federal Government in terms of acquisition of goods, works and services that require expenditure from consolidated revenue of the Federal Government must be in compliant with procurement law passed in 2007. Although under Section 15 of the Act, it talks about the scope of application. There is an exception that says other matter not security related must be done by advertisement with open tendering and due diligence. Assessment of what to do, cost implication, procedure of acquiring it, open competition but it says anything under security related should not be advertised, but must have the approval of the President. The money that was seized, they should have allowed South African government to adjudicate on it, according to their law. For government to say they are the owner, one is surprised. Reason is that we have an ambassador there who should be aware of the deal. There must be end user certificate which should have been issued by the manufacturer of the ammunition to ensure that the arms get to the right place. This means there are procedures to be followed as buying of ammunitions is not what you go and buy like bread. There are specified ways and manners of buying arms but all the procedures were violated. The procedure contravened both the Nigerian and the South African laws. This is quite embarrassing to Nigeria as a nation. It is like setting a bad template for us outside the coast of Nigeria. What do you have against President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 ambition? First and foremost as a practicing lawyer, the matter is before the court of competent jurisdiction and I cannot comment on it. But from what you are asking, the circumstances leading to it is first I am an interested party; I am a member of a political party and I have my aspirations; I pay my tax regularly and I desire to contest for presidency. And in such a situation, I want a level playing ground for all Nigerians qualified to occupy a position as at when due. I am well over 50 years, the constitutional requirement for President’s age, I have satisfied it. I cannot contest as an independent party, because of that I have joined a political party particularly I am a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). And for your information, 20 years ago, I was a majority leader of a state assembly under the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party. As a matter of fact I was the first majority leader of the Osun State House of Assembly and I have my desire to serve this country and for a level playing ground to be established and for the provisions that are contained in our provision, must be obeyed by all Nigerians because of the concept of the rule of law. In such a situation, definitely I notice there can be an inhibi-

Wahab Olatoye is challenging President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition. Olatoye who is the chairman of Bureau of Public Procurement, is in court to stop the President from contesting the 2015 elections. In this interview with TUNDE OYESINA, he speaks on why President Goodluck Jonathan must be legally stopped from contesting next year’s presidential election.

Olatoye

tion if there is a contravention in the constitution if it is obeyed in terms of strict compliance as nobody is above the law. I also discovered that the TAN is canvassing for the President to contest. I don’t want them to mislead the entire nation so that we don’t rob ourselves of the actual provision of the constitution. They are all aware that this is the second term the President is using. The constitution only allows you to spend two terms of eight years and nothing more. The constitution gives the right to contest for the Chief Executive office, president or governor, the provision of the constitution is either one term of four years and four years of second term. You cannot hold that office for a third term. The constitution says ‘...cannot hold the office for more than eight years’. I have my aspiration and I don’t want anybody to block me that is why I have gone to the court to stop him from re-contesting. How is your suit different from the one struck out by an Abuja High Court? There are a lot of differences. First and foremost, the parties are different, reliefs being sought and the facts of the case. The suit at the Abuja High Court was not struck out base on total adjudication on the matter. If a plaintiff filed a suit and did not pursue it seriously, it can be struck out by the court because the court is a serious business. The suit at the Abuja High Court was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution. Anyway, there are so many differences, though the declaration we are seeking may be the same. But there is one of them that is germane, the other case was struck out

for lack of diligent prosecution and not because it was given a full trial. We are not a party in that one, this one is a fresh one and we are ready to pursue the case to a logical conclusion, we are not ready to abandon it as we are desirous to let Nigerians know what the constitution says about re-contesting.

We are desirous to let Nigerians know what the constitution says about re-contesting

Nigerians believe you are merely embarking on a fruitless voyage. For instance, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Itsey Sagay described the suit you filed as being laced with illiteracy. How will you react to this? Though I have replied him, I used to read some of his writings. I am a practicing lawyer, so I know what the law says. Theory is different from practical. When you are a practicing lawyer, you have to talk of what the law says and the authorities backing it up. With due respect, the Professor of law did not take cognizance of the facts that are contained in the suit and he refused to read in between the line of the entire suit to know what the prayers and the issues referred to before he stated that we are illiterates. There is no lawyer that is illiterate. His comments have the coloration of what I referred to as pre-bender politicking, in fact, it narrows down his thinking to sentimental consideration, not legal issues and that is why I said that we could not take his comments serious because he was able to read in between the lines, his comments will be different. What he said is off record because he made comment that is highly sentimental; it has no place in law. In fact, in a developed nation, he can be called for questioning because, these

are the people we would have tried to emulate but instead he presents a misgiving to the entire country. He was considering where he comes from as a South-South man. I am not talking of that, I am from the South too, but the issue is that let us do what the law says, though we have presented that to the court. So, his statement is highly uncalled for from a senior member of the Bar and lecturer of law for that matter. His comments show that he was protecting the interest of the South-South, not minding what the constitution says. In the Bar, you don’t call your colleague a bad name. Whatever you believe, you present it to the court and allow the court to take his decision but calling your colleague an illiterate is highly unexpected of a senior member of the Bar. Rule of law is for everybody. We are trying to establish a constitutional government. I have the right to approach the court any time my right is being challenged. How would you describe the rally being organised by TAN? That is another breach of the Electoral Act. It stipulates a particular period of time when campaign should start from the regulated body, the INEC. For such things, the period for it is clearly spelt out in the constitution and the Electoral Law. You can’t say that you are in government and should not subject yourself to the rule of law. No, all of us must subject ourselves to the rule of law. All the provisions enshrined in the law should be obeyed. In fact, TAN rally is serving a threat to my ambition to contest for the presidency because I know the person they are proposing have given a tacit approval to that campaign because most of his lieutenants do attend the rally. The rally is more or less becoming official. The government’s resources are being spent there. So, in such a situation, they need to be checked because they are doing a wrong thing and they should not misguide the man. That is why I have gone to court so as to settle all these issues because I have my confidence in the court as the protector of all Nigerians. The proposed creation of additional 30,000 polling booths by INEC has received several attacks, what is your take? First and foremost, a lot of people have kicked against it while a few supported it. From my own perspective, there should be periodical review of voting centers. It is part of the political process of INEC. There is what we call constituency delineation which should be done every four years. It is to make voting proceedings to be easy for the voters, and the electoral body. There are 774 local governments, since those local governments are being created, the population we had during the first republic was different, it has certainly increased, the same to second and third republics, yet constituency delineation has not been done.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Health News

Healthy Living

Health News

Nature Power

Improve sex life with exercise

One in every black above 50 years has hypertension

Absence of cancer institute worry CMD

Welcome to nature power

Health

Why drug is national security issue Appolonia Adeyemi

s Ameyo Adadevor, the consultant endocrinologist, Dr. Abaniwo and others, all of the First Consultant Medical Centre (FCMC), Obalende, Lagos lay critically ill with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at the Lagos Isolation Centre in August, it was clear that their survival was a game of chance in the absence of any known drug for the treatment of Ebola. America had announced that they have the experimental Zmapp which is the first drug that show evidence of action against Ebola. Nigerian government had requested for Zmapp to be administered on the Nigerians who contracted the disease from the index case, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian American that imported the virus to Nigeria. What was the response? Nigeria did not get the drug. These are the words of Okey Akpa, Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN). For Akpa, a major lesson from that experience is that a nation should not rely on another for its drug needs and that is why pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country have classified drugs under national security. His remarks heralded the Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Forum 2014, scheduled to hold in Abuja today, November 27. The theme for the Forum is: “Production of Medicines in Nigeria - Time for Critical Interventions”. Explaining why the PMGMAN sees drugs as a national security issue, the chairman of PMG0-MAN said, “drugs is so critical because it is at the root of the health of

Appolonia Adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

the citizenry. If drug supply is affected, there is crisis immediately in the country.” As members of the PMGMAN today deliberate on issues at the forum, which will bring healthcare stakeholders together to exchange ideas, consolidate on gains and maximise potential of the pharmaceutical industry, it is expected that drug manufacturers will address unmet needs of its populace in terms drug provision. According to the chairman of PMG-MAN, “For us and internationally, countries need what is at their disposal to achieve their own needs and we do not wish that drug needs of Nigeria is controlled by any other country at all. Speaking further, he said for Nigeria,”a country of over 150 million people to meet its drug needs based on importation is which stakeholders must find ways to address. There is no doubt that lack of drugs to tackle Ebola, an unprecedented epidemic which has killed so many people in West African, is a huge challenge. Right now it has occurred in over seven countries, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, Spain and the United States, three continents, Africa, Europe and North America, with over 14, 000 cases and over 5,000 deaths. However, out of these countries, Nigeria only contributed about 0.22 per cent of all the cases and about 0.17 per cent of the deaths. Although, the new death figure may indicate that the spread of the deadly disease has slowed, Nigeria cannot afford to have another outbreak before looking inwards to meet needs of its citizens. Akpa disclosed that PMGMAN is already responding, adding that five pharmaceutical industries are producing sanitisers locally now. Besides, with regards to Ebola drugs, manufacturers at the Forum will strategise on the way forward. Another critical area that poses a challenge to Nigerians is the sphere of immunology. Currently, despite the huge benefits of immunisation which prevents numerous childhood diseases, currently, no manufacturer in Nigeria produces vaccine in the country now. Considering the importance

Cancer drug shortages are getting worse

Similarly, regarding drugs to treat cancer and post-surgical care in kidney transplantation, Okafor said it is an area PMGMAN has not looked into. That means there is a gap which we have to fill.

PHOTO: usatoday30.usatoday.com

Publicity Secretary of PMG-MAN, Prince Segun Agboade; CEO, May & Baker, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor; Treasurer, PMG-MAN, Biola Adebayo; and Chairman of PMG-MAN, Mr. Okey Akpa at the press conference to announce Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Forum 2014, held in Lagos recently.

of local vaccine production, efforts in the last eight years by May & Baker to partner with the federal government to produce vaccines has not yielded positive results. Responding to what challenges are hindering the takeoff of local vaccine production, Chief Executive Officer of May & baker, Nnamdi Okafor, said “the president of this country is fully in support of that project taking off; the former minister of health worked tirelessly to see it happen. There may be a few people in the system that has certain issues against it. “Don’t forget that vaccination is a highly politicised issue. It is a very sensitive area for everybody. So you have to make sure that you carry everybody along.” Okafor however assured

that the project is not dead. He added, “We are still working on it. I am very positive that very soon, it will happen. The president has given the approval but there are processes that you have to go through. That is what is causing the delay.” Similarly, regarding drugs to treat cancer and post-surgical care in kidney transplantation, Okafor said it is an area PMG-MAN has not looked into. That means there is a gap which we have to fill. “We going to evaluate it and you will begin to see what investments we will make in those areas. “Some of us market oncology drugs and there is still a couple of them in the markets today but there is concerns about the cost because some of them are expensive. It an area that we need to make some investments.”

Health News

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Improve sex life with exercise Stories by Oluwatosin Omoniyi

or those especially the stressed, who find sex to be cumbersome or uninteresting, a new research has proven that exercise can actually boost a sex life and make it interesting. According to Elizabeth Scott, a sex expert whose views are published on WWW. About.com, both sex and exercise have been proven to help reduce stress, “so doing both on a regular basis should help you stay relaxed and happy,” she said, adding that exercise also helps increase a sexual desire. At times, stress can actually prevent us from being ‘in the mood’. With the libido-dampening effects of excessive stress, sex sometimes goes by the wayside.” Exercise, along with a healthy diet and adequate sleep can boost your libido so, you are up for anything. Besides, for those who think health and weight loss are not enough reasons to exercise, then improving their sex life for

Coffee beans

their wellbeing should be enough reason to exercise. “Exercise, for sure can help you look better, always a plus in one’s love life, but it also gives you more energy and more stamina for your sex life,” she said. Scott further explained the importance of exercise aiding a correlation between physical inactivity and lack of potency. “Studies have found a direct correlation between physical inactivity and a lack of potency. More exercise may lead to more, and better, sex. Here is what you will need to get the most out of your sex life,” she said. • Cardio Endurance For enthusiastic sex, you will need to build cardio endurance. It makes your heart strong and keeps your body going. Try for three or four days of cardio exercise like running, walking, swimming or any activity you enjoy. • Muscular Endurance - Sex also requires you to hold occasionally `uncomfortable positions for short periods of time, so conditioning your body can be a plus for longer

lasting sex. If you are new to strength training, start with a basic strength workout two to three times a week or learn more about weight training to see how you can set up your own program. • Strength - As long as we are talking about holding yourself in position, strength is something else you will need. Your basic strength workout will help you build more strength; just make sure you challenge your muscles with enough weight. You should use enough weight that your last rep is difficult, but not impossible and, if you are a woman, do not worry that you will bulk up. Women do not produce enough testosterone to build big muscles, but you will build amazing strength. • Flexibility - Being limber can enhance anyone’s sex life by making it a bit easier to get into your favorite position with less discomfort. Try stretching after your workouts or incorporate a little yoga into your routine. Yoga is also relaxing. It can help you reduce fatigue and get you in the mood.

PHOTO: www.irkitated.com

Study: Coffee helps combat obesity C

offee may do more than simply perk up your morning routine. Researchers at the University of Georgia have found a chemical compound in coffee may help prevent some of the damaging effects of obesity. In the new research published in the journal Pharmaceutical Research, UGA scientists determined that chlorogenic acid, or CGA, significantly reduced insulin resistance and accumulation of fat in the livers of mice who were fed a high-fat diet. “Previous studies have shown that coffee consumption may lower the risk for chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” said lead researcher Yongjie Ma, a postdoc-

toral research associate in UGA’s College of Pharmacy. “Our study expands on this research by looking at the benefits associated with this specific compound, which is found in great abundance in coffee, but also in other fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, tomatoes and blueberries,” he said. To test the therapeutic effects of CGA, researchers fed a group of mice a high-fat diet for 15 weeks while also injecting them with a CGA solution twice per week. They found that CGA was not only effective in preventing weight gain, but it also helped maintain normal blood sugar levels and healthy liver composition. “CGA is a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflamma-

tion,” said Ma. “A lot of evidence suggests that obesity-related diseases are caused by chronic inflammation, so if we can control that, we can hopefully offset some of the negative effects of excessive weight gain.” But the authors note CGA is not a cure-all. Proper diet and regular exercise are still the best methods to reduce the risks associated with obesity. “We’re not suggesting that people start drinking a lot of coffee to protect themselves from an unhealthy lifestyle,” said Ma. “But we do think that we might be able to create a useful therapeutic using CGA that will help those at risk for obesity-related disease as they make positive lifestyle changes,” he warned.

Healthy Living Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

One in every black above 50 years has hypertension

lood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps out blood into your arteries. Your blood pressure ( BP) is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure and when heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure. Blood pressure reading is usually with medication, two numbers, the systolic (above) and the diastolic (below). A reading of 120/80 or less is considered normal. Hypertension is a disorder characterised by an unsual (sometimes due to problems with the arteries) increase in blood pressure, a repeated elevation of blood pessure checked three times at three different occasions on different arms, exceeding 140/90mmhg. Of all the hypertensives, blacks have the highest rate, one in every blacks above 50 years have either borderline hypertension and fully diagnosed HBP based on parameters. HYPERTENSION CRITERIA: BLOOD PRESSURE DEFINITIONS Optimal blood pressure---- <115/80--- in very good health but changes as one grows older Normal BP is < 120/80 Prehypertension----120/80 ----- 139/89, persons in the range are very close to becoming actual hypertensive but can be controlled with taking better control of your life without starting any medication unless the patient is a diabetic or has heart disease. STAGE 1: HYPERTENSION-- blood pressure readings ranging between 140/90----- 159/99-- this has to be managed with both medication, diet modification and exercise STAGE 2: HYPENTENSION--- > 160/100-requiring more than two blood pressure medications, needs more aggressive treatment. Untreated blood pres-

blood pressure measurement

sure can cause stroke/ heart attack, kidney failure and blindness. Risk factors for developing high blood pressure are: • High sodium intake • Excessive alcohol consumption • Illicit drug use (cocaine) • Anabolic steroid use to build muscles in body builders • Stimulant use (e.g in supplements taken to boost energy or loose weight) • High stress levels-constant environmental or social stress may result in higher levels of circulating catacholomines contributing to high blood pressure. • Male gender • Black race • Family history of high blood pressure/ or heart disease in men over 55 years and in women over 65 years diabetes mellulitis • Smoking or chewing tobacco • Obesity and some herbal drinks and supplement for weight loss. Types of high blood pressure 1. Essential hypertension (primary) Hypetension occuring without pre-existing kidney or any organ disease, high blood pressure in stages one to two with diastolic DBP 90-104 2. Malignant hypertension-- high blood pressure associated with vision damage or

PHOTO: www.naijaurban.com

recent sudden substantial increase and when diastolic is over 140 3. Isolated systolic hypertension; when upper blood pressure systolic is >160 and lower level diastolic < 90 seen mostly in the elderly Secondary causes of high blood pressure can be kidney disease, thyroid problems, sleep obstruction problems and some side effects of medications. Treatment GOALS for patient with high blood pressure only with co -problems is < 140/90, while for those with diabetes mellitus whether controlled or uncontrolled. Also, those with congestive heart failure and renal problems should also be <130/80.

Life style modifications may not eliminate the need for antihypertensive drugs but dietary and behavioral changes may reduce the amount of medications needed

Health News 29

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Union urges NAFDAC to implement new pay regime Appolonia Adeyemi

A Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ratidzai Ndhlovu (middle) presenting keys of three operational vehicles, to Grace Ebun Delano, Vice President/Executive Director, Association of Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) in Lagos on Tuesday. With them is UNFPA Head of Lagos Liaison Office/RH Programme specialist, Dr. Omolaso Omosehin (right).

Absence of cancer institute worry CMD Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge, has bemoaned the-none existence of even one comprehensive cancer institute in Nigeria, while India has over 120. While disclosing that the UCH has the largest number of manpower to accommodate a comprehensive cancer institute aside the vast land space in the second acquisition of the hospital, Alonge

noted that many cancer survivors would have had a better story to tell of their ailment if at least a comprehensive cancer institute had been established in the country. He said this in Ibadan where a number of cancer survivors were celebrated as part of activities marking the hospital’s 57th anniversary. Calling for concerted efforts to tackle cases of cancer headlong, Alonge said, “whilst India has over 120 comprehensive cancer institutes, Nigeria does not have a single one

and this is probably the main drawback in providing comprehensive care for people with cancers. It is my candid opinion that the story of survivors would have been different if the nation has at least one comprehensive cancer institute. He said “UCH has put funds down to ensure that charity begins at home by allowing 18 women in the health care sector of the institution to be given free cervical test at the Oyo State First Lady’s ABC Clinic in Ibadan.

s fear mounts that drug counterfeiters are having a field day in the importation of fake and unwholesome drugs as a result of total shut down of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) operations nationwide, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has urged the Agency to meet worker’s demands to enable striking staff return to work. According to MHWUN), there was no going back on the 16-day old indefinite strike until its demands are met by the agency. Chairman, Federal Area Council, MHWUN, and Comrade Stephen Ibe said NAFDAC must solve the internal and external problems before workers will return to work. It will be recalled that the Federal Area Council of MHWUN of which NAFDAC staff are members, on November 12 declared an indefinite strike over salary structure and unpaid allowances and directed all staff of NAFDAC nationwide to observance the strike, effectively shutting down operations of the Agency nationwide including the airports, seaports and land borders. However, Ibe said the Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, return the workers to Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which

they were enjoying until the Consolidated Research Institute Salary Structure was introduced. Ibe said the workers are asking for better welfare, such as reverting to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) from Consolidated Research Institute Salary Structure (CONRISS) and the payment of productivity allowance known as 13th month salary, among others. The implementation of the Consolidated Research Institute Salary Structure in NAFDAC is against the principle of collective bargaining, Ibe said. NAFDAC, Ibe alleged wanted to persuade the workers to suspend the strike by asking them to come for promotion interviews scheduled for December 4 and 8. While alerting the management of NAFDAC that the workers would not honour the promotion interviews, the chairman of the Federal Area Council of MHWUM said the union was open to dialogue. He urged NAFDAC to address the problems in totality than treating them with kid gloves, adding that calling workers on the phone to come for interviews is not the right way to solve the problem. “We have told the workers to ignore the call. Let NAFDAC address the issues. The workers would not accept CONRISS, which is against the principle of collective bargaining. NAFDAC should revert to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS),” he said.

Welcome to nature power Beginning from today, New Telegrah Health will publish ‘Nature Power’, a column to be authored by Fr. Anselm Adodo, a Catholic priest, philosopher, theologian and social scientist. Adodo is also the founder and director of PAX HERBAL CLINIC & RESEARCH LABORATORIES, a Catholic centre for Scientific Cultivation, Development and Promotion of African Herbal Medicine. Apart from degrees in the Religious sciences, he has over twenty years’ experience of research in the fields of Anthropology, Ethnobotany and medical sociology. Fr. Adodo is a certified colour therapist, medical herbalist, public health consultant and a health systems economist.

n 1996, as a young student interested in the ethnography of development, I travelled around the length and breadth of rural Nigeria. I was amazed at the amount of knowledge which was available among the local communities. German Pharmacist, Martin Hirt and his African counterpart, Bindanda M’pia, have rightly observed that the waste of knowledge is indeed the saddest feature of African life. There is evidence of waste everywhere. For example: Af-

Nature Power Fr. Anselm Adodo, OSB

naturepower@paxherbals.net; twitter: @anselmadodo ter drinking oranges the peels are thrown away, not knowing that the peels of fruits are in fact more nourishing than the fruits themselves. High quality cattle are taken to the city to be sold, and the money used to buy poor quality imported corned beef. A poor woman in the village sells her nutritious cassava flour so as to buy biscuits for her child attending secondary school. Precious bees wax is thrown away after honey is harvested, while importing shoe polish containing poor, artificial wax. To buy a bottle of coke, a mother sells oranges rich in vitamin C so as to quench her child’s thirst. Africans export cheap but high quality palm-oil to Europe, where an expensive soap is made from it and then exported back to Africa and sold at unaffordable prices. In many indigenous societies, when a knowledge bearer dies his knowledge dies with him. Indeed, a lot of knowledge is being lost, knowledge that

appears to be worthless mainly because it is not properly valued. Today, we speak of protecting our environment from abuse, and also about protection for rare species of plants and animals. But equally important is the need to set up international efforts to protect and preserve indigenous knowledge. With every old person that dies in our villages, a whole library of books is lost. It was in order to document and preserve our indigenous knowledge that I published my book titled ‘Nature Power’ some 13 years ago. At that time, the practice of herbal medicine in Nigeria and in most parts of Africa was identified with witchcraft, sorcery, ritualism and all sorts of fetish practices. Because herbal medicine was associated with paganism, many African Christians secretly patronised traditional healers, and the educated elite and religious figures did not want to be associated in any way with traditional African Medicine. ‘Nature Power’, like a lonely voice in a wilderness, was

Studies show that orange peels are nourishing

written to correct the misconception that African herbal medicine is synonymous with paganism, ritualism and Since its publication, ‘Nature Power’, has been reprinted and revised more than eight times. It has contributed immensely in changing the attitudes of both the government and Christians towards the practice of herbal medicine. ‘Nature Power’ has also helped to show that health is more than an absence of disease. Health is wholeness of mind, soul and body. It is said that knowledge is power. True enough. But knowledge is power only when it is relevant and makes a difference in the lives of people. When God made men and women, he gave them all they needed to be happy, to be whole, and to be healthy.

PHOTO: dzinermag.wordpress.com

He gave water, air, the earth and sunshine. Out of greed and selfishness, we began to exploit the earth, abuse it, destroy it, and treat it with disrespect. The result is crisis: economic crisis, mental crisis, social crisis, political crisis and climatic crisis. The world is in crisis because it is populated by over six billion greedy individuals: you and I. We who are adults know that we have lost our childhood innocence, and we know that somehow, our happiness depends on regaining it. Somehow, we know that we have lost touch with nature, and somewhere deep in our hearts we know that we need to get in touch with nature. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

Photo | News

L-R: Coordinating Director, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Abimbola Osho; General Manager, Osun Micro Credit Agency, Dr Dayo Babaranti; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr. Ismaila Alagbada and Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at the disbursement of N2 billion accessed by the state to Loanees under the CBN N220 billion micro, small and medium enterprises development fund in Osogbo

L-R: Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei; his Lands and Survey counterpart, Mr. Freddie Akeni; President, Body Enhancement Foundation, Modupe Ozolua; and the representative of the Comptroller General of Customs, Michael Achimugu, during the five day food and medical mission in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

L-R: Vice-President, Fareast Mechantile Company Limited, Mr. Rajeev Phillips; Project Team Leader, Ms. Nelly Wairiaina; General Manager Colgate Palmolive Nigeria, Mr. Davis Kanyama and Marketing Director, Colgate Palmolive Nigeria, Mrs. Hannah Oyebanjo, at the Trade Launch of Colgate to distributors in Lagos. PHOTH SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Mr Shehu Muhammed; Director, Finance and Administrative, Directorate of Technical Aid Corps, Mr Ibidapo Obe and Director General, Dr Pius Oshunyikanmi, during the departure of 48 Technical Aid Corps to Kampala University, Uganda in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Minister of State FCT/Chairperson, Gubernatorial Screening Committee, North Central, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Niger State, Umar Mohammed Nasko and Secretary PDP North Central Zone/Screening Committee, Johnson Kombot, at the presentation of PDP clearance certificate to Nasko, in Abuja.

L-R: Chairman, LearnAfrica Education Development Foundation, Chief Emeke Iwerebon; Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Primary Education, Mrs. Oluyemisi Ottun; Lagos State winner, Mr. Adesokan Adediran; and the Managing Director, Learn Africa Plc, Mr. Segun Oladipo, during the presentation of prizes at the LearnAfrica-National Examination Council excellence awards in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Secretary, Okirika Local Government Area, Rivers State, Fiberesima Emmanuel; Public Affairs Manager, South, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Isaac Nwabuzor; Principal, Senior Section, Government Girls Secondary School, Okumgba-Ama, Ogoloma, Okirika, Blessing Kalio; Corporate Affairs Adviser, NB plc, Kufre Ekanem and Director, Supervision, Zonal Senior Secondary School Board, Okirika LGA, Alen Amakiri, at the handover of six classroom block and library, donated by the NB plc, in Okirika LGA, Rivers State

L-R: Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr Masuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;du Kazaure and Chairman, Prof. Laz Ekwueme, at the NBTE Management consultative meeting in Kaduna.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

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2015: Political campaigns take toll on outdoor advertising

eNigeria: Charting growth path for local IT

BoI: Taking SMEs to the next level

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FG commits N3.7bn to ICT devt The Federal Government said that it committed $22 million (about N3.7 billion) as seed capital for the development of young innovators in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

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Cassava farmers yet to access N8.3bn SME’s fund Farmers in the country are yet to access N8.3 billion out of the N9.9 billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) fund.

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Company commends New Telegraph’s high level of professionalism Adeola Yusuf

he Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), on Tuesday, disclosed plans to augment its gas supply into the Nigerian market above 250,000 standard cubic feet (scuf) per day. General Manager, external relations, NLNG, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, said this during a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of New Telegraph newspaper in Lagos. He said that the company’s will to supply more gas to the local market was borne out of its corporate commitment to the Nigeria’s project. The incessant drop in power generation in Nigeria has been blamed on gas supply shortage, a problem, the NLNG spokesperson said, the company would contribute efforts to solve. Accompanied by a staff of the NLNG’s external relations department, Mrs Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Eresia-Eke said that over 70 per cent of the company’s proceeds goes to government. “On the gas supply shortage at the domestic market, we discovered that we cannot be supplying to the global market while the domestic market continues to run short of supply. So, we started with 100,000 scuf, increased it to 150,000 scuf and now we are supplying 250,000 scuf to local market and we have said that if Nigerians want more, we are ready to supply more,” he said. He added however that the “intention to supply gas more” is being faced by drawbacks from some human and structural challenges. Eresia-Eke commended the management of New Telegraph for its high level of professionalism in the Nige-

Power: NLNG to boost local gas supply

Says FG gets over 70% of its proceeds rian media industry within its short period of establishment. He noted that the “way the paper has broken in into Nigeria’s media space is something

for people to learn about.” Eresia-Eke promised his company’s partnership with the paper, stressing that the newspaper has distinguished

itself with its content and layout in Nigeria’s media indusCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

L-R: Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Waheed Olagunju, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga and the President of Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industry, Chief Chukuw Nwachukuw, at the national summit on MSMEs in Abuja,

90% Nigerian businesses see IT as growth enabler –Report Kunle Azeez

ver 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria have identified Information Technology as a strategic lever for business growth, according to a research conducted by EMC Corporation.

The survey of 528 business and technology decision makers across Nigeria’s private and public sectors revealed that over 80 per cent of respondents agreed that their organisations recognise the increasing role of automation, such as software defined storage,

as critical to business growth. The study also found that about 96 per cent of respondents expect next-generation technologies such as mobile, social, cloud computing and big data to give their organisaCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE October 2014............................8.1% September 2014.....................8.3% August 2014............................8.5%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate....................11.57% Prime Lending Rate...........16.93% Maximum Lending Rate...25.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Nov. 21)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N182 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N285 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N225

l Foreign Reserves – $37.54bn as at 14/11/2014

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Nov. 21)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N159.41 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N249.43 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N199.58

Business | News

GROWTH

ICT sector is predicted to be the largest contributor to Nigeria’s GDP by 2020

Kunle Azeez

he Federal Government said that it committed $22 million (about N3.7 billion) as seed capital for the development of young innovators in the Information and Communication

FG commits N3.7bn to ICT devt

Technology (ICT) sector. Minister of Communications Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson, who disclosed this at the 2014 eNigeria Forum in Abuja, said that the money has been channeled into raising young Information Technology entrepreneurs. According to her, in the last few years, government had set up Information Technology Development Entrepreneurship Accelerator (iDEA Hub),

90% Nigerian businesses see IT as growth enabler CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

tions a competitive advantage, and that these new technologies will impact key aspects of business, including improving customer experience, managing mission-critical business operations and building new products and services. The survey result was revealed at the 2014 edition of the EMC Forum in Lagos. The Forum showcased the transformation required by organisations in order to remain competitive and seize new opportunities in the coming era of data explosion. It saw top decision makers and IT professionals from different organisations brainstorming on the latest challenges and trends in the industry. Participants were also provided with information on how to harness the latest IT developments in big data, cloud computing, information security and related services, towards enabling their organisations meet

the demands of the dynamic global IT landscape. Commenting on the study, EMC’s General Manager for West Africa, Mr Rasheed Jimoh, said that the survey results reflect heightened interest in third platform technologies by Nigerian organisations. “Enterprises across Nigeria are realising the value that can be derived from technologies such as Cloud Computing and Big Data. These technologies form the bedrock for driving agility and engaging the connected consumer. “As the transition to third platform commences, IT departments will find themselves open to new opportunities to innovate and truly fuel business transformation,” he said. Jimoh underscored the need for organisations to take a more cloud-centric approach to business, against the backdrop of changing customer expectations arising from the emergence of new, always-on technology platforms.

NLNG to boost local gas supply CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

try. “The way the New Telegraph has broken in into the Nigeria’s media space is something for people to learn about. You are doing very well. Your design is a very good one. “I cut my teeth at The Guardian and as a professional, one of the things I admire in your paper is its content and the way it looks,” he said. Deputy Managing Director, New Telegraph, Mr Gabriel Akinadewo, who led the company’s team to receive the visitors, said that the management is spurred to do more in its bid to sustain

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

the standard set by the newspaper. He said: “The paper started publishing on February 3 this year and the newspaper has, within months of establishment, attained some heights. We are the first paper in Africa to get partnership with International New York Times and we have started a 12-page pull out every Monday beginning from October 6.” Editor, New Telegraph, Mr Yemi Ajayi, corroborated his view and sought “mutually benefiting partnership” between NLNG and the paper, which is one of the best in business and politics.”

with locations in Yaba, Lagos and Tinapa, Cross River State. She said that these efforts have begun to make an impact with 70 start ups being incubated and nurtured. “A number of these start-ups are gaining recognition both at home and in Silicon Valley, and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) must be commended for this. I look forward to the next tech billionaire being a Nigerian. “In line with these efforts, venture capital

funds are being raised to help fill the gaps in seed funding that are a major handicap for our young tech-preneurs. “Nigeria recently launched a $50 million venture capital fund for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and this will very nicely complement the $22 million ICT-focused venture capital fund that NITDA has seeded through the vehicle of the National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDEVF),” she said. Johnson has predict-

ed that ICT would be the highest contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2020. She said that ICT sector would soon displace the petroleum sector as the largest contributor to Nigeria’s national income. Johnson said: “We know that the few agencies under the Ministry of Communication Technology working closely together can certainly deliver on the ICT mandate of the country. “We believe that ICT

has the greatest potential to eclipse oil and gas as the core source of national income if not the most reliable, contributing the maximum possible percentage of income to the country. “So, by 2020, the year that we dream to be a top 20 economy, we believe that ICT will not only be contributing the maximum share to the national income, we believe that in terms of productivity, growth, and performance across all sectors, ICT will be a catalyst.”

L-R: Managing Director, Levant and Emerging Africa Region, EMC, Mr Nazim Fraijat; Vice President/Global Chief Technology Officer (CTO), EMC Sales, Patricia Florissi and General Manager for West Africa, EMC, Rasheed Ola Jimoh, at after a press briefing on the 2014 edition of the EMC Forum in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Cassava farmers yet to access N8.3bn SME’s fund RESEARCH

Government has earmarked N10 billion for the development of Cassava Dele Alao

armers in the country are yet to access N8.3 billion out of the N9.9 billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) fund. According to the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), N1.4 billion had been obtained by 5,300 cassava farmers to cultivate 11,000 hectares of cassava, while additional N200 million would be disbursed. Executive Director, Wholesale Finance, BoA, Waziri Ahmadu, disclosed these in Abuja at the launch of the 10 per cent composite cassava flour and commissioning and presentation of equipment to master bakers. He said: “As of today, we have disbursed N1.4 billion and another N200 million that has been approved for disbursement. We do our disbursement through a prod-

uct that the bank runs called BoA green cash. It is a mobile money service and it is very convenient to the clientele that we serve. “The money that we are disbursing will be used to pay for land preparation and the supply of inputs for the production of cassava. On average, farmers will only need to pay or repay about 30 per cent of what is being disbursed to them. The rest, about 65 or 70 per cent, the minister has approved as grant to farmers.” He said farmers will repay 30 per cent of the amount disbursed to them, adding that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has approved that 70 per cent be given to the farmers as grant. Ahmadu said that most of the funds have been used for land preparation and planting, while inputs have been delivered to various redemption centers in the country. He said: “A lot of this land has already be prepared and planted. Inputs are currently been delivered to various redemption centres around the country from where they are redistributed to various clus-

ters that are associated with the mills that are producing this high quality cassava flour. “The cassava that is being funded will take 12 months to come on stream. And they need cassava roots immediately to be able to make sense of this programme. I am happy to announce that the bank of agriculture had earlier financed N1.1bn to farmers who are producing 8, 000 hectares of cassava about 12 months ago a lot of which should have been on stream,” he said. In an effort to boost cassava farming, the Federal Government had in 2013 earmarked a start-up fund of about N10 billion to enhance development in the cassava value chains through the Cassava Bread Development Fund (CBDF). The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, while rolling out farm inputs to farmers at the Agbadu Staple Crop Processing Zone (SCPZ) in Kogi State, as part of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS), said the CBDF would be generated from the tariffs on importation of wheat flour.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Lagos chamber decries 4% non-oil tax contribution to GDP p.34

Industry

KWACCIMA seeks single digit interest rate p.34

BoI: Taking SMEs to the next level BOOST New business partners inaugurated to assist operators Dele Alao All over the world, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been described as the engine room for the development of any economy as they form the bulk of business activities in a growing economy like Nigeria. Many economies, developed and developing, have come to realise the value of small businesses. The benefits of SMEs, experts argued, cannot be overemphasised. The benefits, they said, include contributions to the economy in terms of output of goods and services, creation of jobs at relatively low capital cost, especially in the fast-growing service sector. In Africa and Asia, most of the jobs, especially those in non-urban areas, are provided by small and medium scale enterprises and, in most cases, they account for the vast majority of industrial units operating in respective continents SMEs have been fully recognised by government and development experts as the main engine of economic growth and a major factor in promoting private sector development and partnership. Nigeria’s efforts To this end, the Nigerian government, over the years, has created several incentives to promote SMEs. For instance, the Small and Medium Enterprises Equity Industrial Scheme (SMEES), is one of the incentives. Recently, the Bank of Industry (BoI) took a step further to deepen access to finance by the SMEs operators in the country. The bank instituted Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs).

L-R: Executive Director, Small & Medium Enterprise, Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Rasheed Olaoluwa; and Executive Director, Large Enterprise, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, during the signing of a service agreement between the bank and Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) in Lagos.

They are to collaborate with BoI to identify credible SMEs that require finance, develop bankable business plans and proposals for SMEs to facilitate their access to finance, which will be guided by BoI’s Risk Acceptance Criteria (RAC) and ensure that a sound business model is developed and presented. The BDSPs are also to collaborate with BoI to conduct periodic post-finance monitoring of the SMEs, provide post-finance services such as mentorship, handholding, financial advice, inculcation of best practices and supporting the SMEs to develop synergies and sustainable relationships with large enterprises, industrial buyers, and suppliers along the value chain. Action At a ceremony in Lagos where the bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the BDSPs, the Managing Director, BoI,

Lady Mechanic trains 700 auto technicians

ady Mechanic Initiative, a non-governmental organisation has so far trained and empowered over 700 young women as auto technicians in the country. Founder of the organisation, Ms Sandra Aguebor, who disclosed this in Lagos, said President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, would attend the 10th anniversary of the organisation slated to hold in Lagos today. She also said that the President would get the LMI Women Empowerment Leader Award at the event. Aguebor said other dignitories expected at the occasion are governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), adding that

they would also receive awards for their women-friendly policies at the occasion. According to her, other dignitaries that would be honoured at the event include Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen and the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdual Bulama. Also to be honoured at the event are corporate citizens like MTN Foundation, Nigeria Bottling Company and National Automotive Council (NAC) for their various roles in women empowerment.

loans to SMEs account for less than 10 per cent of BoI’s total loan portfolio

Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, said that it was unfortunate that loans to SMEs account for less than 10 per cent of BoI’s total loan portfolio. “One of the main factors responsible for the current low level of financial support to SMEs is the fact that their business plans and loan requests are poorly packaged and non-bankable,” the BoI boss said. In recognition of this challenge, as well as in fulfilment of BoI’s core mandate of “providing long-term financial and business support services to large, medium and small projects,” the bank has decided to engage the services of Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs),” the BoI boss added. The providers, 122 in all, will provide long term financing to SMEs in the country. Olaoluwa stressing the fact that business plans and loan requests by SMEs are poorly packaged and non-bankable. He added that this was a challenge that the new initiative has come to address. The BoI boss said that of the 122 business development partners, 28 have national coverage, 74 have zonal coverage, while 20 BDSPs have state coverage. While calling on the BDSPs to make full disclosure to BoI in respect of SME, he added that any business development partner that misrepresents facts in the course of processing any loan applications shall be blacklisted “Each BDSP is expected to achieve a minimum of 10 successful applications annually, in the worst scenario. Any BDSP that fails to achieve a success rate at least 40 per cent in terms of successful loan applications may be disqualified from the renewal of this agreement.” However, this initiative, according to BoI, does not stop SMEs from

applying for loans directly to the establishment through its offices. Olaoluwa promised that effort has been put in place to ensure effective and overall success of this initiative, which is aimed at accelerating the growth of the SMEs sub-sector. “We believe very strongly that through this partnership, the job and wealth creation objectives of the Federal Government under the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) will be realised,” he said. Responses Reacting to the initiative, Managing Consultant, Besort Consulting, Mr. Femi Ekundayo, whose company was one of the BDSPs, said that SMEs have suffered for too long, while every effort to rescue them in the past were in vain. He charged his colleagues to dwell more on monitoring the credit beneficiaries to ensure that they use the money for the purpose it was meant for. He challenged his colleagues to conduct themselves professionally to avoid being blacklisted by BoI. Also, Ojeifo Chucks of Fortis Academy, another partner described the initiative as a new dawn. “It is a new dawn in enterprise development in this country,” he said. For Tewo Oke, Principal Partner, Eldert Limited, another partner, the inauguration of the BDSPs is a right step in the right direction. According to him, most SMEs don’t know how to access fund especially cheap fund. “So, the institutionalisation of the BDSPs will help bridge the gap between operators of SMEs and the BoI. It is, indeed, a welcome development if we are to witness more growth in the SMEs,” Oke said.

Business | Industry

Lagos chamber decries 4% non-oil tax contribution to GDP

DISAPPOINTMENT Indirect taxes need to be improved upon Stories by Dele Alao

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed worry over the low contribution of non-oil tax to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which currently stands at four per cent. President of the chamber, Remi Bello, while taking a look at the business implications of the oil price slump and austerity measures, said: “The tax yield in the economy is not commensurate with the magnitude of activities taking place in the economy. The Tax revenue from non-oil to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is about four per cent. This is one of the lowest globally and it underscores the weakness of the Nigerian tax system and apparatus. “In many other climes, the percentage is well over 25 per cent. There should also be more emphasis on indirect fact, than direct tax. This model is better suited for an economy that is largely informal,” he added. In addition, the chamber noted that tax drive should also reflect the pattern of income distribution. “In an economy where an estimated 60 per cent of the wealth is in the hands of 10 per cent of the population, the tax revenue

drive should reflect this structure. It stands to reason that 60 per cent of the tax should come from the 10 per cent of the population. But it requires strong political will to make this happen. It is important to make the tax systems truly progressive to make the rich support the poor,” the LCCI president said. On revenue targets to agencies, Bello said that the idea presented consequence that may be inimical to investors. He said: “There is the risk that these agencies may begin to impose tax burden on investors outside the ambit of the law. And given the weak dispute resolution system, profound injustice may be done to investors in the economy. A good example is the persistent overvaluation of cargo by the Nigeria Customs Service for the purpose of import duty computation. Many investors are already victims of this unwholesome practice. Many importers have been compelled to pay as much as twice the duty they should normally have paid. And it’s often very difficult to get redress.” However, the LCCI president has said that the current economic conditions will profit some segments of the economy. For instance, on the cost of fuel imports, Bello said: “It is

expected that fuel imports cost will drop. This should reduce the pressure of fuel subsidy payment on government. It is also expected that cost of diesel imports will reduce, depending on the degree of impact of the exchange rate on the imports.” Also, the LCCI president

lost over the years. We have indeed suffered from issues arising from gas explosion due to the use of bad cylinders and substandard tanks. The time has come to put our acts right and end terrible nightmare,” Odumodu said. The regional coordinator represented by Mr. Dele Ayeni, said that the organisation would not fold its arms or close eyes and see things turn upside down while some people who pose as friends short-changed the laws and endanger lives and properties of fellow compatriots through the importation, distributions, sales and retailing of substandard

products. He noted that in winning this battle, SON must function as watchdog and ensure diligent monitoring, compliance and implementation of the dictates of the standard. “We will not relent in seizure and lock up of shops and warehouses which will also attract penalty, but we want to know, through an effective relationship from your associations, that will lead to combating the issues of sales and use of substandard LPG gas cylinders and storage tanks in the state and country at large,” he said.

Dangote tasks young entrepreneurs to stay focused

oremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has urged young and upcoming entrepreneurs to always stay focused on achieving their dreams despite the many challenges of doing business in Nigeria. Dangote, who gave the advice at the National Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, with the theme: ‘Entrepreneurship, job creation and poverty reduction,’ held at the weekend in Lagos, urged young entrepreneurs to focus on achieving their goals of establishing their businesses instead of dwelling on the challenges militating against their enterprises.

Dangote, who was represented by Group Executive Director, Stakeholders’ Management & Corporate Communications, Dangote Industries Ltd, Mansur Ahmed, said that all entrepreneurs in Nigeria face similar challenges, therefore, focus should be on finding ways of making the business succeed and move forward, rather than dwelling on constraints. He counselled them to know themselves and identify their calling, saying that “success is in your calling and character.” Dangote challenged them to build the necessary skills and competence required

value addition. It makes such industries more competitive than their foreign or import dependent counterparts. The current situation is therefore a good opportunity to encourage industries and investors, to look inwards for products and services that are hitherto imported,” he said.

Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu (L) and Managing Director/CEO, Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited, Mr. George Onafowokan, during Odumodu’s tour of the firm’s new N10 billion factory in Sagamu, Ogun State.

Nigerians urged on zero tolerance for substandard products he Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called on Nigerians to have zero tolerance to substandard products. SON’s Director General/ Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State, at a sensitisation forum for liquefied petroleum gas plants operators and retailers. The forum had as the theme: Implementation of Standard Organisation of Nigeria policy on zero tolerance on used LPG cylinders and storage tanks. “You will recall that many lives and properties of huge economic worth have been

said that the exchange rate depreciation offers an advantage to exporter of non-oil products. “The naira value of their export proceeds has gone up considerably. This will improve returns on non-oil exports. “Current exchange rate condition offers some advantage to industries with high local

to succeed. According to him, young entrepreneurs should think big, dream big and aim high. He described the theme as quite apt, as the three terms are clearly interwoven. Entrepreneurs create jobs and when people are gainfully employed, the incidence of poverty is greatly reduced. “This forum is coming at a time when Nigeria has been rated the largest economy in Africa with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $510 billion (well above South Africa’s $350 billion); the 26th largest economy in the world; and the leading destination for investment in Africa.”

KWACCIMA seeks single digit interest rate

he Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) has appealed to the state government to enact a legislation backing revolving credit scheme with single digit rate for the private sector in the state. Its president, Chief Hezekiah Adediji, made the appeal at the 4th quarterly council meeting of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMMA), held in Ilorin, Kwara State. Adediji, who also urged governments at all levels to ease the problems of doing business in Nigeria, as that will enlarge the nation’s economic base, attract investment and solve some of the ills in the society, added that if the law becomes operational, subsequent administration in the state would not be able to jettison it. “It will ensure that businesses have access to credit without the present bottlenecks, bureaucracy, high interest rate and stringent conditionality,” the KWACCIMA president said. Also, at the forum, NACCIMMA offered to partner governments at all levels

and private sector for the growth of the nation’s economy. National President of NACCIMMA, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, said that the synergy would ensure the building of a virile nation for sustainable growth and development. He said that there were enormous challenges confronting the nation’s economy, promising to always make its position known to all tiers of government on how to ensure a conducive business environment. “I encourage members to ensure that they continue to work in partnership with governments at all levels and other private sector stakeholders with genuine intention to move the Nigerian economy forward and build a virile nation on the part of sustainable growth and development,” he said. “We assure you all that in spite of the enormous challenges, our association will continue to make its position known to the various tiers of governments until the environment for doing business becomes not only enabling but also conducive to attract more investment activities amongst local and foreign direct investors,” he added.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Brands&Marketing 2015: Political campaigns take toll on outdoor advertising

CRISIS Outdoor practice and regulation at cross roads Stories by Dele Alao

he challenges associated with political campaigns in the country’s advertising space have reared its ugly head again, this time around in Ogun State. In Ogun State, the political temperature has increased, following the removal of billboards erected in some strategic areas across the state, by Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency (OGSAA). The billboards belongs to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the new party of former governor of the state, Chief Segun Osoba. Osoba and his group have, however, accused the state gov-

ernor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, of masterminding the destruction of its billboards and posters at Pakoto area of Sango, Sagamu interchange and IjebuOde, among other areas. Both the chairman of SDP in the state, Chief Olu Agemo and a senator representing Ogun Central at the National Assembly, Gbenga Obadara, condemned the action. Agemo said that his group have paid the contractors who might have paid for the signage “and so, it’s surprising to discover that the billboards have been removed. This is unfortunate and we think that it must have been politically motivated

because at least there must be about seven days grace for whoever mounts such a thing to go and pay for signage. So, that is the thinking of the party.” But, in a telephone interview with New Telegraph, OGSAA boss, Akin Bamidele, said that the agency was merely carrying out a statutory function. According to him, the outdoor advertising agency contracted by the group did not pay the approved fees as at when due, hence the removal of the billboards. Early in the year, the then Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration in Ekiti State accused the opposition of destroy-

ing billboards displaying the achievements of the governor. His Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Tayo Ekundayo, said that “such a move was no longer fashionable.” However, this newspaper gathered that top rated outdoor agency, Medialinks, erected the billboards that were pulled down. When contacted, chairman of the company, Mr Kole Ademulegun, said he would get an update from the company’s managing director. He never got back to this reporter and various calls made to

the managing director were not successful. Also, the OGSAA boss did not return calls put through to him. Apparently in an effort to nip the ugly trend in the bud, the umbrella body of all registered outdoor advertising agencies in the country, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has cautioned politicians and other individuals engaged in indiscriminate and illegal installation of billboards for electioneering campaigns. It said that such acts will impact negatively on the environment, as well as create new challenges for the industry.

Multichoice bonds with subscribers

L-R: President, Association of Illumination Professionals (AIP), Mr Ajadi Abdulwahab; Secretary, Mrs Grace Omuya; and representative of Minister of National Planning, Mr Lanre Adekanye, at the 8th AIP International Lighting Conference in Abuja.

Marketing award: Aegis beats X3M, others

edia Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network emerged the winning crystal in the keenly-contested Emerging Agency of the Year (fastest growing agency across media) category. The barely one year old company competed with agencies such as Footprint, X3M Ideas, Blackhouse Media to emerge winner at an event, which was well-attended by stakeholders in the Nigerian marketing space. Aegis, which started operations in January 2014 as a local media independent network, has an unprecedented record of no fewer than fifteen blue chip clients, especially for a start-up company. “The growth of the agen-

cy is unsurpassed, so it was not long before it attracted the investment of the muchrespected global advertising giant, Dentsu Aegis Network in July 2014,” an industry player, who pleaded not to be named said. Media Fuse shed 25 per cent of its local investors’ stake to accommodate the global network, thus resulting in a joint venture deal that renamed the local network to become Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network, rendering full communication services via the global network’s power brands of Carat, Vizeum, Posterscope, Isobar, and I-Prospect and delivering full media agency services.

n keeping faith with its promises to reward subscribers, the leading pay-tv content provider for DStv and GOtv, Multichoice Nigeria, has launched the Multichoice Super Cruise promo. This promotion allows intending subscribers and existing ones to buy or subscribe their way to winning 20 Kia Rio cars, 100 Plasma Tv screens or 30 DStv Explora decoders. General Manager Marketing, Multichoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, said that Multichoice is committed to consistently rewarding its loyal customers. Mabutho explained that to enter for the promotion, all the subscribers need to do is buy a DStv decoder which comes with a dish, pay three months subscription on either compact, family or access bouquet. “It’s so simple, once you

buy the decoder and pay three months subscription, you automatically qualify for the weekly draw where you could win any of the amazing prices,” he said. He added: “Existing DStv subscribers can also enter the competition by ensuring they remain connected for three months. We are giving our existing customers a chance to also cruise away in a Kia Rio, simply by staying connected to DStv.” Accordingly, a GOtv subscriber who gets to buy GOtv decoder which was formally 5,300 for 2,900 with one month subscription and makes an additional two months subscription with the GO-recharge card, stands a chance to cruise home in one of the 20 Kia Rio cars. The promotion will select winners from both existing and new subscribers, in a weekly draw for the duration of the promotion.

Experts dissect branding at Brandzone, Brandplatform forum

t was a gathering of industry experts at this year’s seminar tagged: Winning with branding. The seminar, held at Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, was organised by Brandzone Consulting, one of the leading branding and marketing communications consultancy firm in the country, in conjunction with Brandplatform, an arm of Brandzone which specialises in developing content and information that aid the growth of the practice of branding and marketing management. The event featured speakers and facilitators with extensive marketing branding and advertising experience.

The facilitators were drawn from diverse sectors with broad level of marketing and branding experience given their various backgrounds of building and managing global and local brands within the consumer goods sector, the financial services sector and the academia (Lagos Business School). Participants at the seminar cut across different sectors, which include banking, oil & gas, real estate, technology, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. Africa Marketing Director – Family Nutrition, GlaxoSmithKline, Lampe Omoyele, while delivering his paper on Brand innovation: Driving

leadership and bottom line growth through innovation and creativity, emphasised the need for firms to move from the level of seeking marketing information to the level of seeking marketing insights, so as to drive bottom line growth. “Organisations today still operate on the level of hunting for marketing information rather than hunting for marketing insights,” he said. “Powerful brands are built on market insights – organisations need to take time to figure out exactly what makes their brand unique and distinct and work to drive product and service innovation through key insights,” he added.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

ICT

Technology to change face of traditional banking, say experts p.37

Computer Warehouse Group records N23.2bn annual turnover p.37

eNigeria: Charting growth path for local IT The need to develop and create marketing opportunities for locally manufactured Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services formed the fulcrum of discussion at this year’s edition of the 2014 eNigeria forum, KUNLE AZEEZ reports

able in developing indigenous IT sector to create jobs for its teeming youths while diversifying its economy from natural resourcebased to a knowledge-based economy driven by IT.”

area where the development of indigenous ICT market will make great impact is in the area of employment creation. According to the Director General of NITDA, Mr Peter Jack, by developing local ICT market with adequate support from government, the country can address part of its unemployment problem. Jack, “ICT today holds the greatest promise for achieving the transformation agenda of Nigeria owing to the enormous potential to drive other sectors as well as for job creation.” He noted that in this regard, the ICT sector in Nigeria is currently boosting government’s efforts in job creation on an average of about 12 million jobs from 2012 to date. “This is a significant improvement on the 2.5 million jobs the sector created between 2002 and 2012. This is in addition to contributing about nine per cent to the growth of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and we hope that ICT contribution to the economy can only be bigger if we give the indigenous players greater attention,” he said.

Way forward Another speaker at the forum, Mr Jelani Aliyu, who also spoke at the event, emphasised the need for Nigerian companies to develop locally-relevant IT products and services, good enough for export. “As a country, we must leverage advanced product development and intelligent Information Technology, coupled with our honed inherited understanding of extreme circumstances, to create advanced technology products and services that best suit our terrain, climate, psyche and histories,” he added. According to him, the success of “our ICT products and services lie in making them authentically-African for the unparalleled extreme African solution and hence effective for the world.” He argued that African nations, especially Nigeria, have a robust demographic dividend, which provides huge market opportunity for locallymanufactured IT products and services within the continent. Meanwhile, the minister has noted that government is also reviewing its procurement policy, where purchase of personal computers (PCs), below a certain configuration, is done locally. “Government also gives preference to meaningful technology transfer partnerships and collaborations between local and international companies, for the deployment of ICT services in government Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs),” she added. The minister added that Nigeria will also borrow a leaf from countries such as China and South Korea, where greater attention, backed by necessary ‘Buy home-made devices and products’ have helped in positioning the two countries as leading player in different sectors of the economy in addition to boosting their GDP.

Optimism According to Jack, Nigeria has enough human capabilities to step forward and make global rules by employing Nigerians, through ICT, to build global companies, stressing: “We can no longer afford to hunker behind the “techno-nationalism” at home while going into the global network of technology collaboration and research.” According to Jack, in quest for achieving the country’s Vision 20:2020, “Nigeria must take advantage of the opportunity avail-

Collaboration Meanwhile, through the inauguration on June 30, 2014, of the Office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT, under the supervision of NITDA, Jack stated that the ICT industry will collaborate with such organisations as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Board in order to benefit from the their experiences towards boosting local content development in Nigeria’s ICT industry.

igeria’s Information and Communication Technology industry has recorded tremendous growth in the area of Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs), leading with an unprecedented increase in the number of players in the industry as well as the kind of technological tools and applications available to drive every sector of the economy. Though, the country has recorded over $32 billion investment inflow, a lot of capital flight is still being recorded both in the hardware and software subsectors with over 90 per cent of the ICT equipment coming from abroad with meagre local input. Marketing issues While some ICT equipment manufacturers, including Zinox Group, Omatek, Veda Computers, Beta Computer, Brian Integrated Systems and RLG Communications, among others, have taken the bold step to produce many IT devices, mostly computers, experts say poor marketing opportunities have been created for them both from the private sector and government side. Also, the poor public perception, where locally-developed ICT devices are treated as inferior products, compared to their foreign counterparts, has been another bane of the stunted growth of indigenous IT manufacturing companies over the years. It is, therefore, instructive that this year’s edition of the eNigeria Forum, organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja, beamed a searchlight on the need to create marketing opportunities for locally developed ICT products and services. The eNigeria forum provided a platform for stakeholders in the industry for ICT awareness creation, developing appropriate framework and setting goals for best practices in order to encourage appropriate positioning of Nigeria in the global information society.

Johnson

Stimulating demand Speaking at the eNigeria forum, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, said that this year’s theme: “Creating market opportunities for Nigerian ICT products and services,” was a useful follow-up to last year’s theme, which was built around developing the indigenous ICT ecosystem. Johnson, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event, said that the success of Nigeria’s local content initiative will depend on the deliberate and market-driven opportunities through, which Nigerian ICT products and services can be delivered. She stressed that this informed the government’s resolve to use eNigeria as a platform for discussing how to stimulate sustained demand for indigenous ICT products and services. According to her, while the local content is being developed, appropriate measures must also be taken to ensure that demand is created for the locally developed ICT products and services. “In creating market opportunities for Nigerian ICT products and services, we must be mindful not to fall into the trap of protectionism or poor quality, if there is a perception of a guaranteed market,” she said. The minister noted that Nigeria has recorded the highest levels of FDI in the country’s history both in the ICT sector and economy at large, a development, which she said attests not only to the size of Nigerian domestic market, but also to the liberalised and marketdriven nature of the economy. Job creation Apparently, one particular

Jack

Nigeria’s local content initiative will depend on the deliberate and marketdriven opportunities through which Nigerian ICT products and services can be delivered

Business | ICT

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Technology to change face of traditional banking, say experts

REWARD The growth in the firm has been recognised by the industry Stories by Kunle Azeez

s technology continues to play a critical role in financial services delivery in Nigeria and around the world, some Information Technology experts have predicted that between 2025 and 2030, traditional banking, as currently known, may go into extinction, giving way to a more tech-driven financial services system. The experts also urged banks in the region to embrace technology and redefine their operational models to meet the emerging demographic and social change or lose relevance, as more core banking services would be delivered outside the regulated banking industry. They warned that the current shape and makeup of the banking industry in Africa and particularly in Nigeria is inevitably going to change. According to them, the sheer scope and speed of evolution in customer behaviour, technology, changing market dynamics and aggressive non-bank competitors such as telcos and technology companies mean banking in the future cannot simply be a continuation of

banking as it has been. According to an expert, Mr Emmanuel Agha, who spoke at eNNovators Breakfast Series (EBS) 10, organised by Financial Technology magazine in Lagos, to continue to be relevant, management of banks should invest heavily in technology, rediscover and reassert their roles in society and connect with millennial generation aspirations. Agha, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Innovectives, an e-payment company, explained that banks are facing rapid and irreversible changes of which the current models are no longer sustainable into the future. He presented the lead paper, which is a summary of PricewaterHouseCoopers’ research on “The future shape of banking time for reformation of banking institutions.” According to him, “while the PwC paper did not look at the end of banking as a grouping of services focused on meeting financial needs, it is imperative to look at the end of banking and banks as we currently know them.” He warned that a failure to adapt could also mean the end of some regulatory bodies and instruments.

Agha explained that the substitution of non-bank providers of banking services is a challenge, which, he said, does not reflect in banking regulatory frameworks and regulatory change agendas. Also speaking, Managing Partner, Grand Central, Mr

TN Group said it has recorded 219.2 million subscribers. According to a statement, in Nigeria and 20 other countries of its operations as at end of September this year. The development is coming even as the MTN again topped the Brand Africa 100 list as the Most Admired and Most Valuable African Brand. At over $5.4 billion, MTN is the only African brand valued over a billion dollars. The 2014 Brand Africa 100 rankings of the most admired and most valuable brands in sub-Saharan Africa were released last Tuesday at the Nairobi Stock Exchange in Kenya. In the overall rankings, Coca-Cola toppled Nokia as

the most admired brand in Africa, while MTN moved up a spot in the admiration ranks among Africans. Commenting on the rating, Executive for Marketing, MTN Group, Jennifer Forrester, said: “While it is nice to again be acknowledged as Africa’s most valuable brand, it is even nicer to be ranked the most admired African brand. It means that MTN doesn’t just have a spot in our customers’ pocket book, but in their hearts and minds as well. “A special thanks to our employees who are the best ambassadors of the MTN brand. Our employees have also done very well to partner with communities through projects such as the

21 Days of Y’ello Care staff volunteer programme.” Established in 2011, Brand Africa 100 measures and ranks the brands that consumers admire and their corresponding value. Brand Africa 100 was developed by Brand Africa in partnership with Brand Finance Plc, the world’s leading independent valuation consultancy, and TNS, the globally respected consumer knowledge and information company, supported by Geopoll, the leading mobile survey platform with a database of nearly 200 million users in emerging markets, to create a unique index and ranking that recognises the most admired and valuable brands in Africa.

Forum trains 200 on Internet opportunities

ver 200 Nigerian youths have been trained on the opportunities that abound in the use of the internet to make them self-employed. Titled ‘Internet income forum’, the maiden edition of the event, which took place at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Lagos, recorded an impressive turnout of participants, who tasked the organisers to arrange a follow-up edition in the nearest future. According to a statement, convener of the event, Mr David Dada, said that the over 200 attendees of the event with just one-week of

publicity meant that many people are yearning for a window of opportunity to take advantage of the internet to better their finances. “I think it is the right way to go. There are more internet-enabled devices flooding the market and the mobile phone brings it even closer home. So, letting people know that their mobile phone can also be their workplace or generate additional income (along with other devices) is what we set to achieve with the conference,” he added. The conference featured

Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, who presented supporting paper, noted that bankers today are challenged intellectually and managerially to respond to a socio-economic formation undergoing radical change. According to him, “A banker is challenged to claim a role in

the emerging dispensation or be shunted aside by the more professional group outside the sector. He faces the task of redefining his roles and relationship; his competition and alliances; his goals and mission. His key resources in this new dispensation are information technology.”

L-R: Praise; Kc; Chidnma, all MTN music ambassadors; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah; an MTN music ambassador, Sir Shina Peters; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi and another MTN ambassador, Iyanya, during the courtesy visit of the MTN Musci ambassadors to the Commission in Abuja.

MTN Group’s subscribers hit 219.2m

presentations by YouTube Content Partnership Manager for sub-Saharan Africa, Mr Teju Ajani, alongside a renowned lawyer, Dr Ope Banwo, who is now a model ‘netpreneur’ and has consistently netted over $100, 000 on internet ‘gigs.’ David, who is also a popular radio presenter and host of “Digital Space on Radio,” which presently runs on four major radio stations in Lagos, said that the attendance and the feedback has started to put pressure of organising a follow-up edition to the event.

Computer Warehouse Group records N23.2bn annual turnover

ndigenous Information and Communication Technology conglomerate, Computer Warehouse Group Plc., has grown significantly in recent years, recording an annual turnover of $130 million (about N23.2 billion) as at this year. This was disclosed during the conferment of Information and Communication Technology Personality of the Year on CWG Plc’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Austin Okere. The award was conferred on Okere by the umbrella body of ICT professionals in the country, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), at its 2014 National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA) ceremony held in Lagos. Okere was recognised by NCS for his “courage and innovation in founding CWG and supervising its growth to become the fastest-growing ICT Company in Africa today with operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon and a turnover of over $130 million and a staff strength of about 650 professionals.” Austin was also selected for a special recognition for the significant contribution to the ICT industry and the economy as a whole, as well as being conferred with the

fellowship of the Nigeria Computer Society. According to the President of NCS, Prof. David Adewunmi, “the ICT personality of the year is given to deserving individuals who have distinguished themselves as leading stars and have contributed immensely to the ICT sector and the nation as a whole.” Okere was nominated alongside the Managing Director, Data Sciences Nigeria Limited, Mr Aniekan Etiebet; Executive Vice-Chairman, Signal Alliance Limited, Mr Collins Onuegbu and the Managing Director, Upperlink Limited, Mr Segun Akano. Explaining the selection process, the Chairman, Event Organising Committee, NCS, Mr Jide Awe, said that the winner of the award was decided through a voting process involving all members of the body and conducted by a credible private organisation. According to him, this year’s selection was conducted and the result was declared by a global consulting firm, Accenture. Receiving the award, Okere commended the NCS for the recognition and dedicated the award to his family, who, he said, have stood by him while burning the proverbial midnight oil.

Business | ICT

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Airtel, Access Bank back 80% financial inclusion target MOBILE EDGE Nigerians to make purchases and payments through mobile phones Kunle Azeez

frontline telecoms operator, Airtel, and a Nigerian financial institution, Access Bank Plc, have partnered to develop and launch a mobile money service, aimed at accelerating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s financial inclusion target of 80 per cent of Nigerians by 2020. Tagged ‘Access Money’, powered by Airtel’, the service allows customers to perform simple, secure and instant financial transactions using their mobile phones. With this innovative

Zinox boss seeks more roles for women in ICT

hairman of Zinox Group, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh, has said that with the right mix of innovation, business focus, accountability and ambition, women entrepreneurs can spear-head the on-going evolution of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry in the 21st Century. He stated this at an interactive breakfast meeting for Women in ICT organised by Technology Distributions Limited, a subsidiary of Zinox Group, at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, where he was guest speaker. Ekeh, who reeled out statistics to buttress his point, made specific reference to global ICT giant IBM, which now has Ginni Rometty, a female ICT professional as its chief executive officer. He also cited the increasingly-pivotal role women in the corporate sector are playing in the global arena and urged the participants to become more ambitious in growing their business and targeting bigger ventures. “Women are naturally more structured, trustworthy, less greedy and more prayerful than men. These innate qualities have strategically endowed women with the basic ingredients for leadership.”

service, the two organisations said that customers on the mobile network can send and receive money, make deposits and withdrawals, pay their utility bills and buy airtime for their lines. Added to the convenience this service provides is the ability of customers to receive money through agents nationwide or through card-less withdrawals from any Access Bank ATM machine. Speaking at the launch of the product

and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two companies in Lagos, Group Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr Herbert Wigwe, said: “Through Access Money, we will be providing financial access to more and more people and small businesses; creating an easier channel for the distribution of financial aid; and also making it easier for government to receive taxes and deliver welfare payments.”

According to him, Access Bank and Airtel agreed to introduce the service into Nigeria’s financial landscape in line with the financial inclusion initiative of the CBN, even as it serves as a platform bringing more and more of the under-banked and unbanked into the world of banking. “It is something that reaches new groups of people and helps them to build and grow the success stories of tomorrow.

And it’s something we are proud to champion,” he said. Wigwe further explained that, though there have been mobile money services in the system before now, the Access Money is different in that “we have taken into considerations the operational and regulator issues that others have stumbled into preventing them from servicing the public better into consideration.” He stated that while

the financial services sector had started long before the telecoms industry liberalisation, “within a short time, the number of connected telephone lines have significantly surpassed that of the number of bank account and we consider this an indictment on the banking industry but we believe that by leveraging the same mobile technology, we can actually increase the number of people in the formal banking system.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Leisure Arcade NTJokes

CROSS WORD PUZZLE P M O V U B E F G D A M D F C P T E B D A C K I I S A B I M J K M E D B R G H H S P S F N B N L S F Y V Y S F N A P F T G T P E J O R C A E T D E P A E I K O K F J F L L N K F I N O T W I O C N M C N R E K U Y R S J P B C V P R F K I D U R D T O V E R C O M E C E S I J P N C S R V Y S E P N G V X J T X I T M J G E K E Z O C S R V V I J U N G S U W O N D G W E N O T I T I X G R J E R H T L K N R A V D N U N W D U R C O M M I T M E N T R B K F D C A W A R E N E S S C G V H F D R F I E I R M L X E S T E E M D S T Y S A M D N P R I I X F R E V B P L T R N Q I H N S E O D A X Y H W P P W L E I K I V M C U Z R H T W U Y Q O L S O N N B D U S E G N P R I N C I P L E S V G M Q I H U H E M D F O U N D A T I O N T B B W E A R D V O S N A L T O K V H L H E R B

APPLY ESTEEM PRINCIPLES AWARNESS FOCUS REWARDS BALANCE FOUNDATION SPIRIT BODY JUNGSUWON STRENGTH COMMITMENT MIND STUDENTS CONFIDENCE OVERCOME TRAINING DEFEND PHYSICAL VISUALIZATION DEFENSE PRINCIPLE WARRIOR

NIGERIA…MY BELOVED COUNTRY.

How to play

Sudoku

The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9. A cell is the smallest block in the game. A row , column and region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81 cells. A region has thicker lines surrounding it. This simply makes it easier to play the game.

• Where our mothers use ice cream bowls to store soup in the fridge • Where ladies don’t accept flowers for valentine or birthday. • Where lizard go look your eyeball, nod head say “notin dey happen guy” • Where a blind beggar will reject a fake naira note. • Where Groundnuts are sold in BOTTLES and WATER is sold in SATCHETS. • Where parents claim they were always first position in school. • Where You Can Be A Driver For Years Without A ‘DRIVER’s LICENCE’ • Where government officials don’t know the National anthem. • Where Gala and La Casera are d best options wen stuck in traffic. • Where you are jailed for stealing Maggi and given a Chieftaincy title for steal-

ing millions. • Where we fight for everything. To gain admission to university, to get a job and worse still to enter a bus! • Where u are robbed of your phone and the robbers come back for yoSur Pin code n charger. • Where your type of GENERATOR shows how RICH you are. • Where you can easily blame your family members in the village for your problems. • Where rich men must have potbellies. • WHERE IF U DO ANYHOW U GO SEE ANYHOW. • Where generator is a social amenity. • Where people dey collect change for beggar hand. • Where the man who had no shoes is the president. • Where iPhone 6 is sold in traffic for N12k!!!!

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Naira devaluation is best option, says CBN INDEFENSIBLE

The kind of defense required to keep the naira afloat was no longer sustainable Godson Ikoro

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said yesterday that the devaluation of the country’s currency, the naira was the best option to ensure that the economy sustains it activities and maintains stability. The Deputy Governor, CBN, Adebayo Adelabu, who stated this during the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency’s oversight visit in Lagos, said that the kind of defense required to keep the naira afloat was no longer sustainable. He also noted that a lot of things were working against the strength of the naira, especially the huge loss recorded in the ongoing cycle of falling oil prices. “The pressure on the naira is from frivolous demand on foreign exchange and if we don’t

devalue the currency now, it will continue to depreciate,” Adelabu said. While assuring that CBN was committed to ensuring single digit inflation and interest rates, he said that the institution is contributing to achieve the target by embarking on the completion of 105 intervention and in-house projects. But the Chairman of the House Committee, Chukwudi Jones Onyereri, raised concern that some interventions of CBN may constitute a distraction, and advised that the apex bank to face projects that will directly impact on the lives of the people. According to him, part of the country’s challenge is misplaced priorities and policy directives that do not take into consideration the domestic factors. He pointed out that the increase in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) should have been preceded by considerations of attendant hike in interest rates by banks, adding that the development would further suffocate budding businesses. He said financial institutions would respond

to the increment from 12 per cent to 13 per cent in a fierce manner such that interest rates would become dearer, urging CBN to think about placing a cap on rates. However, Adelabu allayed the fears saying that the apex bank is aware of the development and has been using persuasive approaches on banks, alongside other measures, to ensure

that small businesses are supported. Speaking on the bank’s interventions, the CBN chief said that Delta State had already launched into the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise fund initiated by the apex bank, while N2 billion has been disbursed to them to fund small businesses at nine per cent. Other intervention projects are the devel-

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced education of the Nigerian public on the incorporated security features of the naira, even as it warned culprits to desist from the unwholesome act of counterfeiting. The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said this in Abuja yesterday, while declaring open the maiden temporary exhibitions of the Currency Museum on “Counterfeit Money: Who Pays?” and “Non-Interest Banking in Nigeria” held at the bank’s auditorium. Mr. Emefiele, who was rep-

As at 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

Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

S 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

resented at the event by the Deputy Governor in charge of the Operations Directorate, Alhaji Suleiman Barau, according to a statement, noted that educating the public would enable them identify counterfeited notes should they encounter such. According to him, the CBN remains committed to safeguarding the value of the naira by ensuring that banknotes are not susceptible to counterfeiting. In his opening remarks, Director, Currency Operations Department of the CBN, Mr. Olufemi Fabamwo, observed that technological advancement posed a serious threat for national currencies to be counterfeited. He, however, stressed that

the CBN was alive to its role of protecting the country’s legal tender from counterfeiting by putting in place appropriate policies relating to preventing and minimising currency counterfeiting as well as providing the public with basis for easy identification of fake notes. On the second subject of the exhibitions, Fabamwo noted that the concept of noninterest banking was largely still being misunderstood in Nigeria. While disclosing that the activities of non-interest banks are duly regulated by the CBN, he urged stakeholders to embrace the products offered by non-interest banking, which he noted are universally accepted and profitable to customers.

‘African states should double agric research spending’

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

The apex bank, he noted, has also improved its Consumer Protection Department to tackle the challenges of customer complaints in the banking system, with refunds to customers valued in billions being recorded. He pointed out that in the last nine months; no new project is being embarked on, as attention is being focused on completing the existing ones.

Apex bank warns against counterfeiting of currency

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

opment of Centre of Excellence, which in its first phase, included the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to be ready in the first quarter of 2015. He pointed out that the second included eight other federal universities, with the same already starting at the University of Lagos.

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

ub-Saharan Africa needs to double its investment in agricultural research to meet the challenges of high population growth, climate change and deteriorating soils, a new report said yesterday. More women researchers according to Bloomberg news must be trained, and the large number of countries that spend less on research than recommended should note the clear link between new research spending and increased food production, the report said. “It is critical that African countries invest more in agricultural research to ensure that they can feed their populations,” Nienke Beintema, one of the authors of the report “Taking Stock of National Agricultural R&D Capacity in Africa South of the Sahara”, said in a statement. The report, by researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), said the quality of research in sub-Saharan Africa, and thus the region’s food security, still suffer from underinvestment, inadequate human resource capacity, poor research infrastructure, and a lack of coherent poli-

cies. There have been some notable improvements, but new capacity is not always enough to keep pace with increasing challenges, it said. The region’s public agricultural research capacity increased by 50 per cent during 2000-2011 to the equivalent of 14,500 full-time researchers. But many of the most experienced researchers are approaching retirement, causing concern for policy makers. The report urged more training for female researchers, which analysts believe is particularly important in a region where the majority of farmers are women. While gender inclusion is generally improving, 10 of the 27 countries with applicable data recorded a decline in the proportion of female agricultural researchers for 2008-2011. Public research spending across the region grew by more than 30 percent in real terms, from $1.2 billion in 2000 to $1.7 billion in 2011. But three countries - Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya - were responsible for almost half the new growth.

Business | Financial Market News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

26-Nov-14

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 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 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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 18-Jul-14

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 12.1493

535.00 563.89 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 371.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 130.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,675.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,520.96

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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 18-Jul-34

0.41 1.72 2.42 2.67 2.76 3.51 4.59 4.91 7.17 9.30 14.01 14.49 14.98 15.66 19.64

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

14.00 13.75 13.88 13.91 13.90 13.83 13.75 13.72 13.60 13.61 13.37 13.35 13.33 13.48 13.14

11.34 13.08 13.39 13.42 13.42 13.45 13.46 13.38 13.40 13.42 13.23 13.19 13.12 13.29 12.99

96.13 98.90 102.40 91.17 89.82 91.51 107.45 76.55 112.45 103.00 110.17 94.54 69.03 77.50 93.05

97.13 99.90 103.40 92.17 90.82 92.51 108.45 77.55 113.45 104.00 111.17 95.54 70.03 78.50 94.05

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 3.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.49 1.23 2.04 2.40 2.61

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

16.66 15.45 15.85 14.91 14.91

92.39 102.16 99.70 96.96 94.02

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.97

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

313.30

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.76

4.44

17.88

96.26

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.60

3.23

17.04

98.44

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.89

4.46

17.63

97.00

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.89

3.48

16.64

99.31

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.40

5.59

19.50

82.45

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.44

1.00

14.44

99.26

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.10

1.79

15.66

96.01

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.27

1.80

15.69

97.11

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.86

1.00

14.80

97.65

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.27

1.00

14.89

99.31

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.27

4.78

18.67

91.56

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.65

1.00

14.91

99.22

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

2.90

1.00

14.89

101.54

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

4.99

1.00

14.71

99.26

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

27.51

12-Dec-19

2.87

2.74

16.63

95.91

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.43

1.00

14.84

99.81

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

6.00

1.00

14.63

95.57

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.10

1.94

15.57

97.78

14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.78

31-Dec-20

3.58

1.44

15.27

98.07

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.61

1.95

15.77

98.08

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

471.68 451.72

Corporate Bonds Aa/Agusto Nil

GTB NGC

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.06

5.21

19.45

99.58

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.10

8.71

22.89

99.31 96.23

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.48

4.88

18.91

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.55

1.00

14.91

98.16

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.63

2.63

16.37

98.84

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.84

1.00

14.74

97.23

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.91

1.34

15.13

98.55

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.84

1.00

14.89

95.69

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.66

1.88

15.50

104.64

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.87

3.48

17.24

98.39

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.03

5.20

19.05

98.67

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.03

5.06

18.91

101.85

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.82

1.35

15.16

96.68

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.14

2.29

16.16

99.51

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.23

6.11

19.99

95.19

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

#{r}

Nil

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.10

2.16

16.03

100.00

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.97

2.76

16.40

95.72

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.84

1.00

14.55

86.46

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.84

1.00

14.55

93.27

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

144.16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

139.91

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.21

1.00

14.86

88.39

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.43

1.00

14.76

89.33

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 22.18

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.22

5.07

107.94

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

108.78

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.34

4.10

102.59

103.39

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.51

5.39

105.87

106.71

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,581.97

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

8.44

103.30

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.81

103.75

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.46

99.48

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

9.58

8.94

92.23

94.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.42

6.04

98.55

99.86

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

9.67

102.00

102.00 99.00

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.51

99.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.59

9.25

97.01

98.18

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

8.10

99.75

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

10.00

85.00

9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021

24-Jun-14

9.25

400.00

24-Jun-21

9.78

9.46

97.63

99.13

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

8.50

96.50

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.53

8.31

100.10

101.19

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,677.91

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 15 29 36 43 50 57 64

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15

Bid Discount (%) 12.15 13.40 13.65 13.37 13.10 13.40 13.30 12.95

Offer Discount (%) 11.75 13.00 13.25 12.97 12.70 13.00 12.90 12.55

Bid Yield (%) 12.18 13.47 13.80 13.55 13.31 13.65 13.58 13.25

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 14.2917 14.0397 14.5852 15.3803

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

19.50

O/N Tenor Call 1M

21.08

REPO

Rate (%) 19.33 16.73

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

176.70 172.19 172.32 172.96 174.17 175.39

176.80 172.29 172.64 173.59 175.31 181.06

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.76

4.44

17.88

96.26

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.60

3.23

17.04

98.44

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.89

4.46

17.63

97.00

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.89

3.48

16.64

99.31

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.40

5.59

19.50

82.45

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.44

1.00

14.44

99.26

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.10

1.79

15.66

96.01

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.27

1.80

15.69

97.11

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.86

1.00

14.80

97.65

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.27

1.00

14.89

99.31

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.27

4.78

18.67

91.56

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.65

1.00

14.91

99.22

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 A-/Agusto *NIGER 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

Business | Financial Market News

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

2.90

1.00

14.89

101.54

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

4.99

1.00

14.71

99.26

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

27.51

12-Dec-19

2.87

2.74

16.63

95.91

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.43

1.00

14.84

99.81

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

6.00

1.00

14.63

95.57

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.10

1.94

15.57

97.78

14.50

4.78

31-Dec-20

3.58

1.44

15.27

98.07

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.61

1.95

15.77

98.08

BULLISH

Investors gain N234bn in two days

27-Nov-13 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 NSE sustains LAGOS 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 bullish run despite 31-Dec-13 A/Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 tightening of *NASARAWA TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE and devaluation of the actions on the floor of monetary policy TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION naira. the Nigerian Stock Ex-

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

Market watchers at- change (NSE) grew, as tributed the the market capitalisation 13.50resurgence GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 18-Dec-09 Aa/Agusto GTB µ of bulls to17.00 renewed con- appreciated by N154 bilNGC 31-DEC-2014 01-Apr-10 NGC Nil Chris Ugwu fidence by10.00 bargain hunt- lion. The value of17-Aug-10 listed UPDC 17-AUG-2015 Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS ers whose 12.00 consequential equities grew by 09-Dec-10 1.3 per 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB+/GCR he market 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS re- effect translated to a gain cent to N11.417 trillion 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 mained in aNAHCO posi- of N234 billion or 2.04 per from N11.263 trillion. 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH The Consumer goods tive territory decent within two days of 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA spite the recent trading. sector witnessed the 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING #{r} increase in interest*DANA rate Specifically, transon avMPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 highest increase 09-Apr-11 Nil ConMPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018erage, as the NSE 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER# MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018sumer Goods Index 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER# ad14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 UBA vanced by 2.09 per cent, 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 *LA CASERA propped up by shares of # Corporate Bonds

Stock market creates wealth, reduces poverty –SEC

rose by 5 per cent to the financial service close at N1.47 per share. sector, recording 329.3 On the contrary, million shares valued billion in 1,932 Champion Nigeria Plc5.21 at N5.119.45 18-Dec-14 0.06 99.58 topped 31-Dec-14the losers’ 0.10 chart,8.71 deals. 22.89 99.31 shedding 4.97 per The 18.91 sub sector 17-Aug-15 0.48 cent to4.88 96.23 was 09-Dec-15 0.55Airser-1.00 enhanced 14.91 by the98.16 close at N9.36. activi06-Jan-16 0.63 a loss2.63 ties in 16.37 the shares98.84 of Zevice trailed with 1.84 14.74 97.23 and UBA Plc. of29-Sep-16 4.82 per cent to close1.00 nith Bank 25-Oct-16 1.91 1.34 15.13 98.55 at30-Sep-17 N1.58, while AIICO Other financial ser2.84 1.00 14.89 95.69 Insurance depreciated sector boosted 30-Nov-17 1.66 1.88 vices 15.50 104.64 by09-Apr-18 4.55 per cent activities98.39 on the 1.87to close3.48 by the 17.24 at09-Sep-18 84 kobo. of FCMB 98.67 Plc fol2.03 5.20 shares 19.05 09-Sep-18 18.91 222.5 101.85 The banking2.03sub sec-5.06 lowed with million 22-Sep-18 3.82highest1.35 units, worth 15.16 N1.496.68 billion tor recorded the 18-Oct-18 2.14 16.16 99.51 volume of activities in2.29 in 888 deals.

Nestle Nigeria,471.68 which 451.72 rose by 4.08 per cent. Investor traded a turnover of 642.9 million 13.50 13.17 shares valued at N9.9 17.00 2.00 billion in 10.005,347deals.3.61 A12.00 break-down13.62 of the 14.00 0.60that investment showed 13.00 15.00 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc 14.25 5.53 led the gainers’ table, 13.00 20.00 advancing by 10.25 18.00 0.73 per cent 16.00 to close at N26.90, 6.30 Skye18.00 Bank Plc followed 2.90 0.80 per with16.00 a gain of 6.10 cent 14.00 to close at 35.00 N2.61, 15.75 while May and 2.40 Baker

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.23

6.11

19.99

95.19

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.10

2.16

16.03

100.00

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.97

2.76

16.40

95.72

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.84

1.00

14.55

86.46

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.84

1.00

14.55

93.27

Abdulwahab Isa A/GCR

serve as a182D catalytic tool IA 30-SEP-2024 T.bills+1.20 STANBIC 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR poverty STANBIC IBTCfor alleviating Abuja in the country. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE According to her, one he Nigerian Stock TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Exchange (NSE) for the reasons majority Supranational Bond has the potential of Nigerian continuousIFC 11-FEB-2018 IFC ofAAA/S&P creating wealth for or- ly dwell in10.20 poverty was AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB dinary Nigerians and re- ignorance11.25 to explore the TOTAL OUTSTANDING ducing the povertyVALUE level opportunities provided MARKET CAPITALISATION inTOTAL the country, Director by the capital market. General, Securities and The SEC boss said Description Rating/Agency Exchange Commission, Issuer that decisions taken by SEC, Arunma Oteh, has the capital market exFGN Eurobonds said. perts on the Nigerian 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P She spoke yesterday Capital Market Master inBB-/Fitch; Abuja at the techni- Plan (2015-2025), which FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P cal session of the 4th is one of the major isBB-/Fitch; Annual Capital market sues for deliberations 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P at the 3-day forum, retreat. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE He tasked experts would offer a leeway on CAPITALISATION inTOTAL the MARKET nation’s capital improving SMEs invesmarket to come up with tors’ participation in Corporate Eurobonds recommendations that the market on a sustain11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I could help in explorable basis. 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I ing the opportunities “Let me say that 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC availed by the market one of the challenges 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC toB+/Fitch; create wealth for orwe face as a country 6.00is NOV 08, 2018 B+/S&P GTBANK PLC dinary Nigerians. poverty. The govern10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II She BB-/S&P noted that ifBANK ment and all of us6.25as APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; ZENITH PLC properly the BANK stakeholders are con8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P planned, DIAMOND PLC AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC stock exchange would cerned about this 8.25 and 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III will therefore support become a major investLIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; market B/S&P PLC IIinitiatives9.25/6M thatUSDcan ment for ACCESS ordi-BANKall USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD address this 8.00/2Y problem. nary Nigerians and also STANBIC IBTC

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Bibo-Oluwa Academy wins SEC’s contest 144.16

of the 139.91

country, Chapel Secondary School Tanke, Ilorin, Abuja Kwara State from North-Cen11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.21 tral zone and Federal Govern10-Jul-14 11.25 01-Feb-21 4.43 he Securities and Ex- 12.95 ment College, Azaure Bauchi change Commission 24.95 State from North-East zone. (SEC) quiz competition 22.18In her remarks, Minister on capital market for secondof State for Education, who Outstanding Value Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date of Honour, Bid Yield (%) ary Issue schools ended yesterday was Special Guest ($mm) in Abuja, with Bibo-Oluwa Viola Onwuliri, described the Academy (Secondary School) event as a huge inspiration 07-Oct-11 6.75 28-Jan-21 and encouragement to5.22the Ilesha, Osun emerging the 500.00 overall winner. children. 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.34 Following closely accordShe said event like SEC quiz competition would ing 12-Jul-13 to a statement6.38from the 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.51 afcommission, was Abdulra- ford school children to be 1,500.00 sheed Raji Special School, trained into becoming good Sokoto, which came second, 1,581.97 investors and management of while Community Second- businesses. ary 01-Feb-11 School Okposhi, Ebonyi 450.00“We are01-Feb-16 diversifying8.44the 11.50 curriculum in our schools State emerged third. The SEC 19-May-11 7.50 500.00 19-May-16 4.81 quiz25-Jul-12 competition for secondand what we are doing7.46 here 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 ary 09-May-13 schools in Nigeria started today will enable these young 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 9.58 early November. 6.00 people to be able to fit in6.42 any08-Nov-13 400.00 08-Nov-18 Other schools that particiwhere,” she said. 08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 9.67 pated in the finals6.25are Gov- 500.00Onwuliri noted that6.51the 22-Apr-14 22-Apr-19 ernment Nigerian educational systems 21-May-14 Secondary 8.75 School, 200.00 21-May-19 9.59 07-Aug-13 8.25 Rivers 300.00 07-Aug-20tremendous 8.10 Akim Calabar, Cross had witnessed 09-Dec-13 6.63 among 360.00 09-Dec-20adding10.00 improvement, that State, which came first 24-Jun-14 9.25 schools 400.00 24-Jun-21 9.78 other five secondary good products have emerged 8.00 23-Jul-21 8.50 from it. from23-Jul-14 the South-South zone 450.00

Abdulwahab Isa

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

8.53

8.31

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14-Aug-21

The minister frowned at parents who send their children to schools in abroad on 1.00 88.39 account of 14.86 low quality stan1.00 14.76 89.33 dard. She assured that the present administration is committed to reversing the decay in Offer Yield (%) Bid Price system Offer Price the educational and urged Nigerians to join hands Prices & Yields with the government to re5.07 107.94 108.78 verse the trend. Sponsored by the SEC, the 4.10 102.59 103.39 competition is part of the Commission’s at 5.39 105.87 strategies 106.71 bringing the capital market closer to the people as well as developing the market. Tagged ‘catch them young’, the competition is also aimed 8.44 103.30 103.30 at4.81 inculcating savings culture 103.75 103.75 in7.46 our youths. 99.48 99.48 The SEC92.23 as the apex regu8.94 94.00 lator of the Nigerian capital 6.04 98.55 99.86 Market performs the 9.67 102.00 102.00dual roles of market regulation 6.51 99.00 99.00 and 9.25 development. 97.01 98.18 8.10 In 2004 it99.75 infused 99.75 capital 10.00 85.00 into six 85.00 submarket studies 9.46 of the Senior 97.63 99.13 jects Secondary 8.50 96.50 96.50 School. 100.10

101.19

26-Nov-14

4,677.91

The FMDQBills Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market.Foreign The use of this report is subject to Money Market **Treasury FIXINGS Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) the FMDQDTM OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com.

FGN

8 15 29 Bonds36 43 50 Rating/Agency 57 64 71 78 85 92 99 106 120 NA 127 134 141 148 155 162 169 253 281

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 Issuer 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 NA 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15 6-Aug-15 3-Sep-15

12.15 13.40 13.65 13.37 13.10 13.40 Description 13.30 12.95 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.30 13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.94 15.10 27-APR-2017 13.10 9.85 27-JUL-2017 13.25 9.35 31-AUG-2017 12.80 10.70 30-MAY-2018 13.40 16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.70 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.30 16.39 27-JAN-2022 12.45 14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.00 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.10 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.00 8.50 20-NOV-2029 11.90 10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.30 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 12.45 11.70

11.75 13.00 13.25 12.97 12.70 13.00Date Issue 12.90 12.55 23-Apr-10 12.90 16-Aug-13 12.54 27-Apr-12 12.70 27-Jul-07 12.85 31-Aug-07 12.40 30-May-08 13.00 29-Jun-12 13.30 23-Oct-09 12.90 27-Jan-12 12.05 14-Mar-14 12.60 28-Nov-08 12.70 22-May-09 12.60 20-Nov-09 11.50 23-Jul-10 12.90 18-Jul-14 12.05 11.30

Bid Yield (%) 12.18 13.47 13.80 13.55 13.31 13.65 (%) Coupon 13.58 13.25 4.00 13.65 13.05 13.31 15.10 13.51 9.85 13.71 9.35 13.26 10.70 13.94 16.00 14.35 7.00 13.95 16.39 13.05 14.20 13.69 15.00 13.83 12.49 13.76 8.50 12.56 10.00 14.17 12.1493 13.63 12.86

NIBOR

Bonds

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

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

(N'bn)

535.00 23-Apr-15 563.89 NITTY 16-Aug-16 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 11.8814 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 13.2373 300.00 30-May-18 3M 13.3036 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 13.7644 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 14.2600 600.00 27-Jan-22 12M 14.6800 371.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 NIFEX 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 Current Price ($/N) 18-Jul-34 BID($/N) 130.00 176.5375 OFFER ($/N) 176.6375

4,675.13 4,520.96

*for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration #

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills Rating/Agency Issuer

Rate (%) 14.2917 14.0397 14.5852 15.3803Date Maturity

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

19.50

Tenor

Spot O/N 21.08 7D 14D REPO Offer Yield Tenor Rate (%) (%) 1M TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) Call 19.33 2M 1M 16.73 3M 0.41 14.00 11.34 3M 17.70 6M 1.72 13.75 13.08 6M 19.01 1Y 2.42 13.88 13.39 2.67 13.91 13.42 2.76 13.90 13.42 NOTE: 3.51 13.83 13.45 :Benchmarks 4.59 13.75 13.46 * :Amortising Bond 4.91 13.72 13.38 µ :Convertible Bond 7.17 Management Corporation 13.60 13.40 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 9.30Government of Nigeria 13.61 13.42 FGN: Federal 14.01 Mortgage Bank13.37 13.23 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 14.49 Finance Corporation 13.35 13.19 IFC: International 14.98 13.33 13.12 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 15.66 Aviation Handling 13.48 Company 13.29 NAHCO: Nigerian O/N: Overnight 19.64 13.14 12.99 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

176.70 176.80 Price 172.19 172.29 172.32 172.64 172.96 173.59 Bid Price Offer Price 174.17 175.31 175.39 181.06 96.13 97.13 179.24 182.76 98.90 99.90 187.06 195.28 102.40 103.40 91.17 92.17 89.82 90.82 91.51 92.51 NA :Not Applicable 107.45 108.45 # :Floating Rate Bond 76.55 77.55 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 112.45 113.45 †: Bond103.00 rating expired 104.00 111.17 N/A :Not110.17 Available 94.54 {r} :Issuer in receivership 95.54 69.03 70.03 77.50 78.50 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 93.05Bank for Africa 94.05 UBA: United

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24-May-10 0.00 BOND 03-Apr-12 FMDQ FGN 17.25 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Weighting by Mkt 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50 Outstanding Vol Value

24.56

INDEX 3.00

112.22 116.70 Bucket 66.49 Weighting

322.97

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

0.49 1.23 2.04 2.40 Implied Yield 2.61

1,021.35

1,016.68

33.21

33.64

3<5

1,052.17

951.30

31.08

34.66

962.26

1,093.25

35.71

31.70

0.36

55.23

13.47

3,061.23

100.00 31-Aug-10

12.50100.00

8.50 1.00

100.00 31-Aug-15

13.58 0.76

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Sub-National Bonds

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

Market

12.50 KADUNA 3,035.78 31-AUG-2015

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price

16.66 15.45 15.85 14.91 INDEX 14.91

92.39 102.16 99.70 96.96 YTD Return 94.02 (%)

0.33

14.48

13.82

117.4635

1,115.66

11.5664

0.31

30.28

13.65

130.3198

1,103.50

10.3498

99.4769

1,163.06

16.3060

115.0352 4.44

1,098.49 17.88

9.8485 96.26

313.30

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.60

3.23

17.04

98.44

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.89

4.46

17.63

97.00

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.89

3.48

16.64

99.31

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.40

5.59

19.50

82.45

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.44

1.00

14.44

99.26

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.10

1.79

15.66

96.01

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.27

1.80

15.69

97.11

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.86

1.00

14.80

97.65

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.27

1.00

14.89

99.31

Business | Capital Market

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014 Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053

Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014

Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at November 26, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Federal

Bond Name 13.05% FGN AUG 2016 Federal Totals

Symbol FG102016S1

No. of Deals 1 1

DEBT Board Totals

Current Price 105.00

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 202 202

Value Traded 219,549.85 219,549.85

202

219,549.85

202

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. NIGERIA ENERYGY SECTOR FUND STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

219,549.85

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties

Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014 LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053 Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 19 10 29

Current Price 28.14 26.13

Quantity Traded 53,209 106,700 159,909

Value Traded 1,568,767.96 2,924,181.00 4,492,948.96

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 31 31

Current Price 2.23

Quantity Traded 934,524 934,524

Value Traded 2,077,425.20 2,077,425.20

1,094,433

6,570,374.16

AGRICULTURE Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals AGLEVENT

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price 1.30

Quantity Traded 60,000

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

Symbol TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 201 55 263

CONGLOMERATES Totals

Current Price 4.16 41.99

263

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

Quantity Traded 20,091,739 325,199 20,476,938

Value Traded 83,696,674.83 14,645,636.06 98,420,210.89

20,476,938

98,420,210.89

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.91

Quantity Traded 238,225 238,225

Value Traded 216,634.75 216,634.75

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 30 30

Current Price 60.66

Quantity Traded 113,745 113,745

Value Traded 6,522,887.23 6,522,887.23

Real Estate Development

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 10.53

Quantity Traded 501,656 501,656

Value Traded 5,418,082.42 5,418,082.42

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

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1 (Equities)

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 35 35

Value Traded 350.00 350.00

853,661

12,157,954.40

Daily Summary

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Page Quantity Traded 3,935 3,935

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

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB

No. of Deals 17 95 25 5 268 410

Current Price 9.36 158.00 26.00 2.12 165.01

Quantity Traded 212,452 2,855,871 434,297 20,000 4,079,042 7,601,662

Value Traded 2,011,233.00 452,048,076.56 11,402,521.22 40,400.00 667,425,405.47 1,132,927,636.25

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

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 150.30

Quantity Traded 48,196 48,196

Value Traded 7,253,795.05 7,253,795.05

Symbol No. of Deals DANGFLOUR 9 DANGSUGAR 48 FLOURMILL 80 HONYFLOUR 23 NASCON 36 NNFM 1 Daily Summary (Equities) UNIONDICON 1 198

Current Price 6.23 6.45 45.75 3.19 7.87 19.00 13.41

Quantity Traded 30,276 2,677,117 1,864,333 996,128 1,416,970 4,914 15 6,989,753

Value Traded 179,233.92 17,247,383.49 85,218,464.48 3,134,001.03 11,105,890.29 88,697.70 191.10 116,973,862.01

DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC

HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. Food Products Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS

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

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

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 39 105 144

Current Price 42.09 900.32

Page Quantity Traded 200,360 480,672 681,032

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 33 33

Current Price 3.75

Quantity Traded 1,985,085 1,985,085

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 126 57 183

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053 FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC

Current Price 26.90 33.00

990 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 179 DIAMONDBNK 87 ETI 96 FIDELITYBK 138 GUARANTY 381 SKYEBANK 92 STERLNBANK 254 Daily Summary (Equities) UBA 227

Current Price 7.85 6.03 17.99 1.62 25.00 2.61 2.33 4.84

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014 Banking 15:27:53.053 Printed 26/11/2014

UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC.

No. of Deals 65 2 24

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 8.05 0.50 1.00

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Printed 26/11/2014 DN MEYER15:27:53.053 PLC. PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by INDUSTRIAL The Nigerian Stock Exchange © GOODS

Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014 Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053 OANDO PLC

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

1,817,945,878.12

Quantity Traded 30,136,495 8,881,797 23,547,272 17,318,541 42,933,020 4,882,618 3,542,295 44,833,211

Value Traded 236,952,176.12 53,733,601.03 422,250,549.34 28,718,552.88 1,074,698,489.06 12,492,005.34 8,330,072.68 216,588,191.19 of

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

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE INTENEGINS MANSARD NEM NIGERINS WAPIC

No. of Deals 5 2 2 5 28 1 46 89

Current Price 0.84 0.89 0.50 2.89 0.62 0.50 0.63

Quantity Traded 1,010,000 265,940 151,500 271,435 3,379,001 50 2,896,835 7,974,761

Value Traded 848,400.00 236,686.60 75,750.00 771,182.10 2,124,158.96 25.00 1,835,984.14 5,892,186.80

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

Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 1 10 11

Current Price 5.42 0.89

Quantity Traded 6,250 141,917 148,167

Value Traded 34,375.00 126,404.30 160,779.30

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services

Symbol RESORTSAL

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 2,900,000 2,900,000

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS

No. of Deals 42 16

Current Price 3.05 3.93

Quantity Traded 1,614,131 577,632

1,713,868

34,861,032.92

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 5,000.00 5,000.00

1 1

0.50

Symbol CWG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 4.56

Page Quantity Traded 500 500

7Value Traded of 12 2,170.00 2,170.00

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000,000 1,000,000

Value Traded 500,000.00 500,000.00

1,010,500

507,170.00

6 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 62 5 10 11 118 4 2 3 65 280

Current Price 22.80 8.70 36.15 11.00 185.00 0.87 1.60 5.04 78.60

Quantity Traded 1,048,707 9,427 23,160 84,964 1,405,158 25,175 6,300 15,000 2,117,656 4,735,547

Value Traded 24,002,410.80 79,463.20 841,335.70 934,264.75 260,375,631.75 20,895.25 9,636.00 72,750.00 166,430,090.70 452,766,478.15

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 1.48

Quantity Traded 147,128 147,128

Value Traded 210,896.18 210,896.18

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CUTIX

Page

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 3 22.05 62,514 3 62,514 288

454,355,808.03

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 3 0.50 42,000 3 42,000

Value Traded 21,000.00 21,000.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 381 22.50 22,464,942 381 22,464,942

Value Traded 492,986,455.74 492,986,455.74

No. of Deals Current Price DailySymbol Summary (Equities) CONOIL 5 49.23

Value Traded 1,378,433.70 1,378,433.70

4,945,189

Quantity Traded 23,724

Value Traded 1,109,571.48

Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 16 80 23 9 22 155

Current Price 2.95 203.99 157.39 56.00 157.47

Quantity Traded 255,520 755,656 40,883 10,091 9,245 1,095,119

Value Traded 760,315.80 153,713,889.77 6,411,360.79 536,841.20 1,497,455.96 164,029,435.00

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 36 36

Current Price 440.00

Quantity Traded 468,407 468,407 Page

Value Traded 203,428,654.90 203,428,654.90 9 of 12

575

24,070,468

860,465,545.64 Value Traded 17,850.00 17,850.00

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 4.20

Quantity Traded 12,200 12,200

Value Traded 49,939.50 49,939.50

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 400,000 400,000

Value Traded 200,000.00 200,000.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 3.62

Quantity Traded 2,652,236 2,652,236

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

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 6 7

Current Price 1.41 4.12

Quantity Traded 6,683 44,773 51,456

Value Traded 9,423.03 175,585.13 185,008.16

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.60

Quantity Traded 162,860 162,860

Value Traded 97,116.00 97,116.00

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 9 24 33

Current Price 1.58 4.90

Quantity Traded 758,423 381,635 1,140,058

Value Traded 1,198,428.34 1,830,819.18 3,029,247.52

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 3.61

Quantity Traded 301,746 301,746

Value Traded 1,051,340.34 1,051,340.34

4,741,556

14,246,248.84

5,347

642,914,837

9,962,192,642.33

5,347

Page 9,962,192,642.33 11 of 12 642,914,837

Daily Summary (Equities)

EQTY Board Totals

Page

Value Traded 9,615,747.32 9,615,747.32

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Value Traded 4,910,597.79 2,264,873.76 of

COURTVILLE

SERVICES Daily Summary as Totals of 26/11/2014 Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053

Value Traded of 12 1,450,000.00 1,450,000.00

Value Traded 399,480.00 32,860,401.81 817,291.67 285,109.44 498,750.00 34,861,032.92

Quantity Traded 21,000 21,000

Value Traded 3,122,064,906.95 5,197,742,387.16

Page

Quantity Traded 112,000 634,396 570,763 321,709 75,000 1,713,868

Current Price 0.85

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Quantity Traded 149,710,874 329,325,285

6,662,662,419.33

No. of Deals 2 2

RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Current Price 20.85

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC

562,852,174

Symbol RTBRISCOE

Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014 Courier/Freight/Delivery Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053

Value Traded 21,140,292.92 155,000.00 618,549.65

Current Price 3.40 52.00 1.47 0.89 7.00

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

OIL AND GAS Totals

No. of Deals 387 1,932

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Symbol ZENITHBANK

Value Traded 984,552,970.78 383,644,155.50 11,047.00 78,394,445.98 3,638,975.26 1,457,417,066.07

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Quantity Traded 97,615,222 117,981,367 20 2,702,583 2,013,006 222,503,961

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Value Traded 7,505,715.88 7,505,715.88

No. of Deals 5 30 12 17 18 82

ICT Totals

8,736,614.76 432,347,496.83 441,084,111.59

21,156,050

Quantity Traded 2,611,329 310,000 617,833

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

3Value of Traded12

Page Symbol UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK

ICT

1,967.50 1,967.50

Value Traded 61,943,980.97 50,254,808.87 112,198,789.84

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH NIG-GERMAN

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

2 ValueofTraded12

Quantity Traded 2,338,986 1,507,401 3,846,387

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

Current Price 9.97 3.36 552.20 29.00 1.81

2,925

Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053 HEALTHCARE Totals

Symbol COSTAIN

Daily Summary as PROPERTY of 26/11/2014 UACN DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053 Real Estate Development Totals

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014

Value Traded 77,900.00

Page

Daily Summary as of 26/11/2014 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC Printed 26/11/2014 15:27:53.053 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC.

No. of Deals 611 109 1 49 60 888

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC.

Symbol FBNH FCMB NESF STANBIC UBCAP

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 2 4

Current Price 10.78 2,044.00 15.70

Quantity Traded 10 500 35 545

Value Traded 107.80 1,022,000.00 545.75 1,022,653.55

ETF Board Totals

545

1,022,653.55

ETP Activity Totals

545

1,022,653.55

NEW TELEGRAPH thursday, november 27, 2014

News 45

south - west

APC fingers PDP, Accord as masterminds of Ibadan violence who dunnit? Party points finger over recurring violence in Oyo State capital Sola Adeyemo ibadan

he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State yesterday fingered two chieftains of

7.8%

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the Accord Party (AP) as the masterminds of the series of attacks and violence being unleashed on Ibadan, the state capital, since last Friday. The party through its Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, made the allegation while addressing journalists at a press conference in Ibadan, on its discovery of the clandestine move by the opposition parties to rubbish the achievement of Governor Abiola

The percentage of individuals using the internet in developing countries in 2005. Source: Itu.int

Ajimobi on the peaceful coexistence that had ruled the state in the last threeand-a-half years. Though, he refused to mention the names of the chieftains of the parties alleged, Oke said the two thugs - 'Ekugbemi' and 'Omo Alhaja'- that have been leading other miscreants to foment trouble in the metropolis, were being sponsored by the said opposition party leaders. Ekugbemi had been fingered as the one that engaged the police in

The life expectancy of men in Niger Republic at age 60 years in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

a face-off at Oke Ado, Ibadan South West Local Government on Friday, where Governor Ajimobi was being expected and where one policeman was also shot dead with two others injured. “The Friday, November 21, 2014 unprovoked attacks on the citizenry at Oke-Ado and the ones recorded at Born Photo, Popo Yemoja, Idi Arere and environs on Sunday, November 23, 2014, as well as the mayhem which ravaged Idikan, Opo Yeosa

515

The number of pending asylum seekers of Burkina Faso at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

and environs on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, were a clear manifestation of the script which the opposition elements in the state had prepared for implementation.” Oke said: “It was with a view to creating a tense atmosphere ahead of the 2015 general elections while discrediting the ruling party, which has received global applause for stamping out lawlessness, brigandage and indecent practices from the state ever since we came

31.8m

The estimated number of people living with HIV worldwide in 2007. Source: Who.int

to power in May, 2011. “The case of terror unleashed on the OkeAdo community last Friday was the handiwork of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who sent a group of thugs on its payroll led by one 'Ekugbemi' to cause a breach of public peace, thereby preventing Governor Abiola Ajimobi from visiting the area.” The APC therefore called on the PDP and AP chieftains to explain their relationship with the notorious thugs as the APC would not engage the services of thugs to rubbish the enduring peace it has created over three years past. Meanwhile, the party chairman appealed to some of the members of the APC, especially those who are serving, but have not performed creditably, who want to return at all cost, ‘to search their conscience.’

South-West groups endorse Jonathan Temitope Ogunbanke

L-R: Women Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC) Surulere/Coker Aguda, Alhaja Laide Agaba; Surulere Party Leader, Col. R.O. Ajala; Lagos State APC governorship aspirant, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat and Chief. Adebayo Adenekan, at the consultation tour of Dr. Hamzat to Surulere and Coker Aguda party leaders in Lagos...yesterday

SERAP seeks probe of missing N224m Lagos councils’ fund Akeem Nafiu

group, the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), asking its Chairman, Ekpo Nta, to “urgently and transparently investigate allegations of corruption

in Lagos State councils and to bring to justice suspected perpetrators of the crime.” The petition was sequel to a government audit of 57 local councils in the state, which allegedly indicted eight councils of stealing and mismanaging at least N224 millions of public funds on a range of questionable expenditures and unimplemented contracts.

In the petition dated November 24 and signed by SERAP Senior Staff Counsel, Olukayode Majekodunmi, the group expressed ‘serious concern about the content of the 2012 government audit report and the inability of the government to fully and effectively address the issues raised by the report.’ It said: “This situation can only continue to ex-

Use legal means to try Awe, PDP tells Fayose Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

kiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the state government not to be deterred by any hindrance on its path, but to use all legal and constitutional means to ensure the prosecution of those indicted for murder in the state.

In a statement in AdoEkiti yesterday by the acting state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Akin Adaraniwon, the party specifically said the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Jide Awe, should not be allowed to go free. The PDP said Awe should be made to tell the court what he knew about the murder of Ayo Jeje

and Juliana Adewumi in Erijiyan-Ekiti on March 31, last year. The party was reacting to a statement by the APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Olatubosun, that Awe had gone to a Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, to seek an order restraining the police and the Ministry of Justice from prosecuting him for the said murder.

acerbate the increasing level of violation of the citizens’ internationally recognised economic and social rights, including the right to adequate food, quality education, water and to accessible and adequate health services.” The group also added that “large-scale corruption such as the one mentioned above, exposes majority of the citi-

zens to a ‘double jeopardy’, in the sense that, ‘on one hand, these people are subjected to hardship of immense proportion, while they are also denied the freedom to explore, on the basis of free enterprise, novel and legitimate ways towards individual development and prosperity, the most convenient path out of absolute poverty.”

LASU VC seeks stable academic calendar Kayode Olanrewaju

agos State University (LASU) ViceChancellor, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, has called on members of the university community, especially workers and students, to ensure a stable academic calendar, saying it is in the atmosphere of stability, peace and tranquility

that the university could progress. The vice-chancellor, who attributed the low ranking of the university in the Webometric World University ranking to the incessant strikes by the workers’ unions and protests by students said: “We need a stable academic calendar in this university and if we have that, I can assure you that LASU will go places.”

head of the 2015 presidential election, a Coalition of South-West Youth Groups (CSWYG) has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office, calling on Nigerians to vote for the president in the February 14, 2015 presidential election. Addressing a press conference in Lagos, the group’s Coordinator, Mr. Babalola Medayedupin, said youths from the South West decided to endorse Jonathan's re-election, because of the transformation and developmental projects carried out by the president in his first term.

TASUED to honour Awujale, others Mojeed Alabi

he Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the wife of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, are among eminent Nigerians to be conferred with honourary doctorate degrees by the Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun, Ogun State. The award event, which is part of activities marking the university’s third, fourth and fifth convocation ceremonies, is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 28, and will be graced by the Visitor to the university and Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun.

News

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-EAST

Confusion over Orji’s son’s eligibility

ontroversy yesterday trailed the decision of the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for overruling its screening appeal panel that had earlier disqualified the son of the Abia State governor, Engr. Chinedu Orji and others, from contesting next year’s state House of Assembly election. The screening panel

had disqualified Orji and other aspirants from the state from contesting the 2015 elections over some issues raised in petitions against them. According to the panel’s report, allegations in petitions against Chinedu Orji over his university days, were so weighty that he should be disqualified from participating in the election, in the interest of the party.

Also, the panel was said to be irked that Chinedu earlier refused to appear before the state screening panel to answer allegations against him, saying this shows disrespect to the party and abuse of privileges. In its report, the appeal has said: “The first petition against the aspirant (Chinedu Orji), who happened to be the son of the incumbent governor,

said he failed to appear in person before the state screening committee of the party, which sat at the state PDP headquarters during the screening exercise from November 6 to 7 at the party’s secretariat. “The petitioners regarded the action of the aspirant as nonchalant, a disrespectful attitude and an abuse of privilege, thereby denigrating the officials of the screening

committee of our great party. The petitioners pleaded that party discipline must be maintained at all times, so as to ensure that the tenets and core values of our great party, the PDP, be sustained.” In recommending Chinedu’s disqualification, the screening appeal panel cited Section 10 (F) of the PDP constitution, which provides that: “A party member

L-R: Country Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates, Alhaji Ali Abacha, wife of the Anambra State Governor, Ebelechukwu Obiano and World Peace Vice-President/Chairman, Governing Council Board, Ambassador Per Stafsen, at the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women organised by the association at the Women Development Centre (WDC), Awka

Court restrains Umeh from suspending APGA chairman Peter Osondu ABA

n Abia State High Court sitting in Obingwa, yesterday restrained the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, from suspending from office, the state Chairman of the party, Prince Nnanna Ukaegbu, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice. Umeh had last week over the radio, announced the suspension of Ukaegbu from office, which sparked protest from the state chapter of the party. Ukaegbu, dissatisfied with the action of the national chairman, dragged him to court, where he prayed the court to quash the action of Umeh. Joined in the suit were Dr. Sani Abdulahi Shinkafi, Uchenna Okogbuo and APGA. In her ruling, the presiding judge, Justice

Ory Zik Ikeorha, said after reading the 21-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the applicant and after due consideration to the written address of counsel of the applicant, Ukpai Ukairo, and after hearing him move the motion ex-parte brought in pursuant to the provisions of Order 39 Rule 1 (1) and (2); Order 38 Rule 8 and Oder 1 Rule 2 of Abia State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2014, for an order of interim injunction, the court restrained Umeh and his agents from commencement to take over the functions of the applicant, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice. The court directed the applicant to, within seven days; ensure service of the order by any legitimate quick means, of the enrolled order, the notice of motion, and any other processes relevant to the suit, on the defendants. The matter has been adjourned to December 1, 2014 for the hearing of the substantive application.

shall observe discipline, behave honestly and carry out loyally all decisions of the majority and decisions of the higher organs of the party.” On the second petition, which bordered on his university days, the panel’s report said: “The petition… was too grievous to be ignored due to the combined effects of Part VI, Section 33 of the guidelines for the party’s primaries and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)” and therefore recommended Chinedu’s disqualification. Other cases handled by the screening appeal panel included that of one Mrs. Nkemdirim Iheasimuo (Aba South), who was also disqualified, likewise Chikwendu Kalu from Isiala Ngwa South. Reacting to the disqualification, however, PDP National Working Committee (NWC) overruled the party’s screening appeal panel. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, declared that the appeal panel was not empowered, either by the party’s constitution or its guidelines to disqualify any aspirant that has been cleared by its screening committee.

Angry workers shut down Imo arts council Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

orkers at the Imo State Council of Arts and Culture (ISCAC) yesterday shut down the entire Mbari Cultural Centre housing the council following the failure of the establishment to settle long outstanding entitlements of the workers. The angry workers, operating under the auspices of the Radio, Tele-

vision and Theatre Art Workers Union (RATTAWU) demanded the immediate removal of the General Manager of the council, Mr. Iyke Uzoma. Speaking to New Telegraph, Secretary of the union, Nwosu Chibueze, lamented alleged insensitivity and high-handedness of the management of the council. He said: “After several months of trying to reason with the manage-

Group lauds Otti’s APGA move Peter Osondu ABA

pressure group in Abia State, the Old Bende/Ukwa Ngwa Coalition Movement for Good Governance (OBUNCM) has lauded the defection of the former Chief Executive of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). This was even as the group has welcomed the special waiver granted the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, to contest the Abia

North senatorial seat. In a communiqué endorsed by its President, Jonathan Ogwo Okpara, Vice-President, Chetachi Ugboaja and Secretary, Nwadiala S. I. Dike, the group said it was happy that Otti has now pitched his tent with APGA, which it described as a better platform for the ex-banker to realise his ambition. “We want to use this medium to encourage and appreciate Otti for his move over to APGA, which will help him realise his ambition and bring the desired succour to the people.”

ment of ISCAC over our outstanding arrears, it became obvious that nobody seems to be taking our requests seriously. What you see today marks the beginning of a three-day warning strike to drive home our grievances.” The protesters, who were carrying placards of various inscriptions, listed some of their outstanding entitlements to include their minimum wage arrears for Novem-

ber 2011; unpaid leave allowance for 2012 and 2014; promotion arrears from 2011 till date; weigh-in allowance from 2010 till date and duty tour allowance for 2013 NAFEST. Expressing their frustration, an angry protester fumed; “We demand for the sack of Iyke Uzoma. He is not representing the Okorocha we know. He is a bully, untamed and unfit for this job. He needs orientation.”

Vacate now, Obele tells Tambuwal Tony Okafor Awka

ro-democracy activist and human rights lawyer, Obele Chuka Obele, yesterday asked the embattled speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, to vacate office immediately to save the country from catastrophic consequences. Obele, who spoke with New Telegraph in Awka, Anambra State, said by the provision of section 68 of the 1999 Constitution that states the consequences of defection to another party, Tambuwal has no business

in the House of Representatives from the day he announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He counseled the speaker not to truncate the country’s hard-earned democracy by his recalcitrant posture of continuing to lay claims to the office of speaker of the House of Representatives, when by law he is not. The human rights activist said since there is no division in the PDP that sponsored Tambuwal to House of Representaives, he has lost his seat.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2014

GANG-UP Disqualified aspirants gang up against former minister Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he imminent emergence of former Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate in the 2015 general elections with the South-South Screening Committee clearance of some aspirants for the party’s primary elections is alread being faced with outcries from supporters of the aspirants disqual-

News 47

SOUTH-SOUTH

Aspirants vow to stop Wike’s emergence as guber candidate ified from the race. The committee, which sat for three days had cleared Wike, Pawariso Samuel Horsfall; Capt. Nwankwo Sunday; Bernard Mikko and Ibinabo Michael-West, and disqualified about 13 aspirants for not meeting some of the party’s conditions to be eligible to continue with their ambition. However, disqualified aspirants among a group of 16 governorship aspirants have continued to accuse the Felix Obuahled executive of the party to have positioned Wike

as PDP governorship candidate long before he resigned as minister. The disqualified aspirants are; Chief Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack; Barrister Nimi Walson Jack; Prince Tonye Princewill; Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs; Senator Lee Maeba; Prof. Dom Baridom and Major Lasncelot Ayanya. Others are Gabriel Pidomsom; Dennis Ojuka; Tamunosi Gogo-Jaja; Sunday Ngerebara and Mrs. Abietedogho Bob-Hart, Major Lancelot Ayanya, (retd) from Andoni, was also disqualified. Sources say that some

of the disqualified aspirants have fingered Wike for their woes, alleging that his immense influence in the party was responsible for their disqualification. According to reports, some of the disqualified aspirants have initiated moves to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while some of their supporters eyeing a seat at the Rivers State House of Assembly have also threatened to defect enmasse to the APC. The Rivers Mainstream Coalition, which

opposes the candidature of Wike on the grounds that there is a zoning arrangement in the state’s governorship, and that it is the turn of the riverine people to succeed Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has also condemned the disqualification of the aspirants. But the Media Director of Wike’s Campaign Organisation, Mr. Emma Okah, said Wike has described the disqualified aspirants as those who did not in any way labour for the PDP, just as he called them bad losers.

APC presidential aspirant, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, speaking during his visit to Yenogoa Bayelsa State …yesterday

‘I’m on a mission to rescue A’Ibom’ Tony Anichebe UYO

or mer Military Administrator of Ogun and Rivers State and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state, Group Captain Sam Ewang (rtd), has said that his intention to become the governor of the state in the current democratic dispensation is rescue the state from its current comatose state. No fewer than five aspirants are currently jostling for the governorship ticket of the opposition APC in Akwa Ibom State. Declaring his ambition, Ewang, who is also a member of the party’s Board of Trustee (BoT) member, addressed a large crowd of the party’s faithful, which included wards execu-

tives his Mbiaso, Ikot Nya Ward 4, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, stating that his mission was to rescue the state and its people from the malignant poverty inflicted on the people by the outgoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – led government. “I am ready for governorship of Akwa Ibom State”, he declared, amid lamentations that the common people of the state have not benefited from the current government since its inception in 2007. Ewang urged the people against making a wrong choice, noting that if such mistake repeats itself in 2015, the State would again be plunged into another round of suffering. “If people make the mistake again to choose the wrong choice, suffering will continue”, he warned.

Akwa Ibom: Group endorses Akpabio, others

socio-political group, Akwa Ibom Progressives Forum (AKIPROF), in the South West geo-political zone, has endorsed the aspirations of the Governor of the State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, for the Sanate .The group also gave its endorsement to Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the successor to Akpabio. Similarly, Obong Bassey Albert secured the group’s endorsement for one of the Senate seats in the state at the national executive council and stakeholders meeting of the forum, held at its national secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo State on Wednesday . While giving its endorsement, the group lauded Chief Akpabio’s score card, which it said was full of unmatched achievements, stating that the only honourable appreciation of such feat was give its support to the governor’s ambition for the Senate in 2015. On the group’s decision, the National President of the forum, Pastor Godspower Umanah, stated that Akpabio, has shown that he has a vision and always aligns with excellence stating, that the the forum’s endorsement for his Senatorial ambition was siding with the right person to represent the people’s interest the Senate. The group also said it threw its weight behind the senatorial ambition of the immediate past Commissioner for Finance in the state, Bassey Albert, because of his grassroots appeal.

Aggrieved Edo APC members protest imposition Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

takeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC drawn from Egor council area of Edo State protested yesterday in Benin, the state capital, over alleged extortion and unwholesome practices by the leadership of the party in the South Senatorial

district of the state. The elders, women and youths of the local government, who stormed the ancient capital town in 25 buses with placards, took their protest to the secretariat complex of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo state council, Government House, Benin City and the APC secretariat on airport road.

They urged the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole and leadership of the state chapter of the ruling APC, to prevail on the South Senatorial leader, Gentleman Amegor, to desist from what they termed acts of imposition of candidates and other acts capable of affecting the interest of members of the party in the coming elections.

In a protest letter signed by about 196 members under the aegis of Concerned members of APC Egor chapter, addressed to Governor Oshiomhole and copied to the state chairman of the party, Speaker Edo State House of Assembly and the Chairman of the Council, the people complained that the leadership style of Amegor was undemocratic.

IPMAN leadership tussle threatens fuel supply in Delta Joe Obende Warri

he unabating leadership tussle within the Warri depot of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), may result in another incedent of fuel scarcity in Delta state. The inauguration ceremony of executives of the IPMAN, published

in some national dailies last week, is said to be the source of rancour within the association as the election was allegedly said to have bypassed a statutory election process as required by the body’s constitution. However, Chairman of the Warri IPMAN branch, Chief Akpoviri Edafevwotu, described the said inauguration

as a scam stating, that those whose names were published as new executive members, are impostors, pointing out that the tenure of his administration would expire in November 2015, as guaranteed by the body’s constitution. Edafevwotu, who in company of other members of his executive, at a press briefing in Warri,

said the newly inaugurated Chief Benjamin Emoefe-administration is a scam, which had violated the IPMAN’s amended constitution. The chairman, however, assured people of the state to stay calm and the association would ensure that the crisis does not affect the supply of products in the state until it was resolved.

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NORTH

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Security agencies to monitor IDPs in Niger Dan Atori MINNA

s part of measures taken to tackle the increasing activities of cattle rustlers, the Niger State government yesterday said it will ensure a proper identification and census of the influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the North East part of Nigeria. Briefing State House correspondents on behalf of the security agencies after a state security council meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olushola Amore, said the state will partner with neighbouring states to map out a working strategy. According to him, “We have viewed with great concern the increasing activities of cattle rustlers in the state, particularly in Munya and Sarkin Pawa axis; we are collaborating with members of these communities to mount surveillance to check the menace. “We resolve that local governments and emirate councils will properly strategise on the influx of IDPs coming into their domains from the North East as a result of the security challenges facing the area and that proper identification and census of such people must be carried out. “We have also deliberated extensively on how to map out strategies to comb and repel the presence of unidentified armed groups within the forest zones that transverse Niger, Kaduna and Kebbi States. Amore also disclosed that the security agencies noted the increase of political related crimes and how to curtail the menace of thuggery.

L-R: Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Kwara State, Hon. Ishola Balogun Fulani; Speaker, state House of Assembly, Hon. Razak Atunwa; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; Chairman, Kaiama Local Government, Hon. Al-Hassan Bagudu and Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Abdul Kayode Issa, at the commissioning of the rehabilitated Kaiama General Hospital, Kaiama...on Tuesday.

PETITION Reinstated workers seek payment of five years’ salaries Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

ogi State government has been dragged before the public complaints commission over alleged flagrant refusal to obey a high court judgement ordering it to pay over five years’ salaries owed some workers, who were illegally sacked from it service. The workers, numbering 447, who are legitimate staff of Olamaboro Local Government Education Authority, were laid off in September 2010, under the adminis-

Workers drag Kogi govt before public complaints commission tration of Ibrahim Idris, for no justifiable reasons. The then Commissioner for Education, Chief Sylvester Onoja, who was said to have set up the committee that retrenched the staff, was said to have carried out the exercise indiscreetly without resorting to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), which is the supervisory parastatal. According to the petition written to the complaints commission, the affected workers were indiscriminately relieved from their jobs without any official letter to back up their action as the workers, most of whom

Yuguda decries poor implementation budget Mohammed Kawu BAUCHI

auchi State governor, Isa Yuguda, yesterday told the state legislature that a number of challenges were faced in the implementation of the 2014 budget by the state government. The governor said only N6.9 billion, representing 15 per cent was realised as at September 2014 from the projected capital receipts of N45.6 billion in the budget. Yuguda attributed the performance prejudice of the projected capital receipts to prevailing condition, which made it difficult for the government to access anticipated funding from local and external borrowing

sources and grants due to security situation. He said: “Consequently, only N7.4 billion, representing 10.9 per cent of the projected capital expenditure of N68.1 billion for the year 2014, was met as at September.” The governor said this at the 2015 budget presentation to the House of Assembly that actual recurrent revenue of N48.3 billion was recorded as at September 30 this year, representing 55 per cent of the budgeted recurrent revenue of N87.2 billion for the year. He said of the N65.3 billion budgeted as recurrent expenditure, N46.2 billion was actually incurred as at last September, representing 70.8 per cent of the projected

recurrent expenditure for the year. According to Governor Yuguda, the 2015 budget has been prepared within the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in compliance with the Bauchi State Fiscal Responsibility Amendment Law of 2009, on the cash basis of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Yuguda further told the House that the government is making efforts to expand the current 20 digits Accounting Codes to 52 digits and subsequently move to IPSAS on accrual basis in furtherance of the enhancement of the IPSAS implementation road map.

have spent over 20 years in service, merely saw their names on the local government notice board telling them that their services were no longer needed. Irked by the development, the affected workers headed to an Okpo High Court, which gave a

judgement on June 7, 2011 in favour of the workers. It directed the government to pay the salaries of the affected workers as they remained bonafide staff of the state government. But the state government was said to have disobeyed the order and

has not make any effort to appeal the judgement. Following its disobedience, the court was said to have issued an order of enforcement on February 28, 2012, compelling the state government to obey its judgement, which it again refused to comply with.

Borno inaugurates free feeding in schools Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

orno State government yesterday inaugurated its free feeding system in primary schools across the state even as it also commenced the distribution of free school uniforms and security gadgets to civilian JTF in the state. Governor Kashim Shettima while inaugurating the scheme at Maduganari Primary School, Maiduguri, said the free feeding and uniforms is to

complement and encourage parents to send their children to school. He said the distribution of security gadgets to members of the civilian JTF is to ensure the safety and security of the students and teachers, adding that the pilot project is commencing in the three local government areas of Jere, Biu and Monguno that are considered safe, pending the improvement in the security situation in the state. The governor said: “Government is doing what it can to reposition the education sector to

what was obtainable in the 70s and 80s as government is committed to providing conducive learning and teaching environment.” “We are here for the future of our children and I want to use this opportunity to call on parents and guardians to ensure that their children go to school,” Shettima stated. The governor said the welfare of teachers is also a priority of his administration as government has concluded arrangements to give furniture and car loans to teachers across the state.

Babangida varsity gets new VC Dan Atori MINNA

iger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has approved the appointment of Prof. Muhammad Nasirudeen Maiturare, as the new vice-chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai. The appointment follows the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Ibra-

him Kolo, which ends on December 31, 2014. Presenting the letter of appointment to the new vice-chancellor, the overseeing Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Prof. Kuta Yahaya, said out of the three names presented, Maitutare emerged the best candidate. He said the new vicechancellor was selected due to his vast knowledge, calling on him to consolidate on the projects and

policies of his predecessor. Accepting the offer, Maiturare pledged to take IBBUL to greater heights stating that he would prove worthy of the great tasks given him by the government. Maiturare until his appointment is a professor of Business Administration with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He hails from Paiko in Paikoro local Government of Niger State.

NEW TELEGRAPH thursday, november 27, 2014

question mark Purchase of vehicles for whopping N834.4m raises high brow Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

he National Assembly Budget and Research Office( NABRO) has raised eyes brows over certain aspects of the implementation of the 2014 budget by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The office was particularly worried by the purchase of 40 cars for the use of 40 Nigeria Diplomatic

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NATIONAL

NABRO queries purchase of 40 cars for diplomatic missions Missions at a total cost of N834.4 million. The Diplomatic Missions were also found to have received 23.1 per cent more than their aggregate appropriation for Personnel in 2013, while the remaining MDAs received 87.5 per cent of their aggregate vote for personnel. Under this situation, NABRO said, there was an urgent need for the full implementation of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Infor-

mation System( IPPIS) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to avoid discrepancies associated with ghost workers. In its comparative budget analysis and project tracking report on the 2014 budget proposals, NABRO observed that the cars were not only purchased in bulk with freight charges on each unit, there were no evidence of discounts on the transaction. According to the

report obtained by New Telegraph, the average cost per unit of car was N20,860,000, a cost that could have reduced if the vehicles were purchased at each diplomatic mission, thereby removing the cost of freight. The report said: "Could the cost not have reduced if the vehicles were purchased at each diplomatic mission, removing the cost of freight? If purchase/ construction of houses

could be done by each diplomatic mission, why not purchase of cars?" The report also raised questions about the proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to spend the sum of One Hundred Million for the maintenance of Nigeria’s seat at the United Nations Security Council in the current year's budget when the country has a Permanent Representative at the United Nations.

FG recognises Glo, 99 others as top performing firms

ustice Mohammed Nasir Yenusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday gave two orders in respect of the case of enforcement of fundamental human rights case filed APC by counsel, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. In respect of APC, the court ordered that the DSS unseal the office / warehouse forthwith. The court gave an immediate order against the respondent restraining the DSS from further sealingoff the office or taking further steps in connection with the property.

‘Orange Street’ surfaces in Lagos

ajor telecoms company in Nigeria, Globacom and others have been recognized by the Federal Government of Nigeria as the top 100 firms in the country for the 2014 fiscal year. The top 100 companies list is based on international benchmark set by the International Integrated Reporting Council. The benchmark includes the amount of turnover, level of investment in the country and the number of jobs so far created in the economy. Others are the impact that these companies have had in the communities where they operate, level of corporate governance and the amount of long and medium term investment plan. The list was announced in Abuja on Tuesday by the Chairman, Assessment Committee, Jim Obazee. Obazee said Globacom and the other companies on the list were creating wealth and jobs for the economy and should, therefore, be honoured for their patriotism and spirit of enterprise. Obazee explained that the activities of Globacom and the other top 100 firms had gone a long way in creating confidence in the local investment environment. This has gone a long way in drawing other investors into the same environment thereby, improving the business climate of Nigeria. Among other companies named as 100 Top companies in Nigeria are First Bank, Dangote, Chevron and MTN. Globacom is top player in Nigeria’s telecoms sector, boasting heavy investment in integrated telecoms infrastructure and personnel.

Data centre: APC secures court order against DSS

Oluwatosin Omoniyi

Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba (middle), at the investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs on the invasion of the National Assembly by the police in Abuja... yesterday

Kwankwaso optimistic about peaceful 2015 polls Muhammad Kabir Kano

overnor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State and a presidential hopeful of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), has said that in spite of some negative actions capable of truncating the nation’s democratic process, 2015 would certainly be peaceful. Kwankwaso, who was

speaking to the media in his office, noted that, “I’m confidently sure that the president, who is Commander-in-Chief, the Service Chiefs and the Police, together with all the political stakeholders have not in their minds any negative mission against the well-being of Nigeria.” Although, Kwankwaso believes that the recent actions of the Nigeria Police against the elected members of the National

Assembly was a serious threat to the democratic culture, he insisted that they will not in any way break the system. He said: “It is rather unfortunate that the Police chose to take sides while carrying out their duties, they should show restraint and know that their service is for all Nigerians, regardless of political and religious leanings.” Kwankwaso hinted that the actions of the Police in

blocking the Speaker and his colleagues from accessing the National Assembly was a huge embarrassment not only to them, but to the President and the nation at large. The Presidential aspirant of the APC, warned that unless these level of impunity are checked, Nigeria would continue to suffer it and the actors and indeed the general citizenry would be in pain and disarray.

South African court adjourns Jonathan’ll win big in South Henry Okah's case indefinitely West — Group

he appeal case brought before the South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal by the convicted leader of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, Henry Okah, has been adjourned indefinitely, pending an amendment of his legal team's argument on the matter. Orkah, in accordance

with the leave granted him to appeal by Judge Neels Clawson of the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, had questioned the jurisdiction of the court to hear and adjudicate counts one to 12 of the charges brought against him as well as the conviction on count 13 related, to engaging in terrorist activities.

resident Goodluck Jonathan will win about 60 per cent of votes in the South West in next February’s presidential election, a non-partisan political group has predicted. The Director General of the Forerunners Group, Hon. Babatunde Oralusi, at a press conference in Ibadan, said the result of an independent

opinion survey commissioned by the group has revealed that 58.2 per cent of non partisan registered voters in the South West states are willing to vote Jonathan in the election. Furthermore, he disclosed that 12.6 per cent of non partisan citizens of the zone are yet undecided on who they will support in the president race.

he United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government has observed the ‘International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women’ by creating an ‘Orange Street,’ in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday. In a carnival-like atmosphere spiced with drums, songs and dances, UNIC Lagos , mobilised more than 350 people to ‘orange’ the Ikoyi neighbourhood of Lagos as part of the activities marking the International Day for the elimination of Violence Against Women, celebrated annually. The rally, tagged, ‘The Orange Rally’, which was organised with a network of non-governmental organisations was attended by representatives of 16 government agencies.

NDIC to establish help desk to curtail banks fraud Muhammad Kabir Kano

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, (NDIC) has established a ‘Help Desk’, which is dedicated 24 hours to enable Customers and other stakeholders report financial abuses they encounter while dealing with the nation’s banks. The Corporation noted that they are aware of the perennial problems between the customers and their banks, ranging from arbitrary bank interest charges, account balance manipulation to outright frauds and forgeries.

WORLD | News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Party rejects Zimbabwean Vice-President

imbabwe Vice President Joice Mujuru has been ousted from the ruling party’s powerful central committee after being accused of plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe, state media reported yesterday. A provincial executive committee refused to accept Mujuru’s election papers ahead of

a key ZANU-PF party congress next week after a campaign against her, led by Mugabe’s wife Grace. Mujuru’s home district “rejected her application in elections that saw a number of other Zanu-PF bigwigs linked to her nefarious activities to oust President Robert Mugabe also failing to make it,” the pa-

per said. Mujuru has been the target of sustained attacks in progovernment newspapers, as factions within the party jostle to take power when 90-year-old Mugabe steps down or dies. Mujuru and powerful Justice Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa were seen as the leading contenders to replace Mugabe,

who has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980. The battle escalated following Grace Mugabe’s surprise nomination to lead the powerful women’s wing of ZANU-PF, prompting speculation that she wanted the top job herself. Robert Mugabe, Africa’s oldest leader, is expected to be con-

firmed as the party’s leader at the congress early in December, but the fight for positions on the powerful politburo could be decisive for the campaign to succeed him. Mujuru’s failure to win a place in the central committee means she ceases to be in the party’s top leadership even before the congress starts on December 3.

British Muslims raise concern over new anti-terror law

ritish Muslim rights groups and the ordinary faithful said they felt singled out by a tough new antiterror law unveiled yesterday, labeling the planned legislation divisive and rushed. While there is an agreement on the need to prevent would-be British jihadists from joining the ranks of the Islamic State group, there is also unease over the government’s hard-line strategy. “For us to live in the same community and work together, we have to fight together. I think these laws will separate us,” said Fatima Ali, 46, a nurse. “I think they were made too hastily,” she said. Britain has around 2.8 million Muslims, making up 4.4 percent of the population, and many are concentrated in London in ethnically diverse areas like Whitechapel where Ali works. The area is home to the East London Mosque, billed as the city’s oldest and as serving the country’s largest Muslim congregation. Stalls line the streets near the mosque selling headscarves and long robes, and most shops nearby sell either Halal food or Islamic books. A short walk down the road is Aldgate tube station, site of one of a series of coordinated bombings that killed 52 people in London in 2005, carried out by four radicalised young Muslim men. “I don’t think they can stop the terrorists with this law,” said market trader Mohammed Ali, 55, against a backdrop of multicoloured and sequined cloths. “This law targets the Muslim community.... Just because one part of the community is criminal, doesn’t make the whole community criminal,” he said. The new laws would increase surveillance and relocation for people identified as Muslim radicals, force universities to bar ex-

tremist preachers and toughen laws against would-be jihadists planning to leave for Iraq and Syria and those returning. There is broad support from the main parties in parliament for the draft Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, which also includes the establishment of a civil liberties panel to monitor implementation. But campaign groups like Liberty, the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and CAGE have already come out against the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, defining it as hasty and counter-productive. “The new anti-terror drive seems to be more geared to creating otherness in our society than security,” IHRC chair Massoud Shadjareh told AFP. “I don’t think there has been any consultation with the Muslim community,” he said, adding: “The consultation seems to be only with a narrow group of people who think like the government.” The Muslim Council of Britain, the largest national association of British Muslims has not commented on the proposals so far but has lobbied against parts of existing anti-terror legislation. “One of the best repudiations we can give to terrorists is by ensuring that we will not curtail our cherished freedoms which they wish to destroy,” the Council’s secretary general Shuja Shafi said earlier. Security services say they are struggling with a rising tide of Islamic radicalisation, fuelled by wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, and fear that Britons who have gone to fight in those conflicts may return to conduct attacks on British soil. The government estimates around 500 Britons have joined the Islamic State jihadists in recent months and one of the group’s executioners -- seen in a series of grisly videos -- has a British accent.

Central African rebels release 16 hostages

everal hostages, including a Polish priest, have been released after being held by rebels in Central African Republic. Cameroun said in a statement that Special Forces secured the release of 15 Camerounians and the priest. But the rebels, known as the Democratic Front of the Central African People, said they released the hostages yesterday as a gesture of goodwill in

their efforts to win the freedom of their leader, who is jailed in Cameroun. They said 10 Central Africans were also freed. The group said it’s ending its armed fight but will continue to press the transitional government for their leader’s release. The rebels were once linked with Seleka, a coalition of mostly Muslim armed groups that toppled the president last year. Central African Republic then sank into sectarian violence.

Zimbabwe’s President, Robert Mugabe and Vice-President, Joice Mujuteru at a meeting of the ruling ZANU-PF party headquarters

National Guard, police curb Ferguson unrest as protests spread across US

ome 2,000 National Guard troops helped ward off a second night of rampant arson and looting in suburban St. Louis after a grand jury declined to indict a white policeman in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager, and sympathy protests spread to several U S cities. President Barack Obama appealed for dialogue, and his attorney general promised that a federal probe into the Aug. 9 slaying of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, would be rigorous. Officer Darren Wilson, the policeman who shot him, said his conscience was clear Despite a beefed-up military presence in Ferguson, a police car was torched near City Hall as darkness fell, and police fired smoke bombs and tear gas to scatter protesters. A crowd of demonstrators later converged near police headquarters, scuffled with officers who doused them with pepper spray, then smashed storefront windows as they fled under orders to disperse. Still, the crowds were smaller and more controlled than Monday, when about a dozen businesses were torched and others were

looted amid rock-throwing and sporadic gunfire from protesters and volleys of tear gas fired by police. More than 60 people were arrested then, compared with 44 arrests Tuesday night, police said. “Generally, it was a much better night,” St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar told reporters early yesterday, adding there was very little arson or gunfire, and that lawlessness was confined to a relatively small group. Police and Guard troops mounted a vigorous defense of City Hall out of concern it might come under attack by arsonists, but damage to the building was limited to some shattered windows, Belmar said. “We saw some protesters out there that were really out there for the right reason,” he said. “Unfortunately, there seems to be a few people who are bent on preventing this from happening in the most ideal way that it could.” The unrest surrounding Brown’s death in Ferguson, a predominantly black city with a white-dominated power structure, underscored the often-tense nature of U.S. race relations and strained ties between African-American communities and police.

Monday’s racially charged protests were more intense than disturbances that followed the shooting itself, though much smaller than widespread rioting and looting that followed the acquittal of police officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King in Los Angeles two decades ago. An enlarged contingent of National Guard troops surrounded businesses damaged in Monday’s violence. Groups of men also gathered on the roofs of some boardedup stores to protect the buildings from further damage. Armed with fire extinguishers and, one said, guns, they planned to stay all night. Elsewhere, protests swelled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.,Tuesday. In New York, police used pepper spray to control the crowd after protesters tried to block the Lincoln Tunnel and Triborough Bridge and marched to Times Square. Several hundred also marched in Harlem, chanting “Racist police!” Protesters in Los Angeles threw water bottles and other objects at officers outside city police headquarters and later obstructed both sides of a downtown freeway with makeshift roadblocks and debris, authorities said.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Sports News

Nigeria League

Home-based players ripe for Eagles –Enyimba Captain, Udoji

Suarez relishes first Barca goal

Moses to miss Liverpool clash, out until 2015

Sport

International Sport

Did you know? That until 1882 there were no crossbars on the football goals in American football, meaning anything that was roughly put between the posts was counted as a goal.

Eagles will bounce back –Emenike Ajibade Olusesan

Emenike

Pinnick holds talks with ‘new Eagles’ Thursday The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Deputy Editor, Sports

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

Adekunle Salami

he President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, will on Thursday (today) meet with some Nigerian-born players in England as part of the generation next programme of the body. Pinnick who travelled out last night is billed to hold talks with Nigerian players in the B teams of elite English Premier League sides. Arsenal alone has about four of such players while Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle and Sunderland also have Nigerian-born players in their reserve teams. He said: “I am in touch with the club officials of these players and they have scheduled the meeting for Thursday. I will be returning to Nigeria with good news because if we get

uper Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, believes the national team can bounce back from the disappointment of not making the cut for the Africa Nations Cup slated for Equatorial Guinea next year. Eagles played a 2-2 draw with South Africa in their last AFCON qualifying match at the Uyo Stadium, a tie they needed to win to book a place in the tournament. But in an interview with our correspondent, Emenike said that it was a huge disappointment not making it Equatorial Guinea to defend the title they won last year in South Africa. He said the players put in so much effort to beat the Bafana Bafana but luck was against them. He added that although it takes a lot of courage to move on from the disappointment, it was the right thing to do at the moment.

the commitment of these players, we are going to enjoy their services. “The interesting aspect of this is that these players are good enough to make our senior team without stress. They will be willing to fight for the ball for 90 minutes. “For example, I saw a reserve game of Arsenal and the two players in the centre back position were Nigerianborn players. They are very good. All we need to do is to give them a chance to prove themselves in the Eagles.” The NFF boss cited the example of Hope Akpan who did well in his first match for Nigeria against Congo in Pointe Noire. “Akpan did very well in that match and could have made the difference in Uyo but for injury. There are many of such players in the diaspora and we want to bring them home to play for Akpan (right) their fatherland,” Pinnick added.

“I cannot really put a finger on what went wrong in that match because we were very determined to win the game. Our efforts were not just enough, maybe we were supposed to do more, maybe luck was not on our side too because we created a lot of chances, we could not find that final push. But there is nothing we can do about that now, we should look forward to the future. We have to look at those mistakes that we made and correct them. It is unfortunate that we are not going to defend our title, but we can begin to plan for the future,” he said. The players and the coaches have come under serious attack from disappointed fans, and Emenike said the fans deserve to be angry. “They have the right to be angry and to criticise us, but dwelling on that for too long won’t help us going forward. We wanted to be at Nations Cup and we proved that with our victory in Congo. Like I said, let us move beyond this and move forward,” he said.

SPORT

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Moses to miss Liverpool clash, out until 2015

Inyama,Bassey,two others for AFCON

hairman of the NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and Television Advisory Committee, Emeka Inyama and three other eminent Nigerians have been invited by the Confederation of African Football to play important roles at the 30th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea. NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, was earlier appointed a member of the Organising Committee for the championship, which will be staged in four Equatorial Guinean cities from January 17 to February 8 next year. Also invited is Paul Bassey, who served meritoriously on the CAF Media Committee for several years before becoming a General Coordinator. He will serve as a Security Officer at the tournament. Aisha Falode, who like Inyama is a member of the CAF Media Committee, will serve as media coordinator during the three – week, 16 –nation party. Samson Adamu, the organiser of the annual COPA Lagos Invitational Beach Soccer Tournament, will be an Assistant General Coordinator in Equatorial Guinea.

Emmanuel Tobi

uper Eagles winger, Victor Moses, will miss the opportunity to play against his former club Liverpool this weekend as he has been ruled out of action till 2015 after hurting his thigh while playing for Stoke City in the Premier League. Moses, who is on loan at the Britannia Stadium from Chelsea, is facing “at least six weeks on the sidelines” after picking up the injury in the 2-1 loss to Burnley on Saturday, according to the club’s official website. “He has a significant thigh injury which is likely to keep him out for several weeks,” assistant manager Mark Bowen added. Moses was absent from the Super Eagles’ recent matches as Nigeria crashed out of the African Nations Cup that will be held in Equatorial Guinea in January.

Two Nigerian refs for Africa Women Cup Ifeanyi Ibeh

T Moses

Udinese, Watford battle for Egwuekwe

talian club, Udinese Calcio, has signified interest in signing Warri Wolves’ central defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe. It was disclosed that the Serie A club has reportedly enquired about the services of

Egwuekwe

Egwuekwe. Apart from Uudinese, English Championship side, Watford, is also reported to be interested in the 25-year-old big defender. Meanwhile, the Wolves are willing to do business with only serious clubs. It was gathered that Egwuekwe will cost between £100,000 and €200,000. Although he was not been a first choice for the Super Eagles since 2012, Egwuekwe has made nine starts for the national side since the beginning of 2013. Before joining Warri Wolves, the defender, who stands at 6 ft 5 (1.96m), came through the Yerima Strikers football system and also played for Nasarawa United in the past. According to many football analysts, Egwuekwe would thrive in European football due to his physique and huge presence in the heart of the defence.

Nestlé set for MILO school basketball

estlé MILO’s unwavering commitment to sports development comes to light again as the grand finale of the 16th edition of the Nestlé MILO Secondary Schools Basketball takes place from December 1 to 6 at the indoor sports complex of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. This year, nearly 100,000 students from 7,530 schools participated in the championship from the state preliminaries to the regional conferences across Nigeria. Commenting on the event, the Category Business Manager, Doja Ekeruche reaffirmed Nestlé’s unwavering commitment to the development

wo Nigerian referees have been selected to officiate at the Africa Champions Cup for Women which starts on Friday in the Tunisian city of Sfax. They are Babatunde Popoola and Olayinka Famogbiyela, and they will join 11 other referees selected by Africa’s basketball governing body, FIBA Africa, for the tournament which ends on December 7. They are Zouzou Nadège (Cote d’Ivoire), Sarty Nghixulfwa (Namibia) and Chahinaz Bousseta (Morocco), who will act as neutral referees. Others, who will act as accompanying referees, are the Tunisian pair of Abdelaziz Abassi and Hatem Langar; Kenya’s Sammy Wakaba and Ambrose Kisoi Mbalu; Banza Kalume Tonton (D.R Congo), Kollo Guy Sani (Cameroon), and the Angolan duo of Clesio Ramos and Francisco Tando. Nigeria will be represented at the tournament by reigning Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League champions, First Bank, who will be seeking a third continental crown following their earlier successes in 2003 and 2009, and last season’s runners-up, Dolphins.

NBBF boss, Tijani Umar

of basketball and raising the quality of the game. “The top 50 camp will take place immediately after the Nestlé MILO Secondary School Basketball finals, from December 7 to 10. The camp will be facilitated by a team of NBA coaches and will be led by the NBA Coach of Toronto Raptors Patrick Engelbretch. “Also, multiple award winning Nigeria artist Iyanya will be performing at this year’s edition of the games.” The winner at this year championship is expected to fly the nation’s flag at the World Schools Basketball Championship in Linigoes, France from 17 to 25, April 2015.

COPA Lagos: Enyimba ready for Barcelona challenge Charles Ogundiya

ew days after clinching the 2014 Federation Cup title by defeating Dolphins of Port Harcourt, Enyimba FC of Aba have stepped up preparations to tackle FC Barcelona Beach Soccer team during the 2014 edition of Copa Lagos. Victory over Dolphins in the Federation Cup coupled with a second place finish in the 2013/2014 Glo premier league season, have placed the club in a position to win the Barcelona Challenge trophy. According to the chairman of the club, Felix Anyansi, the club is battle ready to win another trophy. “The players are well motivated and the target is to add the trophy to the Federation Cup won over the weekend,” Anyansi said The two-time CAF Champions League

Anyansi

champions have vowed to deliver more silverware for their staunch and teeming supporters as Copa. The ‘Peoples’ Elephant’ as they are fondly called will compete against other Nigerian clubs, like Stationery Stores. Lead s p o n s o r, 1960BET, and longstanding sponsor First City Monument Bank, Eko Atlantic, Cool FM, Pepsi and venue sponsors Eko Energy Estate under Orlean Invest are lending their support to serve up another unforgettable beach soccer fiesta.

Mafoluku agog as CY Unity Cup enters semis ours after the quarter final larly than its annual date. H matches of the ongoing CY UniA spectator, Tunde Adeyemi, ty Cup were determined, the play- said, “The competition is one that ers, officials and fans that throng the Owoseni Primary School Mafoluku, Lagos, the venue of the matches are still excited. Both the conquerors and the vanquished temporarily put the results of the game behind them as they were lumped together in a carnival that lasted hours after the game, making all present wishing the competition holds more regu-

is eagerly looked forward to by the youths of Mafoluku. There is a dearth of competitions in this area actually, but the show put up by the organisers for this edition has been really enthralling.” The next round of matches for the competition continues this weekend at the football field of Owoseni Primary School Mafoluku, Lagos.

SPORT 53

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Home-based players ripe for Eagles –Enyimba Captain, Udoji After lifting the Federation Cup back-to-back for Enyimba of Aba as captain, Chinedu Udoji, has become a household name. In this interview with Charles Ogundiya, Udoji speaks on the just concluded league and national team football. How does it feel winning the Federation Cup back-to- back? Seriously, I am happy. I celebrated my birthday on Saturday and luckily for me my team won a trophy the next day. It was a perfect birthday gift for me and I am using this opportunity to appreciate my colleagues for a wonderful job. Can you say the trophy compensated for the Premier League loss? They are two different competitions. It was not a compensation. What I was looking forward to at the beginning of the season was winning both the Premier League and Federation Cup, but all the same, I thank God that as the captain of the side I lifted the Federation Cup back-to-back. What kept you going last season

that you missed only one game? It has been God all the way. I always tried as much as possible to tidy my end and stay out of trouble. What matters most when defending is to be conscious of your position; it is only when you give your opponents the opportunity to overshadow you that you commit unnecessary fouls that could lead to cards or injuries. God has been helping me so far. Yes I have been very consistent for the team in the past two seasons because last term I played all the matches just as I did in the Federation Cup. I am always happy putting in my best to help my club achieve results. You are yet to get a call-up to the national team despite your consistency. What could be wrong? I don’t think that is a big prob-

Nigerian League Rendezvous

charlesog2001@yahoo.com,

don, Aishatu Adamu, Rose Dike, Cecilia Nnadozie, Anne Abimiku, Esther Onyekwelu and Clara Udofa no one ever played on the biggest stage. But after emerging runner up in the womens single’s event of the 2014 Lagos Governor’s Tennis Cup last weekend, Adejoke said that she was ready to become the first Nigerian woman to play in any of the slams. “I have ambition as a player and my target is

Do you believe the home-based players are good enough for the Super Eagles? Yes of course. The homebased players have shown that they can compete with the foreign-based players. All the players invited to the national team have justified their inclusion, and hopefully more of us will be given the opportunity to fight for shirts in the national team. The league top scorer Mfon Udoh is your teammate. What can you say about him? I don’t think there are enough adjectives to qualify him. He is a workaholic, always trying to help the team at every given opportunity. Mfon is a fantastic player, he won the highest goal scorer in the league and he has shown great consistency in the league having scored 15 goals two seasons ago with Akwa United. This time he scored an amazing 23 goals for us. You will be surprised the number of chances he created for his teammates this season. He is

to become the first Nigerian woman to play in the Grand Slam. It is a not a dream that is not achievable, I know that with hard work, support and prayers, I can get to that level. I am motivated by what players who came here to play in the Governor’s Cup have done by featuring in the Grand Slam and I think we can do the same,” said the youngster who also won the women’s doubles event of Lagos Governor’s Cup.

Oribamise, others hit China for circuit

able tennis youngster, Tosin Oribamise, is expected to lead three other players to China on Friday for the International Table Tennis Federation World Junior Championship. Secretary General, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Chinedu Ezeala-Ogundare, told our correspondent that Oribamise, Ajoke Ojomu, Halimot Ayinla and Onyinyechi Mbah would depart for Shanghai to feature in the tournament which would be held from November 30 to December 7 in the Far East country. Oribamise, who was part

08098042287

lem. I look forward to playing for the national team, but I believe it is not a do-or-die thing for me. I want to continue with my performance for my club and if invited to the national team, I will surely justify my inclusion. I’ll continue to wait for God’s time and I believe it will come in the future.

Adejoke targets Grand Slam

op Nigerian tennis youngster, Sarah Adejoke, has said that her ultimate ambition is to be the first Nigerian woman to play in any of the tennis Grand Slams. Nigerian male players like Nduka Odizor and Tony Mmoh featured in some Grand Slams in the 70’s and 80’s but despite the exploits of female players such as Rolake Olagbegi, Vero Oyibokia, Letty Enyogai, Nosa Imafi-

with charles Ogundiya

of the team to the 2013 edition in Morocco, said that she was ready to do the country proud this time. She said they have been in camp for some time now and that would help them in their bid to go far in the tournament. “We are ready for the tournament and I am confident that we are going to do well. I was part of the team to Morocco and the experience from that tournament will help me in this one,” she said. Egypt, Tunisia and Congo Brazzaville are the other African teams that will feature in the one-week tour- Oribamise nament.

Udoji in an aerial battle with a Rangers opponent

always there when you need him. Despite his young age, he has achieved what some older players have not. Are you going to be part of Enyimba team next season? I will be going for vacation with my family but I don’t know where I will be playing next season. I will sit down with Enyimba to discuss my future. If we agree on a new contract, then I will be in Eny-

Rackets&

Bats

with Ajibade Olusesan 07065377853

imba next season. But if not, then I will look elsewhere. Do you have somewhere in mind? I’ve got a couple of offers but it’s important I go back home to study them and see which is the best for me. I’ve got offers from Egypt and Algeria; I’ve also got others from Asian and American leagues. I’m just taking my time.

Nadal will surprise us again, says Kuerten

Pereira, Yadira Silva crowned champions in Xalapa uba’s Andy Pereira and the host C nation’s Yadira Silva won the respective Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles titles

at the Central American and Caribbean Games in the Mexican town of Xalapa Not seeded owing to an absence from international competition, Andy Pereira ended Puerto Rican hopes. At the semifinal stage he accounted for Daniel Gonzalez, the no.2 seed (11-4, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7), before in the final overcoming Brian Afanador, the no.4 seed (11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 5-11, 13-11).

Nadal

hree-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten T knows what it is like to have a career

plagued by injury but believes Rafael Nadal will come back strong from his latest setback. Nadal has not played since a shock defeat by Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon, since when a wrist problem and a troublesome appendix have sidelined the former world number one. The Spaniard, whose ninth French Open title in June was a rare highlight in a difficult year, will return to action after Christmas and Kuerten expects the 28-yearold to be challenging for more Grand Slams in 2015. “It’s worrying for all of us who love watching him when he’s injured but then he keeps surprising us,” the 38-year-old Kuerten, forced to retire in his prime due to hip problems, told Reuters.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Suarez relishes first Barca goal L uis Suarez was relieved to score his first Barcelona goal against APOEL after failing to get on the scoresheet in his first five games for the Catalan giants following a four-month suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. The club record signing struck at the sixth time of asking, though, and it was worth the wait as he produced a sharp turn before applying a clinical finish to set Barca on their way to a 4-0 UEFA Champions League win. He said: “I’m very happy at the moment because I’m at the club I wanted to be at,

Suarez

idier Drogba believes Chelsea are more entertaining than ever, but is aware they will ultimately be judged on how many trophies they secure. Jose Mourinho’s side lead the Premier League by six points, having claimed 10 wins and two draws from 12 outings this season, and booked their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday with an eye-catching 5-0 victory at Schalke. The win in Gelsenkirchen left Mourinho purring over his team’s performance and Drogba - who, like the manager, is in his second spell at Stamford Bridge - has also been impressed by Chelsea’s attacking prowess. “I think Chelsea can say

Robben laments Bayern’s costly mistakes

ayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has admitted that his team were “brutally punished” for their errors during Tuesday’s defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League.

ionel Messi reflected on breaking the UEFA Champions League goalscoring record as “a wonderful thing” after his hat-trick against APOEL. The prolific Barcelona forward surpassed Real Madrid legend Raul’s tally of 71 goals by scoring his second hat-trick in as many games on Tuesday. The mercurial Messi became the top scorer in La

bafemi Martins rolled the ball with the teeth of his boot, ready to spring at the edge of the penalty area. Clint Dempsey flew around him on the right. But the Nigerian’s flick went one way and Dempsey, the other. For once, Seattle Sounders’ strikers were not on the same page. The attack broke down. The Nigerian’s arms flew into the air and slapped down at his hips. He says he “gets along with everyone off the pitch,” but Martins’ face twisted in disappointment and blame. Dempsey, an American icon who once put his fist through a window when left off a starting XI, chased his teammate and put a finger in his face. Heated words were exchanged. You did not need to

I’m helping out and the most important thing is that the team is completing its objectives. “It’s always important for a striker to score goals and after going a few games without scoring, I was finally able to do that. “We knew that APOEL would keep it tight, that it was going to be difficult to find space, but we played a very good first half and it was vital that we opened up their defence.”

Messi

Drogba focuses on trophies

The 10-man Germans were five minutes away from earning a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium before Sergio Aguero pounced on two defensive mistakes to turn the game around.

Bayern had already booked their place in the last 16 before the match, but the result made sure that their 100 per cent record in Group E was ended in dramatic fashion.

Messi revels in Euro milestone Liga history with a treble in a 5-1 hammering of Sevilla on Saturday and the Argentina talisman revelled in his latest milestone. “Achieving this record in a competition like this is a wonderful thing. But, beyond that it was a very important game,”

Drogba

we had great teams in terms of spirit, a machine, in terms of hard work and efficiency,” Drogba is quoted as telling the English media. “This one is efficient too, but with the attacking players, the passing rate and quality of passing is higher.”

“We’ve lost possession twice and been brutally punished,” Robben told the club’s official website. “It’s a real shame because we played so well. We deserved something. “I want to pay the team a huge compliment and we can be proud. We never went looking for a hiding place and we were excellent in possession even though we were a man down.”

said Messi, who now has 74 Champions League goals. Luis Enrique’s side face French champions Paris SaintGermain at Camp Nou next month knowing a win would ensure they finish top of the group and Messi is determined to achieve that goal.

Robben

Martins and Dempsey: Seattle’s odd couple be a lip-reader to know tempers were flaring toward red. You might think the two just do not get on, or that nerves were frayed over poor form. But it is just not so. The Sounders are flying. Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey are among the best attacking duos in Major League Soccer history, and their understanding on the pitch is as close as you get to telepathy in the game today. They scored 32 of the team’s 66 MLS goals this season. That is nearly fifty per cent of Seattle’s scoring output this term, not counting their 20 assists. “We have fun out there,” Martins, compact and

Martins (left) and Dempsey

threatening like a coiled snake on the field, told FIFA.com. “Sometimes we disagree, but show me two players who don’t. We have a connection. If I get the ball, he knows I’ll look for the right pass. I know he will too. Dempsey knows the game.” It often looks like Dempsey and Martins are playing their own little game, looking only for each other. Buzzing around the attacking third, sniffing openings, they drag defenders out of position. They roam the tight spaces like predators, looking for the smallest pockets or cracks to exploit. “Playing with Oba is like playing pickup,” said Dempsey, a veteran of three FIFA World Cups™. He is USA’s captain and ranks among the country’s best-ever players. National team coach Jurgen Klinsmann uses words like “hungry” and “driven” to describe him. “The two of us link up and it’s always fun.” Football is a lanMartins guage. As spectators we are drawn to teams

and players who communicate most harmoniously, most poetically, most often. The triangles Dempsey and Martins carve with the ball between them seem infinite. They are demanding. Their standards are high. M a rtins is

30-years-old and Dempsey 31. They took different paths to the rainy Pacific Northwest, but both were forged in hardship. Martins grew up playing in the crowded streets of Lagos, Nigeria. He left home early, his lightning speed and explosiveness catching the eye in Italy. “It happened so fast, I was dizzy,” Martins said of leaving his family as a teenager and moving to a new continent. Dempsey grew up in rural poverty, the fourth of five children, in the US state of Texas. His father, a carpenter, struggled to shuttle him the long distances to training, to nurture the talent his son showed early. Dempsey’s sister died of a brain aneurysm when the two were only teenagers. “I’m not as fast as I used to be,” the Nigerian said with a chuckle, but he still leaves defenders in his dust every week. “I like to have the ball at my feet now, to play a little football.” Dempsey continues to live by an old creed: “I play with a lot of heart and I do all I can to help get a win.” The Sounders’ hit-men were held goalless in the Western Conference final first leg against LA Galaxy at the weekend. But do not bet against the Oba-Dempsey tag-team at home next Sunday with a spot in the league’s one-off championship decider, MLS Cup, on the line. “We just put them together,” Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said. “Practice or game, it doesn’t matter. They know what to do.”

Culled fromFIFA.com

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

For Nigeria, the cloud gathers Thursday with Yemi YEMI AJAYI 0807 991 0957 (sms only) yemiajayi3010@yahoo.com

igerian politicians are poor students of history. They have chosen not to learn anything from that subject that serves as a compass for humanity to navigate the present and shape the future. Events of the last one week in the country are a pointer to how forgetful politicians could be. Last Thursday in Abuja, the battle of wits between the Federal Government (President Goodluck Jonathan) and the opposition over the defection of the House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) reached a denouement with the blockade of the National Assembly by the police and operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS). Operatives of the police and the DSS, two security agencies that the public now derisively called the armed wings of PDP, in a show of partisanship, allowed access to the legislative chambers by notable PDP lawmakers such as Senate President David Mark, House Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Chief Whip, Hon. Isiaka Bawa. However, when it came to the turn of Tambuwal, whose defection has

Abba

upset the president and the PDP, the story changed. The speaker, who has been without security aides since last month, was forced to disembark from his official car by the police and trekked some distance to the National Assembly gate. He and APC lawmakers who were coming for the resumption of the House to deliberate on the president’s request for the extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States were stopped from entering the National Assembly. Knowing that the police action was a ploy to deny them participation in the House proceeding where the PDP had planned to impeach Tambuwal, many of the lawmakers jumped the fence to thwart the evil plot. The police and the presidency have come out to deny this narrative. And I concede to them their versions of the incident. According to the police, they were at the National Assembly to prevent a possible breakdown in law and order following an “intelligent report” that Tambuwal was coming with a “motley crowd,” a diplomatese for thugs. But unfortunately for the police, their sickening defence did not take into account the fact that the whole show of shame was televised by some television stations. The crowd that people saw on

Abba has not been able to correctly interpret section 109 of the same constitution as it concerns the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akindele Jumoke Yetunde, who along with her colleagues in the Labour Party followed the Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to cross over to the PDP the television accompanying Tambuwal did not look like it was peopled by the so-called thugs. Majority of the people in the crowd were APC lawmakers who had been accompanying the speaker since the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, decided to usurp the functions of the judiciary by interpreting the constitution as it concerns Tambuwal’s defection. Abba had withdrawn the speaker’s security aides last month, based on his skewed interpretation of Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution that Tambuwal had not only lost his speakership, he was no longer a member of the House following his defection. But curiously, Abba has not been able to correctly interpret section 109 of the same constitution as it concerns the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akindele Jumoke Yetunde, who along with her colleagues in the Labour Party followed the Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to cross over to the PDP. She still enjoys all the perks of office months after her defection that predated Tambuwal’s. On its part, the presidency has laboured to distance Jonathan from the infamy. Well, I would have bought the argument of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, that the president need not tell Abba what to do to maintain law and order, if the silence from the only man who can call the IG to order has not been so deafening. With the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, insisting that Tambuwal had ceased to be a member of the House of Representatives with his defection and the president’s sudden loss of voice to call Abba to order, no prize for guessing where the president stands on this matter. It is just sad that the president, by his action and inaction on this matter, has unwittingly turned it into a popularity contest between him and the beleaguered speaker. And one does not need to be brainy to know who is winning. As if the botched attempt to use the security agents against opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives was not enough, the DSS at the weekend ransacked the data centre of APC, located in Lagos on the excuse that workers were engaged in an illegal activity of cloning the permanent voters’ cards being issued by the Independent National Congress (INEC). However,

the security agency, which had staked out the building before the dawn raid, claimed it never knew that it belonged to APC. That says so much about its intelligence-gathering prowess! All these events taken together and coupled with the perfidious roles of the police and DSS agents in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections earlier portend a grave danger for the polity as we approach the 2015 elections. In the two governorship elections in the South-Western states, which the PDP had set its eyes on as an inroad into the geopolitical zone which it lost in the 2007 elections to the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the legacy parties that formed APC, chieftains of the opposition party had become targets of the police and DSS operatives. While PDP chieftains moved freely, their APC counterparts were harassed and chased out. In Ekiti, Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, was barred from entering the state to attend the grand finale of the APC campaign. But former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Minister of Police Affairs, both from Lagos and Osun States respectively, moved freely, assisting the PDP in the state with logistics to ensure the defeat of APC’s Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Now, few months to the crucial 2015 general election, the stage is being set for a repeat of the Ekiti and Osun scenarios on a much larger scale with the clampdown on the opposition by security agents, who are no doubt egged on by the presidency. All these, defendants of the Federal Government will argue, are being done with the good intention of ensuring free and fair polls; but we all know that the road to hell is paved with good intention. Already, the auguries are foreboding and every patriot should worry about what the power play could lead to in 2015. In its prognosis of the general election, the International Crisis Group warned that the signals from Nigeria show that the country is heading towards a turbulent electoral contest. “If this violent trend continues, and particularly if the vote is close, marred or followed by widespread violence, it would deepen Nigeria’s already grave security and governance crises,” it warned. I know it is easy to dismiss the warning as that of doomsday’s prophets instigated by the United States that has been accused of working behind the scene for the integration of Nigeria. But those old enough will remember that the demise of the Second Republic was presaged by the political intolerance of the ruling party and the institutional bias of security agencies. Already, we are treading such a familiar path as the PDP is becoming increasingly intolerant of the opposition while Abba is in such a hurry to beat the infamous record of one of his predecessors, Mr. Sunday Adewusi, by lending support to the ruling party to hound the opposition. All parties, including politicians and security agents, should learn to play the game by the rules as this do-or-die disposition can only further inflame public angst, especially as the people face a harsh economic climate that could further impoverish them in the wake of the turbulence in the global oil market that has put the nation’s economy in a tailspin.

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You will always feel insignificant if you never do anything to change the world or another person’s life, other than your own. – Shannon L. Alder

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Trivialisation and politicisation of the Constitution

onestly, until penultimate Wednesday, I didn’t know that a day, tagged World Toilet Day, was set aside by the United Nations (UN) to inspire action and underscore the urgency needed to end open defecation. The November 19 event focused on the 2.5 billion people who do not have access to proper sanitation, including toilets or latrines. Special emphasis was laid on the dramatic consequences of a filthy environment on human health, dignity, security, social and economic development. With a special theme ‘We Can’t Wait’, it was an opportunity for world leaders to inspire action and underscore the urgency needed to end open defecation, especially for people who are particularly vulnerable. During the celebration, what got me thinking was this emphasis laid on human dignity. Countries in the western part of the world have so much developed that there is a collective system that regulates the polity and sanctions await anyone who wants to disrupt this order. The sanity in the system has now been brought to the individual level, with every government thinking of how it can better the lives of its citizens because ‘a discomfort to one is a discomfort to all’. To them, no system is worth operating if the citizens are not comfortable or if provisions of the Constitution guiding their conduct are not strictly adhered to. As emphasis is being laid on the need to always flush human waste down the drain, there is always a concerted effort to publicly flush out any action capable of undermining written and unwritten rules guiding human behaviour in the polity. Why western countries continue to develop is because there is no exception to their rule. Injustice to one is injustice to all. The central point of their guiding principle is to, at least, make the citizens comfortable. African countries pretend to have copied style of governance from western countries, especially democracy, but pitiably, rules are being observed in the breach. Can you imagine a world without toilet? Can you imagine a human biological system without the anus to pass out excreta? While the world is discharging political, economic, religious and social excreta where it belongs, Nigerian leaders are discharging it in the public space, desecrating the Constitution in the process. Obviously, a constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state is governed. Without this, everything done in that geographical location will never work. Of course, there will be one law but it will be given various interpretations to suit the purpose of those in power. Chapter I, Part I, Section 1 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) states the supremacy of the constitution thus: ‘This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and

Talking Tough GABRIEL AKINADEWO gabyfola@hotmail.com

08023010222, 08052097814 (sms only)

persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria...If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void’ Our constitution reveals that it is mandatory for the government to provide for the citizens and protect them (including security agents). It also makes provisions for, public order and security, right to life and personal liberty, and other welfarist programmes. Every Nigerian ruler (federal, state, council) took an oath to protect and preserve the Constitution but it is a distressing situation today that those who are supposed to protect the constitution are undermining it. Events in the country show that politicians have suspended this constitution. They now operate another constitution inimical to our development. The 1999 Constitution (as amended) has been politicised and trivialised by our politicians to the extent that Nigerians no longer recognise it. The system being operated allows anybody to behave anyhow and Nigerians are being killed in the process. Right to life has been bastardised. At least, Nigerians read the report a few weeks ago of a soldier who was offered a lift by a graduate. He dispossessed him of his car, shot and killed him. The soldier was later arrested driving the car. How callous can a security agent

Nice one from the Supreme Court because Danladi is back as the acting governor of the state, but what happens to the lawmakers who perpetrated this evil? The system still allows them to parade themselves as ‘Honourable lawmakers’. With the judgement of the apex court, what is honourable about these people?

be. It is this same system that has turned security agents to beggars because those in authority do not think of their welfare. I was shocked last week when it was announced that policemen providing security during the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)organised registration exercise were given N500 each daily. Is that not ridiculous and sad? What of last week’s incidents in the National Assembly and Ekiti State House of Assembly? Can the constitution be desecrated more than that? Pitiably, politicians continue to ‘suspend’ the constitution and act with impunity because punitive measures are not meted out. Section 188 of the Constitution is very clear on impeachment but since 1999, this section has been ‘suspended’ and breached endlessly. Sadly, no politician has been arrested for breaching this section. Take last Friday’s judgement of the Supreme Court for instance. Until our judges start meting out punitive measures, the nonsense will not stop. Or how could you start impeachment move in a restaurant? In September 2012, 19 lawmakers of the Taraba State House of Assembly met at a Guest House belonging to one of them to prepare impeachment notice against the then deputy governor, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi. Shouldn’t the meeting have been held at the hallowed chambers of the House as prescribed by the constitution? In a unanimous judgement of justices of the Supreme Court last Friday read by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, the court held that the impeachment was unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, null and void. Other justices on the panel are Samuel Onnoghen, Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Kumayi Aka’ahs, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and John Okoro. Justice Ngwuta said: “In effect, at all material times, the appellant, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi, remained and still remains the deputy governor of Taraba State and he is to resume his

interrupted duties of his office forthwith.” He said further: “My noble Lords, the impact of what happened in the panel on the country’s impeachment jurisprudence is too alarming to contemplate. “Here is a panel that had three months to investigate the serious allegations of gross misconduct against the appellant, a deputy governor of the state. For no apparent reasons for the indecent haste, the panel completed its sitting and prepared and submitted its report to the Taraba State House of Assembly (between September 28, 2012 and 3rd October 2012), a period of six days inclusive of the first and last dates. “From the undisputed facts of this case, one has the inevitable but disturbing impression that the panel composed of the respondents was a mere sham and that the removal of the appellant from office was a done deal as it were. “The most disturbing aspect of the kangaroo panel is that it was headed by a man described in the processes before this court as a barrister - one Barrister Nasiru Audu Dangiri. The third member of the panel was also described as a barrister- one Barrister R.J. Ikitausai. “If these two men are actually members of the noble profession to which your Lordships and my humble self, by the grace of God, have the honour to belong and not people who, for self-aggrandizement, adopted the nomenclature “barrister”, the harm they have deliberately perpetrated in this matter is so serious that the attention of the Disciplinary Committee of the Bar ought to be drawn to it. “Impeachment of elected politicians is a very serious matter and should not be conducted as a matter of course. The purpose is to step aside the will of the electorate as expressed at the polls. It has implications for the impeached as well as the electorate who bestowed the mandate on him. Whether it takes one day or the three months prescribed by law, the rules of due process must be strictly followed. If the matter is left at the whims and caprices of politicians and their panels, a state or even the entire country could be reduced to a status of Banana Republic.” Nice one from the Supreme Court because Danladi is back as the acting governor of the state, but what happens to the lawmakers who perpetrated this evil? The system still allows them to parade themselves as ‘Honourable lawmakers’. With the judgement of the apex court, what is honourable about these people? Since last week, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has been in the news for the wrong reason as two politicians are engaged in a show of force over who gets a party ticket into the House of Representatives. Houses and shops were burnt. A policeman was even killed. Due to selfish ambition, politicians are subverting the constitution and this subversion is a threat, not only to the constitution but, to the country.

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: YEMI AJAYI.