Binder1 nov 18,2014

SATURDAY

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

/newtelegraph

Vol. 1 No. 273

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

Fayose, APC bicker as lawmakers clear nominees }5

Court stops Access Bank from recovering £654m from Akingbola Akeem Nafiu

T

he Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday

barred Access Bank Plc. from enforcing the judgement of a London Court compelling a former Managing Director of the

defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc., Mr. Erastus Akingbola, to pay Access Bank £654 million.

Justice Chukwujeku

Aneke, in a ruling in a suit filed by Access Bank to enforce the judgement on Akingbola, held that CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

NEW TELE

GRAPH

Governors

TUESDAY,

NovEmbEr

hip aspiran Babangid a’s son, ts gov, sena Abdulsala tors, othe mi’s in-la rs in race w, for Aliyu deputy ’s seat

W

18, 2014

14, 15

2015

Endorsem Ambode’ ents boost s ambition

Polit PVC: IN ics EC

Campai

16

The Ind epende nt Nation Electora al l Commis sion (INEC) has come und severe crit er icism in past wee the ks over its shoddy han Permanen dling of the t Voters ’ Cards (PVCs) distribu tion in some sta exercise, tes. The sch November eduled for 7 and 9, one-da took y extens ion in many of the states report, WALE ELE . In this GBEDE, KUNLE OLA UZOECH YENI, STEVE I, CAJETA N MMUTA , MUSA PAM CEPHA S IORHEM , EN and CH EKE EM MA examin e the situ NUEL ation in the affe cted sta Civil right s activists tes (PVC prote s), in Lago

s.

N150

’s faulty

sting at

gn

Tarabans not at war over gube r race

13

20

start

the

Independe ith two nt Natio nal Elect Per manphases of the oral Comm ission (INEC Cards ent Voters’ (PVC ) Lagos office, over ous Vote bution and s) distrithe poor withstan already rs’ Registra Continudistributio ding, the n of Perm INEC was pendent wrapped up,tion (CVR) to wriggle itsel State has anent Voter plaints 2,466,977. able f s’ Cards mission National Elec the IndeWidespr and condout of the PHOTO: trail tora (INE com emnatio l Com ed the ber 7 and TONY EGUAY criticism ead protest, C), n that E Lagos deluge 9 as datepicked Novem-and The stateexercise. phase tiality s for of s in the were fingers of imp of MushinIsland, Lag the exer importa the exercise the third tora ar- men cise wer first phas and Ojo os Mainlan l body pointed which nt proc fara, Gom e of e: ts. up to handlin . Perhaps, at the eleclocal gove d, is an ess in be, Keb Taraba, Zam the the shod g of the Akwa rnThe affec bi, Ben The com 2015 gene the buildfirst Ibom dy proc ue, Abia time in ral ted coun ess, for Kogi. For , Bayelsa mosho, averred mission has election. , ated a man , cils are: common y years, the BadagryAmuwo-Odofi program the second Enugu and Alibe adm that only the repeatedly members initiphase , me, n, fron Epe Apapa, itted for PVCs wou of the the are Isolo. Som , Eti-O political of the civil t between voting. sa, Though ld FCTYobe, Bauchi, states involved society parties.

To say olu and Suru Oshodi/ the conc Jigawa, , Kwara, phases and lere. the lead Soko lude of Ond Ana ties to, o, Oyo d two wer mbra, ers were not the PVC Protests If this is Ebonyi, in disclosue jolted with of the parand CVR But unli, Delta and a irregula without Ogunmo Perh Lagos hitc rities, the thir ke the first Cross River. acting re is to say foretaste gos got aps, the resi the leas la’s the back hes and to the dents heat andd phase gene two phases, deve parley, t. Relash notof Laregistra wind of wha of what the state lopment t its toes put the com rated more APC, chairma at the like whetion exercise the voters’ Otu . n of the should we tributed While some mission on decried nba Hen mencem n on the eve would look ry exp of the the PVC the outrage analysts atINEC, the new sche Ajomale, the Lag ent of the dist in the gen ect comgenerate os Stat phase s distribution would adding that dule from d by eral toral Com of be e Resi ribution, election volume the exercise in the third ment of a large dise the effect Adekun missioner dent Elecparty mem nfranchi , for le states of voters’ in to the high (RE dent Ogu C), s of the chairme nmola, bers and seinvolved three of me, it is state summonDr. i.e Lag resiin the the With a litical n and secretar os, ed decl the stat . parties bad ers aver Rivers and third phase ies e arin of sta brie for an governm rt. fing in AYODEL emergenpo- staff for g a work-fre due to red that the Kano, othent E OJO tastes awf It the e day DEPUTY Address his office. them cy exer the stat political uproar was ing the cise on to participa for its Ogunmo ul ayodele.ojo EDITor, PoLI affiliatio te in the TICS Friday controllees involved many @newtelegr n of mission la disclosed gathering, , Nov resi as aphonline.c that the Progress d by the oppo they are the first dents troo ember 7, om the exer had decided © Daily comives sition Telegraph were disaday of the ped out on All Accordi Congress ments cise in nine to postpone Publishing (APC). ppointed exercise but ng to INE local gove to 70, 383, cials Company Limited cited logiNovember as INE C, out rn- poll were not 28 of the C offiregister,427 eligible ing unit in sight reason stic challengand 30. He voters in man s whe Kano has Lagos has in its cards wer es as the the PVC for the resc 5, 4, 751, e meant re the vote y distribut heduling 818; whi 426, 818; Whi rs’ to be colle He note of bett le the seco ion. le Rive cted. d that nd day rs er espe would appe the exer cial take plac ficials romi/Ife cise showing ly with INE ared e in ing unit C ofup in ako-Ijaiy lodun, Ibej Agege, Ajeu/L lar man s, it was, how some polle, Ikeja , Ikorodu,ekki, Iftra of ever complai , simiKosofe, nts from

Pages 13 -17, 20

Six pages of Politics inside

Jega blows whistle on 2015 campaigns CoN TINU

ED oN

PAGE 17

l Parties now free to campaign as INEC lifts ban

Quick Read

Editorial

The unending menace of Boko Haram}19 Court drops 38 charges against Fani-Kayode }4

}2

L-R: Former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; Emeritus Prof. Tekena Tamuno and Emeritus Prof.

Theophilus Ogunlesi, all honorary doctoral recipients, at the University of Ibadan convocation, in Ibadan...yesterday.

PHOTO: nan

FG seeks extension of emergency rule in N’East

lTo send proposal to National Assembly for ratification lAtiku urges Nigerians to embrace self-defence Anule Emmanuel, Emmanuel Onani and Ibrahim Abdul

F

or the third time in a row, the Federal Government is pushing for the extension of the state of emergency

clamped on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States in the wake of the escalating insurgency unleashed on the north-eastern states by

Boko Haram.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who presided over a meeting of the National Defence Council

in Abuja where the decision was taken, is to send a request to the National Assembly seeking legislaCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

2

News

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

2015: Jega blows whistle on campaigns Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

I

ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday blew the whistle for the commencement of campaigns by political parties.

However, parties can only campaign for their presidential and National Assembly candidates, effective from Sunday, while electioneering for governorship and state assembly candidates would have to wait till November 30.

According to Jega’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kayode Idowu, INEC’s action is anchored on section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010, which states that ban on political campaigns shall be lifted 90 days before the polling day.

The presidential and National Assembly elections have been fixed for February 14, 2015 while the governorship and House of Assembly polls will hold on February 28.

Idowu, in an interview with reporters in Abuja, said the commission would, however, monitor the campaign spending by political parties and their candidates.

Therefore, he added that the commission has put in place a system to ensure that it tracks campaign spending by political parties and their candidates, as directed by the law.

Though the commission said it had saddled its department on political parties’ registration and monitoring with the task of ensuring that parties and their candidates act within the limit of the law, it added that it can only do so if the offence has been committed.

Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2010 put maximum spending by a candidate for presidential election at N1 billion; N200 million for a governorship hopeful while a person vying for either senatorial or House of Representatives seat has a spending limit of N40 million and N20 million respectively.

The amount for a House of Assembly candidate is N10 million; the same with anybody running for local government chairmanship.

Idowu said unlike 2011 general election, INEC had created a department to monitor spending of candidates in the 2015 election.

According to him, “The

commission has put structures in place to track expenditure. That structure did not exist in 2011. And we could not do much in that regard. Now we have been able to put structure in place to track expenditure and we are going to be doing that. But the situation now is that we can only know whether a person has over spent when he or she has spent it.

“What the law anticipates is that we have put ceiling on spending and we will now monitor to know whether we can make a case about it.”

The law imposes a fine

of N1 million or 12 months imprisonment or both on violators of presidential spending limit and N800,000 or nine months imprisonment or both on those who burst the spending limit for governorship.

Idowu explained that INEC can only work within framework of the law.

On INEC’s inability to speedily deal with electoral offenders, he said the commission did not have the capacity to handle the magnitude of electoral offences and might find it difficult handling the one that might arise from the breach of

campaign spending.

“We have said over and again. That is why we have always called for election tribunal. But if the law says INEC should do something even within the constraints, INEC will do what is possible within those constraints.

“INEC will do what it has to do within the framework of the law as it exists at the present. If the law makes a certain provision; for instance, the law says we should publish the audited yearly accounts of the political parties and that is what we have always done. We audit and

publish that is what the law says we should do.

So after we publish, what next? There are places where you have offences and you don’t have sanctions stated.,” Idowu said.

On whether INEC will be liaising with banks to track the movement of funds during campaigns, Idowu said it was left for the department saddled with the responsibility to decide.

But he quickly added that expenses on advertisement, among others, will be added up to the spending limit of each candidate.

Death toll in Bauchi’s explosion rises to 31 Wale Elegbede

T

he number of deaths recorded from Sunday’s bomb explosion at a phone market known as Kasuwan Jagol in Azare, Bauchi State rose to 31 yesterday, just as the figure of injured persons on admission stood at 30.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, the Chief Medical Director of Azare Medical Centre, Dr. Abduallhi Ibrahim, said the hospital recorded 17 deaths and 30 of the victims of the bomb

explosion are on admission.

Ibrahim, who reeled out a breakdown of the causality figure, said three suspected suicide bombers are part of the 17 deaths recorded in the hospital, adding that the remaining 14 are victims of the explosion.

While explaining that Doctors and Nurses in the state defied the ongoing Joint Health Workers’ Union strike to attend to the victims of the bomb blast, he assured that the

patients are responding to treatment.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed disclosed to newsmen that 13 persons are already dead from the blast while 65 sustained varying degrees of injuries out of which 43 have been treated and discharged and 22 others are responding to treatment.

With this, the total causality figure of the explosion now merged to 31, with 22 on admission.

The PPRO added that the Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit has visited the scene of the explosion and cordoned off the place, adding that casualties were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare for medical attention.

The police spokesman disclosed that normalcy has been restored in Azare by combined security forces and patrols, adding that patrols have being intensified within and outside the town.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

3

4

News

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Court clears Fani-Kayode of 38 charges

lRules ex-minister has case to answer on two others Akeem Nafiu

T

he Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday ruled that former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has case to answer in the money laundering charges slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court, however, partially upheld his no-case submission and acquitted him of 38 out of 40 counts of money laundering charges.

In her ruling, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia ordered Fani-Kayode to defend himself on counts 25 and 26.

She said: “For ease of reference, I shall set out counts 1 and 33 only, being prototype of the two species of the counts. The distinction, however, is for the basis of convenience.

“In one format, the accused was alleged to have paid the amount into his own account, while in another; he was alleged to have paid it into the account of a third party.

“I find that there was an acceptance of cash payment of an amount exceeding N500, 000 by the applicant which was not done through a financial institu-

tion, and also, a payment at the behest of the applicant.

This distinction pales into insignificance when one considers the elements of each count.

“The first element would have been satisfied if the prosecution led evidence to show that cash sum exceeding the statutory threshold was handed to a specified third party, which was further transmitted to a financial system. The second element is discharged where the prosecution leads evidence to show that the said transmission was at the behest of the applicant. It will be immaterial in my view whether the monies were paid into the account of the accused or a third party.”

The judge stated that

the natural implication, therefore, is that no evidence exists before this court to establish counts 21, 23, and 25, by extension the same calamity befalls the remaining counts in the charge.

She said: “I am of the considered view that no scintilla of evidence has been put forward by prosecution to establish the two key elements of each count in the charge save 25 and 26.

“PW4 testified on counts 25 and 26 that on the instruction of the accused, he made cash deposits in the sum of N1 million and 1.1 million on September 20 and 29, 2006.

“PW1 was also led in evidence to tender exhibits PE1A and PE1B, purport-

ing to be statements of accounts alleging actual lodgments of the said sum.

“In the light of all these, I hold the firm view that the prosecution has made out a prima facie case to warrant the accused person to put up an explanation by way of defence with respect to counts 25 and 26.

“I need not say more at this stage, in order not to fetter my discretion in this matter.

“The indubitable conclusion to be arrived at is that, this application succeeds in part, the no case submission of the applicant is upheld on all counts, except, counts 25 and 26….

“The accused is, therefore, ordered to enter his

defence with respect to counts 25 and 26. This is my ruling as read out in open court.”

The matter has been adjourned till December 8 for continuation of trial.

Counts 25 reads: “That you, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on or before September 2006, while serving as minister of culture and tourism of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a transaction exceeding N500,000 which was not done through financial institution, by accepting cash payment of N1 million, which sum was further paid into your personal account number, 103450252601 with First Inland Bank Plc Apapa branch, now FCMB,

through one Supo Agbaje, your administrative staff, now at large.”

Count 26 reads: “That you, Chief Femi FaniKayode on or before 20th Sept. 2006, while serving as minister of culture and tourism of the Federal republic of Nigeria, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a transaction exceeding N500,000 which was not done through financial institution, by accepting cash payment of N1.1 million, which sum was further paid into your personal account number, 103450252601 with First Inland Bank Plc Apapa branch, now FCMB, through one Supo Agbaje, your administrative staff, now at large.”

Atiku urges Nigerians to embrace self-defence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tive approval for the emergency rule that has been in place to arrest the deteriorating security situation in the three beleaguered states since May 14, 2013.

The president had previously secured the National Assembly’s approval to extend the emergency rule in the three states on two previous occasions, November 2013 and May 2014.

According to the 1999 Constitution, an emergency rule can only last for six months, except when renewed by the National Assembly for another six months.

The decision to extend the state of emergency in the three states came just as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar called on Nigerians to be prepared to defend themselves from Boko Haram attack.

Also, Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), has said the Federal Government is about reviewing the nation’s defence policy to reinvigorate the fight against terrorism.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), who briefed reporters after the meeting of the National Defence Council, said Jonathan had directed that the request for an approval to extend the emergency rule should be sent to the National Assembly immediately.

At the end of the meeting, which began at 11a.m., Adoke said it was dedicated to the review of the state of emergency in the affected states.

“After a review of the state of emergency in the affected states, government decided that it would ask the National Assembly for an extension,” he said.

Besides Adoke, others at the NDC meeting were the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin; the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba and National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

The worsening state of security in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States had made Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the three states on May 14, 2013.

Though the state of emergency had been extended at two different periods, Boko Haram attacks

on some towns and villages in the three affected states have escalated.

The sect has attacked and occupied some towns and villages in Borno and Adamawa, including Gwoza, Chibok, Madagali, Hong and Mubi.

However, amid the escalating attacks by the insurgents, Atiku said yesterday that Nigerians were frustrated with the Federal Government’s failure to tackle the insurgency in the North-East and hence they should brace up to defend themselves against Boko Haram.

“People must stand resolutely in the face of attack and not abandon their towns, women and children.

“People must not wait for soldiers to protect them. There are even instances where soldiers on ground ran away in the face of attack,” he stated.

He said in Abuja that despite claims by the Federal Government that it was on top of the situation, the insurgents had continued to mount a bloody campaign against Nigerians; killing, maiming and overrunning territories.

“First of all, I must confess that I am extremely frustrated with the Federal Government because this insurgency has lasted far too long. It is more than five years now. Nigeria has got all that it takes to eradicate it within a couple of months, but it has allowed it to linger for too long.

“I don’t believe that there is a rare capacity on the part of the Federal Government to tackle the insurgency in the NorthEast,” he added.

He decried the wanton killing of innocent per-

sons and placement of women and children in difficult situation occasioned by the insurgency that has resulted in the death of thousands of persons and displacement of thousands of others.

Atiku, however, urged the Federal Government to adopt a holistic approach to drastically address the growing insurgency in the North-East.

Meanwhile, as part of ongoing efforts at containing the insurgency in the North-East, the Federal Government has begun the review of the national policy on defence.

Gusau, who said this at the defence attaches’ annual conference in Abuja, also charged defence chiefs to deploy their knowledge to track sources of funding of Boko Haram.

According to him, the review and overhaul of the national defence policy, which has since commenced, is the antidote to bringing an end to the insurgency, which has consumed over 12, 000 lives.

He identified the fundamental objective of terrorism as unleashing mayhem, causing destruction and ultimately foisting instability on nations, especially small ones, as is the case with Boko Haram.

He, therefore, charged controllers of the nation’s defence intelligence architecture to intensify efforts at bridging the intelligence gap inhibiting the counterterrorism war.

He identified areas that deserve improved intelligence to include Boko Haram’s foreign support, their training, sources of weapon procurement and funding, as well as foreign fighters’ collaboration.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

5

Fayose, APC bicker as lawmakers clears nominees lGovernor sacks legislative aides

Adesina Wahab and Johnchuks Onuanyim

E

kiti descended into another crisis yesterday following the decision of some members of the House of Assembly to approve 16 caretaker committee chairmen, three commissioners and 12 special advisers for Governor Ayo Fayose.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claimed that 10 out of the 26-member House sat to grant the approvals, as against the nine members needed to form a quorum of onethird of the House membership.

But the leadership of the Assembly and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) said only seven lawmakers sat to do the bidding of the governor.

At the sitting that witnessed heavy security presence, the pro-Fayose lawmakers appointed Hon. Dele Olugbemi (Ikole Constituency II) as temporary speaker and cleared three commissioner nominees sent to the legislature for screening by the governor.

The lawmakers also approved the list of caretaker committee chairmen appointed for 16 local government areas of the state.

Also, the lawmakers gave the go-ahead for the governor to appoint 12 special advisers of cabinet rank.

The Minority Leader, Hon. Samuel Ajobola Oyedele (Ekiti East Constituency), who spoke first when the Assembly convened at 10:22a.m, said in the absence of the speaker and his deputy, Section 27 of the Order of the House, allowed for the appointment of a speaker pro-tempore to attend to the matters of the day.

He, therefore, named Olugbemi as the temporary speaker for the day.

Hon. Olayinka Abeni (Ado Constituency II) supported the motion.

The House subsequently approved the list of caretaker chairmen for the 16 constitutionally listed local governments.

The step effective shut down the 19 local council development areas created in the twilight of the Kayode Fayemi administration.

But the Speaker, Hon. Adewale Omirin, declared the sitting illegal, saying only seven members sat as against nine required to form a quorum.

He listed the seven PDP members who sat, including the six APC members who defected to the PDP as Ajibola Samuel (Ekiti East

II), Adeojo Alexander (Ekiti South West II), Adeloye Adeyinka (Ikole I), Israel Olowo Ajiboye, Fatunbi Olajide (Moba II), Olugbemi Joseph Dele (Ikole II) and Olayinka Modupe Abeni (Ado II).

However, Ajibola insisted that 10 members attended the sitting.

“The Assembly is not a place where people would come in and mark a register at the lobby or start to announce their presence to anybody,” he said.

However, it was gathered that as soon as the House adjourned sitting, the legislators left for an undisclosed venue.

The APC lawmakers too are said to be meeting with their party leaders in a neighbouring state.

Also, the state government yesterday sacked all the political appointees attached to the speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Majority Leader.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. B. M. Alade, listed those sacked as Wole Olujobi, Special Adviser (Media); Ojobamikan Dele, Special Adviser (Political); Lawrence Awelewa, Special Adviser (Special Duties); Omirin Wande, Special Assistant (Youth Matters); Orija Samuel, Chief of Staff to the Speaker; Sanmi Adeeko, Personal Assistant; Taiwo Oluwaleye, Special Assistant to the Dep. Speaker on Media Matters. and Adedipe Esther, Special Assistant to Majority

Leader on Media Matters.

However, Fayose, while inaugurating the caretaker chairmen, warned against undermining his government, saying the people of the state had spoken through the June 21 governorship poll.

“Don’t undermine this administration, the people have spoken and any external aggression will be met with equal force on ground. Those who don’t want to see anything good in Fayose should be warned,” he said.

But addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Hon. Taiwo Olatubosun, condemned the action of the lawmakers and the governor.

Omirin, through his

media aide, Mr. Wole Olujobi, said the governor should be held responsible for what happened in the assembly.

The speaker said though they did not succeed in changing the leadership of the House because they did not have the numbers, seven members that fell short of the required nine to form a quorum sat to illegally approve the reconstitution of the local government caretaker committees in the state, including confirming the appointments of the commissionernominees who were never screened as required by the law.

Also, the APC described as “an act of impunity” the decision of seven

members of the 26-member House to carry out an agenda of impeachment against the speaker, dictated by Fayose.

APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called on the PDP and the Federal Government to stop instigating crisis in APC-controlled states.

But Fayose denied the claim that Omirin was impeached.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said members of the House only sat to approve the commissioner nominees, special advisers and the local government caretaker committees for the 16 local government councils.

L-R: National Organising Secretary, All Progressives Party (APC), Senator Osita Izunaso; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the submission of Atiku’s presidential nomination form in Abuja…yesterday

Bad leadership puts Nigeria in insecurity mess, says Soyinka Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

N

obel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday blamed poor leadership for the security challenges confronting Nigeria.

He noted that Nigeria would not have been in the security mess she found herself if there is a genuine leadership.

He advised that the country should raise a monument for the missing Chibok schoolgirls.

He was among five

other personalities conferred with honourary degree awards by the University of Ibadan on its 2014 Convocation and 66th Foundation Ceremony where 614 persons bagged doctoral degrees.

Speaking on behalf of other awardees, Soyinka said: “Yes, it is a festive occasion. But, we are here and we know we are sitting under a cloud.

It is a very heavy cloud; it is cloud of embarrassment, of shame, a feeling of dereliction or solemn irresponsibility towards children. We are sitting

here under a cloud of impotence of a calamity that was not without notice.

“You all know why we are all here; it is in the course of learning and till death we will not stop learning. It is all about learning and that is what life is all about. We never stop learning.

“It is a festive occasion and I am not ready to cast a pall on it. I wish I could be among you celebrating over and over again.

I wish to congratulate the Vice Chancellor and members of the commu-

nity on the vast changes I have noticed in the university. It is a festive occasion and as I said I will not cast a pall on it.

I am so happy to see my friend Malam Ibrahim Shekarau here.”

In his address, the Minister of Education, Shekarau, said that the Federal Government has increased budgetary provision towards education.

“Down the ages, education has been known to be the antidote to poverty and ignorance as well as the key to unlocking our natural resources. Gov-

ernment recognises that Nigeria cannot strive for accelerated development without huge investment in education. That is why government has since inception of this administration given increased budgetary allocation to education,” Shekarau said.

Honorary degrees were awarded to some distinguished personalities including Chief Wole Olanipekun (LL.D), Prof.

Theophilus Ogunlesi (D.Sc), Prof. Tekena Tamuno (D. Litt), and Prof.

Wole Soyinka (D.Litt)

News

6

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

CJN accuses govs of undermining judiciary Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

O

utgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma , yesterday accused governors of sabotaging the judiciary by paying little attention to the welfare of judges.

The CJN who also accused the governors of refusing to obey the constitution, which they swore to uphold, blamed them for the poor condition of service for judges and the deplorable state of courts.

Justice Aloma, at the opening of the Conference of All Nigeria Judges of the Lower Courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, however, urged judges and magistrates not to use the existence of these problems to perpetrate fraud or indulge in dishonest dealings and unwholesome conducts.

She told the gathering that she was aware that judges of the lower courts in many states were working under horrible conditions.

She said: “Some customary and area courts sit in rented apartments.

I am also aware that in some states, courts have been closed down due to political squabbles among politicians. I have heard of stories of magistrates being abducted and, in many cases, murdered by unknown persons due to lack of security. All these factors are so debilitating to the performance of judicial functions. “ Nobody would like to work under such deplorable and unsecured environment. Some of these problems are man-made.

These are occasioned by the refusal of some state

governors to respect the constitution they have sworn to protect and defend. How can they protect and defend what they do not respect?”

She, however, called on the governors to implement the judgement of the Federal High Court granting financial autonomy to the judiciary.

“If this is done, some of these problems would become issues of the past”, she added.

She also asked the judges to resist every temptation, no matter how overbearing they might seem.

Earlier, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Rosaline Bozimo, had said the theme of the conference: “Repositioning the lower courts for improved justice delivery” was chosen to connect the conference with the ongoing processes of judicial reforms.

According to her, the participants occupy a veritable position in the judicial system.

She said in most cases, the lower courts, especially the magistracy, acted as the breeding ground for future judicial officers of the superior courts.

“They are the academies from where judges of the superior courts are appointed. That being the case, they must be properly groomed, nurtured and crafted in the best way possible to make them suitable for and conformable with higher judicial office and responsibilities.

“It is through this type of conference that we ensure that we maintain standards, promote efficiency and improve on the quality of judicial service at the lower courts,” Justice Bozimo stated.

ABUJA

33oC

22oC

Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

22o C 18oC Storms

KANO

36oC

17oC

Partially Cloudy

ENUGU

30o C 22oC Thunder Storms

IBADAN

30o C 22oC Thunder Storms

CALABAR

27o C 22oC Storms

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

37oC 19oC Partially Cloudy

29o C 22oC Storms

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

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

29o C 25oC Storms

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45 (SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50

MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

L-R: Managing Director, FrieslandCompina Nigeria, Mr. Peter Eshikena (left) and Managing Director, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), Mr. Babs Omotowa, at the November role model forum organised by Centre for Values in Leadership in Lagos...yesterday.

Court stops Access Bank from recovering £654m from Akingbola CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the verdict of the London court is not enforceable.

Access Bank had approached the court following the dismissal of a similar application by Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson of a Lagos High Court.

The High Court of Justice, Queens Bench in London, had on August 1, 2012, ordered Akingbola to pay Access Bank £654 million for some alleged fraudulent practices committed when he was in charge of the defunct bank.

Access Bank acquired Intercontinental Bank on January 31, 2012.

In a bid to enforce the London Court judgement in Nigeria, Access Bank had approached Justice A. A. Oyebanji of a Lagos High Court with an exparte application.

The bank, in the ex-parte application, had sought to register the London court’s judgement and the accompanying order of

Justice Michael Burton, dated September 13, 2012.

Justice Oyebanji had acceded to the bank’s request and ordered Akingbola to pay the judgement sum.

However, Akingbola, through his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), filed an application dated September 27, 2013, asking Justice Candide-Johnson to quash the registration of the foreign judgement for lack of jurisdiction.

Justice Candide-Johnson had discharged the exparte order on the grounds that Access Bank’s move contravened provisions of the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgement Act of 1958.

He also declared that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to register the judgement on the grounds that the subject matter of the judgement, which was an alleged unlawful share purchase orchestrated by the bank and Akingbola’s breach of statutory duties

as director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank, were matters relating to the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), which the British judge admitted he relied totally on, but which only Nigerian courts and specifically the Federal High Court could properly exercise jurisdiction.

Justice Candide-Johnson had further held that since the Federal High Court alone had exclusive jurisdiction on CAMA-related cases, his court could not have entertained the claims leading up to the judgement.

He said therefore, his court could not register the judgement as that would make it a verdict of the court.

The judge, however, refused Akingbola’s prayer seeking to restrain Access Bank from enforcing the London judgement in any other court.

“Instead of granting

such an order, the proper order to make in this case is to strike out the entire suit and same is hereby struck out,” Justice Candide-Johnson had ruled.

Olanipekun had, while arguing the case on behalf of Akingbola, stressed that Access Bank failed to comply with condition precedent before the registration could be completed.

He submitted that Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution vested the jurisdiction on the Federal High Court and not on a state high court.

Responding, counsel to Access Bank, Olaniwun Ajayi (SAN), in a counteraffidavit dated October 10, 2013, submitted that the proposition that only the Federal High Court had jurisdiction to register foreign judgements should be discountenanced.

He submitted further that the state high courts had unlimited power to look into the matter.

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

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

7

8

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

2014 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES SCREENING COMMITTEES & SCREENING APPEAL PANELS

Part (25) (i) of the Electoral Guidelines for 2014 Primary Elections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stipulates that there shall be, for the purposes of the National Assembly Party primaries for each State, a Screening Committee of five (5) members whose duty shall, among other things, include the screening of aspirants from Wednesday, November 19 -Thursday, November 20, 2014, and hearing of Screening Appeals of Friday, November 21, 2014.

Accordingly, the National Working Committee (NWC) of our Great Party has nominated the following Party members to serve on the Screening Committees and Screening Appeals Panels for the purposes of Screening Aspirants for National Assembly Elections nationwide.

ABIA STATE

AKWA IBOM STATE

BAUCHI STATE

Screening Committee Name 1. Sen. Bello Maitama Yusuf 2. David Kajit 3. Chief Okey Ezenwa 4. Emmanuel O. Omah 5. Dr. (Mrs.) A.O. Theodora

Screening Committee Name 1. Mr. Olatunbosun Osuntokun 2. Alh. Jajere Mohammed 3. Mr. Tunde Oloru 4. Mrs. Mary Victor Ordu 5. Dr. Emenike Onwutalu

Screening Committee Name 1. Barr. Hamidu Mahmud 2. Adamu Kasimu 3. Engr. Echeng Eleng 4. Moh Lawal Buhari 5. Aisha Abdulkarim Kaita

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Chief Bola Olu-Ojo 2. Idris A. Idris 3. Mrs. Lola Otebola

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Sen. Jibrin Wowo 2. Aisha Madina 3. Gambo Isa

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Rita Okeyia 2. Shehu Abubakar 3. Azubuike Eze

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

ADAMAWA STATE

ANAMBRA STATE

BAYELSA STATE

Screening Committee Name 1. Dr. Fabian Ihekweme 2. Hon. Anietie Umoren 3. Musa Abubakar Yahaya 4. Mrs. Verah Dimka 5. Engr. Yakubu Ahmed

Screening Committee Name 1. Hon. Bayo Ojo 2. Nuhu Bobbo Gurin 3. Pastor Oke Anolue 4. Olaifa B. Oludotun 5. Hon. Ukachi Okey

Screening Committee Name 1. Barr. Efuntayo Adesoji 2. Miriam Ahmed Abdullahi 3. Hon. Kabiru Ruruwe 4. Amina Yahaya Oke 5. Mr. Chris Orji

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Barr. Ebenezer Foby 2. Mr. Patrick Ono 3. Mr. Ferdinand Anikwe

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Barr. Augustine Tase 2. Mrs. Monica Dodo 3. Moses Iweka

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Chief Idada Iboro 2. Hon. Sani Moh. Aminu 3. Hon. Elias Oche

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

9

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

2014 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES SCREENING COMMITTEES & SCREENING APPEAL PANELS BENUE STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Amb. Emmanuel Otiotio 2. Aminu Ado 3. Bala S. Shu’aibu 4. Christine Isichei 5. Akin Oyegoke Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Hon. Rilwanu Shehu Soba 2. Barr. Emmanuel Nwagene 3. James Faleye

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

CROSS RIVER STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Sen. Ben Birabi 2. Nedum Ejiogu 3. Alh. Ali Wurge 4. Sani Musa 5. Barr. Lloyd Ukwu Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Mr. Hezekiah Olutoye 2. Mrs. Ilami 3. Hon. Manasseh Abu

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

DELTA STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Mohammed Babangida 2. Dr. Frank Collins Okafor 3. Mr. Mike Ewausia 4. Barr. Yakubu Abdullahi 5. Dr. Kabir Illelah Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Hajia Rabi Mukhtar 2. Hon. Suleman Damagun 3. Mr. Dominic Gambo Yahaya

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Dr. Aboki Zhawa 2. Hajia Mairo Adamu 3. Danjuma Musa

GOMBE STATE - Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Screening Committee Name 1. Hon. Shettima Shehu 2. Alh. Isa Liman 3. Dennis Dema 4. Sadiq Mairake 5. Stanley Ifoh

- - - - -

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Hon. Yawale Boltongo 2. Hajia Yalwa Sani 3. Hon. Kolo Lawan

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

EDO STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Prof. Godwin Sogolo 2. Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu 3. Barr. Muobo Mudiaga 4. Mr. Sheddy Ozoene 5. Mr. John Ehikwe Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Mr. George T. Korgba 2. Hon. Saidu Sambo 3. Dr. Chalya Lar

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

IMO STATE - Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Screening Committee Name 1. Alh. Danladi Maiauduga 2. Aisha Umar Ibrahim 3. Barr. Nyinfiga Williams 4. Chris Iroegbu 5. Christopher Nwadei

- - - - -

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Barr. Ubong Udo 2. Jibrin Kajuru 3. Barr. Ahmed Marafa Magub

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

EKITI STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Hon. Saudatu Sani 2. Jude Umar 3. Arc. Chukwuma Onyelike 4. Shu’aibu Ahmed Haruna 5. Mr. Sunny Erewari Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Prof. Jerry Agada 2. Umar Sanda Isa Mohammed 3. Kayode Martins

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

ENUGU STATE

Name

EBONYI STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Chief Charles Uwensuyi Edasonwan (SAN) - Chairman 2. Mr. Pam Ishaya Rondong - Member 3. Baba Kassim Ibrahim - ,, 4. Alh. Isah Murno - ,, 5. Barr. Emeka Ugwu - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

JIGAWA STATE

Screening Committee - Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

1. Sen. Bassey Henshaw

- Chairman

2. Chief Ishola Filani

- Member

3. Isa Ahmed Waziri Mubi

- ,,

4. Alh. Dandada Tafawa Balewa

- ,,

5. Dr. Adamu Usman Alkali

- Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Sen. Rufai Hanga

- Chairman

2. Pastor Josephine Ejeh

- Member

3. Dr. Henry Adagba

- Member/Secretary

Screening Committee Name 1. HE Erelu Olusola Obada 2. Hon. Musa Danjuma 3. Baba Malanu 4. Garba Musa 5. Dr. Aisha Salihu Lemu

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Barr. Nasiru Ibrahim Junju 2. Abu Abdullahi Lakan 3. Mrs. Amaka Ebenebe

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

KADUNA STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Chief Tunde Akindehin 2. Dr. Arabs Rekeju 3. Hon. Confidence Jonathan 4. Barr. Bagbe Omololu 5. Alh. Baba Iyali Mohammed

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

10

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

2014 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES SCREENING COMMITTEES & SCREENING APPEAL PANELS Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Barr. Zakari Wali 2. Barr. Daisi Johnson 3. Hon. Obinna Agwu

KOGI STATE - Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

KANO STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Dr. Baba Adamu 2. Princewill Utchay 3. Mal. Abdullahi Yelwa 4. Wesley Kusumu Audu 5. Ibrahim Baba Tela Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Princess Uche Ottah 2. Alh. Isiyaka H. Baba Nagode 3. Abraham Omachoko

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Chief Philip Aibijeh Badagiry 2. Lawal Hassan 3. Shaku Doosuur Jacob

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Screening Committee Name 1. Sen. Saidu Umar Kumo 2. Ozo Mike Akubude 3. Hon. Sule A. Bindawa 4. Hon. Lawal Maishanu 5. Dr. Iliya Isa Danmusa Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Barr. Solomon Iheke 2. Mrs. Atim B. Eyo 3. Florence Taiwo

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

LAGOS STATE - Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

KEBBI STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Hon. Kabiru Balla 2. Mr. Bulus Audu 3. Prince Tunji Abayomi 4. Chief Ugo Okeke 5. Sani Ibrahim Nas

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Amb. Abdullahi Bage 2. Pastor Harvest 3. Mr. Danjuma Mele

- - - - -

KWARA STATE

KATSINA STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Sen. El-Jibrin Doguwa 2. Lawal Mohammed Madaki 3. Mohammed Saleh Gidado 4. Mrs. Chioma Nelda Efughi 5. Hon. Abubakar BD

Screening Committee Name 1. Sen. Musa Bello 2. Abdurrahaman Inuwa 3. Alh. Garba Sakwa 4. Alh. Ibrahim Yakubu 5. Col. Kuji Pilan (Rtd.)

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

Screening Committee Name 1. Sen. Ugochukwu Uba 2. Hajia Jummai Danmudi 3. Hon. Nimota Sulemon 4. Alh. Yakubu Jack Mohammed 5. Dr. Talatu Nasir

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Hon. A.D. Yakubu - Chairman 2. Prince Adenekan Olaterun Olagbegi - Member 3. Hon. Mathew Ali - Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Chief P.C. Agu 2. Alh. Adamu Dangulbi Chiroma 3. Barr. Doris Onyali

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

NIGER STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Hon. Saleh Ibrahim Kufena 2. Hon. Gambo Gujungu 3. Sunday Zaka 4. Hon. Moses Uvie Ugeghe 5. Hon. Sylvester Iboko

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Mohammed Hassan Katagum 2. Adamu Garba AG 3. Hon. Collins Richman

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

OGUN STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Alh. Lawal Anche - 2. Mrs. Roseline Onoja - 3. Dr. Okeke Ifiayin - 4. Chief (Mrs.) Catherine O. WashPam - 5. Chief (Mrs.) Bola Doherty - Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Sen. Sani Kamba 2. Hon. Yahaya Isah 3. Mr. Eddy Abang

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

ONDO STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Lucky Imasuen 2. Barr. Kunle Lalude 3. Mrs. Airat Iyabo Omilabu 4. Alh. Kabir Tanko 5. Mr. Kenneth Chukwudi

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Abiodun Asuni 2. Mrs. Evelyn Oyome 3. Ngozi Enyia

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

NASARAWA STATE Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Hon. Wusono Abdullahi 2. Adamu Ari 3. Eunice Onyeka

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Screening Committee Name 1. Alh. Aliyu Garba Kankara 2. Amb. El Gash 3. Abdurraham Mu’azu 4. Sola Oni 5. Maimuna Johnson

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

2014 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES SCREENING COMMITTEES & SCREENING APPEAL PANELS Screening Appeal Panel

OSUN STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Col. Joseph Miner (Rtd) 2. Alh. Umaru Musa Danladi 3. Mr. Francis Nsofor 4. Abdulrazaq Sambo 5. Ms. Namicit Selcan Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Dr. Arome Salifu 2. Mr. Yomi Alarape 3. Hashim Idris

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

OYO STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Col. Musa Mohammed (Rtd) 2. Tenga Tsegba 3. Hajia Hauwa Musa Kida 4. Hon. Daniel Oguiji 5. Darlington Anieze Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Dr. Victor Mark 2. Mr. Lucky Orelu 3. Barr. Tunde Daodu

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

TARABA STATE - Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

RIVERS STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Hon. Bobby Ekpeyong 2. Mr. Chris Nehkhare 3. Nuhu Dogara 4. Mr. Patrick Madukwe 5. Mr. Sylbiriskis Obrike Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Barr. Afam Okeke 2. Dr. Tapa Sirinptu 3. Mr. Moses Ebute

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

SOKOTO STATE Screening Committee

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

PLATEAU STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Prof. Patrick Ndubuisi Oche 2. Sani Yakubu Kirfi 3. Hassan Mohammed Ngur 4. Grant Orugbani 5. Benjamin Ayuba Kagara

Name 1. Afowowe Oluwatobi 2. Alh. Dahiru Hamman Dikko 3. Comrade Chidi Chidabe

- - - - -

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

Name 1. Sani Ahmed Kaura

- Chairman

2. Alh. Suleiman Jalo

- Member

3. Musa Galadima Gora

- ,,

4. Chief Chidi Nwodo

- ,,

5. Hon. Mu’azu Ahmed

- Member/Secretary

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Hon. Salisu Dabo

- Chairman

2. Hajia Zainab Dikko

- Member

3. Albert Amacheere

- Member/Secretary

Screening Committee Name 1. Mr. Okey Nnaedozie 2. Barr. Zannah Hamza 3. Hon. Abubakar Mutawale 4. Barr. Jummai Longkwang 5. Bello Abubakar Yandaki

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Alh. Bala Tinka 2. Adamu Moh. Inuwa 3. Blesson Akpuluma

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

ZAMFARA STATE Screening Committee Name 1. Alh. Adamu Yaro Gombe - Chairman 2. Barr. Zubairu Namama - Member 3. Umar Musa Kukawa - ,, 4. Mr. David Glabola - ,, 5. Usman Aliyu - Member/Secretary Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Kabir K. Dabo 2. Princess Mary Ezeh 3. Biodun Dada

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

FCT, ABUJA Screening Committee Name 1. Alh. Shehu Turaki 2. Barr. Idoko Akoh 3. Musa Suleiman Ahmed 4. Halliru Abdu 5. Tony Amadi

- - - - -

Screening Appeal Panel Name 1. Hon. Nasidi Ali 2. Rose Henry Gofwen 3. Hon. Adamu Aliyu Saulawa

- Chairman - Member - Member/Secretary

Chairman Member ,, ,, Member/Secretary

The Chairmen/Secretaries of Committee/Panels are required to collect the nomination letters of their members and screening documents and Appeal Panel materials from the office of the National Organizing Secretary, PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Plot 1970 Michael Okpara St. Wuse Zone 5, Abuja before proceeding to their States of posting.

Abubakar Mustapha, MFR, mni National Organizing Secretary

12

News

tuesday, november 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

FG launches $50m Venture Capital Fund, YouWin programme Anule Emmanuel

T

he Federal Government yesterday launched a $50million Venture Capital Fund also known as the YouWin Small and Medium Enterprise fund.

The fund was launched alongside the fourth round of the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) programme which is expect-

127,149

ed to create self employment for additional 1500 entrepreneurs.

The YouWin programme kicked off in 2011, as an entrepreneurial scheme designed for entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 45 years.

"It has an objective of creating thousands of jobs by helping winners to strengthen and expand existing businesses as well as turn innovative ideas into solid businesses.

Speaking at the launch, President Goodluck Jonathan said the new enterprise fund will enable those who have won previous grants from the YouWin programme take their businesses to the next level.

The second round of the YouWin programme has been dedicated to women in the country, while the other rounds were open to both men and women.

0.94

The number of fixed-telephone The number of fixed-telephone subscripsubscriptions of Benin Republic in 2009. tions per 100 inhabitants of Guinea in 2009.

Source: Itu.int Source: Itu.int

Jonathan at the event, said the fund which required a seed capital of about $50 million will require hard work on the side of government, adding that if government works hard it can attract more investors to contribute to ongoing efforts no matter how small.

“This fund will identify and further empower a few of you, some who are here and some new people that will join us, that are

73.8%

The percentage of the urban population of Cook Islands in 2012.

Source: Un.org

interested in expanding what they already have through the you win or even starting new businesses” he said.

The President further noted that the new fund will be managed by independent fund managers alongside the government and “you will not need to know somebody to access it”.

“Hopefully, when the disbursement of the third phase commences and by

587

The number of pending asylum seekers of Costa Rica at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Group Chief Financial Officer, UBA Capital Plc, Mr. Sunny Anene (left), being conferred with the fellowship award of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), by the President/Chairman of Council, Mr. Albert Okumaga, at the 2014 CIS Conference/Investiture of Fellows, in Lagos…recently

Court strikes out Tambuwal's suit against AGF, IG Tunde Oyesina Abuja

A

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday struck out one of the suits filed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal against the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Inspector General of Police IGP, chal-

lenging the constitutionality of the withdrawal of his security aides.

The same court also fixed November 27 for hearing of the motion for joinder and amended originating summons filed by Tambuwal in another suit.

The dismissal of the suit against AGF and IG was premised on its withdrawal by counsel representing Tambuwal

in the matter, Dr. Tunji Abayomi.

When the matter was called yesterday for mention, Abayomi told the court that his client had earlier called him before the court sat that the application should be withdrawn.

He noted that the application was different from the other one in such manner that the instant one is basically asking

NEMA: 120,077 students displaced by insurgency Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday disclosed that the ongoing insurgency in the three North East states, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states has displaced a total of 120,077 students in those states.

While speaking at the opening ceremony of the interactive meeting of Principals and Guidance Counsellors of Federal Unity Colleges and States Ministries of Education of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe on Safe School Initiative holding in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Chairman of Steer-

ing Committee on Safe Schools Initiative (SSI), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said that at three weeks ago, the population of students affected by the insurgency stood at 120,077.

According to her, 7,135 of those displaced students are from Adamawa, 113,635 from Borno while 73,894 are from Yobe states.

the court to determine the constitutionality of the withdrawal of Tambuwal's aides.

Counsel to defendants in the suit, Ade OkeayaInne, SAN, did not oppose the application but prayed the court for an order of dismissal on ground that they have filed a response to the application.

He further prayed the court to make an order as

to cost.

Opposing that application, Abayomi contended that the defendants have not joined issue with them and that the matter was for mention.

Delivering a short ruling, the trial Judge, Justice A.R Mohammed held that the defendants have only responded to the interlocutory application and not the substantive one.

Catholic Church raises the alarm over 2015 polls Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

T

he Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has raised the alarm over what it called signals and indications that the impending 2015 elections would create a political situation that might be explosive.

President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of

Nigeria and Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, who raised the alarm during a national prayer organised for peace and stability of the country in Abuja lamented that the aggressive quest for power already being exhibited by politicians makes the Catholic Church to wonder if Nigerian politics is truly about improving the lot of the common people.

the time the fourth phase takes we are expecting a minimum of would have had 44,000 jobs created by young Nigerians for young Nigerians”

Obasanjo killed student unionism, says Bakare Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

F

ounder of the Latter Rain Assembly in Lagos, Tunde Bakare, yesterday accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of killing students' unionism in Nigeria.

Bakare, who spoke at a lecture to commemorate this year's International Day of Students in Abeokuta, said his ardent criticism and dislike of the former president stemmed from the role he (Obasanjo) played in destroying students' unionism and welfare programmes.

At the event were Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, who urged students and youths to actively participate in nation-building.

Delivering a paper titled, "Good governance: The sustainability of democracy, the role of students in the forthcoming general elections," Bakare, who is the Convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), said there was need for a rebirth of student unionism and activism.

According to him, students' unionism was dealt a fatal blow during the "Ali-Must-Go" protest in 1978, when live ammunition were used to suppress protests.

The fiery cleric stated that he could have been killed long ago in the course of fighting against oppression and injustice.

He said: "Segun Okeowo had led the Ali-Must-Go protest when the military dictatorship of General Olusegun Obasanjo imposed draconian fees and feeding costs on Nigerian students. I was actively involved in that protest because, as a self-sustaining student at the University of Lagos, I had calculated the costs of my education before embarking on the journey and had just enough to pay my fees and cover my welfare and feeding needs.

"So, when Obasanjo, through his then Education Minister, Ahmadu Ali, arbitrarily increased the fees and costs of feeding, I understood the implications of that policy for poor and struggling students.

So, I joined the protests.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, November 18, 2014

Governorship aspirants

Babangida’s son, Abdulsalami’s in-law, deputy gov, senators, others in race for Aliyu’s seat

14, 15

2015

Campaign

16

20

Endorsements boost Ambode’s ambition

13

Tarabans not at war over guber race

Politics

PVC: INEC’s faulty start

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under severe criticism in the past weeks over its shoddy handling of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) distribution in some states. The exercise, scheduled for November 7 and 9, took one-day extension in many of the states. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE, KUNLE OLAYENI, STEVE UZOECHI, CAJETAN MMUTA, MUSA PAM, CEPHAS IORHEMEN and CHEKE EMMANUEL examine the situation in the affected states

W

ith two phases of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) distribution and Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) already wrapped up, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), picked November 7 and 9 as dates for the third phase of the exercise which is an important process in the buildup to the 2015 general election.

The commission has repeatedly averred that only the PVCs would be admitted for voting.

Though the concluded two phases of the PVC and CVR were not without hitches and irregularities, the backlash not-

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Civil rights activists protesting at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Lagos office, over the poor distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), in Lagos.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

withstanding, the INEC was able to wriggle itself out of the complaints and condemnation that trailed the exercise.

The states in the first phase of the exercise were: Taraba, Zamfara, Gombe, Kebbi, Benue, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Enugu and Kogi. For the second phase of the programme, the states involved are Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Sokoto, FCT, Kwara, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo, Oyo, Delta and Cross River.

But unlike the first two phases, the third phase generated more heat and put the commission on its toes. While some analysts attributed the outrage generated by the PVCs distribution in the third phase of the exercise to the high volume of voters’ in three of the states involved in the third phase i.e Lagos, Rivers and Kano, others averred that the uproar was due to the political affiliation of the states involved as they are controlled by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to INEC, out of the 70, 383, 427 eligible voters in its register, Lagos has 5, 426, 818; Kano has 4, 751, 818; while Rivers

State has 2,466,977.

Widespread protest, deluge of criticism and fingers of impartiality were pointed at the electoral body. Perhaps, the shoddy handling of the process, for the first time in many years, initiated a common front between members of the civil society and political parties.

If this is a foretaste of what we should expect in the general election, for me, it is a bad start. It tastes awful

Protests in Lagos Perhaps, the residents of Lagos got wind of what the voters’ registration exercise would look like when on the eve of the commencement of the distribution, the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, summoned chairmen and secretaries of political parties for an emergency briefing in his office.

Addressing the gathering, Ogunmola disclosed that the commission had decided to postpone the exercise in nine local governments to November 28 and 30. He cited logistic challenges as the reason for the rescheduling of the PVC distribution.

He noted that the exercise would take place in Agege, Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Ibeju/Lekki, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe,

Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin and Ojo local governments.

The affected councils are: Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Oshodi/ Isolo. Somolu and Surulere.

To say the leaders of the parties were jolted with Ogunmola’s disclosure is to say the least. Reacting to the development at the parley, the state chairman of the APC, Otunba Henry Ajomale, decried the new schedule from INEC, adding that the effect would be a large disenfranchisement of party members and residents of the state.

With the state government declaring a work-free day for its staff for them to participate in the exercise on Friday, November 7, many residents trooped out on the first day of the exercise but were disappointed as INEC officials were not in sight in many polling units where the voters’ cards were meant to be collected.

While the second day appeared better especially with INEC officials showing up in some polling units, it was, however, similar mantra of complaints from CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

14

Politics

TUESDAY, November 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

LEADING GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS

Ibeto

Aliyu

Babangida

Babangida’s son, Abdulsalami’s in-law, dep gov, senators, others in race for Aliyu’s seat The build-up to the 2015 governorship poll in Niger State is becoming intriguing with the sons and in-law of former heads of state, retired Generals throwing their hats in the ring for Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu’s seat. DAN ATORI reports

I

t is no longer news that the electoral process, characterized by ambitious gladiators has commenced earnestly in Niger State with aspirants jostling to succeed Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu come 2015. With the election fast approaching, political actors in the state are engaged in subtle campaigns to sell their candidature to the people, while some are jostling for the governorship seat, others are gunning for the legislative seats.

For those eyeing the number one position of the ‘Power State’, to succeed Aliyu, their posters adorn major roads and strategic locations in the state.

The history of Niger politics shows that the zoning arrangement has been strictly observed since the creation of the state in 1979. It has produced the Emir of Suleja, Alhaji (Dr.) Awwal Ibrahim from Zone ‘B’ (Niger East). He was first civilian governor of the state, followed by late Dr. Musa Inuwa who emerged governor in the Third Republic, from Zone C (Niger North). After the administration of late Inuwa, came Abdulkadir Kure, from Zone A (Niger South), an engineer and retired civil servant who was, though politically unknown, emerged on the scene after he was unanimously favoured by some powerful and influential leaders of thought in the state. Eight years later, he bowed out. That was in 2007.

As expected, a lot of political intrigues are coming into play in the quest of political actors to succeed the incumbent in 2015. This seems to be the best of times for power brokers in the state. Indeed, Governor Aliyu is at the centre of the effort to midwife a governor to succeed

him. The aspirants are in a close contest, especially in Zone ‘C’ believed to be the stronghold of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor recently told a gathering at his private residence in Minna during the traditional sallah homage paid by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders from zone B (Niger East), led by Zonal Vice Chairman, Alhaji Mamman Gambo, and a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, that his greatest worry is the number of aspirants from the zone.

In keeping with the spirit of rotation and power-sharing adopted since the creation of the state, the PDP has favoured Zone C to produce the next governor after zone B (the incumbent) zone. Those jostling for the top seat from the ruling PDP, especially from Zone C include the deputy governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, Senator Nuhu Aliyu, Dr. Mustapha Bello, Hon. Umar Nasko, Alhaji Saleh Darangi, Alhaji Mohammed Babangida and Col. Aminu Isah Kotangora (rtd).

Ahmed Ibeto He is the deputy governor of the state and has been nursing the ambition of succeeding his boss, who recently said that his deputy, alongside two other aspirants from zone C in his cabinet had approached him on their desire to succeed him, but he is still keeping close to his chest who will likely take over from him.

Ibeto, however, got a shocker recently when the governor urged all aspirants to step down for his anointed candidate and former Chief of Staff, Umar Nasko.

He only last week led a team of deputy governors in the country who are vying to take over from their bosses to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.

Aside being a deputy governor, political watchers in the state believe that as a loyalist, and being a son-in-law to the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, a member of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, his chances in the quest to succeed Dr. Aliyu in 2015 might get a boost.

With the news of his boss’ choice and anointed candidate, Ibeto is most likely

going to have sympathy from party faithful and people of the state alike, who believe he has been ill-treated by Governor Aliyu. Also, news making the round indicates that royal fathers from Zone C have thrown their support behind Ibeto whom they believe deserves the number one seat in the state.

Strength: He has all the experience needed especially as one who started his political career from the grassroots. He was a one-time Protocol Officer to former Governor Kure, served in the National Assembly as a House of Representatives member and presently as deputy governor for two consecutive terms. He seems not perturbed because many believe that amongst them, he is the aspirant with the best qualification.

Weaknesses: A lot of analysts view Ibeto as a fanatical Muslim who may continue strongly with Sharia system in the state. He is also viewed as tight-fisted and independed-minded.

neophyte in the murky waters of Niger State politics. He is also the chairman, El- Amin International Schools, based in Minna, the state capital. He is rumoured to have the backing of the presidency, in order to get him to deliver the state in the 2015 presidential election. His campaign posters also dot strategic locations in the state, with branded campaign cars traversing the state.

Strength: As a son to a former military president and PDP chieftain, he stands a better chance to emerge the party’s flag bearer, especially if his father gives his blessings and rallies the presidency.

Weakness: Based on his father’s consistent refusal for him to vie for the number one seat in the state for now, he tends to be out of contention. Also, going by his own attitude, many of his contemporaries believe he has alienated himself from youths and commoners in Niger State. Though believed to be arrogant, he will always win elections in the state Nuhu Aliyu based on his father’s goodwill which is A retired Deputy Inspector General of the only key that can swing the political Police, Aliyu was a three-term senator pendulum of the state. on the platform of the ruling PDP, from Zone C from 1999 to 2011 and lost to Sena- Aminu Isah Kotangora tor Ibrahim Musa of the defunct Congress He is a former military administrator for Progressive Change (CPC). In an inter- of Benue and Kano states and onetime view with journalists sometime ago, Aliyu hinged his decision to vie for the seat and contribute his quota to the growth and development of the state on requests from notable personalities in the state.

Chances: The retired DIG is not liked or wanted by his immediate constituency as he is tagged “self-centred, not generous” despite being a three-term senator.

With the craving for generational change in the state, he stands no chance as he is about 70 years old.

However, being the first PDP chairman in the state, he is likely to receive support from some segments of the party especially the foundation members. It is therefore clear that the odds against him are caused more by his attitudinal disposition to the people than his competence and age variable.

Mohammed Babangida He is the first son of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, who hails from Wushishi Local Government Area of Zone C. He is new to ac- Bello tive politics and can be described as a

Politics 15

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, November 18, 2014

LEADING GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS

Nasko

Minister of Defence. He was the first among the aspirants to declare his ambition to run for the number one seat in the state.

Kotangora who hails from Mariga Local Government Area of the state in Zone C, is the chairman of the PDP Elders’ Forum in the state.

Strength: As an experienced leader both as a former MILAD and chairman of the PDP Elders’ Forum, he seems to have the backing of some elders and strong party faithful who encouraged him to vie for the governorship seat.

At his declaration in Minna in late October, Kotangora said: “My friends and elders both in the party and from Zone C motivated and assured me that they will give me their support.” He is calm and well calculated and may eventually throw his weight behind the governor’s anointed candidate.

Weaknesses: Some analysts believe he is Governor Aliyu’s stooge who is just coming out to sing the praises of the governor as he kept referring to the governor’s strides during his declaration speech. He is also believed to be in the class of Nuhu Aliyu whom so many argue is in the older generation.

Umar Nasko A former Chief of Staff to the incumbent governor, and the youngest of the contenders for the Niger Government House, Nasko is the son of onetime Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, General Gado Nasko (rtd) whose political platform’s billboard, Evergreen Mandate Group, has been erected in virtually all parts of the state.

Chances: He is believed to be the

Musa

Bello

anointed candidate to succeed the incumbent governor. Many analysts believe that Umar will bring development to the state considering his developmental initiatives and his performances as Commissioner for Environment, Parks and Gardens. He ensured the training of thousands of youths both in the agriculture and environment sector where the Green Guards (his initiative) are trained to keep the state clean.

Also, many youths in the state who are craving for change believe Umar is the right choice because he is downto-earth and can be approached at any given time. He has been getting a lot of endorsements from the PDP, youth, women and social groups.

Challenges: He is viewed as a babyaspirant who cannot run the affairs of a state as big as Niger. There are fears that the younger Nasko may not get the support from his zone because his youthfulness may discourage them from voting for PDP thereby giving Ibeto an upper hand if he could command the support and followership from not only zone C but also from the entire state.

This, watchers believe, could enable the APC major aspirant, Sani Bello, wrest power from the ruling PDP to emerge in the next dispensation. It was reliably gathered that even royal fathers have stated that they will not have him as governor because they cannot afford to pay homage to such a young fellow.

There are also more sensitive issues against him, among which are the fears that he lacks certain critical qualities that made his father stand out among his peers during his years in active service as a soldier. The older Nasko is well known to be a man of courage, humility, sincerity of purpose and, above all, having command of leadership qualities which many believe is very much lacking in his son for a state often classified in some quarters as a miniature Nigeria to be entrusted into his hands to govern.

He is strongly believed to be too young and inexperienced to withstand the challenges of governance, a fact that could be used against him.

Mustapha Bello The former Minister of Commerce and Investment, and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Export Promotions Commission (NEPC) like Governor Aliyu, is a civil servant being called upon by Nigerlites to come and serve them. Besides the fact that his presence is being felt in the state, Bello whose aspiration is being promoted via the Niger Patriotic Citizens Group is yet to name the party platform on which he intends to run for the state’s number one seat.

Bello is a onetime Minister of Trade

Darangi

and a 2003 governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Many have argued that he is not a push over. A technocrat of high repute, Bello is said to know his onions.

Strength: The odds, many believe, could favour Engr. Bello. He is expected to use the vantage position of his office to promote national and international investment-friendly policies that would be of immense socio-economic benefits to the state. Eleven years after his failed attempt at the governorship, he has refused to quit. Reasonable financial muscle and political clout are assets he commands.

Challenge: A source said that his people in Kontagora Emirate do not take him serious. This may have given the push and courage to his nephew, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello (Abu lolo), who was appointed Commissioner for Trade and Investment by Governor Aliyu, to contest the governoship seat. Bello’s interest will definitely affect his chances.

Saleh Sahabi Darangi He is a retired Chief Accountant and Economic Adviser on Investment under the office of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and a newcomer into Niger State politics. He is vying for the Government House on the platform of the PDP. He recently told journalists that if he picks the PDP ticket, the party will get the victory very easily in the general election because of his acceptability.

Chances: Darangi is not a popular aspirant in the state and may not really pull much weight as most party faithful are pitching their tents with either Ibeto or Nasko. Even though there would be a level playing ground for all aspirants, he is not among the strongest.

Abubakar Sani Bello Popularly known as ‘Abu Lolo’, he is the son of former Military Governor of old Kano State, retired Col. Sani Bello and son-in-law to General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Bello is contesting on the platform of the APC. He is a wealthy businessman, and could be contesting against his uncle, Mustapha Bello, should he win the PDP ticket. Though he is younger, he argued that his uncle is of the old order, who should give way to new generation of politicians to contribute their quota.

He was a former Commissioner for Commerce and Investment in the Aliyu administration, but fell out with him years ago over issues of policy that endeared him to the people.

Chances: With the mammoth crowd

that was at his declaration in Kotangora and the support from Zone C, analysts in the state say, the chances of Bello to fly the APC’s governorship ticket seem bright. They believe he stands a good chance especially for dumping the PDP; considering his closeness to General Abubakar even though he has continued to keep off from active politics.

Nigerlites believe that with the support of the former Head of State, Bello would get all the financial, moral and influential support he needs to get the number one seat.

Weaknesses: Bello resigned from the administration few months after he was appointed Commissioner for Commerce and Investments by Governor Aliyu at the inception of the current dispensation. Though his claims that serving as a commissioner cannot fetch him the kind of money he wanted compared to what he was making as a businessman could not be substantiated, there is already the fear that for Bello to be linked with such comments speaks volumes of what kind of administration he would preside over if voted into power in the coming dispensation.

Ibrahim Musa He is a legal practitioner from Zone C in the APC. He contested on the platform of the CPC and defeated three-term Senator Nuhu Aliyu in 2011. As a senator, he currently occupies the highest office of the opposition in the state.

Chances: A new entrant in the politics and governorship race of Niger State, Senator Musa is presently representing the Niger North Senatorial District at the Senate. If he gets the same kind of support as he did when he dislodged the three-term senator in 2011, then he is most likely going to scale through.

Some political analysts believe Senator Ibrahim could emerge and decamp to the PDP because there are plans to lure him to the party. He recently supported President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election even as an opposition member.

Challenges: He was attacked recently by members of the APC in the state for parleying with the PDP. His co-aspirant, Abubakar Bello, had accused him of entering into the race as a stooge of the PDP. Rumours that Senator Musa is being sponsored by the state governor recently went viral in the state.

The worry of many people in the state, however, is what the emerging political scenario may look like, and what the coming dispensation may be with the insinuation that retired Generals are back to assuming power in Niger State with the son in-law of General Abdulsalami, likely to contest against the sons of General Babangida and General Nasko.

16 Politics

TUESDAY, November 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Endorsements boost Ambode’s ambition The chances of former Accountant-General of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, to pick the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) brightens with series of endorsements from stakeholders in the state, writes MURITALA AYINLA Ambode (sixth right) with members of the Lagos State House of Assembly at a parley.

T

he race to Ikeja State House, Alausa, appears to be getting intensive with aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) aggressively embarking on campaigns to win the hearts of political leaders, party delegates and those that matter ahead of the party’s primaries.

Already, 12 governorship aspirants have obtained forms in the APC. Besides Akinwumi Ambode, other aspirants who have obtained expression of interest forms to contest the governorship seat in Lagos include Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babatunde Fashola on School Environment Advocacy, Mrs Adetokunbo Tobun-Agbesanwa; former Commissioner for Justice, Olashupo Sashore (SAN), former Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Tola Kasali; former Health Commissioner, Dr. Leke Pitan and Tayo Ayinde, former aide to former Lagos State, governor, Bola Tinubu.

Others are Senator Ganiyu Solomon representing Lagos West and former member of the state’s House of Assembly, Lanre Ope. As the aspirants battle for the party’s ticket, recently Ambode tactically secured endorsements of members of the Lagos State House of Assembly at a private meeting with the state lawmakers with 34 of the 40-member House of Assembly in attendance. The 34-man team, which comprised five female lawmakers, was led by the assembly’s Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, who spoke on behalf of others.

Other lawmakers in attendance include the assembly’s Chief Whip, Hon. Razaq Balogun; Chairperson, House Committee on Finance, Hon. Funmi Tejuosho; Chairman, House Committee on Budget, Hon. Otunba Mudashiru Obasa; the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Lola Akande; Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Hon. Bisi Yusuf and Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bolaji Ayinla among others.

Some of the lawmakers who spoke with New Telegraph said that they chose to honour the invitation of the governorship aspirant to demonstrate their readiness to support him, should he emerge as the party flagbearer in the December primaries.

They said that their meeting with Ambode should not be mistaken for endorsement but a solidarity meeting with a fellow party chieftain and governorship aspirant.

“We can’t just endorse him like that

when we have one of us and indeed our Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, contesting for the same office. The truth is that he invited us and we honoured the invitation,” one of the lawmakers told New Telegraph.

The deputy speaker, Taiwo, said the decision became imperative in order to form one formidable political front against those he described as the party’s arch enemies.

While arguing that their visit did not, in any way, undermine Ikuforiji’s governorship ambition, Taiwo said the 34-man team believes in the unity of the party in the state, which according to him, explained the rationale for their solidarity visit.

He said: “We are a party people with a lot of battles to win. But we assured him of total support for whoever the party presents. We are for united APC in Lagos. We are equally for Ambode.”

But to Ambode, the latest alignment from the state lawmakers was a major boost, even as he thanked them for the confidence reposed in him.

The former Accountant General who likened Lagos State to a 47-year-old construction site where he had played several roles for about 27 years as employee, said his aspiration now is to be given the opportunity to be project manager of the ‘site’ to enable him execute all his lofty dreams for the state.

The governorship aspirant said he played a role in Tinubu’s irreversible foundation, adding that his contribution to Fashola’s consolidation and actualisation project was remarkable.

Serving under these administrations, according to Ambode, had equipped him with cognate experience to serve as the state governor, assuring residents that his desire is to run a participatory governance, which he said, would bring more smiles to the faces of Lagos residents irrespective of their ethnicity, gender or religion.

His words: “For me, service is like a calling. I am a compassionate person, who listens well to people and who is always willing to serve selflessly. I promise that every view and voice will count if given opportunity to serve the state. No person will be discriminated against and no voice will be repressed. We are all in this race together. I thank you for your support.”

The visit of the lawmakers which some people had termed “a legislative endorsement” was not the only support Ambode has secured since he indicated interest in the governorship race.

Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, had earlier thrown his weight behind his candidature as successor to Gover-

For me, service is like a calling. I am a compassionate person, who listens well to people and who is always willing to serve selflessly

nor Fashola at a public presentation of a book on Ambode’s autobiography, titled: “Art of Selfless Service” in Lagos.

Akiolu, who gave the royal endorsement, had said: “Ambode is the choice of traditional rulers in the state.”

The former chairmen of 20 councils and 37 LCDAs in the state on the platform of Conference 57, had earlier thrown their weight behind his aspiration, promising to build political structures in their various councils to actualise his ambition.

Although the council chairmen have since left office following the expiration of their tenure on October 28, the excouncil chairmen are still largely seen to be in control of the party structures in their various councils as they are leaders of the delegates that will determine who wins the governorship primaries.

New Telegraph also gathered that the state’s caucus of the APC in the House of Representatives recently endorsed the former Accountant-General, despite the claim of the party’s national leader, Tinubu, that he has no anointed candidate among the aspirants.

Ambode’s quest for the Lagos governorship seat has also received a massive boost as APC leaders in Ikorodu, Alimosho, Badagry and Ojo local governments adopted him ahead of the gubernatorial primaries of the party in the state.

Party leaders, many of whom will form party delegates in the December primaries, pledged their unalloyed support for him during the last lap of his tour of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 37 Local Council Development Ares (LCDAs).

At the enlarged meeting in Ikorodu, Prince Olu Ogunleye led other notable leaders like the Secretary to the State government (SSG) in the Lateef Jakande administration, Olorunfemi Bashiru; Kaoli Olusanyan; former SSG in Fashola’s adminiatration, Mrs Aderenle Ogunsanya among others to receive Ambode.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambode told the gathering that his bid to govern Lagos is borne out of his passion to take Lagos to the next level. He promised to implement the manifesto of the party for the welfare of Lagosians.

In his speech, Ogunleye said the leaders do not have any doubt on his capacity to rule Lagos and promised him their support. He urged the aspirant to carry the party leaders along in his programmes and policies.

At Alimosho Local government Area, which is the biggest local government in the state, High Chief Solomon Ogundola (Adinmula) led other leaders of the party to welcome the governorship aspirant. Ambode said he is not a stranger to Alimosho LGA having served for three years as the treasurer of the local government.

In his response, Ogunsola said the local government produces the chunk of votes which determines who becomes the governor of Lagos State. He said their support for Ambode can be seen in the fact that this is the first time any aspirant will be given a full complement of the leadership of the party in the local government.

At Badagry, former Head of Service, Sunny Ajose, led other notable leaders of the APC in the LGA to pledge their support for the governorship aspirant.

Ambode reminded the people of Badagry that he is familiar with the developmental needs of the LGA and would not shirk his responsibility to see that they receive due attention during his tenure as governor. He promised an all-inclusive governance where the less privileged and the rural communities will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

The current SSG, Dr. Aderanti Adebule, and former Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Rural Development, Hon. Paul Kalejaiye, among other leaders of the party in the LGA were on hand to pledge support for his aspiration. Ambode did not fail to reiterate the fact that Lagos needs a man who knows where the shoe pinches at this time to take it to the next level. He said he is the best man for the job having served in the civil service of Lagos for 27 years, most of which he spent criss-crossing almost all local governments of Lagos as either treasurer or Auditor General of Lagos State Local Governments.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, November 18, 2014

Politics 17

Protests trail PVCs’ distribution C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

across the 11 local governments where the exercise took place.

The challenges experienced by electorate included: Missing names from the register, duplication of names, inadequate materials, wrongly spelt identities and unverified thumb prints, among others.

Stripping the INEC of its usual impartiality acclamation, the former Lagos state governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, said the commission had colluded with the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the 2015 elections by intentionally disenfranchising millions of eligible voters.

Speaking at a press conference held at the APC secretariat in Lagos, Tinubu also queried the reduction of registered voters in Lagos to 4.8 million, describing the decision of the commission to deregister 1.447 million Lagosians from the voters’ register as fraudulent and illegal, adding that only the court of law has right to disqualify and not INEC. Also, Governor Babatunde Fashola did not spare a thought in a state-wide broadcast as he hit INEC over the shoddy handling of the PVC distribution, saying that the commission was being economical with the truth on why it decided to postpone distribution of PVC in nine local governments.

“If this is a foretaste of what we should expect in the general election, for me it is a bad start. It tastes awful,” the governor said.

With the scheduled dates winding up and many potential voters who were out to obtain their PVCs frustrated and stranded, the anxiety of being left out of the democratic process became heightened and the gloomy faces of obviously disappointed residents became obvious.

Regardless of the extra day shift of the PVC distribution, civil society groups took to the streets in protest and headed to the Lagos office of INEC, alleging that the electoral body was attempting to disenfranchise Lagos residents by allegedly hoarding the PVCs. Rigging plot in Ogun The distribution of the PVCs in Ogun State, last week, was mired in controversy. Despite the assurances of a hitch-free exercise by INEC, the planned PVC distribution to about 1.4 million people who registered in 2011 stoked unrest and discontent which had refused to die down.

While some concerned citizens have warned that it was capable of disenfranchising voters, politicians and political parties in the state have also raised the alarm that the shoddy distribution was designed to rig the 2015 elections.

The exercise was scheduled to hold between November 7 and 9 across the 3,210 polling units which make up the 236 wards in the state. Due to widespread complaints, the commission extended the distribution by one day; hence the exercise was rounded off on Monday November 10.

Though the state REC, Sam Olumekun, had said 639 polling units would not be able to access the PVCs due to incomplete data

there would be a major crisis in the state capital during elections if the situation is not redressed.

Delayed processes in Edo The exercise was carried out in all 192 wards in Edo State. But to the amazement of thousands of registered voters who trooped out to collect the INEC cards it was a mixed grill of tales for them. There were many observable lapses arising from late arrival of INEC officials at some of the collection centres. Most of the registered voters at the collection centres visited were seen waiting endlessly for the officials who later arrived for the distribution exercise at about 12noon as against 8a.m. when the process was expected to start. Also noted during the exercise in some of the centres and registration units were absence of security agents deployed to ensure a secure and peaceful process except in some areas where there were large Registered voters checking their names for the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards in Lagos.

crowd of people who turned out

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI to collect their cards. capture, the widespread comIn several areas, there were plaints about missing names in hitches due to lack of logistics. many local government areas New Telegraph’s visit to some and non-availability of electoral names, double registrations, lack wards in the seven local governofficials, among other logistics of logistics and an apparent poor ment areas of Edo South senatoeffort at voter education prior to rial zone showed that the exercise problems, provoked agitations. the PVC distribution exercise.

In Sagamu and Ifo areas of the was trailed by complaints by the Nearly every area in Imo State people most of whom frowned state, aggrieved residents took to the streets to protest against the had its tales of woe to narrate fol- at the delay by the officials. At PVC distribution. Governor Ibilowing what has been described unit 27, Uvbi Primary School on kunle Amosun, who monitored the by critics as “permanent voters First East Circular road Benin exercise, had to wade in to forestall Jega disenfranchisement exercise.”

City, there was near confusion as a breakdown of law and order.

Not even the polling booth at most of the people who arrived Amosun urged the protesters the Imo Government House was the venue did not see their names to be patient and resist the tempspared as no PVC distribution ex- on the pasted list of registered tation of taking laws into their ercise took place there. Officials voters. The development created hands. He described the handling who were sighted briefly at the disruptions of the process. Some of the distribution by INEC as unbooth could only offer the lame aggrieved individuals in the proacceptable. excuse that INEC was encum- cess removed the list of voters To address the situation, the bered by major logistic issues. pasted on the wall. governor stormed the INEC headAt Arugo Park, New Owerri It was discovered that their quarters in Abeokuta where he ward 2, there were no materials names were missing from the list held a meeting with the Nationas at 5p.m. on Saturday, November of eligible voters on display. They al Commissioner in charge of 8. Unit 001 at Aladinma ward, not were asked to fill forms and atPlateau State South-West, Prof. Lai Olurode, a single person collected the PVC tach their passport photographs, there. and the state’s REC. He laid bare making the entire process cumGovernment all the complaints of the people.

While the exercise held in bersome. Another eligible voter, needs to some areas of Mbaitoli council who pleaded for anonymity, said However, Olurode said there was no cause for alarm, stressing area, the complaint was that only INEC officials did not arrive at state strongly that INEC had no intention of disvery few people were eventually his ward until about 12 noon afthat the PVC enfranchising voters or sabotaging attended to due to the cumber- ter most of the voters had waited the forthcoming poll. He explained some nature of the process which eagerly for hours and left in anexercise in that the hitches were informed by in some cases took close to 15 min- noyance. the state multiple registration and incomutes to attend to just one person.

Besides, those in the riverine plete data, among others.

One MacDonald Oguh from area of Ovia North East and Ovia has not only “It is a national project and if Mbaitoli said that no distribution South West witnessed lapses in generated we fail, the image of the country of PVC took place at the World late commencement of the exeris going to plummet. We raised Bank Primary school polling sta- cise as both the officials and maanxiety, but tion. According to him, someone terials had to be ferried through the bar of election credibility in has created simply wrote on one of the chalk the water.

2011 and we are not going to do anything to rubbish it. The theoboards, “Come back tomorrow for doubts in ry of deliberate sabotage is nonyour PVC.” According to Oguh, Jang denied of voter’s card the people’s Despite the Plateau State Govexistent. People should not listen by 2p.m. the next day, nothing had to those who claim INEC wants started as there were no officials ernment’s declaration of a public minds on the to create sabotage. We have chalof INEC on ground to carry out holiday for the exercise to enable capacity of lenges but we are responding to the said distribution. residents obtain their PVCs, many The situation at Isiala Mbano residents across the state went to these challenges,” Olurode said. the electoral and Ohaji-Egbema council areas their various polling units, taking Shortly after Amosun’s combody to plaint and request for extension, were similar in the sense that numbers and waiting patiently INEC announced the extension of there was evident display of apa- for the officials to come for the deliver on this thy towards the exercise by indi- issuance of the voters’ cards but the PVC distribution by 24 hours. mandate While the dust is yet to settle genes and residents of these ar- many were disappointed as their on the PVC distribution, INEC eas, an issue that was also blamed units had no voter’s register and had kicked off its CVR which is on INEC for poor voter-education others couldn’t find their names on the list. expected to be concluded on Nocampaign. vember 17.

Another danger associated New Telegraph reliably gather to the failure of the exercise in that the Plateau State Governor Complaints galore in Imo Owerri, the Imo State capital Jonah Jang couldn’t get his PVC The PVC distribution exercise was that the bulk of Imo citizens as his own name was not on the live in Owerri and with the said list of those to be issued with the in Imo by far fell short of expectations. The exercise failed woefully nearly 70 per cent disenfranchiseCONTINUED ON PAGE 20 in Imo State with cases of missing ment of voters by the exercise,

18

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Ochei at Wadata Plaza: Matters arising Nkem Osu

I

f inanimate objects could speak, perhaps the Peoples Democratic Party Headquarters (Wadata Plaza), located along Michael Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja would have verbally acknowledged Thursday, November 6, 2104 as a symbolic day, as Rt Hon Victor Ochei, the youngest Fellow of The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Law graduate, a Harvard trained educationist and interestingly, a frontline Delta State gubernatorial aspirant submitted his nomination form.

This symbolism finds relevance in the pomp and pageantry which had a tinge of tumultuous symphony on the one hand and the unveiling of an articulately knitted blue print aimed at improving the lives of Deltans, once he (Ochei) mounts the saddle of leadership of the state, come 2015 on the other.

There were few activities prior to his arrival at the plaza, but his presence was heralded by a flurry of movements, which created a sublime spectacle, ostensibly accentuated by the doubledecker picnic/sightseeing bus, garlanded with the imposing posters of Ochei, a display a staff of the secretariat dubbed innovative and progressive.

When he crossed the threshold of teeming supporters from the twenty-five local government councils in Delta state into the plaza with his towering frame, complemented by his delectable spouse Hanatu, who during the press interaction submitted thus, “my husband is a tested and trusted administrator”, there was no doubt that the man Ochei really demonstrated that politics and indeed governance are about the people.

The press, a motley of the electronic and print varieties, was handy and Ochei in his true ele-

ments did justice to inquiries pertaining to peculiarities of governance in Delta state from curious journalists.

Being the journalist’ delight, the press swooped on him firing on all cylinders on sundry issues considered tenuous but tangible to the instrumentation of governance, ranging from his expectations of the impending party primaries, to other issues relevant to pragmatic and prolific governance, the seeming unwieldy number of aspirants, and his reaction to the alleged imposition of a candidate by the governor.

On the alleged imposition of a candidate by Governor Uduaghan, he said “His Excellency Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has not told me that he is supporting any candidate. Even if he does, it is his constitutional latitude to do so. The fact remains that it will not stop other aspirants from going ahead with the realisation of their aspirations. I am not perturbed, as long as there is a level playing ground and don’t forget that power comes from God alone’’.

He was equanimous over the seeming unwieldy number of gubernatorial aspirants in the state, a development he described as a positive sign, that democracy is enjoying acceptability as the veritable platform on which progressive governance could be attained as practised in the comity of nations.

On the possibility of delegates being influenced, he implored them (delegates) to be guided in the choice of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer by producing a candidate who had demonstrated a desirable competence in cost-efficient, qualitative and quantitative service delivery, active and functional peace promotion and multi-dimensional inclusiveness, while carrying all stakeholders along.

Ochei has been constantly postured as a man of character, a trait that stemmed from his belief that

“a man is as good as his words”. This was amply confirmed in response to the poser of his reaction to the outcome of the party primaries, especially if the party adopted the consensus option. In his usual candour, Ochei acquiesced thus, ‘’in the nomination form that I have just submitted, there is a column where supremacy of the party as the final arbiter in this exercise is stated, and having completed and submitted the form, it implies that I will do the needful’’.

His continual commitment to the corporate existence of PDP and its electoral successes were succinctly captured in his response, ‘’the prime virtues of the PDP’s flag bearer should revolve around the ability to foster cohesion and potency within the party’’ In summarising his covenant with Deltans, Ochei in utmost humility recapped “it will be immodest of me to speak of my antecedents. ‘’My antecedent speaks for itself.I have come to provide my good people of Delta an invigorating leadership, one that will bridge the gap between the younger generation and the older one. A leadership that portends greater hope that Deltans will be proud of, that I can assure you by the grace of God. This is capable of realisation, because administratively and politically, I have been able to handle positions, I have been tested under pressure and I know what it means to govern’’ These are therefore clear pointers to the fact that indeed, Rt Hon Ochei is neither an accidental nor a reluctant aspirant, for he had articulated these noble key points as being germane to the central issue of delivering developmental governance to Deltans.

• Osu (nkemosu2009@gmail.com) sent this piece from Asaba

Towards achieving an HIV/AIDS-free generation Rasak Musbau

T

he early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic was characterized with fear, stigma, myth and denial. The disease was then seen as a death sentence. People living with HIV had to fight to be seen, or heard, or to be treated with basic compassion. Little was known about how to prevent and how to treat it. Today, that picture is transformed. The discourse is no more about the reality of AIDS; rather, the concern is about the best way to totally eradicate this dangerous disease. Awareness has soared; research has surged. Prevention, treatment and care are now saving millions of lives not only in the world’s richest countries but in some of the world‘s poorest countries as well.

The progress and success stories in some countries notwithstanding, HIV and AIDS have, and are still having, a widespread impact in many parts of the world especially in the sub-Saharan Africa. The main focus of fight against HIV globally today is now on how to achieve zero new infection with more emphasis on Prevention of Mother–To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT). In 2012, an estimated 1.5 million pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries were living with HIV. Over 70 per cent of these women are concentrated in 10 sub-Saharan African countries: Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Ethiopia and Zambia.

A country like Senegal has been particularly successful in managing its HIV epidemic and maintaining a low overall HIV prevalence among the general population.

Strong political leadership and early involvement in the epidemic, as well as leadership among religious leaders and conservative cultural norms around sexual practices have all been attributed to Senegal's success. The country has been able to keep HIV prevalence rates low through intensive screening of the national blood supply, the provision of HIV testing equipment and healthcare professionals, HIV education programmes as well as the promotion of condom use.

Due to failure of the South Africa’s government to respond quickly to their HIV epidemic at the outset, the country has the highest number of people living with HIV in Africa with 17.9 prevalence rate. In Nigeria, HIV prevalence is relatively low (3.1 percent). However, because of our large population (Nigeria is the most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa), this equates to around 3.4 million people living with HIV putting it only second behind South Africa in terms of absolute numbers.

Alarmingly, however, the latest report by the United Nations has shown that Nigeria has the highest number of children contracting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, in the world. United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) statistic in particular shows that in Nigeria, 10 per cent of all HIV infections are as a result of mother-to-child transmission. This is buttressed by records from the Ibadan meeting of the Society for Gynaecologists of Nigeria (SOGON), which confirmed that Nigeria accounts for 30 per cent of global gaps in Prevention of Mother –To- Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. In Nigeria, both at the national and states level, there are quality documents and structure to some extent to overturn stagnation in HIV/AIDS progress, no doubt. We have the National Health Sector Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan for HIV/AIDS 2010-2015 which in any ways

is best known to authors and those in the health sectors. What we need to do is to assess how to allocate what are currently limited treatment resources. Ultimately, the nation requires more money and resources and political will to take ownership of the effort to conquer the disease.

The donor agencies may not continue to assist us for life. There are also more fundamental barriers to overcome, particularly HIV-related stigma and discrimination, the issue of gender inequality and hostile health professionals. Women going for antenatal/delivery are not finding attitude of hospitals staff palatable not to talk of people living with HIV/AIDS. We know that early testing is preferable, but what can we do in a country where those who go for public services are often told to come back later? Removing such barriers would encourage more people to get tested and seek out treatment, reducing the burden of HIV across the nation. This is no short cut to breaking the barriers as without access to public services for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), which provides antiretroviral (ARV) to both mothers and babies to prevent HIV infection, HIV free generation might be a pipe-dream.

One major snag is the problem of insecurity as it could dampen effort to achieve HIV free generation. Polygamous relationship, as well as multiple partners has been highlighted as key drivers of HIV transmission. One can’t imagine how many of our Chibok girls and displaced people from Boko Haram occupied and controlled communities are in danger of contracting HIV/ AIDS. Displacement as a result of conflict is a factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. In term of prevalence rate, Benue state has the highest percent of 10.6 followed by Nasarawa which has 10.0 percent while Ekiti and Osun states have the lowest at 1.0 and 1.2 percent respectively. Lagos state has

prevalence rate of 5.1 percent. The state is one of the 12 states, which accounts for 70 per cent of the Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV burden in Nigeria.

As with other affairs of the state, the Lagos state government is working towards achieving an HIV free generation with an uncommon passion. One of the strategies being used is improving access to HIV/ AIDS services. This the government is doing with assistance of development partners (UNICEF, Clinton Foundation, CIDA/ WHO) and implementing partners (FHI/ GHAIN, IHVN, ALCO, and AFRICARE).

Lagos State law for the protection of Persons Living With HIV and AIDS , PLWHA, was signed into law in 2007 and to ensure its full implementation, a mechanism whereby PLWHA (People living with HIV and AIDS) who have had their rights infringed upon can seek legal advice at no cost, was set up. This is in line with the views of Justice Michael Kirby of the High Court of Australia, when he said: ‘Paradoxically enough, the only way in which we can deal effectively with the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS is by respecting and protecting the rights of those already exposed to it and those most at risk’. How apt!

It is, therefore, obvious that one of the fundamental pillars of getting to zero would be to ensure increased uptake of PMTCT services. This is already being done at the 29 PMTCT sites located in secondary and tertiary institutions across the state. Thus, Lagos state is on track towards achieving an HIV free generation with positive result.

Its strategy of using the Governor’s wife as the face of PMTCT is yielding judging from passion with which the woman has been going about mobilizing women in the state on accessing HCT and health facilities for maternal and child care generally.

• Musbau is of the Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

19

EDITORIAL

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

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

Sanctity of Truth

Our MISSION To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

The unending menace of Boko Haram

T

here is no doubting the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan is facing immense pressure to urgently find a lasting solution to the menace of Boko Haram insurgents. The reason being that the impact of the group is continuously eating deep into the country’s social fibre, with many victims and their families never able to catch up or regain the extent of damage or losses. There have been various strategies employed by the government to ensure that it guarantees the provision of its most fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizenry from the unprecedented terror that has taken over some Northern parts of the country, the North-East being the worst hit. The insurgency by the Boko Haram terrorist sect has definitely reached a level where the Federal Government would need to re-strategise to dislodge the terror group, which has unleashed mayhem on the country for years now.

All the billions of dollars that have been sunk into the war on terror in Nigeria, amounts to nothing as the terrorists, virtually on a daily basis, inflict gruesome, pogrom and anarchy on the polity. What makes the situation more frightening and sickening, is that the Nigerian Army seems

to be losing grip on the counter insurgency and the insurgents, from all available indications and records, are obviously having the upper hand. The territorial integrity of the country has been assaulted, compromised and severally violated without commensurate response from the government. We said it in about four earlier editorials, and we are repeating for the sake of emphasis that, the government has abdicated its constitutional mandate of protecting the country and her citizens and it is unfortunately preoccupied with the 2015 general elections. But the government has a duty to confront the Boko Haram head-on and bring the whole tragic occurrences to an end as soon as possible.

It is on record that Boko Haram is the second Islamic group to declare a republic within a republic. The ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria by the Western media, had in June declared some territories under its control a caliphate. In its self-proclaimed status as a caliphate, ISIS claims religious authority over all Muslims across the world and aspires to bring much of the Muslim-inhabited regions of the world under its direct political control. The terror group is believed to be the richest jihadist group in the world with assets worth $2 billion. Hence, the government has a duty to flush

out the Boko Haram insurgents from the country timeously, as delay is not only dangerous but could even grind the country to an abrupt halt.

It must also be pointed out that, blunders of the warfare have remained the Federal Government’s stock in trade since the insurgency became more disastrous and pronounced in 2009. The latest of such blunders was the recent declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by the Chief of Defence Staff without any convincing and concrete evidence of ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram terror group. The government, therefore, folded its arms as the terrorists waged relentless war on the country capturing towns and villages, hoisting their flags and giving them new names and identities.

At the moment, several local governments have been captured and occupied, those that have the means have evacuated their families, while there are several internally displaced people within and outside the country. Nigerians are greatly worried and disturbed, as there is so much uncertainty in the air. It is important to point out that since the end of the civil war, Nigeria has not been confronted with this type of scenario and to make matter worse, there seems to be no light in sight or at the end of the tunnel.

Truth may be bitter, but the

situation in the country has reached a boiling point where this raging issue must be laid bare in the glare of the global community. The Nigerian government must take responsibility for the failure of the counter insurgency so far.

Day in, day out, people are killed like rats and chickens, yet government has the temerity to keep passing the buck and exonerating itself from the whole shebang.

Nigerians are tired of excessive bloodletting and daily massacres.

It is sad to note that the government is completely rattled and confused, this is evidently shown in its uncoordinated counter insurgency operations and media briefings. However, it is not too late for government to admit its failures and swiftly make amends. It is very apparent that there was no ceasefire in the first place, hence, the war on Boko Haram must be total. The president should address the nation to calm frayed nerves and demonstrate statesmanship by saying from now on, he would directly be in charge of the war against terror.

In addition to this, anybody, no matter how highly placed, that is directly or indirectly linked to Boko Haram, must be arrested and summarily charged to court, and if found guilty, should be given life imprisonment. Nigeria cannot afford to fold its arms when the population is being depleted on a daily basis.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief n Eric Osagie Deputy Managing Directors n Gabriel Akinadewo

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Daily n Yemi Ajayi

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editors, Daily n Emeka Obasi, Ayodele Ojo

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi

News Editor n Geoffrey Ekenna

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

Ag. Sales/Circulation Manager n Uchey Okezie

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

20

Politics

TUESDAY, November 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Guber race: Tarabans not at war Aaron Artimas, a Special Assistant on Media to the Acting Governor of Taraba State, dissects the new campaign trend of the immediate past Minister of State for Niger Delta, Arch.

Darius Ishaku

A

s the countdown towards the 2015 elections continues, the presumed consensus gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State southern political zone, Arch. Darius Ishaku, is beginning to fancy himself as a formidable challenge to the office of governor in the state.

He has been speaking on some salient issues affecting our dear state, but so far his comments have exposed him as not only naïve but also highly limited in the knowledge of the state he is craving to govern.

A case in point is his recent comments at a dinner organised in his honour by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where he has resigned to contest the Taraba PDP governorship ticket. Ishaku declared that the Southern Taraba crises will end as soon as he becomes governor of Taraba State.

He also warned of an impending “Boko Haram takeover of Wukari if care is not taken”.

Not a few Tarabans or indeed Nigerians may have been dazed by this unfortunate assertion. Could it then mean that Ishaku all along had full knowledge of the crises in the Southern zone? Could he or his group had plotted or instigated the crises as a way of blackmailing the government to gain political currency or dividends from the blood and misery of the people?

If indeed Ishaku has solutions to the crises, must he wait until he becomes governor before offering his suggestions to the government? Is the fight in Wukari linked to his governorship? How many

Ishaku

more people does Ishaku want killed before he volunteers this fantastic solution to the government? While Nigerians are battling with the horror and agony occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency, Ishaku has the luxury and impenitence of evoking Boko Haram on Wukari and its environs just to send a political message.

Ishaku’s political outburst clearly demonstrates the poverty of purpose by the people who want to forcibly take over governance of Taraba State. The former minister had a very fantastic forum or platform to tell his distinguished audience what he had in store for his young state, instead he chose the infamous path of discrediting and dismissing his state as a trouble prone area. At that forum, he should have talked of attracting investors and project partners to his state. The greatest irony is that the Ministry of Niger Delta was established to tackle the problems of violence and militancy in that region and as such, political and social crises is not exclusive

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

PVCs. He is to partake in another fresh registration by INEC Investigations also revealed that most people in Jos North Local Government Area including Jos South were not able to get their cards and they will have to register again.

Governor Jang expressed dismay with the conduct of the distribution of PVCs in the state. He accused INEC of a calculated plan to disenfranchise the good people of Plateau State.

Jang in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. James Mannok, said he observed the high number of what INEC termed zero units across the state.

“Plateau State Government needs to state strongly that the PVC exercise in the state has not only generated anxiety but has created doubts in the people’s minds on the capacity of the electoral body to deliver on this mandate. We call on INEC to rise up to the challenge, and deploy all machinery to strengthen the growth of our democracy especially at this critical time,” he said.

Taraba State has many challenges of development and insecurity is only one of them. The crises have only persisted to the extent that some politicians are looking at it as a lifeline to political survival or relevance

to our dear state. Even, as Ishaku is leaving the ministry, the region is still bedevilled with all forms of social crises. It was a wrong audience to address if one is talking about peace.

Before coming up with this bizarre campaign message, Ishaku and his group had relied on an irritating plethora of short cuts to hand over the governorship ticket to him without any contest. After an endless dropping of influential names failed woefully to break the ice, the group engaged itself in a farrago of lies and propaganda against the government. Next, the group resorted to a cynical and whimsical campaign about power shift; thus moralising the whole election process in Taraba State.

Ishaku and his group never ever wanted to go through the election process to attain power. It is like asking the referee to expel the goalkeeper and defenders in an opposing football team before they can play. Otherwise, why would they insist on denying the Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, his right to buy nomination forms?

When this failed, they resorted to discrediting the ward congresses that gave overwhelming support to the Acting Governor, even when the ward and delegates congress election’s committees had described the election as “free, fair and transparent.” The outcome of the ward congresses now lays bare the fear of the so-called cabal of going through the election process. Not only have they failed to emerge as delegates in their respective wards, but also failed to influence others to emerge.

Now faced with the hard choice or reality of canvassing for the support of Tarabans, Ishaku seems to have started the process on a completely wrong footing.

How can one continuously harp on insecurity and discredit the image of his state on the pretext that he possesses the magic wand to end the crises? Taraba State has many challenges of development and insecurity is only one of them.

The crises have only persisted to the extent that some politicians are looking at it as a lifeline to political survival or relevance. Besides, you

No PVC for Jang Postponement in Nasarawa, peaceful conduct in Benue In Nasarawa, INEC suspended the distribution due to logistic problems.

The exercise will now hold between November 28 and 30.

The rescheduled issuance of the PVCs to eligible voters which commenced last Tuesday in Benue State was marred by the low turnout of eligible voters across the state.

New Telegraph gathered in some local government areas including Vandeikya, Gboko, Tarka, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Gwer West and Makurdi that eligible voters most of who did not obtain their PVCs during the last exercise held in June were busy carrying out farming activities while few went out to collect their cards.

At Agan, Fiidi, Ankpa-Wadata, North Bank 1&2, Wailomayo, Market Clerk and Makurdi Central wards, New Tele-

graph observed that officials of INEC were on ground to attend to prospective voters, while few eligible voters were seen hanging around to collect their voters’ cards.

Some residents of Fiidi council ward including Mercy Ajons, James Iorngirim and John Gbera amongst others, expressed happiness that they obtained their PVCs, saying they will use it to vote candidates of their choice.

When contacted, the Head of Voters Education and Publicity, Mr. Godwin Abari, said eligible voters who had registered but could not collect their cards when the exercise commenced in June this year could visit the designated registration centres across the state to collect their voters’ cards.

INEC speaks Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu, in a statement said “contrary to allegations in

don’t solve a problem by turning the other party in the conflict to villains or branding them as Boko Haram, when there are no visible evidence to support such claims.

How does Ishaku intend to stop the crises when his statement is steeped and loaded with an insidious vile of bias and partiality. Taraba needs an impartial or dispassionate leader and not a man so fixated about violence in the South, he has already decided where he stands as well as apportioning blames. Taraba has been generally free of the Boko Haram menace and it is completely impolitic or imprudent to imagine it for our dear state. It was never the wish of the three affected states to go through the nightmarish experience of this problem and as such, the threat of Boko Haram should not be gleefully used as campaign material.

Perhaps, as a stranger to Taraba State, Ishaku will need to know that apart from Wukari, Ibbi, Gassol and Bali, the rest of the state has been generally peaceful in the last two years. Peace has returned to the mentioned local government except some sporadic incidents of violence usually influenced by criminal tendencies. The new voters’ cards have been successfully distributed in all local government areas while the ward congresses were peaceful throughout the state.

What more evidence of a peaceful state is better than this? Contrary to his own notion of insecurity, the Kaduna-based Architect will freely move round the state and sell his programmes to the electorate.

Tarabans are eager to know what the various aspirants have to offer and not the dreary and irritating story of violence. They have a duty to focus more on encouraging our people to live peacefully instead of lining behind religion and ethnic sentiments to advance personal and political interest.

Ishaku should move away from the toga of pressure group aspirant to a man who truly has an agenda for the state. So far, we have not heard, why he wants to govern the state beyond his well known image of a cabal anointed regional aspirant.

some quarters, no duly registered person has been delisted from the Register of Voters; neither will any be denied his/her PVC. “This reassurance is against the backdrop of temporary challenges that have been experienced in the third phase of the distribution of PVCs in some states, which the commission has been making vigorous efforts to remediate.…

“The commission deferred the distribution of PVCs in four other states it had earlier listed for this third phase because the cards for those states have not been fully delivered by printers. It is partly for the same reason that the commission rescheduled the distribution of PVCs in limited areas of Lagos and Nasarawa states.

“The outstanding cards will, however, be certainly distributed in good time before the 2015 general election. They are presently being produced and have been scheduled for distribution under the fourth phase of the exercise from Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30, 2014.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Culture

Art

21

Abeokuta agog as Ake Arts and Book Festival begins

Vision of the Child on The Road to Sambisa

22

22

Arts Call for national Rebirth as Macmillan CULTURE

hosts 12th literary night Stories: Tony Okuyeme

“H

ow long will it take us to get it right? That is the question.

The art has a way of telling us what to do. We need to begin in our small corners to get it right to start a rebirth,” said Prof. Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo, shortly after the stage presentation of the play, ‘The Rebirth’ which was also the theme for 12th Macmillan Literary Night, held penultimate Thursday at the Agip Recital Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

For about one hour and half hours, the audience was taking through dramatic enactment of major epochs in Nigeria’s history – from amalgamation till present day – raising vital questions at different points in the presentation, as the search for A scene in The Rebirth peace, unity and development continues. This quest for a better Nigeria is no doubt central to the idea behind the Macmillan Literary Night, organised

by Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited.

The Rebirth, created by Ben Tomoloju, Ogochukwu Promise and Segun Adefila, is a trip into history. “Starring veteran actress, Taiwo Ajai-lycett as Priestess, Ihria Enakhimio as Poet, the setting of the play is Nigeria. According to the narrative, “from birth, the country Our theme on is crisis-ridden. It is beset with this occasion problems of betrayal between supposed kinsmen, political inis The Rebirth trigues among groups and indiis borne out of viduals and subtle or obvious xenophobia within the polity. a high sense These crises are resolved adhoc of national rather than enduring basis.

So, the fortunes of the country consciousness remain in a state of flux, a vicious cycle which compels the citizens to wonder from time to time, ‘What have we done

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

wrong?’

“The jinx that haunts this country is so overwhelming that it has to be crushed, completely extirpated and through a high level of perception embodied in the pragmatic vision of the Poet transformed to a new revitalizing ritual of rebirth.

This drama of ideas tells in an avant-garde, not too familiar style, a story that is all too familiar… and critical.”

Performed by the acclaimed Crown Troupe of Africa, The Rebirth, as Ezeigbo, a Prof. of English, University of Lagos, who was the Guest of Honour at the event, further noted, “this play has taken us through the history of Nigeria – all the pains, blunders… We have just watched literature entertain and educate us. I am really impressed. We have just watched a wonderful play.

Earlier, in his address, the Chairman, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited, Dr. Bode Emanuel Esq., explain the idea behind the choice of the theme for this year’s edition of the Literary Night, noting that the play The Rebirth will stimulate positive thinking and spur the citizenry towards re-invigorating and revitalizing our dear Nation.

“Our theme last year was ‘Fix It: The Nigerian Character’ which endeavoured to emphasise the importance of all citizens of our nation working together to make Nigeria truly great. Unfortunately,

we are yet to ‘fix’ anything up till now. Accordingly, our theme on this occasion is The Rebirth which is borne out of a high sense of national consciousness coupled with the uncompromising belief that the multifaceted obstacles hampering our development will give way

someday to the regeneration of positive values.

“Almost every Nigerian you speak to now is dissatisfied with the state of the Nation. People are angry. They blame each other for the malaise of our Nation.

Some are even of the opinion that the Lugard amalgamation of 1914 was a terrible mistake; that we should have been better off if there was no amalgamation.

With insurgency threateni9ng the unity and peace of the country, politicians heating up the polity, unbridled corruption, lingering poverty, growing unemployment and an overwhelmingly uncertain future, how can one pretend that all is well with Nigeria? Today, we are perceived as the ‘Giant of Africa’ not for any reason, because of the quality of our national institutions and values, but, simply by virtue of our large population and oil wealth.

In reality, the greatness of a nation has to be earned. This should not only be determined just by the size of its population or the abundance of its natural resources.

“Since we have not been able to ‘Fix It’, we should now focus our attention on The Rebirth of our great Nation,” he said.

A Place in the Stars’ premieres, shows in cinemas

A

fter a breadth-taking premiere at Landmark CentreVictoria Island, Lagos, A Place in the Stars’, a film directed by the internationally renowned film maker, Steve Gukas has started showing in cinemas across Nigeria.

The movie is produced by Native Filmworks Limited, one of Nigeria’s pioneer film & TV production companies.

A Place in the Stars features some of the best local and international actors, including Segun Arinze, Gideon EcheOkeke, Dejumo Lewis, Yemi Blaq, Femi Branch, Matilda Obaseki, Julian Mcdowell, Armajit Deu and Amaka Mgbor.

Set in 2006 Nigeria, A Place in the Stars tells the story of Kim Dakim (Gideon Okeke), a young lawyer with a case and

a client that leaves him professionally conflicted. Kim is in possession of information that could save lives, if he would only pass it on. Faced with the deathly consequences of crossing ‘industry’ kingpins, including the toughest of them all, Diokpa Okonkwo (Segun Arinze); and with millions to earn if he would only turn a blind eye, Kim battles conscience and professional responsibility as he determines which way to turn.

It is a riveting story of illicit drug trafficking, violence, turf wars and conscientious dilemma. ‘A Place in the Stars’ is an account of one man’s choice between conscience and the pull to get rich or die trying.

The movie opened in Nigerian cinemas on Saturday November 14, 2014.

22

Arts

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R Son of late human rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa -Jnr; Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr. Oluokun Soyinka; lead discussant, Dr Kayode Fayemi; human rights activist and lawyer, Ayo Obe; and the Executive Editor of The News, Mr Kunle Ajibade.

Abeokuta agog as Ake Arts and Book Festival begins Stories: Tony Okuyeme

A

beokuta will play host to writers from across the world as the 2nd edition of the Ake Arts and Book Festival holds in the Ogun State capital. The festival which is on the theme ‘Bridges and Pathways’, begins today and will run till Sunday. It will bring together an array of writers, intellectuals among others.

Organised by Lola Shoneyin’s Book Buzz Foundation the festival features panel discussions, book chats, school tours by writers, exhibitions, film screenings and music amongst others.

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi are among dignitaries expected to participate in the festival. Others include Lizzy Attree, Siphiwo Mahala, Olufemi Terry, Binyavanga Wainaina, Ayo Sogunro, Bernadine Evaristo, John Stewart, Jude Dibia and Kola Tunbosun.

Scheduled to take place today till tomorrow are workshops and master classes on documentary making and science fiction and visits to schools by writers.

Two photo exhibitions, Victor

Ehikhamenor’s ‘In the Lion’s Lair’ and Vera Botterbusch’s ‘Views and Secrets vom Abeokuta an Isara’ will also run till Thursday. Kunle Afolayan’s latest film, ‘October 1’ will be screened for students today while Tunde Kelani’s ‘Yeepa! Solarin Mbo’ will premiere also today.

The intellectual aspect of the festival will start on Thursday with a panel discussion titled ‘Mutation and Mutilation: Feminism in Africa’. It will feature Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Zukiswa Wanner, Iheoma Obibi, Ukamaka Olisakwe, Nomboniso Gasa, Ayisha Osori and Edwige-Renee DRO. Molara Wood will moderate the

The festival features panel discussions, book chats, school tours by writers, exhibitions, film screenings and music

session which will be followed by another titled ‘A Serpent’s Tongue: New Trends in Francophone Literature’. The three writers on the panel to be moderated by Pierre Cherruau are Florent Couao-Zotti, Marcus Boni-Teiga and Edwige-Renee DRO. Four writers, Nike Campbell Fatoki, Okey Ndibe, Yejide Kilanko and Ghana’s Ama Ata Aidoo, will discuss their books with guests the same day.

An industry session where ‘What are Publishers Looking for in African Fiction’ will hold later that afternoon while Ayodele Olofintuade, Uche Peter Umez, Jekwu Ozoemene, Wale Okediran and Nnedi Okorafor will discuss ‘Literature for Africa’s Children’ thereafter. Beverley Nsengiyunya’s ‘A Thosuand Voices Rising’ will also be presented that same day with a contemporary dance session featuring Qudus Onikeku, Ese Brume, Charles Ambiard and Isaac Lartey rounding off activities for the day.

Four panel discussions, book chats with former president Obasanjo, Bernadine Evaristo, Barnaby Phillips and Zukiswa Wanner will happen on Friday when kelechi Njoku and Paul Ugbede’s ‘Writivism’ will also be launched. The musical play, ‘Call Mr Robeson’ by Tayo Aluko and Tunde Sosan will end the day.

The oily affairs of the Niger Delta will be on focus on Saturday when Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, environmentalist and writer, Nnimmo Bassey, journalist and author, Michael Peel and writer Kaine Agary discuss ‘Poisonous Gas: The Crude Politics of Oil in Africa’. Ayodele Morocco Clarke will moderate the session.

Five other panel discussions including ‘Diversity in Africa Event Room for All: Celebrating Otherness in Modern Africa’ featuring Binyavanga Wainaina, Ayo Sogunro, Bryony Rheam, Jude Dibia, Clifton Gachagua, Bernadine Evaristo and John Stewart will also take place the same day. Writer and managing director of Kachifo Books, Eghosa Imasuen, will moderate the session.

Nigeria Breweries, Access Bank, the French Embassy, German Consulate, British Council, Goethe Institut, Annoying Logo and Ogun State are among sponsors of this year’s festival where students from selected universities will be given tokens worth N20, 000 to buy books.

LBHF: Vision of the Child explores The Road to Sambisa

R

egistration for the 2015 edition of “Vision of the Child”, a component of the yearly Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF) that focuses on the individual vision and artistic inclinations of children in Lagos State, has commenced.

It is on the theme The Road to Sambisa Announcing this at a press conference held at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, the Commissioner for Tourism and InterGovernmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway who also represented the LBHF Consultant, Prof. Wole Soyinka, said the 2015 edition continues the innovation that was introduced in 2014, as an interactive test to stretch youthful imagination and skills across genres. Instead of the uni-disciplinary interpretation of the given theme, participants will express their vision in two creative media: Painting and the Literary Arts – poetry, prose, fiction, or essay.

The journey, he stated, begins with the latter section - a poem, essay or short story of fixed length - on the chosen theme, and that those who scale through this stage will then be

invited to Freedom Park, provided with brush, paint and easel and set to illustrate their literary presentation in the complementary medium of - Painting. According to him, as a further incentive, unlike 2014 where the prize is awarded on the aggregate of the two creative media, there will be three prizes in all – one in Painting, another in its sister art, the literary, while the prime prize will go to the combined product of the pupil’s dexterity – Painting and Literature.

“Learning from the 2014 edition, we have given increased recognition to the fact that very few individuals are endowed with a duality or more of creative skills, and it seemed a pity not to recognise youthful talent that is not stretched beyond one.

The mission of the mini Artistic Decathlon – perhaps more accurately called ‘Decathlon’ - is to uncover and promote talent wherever it is lodged. In a few years – who knows, perhaps the very next edition! - LBHF will be able to thrill viewers and readers with an authentic Decathlon, comprising at least ten branches of the visual, performing arts and even environmental designs.

Learning from the 2014 edition, we have given increased recognition to the fact that very few individuals are endowed with a duality or more of creative skills

Some of the participants at the 2014 edition of Vision of a Child Painting Competition

At the moment, material resources restrict us to the present but expanding ‘mini’ editions, testing combinations among the disciplines. Within the present limitations however, the Festival envisages an even more intensive contest, with a creative repertory whose menu will change from edition to edition - but all that is in the future.

“For now, LBHF invites parents, schools and their teachers to the 2015 edition. Prizes will be donated and presented – as usual - by Diamond Bank! Winning entries will be mounted for viewing at the Gala event to mark the conclusion of the Festival. The 2015 theme is The Road to Sambisa.

Registration which opened on Thursday November 13, closes on the 19th of December, 2014; while screening of entrants begins on the 12th of January 2015.

Explaining further on the programme, the Festival secretary, Ms. Foluke Michael said the competition is open to primary and secondary (public and private) schools in Lagos State, adding that LBHF is reaching out to minimum of 1500 primary and secondary (public and private) schools within the six educational districts of Lagos State.

“The Badagry Local Government Arera under the leadership of Hon. Husitode Moses Dosu is sponsoring 100 kids within the local government area for the competition,” she said.

The Vision of the Child competition is sponsored by Diamond Bank with the support of Lagos State government.

Inspired by the spirit of convergence for which Lagos remains preeminent, the Lagos Black Heritage Festival celebrates African creativity within a carnivalesque of traditional and contemporary dance, music, painting and photo exposition, drama, design and fashion display, an international symposium, film and video fiesta and other artistic and intellectual offerings, both inter-state and international.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Mom&Parenting

23

When that fleeting thought is all you need A popular adage says: "Never underestimate the power of a woman’s instinct: it is her secret weapon". How else would one describe a woman’s instinct? It is sharp, concise and based on the spur of the moment. It is as sharp as a needle. Call it nature or innate of their being, a woman’s instinct is a reflex that cannot be toyed with. It is her survival sense.

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI writes.

Wondering? Instinct telling her something

I

t is her God-given power and foresight. Simply put, it is their mind’s eye or vision. To some, it is advantageous, while it is destructive for some.

Tony Obasi, a writer, would never forget the day his wife’s instinct almost ruined their union of 14 years. He went to Brazil for a conference and thought of playing a fast one, typical of men particularly African men. Somehow, the lady he had a fling with fell deeply in love with

Team Oluwatosin Omoniyi lCoordinator

Grace Essen

lContributor

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

him and thought of a unique way to express it so that it would be an indelible memory for the lover man. She snapped herself, nakedly with the man’s phone.

That way, she believed, she is ever present with the man. The lover man was happy with it and tucked it somewhere inside his phone that no other person (he believed) except a phone technician would be able to access.

Well, the cat was let out of the bag almost immediately on arrival. As he was settling down for a sumptuous meal prepared by his wife the very day he arrived Nigeria, playfully, his wife took his phone. “Darling, I trust you took wonderful pictures of interesting places at the conference venue. Let me see what Brazil looks like,” his wife said. Alas!

After fiddling with the phone for about 10 seconds, his wife ran into the ‘indelible memory naked pictures!’ Call it telepathy or instinct; she caught him right on spot and it took the intervention of church elders and some family members to save the situation.

Similarly, Itunu Ademigoke, an Ondo

PHOTO: www.vivacity.com

based business man and assistant pastor of his church’s parish, had a ‘wonderful’ trip to and fro Lagos. On arrival too, as the wife was unpacking his luggage, the first thing she picked was where the packet of condom was kept. As if she kept it there, she went straight to the side of the purse and brought out her hand.

Lo and behold, it was a used packet of condom. What followed was tirade of defense from the husband.

“As for me, my instinct has always guided me. It has never failed me for once. It is mostly useful regarding my children,” Sunmisola Agbede, a civil servant in Lagos said. She narrated an example where her teenage daughter was preparing to go to school. Ordinarily, she wouldn’t have bothered because she goes and comes back with school bus.

But more out of her instinct, she gave her daughter a pepper spray she bought the previous day and for the first time, taught her sex education and how to prevent unwanted sex. She added that she instructed her daughter to always keep the pepper spray inside her school

bag. “My goodness, that was the same day, devil struck; for the school bus driver is the very devil. He made an attempt to rape my daughter!” she said. She explained that the man told her daughter he had to drop every other child before her because the road to her house was traffic heavy. He did that more because of the ulterior motive up his sleeves, according to her. After dropping off every other child, he drove to a corner that was less frequented by passers-by and tried to molest her. “Luckily, the pepper spray was with my daughter. She stylishly made for it in her bag and sprayed it mercilessly into the man’s eyes. Then, she started shouting for help inside the locked bus.

She was lucky to attract two passers-by, who forced the door open,” she said.

For Amarachi Ikedua, her instinct saved her children from death. “I don’t know what came over me. I just took excuse from my boss that I have to rush home that day. My boss disagreed but I took off that day damming the consequence. It was as if I knew something was wrong but I couldn’t place my fingers on it. Something in me was terribly disturbed and shaken. I didn’t know it but all that kept running in my head was go home,” she said. Even inside the one hour traffic to Ikorodu, she was driving like a mad woman. On getting home, the answer to her agitation was right before her face. Her 10-year old asthmatic son was writhing on the floor, gasping for breath and his twin sister was also lying almost lifeless on the floor of the sitting room. The girl, she said, was shocked by a naked wire near the fan’s switch by the wall while rushing about the house looking for inhaler for her twin brother. “I did not know how I gathered the strength but with the help of neighbours, I managed my children to the hospital. I am happy because I didn’t lose them but I learnt a bitter lesson from the incident,” she said.

Well, Ikedua not only learnt a lesson, she also gave up her job to nurture her children to maturity.

Ibidun Ayilara was also saved from an agony through her instinct. She said her son was hale and hearty as at the evening when she got home. She played with him and did his home work together before he went into bed. Instinctively at night, she got up to go straight to the boy’s room.

She was shocked to find her son convulsing. “The temperature was extremely high that I was thrown off balance as to what to do immediately. Luckily, there was a hospital opposite my house. My husband and I rushed him there that midnight. I thank God he is well now,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

Mom&Parenting

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ways to boost your child's confidence

N

o parent wants to see her child suffer from low self-esteem, but unfortunately we can't always get what we want.

Too many children today are lacking in the confidence department, and as parents, it's our job to fill that void. So whether you have a son or daughter, toddler or teen, here are some helpful ways to raise your child's confidence (and keep it high).

Acknowledge Their Feelings: If your child comes to you with a self-esteem issue, it is important to hear why he is feeling down in the dumps.

This will help you identify the underlying problem and offer

an effective solution.

Identify Inaccurate Beliefs: We tend to be our own worst critics, and that's especially true of children. But when they can't meet the impossible (and sometimes irrational) standards they set, it takes a toll on their confidence. By offering an objective and more optimistic view on the situation, you can quickly turn their thoughts around. For example, if your child constantly says he is bad at math and a horrible student, try telling him that he is a good student who simply needs to spend a little more time on one particular subject.

Avoid Comparisons: Nothing makes a child feel worse than hearing she isn't as good as a

sibling. By eliminating comparisons, you manage to maximize her self-esteem and minimize sibling rivalry.

Build a Positive Home: They say charity begins at home, but so does confidence. By making a few changes, you can create a safe space that boosts your child's self-esteem and (hopefully) teaches her to help others who may be down on themselves.

Praise Them Around Other Adults: When we compliment our kids, it often goes in one ear and out the other. Yet when we tell a relative or family friend about our child's achievements, our kids are more receptive to the praise.

Woman's ‘secret power'

Instinct and affection between mother and child CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 23

she said.

For Caroline Obaseki, a single mother of one, she became a single-mother by not respecting her instinct when she wanted to marry.

“Honestly, if I had respected my instinct, I wouldn’t have been in this mess of my life,” she said, adding that, “a woman’s instinct is her directive and her vision. A complete and a sane minded woman would not dare toy with it. As women, we don’t need to visit pastors for direction. All we need do is look inward, listen to our instinct and be discerning.” Obaseki explained that she had a strong feeling not to continue with the relationship at the initial stage but she didn’t listen because she was infatuated, thinking it was love. A month to the wedding, the feeling came back again, this time strongly, “I told myself that won’t it be better to remain single and be happy than getting into the bondage of marriage,” she said. But thinking of the culture and the value of African society, she went straight into the marriage and barely six months into it, she couldn’t just cope. She and her husband discovered that they were not compatible, hence went their separate ways.

The question is, do culture and society play a role or negate the value of a woman’s instinct in Africa?

Yes, of course. According to an Abuja based psycholo-

gist, who pleaded anonymity, a woman’s instinct in Africa, no matter how great, can never be harnessed. “It is rather suppressed, exploited and buried.

But in the western world, it is mostly relied upon and well harnessed. They encourage a woman’s instinct mostly over there,” he said. He added that a woman overseas is free to follow her instinct of staying single and the society would not frown upon it, “but that is based on the culture, values and norms of the western world,” he said. He explained that a woman’s instinct differs. A full time house-wife’s instinct differs to that of a career woman. A career woman’s instinct for instance, he said, is always screaming “Independence and progress” while that of a house-wife says “security and comfort.”

Folashade Adebanjo, an Ibadan based education consultant, said a woman’s instinct is her virtue, which helps her protect her territory. “It is an added value to her. Our instinct is very sharp because it is our God-given responsibility to care for others. As such, our senses operate on a higher plane than men,” she said. “For the more spiritual among us, we might even say our instinct is more in tune with God’s that we can perceive things we haven’t seen or had cause to suspect,” she added.

According to Dr. Judith Orloff, a medical doctor and assistant clinical professor of

PHOTO: WWW.INCULTUREPARENT.COM

psychiatry at the University of California Los Angeles, an intuition expert, “Intuition is just another form of intelligence. It’s knowledge that comes through gut feelings and hunches, which she sees as being just as valid and important as those that come through the mind. “Our western culture is over-intellectualised. So, everything is in the head,” says the “Guide to Intuitive Healing” author. “You have to prove something with a double-blind study or else it isn’t true.”

Orloff noted that mothers, in particular, are well versed in intuition. “Some mothers feel their child is sick from 3,000 miles away.” She added that the reverse is true, with children being very intuitive, as they’ve not yet learned to rely on linear intellect alone. “Especially when you love someone, your intuition skyrockets. It’s a survival instinct.”

There are ways for anyone to tap into his or her intuitive skills, she says, and it starts with taking a few breaths to quieten your mind. Then, Orloff advises, “Listen to your gut and ask yourself a question, such as, ‘Should I take this job?’ Do you get a feeling of queasiness, a knot in your stomach? Or do you get a sense o, this would be great for me?”

The answer, she says, happens so quickly that it’s more of a “transmission.” But that flash of knowledge, she believes, “is the key to happiness.” “It could also, apparently, be the way to save a life,” she added.

MOM’S ALERT with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

What a working mom needs to succeed (2)

T

aking a look at the working mom and what she needs to succeed at both aspects of her job – at home, and outside the home, and base upon a popular saying: “Behind every successful man, is a woman,” I arrived at the idea that she needs a woman too to succeed, which she can find in her man when she drops ‘wo.’ And what if she doesn’t have a husband or a partner?

Basically what we are looking at are the essentials a working mom requires for success, the intangibles, such as support, encouragement, motivation, and all of that.

For a working mom who has no husband or partner, and even for the woman who for whatever reasons is not able get these intangible essentials from her partner, she doesn’t have to feel left out and neither will she have to go far to get them. At times, we may not really get all that we need to succeed in our jobs from a single person, so I think the first thing she needs is an open mind.

She has to take a good look at the people around her - family, friends, colleagues and so on, she will find one or two of them who can give her the support and encouragement she needs, then she has to take a step further to ask. The kind of support she will get from family and that which she will get from friends will differ in many ways, but they will bring different perspectives that will impact her work positively and enrich her life as well. People are usually very willing to help and support others, but we sometimes give the impression that we have it ‘well put together’ and not in need of any help whatsoever, when we actually do.

There are support and networking groups targeted at working mothers available today, some are online while others are in-person. People we do not know from anywhere can actually help us sort out issues before us, just like a candid opinion or advice from a neutral person who has had a similar experience, or who is a professional might be more helpful at certain situations than those of people we know personally. You would also agree that we all can learn from other people’s experiences, so mom- focused groups and forums are quite helpful for the working mom. Not all of her essential needs will have to come from others; a work-

ing mom will also have to give some to herself: She has to give herself a treat often to reward herself for small milestones, a pedicure, a cup cake, a movie or just to soak in a hot bath tub – it doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it makes her happy.

She needs exercise - whether it’s a 20 minute walk near her house, weekly sessions with a trainer, or a quick work out following an instructor on a VCD, she needs to put it into her schedule to help her feel better and deal with stress more easily, not to mention fitting into those pre-baby jeans.

A sense of humour even when all she has right in front of her demands seriousness, she has to permit herself to make light of a few things, and laugh at herself when she makes a goof at some others. It’s all part of life. She must keep what I call ‘a personal survival kit’ packed with stuffs that can get her through those very long days.

She will need plenty supplies of personal motivation, positive affirmations, a reminder of personal achievements or milestones, kind personal notes or cards from loved ones, like the ones our kids make for us on Mothers Day or Valentine with a note that says, “I love you mommy” etc. It’s amazing how these little stuffs can keep us going when we are bruised by life challenges and are down flat on our backs … little affirmations here to remind herself she can make it, some motivational words there to get herself back on her feet.

What better intangible essential can a working mom ever have than the unseen yet most powerful - the Almighty, from whom infinite wisdom, strength, direction, ideas flow.

He is called ‘A present help in time of need,’ that is to say no one can do without Him, and not even a working mom. All she needs is to keep her communication line with her God open, even when it is seemingly difficult to find the time to communicate with Him. You would agree that a working mom is really better off with variety in her life (whether she has a partner or not), some times when she is stressed out, it is even safer to vent to another mom than to vent to her family or even her husband!

So any working mom with limited time (and often limited patience) can use this list of essentials to help make juggling work at home and outside the home just a little easier and more enjoyable.

• Grace Essen is the founder and president Mum To Mum Support Initiative.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

25

26

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Property

Energy

27

Aviation

No respite for Nigeria’s 2015 budget yet –IEA

Inagbe Grand Resort ready in 2015 – Developers

Point-to-point model: Bane of Nigerian airlines

29

34

37

Business What's news

Airlines seek licenses to import aviation fuel Nigerian airlines and their international counterparts are under intense pressure to cut airfares occasioned by reduction in the price of oil.

Presidency, minister pry in regulations, says DPR Director PREVARICATED Delay in bid round for new marginal field keeps N2.5trn investments in limbo

Avuru.

Meanwhile, findings show that the identity of the block for sale in the new marginal field, which was announced in November 2013, is yet to be made known.

The promise by the Minis-

ter of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison- Madueke, to complete the oil blocks allocation in February 2014 remained unfulfilled, one year after the deadline.

A timetable for the oil blocks’ allocation given by the

minister showed that the DPR was expected to make the identity of the oil blocks known by February 2014.

Acting spokesperson for DPR, Paul Osu, however, promCONTINUED ON PAGE 28

p.28

Adeola Yusuf

Unsolicited SMS: 80% Nigerians annoyed, says survey A new survey conducted on Nigeria and South African consumers’ perceptions of mobile marketing has revealed that 80 per cent of respondents, representative of subscriber base in the two countries,

p.28

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

V

iolators of regulations in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry get intercession from the presidency and minister, Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), George Osahon, has said.

This came as delay in the bid round for new marginal field continued to keep about N2.55 trillion ($17 billion) investments in limbo.

Osahon who spoke about meddling in regulations at the pre-conference workshop of the just concluded 32nd annual international conference and exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), however, expressed the determination of his agency to ensure that laws are adhered to despite the interference.

He maintained that part of the stumbling blocks to regulation is that the violators who have the ears of the government usually call the presidency and the minister to escape penalty.

The presidency and the minister, he said, will, in return, call the DPR to give order.

“On the regulation, someone will call the minister or the presidency and the next thing you will hear is an order. If you do not adhere to this, you will be replaced,” he said at a panel presided over by Managing Director, Seplat, Mr Austin

L-R: Deputy General Manager, Contributions, National Pension Commission, Mr Aliyu Tijani; Head, Public Sector Relationship Management, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mrs Abisola Ogunmoyero and Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr Steve Elusope, at an employers’ forum in Abuja.

Airlines seek licenses to import aviation fuel Over-charge passengers to stay afloat Wole Shadare

N

igerian airlines and their international counterparts are under intense pressure to cut airfares occasioned by reduction in the price of oil.

Oil prices are now below $80 a barrel and jet fuel prices are heading for their first annual decline since 2008. So, experts are asking why airlines aren’t dropping their fuel surcharges and, subsequently, their fares.

Citing huge operational

costs, airlines in the country devised new methods of staying in business by breaking airfares down into ‘fake components’, including the ‘fuel surcharge’, which is regarded CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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. 14)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N176 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N278 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N220

l Foreign Reserves – $37.59bn as at 13/11/2014

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Nov. 14)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N157.39 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N249.82 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N195.64

28

Business |News

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Adeola Yusuf

Assets sale: Shell’s contractors, staff fret over job loss

ontractors in the oil acreages, Oil Mining Licences (OML) 18, 24, 25, 29, as well as a major pipeline, the Nembe Creek Trunk Line operated by the Royal Dutch Shell in Nigeria are worried over loss of their jobs, New Telegraph has learnt.

This came as checks revealed that the statutory minister of petroleum resources consent for the final transfer of Shell’s stakes to new owners in

the lucrative assets is likely to be signed next month.

Shell, which had raked in about $5 billion from the sale of oil fields assets, outsourced many responsibilities on some of the assets to contractors and contract staff.

While the contractors, who service major parts of the assets are afraid that the completion of the sale signifies job loss to them, contract staff on the assets are also

APPROVAL

Minister’s consent billed for December

C

Presidency, minister pry in regulations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

ised to make the names of the blocks available for bid round ready on its website, but he is still yet to do so.

When New Telegraph checked the website, the identities of the blocks were yet to be made known.

About one year after the commencement of the bid round in November 2013, the identities of 31 oil blocks for sale is still shrouded in secrecy.

New Telegraph’s investigation showed that the industry regulator, the DPR, is neither willing to announce the identities of the blocks nor make them available on its website for now.

An industry source told this newspaper that this is already dampening the morale of prospective investors.

The failure to meet the deadline has further fuelled speculation that government has a sinister motive to auction the field to its political allies controlling most of the indigenous oil firms. Also, the refusal of the DPR to release the lists of oil fields that are available for sale is eroding transparency in the process.

The regulator had earlier been accused of deliberately flouting the guidelines ostensibly to use the exercise as a platform to raise money for politicians for the 2015 general elections.

fretting.

“The on-going asset sale is a double edged sword,” one of the contractors that provide security and logistics for one of the assets said.

“While it is a good story to the buyers and the seller, it is definitely not a good one for us. What this means now is that we will lose contracts with Shell and we will have to start lobbying all over again to get jobs from the new owner.

“Although we are confident that our experience and track record with Shell should give us the job with the prospec-

tive new owners but the Nigerian factor makes us to be uncomfortable of retaining the job at the same time,” he said.

Meanwhile, the on-going process to secure the minister consent before the next general elections may yield result by December.

New Telegraph gathered from a source at one of the meetings, which was at the instance of attorneys of the two stakeholders, that they are likely to secure the minister’s consent by December.

The minister’s consent is a statutory require-

ment for the divestment, according to the Petroleum Act. Last year, Shell put up for sale its 30 per cent shares in four oil blocks in the Niger Delta – Oil Mining Licences (OML) 18, 24, 25, 29 – as well as a major pipeline, the Nembe Creek Trunk Line.

The price of the four oilfields and a key pipeline co-owned by Shell, France’s Total and Eni of Italy has doubled since initial estimates towards the end of last year and the latest moves by oil and gas major corporations to reduce their onshore oil presence in

Nigeria.

The Financial Times quoted sources as saying that the sale could amount to $5.2 billion, adding that the figure could still change as the companies negotiated the final details.

Reuters also confirmed that Shell had reached deals on some of the four Nigerian oil fields it offered for sale but refused to give details on the value of the deals nor when the full process would be completed.

“We have signed sales and purchase agreements for some of the oil mining leases, but not all that we are seeking to divest,” a Shell spokesman had said.

Airlines seek licenses to import fuel CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

as a trick designed to make passengers pay more.

For instance, a breakdown of an airline’s air ticket (name withheld) to Abuja indicates N500 as Value Added Tax (VAT), N500 for Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), N500 for Passenger Service Charge (PSC), while fuel surcharge is N22,000.

Virtually all the carriers now pad their fares with ridiculous fuel surcharge, which travel experts said is being used to fleece government, aviation agencies and passengers.

This represents a significant expense, as in some instances, fuel surcharges are higher than the airlines’ base fares.

They cited the previous astronomical cost of aviation fuel as reason for padding fuel surcharges, which made many to consider airfares to be on the rise.

This represents a significant expense, as in some

instances; fuel surcharges are now higher than the airlines’ base fares.

Many airlines have increased fuel surcharges, claiming that high cost of operations and aviation fuel necessitated the rise in the charges, thereby leaving passengers at the receiving end.

They further argued that the idea of creating this additional price component was because of the rising price of aviation fuel in Nigeria, otherwise known as JET A1.

However, there has been a drop of about 15 per cent in the price of aviation fuel in the last three months, but there has been no reduction in surcharges.

Nigerian airlines under the aegis of Operators of Nigeria (AON) decried the attitude of aviation fuel marketers not to make a reduction in the price of the commodity as aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET A1 still goes for as high as N181 per litre despite the reduction in oil price.

L-R: Corps member, Lagos, Chidinma Onyenwenyi; Manager, Youth Segment MTN, Abimbola Gold-Oladipupo; Evelyn Chiemeka and Ekwueme Ijeoma, during a courtesy visit by MTN to NYSC orientation camp Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

Unsolicited SMS: 80% Nigerians annoyed, says survey INTERVENTION

Nigeria’s telecoms regulator is working on a framework to curb the trend Kunle Azeez

A

new survey conducted on Nigeria and South African consumers’ perceptions of mobile marketing has revealed that 80 per cent of respondents, representative of subscriber base in the two countries, feel annoyed when receiving unsolicited messages.

This is even as Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) plans to develop a guideline for minimising incidence of unsolicited mobile

messages in the country.

According to the study conducted by Gemalto, a research firm, though 80 per cent indicated disapproval for unsolicited text messages, operators and brands could win the same proportion back if they implemented best practices to improve customer engagement, according to Humanipo. com.

The survey revealed consumers in South Africa and Nigeria desire to be in control of the mobile marketing campaigns they receive.

About 83 per cent of respondents consider that mobile marketing should be permission-based and 90 per cent want to be able to easily identify the sender.

They also want messages to be relevant to them and there is room for improvement in this respect as nearly 70 per

cent said they received promotional messages not in line with their interests.

Consumers also want tangible benefits: 53 per cent of South Africans expect, in order of preference, immediate discounts, loyalty benefits, and the possibility to collect points and gifts.

According to the report of the survey, there is a clear and strong potential for mobile marketing in Africa, provided mobile operators and marketers implement the golden rules: right person, right message, and right moment.

“If the end user is given control to opt in, opt out and select the frequency; and if messages are relevant and provide value, then 80 per cent of those surveyed in both countries would become ‘connected ad lovers’,” the report stated.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Refineries: FG woos original manufacturers p.31

29

Energy Oil price fall

PRESSURE

Pressure is building on OPEC to reduce production

Adeola Yusuf

T

here seems to be no respite for Nigeria’s budget and that of other oil producing nations facing downtime from falling crude oil prices, the United States energy watchdog, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said. Specifically, the agency said “making a return soon to high prices unlikely.”

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, which depends largely on oil revenues to service over 85 per cent of its budget has benchmarked $77.5 per barrel for oil in its 2015 budget, while the commodity is already selling below the benchmark.

Prices of oil, Nigeria’s biggest revenue earner, slumped more than three per cent to four-year lows last weekend, with benchmark Brent crashing below $80 a barrel, after a stockpile surge at the delivery point for US crude frayed nerves of traders already worried about an oil glut.

“The oil market has entered a new era with lower Chinese economic growth and booming U.S. shale output, making a return soon to high prices unlikely,” the IEA said.

The US energy watchdog, which typically refrains from predicting oil prices, said in its monthly report that prices could fall further in 2015 after declining to their lowest levels since 2010 below $80 per barrel.

“While there has been some speculation that the high cost of unconventional oil production might set a new equilibrium for Brent prices in the $80 to $90 range, supply/demand balances suggest that the price rout has yet to run its course,” the IEA said.

Barring any new supply

No respite for Nigeria’s 2015 budget yet –IEA

Oil rig

disruption, “downward price pressures could build further in the first half of 2015,” it said.

Oil prices have fallen 30 percent since peaking in June, pressured by a strong US dollar and rising US light oil output while largely ignoring the impact of Libyan supply disruptions.

Benchmark Brent crude oil was up 50 cents at $77.99 a

barrel by 0910 GMT last Friday, having dropped from above $115 in June.

“Pressure on OPEC to reduce production is building, but at the time of writing there appeared to be no clear consensus on a formal supply cut ahead of its meeting in Vienna later this month,” said the IEA, which represent industrialised nations.

For 2015, the IEA left its

forecast of global oil demand growth unchanged at 1.13 million from a five-year annual low of 680,000 bpd in 2014, saying the macroeconomic backdrop was expected to improve.

While China, the top source of incremental oil demand in recent years, has entered a less oil-intensive stage of development, years of high prices have helped new technology release oil

Total produces 2.2bn barrels from Nigeria in 47 years PAY BACK

Total and banks plough back $7.8bn investments Adeola Yusuf

T

Marketers get N100bn intervention funds month-end –FG p.33

otal produced over 2.2 billion barrels of crude oil in Nigeria between 1966 and 2013, New Telegraph has gathered.

A data obtained by this newspaper, which details the company’ production profile also revealed that the company invested $10 billion in Nigeria in the last five years.

Total, which is the fourth largest oil and gas company in Nigeria has, according to the document, has

50 permits in Nigeria while it has operatorship status on nine out of these permits.

“Over 2.2 billion barrels added to Nigeria’s production in 47 years (1966-2013),” the data revealed.

The company with “over 50 years of activities in Nigeria,” has “five producing fields onshore and offshore” of the country.

It has also established “a contractors” finance support initiative (under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with eight Nigerian banks) aimed at enhancing the financial capacity of Nigerian contractors in 2013.”

With almost 130 nationalities represented in its over 98, 000 employees all over the world - 31 per cent of who are women, the company said that

it had in 2014 employed over 1,700 employees in Nigeria.

With this level of human capital investments, the company said: “Also clearly, we need to explore more to bring projects on line in Nigeria.”

It added: “A demonstration of the boldness of Total is the recently launched $16 billion Egina development at a time of great uncertainty in the world petroleum industry.

“As we have seen recently with the sudden dramatic slide in the price of oil, we also operate in an uncertain commercial and investment environment.

“All efforts must therefore be geared in our industry reforms to encourage more petroleum investments if we have to attain the objectives of increasing reserves.”

resources in North America and elsewhere.

“It is increasingly clear that we have begun a new chapter in the history of the oil markets,” the IEA said.

Total global oil deliveries edged up in October and were 2.7 million bpd higher than the year before as higher OPEC production added to non-OPEC supply growth of 1.8 million bpd.

OPEC output eased by 150,000 bpd in October to 30.60 million bpd, remaining well above the group’s official 30 million bpd supply target for a sixth month running. The IEA said it expected demand for OPEC oil next year at around 29.2 million bpd, 100,000 bpd lower than its previous forecast.

However, the IEA said supply risks remained “extraordinarily elevated” and could be exacerbated by falling prices.

“The two countries responsible for a recent recovery in OPEC supply growth, Iraq and Libya, are both in the throes of vicious conflicts,” it said.

Price drops cast new doubt on Iraq’s ability to fund capacity growth while Venezuela and Russia were also suffering from plummeting prices, it said.

30

Business | Energy

ALLEGATION

Ijaw youth activist accuses Chief Government Ekpemupolo of complicity in the crisis Adeola Yusuf

T

he bickering between Ijaw and Itsekiri in Delta State degenerated at the weekend, with the two tribes throwing tantrums at each other over the $16 billion Ogidigben Industrial Park.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, had earlier announced the cancellation of the flag-off date for the fa-

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Gas park: Ijaw, Itsekiri’s bickering degenerates cility to douse the rising tension between the two neighbouring tribes.

However, an Itsekiri leader and Ajuwaoyiboyami of Warri Kingdom, Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, who believed that the minister acted on the instruction of President Goodluck Jonathan, slammed the president for suspending the project.

Ostensibly dissatisfied with the suspension of the project’s takeoff last Thursday, Chief Ayiri Emami said: “It is disheartening that

President Jonathan is pandering to the selfish and clannish interest of some group of Ijaw persons in Gbaramtu Kingdom against the wider interest of the nation.”

Emami’s position was, however, punctured

by Mr Paul Bebenimibo, an Ijaw youth activist in the forefront of the crusade for Jonathan not to perform the groundbreaking.

The president, Bebenimibo said, needed to be commended for listening to the voice of the oppressed people of

Gbaramatu Kingdom.

He said: “This project has been on for almost a year without distraction. Julius Berger of Nigeria carried the Ijaw along, but because of the selfish interest of one person, Jonathan succumbed to threats to abort the groundbreaking again.

“The question I am asking is: “Are we safe under Jonathan if a project of such magnitude and importance to the nation will be toyed with because of the interests of a few persons.’”

Bebenimibo said: “I commend President Jonathan for listening to the voice of the oppressed people. Having postponed the groundbreaking again, my advice is that government should do the needful. It is not enough to say that the name has now been changed to Delta Gas City.

“The name of the project should be complete with the location of the project boldly proclaimed and which we maintain should be Delta Gas City, Gbaramatu/Ogidigben.

“Besides, government should formally acquire the land from Gbaramatu people just as it did with the Itsekiri people. Mr President should not come for the

groundbreaking at all until all these issues are resolved. The project is also in our land and they should not act as if we are strangers. Jonathan should set up a highpowered committee to resolve the issues.”

The Ijaw youth activist pointed accusing finger at ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, who he accused of complicity in the crisis.

Tompolo, he said, is using his influence to blackmail and intimidate people, warning that the continuous plan by Tompolo and his Ijaw brothers to deprive Itsekiri nation of what rightfully belongs to it was getting out of control.

Five countries bid to host SADC energy centre

A

Gas plant

SHRINKING

Oil exploration in Nigeria is diminishing

Adeola Yusuf

O

ver 675 billion barrels of oil is seated in the deep-waters of Nigeria and other oil-rich countries, the new President of the Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Mr Chikwe Edoziem, has said.

Quoting a new statement of the International Energy Agency, Edoziem said this shortly before he took over the mantle of NAPE’s leadership from Mrs. Adedoja Ojelabi.

He maintained that this volume of oil is recoverable with high tech exploration.

‘Nigeria, others’ deep-water hold 675bn barrels of oil’ Edoziem, however, expressed dissatisfaction over slow pace of exploration for oil in Nigeria, stressing that oil exploration in Nigeria is facing a slow pace.

All stakeholders, he maintained, must put hands on deck to ensure that Nigeria takes its rightful place in the comity of oil producing nations.

“Global deep-water is an area that holds an estimated 675 billion barrels of recoverable oil,” Edoziem said.

Immediate past President of NAPE, Mrs. Adedoja Ojelabi added in a speech: “There has been a downside, with the

Ojelabi

negative impact on the environment, sustainable development, erosion of revenue from gas as a commodity, wealth creation from gas investment opportunities, loss of value for power genera-

tion where the country is highly deficient.

“Recent studies have shown the extent of economic loss to the country could range from US $2.517 billion annually,” she noted.

On gas flaring she said: “Fines imposed by the government,” which have also increased over the years to about N10 per million standard cubic feet (mmscuf),” will also be jacked up to $3.50 per mmscuf.

“There is consideration about increasing this penalty to $3.50,” she said, adding that the downsides in the gas sector have cost Nigeria about $17billion.

t least five countries are vying for the right to host the proposed regional centre for the promotion of renewable energy in southern Africa.

According to a recent meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Energy Thematic Group held in Botswana, bids to host the proposed SADC Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREE) have been received from Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s bid is, however, subject to parliamentary approval.

Head of the SADC Directorate on Infrastructure and Services, Remigious Makumbe, said the establishment of SACREE, including the choice of the host country, was awaiting the holding of the annual SADC Energy Ministers meeting.

The SADC energy ministers’ meeting was scheduled for September, but was postponed after Malawi said it was not able to host the meeting due to various challenges. Mauritius has been approached to serve as alternative host.

The decision of the ministers would be forwarded to the SADC Council in February 2015, which would give final approval.

The establishment of SACREE is expected to increase the uptake of clean energy in southern Africa, enabling the region to address its energy challenges.

SADC has been experiencing power shortages dating as far back as 2006 due to a combination of factors, including the lack of investment in the energy sector.

This is despite the fact that the region has an abundance of energy sources, particularly renewable energy, which, if fully harnessed, could greatly boost power generation in the region.

In this regard, SADC countries have intensified efforts on how to exploit renewable energy resources such as wind, hydropower and solar.

Business | Energy

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

31

Refineries: FG woos original manufacturers SUPPORT

NCDMB, BIO have rallied IOCs for SMEDAN development Adeola Yusuf

T

he Federal Government has intensified plans to drag Original Manufacturers of refineries and other facilities into Nigeria.

The turn around maintenance (TAM) of refineries in Port Harcourt has been dragging following the inability of the authorities to bring the facility’s Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) into Nigeria.

But the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa, said in an interview that the OEMs in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry will be given a conducive enviroment to operate.

“So rather than bringing these OEMs to come here and asking them to start sourcing for land and developing them, we have taken the responsibility to stimulate that by doing some of the basic things.

“We believe that when we do the infrastructure, when we keep them in a

cluster, when we invite them in and use the leverage that we have as a statutory agency of government to push the operators into the parks, the OEMs will then come along with their support system; and when they come along with their support system into this place, we will also inject some SMEs,” he said in an interview with Sweet Crude reports.

“We were looking at the first week in Novem-

ber and we have actually arranged with a consultant to work with the in-house team that will liaise with the IOCs. “The IOCs will be giving us the list of the OEMs that have substantial supply in the country, the SMEDAN is also going to provide us with a list of over 100 SMEs,” he said.

From those SMEs, he continued, “we must take 50 to work with because of the pre-qualification

Country in talks with Fidelity Bank for loans to purchase crude Adeola Yusuf

G

hana’s electricity generation has continued to dwindle due to persistent gas supply cut from Nigeria, taking toll on businesses in the West African country.

The Ghanaian authority had earlier slammed a fine of $10 million on Nigeria for her inability to meet up with the contractual gas agreement with Accra, a decision that has worsened gas supply obligations from Nigeria.

Since three months when the gas supply reduction from Nigeria

turing.

“So, like I said before, by the time we take on the SME fare and work with the development of the industrial parks, we will get a seamless transition of these SMEs in doing some basic manufacturing into more serious manufacturing that we have in the oil and gas industry.

“What is commonly called industrial park for us we call it the Oil and Gas Park Scheme. We are trying to emphasize the

Port Harcourt refinery

Ghana spends $220m on oil for power in three months BANKRUPCY

system, that will fit into the system we are trying to focus on and that is going to leverage on the collaboration we have already established between some of the agencies of government and private organisations that are involved in this kind of business.

“This whole activity is also anchored on a close collaboration with the Bank of Industry and other sectors that are interested in manufac-

became more noticeable, Ghana has spent $220 million on alternative oil supply to power its electricity generation.

Ghana’s Volta Riva Authority (VRA), which revealed this, maintained that the nation had been spending $55 million every three weeks to purchase crude oil to run the power generation plants in the country, due to unavailability of gas from Nigeria.

The VRA, operator of the thermal plant, which blamed this spending on erratic gas supply from Nigeria, said that crude oil purchased for running of the power plant has increased significantly.

Crude oil imports, according to the VRA, rose from 4.87 million barrels in 2012 to 5.17 million barrels in 2013. Crude oil purchases this year is however, expected to top the quantity procured last year. One cargo of crude is estimated

at 450,000 barrels.

The authority estimates that a turbine consumes about 5,000 barrels of crude in a day. This requires about $55 million every three weeks to purchase crude for powering the power generation plants in the country.

Financing of the crude oil purchases has, however, been very challenging for the authority given that its tariff covers just 60 per cent of operational cost.

The authority, at certain points, had to fall on Fidelity Bank for loans to purchase crude.

Gas supply from Nigeria is transported through the 678-kilometre West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP).

Ghana has, however, lamented that gas volume of 120 million standard cubic feet per day from Nigeria via the WAGP has been persistently unreliable.

‘Park’ and de-emphasis the ‘Industrial’ because it is actually a place where much more is going on than just industrial activities.

“We will have the service companies operating there, infact the ecosystem of that park is such that services will be there, logistic will be there, manufacturing, intellectual activity, promoting innovation and social activity.

“So the place will be so developed such that the OEM will feel at home.

The effort we are making today is to acquire land in the size range of 20-25hecters.”

Nwapa added: “We will develop the land in phases, we will create basic infrastructure like roads, power supply, water supply telecom facilities and ICT. “Once we do that in the first phase, we will begin to attract these OEMs that we have been engaging with for over four years.

“Because we understand that manufacturing is very important and it is the only thing that can actually sustain the impact of the local content policy base. We have been pushing the original equipment manufacturer to do manufacturing of their equipment in Nigeria but their push back has always been ‘no dedicated location’, ‘no infrastructure’ and no capacity of the locals to do this manufacturing.”

Tullow reviews African assets To cut costs as oil prices tumble

A

frica-focused oil and gas explorer, Tullow Oil, has placed some of its African offshore drilling projects under review as it plans to cut exploration costs to deal with the consequences of tumbling oil prices.

The company is reviewing operations in French Guiana and Mauritania and said it would cut exploration spending by $1.4 billion over the next two years, refocusing on existing assets and discoveries in Africa where it can produce oil more cheaply.

“We’re concentrating our firepower on our major developments and producing assets,” Chief Executive Aidan Heavey told Reuters.

Among these are Tullow’s Jubilee project in Ghana, where it expects to reach production of 120,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Tullow’s project review in French Guiana and Mauritania could result in a non-cash impairment charge of $850 million, according to Barclays analysts who added that the writedown would not affect their evaluation of Tullow at a price target of 482.2

Founder of Tullow Oil, Aidan Heavey

pence at overweight/neutral.

Shares in Tullow were up 1.8 percent at 491.3 pence by 0821 GMT, the highest riser on the FTSE 100 index. Tullow is under pressure to restore its reputation after a string of disappointing exploration results this year.

The oil explorer has hedged 35,500 barrels per day of its output in 2014 at an average price of $87.18 a barrel, it said in its third-quarter results.

Brent crude prices have fallen 40 percent since early July and dropped close to a four-year low of $81 a barrel on Wednesday, eating into oil producers’ margins.

32

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Business | Energy

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

SCARCITY

Alison-Madueke ups efforts to curb fuel scarcity during Yuletide Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

T

he Federal Government is making arrangements to avert fuel scarcity during Christmas celebration.

This is prevalent as Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has pledged the commitment of government to pay the outstanding arrears of fuel subvention owed to petroleum marketers.

According to a statement from the Group General Manager, Mr Ohi Alegbe, the over N100 billion subvention owed the marketers would by paid by the end of November.

He said: “Keen on ensuring a hitch-free supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country, especially during the end of year festivities, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has pledged to intervene and ensure that outstanding arrears of fuel subvention owed petroleum marketers are paid by the end of November.

The minister, who gave this assurance at a meeting with members

Marketers get N100bn intervention funds month-end –FG of the Depot Owners and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) in Abuja, said she was already in consultation with the minister of Finance on the issue.

Alegbe said: “AlisonMadueke disclosed that she has already briefed President Goodluck

Jonathan on the implications of the continued delay in the payment of subsidy to the marketers, adding that she has also scheduled a meeting with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emiefele, to work out ways of getting the banks from making good their threats to withdraw facility lines

from the marketers on account of the debts arising from the delay in settling petroleum subsidy arrears.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of DAPPMA, Mr Dapo Abiodun, urged the minister to intervene to sort out the issue before it degenerates into another bout of fuel scarcity in the country.

Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Obafemi Olawore, was also quoted as saying that already, stocks of petrol in the various depots in Apapa, Lagos, are fast getting depleted.

He urged the minister not to allow the nation get to the point where products dry up from the depots first before intervening, as such a

situation will not augur well for the country, especially at this time of approaching end of year festivities.

He said: “The petroleum products marketers expressed their gratitude to the Minister. They felt reassured by her promise to ensure that the subsidy arrears are settled by the end of the month.”

Fuel tankers

BMT wins ExxonMobil’s Angola project

B

33

MT Scientific Marine Services (BMT), a subsidiary of the BMT Group, one of the leading international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy firms, has announced that it has been selected by Esso Angola to provide maintenance services for systems installed on the two Kizomba Tension Leg Platforms (TLP) offshore Angola.

BMT previously installed integrated marine monitoring systems (IMMS) on the TLP and Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) facilities on both developments, as well as subsea riser tension monitoring systems.

This contract allows BMT to provide servicing and maintenance on system instrumentation exposed to offshore conditions and ensures continued function and accurate data.

BMT’s Client Support Services plan will include twice-yearly service visits with calibration checks, software maintenance and updates, and remote technical support.

BMT provides innovative IMMS for a wide range of floating offshore oil facilities including the associated subsea risers and mooring systems.

It delivers custom-engineered products from design through procurement, assembly, installation and operational support service.

TCN alerts Kano, others of two weeks power shortage ARSON

Fire guts 150MVA power transformer Adeola Yusuf

C

able replacement works and the restoration of the 150MVA, 330/132kv power transformer gutted by power last weekend will take two weeks, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has said.

The company, which said this in a statement by the General Manager Public Affairs, Seun Olagunju, explained that one of the four 150MVA power transformers in the substation caught fire after an explosive sound was heard at the switchyard.

The 1 5 0 M VA ,

330/132kv power transformer and control cables attached to two other 150MVA power transformers are located in Kumbotso Transmission sub-station in Kano State.

The incident has led to power rationing in parts of the city; Northern Nigeria and environs as a result of the loss of the 150MVA, 330/132/33kV power transformer.

The statement obtained by New Telegraph noted that the fire destroyed one out of the four 150MVA power transformers in the substation before it was eventually extingusihed by the Kano state fire service.

During the fire, oil from the burnt 150MVA transformer, spilled into the cable trench connecting two other transformers in the substation,

causing the burning of the cables.

The statment read: “The fire however, did not affect the transformers themselves.

The fourth 150MVA power transformer in the substation, was not affected in any way by the fire and has since been restored by TCN’s engineers.”

The company however, said that it is presently sourcing materials from its stores for the replacement of the burnt control cables to the two healthy 150MVA power transformers that were not affected by the fire.

The Management of TCN, the statement added, has commissioned a probe into the incidence.

Investigation by the company’s engineers is to determine the extent of damage to the burnt 150MVA power trans-

former, so that plans can be put in place for its immediate repair.

With the completion of the cable repair works, TCN said that the capability of the 510MW substation would have reduced to 383MW, which is still far in excess of the peak load demand of 250MW ever recorded in the area.

“This means that normal power supply would be restored as soon as the two healthy power transformers are energised.

“TCN regrets any inconvenience the incident has caused the government and electricity consumers in Kano city and environs and assured that it would complete the cable replacement works as well as the restoration of power transmission capability of the two 150MVA power transformers within two weeks,” the statement read.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

34 Govt’s policy has helped paints industry – Aluko p.35

Property&Environment

Abuja to demolish 536 ‘abandoned’ structures p.36

Front view of some of the charlets in Inagbe Grand Resort and Leisure, Inagbe Island, Lagos.

DEVELOPMENT A mix of real estate and hospitality for holidayvmakers Dayo Ayeyemi

I

n what many first-time visitors described as “home away from the hustle and bustle of the mega city”, the on-going development of Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure, on the serene banks of Lagos Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean, is gradually receiving the attention of tourists and holiday makers.

Besides, in less than a year of its commencement, the resort , which is a product of Research and Development of Gran Imperio Group, has now become a master piece to showcase real estate and hospitality industry in Nigeria.

February 2015 has been set for the delivery of its first phase.

Sitting on 300 hectares of land, Grand Resort and Leisure is located on Inagbe Island with expansive beach front, a close neighbourhood to Snake Island and a distance of 10 kilometres from Lekki and Victoria Island with an exciting boat ride of less than 20 minutes.

Envisioned by Gran Imperio Group, Grand Resort and Leisure’s implementation commenced in September 2013.

The construction of the first phase of the project has reached 75 per cent completion, while the first phase of the construction covers 90 hectares of land.

While on a facility tour of the resort and leisure haven at the weekend, it was discovered that the project has turned the entire Inagbe Island to a big construction site, providing jobs for over 400 youths within the waterfront community.

The project captions the essence of nature, culture and tradition. The resort, which is adorned with magnificent landscape, clean skies, sandy beach and beautiful nature, offers spectacular ambience, detailed finishing, security and leisure in an appealing environment.

Inagbe Grand Resort offers fivestar hotel service, floating event plat-

Inagbe Grand Resort ready in 2015 – Developers form, musical fountain, an 18 hole golf course, a sports village with luxury apartments, commercial zone, concierge, hotels and conference centres, relaxing sauna and steam, children’s theme park and lots more Others include a large common living room for guests, swimming pools, productive machines to sustain the luxurious need of guests and boardrooms for official meetings.

Speaking to newsmen about the project, Chief Executive Officer of Gran Imperio Group, Mr Adeyeye Ogunwusi, disclosed that about 100 plots have been reserved for people who might want to build their second homes within the resort.

He stated that all materials used for the construction and its facilities were sourced locally, admonishing all stakeholders and government to look inward in order to develop the economy.

Besides, he said that due to the enormity of the project, over 30 companies have been set up within the resort, while over 400 youths trained in different vocations have been engaged by these factories.

The tour took journalists to the Essentials Home Furniture factory, which was set up by Gran Imperio to cater for furniture needs of the resort and Nigerians alike.

Some of the products manufactured in the furniture factory include luxury

TOP: Outdoor lounge. BOTTOM: Model of ocean view luxury charlets at the resort

beds, chairs of various sizes and styles, doors, window frames, sofa, dining tables and chairs made with raffia palm, basket tables and chairs, among others.

The chief executive officer of Gran Imperio said that he enjoyed cordial relationship with the Esinmikan Royal Family of Inagbe community, saying that has been the main reason the development of the resort has gained momentum.

Ogunwusi also said that the project has been phased, adding that the first phase has reached 75 per cent completion and would be delivered by February next year.

Within the first phase, he stated that 125 chalets have been built, 1,500 capacity hall, essential home furniture, ocean floating platform, gulf range, indoor sport hall, two helipad, beach front and swimming pools in front of the Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean have been completed.

The exotic resort has offers various membership schemes for both individuals and corporate bodies.

Assuring tourists, holidaymakers and second home seekers, he said: “With proper infrastructure being put in place, the resort will, at the end of the day, look like a snatch of Vegas in Lagos, but with a cultural twist that brings the Nigerian tradition to the fore with the traditional ambiance of thatched roof and coconut souvenir factory.”

The increasing number of holidaymakers and business executives searching for a get-away destination has led to a growing demand for resorts and leisure centres in Nigeria.

This has created pent up demand for a family friendly resort with exquisite ambience driven by development of infrastructural facilities, with recreational centres, chalets, golf course, commercial centres. One of such locations to immensely benefit from this development is the Inagbe Island.

Business | Property & Environment

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

35

Govt’s policy has helped paints industry – Aluko Mr Rotimi Aluko is a man with many caps. He is Managing Director of VODA Paint Limited and Chairman of Paints Manufacturers Association, a sub-sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). In this interview with Dayo Ayeyemi, he speaks on the on-going innovations in the paints industry, challenges confronting the sector and various initiatives by the association to check fake products they have evolved too. I can talk confidently about Lagos and Kano states. They have been able to come up with highly ambitious housing projects.

Aluko

How will you describe the paint industry in Nigeria?

Paint industry is very interesting. I think I am competent to make some comments because I have been involved in the industry in the last 20 years, taking into cognizance my experience in the housing industry. The paint industry of today, like other industries, has to go through several changes in the view of local and global developments. Ten to 11 years ago, the way paint was sold is not the same today.

If we recall way back in 1999 with the new attempt at democracy, one of the major decision shifts made by the Obasanjo regime then was for government to hands off from certain development and make it private sector activity; and truly the Federal Government left it while some state governments still carry on. I think the Federal Government’s initiative has led to stronger evolution of the emergence of stronger commercial real estate in a large scale and the emergence of vibrant mortgage system.

What this has led to is that instead of relying on government for houses and everything, the private sector now act as intermediary by developing houses for people to buy. People have come to realise that property is not just something you own, but it is also a form of investment. Investment-oriented efforts have also gone into the industry. The consequence of this is that there has been a shift in terms of how and whom you go to, where to go and who you are going to talk to.

Are you saying that this policy has benefited the paint industry?

Yes. Generally on the construction sector, with specific reference to the housing sector, there is a stronger participation at both the state and federal levels. Even though it was Federal Government’s initiative, the authorities should just produce the enabling environment. In fairness to the state governments,

There have been innovations in the paint industry, what is prompting them?

Generally, the nature of competitiveness in the industry often dictates how innovation comes in. Also, people get creative about what they are selling, what they create to sell and how to help customers solve their problems by providing solutions. The competition was a key factor there. Another thing is that the customers themselves have evolved. Nigeria is not one of those countries you call obscure. Go anywhere in the world, you will find Nigerians there. They are well exposed. So, this exposure will bring knowledge and for you to survive in this industry, you have to understand what is available there. That is why they refer to us as global players. There are many factors playing there: Competition within the industry is there because this is a relatively easy to enter industry; the technology and the materials are readily available all over. This is one of the best industries. If you compare us to the rest of African countries, you will find out that the industry has really grown.

What is the exact number of players in the industry now?

I must tell you this is where statistics could be a devil. I am sure of the active members we have in the Paint Manufacturers Association.

We are about 100 paint manufacturers, I mean active members. As for the paint companies in Nigeria, they are of different sources because we have manufacturers and we have those that are like paint hawkers. I think you understand what I am saying, so figures will range from 500 to 1000. This figure is high because we have many players - from small players in the background to those who are operating in all spheres of commerce. Some are really orthodox the way they go about it. But I don’t know if all of them are even legal entities as to be companies. I would rather at this point say players. For the association, there are the bulk of serious manufacturers who have brought themselves out to be known to the people, government and to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. I will say these are the credible manufacturers we have.

What are you doing to check the activities of quacks in the sector?

This is one of the challenges we have in the industry and it is top of the issues that the current executives are going to tackle. Often times, when things go wrong with some products, it could depend on the raw materials sold to us as paint manufacturers by unscrupulous importers. When things go wrong, it is all about Nigerian paints and that is going to affect the responsible activities and it will not do the industry any good. We are going to take a critical look at this and the current executives have had several attempts. We are

We have seen cases where some people/ applicators, for the purpose of perpetrating unwholesome activities, thin the application beyond the level it should be. Some paints need second coat, but some people don’t do this

going to take it to the next level. It could even be some internal things - someone not doing what he is supposed to do.

At times, there are issues with the products themselves and there are issues with applications. What is a good paint or good material in the hands of very bad workman? Somebody knows that these materials are not supposed to be thinned down or if I thin it, it is not supposed to be more than five per cent, may be one litre into 20 litres. But to some people and maybe they have seen certain parameters, they want to take that to mean that they can get two cans out of one and therefore mix it with a lot of water.

We have seen cases where some people/ applicators, for the purpose of perpetrating unwholesome activities, thin the application beyond the level it should be. Some paints need second coat, but some people don’t do this.

Again, if you look at other issues that have to do with the masonry works, there is a mix you should have for your wall plastering, but some do not get it right. The wall is porous and is absorbing the paints, the mix of the mortal for the plastering work is not good enough and this carry a lot of high cement content spreading all over the place. When you put a wet material like paint on top, it goes to mix up when it dissolves and then have issue of sulphate at high level affecting the paint. You don’t put paint on wet walls, whereas they know that after plastering they are supposed to leave it for some time. But maybe someone is in a hurry to meet deadline for a ceremony, he goes ahead. So, there are many things that make paint ‘bad’ and all sorts. It may be the building itself. We have all these issues.

The unfortunate thing is that our petrochemical industries have not fully evolved and we have to rely on importation for some of these. I know the statutory governmental agencies have their roles and they play their bit by making sure that necessary checks are done before the products are brought in.

Ogun to spend N1.3bn on environment Dayo Ayeyemi

O

gun State government has disclosed plans to spent N1.3 billion on the procurement of waste equipment.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ayo Olubori, an engineer, disclosed this at a one-day seminar organised by the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM) in Abeokuta.

He said that government was prepared to confront the emerging trends with renewed zeal and vigour.

Olubori said that the state currently generates an estimated total waste of 3,000 metric tons per day, recounting serious efforts

employed to effectively control the collection of municipal solid waste in order to checkmate indiscriminate dumping of refuse as well as accumulation of waste within communities.

The commissioner, who lauded the increase in recycling markets in the state, charged the youths to buy into the waste-to-wealth project by showing more interests in waste collection and management as it now serves as a source of income for many homes.

He pointed out that existing legislation on waste management would be reviewed to accommodate investors in the waste-toCONTINUED ON PAGE 36

36

Business | Property & Environment

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abuja to demolish 536 ‘abandoned’ structures INTEGRITY TEST The buildings are not fit for human habitation Nurudeen Yekeen

I

n a bid to ensure the sacrosanct of the Abuja Master Plan and to maintain the beauty of the Federal Capital City, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC),

through the Department of Development Control, has commenced the demolition of alleged abandoned buildings in the Nigeria capital city.

One of such buildings in the Utako area of the FCT has been demolished.

Deputy Director, Development Permit, Department of Development Control, Hamza Madaki, who spoke on behalf of the Director, Yahaya Yusuf, said that the FCT administration cannot continue to risk

the lives of residents over weak structures that have the likelihood of collapsing at any time.

The Department, however, said that 536 of such structures across FCT have been marked for demolition having failed “integrity test.”

The demolished structure, located on plot 319, Ahmed Musa Crescent, Jabi, Madaki said, was tested for integrity by the Department in conjunction with three consultants recommended

by the Council for Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) and it was discovered that the structure could not carry any load.

The test, which the consultants also described as “hammer test,” was a routine test carried on abandoned buildings and those with structural defects to determine their strength.

Madaki said: “Abandoned structures in FCT have become a major challenge to us, espe-

cially in the wake of insecurity challenges in the country. There’s no doubt that miscreants and criminals often make these abandoned structures their abode.

“Our findings show a record of over 536 abandoned structures scattered across the FCT. We have advertised to draw attention of the owners to complete the structure or take charge of their security to avoid habitation by miscreants. While many have

complied, others have not and the result is what you are seeing now (demolition),” Madaki said.

He, however, admitted that the owners of these structures are always advised by the Department of Development Control to apply for revalidation before continuing adding load on a longabandoned structure, but some of them fail.

“The revalidation involves hammer test which is to test the structural integrity of the building and ascertain if the developer can continue to put more load on the building.

But this long-abandoned structure in plot 319 has obviously failed the test woefully,” he added.

Ogun to spend N1.3bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

wealth project of the state government, assuring that government would also invest massively in waste management by providing financial support through loans and grants to accredited waste managers.

Olubori however, emphasised formal integration of Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Councils (CDCs) and other community-based organisations in the efforts aimed at changing the mind-set of the people to achieve total compliance to new environmental laws and regulations.

Speaking on the theme: “Solid waste management: The emerging trends,” the guest speaker, Dr. Moses Oyatogun, a lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, focused more on the opportunities embedded in waste and solid management, calling on stakeholders to collaborate with government in its efforts at converting waste to wealth.

Chairman of AWAM, Alhaji Musibaudeen Adebesin, said that solid waste management was a capital intensive business, soliciting for government assistance in sourcing for funds from banks towards purchasing trucks and compactors for his members.

He, however, assured of his members’ determination to complement government’s efforts in maintaining a clean and safe environment across the state.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Jo’burg’s most popular city in Africa – MasterCard Index p.38

37

Aviation

Ministry inaugurates digital service centre p.39

Med-View’s B747-400 aircraft on a tarmac

Point-to-point model: Bane of Nigerian airlines With the designation of Medview Airlines on Dubai route, the airline joins Arik Air as two designated carriers on the lucrative route.

Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE, writes that these airlines would find it difficult to have a huge chunk of the market share due to the pointto-point operations.

In the beginning Before 2003 when Nigeria’s national carrier was liquidated, Nigeria Airways enjoyed huge patronage. It competed with big international airlines to a point that the European and other airlines saw the carrier as a force to be reckoned with. The liquidated airline was credited with the development of Dubai route that has become huge and important to Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airlines.

Nigeria Airways dominated the West African skies and extended its dominance to Central Africa because of a very strong hub. The airline equally provided strong domestic connections to many parts of the nation until the liberalisation of air transport by former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi

Babangida in the 1990s.

Liberalisation of air transport The liberalisation of air transport in Nigeria brought in the likes of Okada Air, Harco and Kabo. Other airlines subsequently joined the fray to provide air transport services and expanded the space for airline operations.

The demise of the WT, the call sign for Nigeria Airways, signaled the end of international operations by any Nigerian airline until Bellview decided to operate to London, Amsterdam and other international routes to reciprocate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) Nigeria has with many European nations.

This carrier operated alongside Virgin Nigeria, a new entrant then, but had to cease operations while the later continued.

Virgin Atlantic started with so much promise on both domestic and London routes. Its success even transcended these routes as it quickly made inroad into Central and West Africa.

Soon after, it forayed into Dubai. That was where it met its waterloo as Emirates practically chased the airline away on that lucrative route. It became impossible for Virgin Atlantic to compete with Emirates and it tactically maneuvered out of the route.

Nigerian carriers’ inability to compete This exposed the underbelly of Nigerian airlines designated on international routes as point to point operations they do coupled with weak hubs have done incalculable damage to their services beyond the shores of the

country and made their presence not to be felt by their European or Asian counterparts.

Sustainability of hubs Airlines hubs are airports that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. It is part of a hub and spoke model, where travellers moving between airports not served by direct flights change planes en-route to their destinations.

This is as opposed to the pointto-point model. Many hubs of the airlines are also situated at airports in the cities of their respective head offices.

Some airlines may use a single hub, while others use multiple hubs. Hubs are used for both passenger flights as well as cargo flights.

Pointto-point operation has made Nigerian carriers unable to interline, as interline agreements are directional

Poor business model Point-to-point transit refers to a transportation system in which a plane, bus or train travels directly to a destination, rather than going through a central hub.

This differs from the spoke-hub distribution paradigm in which the transportation goes to a central location where passengers change to another train, bus or plane to reach their destination.

Aviation expert, Francis Ayigbe, told New Telegraph that point-to-point operation has made Nigerian carriers unable to interline, adding that interline agreements are directional.

For example, it may be possible for airline A to issue the ticket on airline B itinerary, but might not be able to be issuer on the same itinerary.

Airlines that have been established for many years are sometimes called “legacy,” “network,” or “full-service airlines.” Previously, only large network carriers such as United Airlines and Lufthansa would have electronic ticket interline agreements, but the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s mandate to eliminate paper tickets at the end of 2007 has changed this by forcing smaller carriers to implement electronic ticketing.

For example, United Airlines has an interline ticketing agreement with competitors, American Airlines and British Airways. Smaller legacy carriers commonly have interline agreements with large network carriers that fly into their markets.

Partnership Carriers that participate in airline alliances such as Star Alliance or Sky Team almost always have interline agreements.

However, even direct competitors can benefit from interline agreements. When a ticket is issued for an interline itinerary, one of the airlines in that itinerary will be selected by the ticketing agent as the issuing airline, commonly referred to as the “plating carrier.”

The plating carrier collects the entire fare from the customer, either via own sales channels (web site or ticket office), or via travel agents. Travel agent remit collected fare and taxed to the plating carrier via ARC (Airline Reporting Corpotation) in the US or Billing and Settlement Plan CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

Business | Aviation

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jo’burg’s most popular city in Africa – MasterCard Index INCREASE The country expects 4.3 million international overnight visitors in 2014

J

ohannesburg is set to be the most popular destination city in Africa for the second year, followed by Cape Town, according to the 2014 MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index.

Johannesburg expects 4.3 million international overnight visitors in 2014, a 4.9 per cent increase on last year’s 4.1 million visitors.

It also comes out tops in Africa in terms of international visitor expenditure, with travellers expected to spend $3.2 billion in 2014, compared to $3,06 billion last year.

Now in its fourth year, the MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities ranks 132 cities in terms of the number of their total international visitor arrivals and the cross-border spending by these same visitors in the destination cities. It also gives visitor and passenger growth forecasts for 2014. The

13 African cities ranked in the Index are Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Cairo, Casablanca, Accra, Nairobi, Beira, Dakar, Kampala, Lagos, Maputo and Tunis.

According to the report, Johannesburg’s top-five feeder cities are London, Frankfurt, Harare, Maputo, and Paris. However, while visitor numbers from London and Frankfurt are growing, the others are dropping.

Most visitors to Johannesburg will again travel from London. This year, visitors from London are expected to increase in number by 3.3 per cent and will spend an estimated $462 million while in the city.

Frankfurt (305,000 people), Harare (269,000 people), Maputo (204,000 people) and Paris (198,000) are the top five cities sending visitors to Johannesburg. Parisians are expected to spend the most ($337 million), followed by visitors from Frankfurt ($159 million), Harare ($140 million), and Maputo ($115 million).

Trailing Johannesburg by a substantial margin, Cape Town is set to be Africa’s second most visited city. The Mother City is expected to receive 1.6 million

international overnight visitors in 2014, who are likely to spend $2.3 billion. This is a 5.5 per cent increase in visitor numbers and a 10 per cent increase in spend compared with 2013 ($2.1 billion).

Rounding out the top five most visited cities in Africa are Cairo(1.35 million visitors spending $804 million), Lagos (1.33 million visitors spending $710 million), and Casablanca (0.98 million visitors spending $737 million).

For the third time in four years, London is the destination of choice for travellers. London will receive 18.7 million international visitors in 2014, followed

by Bangkok (16.4 million), Paris (15.6 million), Singapore (12.5 million) and Dubai (11.9 million).

Dawn Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of Gauteng Tourism, said: “We are excited by the news but we are not leaving anything to chance or showing any signs of complacency. Over the past weekend we concluded a very successful Joburg Shopping Festival in association with the city of Johannesburg.”

•Culled from Top on Travels

Arrival hall of OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg

Airbus A350-900 receives FAA Type Certification

T

he world’s latest generation commercial airliner, the A350-900, received Type Certification on November 12 from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at FAA headquarters in Washington D.C. FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, Peggy Gilligan, and Airbus Group Inc. Chairman, Allan McArtor, were among the signing authorities at the official ceremony.

The certified aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Today’s milestone follows the A350-900 Type Certification awarded by the European

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on September 30.

The A350-900’s respective FAA and EASA certification awards come after Airbus successfully finished a stringent programme of certification trials which took the A350-900 airframe and systems well beyond their design limits to ensure all airworthiness criteria are fully met.

The fleet of five test A350900 aircraft completed the certification flight test campaign, on time, having accumulated over 2,600 flight test hours to create and successfully achieve one of the aviation industry’s most thorough and efficient test

programs ever developed for a commercial airliner.

The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all-new mid-size long range product line and the newest member of Airbus’ leading wide-body family. The A350 XWB stands out in its class thanks to its combination of passenger comfort, technological innovation and its unique industrial process.

Built hand-in-hand with customers, the A350 XWB sets new standards in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency and costeffectiveness. At the end of October 2014, the A350 XWB had won 750 orders from 39 customers worldwide.

AIR RAGE

WITH

38

Wole Shadare

Tears, joy for Nigerian carriers

L

ast week, the Managing Director of Medview Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, at a press briefing to mark two years anniversary of the company, decried the granting of frequencies and multiple designations to foreign airlines, stressing that government’s action has done serious damage to their business.

Bankole did not mince words when he said that foreign airlines do not add value to Nigeria and Nigerians. That was an unkindest cut. But you do not blame him for taking a swipe at the foreign airlines and, above all, the actions of government, by deliberately killing local airlines.

I believe that foreign airlines are in business to make money and will take the advantage to milk the sector anywhere they find weak leadership. Sometimes, it becomes very difficult to blame government because of the lack of capacity by Nigerian airlines to reciprocate most of the Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA).

Bankole cited the decision to grant airlines such as Ethiopian Airways flight services to Enugu, Abuja, Lagos and Kano, hinting that the airline plans to further expand its operations in the country.

He equally cited the domineering influence of Emirates, which is fully backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to kick smaller airlines out of the route they operate.

The truth is that Nigerian airlines are too weak

and fragmented and lack the financial power to compete with the likes of Air France, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa, Delta, United and others. They are bogged down with huge debts.

While many international airlines that can go as stand-alone are merging and consolidating, Nigerian airlines in their small state are finding it extremely difficult to do same. Of what use is managing a dying airline as a Chief Executive, than seeing your airline grow to partake in the huge travel market?

Many of them, except for Arik and Medview, are not IOSA compliant. So, how do you interline when you are not IOSA certified?

It becomes practically impossible if you refuse to upgrade your business to the required international level.

It would be out of place not to recognise the achievements of Medview Airlines in just two years of operation. It is equally a dis-service not to applaud the achievements of Arik Air for hanging in there in the face of serious challenges.

Other carriers have equally done well to provide the service they offer despite crushing challenges they face as a result of the hostile environment in which they operate.

At times, one wonders what has been the motivation for them to continue to be in business, considering the fact that profit margin in airline business is so marginal.

Bane of Nigerian airlines CONT INU E D FROM PAGE 37

(BSP) in other parts of the world.

The airline, which actually carried the passenger (the operating airline) will send an invoice to the issuing/plating carrier, normally via IATA Clearing House, to collect its portion of fare and taxes. The operating airline is responsible for remitting passenger taxes to the various government and airports. Some taxes are sales-based (US taxes), and shall be remitted by the issuing airline.

Most newer low-cost carrier airlines that only sell directly to consumers (and not through agencies or GDS systems) do not support interlining at all. For

example, United Airlines does not have an interline agreement with Southwest Airlines or Easyjet.

Set back According to Ayigbe, “With point to point operations, Nigerian carriers will find it difficult to interline, coupled with shrinking capacity. Your load factor will continually be predictable.”

According to him, “if a desired origin–destination pair is not served, passengers will have to make a connection as in the hub model or travel by another mode of transportation. The frequency of trips may be reduced because the number of origin–destination pairs is orders of magnitude larger.”

Business | Aviation

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

39

Ministry inaugurates digital service centre LAUNCH Centre will enhance delivery of effective and efficient service to the public

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines B747-406(M)

Airline offers stay on converted plane

T

Stories by Wole Shadare

he Dutch airline, KLM, is offering visitors to Amsterdam the chance to spend the night on board a converted plane.

This unique accommodation is being offered for just three nights on the website Airbnb.

It sleeps four guests in two bedrooms, while guests can access the cockpit, where they can enjoy panoramic views of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

There’s no shortage of places to spend a penny, of course – with “eight small bathrooms,” according to the listing.

Other features include a library (copies of KLM’s inflight magazine are certain to feature), Wi-Fi, a coffee-making facilities, a games console and a home cinema system (Snakes on a Plane, The Aviator, Top Gun or Disney’s Planes are among the films on offer).

“House rules” include “no flying,” “don’t use the inflatable emergency slide,” and “no marshmallow roasting with the jet engines.”

The stay cannot be bought.

Anyone interested must fill out a form explaining – in no more than 100 words – why they would like to go.

T

he Ministry of Aviation has commissioned a digital service centre in compliance with the directive from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation for ministries and agencies to digitalise their operations for effective service delivery.

He added that the digital centre will make access to information in line with Freedom of Information Acts (FOI) easy and faster, facilitate Data archiving and online chat for enquiries, directory, comments, and feedbacks.

The minister encouraged the staff of the ministry to tap into the opportunity to improve themselves and put such improvement to practice, which will in turn affect the ministry and the aviation sector positively.

Per manent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Yemi Adelakun, while welcoming the minister to the commis-

L-R: Head Engineering Unit of Medview Airlines, Gani Animasaun; Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; Head, Operations, Capt. Wale Oke and CEO, Belujane Consult, Mr. Chris Azu Aligbe, at a media briefing on the airline’s second anniversary.

Will Qantas’ new ‘supersize’ meals redefine flying? he Australian flag-ship Other meals on offer inairline, Qantas, has re- clude honey roasted chickT vealed details of its new en farro salad and seasonal menu, which it claims will be the “best in-flight economy dining experience offered by any international carrier.”

The problems of providing good quality plane food are well documented.

However, the CEO of Qantas Group, Alan Joyce, claimed that the airline’s new menu is “set to re-define the travel experience for international economy customers.”

The revised meal service will include more generous servings – main courses will be 50 per cent larger – and twice the number of options available to passengers, including a healthy option.

Alongside the three main in-flight options, economy passengers will shortly be able to pre-order their meal online, with access to an “exclusive” fourth dish.

Meal options will be also tailored to specific routes, including a smoky barbecue option for flights to the United States.

The establishment is aimed at improving the capabilities of the ministry to effectively implement government policies under the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, while inaugurating the centre, said that it will enhance delivery of effective and efficient service to the public, enhance prompt implementation of government policies and projects under the transformation agenda, enhance value for money on public expenditure, enhance transparency, accountability, stewardship and professionalism.

vegetables with pumpkin and sesame seeds; scrambled eggs with chicken sausage, tomato, hash brown and baked beans; and traditional Greek yoghurt with granola.

According to the airline, a team of food and beverage experts spent a year developing the new menu. When trials were run on various international flights, it claims customer satisfaction rates almost doubled and hit “record highs”.

There will also be new serving plates – removing the need for trays – apparently allowing crew to serve and clear meals up to 30 minutes faster.

New ingredients and extended options will cost more, but the expense will be offset by other small adjustments, such as not having butter sachets.

The new dining options will be introduced on flights from Melbourne to London from November 25, and will follow later on other routes.

sioning earlier, said that the Digital Service Centre was a brain child of the Head, Civil Service of the Federation and all MDAs were mandated to replicate it.

He disclosed that the state-ofthe-art Aviation Digital Centre has 20 computers which have been programmed to serve the ministry and aviation sector in general.

Adelakun enjoined the management and staff of the ministry to cooperate with the incoming permanent secretary as they have given to him in his short stay in the ministry.

He said that he was sure the incoming Permanent Secretary will deliver as he is a great achiever. He prayed that the permanent secretary will take the ministry to the next level.

The incoming Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Abbas, on the other hand, congratulated the outgoing permanent secretary on his stay in the ministry.

Abbas pledged to work with the management and staff of the ministry to take aviation ministry to greater height while focussing on achieving the transformation agenda of the government of Nigeria.

Members of staff and management of the ministry and agencies of the ministry where represented at the occasion.

The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Usman Muhtar pledged support for the incoming Permanent Secretary while wishing the outgoing a successful sojourn to his new place of deployment.

Rwanda scales IOSA test

R

wandAir, the national flag carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has announced its successful IOSA registration under the IATA – IOSA registry.

The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is an internationally-recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline, which occurs every two years once the airline successfully completes the first audit.

Created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), IOSA uses internationally-recognised quality audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a standardised and consistent manner.

IATA oversees the accreditation of audit organisations, ensures the continuous development of IOSA standards and practices and manages the IOSA registry.

The audit organisation contracted by RwandAir for its initial audit was GHS Aviation Group.

RwandAir has been suc-

cessfully registered under the IATA – IOSA registry which is due to expire in June 2016; this follows the completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) conducted on its operations system from June 9 to 13, 2014.

The airline passed its initial 2014 IOSA audit with an exemplary report of minimal findings and observations.

“This is a significant milestone for RwandAir. It has shown that the hard work being put in everyday by all employees is bearing fruit.

Rwand Air management takes pride and extends its appreciation to each and every employee at RwandAir

who spent sleepless nights to see this dream come true.

Passing the IOSA is vital to the sustainability of RwandAir as it is a mandatory requirement to obtain IATA registration, Alliance memberships and code share agreements” said John Mirenge, the RwandAir Chief Executive Officer.

RwandAir said in a statement that it is “proud of this achievement and will continue working hard to maintain these international and highly recognised standards in the aviation industry while creating value for its stakeholders including shareholders, customers and employees, among others.

RwandAir’s B737-800 aircraft in flight

40

Photo | News

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Audit leader, Deloitte Nigeria, Augustine Nkwume; Transitional leader, Tawanda Gumbo and Advisory leader, Mike Vincent, Deloitte West Africa, at the 2014 Deloitte Alumni Forum in Lagos

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Plc, (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim; Head, Kano Children Home, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar and others, during Ibrahim’s visit to the orphanage to mark the company’s 25th anniversary in Kano…recently

L-R: Head, Public Relations/Brand Management, Konga Express, Olatomiwa Akande; Fulfilment Operations Director, Wale Adisa; Head, Marketing, Gabriel Gab-Umoden and Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Russel, at the launch of Konga K Express Lagos tour on Show of Strength” in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Gombe State Labour Party Governorship aspirant, Mr. Hassan Maku (left), submitting his nomination form to the party’s Chairman, Alhaji Sale Lawal in Gombe

L-R: Former Acting Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Benedict Adeyileka; Managing Director, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; former Director General, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren and Chairman/CEO, Bi-Courtney Consortium Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin, at a dinner to mark the 2nd year anniversary of Med-View Airline in Lagos.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L-R: Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; Member, Council of Elders, Nasrul-Lahi-l-fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Ilorin Branch, Hajia Halimat Yusuf and other members, during the Ahmed’s visit to NASFAT village, in Ilorin

L-R: Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Oluranti Adebule; Olubeshe of Ibeshe Land, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya and Lagos State All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship aspirant, Senator Ganiu Olanrewaju Solomon, at the 23rd Ikorodu Oga day celebration in Lagos

L R: Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof. Sulaiman Bogoro; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Musa Babayo and Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, at the launch of TETFUND Textbooks in Abuja.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

41

Nigeria’s forex reserves down 3% in two weeks CBN sells $400m at official market

CHOICE

Country to choose between forex depletion or devaluation Godson Ikoro

N

igeria’s foreign exchange reserves fell three percent in two weeks to $37.59 billion by Nov. 13, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stepped up support for the ailing currency.

Data published by the apex bank yesterday showed the reserves were at $38.76 billion on October 29.

The banking watchdog has spent billions of dollars defending the naira, hit by falling global oil prices, in the past month. But despite repeated interventions, the naira closed at a new low of N173.20 yesterday.

While some of the world’s biggest banks say the collapse in oil is just about over, further losses would force Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer to choose between raising interest

rates, eroding foreignexchange reserves or, eventually, devaluing the currency, according to Exotix Ltd., a Londonbased investment bank.

“We’re getting close to the point where the alarm bells are ringing loudly,” Angus Downie, the head of economics research at Ecobank Transnational Inc. in London, had told Reuters by e-mail.

“If oil prices continue to slide before the election, foreign-exchange reserves will come under pressure, and that’s when the authorities would be expected to adapt fiscal and monetary policy to the new oil-price regime.”

“A weaker currency would boost the cost of importing everything from fuel to food, threatening support for President Goodluck Jonathan, who’s already under pressure for failing to stem deadly attacks

by Islamist militants,” the Reuters’ report had revealed.

Nigeria joins Russia, Colombia and Venezuela as the biggest losers from the decline in oil,

according to Neil Shearing, the chief emergingmarkets economist at Capital Economics Ltd. in London.

Nigeria is the continent’s biggest producer of crude, which accounts for about 85 percent of government revenue.

The country also imports about 70 per cent of its fuel needs because of inadequate refining capacity.

Meanwhile, the banking watchdog yesterday

auctioned the sum of US$400 million for auction at the retail Dutch Auction sales.

In a circular REF: FMD/FDO/GEN/ CIR/01/87/14 issued yesterday and signed by the CBN Director of Financial Markets department, E. U.Ukeje was sent to all authorised dealers.

Titled foreign exchange market auction RDAS N0.87/2014, the lenders’ watchdog said, “Further to its circular

Dangote Oil Refinery starts mid-2018, says director

D

angote Group, controlled by Africa’s richest man, expects an oil refinery it is building in Nigeria to come on-stream in late 2017 or the first half of 2018.

The plant in Lagos, according to Reuters News, will be able to process 500,000 barrels of crude a day, George Nicolaides, Dangote Industries’ operations director for petroleum refining, said in

Economic Indicators

Dangote

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

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

ref. TED/FEM/FPC/ GEN/01/009 of September 26, 2013, the CBN hereby offers the sum of USD400.00 million (four hundred million United States dollars only) for sale at the foreign exchange auction of November 17, 2014.”

According to the apex bank, authorired dealers were invited to submit their customers’ bids (flash disk and hard copy) to the Director, Financial Markets

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Offer 163.38

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

Spot ($/N)

T

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX

Bid 163.4000

an interview at the Platts African Refining Summit in Cape Town yesterday.

“The site is being cleared, the plant is being designed,” Nicolaides said. “We are close to the beginning of detailed engineering.”

In September last year, Dangote said it had agreed on a $3.3 billion loan with 12 Nigerian and foreign lenders to build the refinery as well as a petrochemical and fertilizer complex costing a total of $9 billion. At the time, the facility in Africa’s biggest economy was expected to be completed in 2016 and the capacity of the refinery was put at 400,000 barrels a day.

“We have a very ambi-

tious construction schedule,” Nicolaides said. “I’m not sure about the history of those dates.”

While Nigeria is Africa’s top producer of crude oil, it relies on fuel imports to meet more than 70 percent of its needs. Four state refineries with a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels a day are operating at a fraction of that because of poor maintenance and aging equipment.

Dangote selected Engineers India Ltd. (ENGR) to do most of the detailed engineering work for the new plant. Construction contractors have yet to be appointed.

“Supplying the local market is the primary objective,” Nicolaides said. “Naturally we can move product to the region. The government is being very supportive, very enthusiastic about this project. We are not looking for or wanting any particular subsidies.”

The group owns Dangote Cement Plc, the country’s biggest company by market value, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Dangote Industries Ltd. and Dangote Oil Services Ltd. Its president is Aliko Dangote, who is worth $20.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Ecobank secures $150m loan from foreign lenders

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

Department, (at the address stipulated in the guidelines referenced), between 9.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m.

Also, it noted that further to its circular ref. TED/FEM/FPC/ GEN/01/006 of February 5, 2014, authorized dealers should note that the authorised dealers RDAS Account No.1000011194 with the CBN must be adequately funded two working days before the day of bidding, failing which the bids will be disqualified.

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

he Nigerian unit of pan-African lender Ecobank said yesterday it had secured $150 million in a debt facility from a group of international banks to grow its loan book.

The loan, which attracted participation from Standard Chartered Bank, Commerzbank, Mashreq

and First Gulf Bank PJSC, according to Reuters News, was a one-year facility, the African bank said in a statement.

“The facility marks Ecobank’s debut in the international loan market and lays the groundwork for future fundraising on a broader basis,” the bank said.

Business | Financial Market News

42

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

17-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

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

NA

NA

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)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

0.43 1.75 2.44 2.69 2.79 3.53 4.61 4.93 7.20 9.32 14.03 14.51 15.01 15.68 19.67

11.26 13.44 13.70 13.81 13.80 13.78 13.70 13.73 13.56 13.52 13.83 13.87 13.92 13.73 13.63

10.89 13.35 13.63 13.73 13.73 13.66 13.61 13.63 13.50 13.46 13.78 13.82 13.85 13.67 13.58

97.00 99.35 102.80 91.31 89.95 91.59 107.65 76.44 112.70 103.50 107.16 91.46 66.25 76.20 89.90

97.15 99.50 102.95 91.46 90.10 91.89 107.95 76.74 113.00 103.80 107.46 91.76 66.55 76.50 90.20

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,675.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,474.72

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

Description

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

#

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

0.52 1.25 2.06 2.42 2.63

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

14.10 14.92 15.67 14.79 14.81

93.17 102.79 99.64 96.84 93.91

31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 10-Oct-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.79 0.63 0.91 0.92 2.42 1.47 3.12 2.29 3.88 2.29 2.29 2.67 2.93 5.01 2.90 3.45 6.03 6.12 3.60 3.63

4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

16.31 14.86 16.52 15.55 19.38 14.04 15.58 15.55 14.77 14.75 18.53 14.81 14.80 14.72 16.54 14.78 14.64 15.57 15.22 15.73

97.23 99.58 98.03 100.38 82.50 99.83 96.16 97.33 97.74 99.62 91.80 99.42 101.73 99.22 96.10 99.96 95.54 97.76 98.22 98.22

322.97

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

313.24

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

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

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

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

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

8.50 4.18 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 34.14 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 16.23 80.00 27.51 11.40 87.50 5.00 4.78 4.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds Aa/Agusto

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

GTB µ NGC

Nil

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

*FLOURMILLS

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto

NAHCO

Nil A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR Nil A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A/GCR A/GCR

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

UBA

BBB-/GCR

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

471.68 452.50

*C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER#

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

#

*TOWER UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

*DANA

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

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

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.08

5.21

14.61

99.84

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.12

8.71

18.41

99.70

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.51

4.88

16.33

97.43

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.58

1.00

12.56

99.89

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.66

2.63

14.31

100.37

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.87

1.00

14.50

97.57

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.94

1.34

14.92

98.88

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.87

1.00

14.80

95.87

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.68

1.88

15.18

105.22 98.68

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.89

3.48

17.01

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.06

5.20

18.87

98.94

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.06

5.06

18.73

101.85

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.85

1.35

15.12

96.76

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.17

2.29

15.99

99.75

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.25

6.11

19.84

95.41

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.12

2.16

15.95

100.17

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.99

2.76

16.40

95.71

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.87

1.00

14.51

86.61

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.87

1.00

14.51

93.44

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

144.16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

140.45

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.24

1.00

14.79

88.49

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.46

1.00

14.76

89.31

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

24.95 22.18 Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.57

5.40

106.12

107.00

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.64

4.40

101.60

102.42

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.85

5.73

103.49

104.37

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,556.05

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

8.52

8.52

103.30

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

4.87

4.87

103.75

103.75

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.83

6.83

101.00

101.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

9.44

8.95

92.57

93.93

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.32

5.95

98.89

100.17

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

9.67

9.67

102.00

102.00

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.46

6.46

99.20

99.20

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.28

9.02

98.09

99.00

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

8.11

8.11

99.75

99.75

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

8.11

8.11

93.00

93.00

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

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

24-Jun-14

9.25

400.00

24-Jun-21

9.44

9.18

99.25

100.50

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

8.45

8.45

96.75

96.75

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.47

8.23

100.42

101.63

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,760.00 4,726.01

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 38 45 52 59 66

FIXINGS Maturity 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15

Bid Discount (%) 8.60 11.30 9.00 10.10 10.30 11.60 9.85 9.50

Offer Discount (%) 8.35 11.05 8.75 9.85 10.05 11.35 9.60 9.25

Bid Yield (%) 8.62 11.36 9.05 10.21 10.43 11.79 10.01 9.67

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 12.0250 12.8984 13.7927 14.4687

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

12.50

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

12.96

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

173.15 170.20 170.47 171.10 172.30 173.50

173.25 170.43 170.78 171.72 173.43 175.16

O/N Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.50 12.61

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

A+/Agusto KADUNA 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 A/Agusto *EBONYI 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 A-/Agusto *BENUE 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 A+/Agusto *IMO 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 A+/Agusto; A+/GCR LAGOS 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 A-/Agusto *BAYELSA 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 A/Agusto EDO 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 A+/GCR TUESDAY, *DELTA NEWA+/Agusto; TELEGRAPH NOVEMBER 18, 2014 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 A-/Agusto; A-/GCR NIGER 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 A/Agusto; A-/GCR† *EKITI 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 A-/Agusto *NIGER 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 A/Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 A/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 A/Agusto; A-/GCR *OSUN 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 A/Agusto *OSUN 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 A/Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

Investors gain N36billion

NSE All Share Index tion of equities appreciand market capitalisa- ated by N36 billion or 0.2 tion, rose by 0.2 per cent, per cent, as market sentiChris Ugwu TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE as market sentiments ment remained green.

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ctivities on the extended gaining streak Meanwhile, a turnNigerian Stock following investors’ high over of 198.8 million Corporate Bonds shares worth N2.3 18-Dec-09 billion optimism. 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 Aa/Agustomarket opened GTB µ 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 01-Apr-10 NGC Nil Consequently , the All- in 4,236 deals was recordthe week yesterUPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 *UPDC Share Index10.00 gained 67.78 ed in the day’s trading. dayBbb-/Agusto on the positive route, 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 A-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS as bargain hunters jostled Banking sub-sector of basis points or 0.2 per 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB+/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS for A+/Agusto; sharesA-/GCR on the back of the financial services seccent to close at 35,448.80 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 29-Sep-11 NAHCO FSDH 25-OCT-2016 blueA-/Agusto chip companies.FSDH active as against 14.25 35,381.02 re- tor was the most 25-Oct-13 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR key market UBA 30-Sep-10 The per- corded the 13.00 previous day, during the day (measured 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR measures,*Cthe 30-Nov-12 & I LEASING formance while market capitalisa- by turnover volume); with #

A

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

*DANA

09-Apr-11

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

SEC Quiz Contest: Six schools are zonal winners AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR Nil

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

*DANA

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

NAHCO

STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC

S

B-/S&P

31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 10-Oct-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.79 0.63 0.91 0.92 2.42 1.47 3.12 2.29 3.88 2.29 2.29 2.67 2.93 5.01 2.90 3.45 6.03 6.12 3.60 3.63

4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

16.31 14.86 16.52 15.55 19.38 14.04 15.58 15.55 14.77 14.75 18.53 14.81 14.80 14.72 16.54 14.78 14.64 15.57 15.22 15.73

97.23 99.58 98.03 100.38 82.50 99.83 96.16 97.33 97.74 99.62 91.80 99.42 101.73 99.22 96.10 99.96 95.54 97.76 98.22 98.22

17.01

98.68

Business | Financial Market News

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

62.6 million shares worth N785.6 million exchanged by investors in 1,192 deals.

471.68 Volume in the sub-sector was largely driven452.50 by activity in the shares of Zenith Bank13.50 Plc and UBA13.17 Plc. 17.00 the insurance 2.00 Also, 10.00 3.61 sub-sector, boosted by 12.00 13.62 activity in the shares of 14.00 0.60 Mutual Insur13.00 Benefits15.00 ance14.25 Plc followed 5.53 with a 13.00 20.00 turnover of 37.3 million 18.00 valued at0.73 shares N23.5

million in 141 deals.

The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 24, while decliners closed at 19.

Champion Nigeria 18-Dec-14 0.08 5.21 Plc led the gainers’ table 31-Dec-1410.10 per 0.12 cent to 8.71 with 17-Aug-15 4.88 close at N9.16 0.51 per share, 09-Dec-15 0.58 1.00 while RT Briscoe Nigeria 06-Jan-16 0.66 2.63 Plc followed with a gain 29-Sep-16 1.87 1.00 of25-Oct-16 8.70 per cent 1.94 to close 1.34 2.87 1.00 at30-Sep-17 75 kobo. Costan West 30-Nov-17 Plc added 1.68 4.94 per 1.88 Africa

43

cent to close at 85 kobo per share.

On the other hand, Okomu oil Nigeria Plc led the price losers’ table, dropping 4.98 per cent to 14.61 99.84share, close at N28.24 per 99.70 while18.41 PharmaDeko Ni97.43 geria 16.33 Plc followed with 12.56 99.89 a loss14.31 of 4.79 per cent to 100.37 close at N2.36. Carverton 14.50 97.57 Nigeria 4.79 per 14.92Plc shed 98.88 14.80 95.87 cent to close at N3.78 per 105.22 share.15.18

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.89

3.48

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.06

5.20

18.87

98.94

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.06

5.06

18.73

101.85

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.85

1.35

15.12

96.76

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.17

2.29

15.99

99.75

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.25

6.11

19.84

95.41

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

Oando grows net earnings by 43%

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

*TOWER#

from North-Central 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 zone.

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR Abuja Also ready to particiTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATIONpate in the grand final in ix s e c o n d a r y Abuja on November 26, Supranational s c h o o l sBond h ave 2014 are Abdulrasheed 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC emerged as zonal Raji Special School, SoAFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P winners to representAfDB the koto from 11.25 North-West TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE six geo-political zones in zone and Federal GovCAPITALISATION the TOTAL grandMARKET final of the 5th ernment College, AzaNational Quiz Competi- ure Bauchi State from Description Issuer tion onRating/Agency Capital Market North-East zone. coming up later this The Zonal level comFGN Eurobonds month in Abuja. petition is the second 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P A statement from elimination stage where SECBB-/Fitch; listed Government the winning schools FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P Secondary School, Akim from each State slugged BB-/Fitch; 6.38aJUL 12, 2023 Calabar, Cross Rivers it out to come up with BB-/S&P State, which came first TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE winner to represent the among sec- State at the national TOTALother MARKET five CAPITALISATION ondary schools from the level.

The final stage is the South-South zone of the Corporate Eurobonds 11.50 level, which isFEB 01, 2016 country.

B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC National I 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 Others are Commuthe grand finale of the B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 nityB+/S&P Secondary School competition where the ACCESS BANK PLC B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC overall winner will6.88 beMAY 09, 2018 Okposhi Ebonyi State, 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P first inGTBANK which came the PLCdetermined from the 10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC six II geo-political zones South-East zone, Bibo6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC Oluwa Academy, Ilesha, of the Country.

8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC Osun State from SouthThe grand finale ac8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC West zone and Chapel cording to SEC, will 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III Secondary come Novem9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&PSchool TanACCESS BANK PLC II up on 26th 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 ke, B-/Fitch; Ilorin, Kwara State B/S&P FIRST BANKber, LTD 2014 in FCT. A/GCR Abdulwahab Isa

8.50 4.18 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 34.14 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 16.23 80.00 27.51 11.40 87.50 5.00 4.78 4.79

Nigerian stocks extend gaining streak

CONFIDENCE

Nil

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

01-Apr-19 3.12 2.16 15.95 100.17 with the Exchange posted a million.

15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 5.99 2.76 16.40 95.71 profit before tax of N12.532 “Oando continues on its 30-Sep-14 11.93 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.87 1.00 14.51 86.61 path to deliver profitable ando Plc, one of Nibillion for the first half of 30-Sep-14 13.25 15.44 30-Sep-24 9.87 1.00 14.51 93.44 the year as against N6.155 growth and return on investgeria’s indigenous oil 144.16 and gas producers list- 140.45 billion, indicating a growth ment to its shareholders; H1 ed on both the Nigeria Stock of 103 per cent.

2014 has seen the business Exchange (NSE) and JohanNet earnings grew by 110 achieve several important 11-Feb-13 Stock 10.20 11-Feb-18N8.980 billion 3.24 1.00 14.79 including 88.49 milestones, the nesburg Exchange 12.00 per cent from 10-Jul-14 1.00 14.76 89.31 acquisition of (JSE), has posted a11.25 43 per cent 12.95 during the01-Feb-21 first half of4.462014 successful growth in profit after tax for 24.95 as against N4.271 billion in ConocoPhillips, the largthe third quarter ended Sep- 22.18 2013, while revenue dropped est acquisition by an indigtember 30, 2014. to N194.55 billion compared enous player in Africa, the Outstanding Value Issuecompany Date Coupon (%) Maturitybillion.

Date Bid Yield (%) Offerupstream Yield (%) BidOML Price OfferproducPrice 125 The in a filing with ($mm) with N280.32 the Exchange, posted a profit Chairman of the company, tion increased by 17 per cent Prices & Yields after tax of N10.700 billion for Oba Michael Gbadebo had to 651,000 bbls, while OML 56 07-Oct-11 quarter 6.75 28-Jan-21 5.57 5.40 106.12 107.00 by 30 the third as against 500.00 at the 37th Annual General production increased N6.091 billion.

This indicated Meeting (AGM) while highper cent to 171,000bbls com12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.64 4.40 101.60 102.42 a growth of 43 per cent. lighting on the impact of pared with prior comparative 12-Jul-13 profit grew 6.38 by 4.08 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.85 103.49 5.73 104.37 Pre-tax Oando’s $1.5 billion acquisiperiod, and four years of contion of ConocoPhillips Nige- tinuous operations without a per cent from N9.761 reported 1,500.00 during the comparable pe- 1,556.05 ria, which has transformed Lost Time Incident (LTI) on riod of 2013 to N9.761 billion the company into Nigeria’s the “OES Teamwork” swamp in 2014. largest indigenous oil and drilling rig,” he said.

01-Feb-11 01-Feb-16 The company’s11.50 turnover 450.00 gas producer, assured share8.52 8.52Gbadebo 103.30said also 103.30 that 19-May-11 7.50 however, dropped from 500.00 the Oando holders of19-May-16 further improve4.87 4.87 midstream 103.75 103.75 Gas 25-Jul-12 billion in 7.25 2013 to 350.00 25-Jul-17 N386.151 and Power is extending its ments in the company’s 6.83 per6.83 101.00 101.00 09-May-13 billion 6.88 9.44 8.95 92.57 93.93 N338.105 in 2014, 300.00 formance.02-May-18 natural gas distribution net08-Nov-13 6.00 08-Nov-18 6.32 5.95 98.89from Ijora 100.17 to the that the acquisiamounting to a decrease of 400.00 He noted work by 8km 08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 9.67 102.00 102.00 14 per cent. tion is set08-Apr-19 to increase9.67 daily Marina business district in 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.46 6.46 99.20 99.20 Oando had recorded a 103 oil production exponentially Lagos state, positioning the 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 9.28 9.02 98.09 99.00 by 600 per07-Aug-20 cent equivalent to company per 07-Aug-13 cent growth in pre-tax 300.00 to benefit 99.75 from the 8.25 8.11 8.11 99.75 growing demand for gas and profit for the half-year ended, 45,000 boe/d, annual revenue 09-Dec-13 6.63 360.00 09-Dec-20 8.11 8.11 93.00 93.00 2014.24-Jun-14 of over US$600 power infrastructure 9.25 400.00 24-Jun-21 million, 9.44 and 9.18 99.25 100.50in the The company in annual free23-Jul-21 cash flows of country . 96.75 23-Jul-14 8.00 a filing 450.00 8.45$150 8.45 96.75

Chris Ugwu 14-Nov-13

O

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.47

8.23

4,760.00 4,726.01

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

100.42

101.63

17-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 **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com.

DTM 10 17 FGN Bonds 24 38 45 Rating/Agency 52 59 66 73 80 87 94 101 108 NA115 129 136 143 150 157 164 171 178 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 262 290

VALUE

Maturity 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 Issuer 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 NA 12-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 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

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Bid Discount (%) 8.60 11.30 9.00 10.10 10.30 Description 11.60 9.85 4.00 23-APR-2015 9.50 13.05 16-AUG-2016 10.05 15.10 27-APR-2017 11.60 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.15 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.40 10.70 30-MAY-2018 10.70 16.00 29-JUN-2019 11.60 10.70 7.00 23-OCT-2019 10.65 16.39 27-JAN-2022 10.60 14.20 14-MAR-2024 11.50 15.00 28-NOV-2028 10.70 12.49 22-MAY-2029 10.80 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.95 10.00 23-JUL-2030 11.10 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 10.82 11.50 11.00

Offer Discount (%) 8.35 11.05 8.75 9.85 10.05 Issue Date 11.35 9.60 23-Apr-10 9.25 16-Aug-13 9.80 27-Apr-12 11.35 27-Jul-07 9.90 31-Aug-07 10.15 30-May-08 10.45 29-Jun-12 11.35 10.45 23-Oct-09 10.40 27-Jan-12 10.35 14-Mar-14 11.25 28-Nov-08 10.45 22-May-09 10.55 20-Nov-09 10.70 23-Jul-10 10.85 18-Jul-14 10.57 11.25 10.75

Bid Yield (%) 8.62 11.36 9.05 10.21 10.43 Coupon (%) 11.79 10.01 4.00 9.67 13.05 10.26 15.10 11.90 9.85 10.40 9.35 10.69 10.70 11.03 16.00 12.01 11.07 7.00 11.07 16.39 11.04 14.20 12.04 15.00 11.19 12.49 11.33 8.50 11.52 10.00 11.71 12.1493 11.42 12.53 12.05

NIBOR

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M Outstanding 3M Value 6M (N'bn)

Rate (%) 12.0250 12.8984 13.7927 Maturity Date 14.4687

535.00 563.89 452.80 20.00 Tenor 100.00 1M 300.00 2M 351.30 3M 6M 233.90 9M 600.00 12M 371.68

23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 NITTY 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 Rate (%) 31-Aug-17 9.7393 30-May-18 10.0912 29-Jun-19 10.6165 11.3408 23-Oct-19 12.4482 27-Jan-22 12.5944 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 NIFEX 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 Current Price ($/N)23-Jul-30 130.00 18-Jul-34 BID($/N) 172.1950 OFFER4,675.13 ($/N) 172.2950

4,474.72

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

12.50

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

Agency Bonds

Description

Issue Date

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017Total Outstanding Porfolio Market Modified Duration Buckets Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) VALUE FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION <3 3<5

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto A/Agusto A-/Agusto A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR

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

>5 Market

1,025.70 1,054.37

1,016.68 951.30

952.33

1,093.25 3,061.23

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 3,032.40 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

Coupon (%)

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

by Mkt Outstanding Vol Value

33.21 31.08 35.71

31-Aug-10 100.00 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12

33.82 34.77 31.41

12.50 100.00 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50

Outstanding Value (N'bn) 24.56

INDEX 3.00

112.22 116.70 66.49 Bucket Weighting

322.97

313.240.33

0.31 0.36

8.50 1.00 4.18 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 34.14 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Price173.25 Spot 173.15 O/N 12.96 7D 170.20 170.43 Offer REPO 14D Yield 170.47 170.78 Offer Price TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) Bid Price Tenor Rate (%) 1M(%) 171.10 171.72 Call 10.50 2M 172.30 173.43 0.43 11.26 10.89 97.00 97.15 1M 12.61 3M 173.50 175.16 1.75 13.44 13.35 99.35 99.50 3M 13.42 6M 177.31 180.80 2.44 13.70 102.80 102.95 6M 14.31 1Y13.63 185.04 193.20 2.69 13.81 13.73 91.31 91.46 2.79 13.80 13.73 89.95 90.10 NOTE: 3.53 13.78 13.66 91.59 91.89 :Benchmarks 4.61 13.70 13.61 NA :Not Applicable 107.65 107.95 * :Amortising Bond # :Floating Rate Bond 4.93 13.73 13.63 76.44 76.74 µ :Convertible coupon bonds 113.00 7.20Bond 13.56 13.50 ***: Deferred 112.70 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 9.32Management Corporation 13.52 13.46 103.50 103.80 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria expired 14.03 13.83 13.78 †: Bond rating 107.16 107.46 FMBN: Federal Nigeria 14.51Mortgage Bank of 13.87 13.82 N/A :Not Available 91.46 91.76 IFC: International Finance Corporation 15.01 13.92 13.85 66.25 66.55 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 15.68 13.73 13.67 76.20 76.50 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company NGC: Nigeria-German Company 19.67 13.63 13.58 89.90 90.20 UBA: United Bank for Africa O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

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

Tenor

Maturity Date

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

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

0.52 1.25 2.06 2.42 2.63 Implied Yield

# Risk Premium (%)

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00 Implied Portfolio Price

Valuation Yield (%) 14.10 14.92 15.67 14.79 14.81 INDEX

Indicative Price

93.17 102.79 99.64 96.84 93.91 YTD Return (%)

14.69 30.47

13.58 13.60

117.5118 130.1185

1,116.12 1,101.79

11.6123 10.1794

54.84

13.64 0.79 13.62

98.2608 4.44 114.5544

1,148.84 16.31 1,093.89

14.8842 97.23 9.3894

31-Aug-15 100.00 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19

0.63 0.91 0.92 2.42 1.47 3.12 2.29 3.88 2.29 2.29 2.67

3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00

14.86 16.52 15.55 19.38 14.04 15.58 15.55 14.77 14.75 18.53 14.81

99.58 98.03 100.38 82.50 99.83 96.16 97.33 97.74 99.62 91.80 99.42

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

44

Metro

STF officer stabs security outfit’s member to death Musa Pam Jos

T

here was tension in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday over the alleged killing of a member of the state security outfit (Operation Rainbow) by the Special Task Force (STF) Sector 7.

Early yesterday morning, hundreds of youths in the locality blocked the road leading to other local government areas.

The protesters called for the withdrawal of the STF from the local government.

This created tension in the local government as travellers plying the road were stranded for several hours.

A few months ago, a member of the STF Sector 7 allegedly defiled a four-year-old girl.

When contacted, the STF Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, described the incident as unfortunate.

He said: “The commander has ordered the arrest of the suspect and he is undergoing interrogation. If found guilty, he would face the full wrath of the law.”

The local government Chairman, Emmanuel Lo-

Babatope Okeowo Akure

P

olice in Ondo State have arrested some carpenters in connection with a clash between factions of the State Carpenters and Furniture Makers’ Professional Union.

A police source said members of the association engaged in the bloody clash at Ipinsha in Akure South Local Government Area last week over collection of fees.

It was learnt that some aggrieved carpenters left the

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

man, who also doubles as the state chairman and interim national president of the All Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), confirmed the alleged killing while speaking with journalists at scene of the protest.

He said: “About 7pm on Sunday, some councillors from my council and members of the Operation Rainbow security were returning home after monitoring the voters’ registration exercise and while approaching an STF checkpoint, they stopped for security checks but instead of the STF to do their duty, they started insulting our councillors without provocation. They even threatened to shoot them. One of my legislators was dragged out of our official vehicle.

“It was at that point that the Operation Rainbow member, Chollom Pam, tried to explain to the soldier that they were returning from an official function. But the STF member brought out a knife and stabbed him in his private part. He died instantly.

“When news of his death broke out, youths of the local government came out to protest his death. But members of the STF shoot three of the protesters.”

Some STF men

Loman disclosed that the three persons were currently receiving treatment at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital.

A witness, who is the councillor representing Marit Ward, Bitrus Rigat, said: “Immediately we approached the

checkpoint we introduced ourselves, but the men of the STF threatened to shoot us. I was dragged out of the car and humiliated by members of the STF. They are supposed to be the ones protecting us but the reverse is the case.

“These men intimidate us.

They rape our women and girls when they are drunk.”

A restaurant owner, who witnessed the incident, Nana Timothy, said: “I saw the STF member stab Chollom with his knife.”

Four arrested over carpenters’ clash union and formed a new association called Carpenters’ Association of Nigeria, which was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

This was said to have irked the parent body which thereafter decided to frustrate members of the new association.

After forming the new union, the aggrieved members demanded the sharing of the assets and liabilities of the association after registering the carpenters association of Nigeria.

They alleged that the association collected contract worth several millions of naira from the state government to construct tables and chairs but the leadership failed to carry the members along.

The Chairman of Carpenters’ Association of Nigeria, Kolawole Olakunle, who spoke

with journalists at the Area Commander’s office, said his members were assaulted because they formed a new association.

Olakunle said that members of the new association were harassed and beaten up by officials of the old association for failure to pay fees.

According to him, three members were wounded dur-

ing the fracas while the association vehicle was damaged.

But a leader of the old association, Aremu Adedipe, described members of the splinter group as the aggressors.

Adedipe said that the members were asked to stop working at the different sites they were engaged following failure to pay the compulsory fees into the association’s coffers.

He said the Ipinsha fracas was as a result of the attack by members of the splinter group.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wole Ogodo, said the matter was a minor case and would be resolved.

He said: “I have not heard of the matter but I think it is a minor case that can be resolved.”

CRAN seeks ways to check terrorism Juliana Francis

C

rime Reporters Association of Nigerian (CRAN) is seeking ways to check the wave of terrorism in the country.

Some of the steps taken by the association will be highlighted on Thursday as part of activities marking the CRAN Annual Lecture. The event,

expected to celebrate outstanding crime fighters, will delve into the subject matter: “Practical Solutions to Terrorism in Nigeria.”

According to CRAN President, Comrade Christopher Oji, the event will afford heads of security agencies in the country an opportunity to proffer solutions to the current

security challenges, particular the ones posed by terrorists.

The guest lecturer is the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr Fola Arthur-Worrey, the royal father of the day is Oba Abdufatai Oyeyinka Aromire, while Governor Babatunde Fashola is the Special Guest of Honour.

Metro 45

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Why I sold stolen cars, by dealer Shola Adefuwa

A

car dealer has claimed that he bought 20 cars from a Customs officer, unaware that the man was actually an armed robber.

The car dealer, Alhaji Kabiru Akorede, 42, who had once been arrested in 2013 and arraigned for being in possession of 20 stolen cars, was re-arrested for buying a stolen Toyota Prado car this year. The car was stolen on October 2.

The police, however, said that Akorede was being economical with the truth. According to the police, the suspect had been hobnobbing with the robbery suspects for long.

A police source said: “The Toyota Prado car was snatched on October 2. Other valuables were also in the car when it was snatched.

The suspect, Akorede, is a receiver of stolen cars. When we arrested a robbery suspect, called Kachito, his confession led us to arrest Moses Ogu. Ogu told us that the vehicle was supplied to Akorede.”

The vehicle was tracked and located on October 9, by a team of policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos, led by SP Abba Kyarri. The police team reached the car just as the suspect was allegedly attempting to change its colour at the Ishashi area of the metropolis.

Akorede, who is married to two wives and has four kids, resides at Isashi, NEPA quarters.

The dealer said that he was an OND holder from Yaba College of Technology.

He said: “I started receiving cars from the robbery suspects, Dada and another guy last year. As of last year, Dada supplied me 20 cars. I didn’t know the vehicles were stolen. He told me that he was a Customs officer.

“I have a car stand, which belonged to a friend of mine. Last year, I bought three Highlander cars for N1 million each and sold each for N1.7 million. I bought four Toyota Camry cars at the rate of N400,000 each and sold each for

N600,000. Market price, however, was N800,000.

I advised the gang to get me Toyota and Honda cars because people prefer such cars.”

Akorede added that he and the gang members used to meet at Akorede a hotel at Mowe/Ibafo in Ogun State.

He said: “I was arrested by SARS last year. About 20 vehicles were recovered from me.

I was charged to Ikeja Magistrates’ Court but was granted bail.

“After my bail, I got

a call from Moses last month, saying he wanted to sell a car to me. I brought the car at the rate of N250,000 at Ejigbo.

After collecting it, I registered the car in my own name with a fake address.

“I also gave the car to

the person who changed the body, light and other necessary things. I did that because I wanted to polish the car, so that I could sell it at a higher price. I also needed money and knew it was a stolen car.”

Funeral rites for Ondo businessman, No terror attack in Niger, says Amore Akinsunmi, begin today

A

prominent businessman in Ondo, Ondo State, Emmanuel Akintola Akinsunmi, is dead. One of the founders of The Knights, a socio-cultural club, Akinsunmi, 63, was the chairman of Tolem Nigeria Limited.

He died on October 29, 2014 and is survived by his wife, Abike Remilekun Akinsunmi, four children namely Akinniran, Bodunrin, Tope, Akinlolu; a granddaughter and other family members.

Service of songs holds today at his Lagos residence in Oke-Ira, Ogba, Ikeja while the wake keep will hold on Thursday at his Road 9, Fagun Estate, Ondo residence.

He will be buried on

Friday at his Ondo residence.

Akinsunmi, a philanthropist and an engineer, was responsible for the education of many indigenes of Ondo West Local Government through scholarship.

A product of Ondo Grammar School, Ondo and University of Thessalonici, Greece, one of his companies, Tolem Nigeria Limited, established in 1980, is a leading aluminium firm in the country.

As president of The Knight, he was always projecting the image of the club and was one of the officers responsible for the special recognition given to it during the annual Ekimogun Day in Ondo.

Dan Atori MINNA

T

The late Akinsunmi

Gunmen abduct cleric in Cross River community Clement James Calabar

G

unmen have abducted a cleric, Apostle Okon Asuquo Obong, at EsukAtu community, near Calabar in Cross River State.

The incident, which occurred at the weekend, was said to have thrown the inhabitants of the sleepy community, where the University of Cala-

bar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) is sited, into confusion.

The Secretary of Akim Qua Town Council, the community where Esuk-Atu is situated, Ntufam Oqua Itu, said the community was aware of the development but might not be able to act since the police were currently handling the matter.

Narrating the incident, a resident, who craved anonymity, said on arrival in the community, the gunmen initially harassed some of the residents before descending on Obong at the waterfront.

According to him, the victim, who is the chairman of the community’s Land, Asset and Property Committee, had a strained relationship with some

youths in the community.

He said: “Since June 2004, the youth had requested that Obong should give account of proceeds on the sales of land and other revenue accruing to the community to but no avail.

“The restive youth had called for dissolution of the committee made up of nine members headed

by Obong.”

he police hierarchy in Niger State yesterday dispelled rumours of attack by the Boko Haram in the state, saying that it was a clash between street urchins in Limawa, a community on the outskirts of Minna.

The state Commissioner of Police, Olusola Amore, said this while reacting to the rumour and the panic which followed the clash between area boys in Soje and their Kpakungu counterparts won the premises of Limawa Primary and Secondary School in Minna.

Amore said that some residents had mistaken the clash between street urchins near a public school in Kpakungu area of the city for terror attack.

It was gathered that the pupils and students of the school scampered to safety, thinking that the miscreants were Boko Haram members.

The rumours soon spread to the Government Girls College where students were said to have seen smoke from bush fire and thought it was a bomb blast.

Amore said that the police had arrested seven suspects in connection with the clash, adding that they would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

While appealing to the media not to spread rumours of Bako Haram attack in Minna, the commissioner said that the command was doing everything possible to eradicate such hostilities among warring communities in the city.

Amore said that the police had reconciled other warring communities of Limawa and Agwan Daji through dialogue involving traditional rulers and elders of the communities.

The police boss promised that the same method of peaceful resolution would be applied in the case of Soji and Kpagungu communal clashes.

He said: “We have arrested seven of them and they will be prosecuted.

We are going after the gang leaders and we will soon get them. I want to appeal to the people to be vigilant as internal vigilance is the prize of liberty.”

The commissioner said the police were set to rid the state of thugs before the 2015 general elections.

46

News

ILLEGAL

Possession of arms without licence is criminal as much as use of illegal vehicle number plates Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

O

gun State Police Command, yesterday raised the alarm over alleged stock-piling of arms and ammunitions by unnamed individuals and groups in the state ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, who revealed this

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

Police raise the alarm over arms stockpiling in Ogun at a press briefing in Abeokuta, said the illegal acquisition of arms was unacceptable to the command.

Okoye, therefore gave anyone or group in possession of unregistered arms to submit such within the next 14 days or face the wrath of the law.

According to him, the measure was geared towards mopping up illegal arms from wrong hands in the build-up to the general elections.

He said, “The com-

mand has observed with dismay the way and manner some individuals and groups acquire/possess arms illegally in Ogun State. This is not acceptable to the command.

“On this premise, I call on the good people of Ogun State who have acquired their arms illegally to come forward and submit such to the Commissioner of Police within 14 days of this warning, or else anyone caught in possession of illegal arms will face the full

wrath of the law and will be subsequently sanctioned.”

The police commissioner also warned motorists, especially politicians and government officials plying roads in the state, against using vehicles with unregistered number plate.

Okoye, declared that the police would not tolerate any act of political thuggery, hooliganism or violence before, during and after the forthcoming poll.

He said, “Anyone caught

with unregistered vehicles or in possession of fake or unregistered number plates will be apprehended and charged to court.

“Every number plate must be registered with relevant agencies particularly Central Motor Registry of the police. Politician, government officials and individuals who are fond of violating this rule should stop henceforth for the command will not spear anyone caught in this illegality,” Okoye said.

L-R: Minister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye; President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Gabriel Foluso Fasoto with his wife, Bukola and Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Christopher Kolade, at the investiture of Fasoto as the 14th president of the association in Lagos.

Power sharing tears Ondo PDP apart Babatope Okeowo AKURE

A

group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), members in Ondo State, has rejected the agreement on power sharing between them and the group of defectors from other parties, who recently joined the party.

The Senate President, David Mark had brokered a truce between

the blocs of the party in Ondo State, led by the Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi and the new members led by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

The agreement, which conceded the leadership of the party in the state to the Mimiko led new PDP also agreed to produce two out of the three candidates contesting the senatorial seat in the forthcoming general elections while the Alabi-led executive was to

produce one.

The truce also conceded five out of the nine House of Representatives seats to Mimiko while the Alabi led group was asked to produce the remaining four for the elections.

However, the aggrieved PDP members rejected the sharing formula and set up a 12-man Committee, that would meet with the PDP Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, and the Sen-

ate President, to discuss a new modality on the issue as a way of finding way of moving the party forward in the state.

The 12-man Committee, which includes four persons from the three senatorial districts, was expected to table the resolutions taken at a meeting held on Sunday at Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim’s residence at Igbotako in Okitipupa local government area of the State.

Group blames George, Ogunlewe for Obanikoro’s woes Wale Elegbede

A

Lagos based political advocacy organization, the Group of Concerned Lagosians (GCL), has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chieftains, Chief Bode George and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, as the masterminds behind

the travail of the aspirant of the party Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, whose disqualification from the guber race is being sought through a case instituted in court by two members of the party.

The group in a statement by its coordinator, Mr. Olayinka Sotade,

averred that it is now a common knowledge that the duo are bent on derailing the success of Lagos PDP in the 2015 gubernatorial polls with their insistence on producing the party’s candidate by all means.

“The latest in their game is a flimsy lawsuit seeking to bar Senator

Obanikoro, from the polls based on a concocted accusation of dual citizenship. All of this is motivated by a simple fact: the fear that Obanikoro, would sweep the polls at the primaries in a landslide victory and then proceed to win the gubernatorial elections,” Sotade said.

Ajiboso promises robust representation in Senate Temitope Ogunbanke

F

ormer Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Lagos State and an All Progressives Congress (APC), Senatorial aspirant in the Lagos West Senatorial District, Chief Enoch Ajiboso, has promised to provide a robust representation to the area in the Senate if voted in the 2015 elections.

Speaking yesterday at the secretariat of Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Ikeja, Ajiboso, a former two-term chairman of Agege Local Government Area, said the Senate is meant for the elderly and experienced politicians and therefore people who are experienced like him should be given the opportunity to represent his senatorial district at the Red Chamber.

He said, “My agenda of going to the Senate is to give a robust representation to the people of Lagos West Senatorial District and the people of Nigeria at large.

I will ensure that through lobbying and whatever we have within our system we have good legislation; good laws that can make Nigeria a comfortable place.

“Lagos State has been good to me and I believe I owe the community of Lagos, service and that is why I want to serve Lagos. I am going to fight to let the nation know the exceptionalism of Lagos State. I will fight for special recognition for Lagos State. I believe that Lagos should be given special status like Abuja.

Ekiti re-opens murder cases against APC chair, others Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

E

kiti State Government has re-opened the murder case instituted against the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Jide Awe, and a member of the House of Assembly, Mr Kehinde Boluwade along other suspects charged to court over alleged killings of some people in the state last year.

Speaking on the development in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, the Special Assistant, Legal Matters to the State governor, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, said the matter would be pursued to its logical conclusions.

This development came up just as some unidentified persons were said to have burgled Ayayi’s office at the Ministry of Justice, State Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti in the early hours of Monday.

Ajayi, who will be inaugurated as Justice Commissioner and Attorney General of the State, after being cleared by the House of Assembly, said the state government had revoked its earlier notice of discontinuance entered in the cases by the former administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Awe and three others were dragged to court over the murder of Mr. Ayo Jeje and Mrs Juliana Adewumi in Erijiyan-Ekiti, on March 31, 2013.

Boluwade and four others were also charged to court for the murder of Mr Foluso Ogundare in Emure-Ekiti on November 3, 2013.

Only last week, Sefiu Owonifari and Awolope Busuyi, were remanded in prison custody by Magistrate Modupe Afeniforo, over the Erijiyan-Ekiti murder case.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2014

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Ohanaeze: North not safe for Ndigbo Okegwo Kenechukwu ONITSHA

W

orried by the spate of killing and unabated wanton destruction of properties in the northern region of Nigeria, the Umbrella body of Igbo Socio-cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on all Igbos still resident in any part of the region to relocate to their home state immediately or be left to their fate in the event of any evil befalling them.

The National Treasurer of the Igbo apex cultural organization Chief D.A. Okeke Ogene, who briefed

1.56

journalist in Awka the Anambra State capital, said the organization had after several deliberations and consultations on the ongoing insurgency in parts of northern Nigeria decided to direct all Igbos still residing in the North to come home immediately in their own interest and the safety of their lives.

“This issue of Boko Haram is a replica of what happened in 1966. What is happening now is even worse than what happened during the Nigeria civil war.

It is the desire of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo that the Igbos should start now to prepare themselves for em-

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Benin Republic in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

inent self defence because it would be catastrophic if we fail to prepare ourselves for a soft landing before it is too late.

“Our people are being massacred in the Northern Nigerians without compensation, and the spirit of the Igbos people is dying away, we must re-kindle the spirit”, Okeke said.

The Ohanaeze Chief, called on captains of industry of Igbo extraction to come and invest in the zone, and build industries to provide employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the zone.

He commended gov-

106

The number of confirmed cases of EVD in the past 7 days in Guinea as at October 19, 2014.

Source: Who.int

ernor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, for signing the recent memorandum of understanding (MOU), to develop the 12,000 capacity Ogbunike international market at Ogbunike, Oyi Local government area saying, the project could help bring succor to the problems being faced by the people of the region, particularly at a time they are being advised to relocate.

Okeke, who is also the Chairman Board of Trustees Anambra State Association of Town Union (ASATU), appealed for peace in the South East States while commending the five Governors of the zone for their

7.38m

The total population of men in Guatemala in 2012.

Source: Un.org

efforts toward uplifting the area in terms of rural infrastructure and provision as well as delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

“We are over-whelmed by the performance of our governors. They are all doing very well and all of us in Ohaneze are proud of them.

“Agood example is governor Willie Obiano, who recently paid a debt of 1.9billion owed to the staff of Water Corporation and other agencies that has lasted for over twelve years in court. He has restored confidence in the civil service,” Ogene added.

26,338

The total area (in sq. km) of Rwanda.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

L-R: Chief Tony Chukwu; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, during the dedication of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Umueze 1, in Ehime Mbano coucil, Imo State

NEMA distributes relief materials to Abia communities Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced distribution of relief materials to disaster affected communities in Abia state even as it called on the people to provide the Agency with useful information that would enable it take immediate action when disasters occur.

Speaking at a one day workshop preceding the exercise in Umuahia, Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Sani Sidi, stressed the need to strengthen Community institutions to identify and respond in a timely manner to disasters with a view to putting in place a long term preventive action plan which would enable the communities protect their lives and assets in the event of disasters.

Alhaji Sidi, who was represented by the Coordinator of the Owerri office of NEMA, Mr. Innocent Ezeaku charged communities in Abia state to provide the agency with useful information on emerging dangerous circumstances that would enable action in advance to reduce the risk involved in disaster management.

The NEMA boss used the workshop to announce the commencement of the distribution of relive materials worth millions of naira to some affected communities in the state.

Also speaking, the secretary to the state government, Professor Mkpa Agu Mkpa, commended the effort of the agency in providing relive materials and their pro-active roles in managing disasters in disaster-prone areas of the country.

Hausa traders, tax Kidnappers want N20m ransom for abducted journalist collectors clash in Imo Igbeaku Orji Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

P

alpable tension yesterday engulfed the Douglas road by ‘Ama Hausa’ area of Owerri, the Imo State capital, when Hausa traders and tax collectors clashed at the popular Ama Hausa Market along Douglas road, over alleged illegal levy imposed on the traders by indigenes of the area.

An eyewitness told New Telegraph that the Northern traders have complained bitterly in the past about the incessant levy which they described as illegal and discriminatory.

It was gathered that

trouble started when one of the levy collectors was stabbed by an Hausa traders following disagreement over the rationale behind the levy allegedly tagged ‘trade permit’.

The source informed that the wounded tax collector mobilized his colleagues and stormed the market several hours later on reprisal. The skirmishes that ensued led to the the spilling of blood, sparking protest in all the markets.

As at press time, over 17 traders were said to have been severely wounded while it took the intervention of security agencies that were drafted to the scene to restore calm to the area.

Umuahia

T

he abductors of an Abia based Journalist and correspondent of the Nation newspapers, Mr. Ugochukwu Eke, who was taken away from his home on Sunday are demanding a ransom of

N20 million before the release of their abductee.

Eke was kidnapped at about 7:30pm in front of his residence in Ogbor Hill area of Aba, after being dragged out of his car.

Briefing Journalists on the development yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum

and Solid Minerals and alternate commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Don Ubani, said that government was saddened by the development, especially after immense effort were geared toward its eradication.

He said the hoodlums established contact with the

victim’s family, who in turn informed the government.

He wondered why a Journalist, who contributes to national development, would be kidnapped. He however assured that the government would do everything possible to secure his release.

Mark, Ekweremadu, Umeh condole with Nwobodo over son’s death Chukwu David ABUJA

P

resident of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and his deputy Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have sent condolence messages to Second Republic Governor of old Anambra state, Senator Jim Nwobodo, over the

loss of his son Dr. Ifeanyi Nwobodo Jnr. Also, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh also condoled with the Nwobodos, over the incident.

Senator Mark, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul

Mumeh, said he received the news of Dr. Nwobodo Jnr’s death with deep shock and sadness.

He therefore, he on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condoled with the Nwobodo family, the government and people of Enugu state over the sad loss.

Senator Mark described late Dr. Nwobodo

Jnr. who was a medical Doctor as a dedicated professional and a fine gentleman.

He said the nation would greatly miss the services of the late medical practitioner, regretting that he died at a time when he was most needed to help pilot the affairs of the Nigerian state to greater height.

48

News

tuesday, november 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

south — south

Beneficiaries get interest-free CBN loan in Delta Dominic Adewole ASABA

D

elta State yesterday took another huge step forward by rolling out the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N2 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development funds.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said his administration would continue to develop human creative capacities for economic values.

Beside the cluster groups, the governor said Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the northern part of the country and Physically Challenged Persons (PCP) must benefit from the loans.

Speaking at the official disbursement of the first tranche of the funds in Asaba, Uduaghan said the state would off-set the nine per cent interest on total funds, which amounted to N90 million.

He said his administration would shoulder any cost arising from the disbursement of the funds to the benefitting entrepreneurs.

Edo community protests power outage Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

T

he people of Uhonmora-Ora community in Owan West Local Government of Edo State yesterday protested against continued power outage for over nine months by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company in the area.

They blocked the Iruekpen/Ifon highway during the protest.

Armed with placards of various inscriptions, the community accused management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of sabotage.

Spokesperson of the community, Mr. Abel Isikpoje told newsmen yesterday that the community has been without electricity since February 2014.

Isikpoje said the 100 KVA transformers that supply power to the community for over 20 years broke down and the utility company had long been contacted but failed to make prompt response since then.

According to him, “They (BEDCN) said they lack the fund to procure another one for us and the local government authority we meant also said the dame thing."

Spouse of Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Mr Bassey Isua; Chief Judge, Justice Idongesit Isua and officiating priest, Rev. Joseph Eton, at a church service to mark the opening of the 2014/2015 Akwa Ibom Legal Year in Uyo…yesterday

Jonathan warns Itsekiri over gas project Anule Emmanuel

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, described as unnecessary, the controversy and acrimony that has arisen over the postponement of the ground-breaking for the Gas Revolution Industrial Park at Ogidigben in the Warri, Delta State.

Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, who briefed State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the President was deeply saddened by the very unjust, uncharitable and unwarranted accusations of nepotism and partisan-

ship that have been made against him in the wake of the postponement.

The Itsekiris had reportedly criticised the President over the issue, calling him a coward and demanding his resignation and that of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan from office.

According to Abati: "President is particularly dismayed by the unseemly resort to the abusive denigration of his personal integrity and the whipping up of divisive ethnic sentiments by parties to the totally needless communal disagreement that resulted in the decision to reschedule the ground-breaking event".

"It should be apparent to all Nigerians by now that while President Jonathan may be affiliated to the Ijaw ethnic group by birth, he knows full well that he was elected President of all Nigerians and has always shown by word and deed that he will always uphold the oath he swore on assumption of office to protect and promote the interests of all citizens with justice, equity and fairness to all as his guiding principles.

"The elders, community leaders and parties to the dispute over the location and ground-breaking event for the Gas Industrial Revolution Park who have resorted to threats and accusations of par-

Oshiomhole: PDP wants to import thugs into Edo Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

E

do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of importing mercenaries to register in the ongoing registration of voters exercise.

He said the party is doing so to boost their numbers in the forthcoming general elections in the state.

The governor stated this after monitoring the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration Exercise at Ward 10, Iyamho, Etsako Central Local Government area of the state.

He said busloads of mercenaries were imported into the state and were

given cover by suspected soldiers.

Oshiomhole’s allegation came even as a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, said yesterday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was frustrating efforts of prospective voters at registering in the ongoing exercise.

Iduoriyekemwen, a former PDP governorship aspirant in the state, stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Benin City, the state capital.

He said the exercise was being threatened because the commission was not prepared in terms of logistics.

Oshiomhole said: “I have heard that some politicians are bringing

in people from neighbouring states and I find that very strange. I was told that somewhere in Uromi, a PDP leader brought in soldiers to provide escort while they brought in people with buses from neighbouring states to register in one of the wards in Uromi and I find that very worrisome, because the whole idea is not to import mercenary voters.

But Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, yesterday said there is no truth whatsoever in the allegation.

Speaking in a telephone interview in Benin City, Orbih described the allegation as unguarded and one from frustrated APC leadership, because of the mass defection of its members to the PDP.

tisanship against the President in press conferences and paid adverts in newspapers are therefore being most unfair to him and doing a great disservice to continuing efforts to forge greater national unity and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.”

He added: "We assure all concerned persons that as the leader of the nation, President Jonathan is not, and cannot be on the side of any party to the avoidable dispute over the location and ownership of the site of the Gas Revolution Industrial Park.

President Jonathan explained that the project itself was conceived for the benefit of all Nigerians,

not just Itsekiris, Ijaws, Urhobos or other ethnic groups in its immediate environment.

"In terms of employment opportunities, it is projected that the Gas Industrial Revolution Park will ultimately create up to three million jobs for Nigerians in its catchment area and other parts of the country.

"All the people of Delta State and Nigerians living in other parts of the country will also benefit greatly from the project by way of improved power supply and other ancillary products such as fertilizers, petrochemicals and more raw materials to boost local industrial production.

PDP elders chide Duke, NdomaEgba over support for aspirant Clement James Calabar

A

former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, has been told to be more democratic in his support for a governorship aspirant in the state, Mr. Goddy Jeddy-Agba.

Similarly, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, has been told to refrain from his “salacious venture” in deference to the will of the people.

This admonition was given by a group under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders and Concerned Stakeholders from Cross River south senatorial district in Calabar yesterday.

The group, led by a former member of the National Assembly, Etubom Nya Eyoma Asuquo, chided the two personalities

for what it called attempt to foist a governorship candidate on the state.

“These people believe it is their birthright to give Cross River the governor of their choice so as to resume the exploitation of the state from where they stopped seven years ago.

They believe they should import a governorship candidate from Abuja after filling their pockets with contractual naira and foist him on us if we like it or not. In their salacious venture, the will of the people of Cross River State does not count,” the group said.

The group also claimed that the two sons of the state were operating from outside the state and had lost touch with events at home, threatening that that the group will not fold its arms and watch the state being “privatised” by the Duke.

NEW TELEGRAPH tuesday, november 18, 2014

News 49

north

Suswam's birthday: Akume in dramatic outing birthday

Akume gives Suswam an unpleasant surprise on his day of joy Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

T

he battle for the soul of Benue State between Governor Gabri-

el Suswam and his predecessor, George Akume, continued yesterday.

Although the 'war' between incumbent governors and their predecessors in some states may have been put behind them, the situation in Benue State is different as the two are still at each other’s neck as to who controls what in the state.

In the latest drama, Akume, the Senate Minority Leader, who was

a guest at the birthday dinner of Suswam at the weekend, tonguelashed the governor for not showing enough gratitude to him since he helped him clinch the governorship seat close to eight years ago.

Besides, Akume allegedly predicted bloodshed in the state if his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) fails to form the government in next year's general elections.

Akume's outburst,

which was dramatised in the full glare of other visiting governors, including those of Gombe and Plateau States, Ibrahim Damkwambo and David Jang and other top government officials, led to the former governor being matched out of the venue by security operatives and government officials while the microphone seized from him.

Akume also visited similar assault on erstwhile Senate President,

his estranged political godfather, Dr. Iorchia Ayu and the Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro, for not appreciating him, considering what he said he did for them in the past.

Moro was the chairman of Okpokwu Local Government during the administration of Akume, who also said he was instrumental to the emergence of Ayu as a minister in the Obasanjo administration.

But Suswam, in a swift response to Akume's emotional outburst, pleaded for forgiveness from all those he may have wronged either by commission or omission in the discharge of his duties as governor of the state.

“I want to ask those I may have wronged either by commission or omission to please forgive me. For me, I have forgiven those who might have wronged me in any way. As a people we must learn to forgive ourselves and that is the only way we can live in a better society,” said Suswam.

Alluding to Akume's alleged threat that next year's general election would be bloody if APC failed to win in the state, Suswam urged those preaching violence to have a rethink in interest of peace and the development of the state.

“In the game of politics, whether we like it or not, there must be a winner or a loser, so let us not make it an issue of life and death. People have said that blood will be spilled, but I am assuring you, blood will not be spilled by the grace of God. People have said that if it is not me, it will not be the next person, that will not happen,” the governor said.

Yuguda swears in, new justice Group flays publication over Wada’s trip abroad Commissioner

One of the victims shot at the scene of protest by youths of Barkin-Ladi LGA over the killing of Operation Rainbow Officer, receiving treatment at the Barkin-Ladi General Hospital…yesterday

'Ngilari, Haruma Fintiri may not vote in 2015' Ibrahim Abdul Yola

A

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Par ty (PDP) in Adamawa State, Dr. Umar Ardo, yesterday berated indigenes of the state that are now campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan even while their villages and towns are being taken by Boko Haram insurgents.

Ardo, who also gave reasons why such campaigners would not be able to vote in the 2015 general elections, said all PDP chieftains who showed support for President Jonathan’s re-election are the ones that would be disenfranchised, following the taking over of their areas by the Boko Haram terrorists.

He doubted whether those calling for Jonathan’s re-election would cast their votes for him.

He said: “For instance, Governor Bala Ngilari, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Mr. Boni Haruna and Ahmad Umaru Fintiri, who were at the Eagles Square for Mr. President’s declaration, cannot vote as their polling units are all under Boko Haram territory now.

“Rather than concern themselves with the liberation of their home towns and working towards rejoining Nigeria, they are busy advocating for election, which they may not participate in.

“The fact that he failed to do so, showed how unrealistic the President can be in his approach to issues,” he said.

“Our people are being forced to re-think their allegiance to the government of Nigeria. To us, this is what Jonathan’s presidency means in Adamawa State. Under this circumstance, how can we think of election?” he asked.

Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

I

rked by a publication in one of the national dailies on Saturday (not New Telegraph) that Kogi State governor, Idris Wada’s trip abroad was for medical reasons, a group, Kogi Rebirth, yesterday described it as unfortunate, malicious and an attempt to mislead the public.

The group, which is said to be non-political, but comprises eminent sons and daughters of the state across the 21

local government areas, said those behind the said publication that alleged that the governor is suffering from a mental related sickness were enemies of the state.

The group said the aim of the writer and the sponsor was to create ethnic disharmony among the peace loving people of the state.

President of the association, Mr. Bada Mathew, said yesterday in a statement that the governor's trip was no longer news as everybody was aware that he traveled out of the country on economic

mission.

Mathew said a statement was issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, to that effect before the governor’s departure and was widely given the desired attention through publication in various national dailies and the state media houses.

The group expressed surprise that a newspaper of a national standing, which claims to have a reporter in the state, could not verify a high profile story type from the said reporter before going to the press.

Association laments shortage of paediatric nurses Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

P

resident, National Association of Nigeria Paediatrics Nurses (NANPAN), Bunmi Lawal, yesterday lamented the shortage of paediatric nurses in Kwara State, saying the state can only boast of 12 of them instead of the global figure

of 30 per every paediatric unit in a hospital.

Lawal, who made the disclosure in Ilorin at the annual National Paediatrics Nursing Conference and the 2014 World Prematurity Day, said the development posed grave dangers to the newly born and urged the state government to encourage more of its nurses to pursue careers in paediatric

nursing.

She said such programmes are available at the University of Ilorin Teaching of Hospital (UITH) School of Nursing.

The NANPAN leader also explained that currently 35 out of 1, 000 new born babies die in the state. The theme of the conference is “Curbing newborn death in Nigeria: A mandate to all.”

Yuzarsif Alhassan Bauchi

N

ewly appointed Bauchi State Commissioner for Justice, Mukhtar Abubakar Usman, 45, was sworn in yesterday by Governor Isa Yuguda at the State House, Bauchi.

The governor charged the commissioner to be law abiding and ensure proper documentation with a view to maintaining law and order among the citizenry.

Yuguda said the former commissioner left for political reasons as he was called upon by his people to contest in their constituency.

The governor also used the forum to pledge his government’s commitment towards the protection of lives and property, saying that the Azare bomb blast would not be repeated in the state.

He also assured the people of his administration’s readiness to curtail.

50

News

WORLD | News

2015: Northern Elders Council carpets ACF, APC Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

T

he Northern Elders Council ( NEC) yesterday disagreed with the Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) on its campaign for power to return to the north at all costs next year.

The Council said that the bid by the ACF to mobilise the electorate in the 19 northern states to vote against President Goodluck Jonathan and install a "northern president" was not tenable as the people of the defunct Northern Region had

never had the tendency of voting along a single political line. Chairman of the ACF, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, had at the weekend, declared that the North was not in support of the second term aspiration of Jonathan because the region was poised to vote him out to make way for a candidate from the North, who may be fielded by the opposition.

Coomassie, a former Inspector General of Police said 2015 would be the turn of the North as Jonathan was expected to have stepped down for a northern president after completing the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua's tenure in

2011.

But in an interview with New Telegraph, a former Nigerian envoy to Spain and spokesman of the Northern Elders Council, Ambassador Yusufu Mamman, faulted the move and the apparent alliance between the ACF and the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in the plot.

He said that the ACF ought to pursue and articulate the interest of the North with a sense of history and in a manner that will benefit the larger interest of the people in the region rather than relying on a group bound by hate and resentment.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Church of England gives final nod to women bishops

T

he Church of England's governing body yesterday rubberstamped an historic measure allowing women to become bishops, paving the way for the first ordinations next year. The General Synod agreed with a show of hands to implement a decision made in a landmark vote in July, following the formal approval of parliament.

"Today we can begin to embrace a new way of being the church

and moving forward together," said Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. "We will also continue to seek the flourishing of the church of those who disagree."

Welby signed the change into legislation along with the Archbishop of York John Sentamu on the first day of the synod's meeting in London. The amendment to "Canon 33", which now states that "a man or a woman may be consecrated to the of-

fice of bishop", comes 20 years after the first women were ordained as priests. The battle to make the change was reflected in the Church's short message announcing the news on Twitter, which had the hashtags #Historic #Synod #ItisFinished. The first female bishop is expected to take her seat next year.

There are currently nine vacancies, each of which may now be filled either by a male or a female priest.

Synagogue: Lawyer loses bid to stop inquest Akeem Nafiu

J

ustice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, dismissed a suit filed by a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking to stop the on-going Coroner inquest into the collapse of a guest house on the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). In the suit, Ogungbeje contended that the composition of the Coroner

inquest was a negation of the principle of natural justice and Section 36 of the Constitution, describing it as unconstitutional, null and void. But Justice Buba described Ogungbeje’s suit as lacking in merit as he had no locus standi to initiate the matter.

Although he agreed with the Lagos State Government that the applicant lacked the locus standi to institute the action, the judge

dismissed the suit as unmeritorious as he was neither a member of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) nor directly involved in the incident. According to the judge, even though the court was bound to encourage and welcome public interest litigations, it may also strike out a suit on the basis of locus standi because the court also had a duty to be sure of what matters were of public interest litigations.

Opinion poll divides APC members

S

ome chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are divided on the management of an opinion poll conducted by an independent pollster on the February 14, 2015 presidential election.

The poll, which was meant to boost the chances of the opposition party, was earlier scheduled to be released before the official declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan last week.

According to sources, some members of the APC feel that the ‘independent’ pollster should release the result of the opinion poll, but others feel that the party should

announce the result.

"If the party releases the results of the opinion poll that was not conducted by us then obviously people would rightly say we sponsored it. So, the people that conducted it should be persuaded to release it and we use our normal channels to get it into international and local media," an official of the party stated.

Some chieftains of the party, however, kicked against the non-release of the poll result. A chieftain of the party said: "What is wrong in the party releasing the result of the poll?

The result of this opinion poll was supposed to have been released since Mon-

day to flatten Jonathan's declaration on Tuesday.

Now, days after the declaration, we are still going back and forth on who should release the result of the poll."

Some members of the party have expressed reservation about the party associating with the pollster. They reasoned that the credibility of the poll would be questioned since no presidential candidate has emerged in the APC. "So, are you comparing Jonathan to a group of five aspirants?

Apart from work and programmes, personality also counts in any election," a member of the party stated.

BBOG calls for adequate security in schools Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

W

orried by the increased spate of attacks on schools by members of Boko Haram sect, the Bringbackourgirls (BBOG) advocacy group yesterday called on the Federal Government to increase the security around institutions of learning across the country.

The group, which marched to the Federal Ministry of Education Headquarters at the Federal Secretariat Complex yesterday to mourn the 47 students of Government Science School, Potiskum killed last week by a suicide bomber, said that such attacks are coming at a critical time when verifiable reports have confirmed that millions of Nigerian children are

out of school, with the numbers being highest in the North East.

The group spokespersons, Bukola Shonibare and Olatunji Olanrewaju, in a statement circulated to journalists, said the spate of attacks further stresses the need to ensure the security and safety of schools as a way of encouraging parents and guardians to ensure their children embrace education.

The Church of England General Synod voted in July in favour of women Bishops

Kenyan women march for right to wear mini-skirts

T

he grainy mobile phone video shows a mob of Kenyan men surround a woman and grab, grasp and yank her clothes until she is naked. Several such videos have emerged recently of attacks by males who deem a woman to be provocatively dressed.

The attacks have created a groundswell of anger that saw mostly women protesters flood downtown Nairobi yesterday.

The hashtag #MyDressMyChoice is trending in Kenya's social media, as this East

African country sees a clash between new, Western lifestyles and traditional African ways. Rachel Machua wore what she called "a little black dress, my normal outfit" to yesterday's protest.

She views the recent attacks as stemming from socio-economic conditions: Lower income men are attacking successful, well-dressed women. The attacks are not overtly religious in nature, though this is a conservative, mostly Christian country. The women at the march de-

scribed "normal" levels of sexual harassment over the years and said that peers will warn other women that "you're gonna get undressed" for wearing a particular outfit. "Kenyan men are in different groups.

My father wanted me to be here and said you can dress however you want. Then there are others who think you are out of their reach and they try to victimize you," said Machua, 26, who runs an aid group called Transforming Generations.

Pope Francis confirms trip to the United States

A

pontiff who has long championed human kindness sneaking off to break bread with the homeless as an archbishop and washing the feet of young prisoners early in his papacy is coming to the City of Brotherly Love. Pope Francis confirmed yesterday that he will make his first papal visit to the United States with a trip to Philadelphia next September for the World Meeting of

Families, a conference held every three years in a different city to celebrate the importance of family.

Francis' announcement, at an interreligious Vatican conference on traditional family values, ended months of lobbying and speculation. It will be the second papal visit to Philadelphia John Paul II celebrated Mass in the city in 1979 and the first papal visit to the U S in

eight years.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, speaking at a news conference, called it a "joyous day" and said Francis' visit would be the largest event in the city's modern history. Nutter, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, the conference's organizer, met with Francis at the Vatican and personally invited him to the city in March.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

51

Sport News

International Sport

52

Messi, Ronaldo renew rivalry at Old Trafford

Africa lacks good administration –Ahmedu

53

53

Eagles, Bafana match now to start 6pm

Sport

Basketball

Did you know?

That football goalies didn’t have to wear different coloured shirts from their teammates until 1913

Okorodudu blames sponsors for dearth of boxing events Ajibade Olusesan

N

ational boxing coach, Jerry Okorodudu, has absolved promoters of blame in the dearth of professional boxing shows in the country.

Professional boxing was a thriving business in Nigeria some decades ago but businessmen have since abandoned boxing promotion hence few shows are held these days.

For instance, less than four boxing

Okorodudu

shows have been held so far this year.

And Okorodudu told our correspondent that the few boxing promoters cannot be blamed for not staging shows regularly because of the economic situation in the country.

He said that corporate organisations must come into sponsorship of professional boxing in the country for it to thrive again, Okorodudu said; “We can’t blame these promoters because when they invest in boxing shows, they do not

have means to recoup their money.

They don’t make enough money from gate takings and there are no television rights in Nigeria. So, unless corporate organisations come in like what GOtv is doing now, we cannot go anywhere in professional boxing.

“I congratulate GOtv for what they are planning to do, they have said that they would hold six tournaments in Nigeria every year, which is the way to start the revival of boxing in the country. I want more companies to come in and help develop this game.”

Drop Emenike for Samuel l Ezeugo tells Keshi Ifeanyi Ibeh

F

Samuel (right)

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

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

ormer Super Eagles midfielder, Emeka Ezeugo, has called on Head coach, Stephen Keshi, to start Aaron Samuel ahead of Emmanuel Emenike in Wednesday’s decisive Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa.

Ezeugo cited Emenike’s dip in form and ‘body language’ of the striker on the pitch as reasons behind his suggestion.

The 2013 AFCON top scorer on Saturday in Pointe Noire, continued his below average performance for the Eagles as he failed to find the back of the net against the Congolese.

Samuel, on the other hand, came into the fray for the Fenerbahce of Turkey player and grabbed the vital second goal which boosted the Super Eagles’ chances of playing at the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

It was the China-based striker’s second goal in as many appearances for Nigeria, and Ezeugo feels Samuel has shown enough quality to get the technical crew’s nod ahead of Emenike and start alongside Ikechukwu Uche in Wednesday’s encounter against Bafana Bafana in Uyo. “I’m so happy for Samuel. He changed the outlook of the game the moment

Ezeugo

Emenike

he came in,” Ezeugo told New Telegraph. “I have now seen him play for the Eagles on two occasions and I wonder why Emenike even got to start ahead of him against Congo. I think he should start alongside Uche against South Africa.

“Strikers shouldn’t be judged by goals alone but Emenike has been lost since the conclusion of the last AFCON. He was fantastic at the AFCON

but since then he hasn’t done anything worthy of note for the national team.

Even his body language shows his mind is on something else when he is on the pitch, but Samuel has shown that he is ready to shed blood, sweat and tears for Nigeria.

“And that is what we have been looking for; someone who can come in and work hard for the team. We don’t want big men in the team who would

come in, stroll around the pitch and at the end of the day return to Europe with match bonuses. No, we want players who will get on the pitch and bring us joy,” said Ezeugo.

“He (Samuel) is hungry to succeed and showed just how hungry he is against the Congolese. If he continues at this rate, it will only be a matter of time before he leaves the Chinese league for a much better league.”

52

SPORT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Eagles, Bafana match now to start 6pm

Emmanuel Tobi

O

fficials of the Nigeria Football Federation have revealed that Wednesday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana will now start at 6pm.

“We got information that the match will now kick off at 6pm, and not 5pm as earlier slated,” NFF’s Head of International, Bola Oyeyode, said on Monday.

A win in the match at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium will earn Nigeria a ticket to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to

be hosted by Equatorial Guinea.

The match coordination meeting will take place from 7pm on Tuesday at the Hotel L’Meridien, to be coordinated by Match Commissioner, Ghanaian Laryea Louis.

Also, the itinerary of the South African contingent changed, with officials confirming the team would travel direct by chartered flight from Johannesburg to Uyo, arriving on Monday (yesterday) at 8pm.

FIFA/CAF Match Commissioner, Etubom Paul Bassey, has informed the Akwa Ibom State Government of the need for a landing permit for the South Mikel (left) and South Africa players African delegation.

which will feature wrestlers in freestyle, male and female, and Greco-Roman.

The yearly wrestling championship which began last year is solely sponsored by the governor of Bayelsa State. The second edition holds from December 15 to 20 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, starting with the arrival and weigh-in.

Charles Ogundiya

T

here are strong indications that coach Okey Emordi will be leaving the Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Kano Pillars, despite winning the 2013/2014 league with the club.

The former Enyimba of Aba coach replaced Baba Ganaru at the beginning of the season and led the club to the league title for the third time in three years.

According to an official of the club who asked not to be named, there was a gentleman agreement with the coach at the beginning of the season that the

2013/2014 season would be his last in the NPFL. “We had an agreement for a season with the coach, but apart from that, age is catching up with Emordi and we have to respect his decision to quit at the end of the season,” the source said.

The source further said that the coach’s loss of memory sometimes due to old age nearly cost the team dearly this season.

The source said: “Sometimes, he will call for substitutions only for him to ask later who made the substitutions.

Such lapses are at the detriment of the team.”

He said another coach would be handling the team next season.

Fingesi emerges Baseball President

420 wrestlers for Dickson Championship T he second edition of Governor Seriake National Wrestling Championship has witnessed an unprecedented registration by states and clubs as over 420 wrestlers have been registered for the five-day event in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

In all, 32 states and four clubs have filled and returned their forms for the championship

Emordi to leave Kano Pillars

Female wrestlers take the centre stage on December 17.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr. Daniel Igali, said, “My special gratitude goes to the sports-loving governor Dickson for accepting to host and sponsor the championship in spite of his busy political schedule.”

Charles Ogundiya

V

ictor Fingesi has emerged President of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association at the election held on Saturday at the Banquet Hall of Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt.

Fingesi defeated his opponent Alhaji Jani Ibrahim who was not present at the election venue.

A total of 38 delegates across the country participated in the

Annual General Meeting which ushered in the new board.

Reacting to his victory, Fingesi said that the new board would do everything necessary to reposition the sport in Nigeria.

He assured that the board would focus more on the grassroots development of baseball.

“Our objective as a board is to revamp baseball and softball in the country.

“We will ensure that we take the sport to primary schools where children will be taught the rudiments of the sport,” he said.

Dolphins place $1m price tag on Eduok l Shift focus on Federation Cup final

Ajibade Olusesan

D

olphins football club of Port Harcourt have placed one million dollars price tag on Emem Eduok for any club that wants his services.

General Manager of Dolphins, Joe Johnson, revealed that after scoring 24 goals in all competitions this season, Emem is worth the amount.

“There is a one million dollars price tag on Emem and even the friendly match against Ghana last week increased his chances of play-

ing outside the country.

“It’s not an easy feat doing what he did. If you watch him play, you will see that the drive is there, the commitment is there and he is one player who is interested in scoring goals,” Johnson added.

Eduok joined Dolphins from Akwa United at the start of the 2010/11 season and won the League title in his first season with the club.

Meanwhile, after the club’s final league match loss in Katsina Ala against Lobi Stars, Dolphins will

now turn their focus on Sunday’s Federation Cup final against Enyimba in Lagos.

Technical Adviser, Stanley Eguma, said after the loss on Sunday that the match was good practice for his players who had been distracted over the last two weeks by internal crisis.

“We are trying to build their fitness and this game went a long way to build their fitness ahead of Sunday’s game against Enyimba and helped us see one or two players who haven’t featured in a while,” Eguma said.

Fans commend Chivita, Man United partnership Emmanuel Tobi

F

ootball fans across Nigeria have commended the management of Chi Limited for the recent signing of a multi-year partnership deal with the Manchester United.

The fans were especially delighted that the partnership would add more excitement to the game.

“My husband and son are huge Manchester United fans and their love of the legendary club is only matched by their desire for Chivita fruit juice.

My daughter and I have always been huge fans

of Chivita as well. This partnership is truly heartwarming for our family” said Mrs. Shade Balogun, a middle-aged mother of two who resides in Lagos.

Also speaking on the partnership, a lawyer, Linus Okonkwo, said: “I have been a fan of Arsenal FC since my days in England as a student in the 1970s. I appreciate the partnership between Chivita 100% and Manchester United because it is a win-win strategy for me.

It encourages the growth of football, increases competitiveness and I, like millions of Nigerians across the country, still

get to refresh with our favourite fruit juice Chivita 100% whilst watching our favourite game” Speaking on the partnership deal, Chi Limited’s Head of Marketing, Probal Bhattacharya, said “Chivita 100% and our other brands always had the privilege of being part of life’s special moments.

Through this partnership, Chivita 100% will also be an active part of the most exciting moments for football fans across Nigeria, during and beyond the games, always bringing the celebratory mood to life in a unique and refreshing manner.”

Super Eagles in a training session at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium preparatory to the Wednesday match with Bafana Bafana.

Southern Sun Golf tourney ends in style Ifeanyi Ibeh

T

he quartet of Mr. Ted Iwere, Mr. Tim Ayonmike, Engr.

Esosa Ojomo and Mr. Remi Olukoya last weekend won the 2014 edition of the Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel Golf Day on count-back.

The event which was held at the Prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 Lagos was the fourth edition with over 180 golfers on parade. The quartet that includes Omini Ofem and Tony Okwoju came second after a gruelling round on the course.

The 18-hole tourney, which employed foursome format of play with the best three scores per hole counting, witnessed a whole gamut of activities with business associates, friends of the hotel, sponsors, golfers and invited guests networking with pleasure.

Speaking at the Prize giving cocktail, General Manager, Southern Sun Ikoyi hotel Mr. Mark Loxley commended participating golfers for their tenacity in completing the all-day competition in spite of very hot weather recorded.

Captain of the club, Mr Iwere, praised Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel for sustaining the tournament saying, “next year’s edition will be bigger and more colourful.”

To show the tournament’s acceptability, hordes of sponsors queued in support of the tourney.

They include G.D. Netter Nigeria, CocaCola, Stanbic IBTC, SAB Miller, Diageo, PZ Cussons, Unilever, Eko Disco, L’Oreal, Aviator Travel & Tours, G4S, Wrigley, Kenya Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Mandillas, which staked a 2014 Toyota Corolla as the Hole-in-One prize.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT 53

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Messi, Ronaldo renew rivalry at Old Trafford

L

ionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo clash again as Portugal meet Argentina on neutral ground on Tuesday.

Manchester’s Old Trafford will host the fixture, meaning a return to the city for former United star Ronaldo, which is highly anticipated despite its friendly status.

The two La Liga stars are among the favourites as they have been for several consecutive seasons - for the upcoming Ballon d’Or. Either Barcelona’s Messi or Real Madrid’s Ronaldo have won the prestigious award for the last six years and, although debates over who is the best are likely to rage for decades to come, there is no doubting their stardom.

Both sides come into the match off the back of victories - Portugal’s coming in a competitive match on Friday.

Fittingly, Ronaldo scored the only goal of their 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying success against Armenia - a

strike that saw him become the highest goalscorer in European Championship (qualification and finals combined) history.

It was a similar tale in Denmark last month - Ronaldo giving Portugal a 1-0 win as they bounced back from a shock home defeat to Albania in their opening qualifier that saw Paulo Bento lose his job.

EmmanuelTobi

N

igeria coach, Stephen Keshi, has predicted a tough game against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday, but maintained that the Super Eagles were ready to cage the boastful South Africans when both teams clash at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo, in the final match of the AFCON 2015 qualifiers.

Speaking through the

Ronaldo (left) and Messi

Akwa Ibom hosts 8th National School Festival

A

Keshi: Eagles ready for ‘tough’ Bafana Bafana clash

fter missing two opportunities to host the National School Sports Festival, Akwa Ibom will host the next edition of the festival in the brand new edifice-the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, officials of the National School Sports Federation have said.

Akwa Ibom was to host the 6th edition but reneged owing to lack of facilities, but at the closing ceremony of the 7th edition held in Otukpo Benue State, vice president of the NSSF, Mr Emmanuel Ebong, revealed that his state government Akwa Ibom has accepted to host the next edition inside the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo. “We could not host the two editions awarded us because at that time we had no facility to host event of such magnitude but with the construction of the magnificent new stadium in Uyo, we are ready.”

Federer withdraws as Djokovic wins ATP

R

oger Federer pulled out of the ATP finals less than one hour before his title match against Novak Djokovic on Sunday, handing a third straight title at the year-end event to the top-ranked Serb.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion said he hurt his back during the nearly three-hour semifinal win over Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka on Saturday night in which Federer saved four match points.

“Unfortunately I’m not match fit,” the 33-year-old Swiss told the crowd at the O2 Arena. “I tried everything I could last night, also today: painkillers, treatment, rest, so forth, warmup, until the very end. But I just can’t compete at

this level with Novak. It would be too risky at my age to do this right now and I hope you understand.

Basketball Flakes

Africa lacks good administration –Ahmedu

Colonel Ahmedu being interviewed by reporters at the FIBAAfrica Zone 3 qualifiers in Burkina Faso

P

resident of FIBA Africa Zone-3, Samuel Ahmedu, has taken a swipe at some of the zone’s basketball federations, insisting, in his own words, that they are been run in a ‘kangaroo manner’.

In other words, the retired Nigerian Army colonel and founder of the Dodan Warriors Basketball Programme believes the zone’s basketball bodies are not run in accordance with the guidelines

of the sport’s global body, FIBA. Ahmedu, who told New Telegraph that one of his administration’s plan between now and 2019, when his tenure as the zone’s president runs its full course, is to strengthen the national federations, said: “The key target is to empower them administratively by training their personnel because most of these federations are run in a kangaroo

manner.

“Most African federations are run in a kangaroo manner where it is only the president and his secretary who take care of business.

Nobody knows who the other members of the federation are. No meetings are called and the president can singlehandedly decide on issues concerning the federation.

“The federations is a coming together of different people and the job of the president is to preside. The national federation presidents can talk on policy issues but not to interpret technical issues. So we need to do things the right way.

“We need to change the way national federations are run across the zone because FIBA has a new policy that everything must be done according to the law. And the same law applies everywhere, including Africa,” added Ahmedu.

FIBA Africa Zone-3 is made up of Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Niger.

Djokovic

team’s media officer, Ben Alaiya, Keshi added that the team was focused on the match and not ready to engage in media war with the players and officials of the South African team.

“We are not taking anything for granted considering the fact that the South African team is a very strong one. It’s going to be a very tough match because they have not lost any match during the qualifying series, but we have a team to break that record,” he told New Telegraph on Tuesday.

He added that, “We have quality players who can do the job because the team spirit is very high now. We are not under pressure, and the good pitch of Uyo will be a delight to play in.”

Since their first meeting in 1992, Bafana are yet to record a victory over the Eagles in a competitive encounter with their only triumph over Nigeria coming in a friendly match at Ellis Park back in 2004, when Bafana won 2-1 thanks to goals from Shaun Bartlett and Benedict Vilakazi.

Nigeria’s goal was scored

by Ayodele Makinwa.

with Ifeanyi Ibeh 08054175662

FIBA Africa: Pillars not sure of wildcard

K

ano Pillars chances of grabbing a ticket to next month’s FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup in Tunisia is looking slimmer by the day as New Telegraph has gathered from various sources that the reigning champions of the DSTV Nigeria Premier Basketball League have yet to commence the process of securing a wildcard to the tournament.

Pillars failed to secure an automatic ticket to the

continental championship after finishing a disappointing third at October’s FIBA Zone-3 Africa Clubs Champions Cup qualifying tournament in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso behind eventual winners ABC of Cote d’Ivoire and the DSTV Premier League rivals, Mark Mentors.

As a result, the five-time champions of the Nigerian league were banking on getting the nod from FIBA Africa to secure a spot in Tu-

nisia, and reportedly commenced the process with the backing of their major financier, the Kano State Government.

A source within the club however disclosed to New Telegraph that moves by the club’s management to secure the release of funds needed to process the wildcard application seems to have fallen on deaf ears as the state government appears ‘uninterested’ in the pursuit.

Milo event commences Dec 1 after Ebola scare T

he 16th edition of the annual Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship will get underway on Monday, December 1 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The championship’s final round, which was initially scheduled to run from August 12 to 16 in Lagos, was postponed due to Ebola outbreak less than 24 hours to its commencement even though most of the participating schools had already arrived from their various destinations across the country.

Organisers of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship were subsequently lauded for taking into consideration the safety of the participating teams despite the huge capital pumped into organising the tournament, especially in the provision of transportation and accommodation for the 12 participating teams,

as well as a world class basketball floor specifically imported for the championship.

New Telegraph learnt from sources that the tournament sponsors had at the time spent millions of naira in publicising the championship only to see it all come to nothing owing to the Ebola outbreak.

The tournament will however now hold from December 1 to 6 to bring an end to a championship whose preliminary round commenced back in March across the country with 7,530 secondary schools jostling for 12 tickets to the Lagos finals.

The winners at this year’s Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship will represent Nigeria at the World Schools Basketball Championship, taking place in France from April 17 to 25, 2015.

54

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

55

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

North: Building a future from the rot

S

o much has been said in various discourses and many other fora about the North, a once solid geographical expression binding many people together. The genesis of its current problems, its leadership vis-a-vis growing poverty and insecurity have largely been the bone of contention.

But the big questions are: Have the poverty stricken Northern masses ever realised how important it is to be a determined and united force in order to face the obvious challenges staring them in the eyes? How sufficiently armed are they in terms of the wherewithal and the enlightened mind to think of how downtrodden they have been forced to become for so long and why are they still in squalor in the midst of huge wealth provided from the nation's coffers?

I recall with trepidation, the growing insecurity that culminated into the disastrous Maitatsine uprising of the 80s in the heart of Kano City; its subsequent spread to Borno State (in Maiduguri's Bulunkutu area), a crisis that should have shown the writings on the wall, that if Maitatsine could gather such enormous idle following and strike, it meant that all was not well with the leadership and its security apparatus as well.

That is why we see the insurgency that almost consumed the whole North and by extension the Nigerian nation in the last four or five years as a matter of great concern and a serious challenge to the North's leadership on the workings of poverty on the greatest number of the region's population.

Until the last few months, the North was virtually emasculated through the operations of the JTF and other military or police task forces, a situation that has strangulated the socio-economic well-being of the affected people, particularly in the North-Eastern part of the country, parts of North-West and North-Central areas resulting in the grounding of economic activities. By all parameters of measuring growth and development, this, indeed, is a serious retardation to that effect.

The fact, however, remains that the North as currently seen, is in limbo and this resultant uncertainty shows what the past meant for the people of the region and the type of leadership it produced, while the present presents a shadowy figure of a struggling power bloc trying to assert itself within the context of a more challenging Nigerian federation that is sandwiched between an ever growing hope and despair. It is, as it seems, a mirage since the current so-called leadership thinks first and foremost, about its sheer greed and desperation to continue to milk our God's own land.

Conversely, what has been produced over the years as leaders after the Sardauna era in the region has been a cabal of charlatans called leaders, encouraged and supported by a docile followership. There is this innate penchant to pauperise the Northern population for the selfish ends of its leaders.

Still, poverty, which to a very large extent has bred what we now witness as insecurity cannot be said to be the making of the poor masses, but a tactical strategy woven around the insatiate desire to weaken the mass base by pushing the majority populace into hunger and want in order to live above individual means, a script long put in place by the heartless leaders.

For instance, the country's constitu-

Brass Tacks SULEIMAN UBA GAYA suleimanuba1@gmail.com 08035676295 (sms only)

Bello

Shagari

Buhari

Babangida

Abacha

tion is not even considered as a guide to good governance. When it comes to truly serving the people, the region's political class more often than not, throws its constitutional responsibility to the dogs, disrespectfully, though.

So, it's not even foolish to suggest that

Abubakar

democracy in its truest form is being practiced in the North.

Under the noses of our leaders, thousands have been sent to early graves or permanently deformed due to unnecessary insurgencies, hunger and disease. The creation of these insurgencies, however, is still debatable.

Water, electricity, healthcare, education, agriculture, other development sectors, among others, have grossly been neglected, so it is the near absence of job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths, as discussed last week on this page, that becomes the surest tools of insurgency and society's potential time-bombs.

Again, many of these leaders of the region have hidden under the garb of insurgency to commit all forms of crimes against humanity. This does not and will never augur well for the North and its development. Moving to self-destruction, you may call it.

Looking at the flash-points of these insurgencies and the attendant consequences of what poverty and insecurity have brought to bear on the already largely ignorant majority, a despicable picture has been alabastered, side-by-side with the sad commentary of a region once bubbling with socioeconomic activities without regards to who you are or where you come from, but now in a sorry state. The impact of these crises of confidence on the people of the region is better said than imagined.

The Northern looters (not leaders), who have looted and stashed away public funds in foreign banks/and or went to establish lifetime businesses in Dubai, China or India, should know that nemesis is always lurking in the corner and will sooner or later catch up with those who betrayed their conscience to increase people's sufferings.

They are only creating a Frankenstein monster by so doing, for themselves.

The situation of things in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa in particular, as well as Kano, the commercial nerve-centre of the region is most pathetic. People have been caged and emasculated economically, a strangulation that will have dire consequences on the region in the future if urgent steps by wellmeaning leaders are not taken to arrest an impending melee or at worst, an apocalypse in the Sardaunaland. No apology for being a pessimist on this.

So, where do we go from here? This is a question on the lips of many frustrated, nay, disgruntled majority of the Northern populace. Under this sad and complex scenario, the panacea to growing poverty and insecurity in the region lies largely in us.

That is ensuring the installation of a good leadership that is devoid of greed and selfishness in the 2015 elections. A leadership that all will be proud of.

A leadership that is willing to give Caesar what belongs to him in fair and just distribution of wealth of the nation. Indeed, no nation ever thrives in squalor, disease, wanton killings and shedding of innocent blood, while its so-called leaders bask in an affluence they shamelessly flaunt without due regard to the sensitivity of the suckled majority. Whatever price to pay in addressing some of the fundamental issues affecting the North, regardless of what tribe, eithnic or religious groups people belong therefore, will never be a price too high to shoulder.

That the North is in dilemma about its future is an understatement and the way out of the doldrums, come 2015, is a well-articulated political plan that will vigorously enlighten the people on the issue of electing leaders that have them at heart.

Anything short of this is a farce. We cannot afford to lose the future just because the present is rotten.

If a person has no conscience, it's called being a sociopath. If a corporation has no conscience, it's called capitalism.

– Quentin R. Bufogle

Suleiman Uba Gaya

Sanctity of Truth

On Marble

North: Building a future from the rot

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

}55

N150

Capital punishment is stupid And Abraham drew near and said, wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? ... And the Lord said, if I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes..... And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

– Genesis 18:23-32

Broadside EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

where state executions take place periodically has a massive image problem. No decent and civilized country should succumb to the base temptation to punish eye for an eye. If you act in the same manner as a killer, then what is the difference between you and the criminal? It is utterly absurd and contradictory in principle to demonstrate that killing is wrong by responding with killing. It is coldblooded, premeditated and morally bankrupt.

Cruel, unusual, inhumane punishment: The deliberate, planned, systematized taking of a human life is inhumane. The certain knowledge that the state has set machinery in motion to hang you by the neck must be brain-frying in its extent of terror. The ugliness of the entire business surely dehumanizes society and cheapens the lives of citizens, beyond the subject of capital punishment.

The execution of the death penalty deprives the offender the opportunity for redemption. Human dignity is incompatible with the death penalty.

T

he emotive nature of the arguments that surround the application of the death penalty often deter rational people from engaging in them. If you have ever been thoughtless enough to argue the question of whether or not God exists, you will have a full appreciation of my conclusion. But precisely because of its infuriating and wearisome nature, the arguments must be aired, the savagery of the practice exposed and, ultimately, defeated.

Those who argue that the death penalty should remain an active element in our corpus of laws insist that its application delivers deterrence, retribution, and morality – morality in the sense of being seen to do what is overwhelmingly right in the face of great evil. They argue that the taking of life is the apex of all criminal acts and only the apex punishment fits such a heinous crime. For the simplified reasons that I will canvass below, I profoundly disagree.

Deterrence Some people feel that the death penalty will deter criminals from killing.

This is balderdash and has not been confirmed to be so by an analysis of the available data in any country anywhere in the world, or by the opinions of leading criminologists. There is no shred of evidence to support the claim that the death penalty deters murder. Offenders do not always act rationally, or weigh the options of punishment before committing an offence. There are alternatives to the death penalty - life imprisonment with the most stringent conditions, including permanent solitary confinement is a much more civilized option. I will detail my draconian measures presently.

Satisfaction Those who believe that the application of the death penalty gives satisfaction are overcome by primitive instincts and animal lust for blood.

It is scarcely believable that any advanced human being would gain satisfaction from the savage spillage of the blood of another human being. The alternative is, in fact more satisfactory: Imprison the criminal and throw away the key forever, with a minimal of facilities – a cubicle without light, with permanently un-

comfortable temperature, with just water, akamu, and oxygen to sustain the criminal’s solitude to the very end of his natural life.

The harm of murder can never be remedied; the victim can never be brought back to life, the only true satisfaction if it were ever attainable.

National image Every nation where the capital punishment remains an extant law and

Human life has intrinsic value. This applies without exception, even to murderers

Potential for error One of the most salient arguments against the death penalty is the reality that innocent people have been executed for crimes they did not commit.

Criminal law has the lofty aim of being objective, but, in the last analysis, it is infected always by human subjectivity. Furthermore, the judicial system is corrupt, backward, poorly resourced and generally in shambles.

Judges can and do make mistakes.

Lawyers can and do make mistakes.

Death penalty cases are always complex and they demand a careful, considered legal judgment. No judicial system in the world is equipped to deliver an error-free death penalty verdict. On the contrary, tragic records exist of people who were accused and punished for the most horrible crimes but turned out to be innocent. An executed death penalty is irremediable.

"Better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer," says English jurist William Blackstone. We should heed this ancient wisdom.

Playing God The giving and taking of life should be God’s and God’s prerogative only.

No human institution should be interjected into this divine prerogative, otherwise we risk usurping the supreme role of the Supreme Being.

Christians believe that God has placed people on earth for a purpose. If we kill them prematurely, then we may

be thwarting God's will.

Infirmity of mind Some offenders are mentally ill. Putting to death an offender who committed a crime under the burden of mental illness is wicked and ungodly. It is a practice that belongs in the animal kingdom. It has no place in civilized society. Permanent confinement to a mental institution where medical help may be rendered is an infinitely more justifiable solution. Society is thus made safe and God’s work done.

Deference to International Law We should follow international law and other fundamental laws that prohibit the capital punishment. In general, international law forbids the death penalty. Nigeria has an important place in the comity of nations. Its conduct in relation to international legal provisions should be in tandem with the majority of its partner nations across the globe.

The religious perspective Thou shall not kill. This injunction does not contain a caveat, nor is there room for derogations. Many people feel that killing convicted murderers will satisfy their need for justice and/ or vengeance. They feel that certain crimes are so heinous that executing the criminal is the only reasonable response. This belief even extends to some Christians where their need for vengeance overrules their ability to forgive, even though the concepts of forgiveness and mercy are expressed in 106 passages of the Christian Scriptures.

Immorality It is immoral for the government to take the life of a citizen under any circumstance. Permitting premeditated murder is totally unacceptable, even if committed by the state. Capital punishment lowers the value of human life. It brutalizes society and inculcates in our children the belief that the calculated taking of a human life outside of a war situation is a right and proper thing to do. It is based on a need for revenge. A Quaker group suggests that it "violates our belief in the human capacity for change.... [It] powerfully reinforces the idea that killing can be a proper way of responding to those who have wronged us. We do not believe that reinforcement of that idea can lead to healthier and safer communities."

Premium value of human life Human life has intrinsic value. This applies without exception, even to murderers. Life is God’s gift and it is His premium creation. The death penalty denies the sacredness of human life. Life is so precious that nobody should ever be killed or murdered, even by the state. There are other forms of punishment, as suggested above, that can achieve the desired results and yet preserve the sanctity of life and honour the supremacy of God’s will.

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.