Binder1 sept 9 Tuesday, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Vol. 1 No. 203

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AMCON delays unveiling of Mainstreet Bank’s new owner

lPuts equities in firms at N100bn Ayodele Aminu

he Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has extended the date for announcing the winner of bid for Main-

street Bank Limited. It, however, said the new owner of Enterprise Bank Limited would be ready “on or before” the September 15 timeline it set for the two institutions.

Managing Director, AMCON, Mr. Mustapha Chike-Obi, told New Telegraph in Lagos yesterday that the announcement of the new owner of Mainstreet Bank would have to

come after the conclusion of the transaction on Enterprise Bank. Three lenders, Mainstreet Bank, Enterprise Bank and Keystone Bank, were acquired by AMCON

following their inability to recapitalise within a specified timeframe set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Mainstreet Bank was CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Chike-Obi

Obasanjo's son shot by Boko Haram

lTroops halt sect's advance on Maiduguri lResidents flee as gun battle rages in Mubi

Quick Read

IG vows to fish out Dimgba Igwe's killer The Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered an immediate investigation into the death of Mr. Dimgba Igwe.

Oil price crash tightens Nigeria’s budget Price of crude oil in the international market yesterday crashed to $99 per barrel, the lowest price in 16 months, worsening worries over Nigeria's 2014 budget.

Dettol to fight Ebola with N220m Dettol, one of Reckitt Benckiser’s power brands, yesterday announced a N220 million package to fight Ebola. Members of Civilian JTF parading the streets of Maiduguri, Borno State...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

FG loses N233.48m in ‘illegal' sale of Customs houses Lagos

Storms

27OC |23OC

lReps committee indicts FCTA officials Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and some top

officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have been implicated in the sale of 15 properties belonging to the revenue collecting agency. The

choice properties, most of them located in the highbrow Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were initially bought by the NCS for its

use before they were sold to some top Customs officials, including a former Comptroller General of Customs (name withheld) CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Obasanjo's son shot by Boko Haram Emmanuel Onani, Yekeen Nurudeen, Ahmed Miringa and Ibrahim Abdul

ieutenant Colonel Adeboye Obasanjo, an army engineer who is one of the sons of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was injured yesterday in a gun battle between troops and Boko Haram militants in Adamawa State. The army officer is with the 3rd Division in Jos, Plateau State, was leading a platoon of soldiers when they were attacked at Baza, which is the village of the General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Division, Major Gen J.S. Zaruwa. According to a report by Sahara Reporters, an online news medium, 24 soldiers in the platoon were reportedly killed in the battle while the younger Obasanjo sustained serious injuries on his legs and had been moved to an unnamed hospital. The incident in Adamawa occurred just as troops stopped Boko Haram from advancing on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, after routing them from Bama, the state's second largest town, which had been under their control for about one week. The troops also intensified efforts to recapture Mubi, which the insurgents had overrun last week. Many residents have fled the town in the wake of the fierce battle between the military and members of the terrorist group. However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Federal Government against allowing the insurgents to gain any territory in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States and called for more funds to the military to enable it tackle terrorism. Boko Haram, whose members have continued to maintain their occupation of Madagali, Gulak, Shuwa, Michika and Bazza towns in Adamawa State, engaged the younger Obasanjo's platoon in a battle while they were trying to dislodge the insurgents. It was learnt that officers and men from 234 battalion, the 3rd Division and the 23rd Army Brigade in Yola, were advancing on Michika when Boko Haram militants attacked them. Besides killing 24 soldiers, the militants were also said to have seized an armoured tank from the military. However, efforts to get the former president were abortive yesterday as he was said to have travelled out of the country. Also, Director of De-

fence Information (DDI), Brigadier General Chris Olukolade could not be reached as calls to his mobile line did not go through. But Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye, who confirmed that there was a fierce battle between troops and insurgents, in Mubi, said he was not sure if Obasanjo's son was one of the injured. He said: "There was a fierce battle in Mubi this (last) night. Some soldiers and officers were injured, but I cannot say if the former president's son was affected." New Telegraph also learnt yesterday that Boko Haram's siege on Gulak, Michika and its environs has caused ripple effects on the commercial border town of Mubi as many have deserted the town with reports saying that several people have crossed over to the neighbouring Cameroun. Fleeing residents said the streets of Michika up to Madagali were being patrolled by the insurgents who had hoisted their flags in the towns. But sources told New Telegraph that soldiers were turning back fleeing residents of Mubi as they engaged Boko Haram in an attempt to regain the town. The soldiers were also said to have engaged in a fierce battle with members of the sect all through Sunday night and yesterday to regain full control of Michika. Fighter jets bombed the hideouts of the insurgents while soldiers battled their locations around Michika Local Government Area secretariat. Executive Director of Stefanos, Mr. Mark Lipdo, quoting military sources in the battle field, said the military turned back Nigerians running out of Mubi in reaction to the news of insurgents approaching the town. A curfew has been imposed on the town to enable the military to restore order. Meanwhile, after weeks of fierce fighting, the military has reclaimed Bama from Boko Haram. A report by Reuters also said the troops blocked the militants' advance on Maiduguri. The report quoted a source as saying the troops are also fighting a southwards push into Adamawa State to dislodge Boko Haram. The source said Boko Haram fighters had been driven from Bama, with the help of warplanes that bombed and strafed the militants after they stormed Bama last week. "Bama has been recaptured by the soldiers and

I can confirm to you Maiduguri is safe," the official said. A market trader from Bama, Babagana Modu, also confirmed that soldiers were in control of the town, as government planes struck at Boko Haram positions in the surrounding area. It was also learnt that troops killed 20 Boko Haram terrorists on Sunday when they attacked the residence of a former Commander Niger-Delta Special Task Force, Major General Tukur Buratai and Buratai Central Primary School in Buratai Town of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. Three soldiers sustained injuries in the attack. A resident of the area,

Mallam Idi Buratai, said the gunmen, numbering over 50, stormed the town on motorcycles and vehicles and attacked the home of General Buratai and the primary school. He said: “The soldiers guarding the residence of the former task force commander in collaboration with their colleagues from Biu Military Barracks and the members of vigilante group repelled the attack, killing over 20 members of the sect.” He added that the terrorists also burnt all mobile network masts in the town. Confirming the incident, the District Head of Buratai, Alhaji Maina Garga, said normalcy had since return to the town. However, the NLC has

called on the Federal Government to urgently fund the armed forces so as to address insurgency in the country. The congress in a statement in Abuja yesterday by its National President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, said it was worried by the insurgents' recent incursion into some towns and villages, especially in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. Omar said the recent violent attacks and reported seizures and declaration of an Islamic caliphate by the sect was unacceptable and must never be allowed. The congress also expressed concern at the speed with which the insurgents were overrunning communities even

in areas reported to have heavy security presence. The statement, however, called for an urgent intervention in the funding and provision of appropriate equipment to the armed forces and proper policing of communities across the country. It said failure to ensure adequate funding of security agencies would be a monumental discredit to government under whose direction and authority the overall safety of all citizens was constitutionally placed. It warned that the consequence of allowing any part of the country to be seized by any group would be overwhelmingly harmful to the collective unity and socio-economic advancement of the country.

L-R: Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Kayode Lawal; Director-General, Institute of International Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Mr. Kenton Dashiel and Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, during the launch of Ore Agro Business City, Ore…yesterday.

500,224 jobs created in six months – NBS Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday disclosed that 500, 224 new jobs were created in first and second quarters of 2014. Of the figure, 240, 871 jobs were created in first quarter 2014 while 259, 353 jobs were created in second quarter of 2014. The jobs spread across the formal, informal and public sectors of the economy. Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, confirmed the figures yesterday in Abuja at the presentation of job creation results for first and second quarters 2014 and the inauguration of the committee for the review of unemployment definition in Nigeria. In the first quarter of 2014, the formal sector

generated 76,018 jobs, the informal sector created 158,894 jobs while public sector created 5,959 new jobs totalling 240,871 jobs created in the first quarter. The figure represents a decrease by 10.3 per cent from the previous quarter which recorded 265,702 jobs but lower than the 431,021 jobs created in the corresponding 2013 quarter. Further analysis of the job data showed that jobs created in the formal sector in first quarter 2014 was lower than the number of jobs created in the previous quarter which stood at 101,597 and the corresponding quarter 2003 which stood at 174,326. The education (private) sector took the lead in job creation taking up to 31 per cent (or 23, 643 jobs) of the total share followed by manufacturing with 14.6

per cent (11,088 jobs). The informal sector which constitutes most of the jobs in agriculture and micro, small medium scale enterprises went up 9.8 per cent relative to the preceding quarter which was 143,278 but lower than the 232,272 jobs created in the corresponding period 2013. For the second quarter 2014, the formal sector recorded 78, 755 new jobs, the informal sector created 175,786 jobs while the public sector recorded 4,812 jobs totalling 259,353 jobs created. The figure indicates an increase by 7.1 per cent from the preceding quarter (240,871 jobs) and also represents an increase relative to the corresponding quarter in 2012 when a total of 221,054 jobs were created. However, formal jobs created in the second

quarter 2014 was lower than 80,412 jobs created in the corresponding quarter in 2013 but higher than the 76,018 jobs created in the preceding first quarter 2014. The education and manufacturing sectors dominated the formal sector with most number of jobs taking up 36.9 per cent (29,060) and 14.14 per cent (11,138) respectively of the jobs created in the formal sector. Inaugurating the committee mandated to review unemployment definition in Nigeria under the chairmanship of Prof. (Mrs.) Sarah Anyanwu, Kale urged the committee to deliberate on the current definition of unemployment as applied by NBS and propose a most suitable definition for the Nigeria environment while still satisfying international best practices.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Reps committee indicts FCTA officials CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

at ridiculous discounts, thus depriving the service of some gains. The shady property deal was uncovered by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise in its report on "The State of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Poor Performance of its Statutory Duties and Functions." In the 196-page report exclusively obtained by New Telegraph, it was revealed that the properties bought at N596.620 million were sold for N362.138 million. Out of the 15 properties sold, the report said only three were disposed off at some minimal profits apparently to confer some semblance of fair play on the "flawed process." According to the report, the NCS lost N233.48 million in the transaction as based on the amount they were sold, the properties rather than appreciating in value given their design and location, as it is the practice in the property market in Abuja, depreciated sharply. "More worrisome is the fact that the sale did not follow due process as some senior officers were denied the right to buy their houses even though they were

sitting tenants whilst some senior officers greedily and selfishly cornered some of the properties for themselves at discriminatory prices," the report said. One of the properties, a six-bedroom detached bungalow bought for N212.75 million was sold for N80 million while a four-bedroom detached duplex with two-room boys quarters, which was bought for N29.40 million was sold for N11.62 million. Also, a block of fivebedroom detached house bought for N47 million was sold for N17.5 million. The committee, which uncovered the deal, said it found no merit in the claims of the then Comptroller General of Customs that the properties were sold despite protest from the management of the service. "It is curious and illogical that the vehement protesters turned out to be the beneficiaries of the fraud. The committee also considered and rejected the assertion of the FCTA that it violated no law in the sale of the properties and that the Committee (on Sale of Federal Government Prop-

erties) was only obliged to sell the properties to the highest bidder or at face value. The committee was unable to trace proceeds of the sale as the FCTA failed to provide evidence of remittance of the proceeds into the Federation Account as claimed," the report added. According to the testimony of FCTA, its Committee on the Sale of Federal Government Houses was only mandated to sell houses but the committee held that the properties sold did not belong to the Federal Government. The report said since the properties were not strict sense government properties, having been bought with bonuses that were supposed to be paid directly to NCS officers and men, the FCTA had no legal basis to embark on the sale. "Legally speaking, the title of the properties was never passed to the FCTA or its committee and the same having no legal or equitable title to the said properties cannot legally alienate any of the properties. The FCTA and its committee acted ultra vi-

res and having sold what does not legally belong to them, such sale is null and void requiring no formality to set aside," it stated. The Committee on the Sale of Federal Government Houses was mandated to sell all Federal Government Houses excluding the official residence of the president; the residence of the vice-president; the residence of the Senate President and that of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Other properties excluded from sale included the residences of the Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Security, Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, the presidential guest houses and safe houses of the intelligence community. Also exempted were houses within the security zone of the State House; residence of the justices of the Supreme Court, Court

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

of Appeal, Federal High Court and High Courts. The sale also did not include military, police, paramilitary barracks or the residence of any approved uniform services. However, the report said the FCTA committee adopted a discriminatory approach to its assignment as it did not sell houses belonging to the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS), which were bought with bonuses at the same time the NCS bought its. New Telegraph gathered that the committee went beyond its brief and sold off nearly every government property in sight, including the residence of the Inspector General of Police and that of the Comptroller General of Customs, but the case of the police boss was subsequently overturned and set aside. The House committee in its report therefore recommended that the sale of the NCS houses be revoked and NCS management be allowed to reclaim the houses within six months of the adoption of the report.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

22oC 12oC Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

28o C 21oC Storms

KANO

32o C 22oC Storms

ENUGU

29o C 22oC Storms

IBADAN

28o C 22oC Storms

CALABAR

27o C 21oC Storms

MAIDUGURI

30o C 23oC Thunder Storms

ONITSHA

29o C 22oC Storms

Former Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere (left) and former Governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, during the reception for Attah by the Ibibio nation in Uyo…at the weekend.

AMCON puts equities in firms at N100 billion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

formerly known as Afribank; Keystone Bank was previously known as BankPHB while Enterprise Bank was before its acquisition, known as Spring Bank. AMCON had injected N679 billion into the hitherto sick banks to meet the minimum capital base of N25 billion and the minimum capital adequacy ratio of 15 per cent, as stipulated by the CBN. In a bid to recover

the funds injected in the banks, which it raised through issuance of bonds, the corporation is offering the three lenders for sale to investors, starting with Enterprise Bank and Mainstreet Bank. The sale process for Keystone Bank will be completed next year. According to ChikeObi, both the preferred and reserve bidders for Enterprise Bank had been selected by the consultants but their identities cannot

be disclosed because “it has to go through appropriate authorities.” He said: “The winners of the bid for the Enterprise Bank and the backup will be announced within the next week. In the next seven days; so it is still 15th (of September). "I think Mainstreet will be a little bit later than that, because we started Enterprise first and you would expect that Enterprise should be concluded first.”

He also said the corporation, with shares valued at over N100 billion in both quoted and unquoted companies had restructured and recovered about 60 per cent of the loans it took over. But he declined to give a value to the recovered loans. "Recovery is very serious task and we have to be careful with recovery. We have dealt with restructured and recovered about 60 per cent of the loan we CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

2015: North-West PDP insists on Jonathan lParty woos APC governors to support President’s re-election

Ibraheem Musa and Onyekachi Eze

he furore generated over the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 election deepened yesterday as the North-West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa lacks locus standi to challenge the decision. The PDP insisted that on the endorsement of the President, saying there is no going back on the decision. The party also stated that Governor Lamido was part of the decision in spite of the denial. The zone was reacting to deputy governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmood Gumel’s press briefing at Dutse which had dissociated Lamido from that decision, a day after the meeting. In a statement issued in Kaduna yesterday by chairman of the communiqué committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, the North-West PDP said Lamido has no locus standi to challenge its position having been well represented by his deputy. Wali also vowed to make public, the video clip of the meeting in Kaduna where the deputy governor of Jigawa State had

supported Jonathan’s endorsement. Narrating how the decision was reached, the statement noted that “the expanded stakeholders’ meeting was a culmination of several meetings held amongst the key stakeholders of the zone and Jigawa State was always represented by the deputy governor in such meetings. “The outcome of the meetings by the state chapters gave rise to the North-West zonal meeting. The expanded stakeholders resolved to urge President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for the Office of the President come 2015. This decision was the position of the majority of the stakeholders present at the meeting, therefore to concretize it, Ambassador Aminu Wali was directed to read the communiqué and make it public as prepared and submitted by the party. “This accounted for the presence of the governors and deputy governors including that of Jigawa State standing behind Wali while he was reading the communiqué, to demonstrate their support and endorsement of the outcome of the meeting. “Therefore, for the deputy governor to return to Jigawa State and to summon a press conference dissociating himself and

the Jigawa State Governor from the communiqué is an afterthought and rather very unfortunate.” Meanwhile, the PDP has said it would mobilise members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South South to support the re-election of President Joathan in 2015. National Vice Chairman PDP South-South, Dr. Cairo Ojugbo, stated this in Abuja yesterday while addressing newsmen. “We will talk to them; we will campaign to APC members in Rivers and Edo. We shall work extra hard by talking to our

brothers in other political parties in the states to come and join this train that is heading Nigeria to right direction,” he said. Out of six states in the region, APC is in control of two – Rivers and Edo states. Ojugbo, however, said the people of the zone is united irrespective of party affiliation. Ojugbo added that the PDP in the zone planned to deliver the electorate to the party by ensuring that it won all votes in the 2015 general election. “We shall go to every nook and cranny in the

South-South; we will work 24 hours in the tradition of the PDP. We will work to ensure that we do not lose any seat that is on the card to be contested for. “We will campaign and beg our brothers even in the other parties to cooperate with us because this is a South South agenda.” He added that the zone was determined to ensure the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015 to bring peace to the zone and the country generally. Ojugbo said that the four million signatures received by the Trans-

formation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) at its Port Harcourt rally, from those who wanted President Jonathan re-elected, was an attestation to the determination of people of the zone. He said the zone was convinced that President Jonathan had done well in all sectors of the country`s economy and should be re-elected. “We are convinced that the transformation agenda is getting Nigeria out of the woods and that in spite of the country`s security challenges, the president is riding on.”

L-R: Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun and his wife, Adeola, during a courtesy visit to the governor's wife in Abeokuta...yesterday

Ebola: Late doctor’s sister, 339 others discharged –Minister lDettol fights Ebola with N220m lSao Tomeans threaten to set Nigerian diplomat ablaze Appolonia Adeyemi, Sunday Ojeme, Emmanuel Masha and Obinna Odoh

he Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has confirmed that one Chinyere, the sister of the Port Harcourt doctor, Dr. Iyke Enemuo, who died of Ebola has been discharged from the isolation ward in Rivers State. Chukwu, who briefed newsmen in Abuja yesterday on the current status of the virus in Nigeria, put the total number of successfully managed and discharged patients at nine. According to him, the nine patients are among the 11 survivors of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria. Chukwu said that the wife of the late Port Harcourt doctor was still on treatment at the Isolation ward in Lagos and would

soon be discharged. “At the moment only one person, the wife of the Port Harcourt doctor is on treatment in the isolation ward in Lagos. “She no longer has any symptoms and is undergoing series of tests preparatory to her discharge from the isolation ward this week,” he said. Chukwu said there were other contacts of the disease that were still under surveillance in Lagos and Port Harcourt, and assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was in control of the situation. “Regarding contacts currently under surveillance, Lagos has 27 contacts under surveillance. A total of 339 contacts, who were previously on surveillance, have been discharged having completed 21 days of observation. Port Harcourt has

477 contacts under surveillance. It is a mixed group consisting of tertiary and quaternary contacts of Mr Sawyer’s. “Five contacts have already been discharged from surveillance in Port Harcourt having completed 21 days of observation,” he said. Chukwu maintained that the total number of deaths from Ebola in Nigeria so far stood at seven, adding that five were in Lagos and two in Port Harcourt. The minister put the total number of Ebola cases in Nigeria at 19 since the first case in Lagos 50 days ago. He also made clarification on the report that Nigeria had taken delivery of body scanning machines from the U.S government. Chukwu said what was donated to the Nigerian

government by the U.S was 30 hand-held infrared equipment for use at border posts. He appealed to countries not to stigmatise Nigerians on the account of the Ebola outbreak, noting that it was against international practice. The minister said the Federal Government in collaboration with other stakeholders in the private sector was working hard to contain the spread of the virus beyond the Lagos and Port Harcourt. Rivers State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sampson Parker also confirmed Chinyere’s status. He said: "She has been effectively treated, cleared and discharged from our isolation treatment centre. She deserves to be celebrated as a success story. "I can assure you that the disease has been cov-

ered. People should not cause panic. The number of deaths from Ebola is lower than deaths from road accidents." Meanwhile, Dettol, one of Reckitt Benckiser’s power brands, yesterday announced a N220 million package to fight Ebola. The intervention is a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and it involves public enlightenment campaign through personal hygiene. The partnership was announced at a ministerial media briefing by the Chukwu. The event was attended by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute; Director General, National Agency for Food

and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii and other senior officials of the Ministry of Health. Chukwu said the sum would be spent by Reckitt Benckiser on the various legs of the public enlightenment campaign to fight the scourge. Marketing Director, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Oguzhan Silivrili, stated that as part of Reckitt Benckiser’s numerous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, “our company has decided to partner with the Federal Ministry of Health, using Dettol to enlighten Nigerians on how to prevent Ebola through the cultivation of proper hygiene habits. “Over the next couple of weeks, we would launch out pan-Nigeria with the CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Oil price crash to $99 per barrel tightens Nigeria’s budget lUS shale boom pushes prices at 16-month lowest Adeola Yusuf

rice of crude oil in the international market yesterday crashed to $99 per barrel, the lowest price in 16 months, worsening worries over Nigeria's 2014 budget. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that Nigeria and other oilproducing nations need oil to sell above $100 per barrel. Nigeria, Africa's biggest crude exporter, which depends on oil for about 90 per cent of its revenue, put benchmark for oil in its 2014 budget at $77 per barrel. But oil has been selling at over $100 per barrel since January 2013, paving the way for Nigeria to beef up its Excess Crude Account (ECA), which serves as buffers against external shocks. Though the executive pegged $74 per barrel as benchmark oil price for the budget, the Senate raised it up to $77.5 per barrel as earlier agreed with the House of Representatives before the final consideration of the budget. Nigeria, which produces about 2.2 million barrels per day, has been facing bearish demand for its crude at the international market, leading to over 40 cargoes loitering around last month. Brent crude, the most closely-watched benchmark, hit $99.95 in trading on yesterday, following disappointing Chinese economic data. This development also affected the budget of other

members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), prompting some in the producer group to voice concern about too much oil in the market even if they see the current fall as short lived. Brent crude fell below $100 a barrel for the first time since June 2013, hit by concerns about slower economic growth and ample supply. Reuters reported yesterday that top OPEC exporter, Saudi Arabia, favours oil at $100, which many others in the 12-member group also support. For now, OPEC delegates said yesterday they were not alarmed, expecting winter demand to support prices. But signs of concern are emerging about the level of supplies. "As with concern about the drop in oil prices it was a result of weak demand and oversupply mainly from the US, recovery in Libya, Nigeria and Iran," said an OPEC delegate. "But the geopolitics is there and cold weather is approaching, which will support prices," the delegate added. The United States shale oil boom is inflating global supplies. Within OPEC, Libyan output has risen and Iraqi exports have mostly continued flowing despite conflicts in those countries, while output has edged up in Nigeria and Iran. Another OPEC delegate said prices were under pressure from too much oil,

AMCON puts equities in firms at N100 billion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

took over and we are still working on about 40 per cent. What recovery means to most of the people is actually cash but that is not the case for us. Sometimes, when you restructure a loan and the man is performing, we consider that to be recovery; sometimes, we take assets and we take that one also as recovery. We have dealt with about 60 per cent of the loan that we took over,” he added. In a bid to redeem its N800 billion bonds, which matures in October, AMCON had sold its 12.5 per cent stake in Ecobank Nigeria Plc to Qatar National Bank (QNB) for about $200 million. It has also sold 20.9 per cent of its stake in Union

Bank of Nigeria Plc to Mara, the African investment vehicle of former Barclays boss, Bob Diamond, for $270 million. By October 31, AMCON is expected to redeem the N800 billion bonds it issued to bridge the rescued banks and buy other lenders’ non-performing loans with the proceeds from the sale of these shares. The sale proceeds will be augmented with the sinking funds, its loan recovery drive as well as proceeds from the impending sale of Enterprise Bank and Mainstreet Bank. If AMCON redeems the N800 billion, its outstanding bonds due for redemption over 10 years will reduce to N3.8 trillion.

something some member countries were watching. However, most OPEC officials contacted by Reuters continued to see the price drop as short-lived. "The fall in prices is a temporary thing. They are still within the acceptable range. There is no real worry," said a delegate from one of OPEC's Gulf members. OPEC does not have an official price target and prices still need to fall further to be outside an acceptable zone cited by Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi in June, when he said oil at "$100, $110, $95 is a good price."

Estimates from IMF indicate that while current prices are comfortable for OPEC's core Gulf members, they are below levels members including Iran, Algeria and Iraq need in 2014 for their fiscal balance to be zero. But estimates from Arab Petroleum Investments Corp, an organisation of Arab petroleum exporting countries body that finances oil investment, put the break-even level for number one producer Saudi Arabia much closer to current prices at $98.40, and the OPEC weighted average at $104.80.

OPEC has a nominal target to produce 30 million barrels per day and in August, pumped more than that level, according to a Reuters survey, due in part to a rise in Libya. The group does not meet to review its output policy until November. In any case, meetings have become less of a focus for traders as in the last two years OPEC has left the target unchanged, in effect delegating market management to informal supply tweaks by Saudi Arabia, supported by Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

The Gulf producers could trim supply informally to make room for a further recovery in Libya, an OPEC source said in August. No evidence of this happening has come to light and any cutback is unlikely to happen overnight as the Libyan output gain could easily go into reverse, analysts said. "They cannot be too jerky in their reactions," said Samuel Ciszuk, analyst at the Swedish energy agency. "The responsible thing would be to sit tight for a while and hope they don't see further weakness.”

L-R: Head of Department, Real Sector and Household Statistics, Mr. Isiaka Olarewaju; Prof. Sarah Anyanwu and Statistician General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, during the inauguration of the review of definition and methodology for computing unemployment statistics in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Dettol fights Ebola with N220 million CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Ebola Public Enlightenment Campaign. Some legs of the campaign include airing an Infomercial by the Minister of Health on Ebola, storming garages, neighbourhoods, religious centres, schools etc. and educating Nigerians on proper hygiene practices like how to correctly wash their hands, sanitise floors and surfaces amongst others, and by providing upto-date information on ‘All you need to know about Ebola’ through the traditional media and other digital media platforms,” he said. “The prevention of the Ebola Virus starts from good hygiene practices like washing of hands. Dettol has six steps of how to properly wash our hands to kill all illness causing germs,’’ he added. Chukwu showed appre-

ciation to Reckitt Benckiser and its brand, Dettol, for coming forward in partnership to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against Ebola. “We appreciate Reckitt Benckiser for this partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health. They have not given us the money in cash but have come up with a real partnership that works. Over the next few weeks, you will be seeing media campaigns some of which involves members of the Ministry of Health including the Health Minister himself and other Nigerians. What is important is for Nigerians to get the right messages on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). We appreciate what they are doing, using their own money for public education,’’ he added. Maku similarly com-

mended Dettol for the partnership to provide public enlightenment on the EVD saying, ‘‘this is a win-win situation”. In a related development, Nigerians in Sao Tome and those travelling there for various transactions are currently facing difficulties from officials and citizens of the Island following the outbreak of EVD in Nigeria. The case has also been complicated with the alleged disappearance of the Nigerian Ambassador to the country, Ahmed Magaji. A source, who confided in New Telegraph, said the problem of movement for Nigerians to and from the country had escalated even with a threat to set two Nigerians including a diplomat ablaze, stressing that Sao Tomeans were blowing everything out of

proportion with no help coming from the Embassy. The source said: “Two Nigerians, one of them an Embassy official, were denied entry into Sao Tome. In fact, they were locked up at the airport last week for two nights without food. Eventually, they were released with conditions and on getting hint of their release, Sao Tomeans wanted to attack and set them ablaze. Where is the Ambassador? The Ambassador should be available to discuss with all stakeholders to stop the misinformation.” The source disclosed that every Nigerian in that country was now seen as having Ebola, adding that any of them who travelled out of the Island at the moment would not be allowed back until after a period of at least nine months because of the EVD scare.

sad

It is indeed a period of mourning as the nation faces the reality of Igwe's demise Emmanuel Onani

he Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba,yesterday vowed to investigate the death of the late Vice-Chairman of The Sun Publishing Company Limited, Mr. Dimgba Igwe. Igwe died on September 6, after he was knocked

11.06

NEWS

Dimgba Igwe (1956-2014)

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

IGP vows to probe Igwe's death

down by a hit-and-run vehicle in Lagos. Abba assured that a thorough investigation will be instituted, to unravel the circumstances surrounding Igwe's death. This was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel Ojukwu, an Acting Commissioner of Police. According to the statement, Abba regretted that Igwe's demise came at a time "when his highly cerebral ideas and ingenuity

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Guam in 2011. Source: Itu.int

are very much needed in the country." The statement reads: The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Suleiman Abba, has condoled with the immediate family of the deceased journalist, the Sun Newspapers and the entire nation on the death of the irrepressible, versatile and courageous journalist of note, the late Dimgba Igwe, who died on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) allegedly,

€1.8m

The world record transfer fee paid for Guiseppe Savoldi by Napoli 1975. Source: Goal.com

following injuries suffered from a hit and run vehicle at Okota, Lagos State. "While recalling the many worthy contributions of the late journalist to nation building, the IGP expressed deep regrets over the death of the Journalist, who until his death was the Vice Chairman of the Sun Newspapers. "He noted that Dimgba’s death is regrettably coming at a time when his highly cerebral ideas and ingenuity are very much needed in the country."

$US163.3bn The nominal GDP of United Arab Emirates (World Bank) in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

He will be sorely missed —Adenuga

lobacom Chairman, G(GCON) Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. has described the

sudden demise of the Vice Chairman of Sun Newspapers, Pastor Dimgba Igwe as a tragic and colossal loss not only to journalism but the entire nation. In a condolence message to the Management of Sun Newspapers, Dr. Adenuga said the nation had lost a gem with the death of Pastor Igwe. "Pastor Igwe was a gentleman and an excellent professional who discharged his duties with rare candour. He was a prolific columnist and constructive critic who used his writings to dissect the challenges fac-

ing the society and was always positive in his postulations. The Globacom Chairman said he received the news with deep shock and conveyed his commiserations and prayers to the Sun Newspapers and the family of Igwe on the monumental loss. "We are however consoled by the fact that Pastor Igwe lived a fulfilled life and left his footprints on the sands of time, especially in the journalism profession. He will be sorely missed," he said. He prayed that God would grant Igwe's family, colleagues and associates the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Northern governors: Igwe’s death unfortunate Dan Atori MINNA

ove r n o r s under GNorthern the auspices of the States Gover-

Managing Director/CEO, Oil and Gas Division, Slok Nigeria Limited, Mr. Firas Abboud, signing the condolence register...yesterday

Power Minister mourns

inister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, yesterday expressed shock and sadness at the death of Dimgba Igwe, the vice-chairman of The Sun Publishing Company Limited. In a statement made available to New Telegraph, Nebo said for a man so full of life, nobody had expected such sad news, particularly the circumstances surrounding his death. The late Igwe passed on at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital after being knocked down by a hit-and-rundriver while jogging in his neighbourhood to keep fit. “To mortal man, the sudden death of such a lively, vibrant and purposeful man, especially in such a cruel circumstance may seem inexplicable. But to God, the creator and all-knowing, it fits into his purpose of creation - to make everything perfect.

“We are created into this world to achieve God's purpose and how we achieve this is our own. It doesn't matter how long we live or the circumstances of our death. What matters is what we left behind in the light of God's purpose for us. “It is in this light that we must examine the life and times of Dimgba Igwe. A gentleman to the core, he did not bury the talent God gave him, but used it to pursue the greatest good for the greatest number of people. He was a fearless advocate and dogged fighter for the good of the society, using his pen, having discovered his talent early enough,” Nebo said. He described the deceased as a thorough bred journalist, who never shirked the responsibility of telling the truth always or exposing the malfeasance in the society, no matter the cost.

nors Forum (NSGF) yesterday said the death of Mr. Dimgba Igwe, is sad and unfortunate. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Israel Ebije, said Igwe was one of the icons of the journalism profession, who would be missed, especially now that the nation would need the services of experienced practitioners in the 2015 general elections. While speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the governor said: “Let me condole

with the management and staff of The Sun newspapers, the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the Guild of Editors, over the death of Dimgba Igwe. The nation has indeed lost one of its finest writers, whose flowing prose was not only educating, but informing and entertaining. “The late Igwe has no doubt mentored quite a number of younger journalists. The joy is, he left an indelible mark in his chosen profession, but unfortunately died at a time his service is most required.” Governor Aliyu, while asking Allah to grant him Aljanna Firdaus, prayed God to grant his family, friends and indeed all Nigerian journalists the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

The Source publisher, Comfort Obi condoles with Kalu he Publisher of The Tmember Source Magazine and of the Police

Widow, Mrs Oby Igwe...yesterday

PHOTOS: GODWIN IREKHE

Service Commission, Ms. Comfort Obi, yesterday described the death of the late Dimgba Igwe as saddening and very shocking. Obi, in a letter she personally signed and addressed to the Chairman of the Sun Publishing Limited, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, also described the late Igwe as a torch bearer who most Nigerian journalists looked up to. She regretted that Ig-

we’s death came at a time many of his colleagues were looking up to him for his quality intellectual inputs in the growth of Nigeria. Obi said, “The heart of everyone bleeds at this tragic loss.I am particularly pained that Igwe struggled with death for four hours, trying to stay alive , only to lose the battle. We console the Sun family and Igwe’s wife and children over this sad loss. As mortals, we can only pray for him and wish that he finds solace in the creator.

Textile union tasks FRSC on killers

Big blow to journalism, says Daniel

Kaduna

Ibraheem Musa

he National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) yesterday called on the Federal

Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to identify and apprehend the driver that killed the Vice-Chairman of The Sun Publishing Company Limited, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, for prosecution.

In a statement issued by Comrade Issa Aremu yesterday, the union said the country needs road safety literacy and that there is also the need to respect all road users, including pedestrians.

Temitope Ogunbanke ormer governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, yesterday described the death of the Vice-Chairman of The Sun Publishing Company Limited, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, as a big blow to jour-

nalism in Nigeria. Daniel in a statement made available to New Telegraph by his Media Officer, Mr. Ayo Giwa, said the death of the foremost journalist was shocking and devastating.

“I received the news with a great shock. It is with heavy heart that I express my condolences on the death of the firebrand journalist, who was instrumental to the development of journalism in Nigeria."

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Katsina saves N33bn in joint account Ahmed Sani Mohammed Katsina

ver N33 billion is in the Ogovernments joint account of local in Katsina

State. This was stated by Governor Ibrahim Shema yesterday, during the inauguration of the recently elected local council chairmen. Shema called on the chairmen to judiciously use the money to better the lives of people in their areas. He called on them to

tighten their belts and face challenges ahead, as well as guard the trust reposed on them by their people. The governor also called on them not to segregate along political party differences but embrace all for the overall development of their council areas. He said none of the council areas was having any loan-related issues; hence available resources should be used to the maximal benefit of the people.

Belarus Foreign Minister to visit Nigeria Wale Elegbede s part of efforts to deepen partnership and cooperation between his country and Nigeria, the foreign minister of Belarus, Vladimir Makel, is set to commence a three-day visit to the Nigeria from September 7-10. In a statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makel would be the guest of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali and the parley is expected to explore areas of cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

A L-R: Prince Kunle Oyewumi; Mr. Johnson Rajis; Pastor (Mrs) Henrietta Jacobs; Olori Morisola Sijuwade and Ambassador Nonye Rajis Okpara, Nigeria Ambassador to Singapore, during the diplomat's visit to Ooni's palace…weekend

2015: Ambode opens campaign office Wale Elegbede

head of the 2015 governorship election in Lagos, a leading aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday inaugurated his campaign office in Gbagada area of the state, saying that he and his team are ready for the party primaries next month. The occasion, which was witnessed by party chieftains and supporters across the state, was also used to inaugurate 57 local governments co-

ordinators for the Akinwumi Ambode Campaign Organisation (AAMCO). In his goodwill message at the event, member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Hon. James Faleke, said his decision to support the candidature of Ambode was based on personal conviction, adding that the eventual emergence of Ambode would serve as a continuity plan for the party and the state. "I knew him (Ambode) when he was the Auditor-General of local governments. He is a team

player, humane and kind. My own support for him is to deliver local governments in my constituency to him. Those engaging in campaign of calumny against his candidature should beware." Expressing his delight to members of the party and supporters, Ambode said the task at hand is to work for the success of the APC through him, adding that the inauguration of the local government coordinators is aimed at structuring the various campaign teams working for his emer-

gence towards a collective effort. The former Accountant General of the State, also cautioned his supporters not to engage in any bickering with other aspirants and their supporters, saying that the primaries will decide who will be the flag bearer of the party in 2015. "We have decided to work for the party. We will do the primaries and we will mobilise in all local governments, local council development areas and the 377 wards across the state."

Adamawa declares two-day holiday 2015: Igbinedion’s daughter joins for voters’ card collection race for National Assembly Ibrahim Abdul Yola

State GovernA10thdamawa ment has declared the and 11th of Septem-

ber 2014 as public holidays to allow the state’s civil servants to obtaine Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC’s). The position of the state government was made known through a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Abdullahi L Tukur. The statement, however, noted that the work-free days are only for workers in the civil service and do not affect other sectors

and essentials services. The state Government called on all indigenes of the state to maximally utilize the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility. Abdullahi added that the state government in synergy with INEC will make special provision to handle the registration exercise in northern parts of the state that were affected by security breaches. In the meantime, INEC has postponed the registration exercise in northern parts of the state, due to the prevailing security situation in the area.

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

s preparation ahead Aelections of the 2015 general gears up, Ms

Omosede, the daughter of popular businessman and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, yesterday joined the race for the House of Representatives. Omosede hopes to represent the people of Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo State, if elected on the platform of the PDP in the state. Addressing a crowd

of party faithful during a rally held at Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Gover nment Area, she said she was never scared of contesting next year's general elections among several other contestants jostling for the same position, both from the PDP and the ruling APC. “I have no fears in the elections. Ovia constituency is the least developed in Edo South. I don't know what others before have done but you will see lots of changes, " she stated.

Forget retuning to Senate, Suswam tells Gemade Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

overnor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State yesterday told former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and senator representing Benue East, Barnabas Gemade, to forget returning to the Senate in 2015. Suswam said he is more experienced and better placed than Gemade for the senatorial seat. He advised Gemade

to retire from politics on account of age and allow younger people to take over from him. Gemade is 66 while Suswam is 49. The former PDP helmsman had stated that by age, he is more qualified than the governor. Suswam, who stated that the former PDP National Chairman won election once in his political struggles, averred that at the House of Representatives where he headed sensitive committees, he

allowed his experience to bear on all he did. "If you consider me in terms of experience as far as National Assembly or governance issues are concerned, I will say that I am better placed than Senator Gemade because I spent eight years in the National Assembly, and by the grace of God I am spending eight years as governor. But as for Gemade, this is the first time that he is elected. So, I don't know which experience he is talking about. If

it’s experience of age then we can go back to our villages and bring people who are 80 years to come and win election because their ages will give them experience," said Suswam. The governor also boasted that of the four civilian governors the state has produced since creation including Aper Aku, Rev. Father Adasu and Senator George Akume, he stands tall among them in terms of experience not to talk of Gemade for the senatorial seat.

“With the independence of Belarus in 1991, concrete steps have been taken by both sides to strengthen relations. “Diplomatic relations was established between the two countries in 1994 with Belarus opening a resident diplomatic Mission in Abuja in 2011. “Relations have since blossomed to cover cooperation in trade and investments, project development, funding of infrastructure, education, science, as well as military and security cooperation.”

PDP campaign groups dump Dankwambo Ugo Willies Gombe

o fewer than six differNgroups ent political pressure within the PDP fold in Gombe State have abandoned their support for the re-election of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo in the 2015 general elections. The six groups, who have now pitched their tent with the All Progres-

sives Congress, APC, said they are not satisfied with the way the Dankwambo administration had been running the state. According to the Spokesman for all the groups, Mallam Mohammed Ibrahim, who leads Gombe Youth Vanguard for Change, Governor Dankwambo is not suitable to remain in office beyond 29th May, 2015.

EUtosupportwomenprogrammes in North with N2.1bn Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja.

European Union Tofhe has budgeted the sum N2.1 billion to support the Women's engagement in peace and security in three states in the North. The United Nations Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Grace Ongile, revealed this yesterday at the launch of the program in Abuja. According to her, the memorandum of understanding for this program was signed between the European Union and Federal Government in March this year. She stated in her speech: "The strategy of the programme is designed

around the capacity building of Nigerian institutions, women groups and gender equality advocates. "The programme design incorporates a strong communication and knowledge management element in the hope that it will contribute to the broader societal change towards gender equality and generate valuable lessons learned to possible similar ventures". According to her, it will be a three year programme aimed at strengthening women's leadership, advancing gender equality and improving protection of women and girls communities affected by conflict.

PDP’ll deliver Kwara to Jonathan, says Shagaya Wale Elegbede s the 2015 general election inches closer, a business man and House of Representatives aspirant for Ilorin west and Asa Local Government Areas of Kwara State ,Alhaji Sheriff Shagaya, has declared that the

people of the state would vote enmass for President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election, adding that the state belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) before the mandate was stolen for the All Progressives Congress(APC).

news

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

LAMENTATION Islamic cleric, Zakzaky laments the death of his children, saying he knows their killers Ibraheem Musa

Kaduna

he leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has said that he knows the Commanding Officer, who allegedly killed his three children during the

I know my children’s killers – Zakzaky procession to mark the International Quds Day. The event took place on July 25, where 34 people were killed. The Sheikh, who made this known when the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) paid him a condolence visit, alleged that Lieutenant Colonel S. O. Oku ‘’personally shot all my children. He stamped on their bodies and stabbed them with knives. This is clearly a crime committed”. Zakzaky further said

that although President Goodluck Jonathan had called him about 24 hours after the incident and condoled with him, the government has not responded to the Zaria killings, adding that the military has just been engaging in a series of denials. “You don’t commit murder and say sorry. If that is the case, there is no need for legislation. Whenever one commits a crime, all he needs to do is to say sorry. Why do we have the police,

courts and prisons? These murderers are known. I am not blaming the whole military but I know the killers. They are individuals who answer names. I know their commander is Lieutenant Colonel S. O. Oku. He personally shot all my children. He stamped on their bodies and stabbed them with knives. This is clearly a crime committed”, he said. The NHRC, however, promised to employ all legal mechanisms to ensure that the law takes

its rightful course over the Zaria killings. The Chairman of the Commission, Professor Chidi Anselem Odinkalu, said that as citizens of one nation, Nigerians have the right to exist and their lives and property ought to be protected irrespective of creed or ethnic inclination. “We are all children of one country and one Nigeria. None of us chose to be here, but we are all planted here by God for a reason. No parent wants

to lose three children at a time. These children could be children of every parent. But it got to a point in this country where losing people no longer matters, where young people can die and nobody cares”, he said. Odinkalu assured that the NHRC will ensure justice is done without undue interference from any quarters because the commission is the vanguard of citizens in their demand for justice and fair play.

Again, APC woos Lamido, Aliyu Umar Danladi Ado

Sokoto

overnor Rabiu Musa GState Kwankwaso of Kano has urged Gover-

L-R: Former Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Political and Legislatives Affairs, Abdulhakeem Abdullateef; governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; and former Special Adviser on Rural Development, Mr. Paul Kalejaiye, during the inauguration of Local Government Consultation Committees of Akin Ambode Campaign Organisation, in Lagos…yesterday

47%

The estimated percentage increase of Asia’s demand for coal in coming years. Source: Unesco.org

The life expectancy at birth (in years) of men in Bangladesh in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

27.6

The average age of Costa Rica team in the just concluded Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Why I dumped APC for PDP Kinsmen flay Ikimi over defection to PDP in Edo – Faction's speaker Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

he Speaker of the nine Peoples Democratic Party faction of the House of Assembly in Edo State, Chief Festus Ebea yesterday said the party remains the only true national party in Nigeria. He said the PDP has a populist strategy and vital organizational structure to win elections at all levels in 2015 and even beyond, in the national interest. Ebea stated this when he addressed newsmen in Benin, the state capital, at the end of the resumed plenary of the house after a month recess. He explained that his decision to dump the rul-

ing APC in the state for the PDP was informed by the fact that the opposition PDP remains only a united fold that can provide leadership for the country. According to him: “I have come to see the PDP as a truly united party; there is a bond that runs through the party at all levels with members and leaders, who put the party above self". He stated that his three years sojourn in the APC-led government in Edo has been a wasted exercise, alleging that the state government deliberately denied funding many development projects in Esan south-east constituency from 2010 to 2014, despite their inclusion in the state budget.

Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the Central Senatorial District of Edo State, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, yesterday told a former national leader of the party and ex-minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi to toe the path of honour by quitting politics. He said it was better than to pitch tent with the Peoples Democratic Party. Inegbeneki challenged Ikimi’s present political posture after a meeting of leaders of the APC held at Ebhossa, in Igueben Local Government area, the home town of Ikimi. The leaders disassociated themselves from the exit of

Ikimi from the APC. The leaders vowed not to follow Ikimi to the PDP despite his exit from the ruling party in the state. According to them; “He left because he was not given the National Chairman of the APC, and that is a selfish reason and not that the APC led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole has not delivered the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.” Inegbeneki said: “If you recall, when Chief Tony Anenih, who also is an Esan man was removed as BOT Chairman of the PDP by former President Obasanjo, Anenih did not leave the party. He remained and today is he not the chairman BOT of PDP? That is how our Esan elders behave. We are principled.”

nors of Niger and Jigawa States, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu and Mallam Sule Lamido to have a rethink and decamp to APC in the interest of the country. Kwankwaso stated this at the inauguration of the North-West APC Committee and special rally held in Sokoto yesterday, adding they have been holding meetings and sharing ideas with those governors as members of the G7 governors. He maintained he was optimistic that the governors would soon decamp to the APC, as the party was ready to unseat the PDP, come the 2015 general elections. He also advised governors of Kebbi and Kaduna states to also join the APC, so as to gang against the PDP and salvage the zone from the present socio-economic predicaments.

The party National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, who spoken through the National Deputy Secretary, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, noted that the President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda brought only poverty, insecurity and corruption to the country. In his remarks, Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State expressed confidence in the ability of the APC to ensure good democratic governance in the country. He assured that when voted into power, the party plans to address the yearnings and aspirations of the people through implementing people-oriented policies that would improve on the well being of the people. Also speaking, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, noted that Nigerians were tired of deceit, and experiencing poverty; as such, they are eager to effect change, come 2015 and noted that APC is not a religious or tribal party.

Minister warns airport managers against poor performance Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Minister of Aviation, Tterday Mr. Osita Chidoka, yeswarned airport

managers to sit up or they would be booted out of office if they failed to perform. The minister, who held a maiden meeting with the managers in Abuja, told them to go beyond seeing themselves as managers to service deliverers. According to him, a performance-based management of the airport is being instituted whereby managers who do not deliver on set standards will be axed from the job. He told the managers that since the ministry was concerned with improvement, there must be monitoring and measurement. He said: "Don’t forget if you do not monitor you cannot measure and if you cannot measure you

cannot improve. I’m sure that all of us have agreed that we need improvement and we have to continuously improve on what we do. "This meeting is an important step in our efforts to improve the operations of our airports. It is important because despite all the span of all authorities from the minister to the permanent secretary to the managing director, general managers, the critical persons on the ground are the airport managers. We thought the need to interact with them one on one and to share my vision of the airport with them and also to listen to their issues and challenges and to ensure a performance-based management system for the airports. "So, this meeting is designed to achieve the critical objective of ensuring that our airports are secured for passengers."

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

TUESday, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com; otuntise@yahoo.co.uk

0802 393 8212

40 held for robbery, cultism, cybercrime IN CUSTODY At least 40 people are in police net for allegedly committing criminal offences in Ondo and Benue states Babatope Okeowo and Cephas Iorhemen

olice have arrested 40 people for cultism, cybercrime, drug peddling and armed robbery, who had been terrorising parts of Ondo and Benue states. In Ondo, 20 people were arrested for cultism, seven for robbery, five for cybercrime and two for selling Indian hemp. In Benue, six were apprehended for robbery. Apart from these people, the police in Ondo also arrested some suspected internet fraudsters. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday, said that following the activities of cult groups in the state, he had set up a special squad to track them down. Eke said that the arrest was as a result of the efforts of the new squad, promising that the police would soon

IG, Suleiman Abba

rid the state of criminals. He said the suspects had confessed to being members of Eye Confraternity which that had been disturbing the peace of the state. The commissioner added that some of the suspects had confessed to some killings in Akure and Ondo towns. According to him, two locally-made

pistols, 200 wraps of weed suspected to be marijuana and other items were recovered from them. Eke, however, raised the alarm that some individuals were out to sabotage the efforts of the police in fighting cultism by raising some issues of fundamental human rights. He said: “I want to tell the people of this state that the war on cultism will not stop until cult members are chased out of Ondo State. Speaking on the robbery suspects, Eke said they were arrested along with some receivers of stolen vehicles and motorcycles in Ondo town. He said some robbery suspects had snatched a Nissan Primera car with registration number AGL 582 AV and sold it to the receivers which include Caroline Akinlosotu, who was at large, Gbemisola Adeyefa and Nike Bolodeoku at N25,000. The commissioner added that the cases would be thoroughly investigated, while the suspects would be charged to court. In Benue, the six suspected armed robbers were said to have been terrorising the residents of Onyiev community on Kilometre 8 on Makurdi-Lafia Road in the Agan Ward of Makurdi, Benue State are now in police custody.

Crisis brews at Uselu Psychiatric Hospital Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

risis is rocking the CHospital Uselu Psychiatric in Edo State following the arrest of four senior staff. The senior staff members were reportedly arrested on the alleged orders of the Managing Director of the hospital, Dr Sunny Olotu. But the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the

hospital, Efe Stewart, has denied the allegation. It was learnt that the four staff were summoned to the office of the MD but were arrested by the police. Those arrested are a consultant, Dr Ambrose Lawani; principal pharmacist, Uyi Oriakhi; former acting MD, Dr Charles Ekeji and Chief Social Welfare Officer, Miss Osadebamwen Morgan. Two of them were

handcuffed by the police for allegedly attempting to procure work record of an unnamed worker. The said worker reportedly effected transfer of service from the state civil service to the federal civil service. Police from Okhoro police station were said to have arrested the affected workers earlier last month but were later released. They were again invited last Thursday by

the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 5, following fresh petitions against them. It was gathered that the houses of three of them were searched by the police for incriminating documents after which they were released. Their counsel, Mr Olayiwola Afolabi, said yesterday that his chamber had been briefed about the fate of the senior staff members.

Ex-DVC tasks Nigerians on development Camillus Nnaji ormer Deputy ViceFUniversity Chancellor of Abia State (ABSU), Prof

Michael Ijioma, has advised Nigerians to imbibe the true values of their cultural heritage in order to re-launch their communities on the path of sustainable development. Ijioma made the call in Lagos during the weekend while delivering a lecture entitled: “Igbere Culture” as part of the activities lined up for the celebration of Igbere Day 2014. He said: “We have to understand the meaning of culture in relation to our way of life and then

apply the concept in our daily living. When we do this, we would re-position our communities again on the path of sustainable development.” Ijioma said that societal norms and values that should form important aspect of Nigerians’ culture were regrettably not recognised, yet cultural advancement depended on value consciousness. He added: “We should uphold a cultural value that recognises decency and beauty in order to maintain an environment free from pollution, offering visual attraction... a value that promotes honesty and

Ijioma

faithfulness as the hallmark of a dynamic, progressive and civilised culture; the value of humility which makes us recognise that all we have is from God and that of hard work and perseverance which is our men-

tal and physical power to achieve set objectives. “When all these are adopted by our communities, there must be a socio-political, economic and cultural advancement of the Nigerian society at large.”

The suspects reportedly shot two policemen, Sergeant Mathias Agunde and one other, who are in critical condition at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi. Divisional Police Officer (DPO) incharge of police ‘C’ Division North Bank, Mr Ungwa Attah, told our correspondent that following a tip-off, the police raided the area where the robbers were operating about 2 am last Saturday. He added that on sighting the police, the suspects opened fire but the police overpowered them and arrested six of them while others escaped. Attah gave the names of those arrested as Igbasue Orjime Benjamin, Kula and his son John, Godwin Ukan, Terfa Agaga alias Best Shooter and Raymond Agena. The DPO disclosed that items recovered from them included a Golf car, one revolver pistol with nine live ammunition and a jack knife. He said the suspects would soon be charged to court after investigation was completed. Attah commended the leadership of Onyiev community for providing useful information to the police and implored other communities to emulate them. He said the police were determined to rid the area of criminals.

Boundary dispute: Benue, Ebonyi communities embrace peace Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

n order to put a permaIary nent end to all boundcrises in their re-

spective domains, The warring people of Agila in Benue State and Ngbo in neighbouring Ebonyi State have resolved to sheathe their swords for permanent demarcation of their interstate boundaries. The warring sides have also agreed to respect the agreement reached between the two states in December last year. The Chairman of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Mr Alex Okpokwu Ogaba, told our correspondnet in Makurdi yesterday that the two states had agreed that the controversial legal notice number 126 of 1954, contained in the agreement at the joint meeting of officials held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State in 2008 be used by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) which was supposed to start the demarcation exercise in March. Ogaba, who said the two communities had agreed to stop fighting in order not to disrupt farming activities, added that

sufficient number of mobile policemen had been deployed at the boundary between the two states. He noted that the agreement signed by the deputy governors of the two states last year in Makurdi had helped in putting an end to the skirmishes. The chairman appealed to the governors of the affected states not to rest on their oars until the demarcation exercise was done. Ogaba implored NBC to hasten the process since the two sides had agreed to embrace peace. A strong delegation of the two states and major stakeholders had met at Benue Metropolitan Hotel, Makurdi in December last year to find lasting solution to the lingering crisis which led to the killing of scores of people. Both states also resolved to take advantage of the age-long relationship to support the demarcation process. The boundary dispute, which has been on for over 50 years, generated to bloody crisis between the two states which led to the killing of hundreds of persons, including pregnant women and children.

METRO

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

How ‘Operation Burst’ soldier raped me thrice, by student Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

23-year-old student of Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa, yesterday gave a vivid account of how a soldier attached to the Oyo State anti-crime security outfit: ‘Operation Burst,’ raped her three time in one night. The Mass Communication student (name withheld) said she was “arrested” in Eruwa at 10.30p.m by the soldier on August 29 while returning to her apartment after seeing off a friend. According to her, the soldier, a private, who most students of the campus identified as Ignatius, stopped her and accused her of being a cult member for moving about at such time of the day. Though the lady said

The victim

she denied being a cult member, but was forced to join the soldier on his motorcycle. The student alleged that the soldier threatened to stab her with a double-edged knife. She said she was taken to the Operation Burst office where Ignatius forcefully had carnal knowledge of her thrice under a neem tree (dongoyaro) at the premises. The lady said she was able to escape about 3.30am the following day when she complained of cold and the soldier went to get her a blanket to cover her. The victim spoke with journalists after her lawyer, Ola Adeosun, and a former Student Union President, Oludare Ogunlana, had addressed the press, accusing the

state government of insensitivity and cover-up on the crime. She said: “On the way, I saw a woman who I called to for assistance. The woman pleaded with the soldier but he refused. He later took me to the office. Upon getting there, I started hearing screams of some people being tortured in the building. “He forcefully led me to a dark area under a ‘Dongoyaro’ tree and ordered me to remove my dress for him to see the cult tattoos on my body. I told him I had no tattoos on my body and that he should let me go. He then brought out the knife again and said that he would slaughter me like a ram if I failed to ‘cooperate’ and that I would be buried like many other girls who had failed to

cooperate in the past and nobody would trace my death to him. “I later agreed by removing my clothes. He ordered me to lie down under the tree and he had sex with me three times, while I was crying.” Denying the allegation of rape against the soldier, however, the Oyo State Government through a statement from the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, said it was untrue. The statement reads in part: “Oyo State anticrime outfit nicknamed Operation Burst, has said that it had investigated a case of rape levelled against one of its operatives by a student of the Eruwa Polytechnic, Ibadan and found it to be baseless.”

Ondo, birth attendants, mission homes Fire guts vehicles, cash, partner on maternal mortality reduction others at Abule-Egba Babatope Okeowo Akure

State Government, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) Oandndo Faith Based Organisation

(Mission Homes) have established a working arrangement on ways to eradicate maternal mortality. Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who disclosed this at the launch of Agbebiye Initiative, said it was borne out of the need to ensure safe delivery for all pregnant women in order to achieve zero maternal death. According to him, some pregnant mothers still visit some of these homes. The governor said the TBAs and Mission Homes were expected to refer all pregnant women who visited their facilities for delivery to the health facilities where skilled

birth attendants were available. Mimiko said the TBAs would be paid by the state government for each of the pregnant mother directed to hospitals for safe delivery based on the coupon/voucher system He said: “A total of 618 pregnant women were referred to health facilities within six months by 137 TBAs/Mission Homes with 362 deliveries of which there was no maternal death recorded and only one per cent of neonatal death. There were four sets of twins, two sets of triplets and a quadruplet delivered in the facilities as a result of this initiative.” The governor said the initiative commenced about six months ago and was piloted in Akure South Local Government Area. “This initiative has been highly impactful in the pilot local government area and this has informed

plank market Taiwo Jimoh t least three cars, Aables cash, other valuand goods worth

Mimiko

the need to scale up in phases to other areas. It is hoped that the TBAs/MHBAs will be phased out in taking delivery within a period of three years in the state,” he said.

Physiotherapists preach gains of exercise Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

hysiotherapists operatPterday ing in Enugu State yestook the message of

the World Physical Physiotherapy Day 2014 to the people through a road show which drew the attention of residents of the metropolis. The physiotherapists marched through major streets, including Endinburgh Road. The physiotherapists danced to the music blaring from one of the vehicles in their motorcade as they also distributed flyers. One of the leaders of the group, Mr Chijioke Ezugwu, said they embarked on the road show

to commemorate the World Physical Physiotherapy Day. According to him, the road show was to increase public awareness on physical physiotherapy. This, he said, was in view of the fact that the residents of Enugu were becoming aware of the health benefits of physiotherapy. He explained that the train took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and would proceed from Edinbugh Road to the Uwani area of the state capital where the group would visit a Cheshire Home. He said: “It is the desire of the physiotherapists in Enugu to use the

medium of this year’s celebration to get the people to know that being physically-challenged is not a limit to fulfilled life. “What is a limitation is the failure to key into the gains of physical

physiotherapy to reduce the effects of being physically-challenged. The road show was organised by the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Enugu State chapter.

millions of naira were burnt yesterday when fire broke out at a plank market at Awori, AbuleEgba on the outskirts of Lagos metropolis. The vehicles were said to be at a nearby mechanic workshop. It was gathered that the fire started from a waste plastic recycling firm near the market before spreading to the plank market. The early morning inferno was said to have destroyed about 50 shops, machines and some building materials. It was also gathered that it took over four hours before men of the Lagos State Fire Service could put out the fire. The Lagos State Director of Fire, Rasaq Fadipe, said his organisation got a distress call about the fire incident very early in the morning.

He said: “It took the intervention of our men to put out the fire with about three tanks of water.” The Auditor of United Waste Recycling Company, Mr Bayo Babalola, denied the claim that the fire emanated from the firm. He said: “Nobody knew exactly where the fire started from. Babalola, however, commended the courage of the traders who were putting out the fire before the arrival of the firefighters. The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Oko-Oba Police Station, Akintade William, rushed to scene of the fire incident to prevent the breakdown of law and order. He said: “We are in the market to prevent hoodlums from looting unaffected shops.” A trader who sells drinks and recharge cards at the market said she lost over N200,000 to the fire.

Pa Akinnusi for burial

he rites of passage for Tfunmi Pa Stephen OluwaseAkinnusi begin

on Thursday with a wake at his residence at Ajue in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Akinnusi, who died at the age of 95 on July 8, is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

The burial service holds on Friday at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ajue, while reception follows at St. John’s Primary School in the town. The deceased was a retired head teacher in Ondo State Teaching Service. He was also the Balogun of St. John’s Anglican Church, Ajue.

File picture of a market fire in Lagos

12 NEWS

unease

Too early in the day for cabinet reshuffle, Anambra governor keeps commissioners guessing Tony Okafor Awka

here were great indications in yesterday's State Executive (EXCO) meeting that Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano, may sack his cabinet, any moment soon. According to a source who attended the meeting, the governor frowned on the performance of most of his cabinet members in the past six months. The source said the governor would want to go for more viable and

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Obiano may sack cabinet hardworking personnel who would be of great assistance in prosecuting the 2015 general elections. But another source said the move is targeted at some of Obiano's cabinet members who were inherited from the immediate past governor of Peter Obi. Obiano, it was gathered is suspecting that such appointees could indeed be moles in his cabinet. The governor has been criticised for having over bloated aides, appointed mostly from his Omambala sub-clan and his wife's Ogbunike area. The revelation is that six months after such appointments, the state is finding it difficult to foot their bills.

A top government official who confided in this paper put it this way: "This state will soon get broke. The way things are now, I don't think we can pay workers' salary in the next three months. "The donor agencies that flooded this state in the last regime are gradually leaving because they perceived a kind of executive financial indiscipline" But when contacted on phone, the Special Adviser to the governor on political matters, Joemartins Uzodike, said Obiano is really looking at his cabinet because some of his aides are not quite personally known to him, but definitely the shake off may not be immediately.

Uzodike, however corroborated the fact that the governor was not satisfied with the performance of some of his cabinet members. He said: "The governor charged us in the meeting to work harder, but that did not amount to threatening to sack his cabinet". Uzodike also maintained that the governor in the meeting reassured that he had no plans to dump the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for any party as being speculated. Obiano who rounded off his "thank you" tours of the state yesterday assured his kinsmen in Otuocha that nothing would stop him from serving out his constitutional right of two terms.

Nwajiuba: South-East lacks good leaders Tony Okafor Awka

rudite Senator, Prof. Edecried Chinedu Nwajiuba has the dearth of

quality leadership in Igboland after the demise of outstanding personalities such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Mikael Okpala, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Dr. Sam Mbakwe. He made this assertion at the annual Odenigbo Lecture, where he spoke on "Expectation of Good leadership (Ochichioma, Olileanya Ohaneze) at the Odenigbo Podium of Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri. As customary, the lecture was delivered in Igbo language. Prof. Nwajiuba reeled out virtues of good leadership to include humility, prudent management of resources, resourcefulness, genuine commitment to the goods of the people, respect for the led, discernment to recognize and sieve evil from good, and mourned that

no Igbo leader has shown such laudable leadership qualities since the times of Zik, Okpala, Ojukwu and Mbakwe, until the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi came in and demonstrated to our people, once again, what true leadership should be. Speaking on good economic management as part of what is desired of good leaders, Prof. Nwajiuba said: "Since 1999, Mr. Peter Obi is the one real leader that came from Igbo land." His governance of Anambra State has continued to receive positive testaments from the people, especially the manner he guided the resources of the state through prudence and his civilized conduct. To crown it all, unlike what is obtainable, he left Billions of Naira for his successor. Speaking on Education, he mourned the failing standards and commended Anambra State as an exception.

Jubril tasks ex-servicemen on insurgency Temitope Ogunbanke pecial Adviser to the SValues, President on Ethics and Mrs Sarah Jubril,

L-R: Secretary General, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Michael Faborade; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie; Minister of State, Education, Mr. Nyeson Wike and Chief of Staff to the President, Brig.- General Jones Arogbofa, during a visit by the board members of the Nigeria Research and Education Network, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO:TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Jonathan will win S’West votes, says Daniel Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

ormer governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has said President Goodluck Jonathan would record overwhelming majority votes in the South West geo-political zone if he decides to contest in 2015. Daniel, who spoke while addressing a Labour Party (LP) summit in Odeda local government area on Sunday, declared that the support for the president in the South

West region is "non-negotiable." He noted that with about five months to the general elections, those opposing Jonathan’s re-election bid are in disarray. The ex-governor, who stated that the LP had resolved to support the president, flayed the opposition for allegedly mounting negative campaigns against Jonathan and discrediting his achievements in the build-up to 2015. He said: "I have been

clamouring about President Goodluck Jonathan. With what is on the ground, have you seen anything different? Who is ready to face him in presidential contest? Election is about five months. "They claimed he cannot do it. Yet, from deputy governor, he became the governor. From there, he became the vice president. He became president the first time and they said it was through doctrine of necessity. We did the 2011 election and he became

president. "When he now wants to seek a second term of office, opposition are saying he cannot do it. Don't let them deceive you: this one is a walk-over for Jonathan. When it is 2019, we will sit down again and decide on the next game to plan". "The support for Jonathan is not just in Ogun State but in the entire South West is non-negotiable and I trust that all of you without any exception will support us as we play the next game."

Nwaoboshi rules out tribalism in Delta Gabriel Choba Ughelli

he Delta State Chairman Tcratic of the People’s DemoParty (PDP) Barr.

Peter Nwaoboshi has said that no tribal candidate will win the primaries in the state since it takes two senatorial districts to win elections in Delta. Nwaoboshi who spoke to journalists at the home of the new vice chairman

of PDP South South, Dr. Cairo Ojuigbo lamented that the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has no right whatsoever, to caution the majority leader of the Delta state house of assemble, Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya over the statement he (Igbuya) made. “For the UPU threatening to suspend Igbuya for taking sides, he has the constitutional right to determine whosoever

he wishes to support as enshrined in the principle of fundamental human right. For a lawyer to issue a publication that they will excommunicate the majority leader of the Delta State House of Assembly because of the Governorship candidate position is a surprise to someone who is a lawyer. Nwaoboshi the majority leader has the constitutional right to support who so

ever he has in mind and I want to say that UPU is a cultural organization that deals with the interest of the Urhobos and not for them to use it to dabble into affairs they do not know”. He noted that the PDP in Delta State will choose its Governorship candidate whether they have been threatened or not because in 1999, UPU supported Engr. Kragha but Ibori defeated him.

has called on all retired military officers in the country to take up arms and move to the front line to battle the dreadful Boko Haram sect. Speaking at the opening of 21-day training on linking women and youth for sustainable Green Development and Income Generation through Agricultural Business in Ilorin, Kwara State, the presidential aide averred that retired generals and military officers could not afford to remain at their comfort zone while the Boko Haram fighters gain more ground, overrunning towns and communities. In a similar development, the United Kingdom (UK) chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described

as misleading the recent representation made by members of the UK chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, on the security situation in Nigeria. PDP UK in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ogbueshi Oburota and Publicity Secretary, Rasaki Sulu-Lola, which was made available to New Telegraph, accused the APC UK of desperately seeking bid to burnish the party's soiled image. The PDP UK contends that its counterpart was conveniently ignoring the fact that recently, two members of the British House of Commons posed some questions and notices requesting the Foreign and Commonwealth Minister to investigate allegations of a relationship between the APC and Boko Haram.

Osun: PDP kicks against REC’s return he Osun state chapTDemocratic ter of the Peoples Party, PDP,

yesterday queried the chairman of the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega over the rumoured resumption of Ambassador Rufus Akeju as the state's Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). The party in a statement by its Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi in Osogbo, frowned on the development which it claimed would lead to doctoring of some elec-

toral documents that could help the party to pursue its case at the state election Petition Tribunal. He described the resumption of Akeju into the state commission office as a disaster. "INEC will have to explain to us why a REC that saw a political contest among politicians as a personal issue between him and the PDP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, would be returned to office, even when there are overt plans by some people to doctor the materials used for the poll," Odeyemi said.

Why I’m after Ahmed’s seat, by Ibrahim / PAGE 17 | BenUE GUBER: Zaki-Biam backs Biem / PAGE 14

POLITICS

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SheTtima vs Sheriff: Who blinks first?

p-15

TUESday, September 9, 2014

Obadara

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE examines efforts of the incumbent senators from Ogun State to break the second term jinx in the 2015 elections

ince the advent of the Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999, Ogun State has remained one of the states with unique representation at the Senate. It is the only state where none of its representatives at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly had ever served for two consecutive terms. In the last 15 years, the people of Ogun State have made it a tradition to always change their representatives at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly every four years. This is unlike other states where the electorate gave opportunity for senators to represent them for two, three or four consecutive terms at the Senate, Ogun, like other states, has three senatorial districts: Ogun Central, Ogun West and Ogun East. Ogun Central comprised of six local governments, which is made up of the Egbas. Ogun East, made up of Ijebu and Remo has nine local government areas while Ogun West with five local governments is made up of Yewa and Awori. From 1999 till date, Ogun State has produced 12 senators; four from each of the three senatorial districts in the state, which showed that none of the senators spent beyond one term. 1999 - 2003 In 1999, the trio of Senators Olabiyi Durojaiye, Femi Okunrounmu and Afolabi Olabimtan, were elected into the Senate on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to represent Ogun East, Ogun Central and Ogun West Senatorial districts respectively. Prior to 2003 general election, Senator Olabimtan was reported not to have shown any interest in going for second term in order to allow a younger successor to take his place. But Senators Okunrounmu and Duro-

Odunsi

Kaka

Will Ogun senators break second term jinx? jaiye took part in the election and lost their seats to candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okunrounmu lost to Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the incumbent governor of the state, while Durojaiye lost to Senator Chris Ogunbanjo. In Ogun West, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State, was elected. Political analysts were of the view that the internal wrangling within the AD governors and leaders of the Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, over the party’s structure contributed immensely to the inability of the serving senators to win their re-election. Apart from the AD senators losing out, the then governor, Aremo Olusegun Ogun East Olabiyi Durojaye

(1999-2003

Chris Ogunbanjo

PDP

2003 – 2007

Lekan Mustapha

PDP, LP

2007 – 2011

Gbenga Kaka

ACN, APC

2011 – 2015

Ogun Central Femi Okunrounmu

1999 – 2003

Ibikunle Amosun

PDP, ANPP

2003 – 2007

Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello PDP

2007 – 2011

Gbenga Obadara

2011 – 2015

ACN, APC Ogun West

Afolabi Olabimtan

1999 – 2003

Iyabo Anisulowo

PDP, ANPP

2003 – 2007

Kola Bajomo

PDP

2007 – 2011

Akin Odunsi

ACN, APC

2011 – 2015

Osoba, lost his re-election bid to Otunba Gbenga Daniel of the PDP. All the AD senators lost their seat to the PDP. 2003–2007 Between 2003 and 2007, Senators Amosun, Ogunbanjo and Anisulowo held forth at the National Assembly. Few months to the 2007 general election, Daniel and Amosun felt apart and the war of attrition between them divided the party into factions, with some people showing their loyalty to Daniel while others pitched their tent with Amosun. Amosun and Anisulowo later dumped PDP for All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP). While Amosun ran as ANPP gubernatorial candidate, Anisulowo sought re-election but they both lost at the poll. Amosun lost to Daniel while Anisulowo lost to a former president of Institute of Chartered Accountants of

I don’t know how it has happened; historically since the creation of Ogun State there hasn’t been any senator that has served two terms. I am not saying that anybody cannot break that jinx but...

Nigeria (ICAN), Kola Bajomo. In Ogun Central, Amosun was replaced by the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and then Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Mrs. Iyabo ObasanjoBello. In Ogun East, Chris Ogunbanjo lost his seat to a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lekan Mustapha. 2007 – 2011 At the beginning of their tenure, the trio of Senators Mustapha, Bajomo and Obasanjo-Bello enjoyed their stay at the Senate. But in the build up to the 2011 elections, some of them fell out with some party gladiators within and outside the state. In fact, Senator Obasanjo-Bello fell out with his former boss, Daniel as they related like cat and mouse at the tail end of Daniel’s administration. In the build up to the 2011 general election, PDP divided into two broad factions controlled by Obasanjo and Daniel respectively. After losing the party structure to Obasanjo, Daniel and his loyalists joined the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). The division within PDP affected the party greatly as it lost the governorship seat and the Senate seats to the opposition party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Senators Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East), Akin Odunsi (Ogun West) and Gbenga Obadara (Ogun Central) emerged as the next occupants at the Upper Chamber of National Assembly. 2011 – 2015 Senators Kaka, Odunsi and Obadara are currently at the helms of affairs and they are expected to bow out of the Senate in 2015, unless they intend to seek for another term. They are constitutionally empowered to seek for re-election in 2015 CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

14 POLITICS As part of efforts to succeed Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Hinga Biem, a veteran journalist who has served the state in many capacities before he retired to contest the 2015 governorship election recently took his consultations to Zaki-Biam. CEPHAS IORHEMEN captured the event

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Benue guber: Zaki-Biam backs Biem

onsultations over who would mount the seat of power in Benue State after the exit of Governor Gabriel Suswam is being intensified with no one ready to step aside. Among those in the race is Hinga Biem. During his visit to Zaki-Biam, a town noted for yam production that was reduced to rubbles during the military invasion, opinion leaders poured encomiums on him, and highlighted the need why he should succeed Suswam. In 2001, Zaki-Biam, a bustling town in the Sankera axis of Benue State, came under attack during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, by the military who were on a mission to avenge the alleged murder of 19 soldiers who were sent there to keep peace following an ethnic crisis in the area. That was 13 years ago, and even though the people may have put all that behind them, they are not likely to forget that horrific incident. They are also not likely to forget August 10, 2014 in a hurry. It was a day the crème de la crème of the self-styled biggest and largest party in the African continent gathered in ZakiBiam, to do what they know how to do best; play partisan politics. Thousands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters besieged the premises of the expansive NKST Church Central Primary School, venue of the event to honour one of their own. The event was put together under the aegis of Sankera Movement for Hinga Biem 2015 in conjunction with Pastor and Elders of NKST Zaki-Biam Central to endorse and drum up support for Biem, a frontline governorship candidate on the PDP platform. The Sankera political structure, comprising of three local government areas, namely, Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Ala, is a formidable power bloc in the political configuration of Benue State. A duty tour of the area during this event gave an interesting insight into the political status of Sankera as a beautiful bride and strategic nexus in the politics of the state. The area is given more attention by all contending groups than any other area in the state. Politicians take the opportunity of every official engagement to visit Sankera, ostensibly to boost their chances in the area. The reason for this is not far-fetched. A sizeable chunk of political heavyweights in the state come from the Sankera axis. Governor Suswam leads the pack which also includes Abu King Shuluwa, elder statesman, two-time commissioner and current deputy chairman, PDP Elders Forum in Benue State; Daniel Saror, two-time senator; Suemo Chia, First Republic senator; Iorwuese Hagher, former Ambassador to Mexico and Prof. Mvendega Jibo, former commissioner during the Second Republic. Any aspirant who gets such array of prominent politicians on his side would definitely make a lot of difference in an election, and to think that this is the second time that Biem is making an appearance in the area is a demonstration of the indispensability of the Sankera axis to the realisation of the governorship project of the aspirant.

L-R: Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terhile Ayua and Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Paul Biam and other supporters at the event

Biem

The leader of the Sankera Movement for Hingah Biem 2015, Hon. Paul Biam, in his address on the occasion, said Biem was always in Sankera land because he has found favour among the people of the area, adding that there was no better way of demonstrating their preference for the aspirant than endorsing him and declaring their support publicly. Biam, who is the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, affirmed the collective resolve of the Sankera people to be in the forefront of Biem’s governorship project and promised to drive it with determination while assuring that no effort would be spared to ensure its actualisation. According to the Majority Leader, the decision of Sankera to single out Biem for support derives from the careful assessment of the candidate and his performance throughout his 32-year stint in the state public service where he demonstrated that he has what it takes to govern the state. Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Terhile Ayua, in a goodwill message commended the people for their support and endorsement of Biem, saying that their support was not

Suswam

misplaced as the governorship hopeful is a man of honour who would not disappoint them. Describing Biem as an accomplished bureaucrat who would sustain the good works of the Suswam administration, the speaker enjoined the people of Sankera to remain resolute in their support until victory is achieved. Also speaking, chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AshiTech Conglomerate, Dr. Terkura Suswam, acknowledged the track records of Biem which he said spanned the entire gamut of the state public service and charged the aspirant to be focused, dogged and pragmatic

The decision of Sankera to single out Biem for support derives from the careful assessment of the candidate and his performance throughout his 32-year stint in the state public service

while exploring acceptable means of realising his ambition. Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Laha Dzaver, thanked the organisers for their decision, saying that Jemgbagh people are also willing to identify with a credible personality like Biem to emerge as governor of the state while Helen Awuna commended Governor Suswam and the leadership of the PDP for zoning the governorship seat to Minda area, adding that Biem is truly the preferred candidate of the average Minda person. Comrade Boga Abuul, a special adviser to the governor; elder statesman and seasoned politician, Atoza Hindan, and elder T.T. Zozo, in their separate remarks stressed the need for Sankera to remain steadfast and resolute to the Biem governorship project until victory is achieved. They described the aspirant as a humble and intelligent personality who has all it takes to occupy the governorship seat. Responding, Biem commended the people of Sankera for their faithfulness to his ambition. Describing himself as a minority within a majority, the governorship hopeful assured them that if elected as the next governor, he would form an all- inclusive government that is tailored to meet the yearnings and aspiration of majority of the people, adding that as a journalist and technocrat of more than three decades standing, who has traversed the length and breadth of the state in the course of duty, he is very much familiar with the peculiar needs, problems and challenges confronting the people and pledged to address them if given the mandate. Highlight of the event was the presentation of a 14-seater bus to the Hingah Biem Campaign Organisation by the Sankera Movement for Hinga Biem 2015. In what appears to give credence to the promise and uniqueness of Biem’s governorship project in comparison to others, many government appointees and elected officials from Sankera attended the event. They included commissioners, special advisers, lawmakers and council chairmen. Others were royal fathers, opinion, leaders, women and youth leaders.

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Shettima vs Sheriff: Who blinks first? The battle for the soul of Borno State between former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and his estranged political godson, Governor Kashim Shettima, promises to change the political permutation in the state. AHMED MIRINGA reports

he recent defection of former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has put to rest the battle between himself and Governor Kashim Shettima over the control of the Government House come 2015. Sherrif, who was former chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), was instrumental to the election of Shettima as governor. The incumbent governor served as commissioner in the ministries of education, agriculture, finance, local government and chieftaincy affairs and health within four years. The crisis between Shettima and his former boss has been on for quite some time. Although the governor had in several fora denied any rift between him and Sheriff but with the collapse of the ANPP into the All Progressives Congress (APC) the crisis became glaring as both men brawled over who became the leader of the party in the state. The situation led to the intervention of some APC leaders such as former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but the reconciliation meeting did not yield any fruit. It could be recalled that Shettima and Sheriff have been battling over the constitution of wards, local governments and state executives of APC, where consultations were made and consensus was reached after long deliberations both factions were not satisfied. It was when Sheriff felt short changed at the national convention of the party that he decided to shift his loyalty to the PDP which has opened a new page in the politics of Borno State. Sheriff made a statement about his departure from the APC when he arrived Maiduguri Airport in company of three APC members of House of Representatives; Hon. Abdurrahaman Terab representing Bama, Ngala-Kalabalge federal constituency; Hon. Isa Lawan Kangar representing Guzamala, Kukawa federal constituency and Hon. Peter Biye Gumtha representing Damboa, Gwoza and Chibok federal constituency and declared that he had decided to defect to the PDP so as to salvage his people from what he described as APC’s family government in Borno State. According to him, he entrusted the people of the state in the hands of Shettima, but according to him, the governor is not carrying the people along. He added that Shettima is just running a government of his family and friends only, as such he is back to rescue them from bad governance. When asked why he was leaving the party he built, Sheriff said he was the one who brought Shettima into politics as his commissioner and handed him to the people of Borno on trust but that he betrayed the trust, and that he is back to rescue the people of the state by bringing somebody who will work for the people. “I joined politics over 30 years ago and I think at that time Shettima was still in school, I brought him into politics and entrusted him in the hands of the people, but he betrayed me and the people of Borno State. Now I am back to rescue the people of Borno,” Sheriff

Sheriff

stated. Sheriff, who was received by his supporters chanted PDP slogans, while others were shouting change and others carried Sheriff ’s posters and that of their preferred candidates with PDP symbols. New Telegraph gathered that the battle began when Sheriff allegedly tried to deny Shettima a chance to seek reelection as governor of the state, as a result of a purported agreement between both men that Shettima was to rule for only one term. At this point, Shettima allegedly revolted. The question on the minds of many political observers is: can Shettima succeed in securing re-election for a second term in office like his predecessor, Sherriff, who also uprooted the late former governor, Mala Kachala, when he was also seeking re-election in 2003? To some political observers, Shettima may not get a second term, given the fact that Sheriff knows the political intrigues and terrain of the state as demonstrated in the past when he uprooted a sitting governor in the 2003 general election, coupled with the support of President Goodluck Jonathan, and the influence of the ruling PDP. Already, the defection of Sheriff has injected more life into the hitherto comatose PDP in Borno State, as member representing Ngala, Bama, Kala-Balge federal constituency, Hon. Abdurrahaman Terrab; member representing, Gwoza, Damboa and Chibok Federal constituency, Hon. Peter Biye, member representing Guzamala, Kukawa Abadam and Mobar federal constituency, Hon. Isa Lawan Kangar; former majority leader of the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon Idrisa Jidda, Special Adviser to Governor Shettima on Political Matters, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu and Senor Special Assistant to Governor Shettima, Hajiya Nanah Bashir Garbai are said to have defected along with him, while member representing Bayo, Biu, Kway Kusar and Shani federal constituency, Hon. Betara Aliyu, 17 members of the state House of Assembly, several commissioners, advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants who have indicated interest to shift their loyalty to the PDP are currently consulting with him. Following permutations and jostling

Shettima

Shettima may not get a second term, given the fact that Sheriff knows the political intrigues and terrain of the state as demonstrated in the past for relevance in the state’s political scene, the deputy state chairman of the APC, Hon. Shettima Shehu, the vice chairman Borno central Hon. Babagana Ajari, the state secretary of the party, Hon. Bello Ayuba and Alhaji Abatcha Ngala among others were said to have dumped their positions to join Sheriff. Speaking on the recent development, former Political Adviser, Southern Borno to Governor Shetima who was also former secretary of the defunct ANPP, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu, said: “A lot of APC state executives, former commissioners, advisers, senior special assistants, chairmen and other political heavyweights are moving to the PDP as we are currently holding meetings and consultations with them, I don’t want to mention names, but you will soon see it.” The recent sacking of commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, local government caretaker chairmen by Governor Shettima was not unconnected to the current political permutations in the state, as many described the action as a move by the governor to sieve the chaff from the grain, as there were alleged reports that most of his aides are loyal to Sheriff. As part of the alignment and realignment within the Borno polity, the former majority leader of the Borno State House of Assembly, Idrisa Jidda, said that many members of the state Assembly are ready to follow Sheriff to the PDP, a situation that led to the removal of his colleagues on the ground of misconduct. Meanwhile, some 312 councillors under the auspices of Borno State Councillors’ Forum (BSCF) recently threw their weight behind the aspiration of Governor Shettima come 2015. The Forum at a press conference led by its chairman, Hon. Yusuf Markus Sawa, who is also the immediate past

Vice-Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Gwoza Local Government, its secretary Abdullahi Muhammed Sheikh, and 310 other councillors said: “As far as 2015 is concerned in Borno, Governor Shettima’s landmark of people-oriented projects executed during this difficult period is his pass mark for a second term. We don’t have to deceive ourselves about the political reality in Borno State; we are the ones that are at the grassroots and we know the only person that can lead us to the promised land is Shettima; that is why the entire 312 councillors that represent the 3993 electoral units in the state are showing our 100 per cent support for him.” Sawa argued that against the expectation of the general public that the state would be crippled because of insurgence, the governor had been able to keep it running through renovation of public schools including staff quarters. He said: “How could we turn our backs against a man who against all odds had been able to give a new face to healthcare through the renovation of hospitals, improved maternal healthcare and construction of roads and drainages within various parts of the Maiduguri metropolis and other towns outside the state capital.” A die heart supporter of the governor, Mallam Ibrahin Idi, told our correspondent that the defection of Sheriff will not in any way affect Shettima’s aspirations, as he has provided a lot of dividends of democracy to the people of the state despite the security challenges, and that people of the state are tired of Sheriff ’s bad governance in the state. He said: “We thank God for Sheriff ’s exit from the APC, because he has been a stumbling block in the party. In fact, if not because he has been disturbing Governor Shettima, he would have delivered more dividends of democracy to the people of Borno state than he has done.” A political analyst, Alhaji Shuaibu Abdurrahaman said the journey to the 2015 election will be tough, since Sheriff is known for his political intrigues while Shettima with his incumbency power is ready to checkmate the former governor. Keen political observers keep asking whether history would be repeated by Shettima breaking the jinx of second term like Sheriff or if Sheriff can uproot him like he did to the late Kachallah. Only time can tell, but either way, it will open a new chapter in the history of Borno politics.

16 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Jonathan’s growing endorsements Abubakar Galadima

t is the season of endorsements. As the 2015 presidential elections draw nearer, groups and organisations lend their support to whoever they believe is best suited to pilot the affairs of the Nigerian state. For President Goodluck Jonathan in particular, endorsements have been pouring in like torrential rain. He has received endorsement from a wide spectrum of the polity, even as he is yet to formally make an open declaration. Among groups that have signed on for him are regional organisations from all the six geo-political zones, elders’ forums representing a cross-section of Nigeria’s majority nationalities, women and youth organisations, professional associations and Nigerian welfare associations in the Diaspora. Significantly, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) –the umbrella body of all Nigerian students – last month, joined in the endorsement spree, calling on the President to run for a second term in office next year. With these endorsements, the circumstances that underlined the 2011 polls appear to be playing out again: once again, it appears that the Nigerian nation is coalescing into a national consensus on who should carry their mandate in 2015. NANs hinges its support on the fact that under Jonathan, government support for students issues in particular and youth development in general, is unprecedented. Also, the administration has impressed by its recognition of student bodies; and it may not be entirely coincidental that six past NANS leaders are holding important positions in the administration. As its President, Yinka Gbadebo, who led the National Executive Committee members of the association on a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, noted, Nigerian students have never had it so good; hence, their support for the administration. Like the Ohaneze Ndigbo, the Northern Alternative Forum (NAF), National Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Professionals and Business Groups, the Elders from South-South and Middle Belt, the South-West Coalition and several others before it, the NANS endorsement is not based on parochial reasons. It is a clear appreciation of government’s superlative performance in the social, political and economic transformation Sabiu Mustapha

enultimate weekend, Gembu town of Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State hosted an unprecedented influx of people estimated to be about 30,000 from within and outside the state as well as neighbouring Cameroun and Niger Republic. The visitors attended the turbaning ceremony of the state’s acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, as the new Sardauna of Mambilla (the saviour of Mambilla people). The chieftaincy title was conferred on him by the Chief of Mambilla, His Majesty, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju. The occasion which was held at Muhammad Mansur stadium, Gembu, headquarters of Sardauna Local Government Area, was a forum for Taraba politicians, especially those aspiring for political offices at the state and federal levels in the 2015 general election, to show their strengths,. The governors of Bauchi and Gombe states, Mallam Isa Yuguda and Ibrahim Dankwambo respectively as well as the deputy governor of Katsina State, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari, attended the occasion, in solidarity with Umar. Nonetheless, the most dramatic encounter at the ceremony was that between the senator representing Taraba

Jonathan

Considering the numerical strength of the students across Nigeria and the symbolic import that they are leaders of tomorrow, the endorsement is weighty indeed of Nigeria. Under Jonathan’s watch, the nation is set on an irreversible course of development which can only be enhanced by his continued stay in office beyond 2015. More importantly, the endorsements send the clear message that the expectations of the last four years have not only been met, they have also been surpassed. Four years ago, the expectations were

indeed high. Though Jonathan’s electoral victory in 2011 made a profound statement, symbolising for Nigerians the spirit of national re-awakening and breaking of all regional, ethnic, traditional and religious boundaries, the anticipation of good performance was equally fervent. If the circumstances of his involvement in the contest and the nature of the stiff opposition that accompanied it are considered, the uniqueness of his victory becomes even more appreciated. Jonathan’s entry into the contest on September 18, 2010 had elicited strong resistance from certain politicians who introduced ethno-religious sentiments into the issue. In due course, the major issue in the presidential campaign moved from zoning to questions over Jonathan’s character, national appeal and the ability to perform in office. Good enough! Unlike many, he came without the taint of a fraudulent past; he

also brought into the contest, a certain persona of humility that few of our leaders can be associated with. Those who taunted him by saying he was anonymous were partly correct; no particular ethnic group could totally encircle him. He was not clannish but belonged to all Nigerians and saw himself in that Pan-Nigerian picture. The electorate were therefore offered the opportunity to make a choice based on the contending issues on which the Jonathan candidacy was hinged on. The arguments were -and still are - at the heart of our national problem. In a country well known for divisive national politics, Nigerians voted Jonathan and, in doing so, bequeathed in one man a pan-Nigeria mandate. His victory proved that, indeed, he belonged virtually to every square meter of Nigeria. The fact that about 10 of the presidential candidates of other political parties stepped down for him before the Saturday April 16, 2011 presidential poll was itself significant in the unity of purpose it brought to our political diversity. For a man who is not from any of the major ethnic groups and whose emergence was unusual, his mandate becomes an extra-ordinary opportunity to reinvent our nation. The question must, however, be asked: what is the worth of the students’ endorsement to Jonathan? Considering the numerical strength of the students across Nigeria and the symbolic import that they are leaders of tomorrow, the endorsement is weighty indeed. For one, they represent the bulk of the Nigerian youth who, if one adds the women, are special group that cannot be discounted in aggregating the collective interests of the nation. That Nigerian students have become much more politically active and perceptive is not in doubt; that they have the wherewithal to give push to a cause they are committed to is also not contestable. More significantly, the series of endorsements speak to the President’s performance in office. The millions who voted for him in 2011 have definitely not been disappointed, going by the job approval rating that the endorsements signify. It all leads to one conclusion: the 2015 presidential poll may end up affirming our oneness under Jonathan as a candidate of national consensus. •Galadima is a Kaduna-based public affairs analyst

Marafa, Tutare test might in Taraba North

Marafa

Tutare

Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Tutare, and Alhaji Bashir Abba Marafa who is eyeing his seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Marafa is presently a special adviser to the state governor on local government and chieftaincy affairs.

Again, what made the encounter more dramatic was that the Mambilla Plateau is located within Taraba Central Senatorial District, which is the constituency of the duo. Throughout the ceremony, Marafa’s personality overshadowed that of Tutare, as nothing could be heard in Gembu that day except Marafa’s name. Moreover, along the routes leading to the Mambilla from Garba Chede to Bali, Serti up to Gembu, a mammoth crowd of villagers

were seen along the roadside at almost every village, raising Marafa’s posters and chanting “Marafa, PDP for change.” Similar scenario played out during the turbaning ceremony, as Marafa’s supporters flooded the Mansur Stadium, the venue of the event with his postes and banners, but none of Tutare’s supporter was visible. It was gathered that the unprecedented show of love and support showed to Marafa by the people of Taraba Central, irked Senator Tutare which was said to have made him left the event earlier. Furthermore, when the dignitaries moved from the stadium to the government lodge after the turbaning, Turare was also said to have left the lodge instantly. Another surprising issue that also got people that attended the ceremony wondering was that, at a gala night organised at the government lodge which was part of the event’s programme, Tutare was not spotted. The Gembu drama seemed to have made it easier for political watchers to forecast what the PDP primaries portend for the Tutare and Marafa in the race for the Taraba Central Senatorial District in 2015.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, an industrialist, is a major contender for Kwara State governorship seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with WALE ELEGBEDE, Ibrahim speaks on why he wants Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed’s job. Excerpts: You have indicated interest in Kwara State governorship position. What must have informed your decision for politics? When I survey Kwara State, I see a state with abundant potentials that have not been fully utilised. People say the state is poor, but I see untapped potentials. In LUBCON, we have been able to accomplish extraordinary things with ordinary people; our products have accomplished international certification without a single expatriate staff. I believe that the same feat can be accomplished in Kwara State, taking the state from ‘good’ to ‘great’. I look at the horde of unemployed youths, and the potential lying waste; I look at the poor rural dwellers surrounded by uncultivated land as far as the eyes can see, and I see untapped potentials for turning their lives and the economy of the state around. I have worked hard to build a successful business and I intend to deploy the wealth of experience that I have garnered in business to help shape the lives and fortunes of our youths and our children. I have been trying to do that in my business through grants, scholarships, youth empowerment initiatives and direct support to young entrepreneurs as well as employment opportunities but that is not enough. I know I can do more because you can never be comfortable in the midst of poverty as it is today in Kwara. So to improve the living conditions of our people is enough motivation for me. There is agitation that Kwara South, where you come from, should retain the governorship for another four years. What is the position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on this? My party will conduct a delegates’ election to decide who the best person for the job is. Yes, you are right that our people from the south are insisting that equity demands that the zone be allowed another four years in power. I’m not aware of any binding agreement to that effect in our party, but don’t forget that we have eminently qualified candidates from all the zones. We are consulting with our brothers and sisters from both the Central and the North, if our zone wants to keep it for another four years, they have to work hard and convince the other zones. What is important is for the best candidate that can deliver the state to emerge. The problems of the state; poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment cannot be zoned. They are all over. What are your plans for Kwara in the event you emerge as the governor in 2015? I was raised from a very humble beginning and would like to see a Kwara State in which people can aspire and attain to great heights no matter their background; a state where every child rises to the fullest of their potential, a state where Kwarans can participate in the political process without fear of retribution and where our votes will count. Without going into too many details, our programmes revolve round

Why I’m after Ahmed’s seat, by Ibrahim

and multilateral development agencies to join hands with us in birthing the Kwara of our dream. Our intention is to make Kwara the beacon that other states look up to. We do not want to be just good, we want to be great. We are not comparing ourselves with other states in the federation; we are benchmarking ourselves against countries around the world that have the same population as the state, and challenging ourselves to deliver the same economic results as they have. My dream for Kwara is a state where the mindset of the youths will be altered through re-orientation, empowerment, engagement and entrepreneurial development. The challenges are there but the solutions are equally there. What is your slogan, ‘Politics without bitterness’, all about? I will like to first acknowledge the late Ibrahim Waziri for popularizing the slogan. I strongly believe that you do not need to run another person down in order to promote yourself, whether in family, in business or in politics. You should rather be talking about your antecedents, and going from there, the things that you plan on doing, leaving the people to judge your capability to actually deliver, considering what you have done in the past. This is more so, considering the way people have been moving from one party to the other. So, the person you class as your ‘enemy’ today because they are in another party might end up in your party tomorrow. And if we say we are all concerned about bettering the lot of the people, there should be no need to be fighting each other over that objective.

Ibrahim

the acronym of my name. JANI; J – job creation, A – agriculture development, N – natural resources exploitation and I – infrastructural development. On the job front, in addition to the various programmes we will be putting in place, we will work at making Kwara State the choice destination for foreign businesses coming into the country. As you aware, Africa is the next big thing in global business, and Nigeria is a prime location for foreign businesses coming into the continent. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be a major focus for job creation. With the abundant arable land, excellent land and air connections, plus the hard working people that the state is blessed with, we will be leveraging the programmes and incentives that the Federal Government has put in place under its Agriculture Transformation agenda, to position the state as the foremost agriculture and agro business region in the country. With well-articulated policy in place, rural farmers in the state could easily meet 10 per cent of the country’s annual rice needs, earning themselves N30 billion annually in the process. That is just slightly lower than what the state receives annually from the federal allocation. Such initiatives help address the inclusive growth concerns that is bothering development professional around the globe. We will also enter into partnership with local and foreign firms to exploit and very importantly, process the mineral resources that exist in the state. Thailand and India though not big time mineral producing countries have very vibrant precious stone cutting and polishing industries; we intend to make Kwara State the centre for similar operations, catering for the needs of the precious stones mined in the mineralrich belt that extends from Nasarawa/

Plateau down to Kogi/Kwara. On the infrastructure front, we will be opening up every part of the state by construction of good roads, upgrading of schools and hospitals, extension of grid and off grid electricity and the provision of water and sanitation. It matters to me if there is a child from Baruten council who can’t read, because the doors of opportunity had been closed on that child. Our youths know that government alone cannot solve all their problems. But they believe that by reducing the cost of governance, practising tight fiscal management and a radical change in government’s priorities, every Kwaran will have a chance to a decent life. We will embrace transparency, and will be reaching out to Kwarans at home and abroad, as well as bilateral

My dream for Kwara is a state where the mindset of the youths will be altered through re-orientation, empowerment, engagement and entrepreneurial development. The challenges are there but the solutions are equally there

What are the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan in the February 14, 2015 presidential election? The country is experiencing a seven per cent growth rate which is one of the highest in the world. Foreign investors, after careful assessment of the economic prospects of the country, are coming into the country despite the negative image that some are wont to present of the country. The Transformation Agenda and other programmes such as the power sector reforms are beginning to bear fruit, despite all the troubling security challenges that the country is faced with. Nigerians just need to be a little bit patient to see the full results, as the benefits of these initiatives do not become apparent overnight. The recent rebasing of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the first ever, is a commendable exercise that has helped to shed light on the true structure of the economy and contribution of various sectors to the entire GDP. This is an invaluable tool in correct policy formulation. Yes, there are challenges facing the nation; but the response of every one of us should be joining hands and working together to take on the challenges; every nation that is great today passed through some rough patches in its history. We cannot afford to let Nigeria fail; there is no place in the world where 170 million people can run to, so failure is not an option. The President despite the security and other challenges facing the country has continued to forge ahead; and we should give him our unwavering support, and back him with our prayers. You don’t change a coach in the middle of a match.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

OPINION Arthur Eze’s courage and Gov. Orji’s deception (1) Orji Kalu

ne of the critical questions I asked in one of the recent articles in the Leadership Series on Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State was: ‘Do Ndigbo still have men and women of courage who could speak out against the ills in our land? Since I asked that ques¬tion nobody, not even the media, has stood up to be counted. Nobody from Abia State, including serving elected members of the National Assembly, elders and other highly-placed persons from the state, could speak up against the excesses of the governor and his son, for fear of being chastised. Unex¬pectedly, somebody from unusual quarters, in the person of Chief Arthur Eze, saved the day. He has proved to the world, through his outspokenness, that Igbo still have men of courage and valour. I was elated by the story on Page 7 of The Sun newspaper of September 1, 2014 entitled: Abia Stinks, Says billionaire Arthur Eze. Ac¬cording to the story, the Anambra-born bil¬lionaire oil magnate delivered the damning verdict last week in Umuahia as the guest of the Abia State government on the occasion of the state’s 23rd anniversary. Instead of pouring en¬comiums on the state government, which was what it had expected to get by inviting the oil merchant, he took the government to the clean¬ers. Let me quote him verbatim to drive home the seriousness of the situation: “Abia is stink¬ing. Right from

Abia Tower Umuahia (on the Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway), the rot hits you. Abia State is now the dirtiest in the coun¬try. (There is) garbage everywhere, along with bad roads. The people are really suffering, and you see it in their faces. Are there no elders in Abia again? If so, what are they doing? What are the Senators, the members of the House of Representatives and other elected people doing? Nothing! Facing the governor, he con¬tinued, if you do not know what to do again, please write to President Goodluck Jonathan, and let him come to your help.” At the end of his speech, he dropped the microphone on the floor and walked away. In his usual sly manner, Governor Orji, jerk¬ing himself out of stupor took up the micro¬phone and tried to rationalize what Chief Arthur had said. According to the report, the governor was quoted as saying that the rot Arthur Eze re¬ferred to in his speech was the collapsed Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, which is a federal road. How many people believed his futile de¬fence? Why did he not summon courage to accept responsibility for the failure of his gov¬ernment rather than drag the Federal Govern¬ment into the matter? I have always said that Governor Orji is not a man anybody can trust. Like Peter, he denied President Jonathan with¬out blinking an eyelid. That speaks volumes about the man’s slippery character. Imagine what would happen if a more serious situation crops up tomorrow and he is called upon to defend President Jonathan

or anybody for that matter, where his own personal interest is involved. I recall what former President Olusegun Obasanjo told him when he (Gov. Orji) went to see him some time in the recent past. He told Governor Orji: “If you could betray Orji Kalu, then you can betray God.” He could not believe what he heard. Those who know the man well can tell you that he is a very tricky person. What Chief Arthur Eze had done was to reinforce what I had been saying since 2009 that Governor Theodore Orji is incompetent to hold the office of governor. I saw his inca¬pacitation 18 months after he assumed office as governor and drew his attention privately to it. I told him point-blank in 2009 that he had performed abysmally in the past 18 months and should not seek a second term. I even gave him a softlanding by asking him to nominate someone reliable to succeed him. He took of¬fence at what I had said and rather than accept his weaknesses, he chose to fight me. Goaded by some Abuja-based politicians and those that could not have access to the state’s treasury for the eight years we served as governor, he went wild, threatening fire and brimstone. He embraced falsehood as a weapon for the war of attrition against me. He has called me all kinds of names and worked frenetically to tarnish my reputation ever since. •Kalu, an acclaimed international businessman and politician is former governor of Abia State.

Who's Afraid of Successful Women? Andy Adibemma

eading through most newspapers in Nigeria in the past few days, one encounters all manner of high sounding and flowery eulogies, even from political and professional enemies, heaped on the late erudite professor of pharmacology, Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili, a woman of uncommon zest and selflessness. Her case brought to the fore the saying that in this country we don’t appreciate our own. We don’t give our best brains and hands the chance to do something for the country. We chase and hound them out of office only to shed crocodile tears at their demise. Lately in the Aviation sector, a woman of vision and uncommon patriotism, in the person of Princess Stella Oduah was forced out of office despite her enormous efforts to improve the sector. Even when the whole world acknowledged her immense achievements and contributions, Stella had to go, based on frivolous allegations of purchasing ammo cars, for her personal use. One wonders if her armoured vehicles are more expensive than the one that saved Buhari's life. Or is a woman's life less valuable than a man's? By the time the truth came out, Oduah was out and the politicians had their day, and the aviation industry in Nigeria experienced a sad day.

This same cup is today being raised for another good woman, who has been doing excellently well in her ministry. The politicians alongside their unwholesome supporters have been doing their best to see Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke, minister of petroleum resources out of office. Their anger, if you ask me, is Mrs. Allison Madueke’s doggedness in making sure that the age-long rot in the petroleum industry is ended. She has been busy making sure that the industry runs professionally and that the dogs of war that have been feeding fat on our oil are made to look for food somewhere else. Her stand on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is the major reason for the numerous attacks on her. It also seems the opposition, in particular the All Progressive Congress (APC), is not favorably disposed to the ever mounting improvements in the petroleum industry under Mrs. Madueke as minister of petroleum. This is why most of the allegations are traceable to APC members. First, it was the allegation of jet charter. In an industry which runs on Auto Pilot with movement of its helmsmen running per second per second like the GSM, these people expect the minister to wait at the airport terminal for airlines whose flight schedule is outside her determination. Even when the standard practice in the oil industry worldwide is for top players to

travel on charted planes, the opposition in Nigeria will not have it; instead they want the industry to lag behind so that they will have something to campaign with in 2015. When Diezani travels with staff they become her daughter’s sons and family members. This plot by the opposition becomes more obvious when just two travels outside Nigeria on a chartered flight in a year for urgent assignment becomes a “wasteful act for personal needs of her immediate family.” When this did not sell, mind-blowing amount of dollars and Euros were bandied even by those high enough in government to know the truth, as missing or allegedly misappropriated by the same Diezani. Today it is $20 billion, next it is $10 billion. Even the people from Central Bank who were churning out these figures could not keep tap on the figures they read out. They did not care as far as Diezani Madueke is forced out, just the way they forced Stella Oduai out. Good that the Senate, which went into this allegations, found out that the women had been wronged. The forensic auditing of the accounts of NNPC has proven the innocence of the minister. I hope nobody will wake us up again with such devilish allegations. The senate has done us proud by ensuring that the innocent is not crucified on the altar of politics and

greed. The improvement Diezani has brought to bear on the operations of the petroleum industry has acquitted her the more. Nobody, not even those with questionable credentials who have been in the forefront of accusing her, can deny the fact that Mrs. Allison Madueke knows the industry inside out. She rose to the enviable rank of executive director at shell. The first female black African to be so elevated, she did not achieve this through federal character or quota system. It was by dint of hard work and diligence. Her knowledge of the industry has shown in her Job; it is her painstaking and courageous actions in the Industry that her traducers are afraid of and, therefore, want her out. Now that the Senate has rested this issue of unmerited accusations, the opposition should look for another person to attack. What annoys me in all this is the fact that they always look for the hardworking female ministers to attack. Maybe they think these ladies wouldn’t have the courage to call their bluff. Diezani should be left alone to carry to the logical conclusion, the internal surgery she is executing in the Nigerian petroleum industry. The time to support her is now and not to eulogize her after she has left the service. • Andy Adibemma (08039182026) writes from Owerri, Imo State.

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

Bickering Over Global Competitiveness Report

ince the World Economic Forum (WEF) released its 2014 Global Competitiveness Report that indicated Nigeria’s further drop by seven places from 120th to 127th position out of 144 countries, the official reaction to the development has been one of disgust. The WEF said in its 2014-15 Global Competitiveness Report that infrastructure (human and physical) continues to be Nigeria’s toughest challenges and attributes the decline in the country’s global competitiveness to “weakness in public finances (as a result of lower oil exports), continuing institutional frailty and deterioration in national security.” This implies that that the country’s stock of social and economic infrastructure regrettably remains weak. Sadly, not even the recent emergence of the country as Africa’s largest economy following the statistical stroke of pen called GDP rebasing could prevent its slide to the ugly position among the 144 countries covered in the report that has elicited vociferous debates among analysts. Against the backdrop of the country’s faltering performance on the global ranking index, countries such as Lesotho (107th) and Cape Verde (114th) registered the largest improvements, while Botswana (74th), Namibia (88th), Zambia (96th), Ghana (111th), Senegal (112th) and Swaziland (123rd) are adjudged relatively stable

by the WEF. Among the oil-exporting economies, Gabon remains the highestranked economy (106th) followed by Cameroon (116th), while Nigeria only outperformed Angola (140th) and Chad (143rd). Also among Africa’s low-income economies, Ethiopia recorded the biggest leap, rising nine places to 118th. The report states that only three subSaharan countries – Mauritius (39th); South Africa (56th) and Rwanda (62nd) are in the top half of the world’s most competitive economies, a development that is indicting to the country’s claims of huge economic success that boggles the mind. The GCR categorically asserts that institutions in Nigeria remained weak, ranking 129 out of 144. It also identifies insufficiently protected property rights, high corruption and undue influence as other factors that pushed the country deeper into the drop zone of this year’s GCR. The report further says the deterioration in national security in the country, which was ranked 139 out of 144, remains dire. According to the GCR, “Nigeria must continue to upgrade its infrastructure (134th) as well as improve its health and primary education (143rd). Furthermore, the country is not harnessing the latest technologies for productivity enhancements, as demonstrated by its low rates of ICT penetration.” We need to understand clearly that the necessary institutions to drive and

sustain change to make the country visibly competitive are rather too few, and where they exist at all, have remained weak. The propensity for corruption remains frighteningly high while the fight to squelch the malady is disastrously unfocussed, toothless, colourless and lily-livered. The preponderance of insecurity has literally kept the country on the tenterhooks and in trepidation. More than ever before, we demand that an end be put to the ignominy of terrorism, wave of loathsome kidnapping, barbaric ritual killings, and the armed robbery aberration that work in league to stigmatize our country. We are, however, consoled that that the country’s performance was not totally bad, though improvement remains desirable. According to the report, Nigeria benefits from its relatively large market size, which ranked 33rd out of 144 and bears the potential for significant economies of scale and a relatively efficient labour market (ranked 40th out of 144) driven by its flexibility (20th out of 144). However, the Chief Executive Officer, National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN), Mr. Chika Mordi has faulted the rankings, insisting that the report used the old GDP figures in its calculations, a development that worsened the nation’s position, according to him. Although he believes it only remains an opinion, it is also acknowledged that a high GCI ranking

is good to have. But the opinion of the investors, which reasonably derives from perception, counts a lot in this whole milieu. He might be right in the observation that: “In this year’s Wall Street Journal survey of multinational CEOs, Nigeria ranked first as an emerging market investment destination. Investors vote with their wallet and Nigeria’s FDI remains the highest in Africa.” However, we believe that the argument that the WEF GCI is a lagging indicator and does not reflect the actions taken this year, also needs to be weighed against the Business Environment Competitiveness Across Nigerian States (BECANS) and similar report by the World Bank as guide in the council’s endeavours going forward. Competitiveness streams from the set of institutions, policies and factors that determine the level of productivity of a country. GCI scores are calculated by drawing together country-level data in 12 categories – the “pillars of competitiveness” – to create a comprehensive picture of a country’s economic performance. It is good that Mordi’s Council is taking fundamental steps and putting building blocks in place to convincingly improve the country’s competitiveness. We encourage government to see the report as a big challenge from which great value can be extracted, and task its implementing officials to respond like Paul Anthony Samuelson and Joseph Eugene Stiglitz, to win laurels in adversity. MANAGING DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Eric Osagie DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTORS

Gabriel Akinadewo Felix Oguejiofor Abugu MANAGING EDITOR

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Robinson Ezeh

20 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Ogun senators and second term jinx CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

and based on this there are two different views in the state about the future of the senators. While some are of the view that the performance of the senators may pave the way for their return to the Senate in 2015, there are those who believed that they may not return to the Red Chamber in 2015. The reason many people feel that their return is uncertain has to do with the leadership tussle in the APC between Amosun and Osoba. In the last few months, Osoba and Amosun have been having a running battle over the control of APC structure in the state and the three senators are Osoba’s loyalists. Therefore, pitching their tent against the governor may cost them their return ticket, especially in a situation whereby the senators and Osoba are believed to be behind the new political association, Action Group of Nigeria (AGN), awaiting registration. Apart from the internal wrangling in the APC, the leaders of the opposition parties in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), are strategically positioning themselves for a possible alliance to sack the ruling party in Ogun State. 2015: The aspirants Ahead of 2015, there are a number of aspirants who pose serious threats to Senators Kaka, Odunsi and Obadara’s re-election. In Ogun East, Kaka has not hidden his interest to return to the Senate but while he is planning for re-election, other aspirants are also working assiduously to stop him. Prominent among those plotting to succeed Kaka within the APC are; a renowned journalist, Mr. Bayo Onanuga; lawyer cum politician and Executive Secretary of Ogun State Security Trust Fund, Asiwaju Bisi Adegbuyi, and the Chairman of Heyden Petroleum, Dapo Abiodun. Those jostling for PDP senatorial ticket in Ogun East are; Lagos socialite and former senatorial and House of Representatives aspirant, Ola Kukoyi and former two-term House of Representatives member and PDP stalwart in Remoland, Apostle Dave Salako. Outside APC and PDP are former Governor Daniel and Senator Mustapha have shown interest in in the senatorial race. In Ogun Central, a lot of political gladiators have also shown interest in sending Obadara packing from the Senate. Among the APC senatorial aspirants are; Shaibu Salisu, the current Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Amosun, who hails from Odeda Local Government Area; Prince Lanre Tejuoso, a medical doctor turned politician and son of Osile of Oke-Ona of Egbaland, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho; and Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, a three-time member of the House of Representatives, currently representing Mushin II Federal Constituency in Lagos State. Hamzat is the son of APC chieftain and a traditional ruler in Ogun State, Oba Olatunji Hamzat. Those who are believed to be aspiring for Ogun Central Senatorial seat in the PDP are; Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark’s wife, Dr. Abisola Sodipo-Clark; former member, House of Representatives for Ewekoro/Ifo Federal Constituency, Hon. Yomi Collins and Senator Obasanjo-Bello. Former Secretary to Ogun State Government and Minister for Power and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola is one of the Labour Party (LP) senatorial aspirants in Ogun Central. The senatorial race in Ogun West Senatorial District is also gathering momentum as many aspirants have shown interest in stopping Odunsi from going back to the Senate. One of the top contenders

Amosun

Anisulowo

for Odunsi’s seat is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Adeola Olamilekan Solomon. He is an experienced lawmaker with over 11 years in the legislative arm of government, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly for eight years before he was elected in 2011 to represent Alimosho Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber. Some members of Amosun’s cabinet from Yewa/Awori axis are also interested in the Senate. They include: Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Ayo Olubori; his Housing counterpart, Daniel Adejobi; an Ipokia-born commissioner in Ogun State Civil Service Commission, Abayomi Hunyen and Chairman of Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission and former House of Representatives member of Ado-Odo Otta Federal Constituency, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele. Other APC aspirants believe to be in the race are; Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Tope Kuyebi, Hon. Bolaji Oyeleye, Kolawole Lawal (KLM), and Prince Dada Gbolahan. Those believed to be jostling for PDP senatorial ticket in Ogun West are Senator Bajomo and Leke Otegbola, a former Special Adviser to Gbenga Daniel. The LP aspirants are; former Chairman of Oodua Group of Companies, Mrs. Iyabo Apampa; former Commissioner for Works during Daniel administration, Hon. Lai Taiwo and Omoba Segun Adewale. Can Obadara, Kaka and Odunsi break

Obasanjo-Bello

Okunrounmu

the jinx? As the people of Ogun State look forward to who represents them in the Senate, political analysts believe strongly that with the present state of things in Ogun State, history may repeat itself as none of the present senators stand the chance of being re-elected. Speaking at a recent media chat, Daniel said considering the political history of the state, it may be difficult for the incumbent senators to return to the Senate in 2015. His words: “I don’t know how it has happened; historically since the creation of Ogun State there hasn’t been any Senator that has served two terms. I am not saying that anybody cannot break that jinx but as it is today, the late Pa Abraham Adesanya could not manage two-terms. Martins Kuye could not complete his term, Durojaiye could not do two terms. Ogunbanjo and Mustapha did only one term. “It is not Ogun East Senatorial District alone. In Ogun Central, Oyero did one term; Okurounmu, one term; Ibikunle, one term and Iyabo one term. May be the one who is there now will break the jinx, I don’t know. “In Ogun West, Papa Jonathan Odebiyi did one term, Olabimtan, one term; Anisulowo, one term; Bajomo, one term. So, may be the one there now will break the jinx, I don’t know. So for anyone doing the calculation, they should not forget that that has been our experience as far as the senatorial position in Ogun State is concerned.” Three-time governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in Ogun State, Ogbeni Lanre

Durojaiye

Banjo, is of the view that party’s crisis and demand for change by the electorate are the major reasons no senator has ever served for two terms in the Gateway State. His words: “We understand what happened in 2003 because PDP took over the South-West and sacked AD governors, therefore many AD senators were not returned not only in Ogun State but in entire South-West. It was internal wrangling in the PDP that made Lekan Mustapha to replace Ogunbanjo in 2007. “In 2011, the internal crisis in PDP paved the way for ACN to chase the PDP out of power and that gave opportunity for current senators to come on board.” But speaking to New Telegraph in seperate interviews, Senators Odunsi and Obadara expressed confidence that they will get re-elected. Odunsi said 2015 will be a departure from the past and that the incumbent senators will get re-elected if the people still want them to continue. His words: “I believe that most of the past senators in Ogun State did not even seek re-election. It is either they went for something higher or they just dropped out. I don’t know if it is a jinx but if you look at the entire Ogun State, it is hard to get any Senator who served for two terms and that in any way reflect on the development in the state in terms of federal presence. “The idea of continuity has become an issue, particularly in the South-West for senators. I believe that if we look at it critically, we can find out that, it is either the previous ones is overly ambitious or they have never shown any interest in wanting to return. “I believe that 2015 will be a departure from the past because if my people still want me to continue, I believe I will get the slot. I believe it is possible for us to get re-elected provided we are all determined we want to go back.” Obadara said Ogun people are reasonable and therefore they will return him to the Senate in 2015. “I believe my people are reasonable people. We are not in any way threatened. My people are not fools; they are highly intelligent. My people know how best to serve them. My people know that I have sacrificed for them,” he said. As Ogun electorate go to poll on February 14, 2015 for the National Assembly election, there are many questions begging for answers, which only Ogun people can provide answers to: Will history repeat itself in Ogun State in 2015? Will gang-up against Ogun Senators see the light of the day? Will Amosun stop the senators’ re-election? Can Obadara, Kaka and Odunsi break the 35-year-old jinx and get re-elected into the Senate? Only time will tell.

ARTS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

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

“THE THEATER IS THE PRIMARY EVIDENCE OF A NATION'S CULTURE.”

― JAMES GROVER THURBER

CULTURE

Lolo 1 for Oga Madam Live on Stage Moses Kadiri

motunde AdebowaleDavid (aka Lolo 1) has carved a niche for herself in the minds of listeners on the pidgin station, Wazobia FM 95.1, where she has irresistible presence through her daily programme Oga Madam Office, and Office Palaver as she provide answers that bothers on listeners emotion. This informs her yearly live show entitled: Oga Madam Live on Stage; which is now in its third edition. Packaged as an all-round entertainment - stage drama, music, comedy - that provides Nigerians a platform to take a moment to laugh, relax, and ease stress. Titled Definition of a Queen, the show will hold on Sunday, September 28, 2014, at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, it features artistes such as fuji exponent, Adewale Ayuba, Sound Sultan, J Martin, Kcee, Harrisong, Chidinma, Terry G, Duncan Mighty, FJ D King, Solid Star, Oritsefemi, Seyi Shay, Blackmagic, Skales, Slyde, Yeka, Joel, Gmak, CJ Mama, Lil Kesh, May7ven, Amaiikah, DJ Real aka Emir of Alaba, DJ Indo and Guest DJ Mind DGap (UK), among others will perform their best hits. The loaded show will also feature stand-up comedians like Yaw, Gordons, Akpororo, Bash, Ogbolo, Senator, Igos, Seyi Law, Mc Abbey, Koffi, Odogwu, Emma o My God, Baba Kay, among many others will keep guests reeling in laughter. "Apart from that AY will be the special guest appearance. He will present diffrent skits. It is the tradition of the show to bring old artistes, blend them with the new artistes; l want to be able to put a balanced entertainment for everyone that will be coming. Let’s say if you are not a Kcee fan, of course you will be able to enjoy Adewale Ayuba who is from the old school and have a feel of the band. There are other artistes too who will be performing with the band, it is going to be different and something that people can look forward to," she said. Her voice on radio will blow one’s mind away, and her answers to questions that bothers on relationship, family, work place on her regular radio show Office Palaver has made many to liken her to the biblical King Solomon the wise king base on her judgment. She however disclosed that guests will also enjoy that part during the show. "I am going to have a chair and a table so that people will be sending their 'palaver' to me and l will give them a live performance of what happens on radio". She continued, "Office Palaver has turned out to be the biggest of all my elements, and

Lolo 1

people look forward to it; l have been privileged to meet heads of companies, people that you will think that they don't have time, but they regurgitate everything l say on radio. I always say when you love what you do it makes it easy for what you want to be in life. Doing Office Palaver for me is an exciting thing, l am thankful to God, He is the one that gives me wisdom everytime l open my mouth l believe that He will give me something to either make you laugh or to get instruction." Lolo 1 who played the role of Iya Leja in the Sitcom; "Adults Only" always bring her motherly love to bear on radio that made people to listen to her, she revealed that many people in the society have issues and they need someone to relate with. "Well l am a mother; l found out that most people have issues, and most of the time they are very shy to talk to people and radio gives us the opportunity to speak to one another," she said. "You know sometimes when you are talking to faceless person you just bear your mind and maybe you will not be afraid of judgment because that is what make lots of people shy away from getting advise because you are afraid that people might judge

you wrongly or they will not give you a chance. The rate of depression is very high, suicide rate in Nigeria that you cannot imagine before is becoming common, that means something is wrong and that is why l bring that mother side of me to radio so that even if you don't have friend you know that Lolo 1 is on radio you can talk to her, you can share with her either she has something that is witty or serious to tell me on how to go about it that is why l had to do what l do." She reiterated that she will be doing some projects to expand that side of her after the show. "That side of me is going to be seen after the show, l will be focusing more on the things that concern women l am just

In the UK you have to stand alone, it is tougher but it gives you more confidence; but in Nigeria there are comedians every where

going to explore that side of me a little so that people can take as maximum benefit." A law graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, who have also done 2 editions of Oga Madam Live on Stage in the United Kingdom (UK) Lolo 1 said she intend to do the first edition of Oga Madam Live on Stage in the United States of America next year. When ask the different between the UK audience, and the Nigerian audience, she said the difference is clear. "They miss home and there's lots of mixed audience that makes your versatility come into play... you like the warmth that you get; in Nigeria we have comedy every where but in the UK they are always anxious, they are energetic interested in any new person that has great thing to perform. The show was amazing MC Abbey was there with me and we had a great time; it is not like Nigeria, they are time conscious, but our Nigeria mentality will inform what we do, it was very interesting and l am looking forward to next year already." The award winning broadcaster said her greatest experience was when a 73 year old women attended the show. "This 73 years old woman brought 7 of her grand chil-

dren to watch the show in UK. She also came from UK to Nigeria last year to meet me personally, she came to my show in Nigeria; l was amazed l could not believe myself, she loves the show, she love the brand she loves me, it is an wholesome experience," she said laughing. On which she would have gone for, the Nigeria, UK audience Lolo 1 whose company, Lolo 1 Africa Entertainment is producing Oga Madam Live on Stage, said "in the UK you have to stand alone, it is tougher but it gives you more confidence, but in Nigeria there are comedians every where, if you say a joke now by the time you climb the stage the next time the joke will probably not to be yours any longer, that is the challenges we are facing, everybody is taking peoples jokes, you will be surprised that they will tell your joke better than you and the joke becomes useless to you; Nigerians are very fan loving people you cannot push us aside the brand that comedy has now in the UK Nigerians pushed it there you cannot under estimate the Nigerian audience l love them l thank them they are the ones that make you work harder because you know that to please the Nigerian audience one need to work harder."

22 ARTS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Domestic violence: Alliance Francaise partner Labelle Ideas on Mmegbu Tony Okuyeme

megbu, a stage play that is focused on (wife brutality) domestic violence is set to go on stage in Lagos. The play features notable actors such as Moji Hassan (current Mama Ajasco), K Baba of Wazobia FM, Ngozi Ogbonna (Nglabelle of Radio Continental, Dupe Lawson and many others. Written by Omubo Niyi campbell and directed by Iliel Ototeh, the play is being produced by Labelle Ideas in collaboration with Alliance Francaise, Lagos. Mmegbu opens with beat of drums and chants from the back stage, a man (Mashara) comes on stage with a cutlass in his right hand with legion of minions behind him urging him to do it. Light fades and with a delge song (Ijoba Orun) as the mourners comes on stage with small pots containing flames of light in their right hands. A dead body raped in a white cloth is brought to the centrestage , the mourner circle round the dead body as the mourner sing sorrowfully , a middle age(in his late 40s) man ‘OTOTO’ tall, handsome and soft spoken emerged from stage right and he cried out calling ‘SISI’ his voice brought automatic silence. Ototo is an x-lover of the deceased ‘SISI’ he moves to the centre stage as he narrates his love story with (the deceased) SISI. Then flashback of their sweet love affair Tony Okuyeme

ainter, art critic, ethnoaesthetician and cultural Entrepreneur, Prof. Krydz C. Ikwuemesi will deliver the 5th edition of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) lecture series titled “Art and Culture among the Igbo of Nigeria and the Ainu of Japan in the Post-colonial Period: a critical survey”. The lecture holds at OYASAF Facility, Okupe Estate, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday September 24, 2014, at 10:30am prompt. This study seeks to examine the concepts and perceptions of art and culture among the Igbo people of Nigeria and the Ainu people of Japan and to problematize extant supremacist views which hold that native societies did not have art prior to colonization, in spite of the obvious bio-cultural nature of art. Using theories in art history, art criticism and anthropology, the presentation focuses on the transmogrification of these societies' notion and practice of art in the colonial period and how this has impacted the collective identity and memory in the challenges of postcolonial times. However, the purpose of this study is not to juggle theoretical constructs on post-colonialism; rather it is concerned with the “lingering after-effects” of colonialism in the guises of post-colonialism and how they are manifested

His tears and regret is that He and Sisi broke-up because of Sisi’s parental influence, tribal differences, culture and tradition. Ototo and Sisi dated for 4years but tribal difference,culture and tradition did not allow their genuine love to see the light of the day. Ototo and Sisi loved each other and were very much compatible but were not allowed to get married. After their painful and forceful breakup, Sisi and Mashara met through who is from same town but were not compatible. They eventually got married because Sisi wanted to obey and please her parents. From the onset Sisi’s relationship with Mashara appeared moderately nice but Sisi knew in her heart that Ototo was the man after her heart and incomparable too. However, she tolerated Mashara because of her parents, culture and tradition. Lina Sisi’s childhood friend is also a victim of bad marriage but she left the marriage as soon as she discovered that she and her (Markati) husband are not compatible but Sisi died in her 9yrs marriage out of fear of stigma even when she was emotionally, psychologically and Physically abused by Mashara her husband. Nene on her own side was taken for granted and was lured into prostitution by madam Bubu because of her matrimonial problem. Okito Lina’s young lover tricked her

Director of Alliance Francaise, Christene Dauve

with care and affection that she lacked from her husband over the years and Okito duped her of all her life savings Now Sisi has been killed by the man she said ‘I do’ to. Why? Lina left her marriage for greener pasture….Will she suc-

ceed? Nene ran into trouble because of her matrimonial issues and her life is messed up. How did it happen? What is Vaughan’s plan? Who is Dene and what Happened to Mashara, Pa and Mama Zico?

Ikwuemesi to deliver OYASAF lecture

in the art enterprise. Since the postcolonial thrives on hybridity and contradictions as is reflected in the situations of postcolonial subjects, politically, economically, culturally, and otherwise, the central concern in my work on one hand is the ebbing of Igbo creative enterprise and its systemic divorce from Igbo cultural heritage, and on the other hand, Ainu’s response to their cultural-political predicament through a resurgence of their arts and cultural production in light of their history in Japan and the challenges posed by a globalizing world. Prof. Ikwuemesi studied art at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduating in first class in 1992. He is the founder of the Pan-African Circle of Artists (PACA) and Emeritus President of The Art Republic (also known as Centre for Arts and Cultural Democracy), Enugu. He has participated in workshops and creative residencies and has directed Afrika Heritage (the PACA Biennale), Overcoming Maps (PACA Study Tour of Africa), and the Mmanwu Theatre in Enugu. Ikwuemesi has researched and published on aspects of Igbo arts and is presently engaged in a comparative study of Igbo and Ainu arts and cultures. In 2009 he researched Ainu arts and aesthetics as a Japan Founda-

Shyllon

tion Fellow in Hokkaido. He is the editor of two major journals: The Art Republic and Letter from Afrika. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and was recently a Visiting Professor at the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan. He has been a Fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies African Humanities Program and is the coordinator of the Death Studies Association of Nigeria. A committed artist, he has held several solo and group exhibitions and has published many articles on art in professional journals. As International Secretary of the Pan-African Circle of Artists, Prof. Ikwuemesi convened/organised the Pan Afri-

can Conference on the Status and Work Condition of the Artist in Africa in 2002. There was participation from different parts of the world; received a grant from Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, The Netherlands, as support for the project. He also organised and directed the “3rd Overcoming Maps of the Pan African Circle of Artists”, in 2004, leading over 50 African artists through six West African countries (Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ghana) by road for 21 days; received a generous grant from the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, the Netherlands in support of the project. Prof. Ikwuemesi took Nigerian art to Dakar Biennale for the first time in 2006 under the project 20th Century Art: A Story from Nigeria with the support of the National Gallery of Art Abuja and Total Petroleum. He was subsequently awarded a grant in 2007 by the National Gallery of Art, Abuja, to compile and edit a book of essays on issues in Nigerian art to commemorate the project. In 2009, he received a grant from the US Consulate-General in Lagos to implement “A Return to History: Adapting Uli Ideograms to Contemporary Design Needs” (mainly to explore, through craft work-

shops, how best to encourage uli women painters in some Igbo villages and other artists and craft makers to rescue Igbo uli painting tradition from imminent extinction). In the same year, he was awarded a Japanese Foundation Fellowship to research Ainu Arts in Hokkaido in furtherance of my comparative study of Igbo and Ainu arts and aesthetics (October-November 2009); and in 2010, he received the US Ambassador’s Self Help Grant in Nigeria to set up the Uli Craft Workshops and thereby continue with the project “A Return to History: Adapting Uli Ideograms to Contemporary Design Needs.” Appointed Curator for the Nigerian Visual Arts World Tour (NIVATOUR), a project of the National Gallery of Art, Nigeria (July-August 2010), Prof. Ikwuemesi was in 2012, awarded the African Humanities Fellowship of the American Council of Learned Societies to complete a dissertation on “Art among the Igbo of Nigeria and the Ainu of Japan: A Study of Styles, Techniques and Iconography” in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He initiated the Anambra Book and Creativity Festival and, along with others, organised the maiden edition of the Festival in Awka, Anam

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

busrdity is when mothers marry their sons in the name of avoiding tradition. It is also weird when fathers sleep with their daughters in the name of tradition. Which is the better of the two evils? None, some would say! And some could take the latter. Indeed, none is good to the ear or to the eyes. But what will parents say of Florence Agbo (not real name), a single mother of five. She is six weeks pregnant for her son. On discovering who the father of her unborn child is, she said she just can’t quit. “The deed has been done. I can’t abort this much wanted and cherished pregnancy and I won’t commit suicide because I’m pregnant for my son. I also do not wish my son/husband dead!” she said. In fairness to Agbo, fate has not been fair to her since she was a teenager. In fact, fate has been playing a cruel joke on her since her childhood. At 17, she was raped. She got pregnant from that encounter. She bore the shame and gave birth to a child she neither planned for nor wanted. Her parents came to her rescue and took away the child- a boy. She went her way, without knowing the son she bore. She left her parents and proceeded to fend for herself and make a living in the town. Just when she thought life has decided to be kind to her, when she travelled to another West African country, got married and bore four kids, evil luck resurfaced on her. The man, she married and stayed with for 19 years, died in a car crash on a major high way along with the four children. That was two years ago. Florence was back to single life. She needed a man again, after leaving the country for another neighbouring one. She yearned for a man to hold. Her instinct was to date a young man, who would not marry her. She needed just a man to be with. She found Joseph, a young man in his late 20s. Joe, as she called him, was everything she desired in a fling. Tall, muscular and "strong”, Florence was in cloud nine again. She hit it off with the young man with abandon. Yet, fate lurked in the corner. She discovered that she was pregnant for Joseph, after about eight months into therelationship. That was when she asked questions she has not bothered to ask all along. What she discovered is better imagined. Indeed, the sweet Joe was her son- the one her parents took from her two decades ago. Her world came crashing again. “It was as if the ground should open up for me to enter”, she said but remained stoic. “After all the things I have passed through in life. After losing my husband and four children in one day. How else can this world be cruel to me? And you want me to abort? My sister, even if it is death penalty, let me face this shame. I can’t abort this

Perversion: When parents marry their children It is something that is alien to our culture. But it is one of those stories that raise the hairs on your body. When mothers for whatever reasons chose to sleep with their sons or when fathers for some of the same unknown reasons or unimaginable cultures decide to sleep with their daughters, the society becomes worried at such developments. But as unreal as the stories may sound, they drop like a nickel once in a while- on our laps and we are shocked in surprise as our jaws drop in confusion. Could it be true? OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI, here explores the strange scenario that plays out when such events occur.

Mother and child having fun

child”, she said, looking far into the void, as tears streamed down her eyes. For Florence, life has roughened her in a way that she wants to challenge her god. But she refuses to care. Rather she asked rhetorically- “Did I commit a heinous crime in my past life? Did I kill anybody then?How come anywhere I put my feet becomes trouble?” While fate could be blamed for swaying Florence in different directions, it is not same for Mrs Anthonia Ka-

chukwu, a mother of three boys. Her husband of about 34 years suddenly died. He was a rich man. In his lifetime, he was a successful businessman, who provided for her family and relatives. But soon afterhis death, the family made a wish, which Anthonia found difficult to fulfill. She was required by customto marry the younger brother of her husband. Already, Ejike, the younger brother in question is married with two chil-

dren. But he is not financially successful like her late husband. Meaning: Ejike will inherit her and the wealth left by her husband. Anthonia found the option difficult to accept. “Leave me; I will marry my first son, Tobenna”, she blurted out to the astonishment of all the kinsmen of her late husband. After much efforts at persuading her failed, she was left in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

MOM&PARENTING

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

And their children become their husbands, bed mates C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

hope that her 32 year old son Tobenna was to take care of her and his siblings. But nobody could have predicted what Anthonia meant by marrying her son. One cold night, when she needed a man by her side, she dragged the boy to her bed. That was the beginning of her marriage to Tobe. It became a regular affair between mother and son. “I can’t imagine opening my legs to another man, not even my husband’s brother, whose only motivation is our money. I prefer having it with my son. The money is still in our house”, she said to the chagrin of the elders. The result of that affair is a six months pregnancy she was bearing when the scandal took a life of its own. A hush fell on the village as the reality of the abomination dawned on all. While the aforementioned cases are stroke of fates and abnormal, culture seems to also have a hand in some of the weird practices. It is the customary practice of certain parts of Ondo State. The practice is that fathers sleep with their first daughters before marrying them off. So, it wasn’t strange when OkikiolaAdegoke(not real name) asked his first daughter,26, to bring his meal into his room one evening. The unsuspecting young lady hurriedly carried the meal to her father’s room. While inside the room, the father engaged her in a discussion and from there, one thing led to the other. He slept with Ikeoluwa. To Ikeoluwa, it was sacrilegious. She reported the issue to her mother, who warned her not to tell any other person. “My mom told me that it is part of our culture. It enables us to get firmly established in our matrimonial homes,” she said. The practice became a visa for both father and daughter. Almost every evening, her father would summon her to his room. But her father’s other wives were not comfortable with it. They felt it should be a one-off thing and then their husband would concentrate on them.Gradually, they saw her as a threat to their relationship with their husband. Especially, as at 31, she was yet to be married or even get involved in a serious relationship. She wasn’t the only one her father slept with. He had it with four of his daughters from the other wives but it wasn’t as patronizing as Ikeoluwa’s.According to the wives, he had with it the other four girls and five months after; they got reasonable suitors and got married. But Ikeoluwa’s status is what they could not understand. “Is it deliberate that she didn’t want to get married or the father enjoys her so much that he prefers her on bed to us? Could there be something between them both that is not known to others?” Whatever it was, the five wives couldn’t bear it any longer. The act frustrated Ikeoluwa’s mother out of the matrimonial home and the remaining wives went to report to the elders of the village. At the forum, Adegoke said he expected his wives to have come

Mother and baby kissing

Essen

A popular musician in that town was speculated to be sleeping with his daughters before marrying them off to term with him and his daughter’s relationship! He said he discovered that they both(father and daughter) love themselves. Hence, he decided to go with it. Little wonder, Ikeoluwa became overly pampered with wealth and material things. Four times a year, she travels overseas. She had a fleet of cars; she has 16, and a three bedroom bungalow built for her by father. He also built a large shopping complex for her. In her father’s house, she lives in opulence. What else does she want?! The verdict of the forum however was that whoever cannot stand it should leave. He promised to pay attention to the wives but that

is if they stayed. Weird, it sound but that is life for some people. Adegoke is not alone in that peculiar culture. A popular musician in that town was speculated to be sleeping with his daughters before marrying them off. It was emphasised that he deflowered them. For those who run off without sleeping with him, they come back with a strange ailment or have a turbulent marriage. But the moment he has with them, everything becomes alright. According to Grace Essen, founder of mom-to- mom Support Initiative,the reason some mothers engage in such perversion with their sons are multi-faceted. She said it could be as a result of some deep rooted problems for which she has not found solutions to. She said that when a mother marries her own son, it is considered a taboo in our society, any way you look at it. " It is unheard of, and to a large extent, disgusting. But we must look at possible root causes of such acts. Why would a mother marry her own son? Some cases have been found to be by mistake, which when discovered, brought about an end to such marriages. But others are intentionally carried out in most cases by the women involved. Some have said that is their way of fighting back or defending themselves from cultures and traditions that are very harsh or considered not to be in their best interests. "For instance, when a widow is being forced to marry one of her husband's brothers and she is not sure what the fate of her children will be since her new husband will take over her late husband's estate; remember she might be prohibited from marrying anyone outside the family. So, she

PHOTO: WWW.GOSIPPME.COM

is forced to take the next convenient way out of the situation, which to her is to marry her son. She is aware she will be ridiculed for marrying her son, but she has made up her mind to live with it than marry any of her brothers-in-law. She may have been a victim of very abusive relationships whereby men treated her very badly which might also include the father of the son in question. In such situations, the son is likely to become the shoulder for her to cry on, and he might is some cases, stand up to defend her. So she begins to see him as different from other men who haven't treated her well. She has that trust that he will never hurt her, and so she holds firmly unto him because her fears and insecurities prevent her from seeking such relationship outside." She added, "While we might conclude in a hurry that some cases may be out of selfishness of the women involved, such as the case of the 40 year old woman in Zimbabwe who married her son, and at the time of the wedding was said to be six months pregnant for him. She was quoted to have said that she raised him alone after the death of her husband and so she had the right to his money and no other woman was entitled to it. But beneath the 'selfishness' lie insecurity and fear of being left on her own" According to pastor Timothy Egwuowu, it is abomination and satanic. He said both the fathers and mothers who commit the sacrilegious practice have gone against the instituted order of God. He referred to the Biblical injunction on marriage and incest. As far as he is concerned, those children’s lives and homes have been compromised. His advice is that they should all seek the face of God, ask for forgiveness and turn a new leaf.

BUSINESS Tuesday, September 9, 2014

What's news Why Nigerian airlines are insolvent Nobody actually knows the exact debt profile of Nigerian airlines, but there are indications that the carriers including those that are in existence and others that are now extinct, are indebted to the agencies, oil marketers, service providers and workers to the tune of N700 billion.

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Mixed reactions trail approved N485trn Infrastructure Plan Mixed reactions have trailed the N485 trillion 30-year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) approved for the country by the Federal Government.

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Nigeria records 40 unsold crude cargoes Buyers’ apathy has continued to grow for Nigeria's 1.86 million barrels per day crude transactions for October loading, as over 40 oil cargoes from the country are still lingering in the international oil market.

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Nigeria needs 170,000 MW of electricity The Nigeria’s electricity needs have exceeded 160, 000 Mega Watts (MW); the level it was in 2013, New Telegraph gathered at the weekend.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) Simeon Ogoegbulem, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) Godson ikoro , Asst. Editor (Money Market) DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor

INVESTOR CONFIDENCE Investors and their lenders that have pledged $18 billion investments are jittery Adeola Yusuf

he total collapse of Nigeria’s weak national electricity grid is imminent, New Telegraph investigations have revealed. The facility, which is cardinal to electricity mega watts (MW) storage and transmission, was built some decades ago and is in dare need of total overhaul. Although the Federal Government has privatized the generation and distribution strata of electricity as a result of the November 2013 handover of power assets to new owners, the grid is still under government’s control due to its ownership of all-important transmission system. The Federal Government is still engaged mainly in maintenance of the national grid, which is due for overhaul. A source at the Ministry of Power told this newspaper that the ministry is already aware of this development and its working hard to address it “before it gets out of hand.” Power investors and their lenders that have pledged $18 billion investments for the sector are also jittery over what the development portends for returns on their investments (RoI). The nation, it would be recalled, recorded systems collapse incidences on the 330-kV Nigerian National Grid in 2013. The source said that although the Federal Government had, last June, promised $16 billion investments for the grid and transmission upgrade, the banks and investors still perceive the national grid as catastrophe “waiting to happen” if government does not act fast. “The power investors and banks that bankrolled investments in the power sector have written letters, made several calls and courtesy visits on the minister (of power, Professor Chinedu Nebo), expressing concerns over this technical collapse waiting to happen. “The Bankers’ Committee comprising managing directors and top officials of the Central

CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor Abdulwahab Isa, Finance Editor KUNLE AZEEZ, Senior Correspondent Chuks Onuanyin, Energy Nnamdi Amadi, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

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Oil theft: Economy bleeds as Navy, IOCsblame game continues }p-37

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Collapse of national power grid looms Banks, power investors jittery over RoI FG plans $16bn network upgrade investments Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had also about three months ago, at a meeting with the power minister, expressed their fears over the national grid. “The minister has, there-

fore, assured them of on-going efforts to avoid this collapse,” the source said. Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo, who led the Bankers’ Committee del-

egation had, during the visit, outlined their concerns to include the seeming poor state of CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

L-R: Officer-in-charge, Port Health Services, Lagos, Emmanuel Onile; Director/Head, Dr. Morenike Alex-Okoh; Logistics Manager, Elizade Nigeria Limited, Banji Oladipupo and Chief Nursing Officer, Port Health Services, Lagos, Mrs Victoria Bolajoko, during the presentation of keys of vehicles and motorcycles procured by the Federal Government for surveillance activities at the nation's border for the containment of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), in Lagos.

High aviation fuel cost, supply crises linked to syndicates TWO DECADES Problem of high cost of aviation fuel had been on for two decades Wole Shadare

he crises rocking the supply of aviation fuel and the cost of the commodity could take some time to be

resolved as independent oil marketers have stopped supply to airlines that are heavily indebted to them. Airline operators in the country have continued to grapple with the scarcity of aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET A1. Until recently, Nigeria was one of the preferred destinations for refuelling because of the nation’s favourably competitive price of the commodity. But today, the product is more

expensive in Nigeria than any other oil-producing nation. An oil marketer, who spoke to New Telegraph on condition of anonymity, equally stated that the cost incurred from the activities of middlemen has further contributed to the skyrocketing price of aviation fuel. The source described the middlemen as airline operators, who are no longer operating but engage in aviation fuel CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE July 2014.................................8.3% June 2014................................8.2% May 2014....................................8%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Sept 05)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N168 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . . 11.57% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N290 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N228 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $39.65bn as at 4/09/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Sept 05)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N255.32 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N202.76 Source: CBN

26 business | news DANGER None of the nation’s airlines would scale NCAA's economic audit

Wole Shadare

obody actually knows the exact debt profile of Nigerian airlines, but there are indications that the carriers, including those that are in existence and others that are now extinct, are indebted to the agencies, oil marketers, service providers and workers to the tune of N700 billion. Virtually all the carriers owe their workers; a situation that made the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to threaten to ground defaulting airlines. The aviation regulatory body had, last week, through its spokesman, Fan Ndubuoke, decried the inability of the airlines to pay their workers. To him, the situation endangers air safety. This indebtedness of these carriers has fuelled speculations in some quarters as reasons for the frequent plane crashes that had been experienced in the country. The financial crisis of the industry is reflected in the point being canvassed in some quarters that none of the nation’s airlines would scale the economic audit planned by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA). Two big airlines by number of flights they operate and assets, were hugely indebted to the Asset Management Company (AMCOM) to the tune of N180 billion as at December last year. Their debts are staggering. Even the over N87 billion out of the N300 billion total package of bail-out fund given to the carriers by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has put them more in crisis rather than assist them. A few years back, government made cash available following complaints by the major airlines that the global

Why Nigerian airlines are insolvent –Investigation Carriers' debt hits N700bn

economic recession was having adverse effects on their operations as they were being bogged down by debts. Also, there were high interest rates, low working capital, absence of medium/ long-term funding, high custom duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), other taxes and high cost of maintenance. The carriers are usually confronted with huge challenges each time their aircraft are due for comprehensive checks such as the D and A checks. The C-Check is performed approximately every 15 to 21 months or a specific amount of actual Flight Hours (FH) as defined by the manufacturer. This maintenance check is much more extensive than a B Check, as the whole aircraft is inspected. This check puts the aircraft out of service and until it is completed, the aircraft must not leave the maintenance site. It costs about $1 million for a B737 and over $1.5 million on B767, B777, A330 and A340 aircraft types. The D-Check is, by far, the most comprehensive and demanding check for an airplane. It is also known as a Heavy Maintenance Visit (HMV). This check occurs approximately every five to six years. It is a check that, more or less, takes the entire airplane apart for inspection and overhaul. Also, if required, the paint may need to be completely removed for further inspection on the fuselage metal skin. Such a check will usually demand around 40,000 man-hours and it can generally take up to two months to complete, depending on the aircraft and the number of technicians involved. The cost of this check ranges between $2 million and $2.5 million according to aircraft maintenance engineers. Experts have argued that the

Collapse of power grid C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

the country’s power transmission network, the recurring obstacles in the supply of gas to power plants and the lack of intervention funds for banks that are supporting the sector. Nigerian banks heavily bankrolled the purchase of privatised electricity distribution companies and are keen to see due return for their investments. Government had promised to generate 10,000 mega watts through various efforts made to boost the generation and distribution, but the grid, which serves as the link between generation and distribution, lack the capacity to conserve the 10,000 MW. The minister of power, had earlier said that the National Economic Council (NEC) had given approval for the disbursement of $1.6 billion for the enhancement of the nation’s electricity transmission network. He said that the money is to be sourced from the proceeds

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

of the sale of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP). The minister also disclosed that $500 million from World Bank, $150 million from African Development Bank (AfDB), and $170 million from French Development Bank, are expected for power transmission upgrade, stressing that the ugly past of near total neglect of the power sector, would soon be redressed. Also, Nebo said that the ministry will do whatever it can to ensure that intervention funds are kept by the CBN to assist the lender who have lent to the electricity companies. In 2013, the government said that it earmarked $4 billion for construction and rehabilitation of power transmission infrastructure across the country. Vice-President Namadi Sambo said this when he received the Vice-President of the State Grid Corporation of China, Mr Cheng Wei, at the State House, Abuja.

insolvency of the airlines has led to insinuations of cornercutting in the maintenance of their aircraft.

More airlines are expected to receive the same pill following disclosure from a source in NCAA that “many of the airlines are in a financial bad shape.’’ President, Sabre Network,

West Africa, a United States (US)-based airline global distribution system, Gabriel Gbenga Olowo, said that not a single Nigerian airline was liquid, stressing that working capital was permanently inadequate.

L-R: Head Teacher, St, John's Primary School, Adewale Oladele; CSR Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Chinda Manjor and Community leader, Oke-Agbo, Mr Olu Azeez, at the Airtel-adopted St. John's Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State

Mixed reactions trail approved N485trn Infrastructure Plan FUNDING TASK There is anxiety over funding challenge to see the plan through

Dayo Ayeyemi

ixed reactions have trailed the N485 trillion 30-year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) approved for the country by the Federal Government. The approved document, which is to serve as a blueprint for accelerated integrated infrastructure development in the country from 2014 to 2043 was endorsed at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last week. Since the approval, construction experts have continued to express divergent views on the document. While some described it as

“laudable and a right step in the right direction,” others expressed pessimism about its implementation, pointing out that dearth of appropriate funding may act as obstacle. Speaking exclusively to New Telegraph, Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Lagos State branch, Mr Stephen Jagun, described the initiative as “a welcome development if the present government and future leaders are committed to its implementation.” He lamented the dilapidating state of infrastructure development of the country, blaming it on lack of continuity in government. He said: “It is unfortunate that we have so far had a crop of leaders who want to carry out projects that has their names on it. They see nothing good in what their predecessors have done, even when they are from the same party.” He urged urgent implemen-

tation of the new document for economic development of the country. Infrastructure Master Plan is a comprehensive plan for the infrastructural development of a region, city or nation. It is a document which presents the amenity and infrastructural blueprint of a region for the optimum functionality of the entire region, usually showing the current and the future condition. Immediate past president of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and a member of the committee that drafted the document, Mr Chucks Omeife, foresees the challenge of funding, but enjoined government to seek various innovative infrastructural development funding options for the plan’s implementation. He said: “Government can definitely exploit these opportunities like public-private partnership (PPP) and built operate and transfer (BOT)."

High aviation fuel cost linked to syndicates C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

deals through the established marketers. Currently, JET A1 price oscillate between N175 and N195 per litre depending on the airport of purchase and the volume to be bought. According to the source, “some airlines are not operating, but have good credit line with fuel marketers; they resell the product as a secondary dis-

tributor to some of the operating airlines in the country.” Over the years, airline operators have decried the situation whereby aviation fuel gulps about 35 per cent of their earnings and have, at different occasions, urged government to intervene in the matter. As a consequence, however, there have been reports of passengers being left stranded at virtually all airports in the country. There were even cases of outright cancellation

of flights to the consternation of passengers, who had no inkling of the wrangling between airline operators and aviation fuel marketers. The passengers were simply told that flights were being delayed due to operational reasons. Speaking on the issue, President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Capt. Dele Ore, noted that the problem of high cost of aviation fuel had been with the industry for over two decades.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

PRESSURE Country’s crude differentials remained under pressure and cargoes slow to trade Stories by Adeola Yusuf

uyers’ apathy has continued to grow for Nigeria's 1.86 million barrels per day crude transactions for October loading, as over 40 oil cargoes from the country are still lingering in the international oil market. Reuters had earlier reported that buyers were giving preference for Angola oil and this may signal another round of trouble for Nigeria, which is yet to overcome the lost of United States (US) crude market. The US, which was hitherto the biggest consumer of Nigeria's crude with over 1 million barrels per day importation of crude from the country, has cut down over 900, 000 barrels per day imports from Nigeria. The country is also planning a total stoppage of importation from Nigeria by 2020. Meanwhile, around twothirds of the 63 cargoes for October loading are still looking for buyers, the Reuters said quoting traders-sources. Nigeria is scheduled to export about 1.86 million barrels per day of crude in October, according to loading schedules. Nigeria depends largely on proceeds from crude to service over 85 per cent of its budget. The country’s crude differentials remained under pressure and cargoes slow to trade. An ample supply of light, sweet crude in the Atlantic Basin is weighing on the market. "There's plenty of oil around," a trader said. Qua Iboe oil grade's offers heard to be between dated Brent plus $1.90 to $2.10, depending on

Crude cargoes

Nigeria records 40 unsold crude cargoes dates. But traders said cargoes were more likely to trade closer to dated Brent plus $1, in line with the previous month's deals. Meanwhile, the bulk of Angola's crude oil cargoes for October loading have been sold, traders said, while business remained somewhat slower in the Nigerian

market. Around 10 of Angola's 55 cargoes are unsold, traders said, down from around 15 two days ago. More favourable refining margins and cracks compared to the September trading cycle have encouraged buying, particularly of heavier grades.

Unipec has bought some cargoes in the last few days, including a Mondo and a Cabinda, a trader said. Cabinda's last heard on offer at dated Brent minus $2.00 and traded below that. The Dalia crude grade from the country is around three cargoes still available and offered at

around dated Brent minus $3.00, a trader said. Most heavier grades have cleared, including Saturno, Pazflor and CLOV. In the main time, Pertamina, which had been expected to award a tender for November-arriving cargoes on Monday, has reissued the tender, a trader said.

How power generation hits 4,044 MW –Nebo SUSTAINABILITY The federal government has said that it would ensure sustainable gas supply to ensure steady power supply in the country

lectricity generation in Nigeria has hit a two-year high of 4,044 megawatts (MW). The last time the country generated power at this level was in 2013. Although this new high is still below the peak generation level achieved two years ago, the minister of power Professor Chinedu Nebo, who gave this figure maintained that stakeholders would sustain the tempo and improve on it.

The country’s power generation capacity currently stands at 6,000 MWs and is expected to grow to 40,000 MW by 2020. Speaking on the attainment of the current feat, the special assistant to Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Mr. Frank Edozien said it was due to the combined efforts of the government and the private sector. He promised that the parties involved in the power business would sustain the tempo and improve on it. “The government has put in place short-term measures that would ensure steady power supply to the power plants for the generation of electricity,” he said, adding that there are also efforts to bring about sustainable gas supply so as to ensure steady power supply in the country. However, Nigeria’s electricity generation is still below its peak generation level of about 4,517.6 MWs recorded in De-

cember, 2012, which industry analysts say, could be met and surpassed in no distant time if the upward trend continues. Inefficient power supply has been Nigeria’s greatest economic bane, but the tide seems to be turning for the better with massive investments in the sector through public private partnerships. Meanwhile, to further boost the initiative, the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has strengthened the power sector reform by privatising the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Analysts are however, quick to point out that Nigeria’s quest to become one of the 20th economies in the world may as well be a mirage without stable electricity supply. They say that stable electricity supply will reduce the cost of manufacturing and services; boost investment and employ-

Nebo

ment, among others. However, in spite of its importance, efforts to guarantee sustainable stability in the power supply chain have remained elusive despite huge

investments in the sector by successive administrations since independence. For instance, available records showed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government spent over $3 billion on its National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) as at 2007. This, according to Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, the Chairman, Joint Transaction Technical Committee, is out of the over $10 billion earmarked for the NIPP. Suswan said that the amount was also inclusive of the $2 billion Federal Government’s counterpart funding for Mambilla Hydro Power project and the $1.4 billion set aside for additional nine turbines plants. At the moment, four of the projects, which on completion would generate 4,774 megawahts, had been completed, while six others are at 80 to 90 per cent completion.

28 business | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Nigeria needs 170,000 MW of electricity–Report HUMAN CAPITAL Shortage of manpower hits power sector

1 million head of population. It states: “Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Its population currently stands at about 150 million people and is expected to grow to 230 million

by 2030. “The rule of thumb for any developed industrial nation is that at least 1 gigawatt (i.e. 1,000 megawatts) of electricity generation and consumption is re-

quired for every 1 million head of population.” The above, it added, “shows that Nigeria’s power supply of 2,500-4,000 mw is grossly inadequate to serve the population.

Adeola Yusuf

he Nigeria’s electricity needs have exceeded 160, 000 Mega Watts (MW); the level it was in 2013, New Telegraph gathered at the weekend. A report obtained by this newspaper showed that the country now needs 170, 000 Mega watts of electricity to meet the needs of its growing population. This came as it was also gathered that the power sector is also in shortage of 4,000 craftsmen, technicians and cable jointers. Nigeria is still generating between 3, 000-3, 500 Mega Watts (MW) for its 170 million population. The report however, showed that the country needs 160, 000 MW to meet its electricity development indices. Over 120 million Nigerians are yet to have electricity connection from the national grid, according to the minister of power, Professor Chinedu Nebo. The report, which is publish based on the rule of thumb for developed industrial nation, states that at least 1 gigawatt (i.e. 1,000 megawatts) of electricity generation and consumption is required for every

Power installation

Labour decries quota abuse by foreign firms REAPPRAISAL Civil engineers seek reappraisal of expatriate quota law Adeola Yusuf

abour union has decried the abuse of expatriate quota by foreign companies operating in Nigeria. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter of crude, has the highest number of expatriates in its oil and gas industry. The union of engineers particularly condemned the Asians and Chinese, who brought expatriates to take over Nigerian jobs, saying it is against the Nigerian Content Development, NCD, Act. Rising under the auspices of the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction Furniture and Wood Workers, NUCECFWW, the union called on Federal Government to reappraise the existing law guiding expatriate quota to create employment opportunity for the teeming Nigerian youths. In a communiqué signed by President General, Comrade Amechi Asugwuni and the General Secretary, Comrade Babatunde Liadi, the union said: “Therefore the NEC-in-session call on the necessary organ of Government to review the

process of granting expatriate permit through proper synchronization as well as ensuring that expatriate quota are not abused.” The union’s NEC demanded for a properly reconstituted inter-ministerial department and agency committee that will co-opt labour unions in recommending and approving expatriate registration. They also re-affirmed workers inalienable rights to belong to the union of their choice in accordance with the laws of the land and ILO Conventions, which had already been domesticated in Nigeria. As such, it charged the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity not to allow employer to scuttle processes

and ensure prompt implementation of award against the employers. The union at its National Executive Council, NEC decried the expatriate quota abuse by foreign companies especially Asians and Chinese who brought expatriates to take over Nigerian jobs, saying “it is against the Nigerian Content Development, NCD, Act.” The communiqué was issued at the end of the NEC Meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, where members called on the necessary organ of government to review the process of granting expatriate permit through proper synchronisation as well as ensuring that expatriate quota is not abused. The meeting however, com-

mended the alertness of the Union in monitoring of employers compliance with best industrial relations practices in the industry, noting that it has helped to reduce friction between the union and employer, put management on their toes, facilitate alertness and make both the Government and employers to appreciate the need to be proactive in nipping issues in the bud. The union, which condemned the state of casualisation and contract staffing in the country, also resolved that any employment model or policy that is found to be deceptively exploitative with the tendency to degrade jobs or weakening the union, will be strongly resisted.

OER cuts debt by $98m, converts loan to equity

ando Energy Resources Incorporated has said that it had reduced its debt by $98 million after it converted its loan to equity. The company focused on oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria, which said in a statement on its website said, that it is “pleased to announce the conversion to equity of principal and interest in the amount of US$ 98 million, outstanding under the US$ 1.2 billion facility agreement dated 10 February, 2014 with Oando Plc (the “Oan-

do Loan“) (the “Conversion“).” The “US$ 41 million of principal remains outstanding under the Oando Loan and an aggregate principal amount of approximately US$ 292 million remains available to be drawn under the Oando Loan,” the company said. It added: “OER has issued 68,144,115 units (the “Units”) to Oando Resources Limited (“Oando Resources”), a subsidiary of Oando Plc, as repayment of amounts outstanding under the Oando Loan at a conversion

price of C$1.57 per Unit. “Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a “Common Share”) and one-half of one warrant to purchase an additional Common Share at a price of CAD$ 2.00 per Common Share (each whole common share purchase warrant being a “Warrant”) up until 30 July 2016, a 24 month period from which the Company closed the acquisition of the Nigerian upstream oil and gas business of ConocoPhillips.

Ideal level is 160,000-170, 000 MW. “Hence the privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to allow for the required massive private sector investment. “The electricity customers in Nigeria are now about 4 million people but the current Average Daily Power available per hour is less than 3 hours. Whereas the federal government of Nigeria (FGN’s) targeted 2020 Energy Available is 20,000 MW.” Meanwhile, Director General of NAPTIN, Reuben Okeke, has said that about 4,000 craftsmen, technicians and cable jointers have to be trained to man the power sector. Okeke added that cases where wrong electrical materials are used to wire houses by quacks have led to increase in fire outbreaks. Vice-President of the State Grid Corporation of China, Mr Cheng Wei, during a recent visit to Vice-President Namadi Sambo in Abuja, had stated that the company company planned to provide training for staff on manufacture and installation of electrical equipment. He said the State Grid of China Corporation has an annual revenue base of about 300 billion dollars and intends to set up a company that will fabricate and eventually manufacture electrical equipment. “The company is proud of its place in the provision of ultra high voltage technology, Power Grid Construction Field and Transmission,’’ he added. Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulating Commission (NERC) Sam Amadi, had stated at one of the monthly meeting with new owners/ operators to identify issues on power and the challenges being faced by the new owners, that as the regulator, it has to keep abreast with the activities of the new power company owners. He said that the Commission in collaboration with the CEOs agreed to engage the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) in a bid to find a lasting solution to the problem of gas availability for power plants. According to him, “We continue to encourage them to have better negotiation with the gas suppliers so that they can be provided with gas to run their plants”. Amadi stated that the Commission was very much aware that the CEOs are faced with several challenges, having inherited several problems but assured that the stakeholders in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) are committed to improvements, not only in the short run, but for a sustainable long term. He also conveyed a presidential directive on metering of all residential areas, government offices and buildings in a bid to resolve the backlog of outstanding payment. He said the government had approved the deduction at source of all payments due to distribution companies. The deduction will be made from the budgetary allocation of defaulting government ministries, parastatals and agencies.

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

The Nigerian Navy opened a can of worms on crude theft last Thursday as it accused the international oil companies (IOCs) of complicity in high-scale theft of crude in Nigeria. ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf reports that the economic sabotage needs more than lips service.

Oil theft: Economy bleeds as Navy, IOCs blame game continues dress the pressing issue some months ago. Olubiyi said that the men of Nigerian Navy were involved in securing the operations of the oil firm in the Niger Delta and Lagos. He said: “I want to assure you that concerning oil theft, we have taken a lot of steps. That is why in the last couple of months, an ad hoc committee was set up by the Federal Government to look into this and I am aware that some monies have been released to help curtail this situation. “We will continue to advocate for a true platform and as you are aware, we have a number of your officers and men that have been supporting our operations in the Delta including Lagos. "They have been very professional in the way and manner they carry out this operation and together with CNS, I am sure we will all be able to work to ensure that, we mitigate this very unfortunate situation in our country today.”

hief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin took all the chief executive officers of the IOCs in Nigeria by surprise last Thursday. Seven-and-a-half months after he resumed office, Jibrin had called all the oil firms' chiefs to a meeting in Abuja where he pointed accusing finger at them and their representatives for being involved in the high scale theft of the nation’s crude oil. Before this expose by the Naval Chief, the London-based Chatham House had, in 2013, declared that the will by the Federal Government, IOCs and other authorities to curb crude theft in Nigeria’s multi-billion dollars oil and gas industry is doubtful. The global financial reputation firm, which stated this in a report, also disclosed that Nigeria’s oil transactions attract many shadowy middlemen, which make them have semblance with the transactions for stolen crude. In what looks like an attempt to guide his head from being used to break the proverbial coconut, the Naval boss declared that the Navy would not pretend about the involvement of the oil companies in the crude oil theft. Jibrin made it clear that the MD/ CEOs should attend the meeting in person without representation because of the need to discuss the issues. His request to meet with them personally was, however, disregarded. FG, IOCs in complex criminal web In the 70-page report, entitled: “Nigeria’s Criminal Crude,” the Chatham House expressed serious “doubts whether anyone capable of curbing it really has the will to do so,” because “the web of beneficiaries of oil theft makes it difficult to stop.” The Nigeria’s supposedly legitimate oil sales business is, according to the report, murky itself, with almost all its crude oil exports sold through traders, a unique system among oil exporting countries. “Lines between legal and illegal supplies of Nigerian oil can be blurry. The government’s system for selling its own oil attracts many shadowy middlemen, creating a confusing, high-risk marketplace,” the report said. While oil majors like Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni are often the first to complain about theft, the Chatham House noted that it “is unclear how much they are losing from it. A measure of acceptable losses may be keeping them from taking determined preventive action, the report said. Oil firms do not pay royalties on stolen oil.” It continued: “Nigerian crude oil is being stolen on an industrial scale. Proceeds are laundered through world financial centers and used to buy assets in and outside Nigeria.” The report had earlier hinted that the proceeds from oil theft in Nigeria may be used to fund politics ahead the 2015 elections, indicting high-level politicians and military officials in what it called “a complex criminal web that includes foreign oil traders, shippers, bankers and refiners.”

Alision-Madueke

This, the reports noted, is one of the reasons for inability of government to record any high-level of convictions. Their modus operandi The Naval chief said that some of the oil firms had deliberately left the manifolds of their oil wells open for years without any conscious efforts to close them in spite of the fact that only experts had the capacity to reopen closed manifolds. He presaged that the Navy would ensure the arrest of operators of oil firms who decided to leave the manifolds of their oil wells open for years without closing them. Jibrin also threatened to deal with any Naval officer found to have been involved in the criminal theft of the nation’s oil resources in accordance with the laws guiding the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He warned that the Navy would go beyond accusing the firms to mentioning names of stakeholders suspected to be involved in the theft of the nation’s resources. The Naval boss wondered why the oil chiefs had not given the expected cooperation in the bid to seek a concerted solution to the raging issue of oil theft. He said that the time had come for the oil firms and the security agencies to seek the solutions to the issue of oil theft in the country. Jibrin said: “We have a serious challenge and we need the commitment of the CEOs to discuss in regards to oil theft. It has become worrisome that we have not been able to check the issue of oil well. It has gotten to a point that instead of pointing accusing fingers we will m ention names including the major stakeholders. “We cannot pretend that the oil companies do no not have a hand in some of these illegalities; pretending is to allow it to continue. "We will not pretend. I can start by citing some examples; for some companies that their oil wells are open for years and have done nothing to close them up… Because of the technical nature of the manifolds, once they are closed, only the experts can open them. "Why have they been left opened for years? “I have pictures here, I can pass

London-based Chatham House has in 2013 declared that the will by the Federal Government, international oil companies (IOCs) and other authorities to curb crude theft in Nigeria’s multi-billion dollars oil and gas industry is doubtful it round for you to have a look at them. Why is it that all of us cannot sit down at a roundtable and provide a solution? "Why are we denting the image of this country? It has come to a point that we would meet, discuss and provide solution to issues pertaining to oil theft. “Government is worried and those of us that are agents of government are also worried. On my part, if any of my personnel is involved, they will be dealt adequately in accordance to the existing law of the Armed Forces. “I have decided that I will take some steps that if the manifolds are left open for years and our attention is drawn to the need for it to be closed, the oil company who owns it and left it without taken appropriate actions, we can look for them and start arresting them.” He said that the government was taking the issue of oil theft seriously because of the loss of revenue and the inimical effect of oil theft on the environment. IOCs’ defense Speaking on behalf of the IOCs, the Chairman of the Oil Producer Trading Services, Mr. Ayobami Olubiyi, said that the companies had also taken steps to curb the threat of oil theft. He recalled that the Federal Government set up an ad hoc committee on the issue with some funds released to ad-

The economy bleeds Nigeria losses $9 billion to pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta every month. The Minister of Petroleum resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke who said this in a presentation at the CERAWeek in Houston, United States of America, maintained that the loss to oil theft in the past three years has been as high as 100,000 to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd). Global estimates are that each month, pipeline oil theft is as much as $1.5 billion but the minister claimed that about 3000, 000 barrels of oil, which sells for over $100 per barrel, are stolen daily from the Niger Delta in the last three years. She said: “In Nigeria alone, oil theft in the past three years has been as high as 100,000 to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd). Enormous environmental risks and damage from spillage add to the costs. Theft and piracy require regional, continental and global coordination to track illegal money from crude oil theft.” Meanwhile, the Chatham House report named the United States, Britain, Dubai, Indonesia, India, Singapore and Switzerland as likely money-laundering hotspots, and the United States, Brazil, China, Thailand, Indonesia and the Balkans as the most likely destination for stolen oil. Stolen Nigerian oil worth billions of dollars is sold every year on international markets and much of the proceeds are laundered in world financial centers like Britain and the United States. An estimated 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil was stolen from pipelines in the Niger Delta in the first quarter of this year, the report by London-based Chatham House said, not including the unknown quantities stolen from export terminals. The theft amounts to around 5 percent of Nigeria’s current 2 million bpd production but has a wider impact because oil companies are often forced to shut down pipelines due to damage caused by thieves. Nigeria is producing 400,000 bpd below its capacity, mainly due to theft and pipeline closures. The activity costs Africa’s second biggest economy an estimated $5 billion a year in potential revenue. Last line The Federal Government should probe the allegation raised by the Chief of Naval Staff. This will make many pessimists who believed the government is not serious about its fight against crude theft to have a change of mind.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

DREARY ATTITUDE NUPENG has flayed the alleged refusal of oil ministry and NNPC to act on its petitions Adeola Yusuf

il workers have tasked President Goodluck Jonathan to set up a high-powered probe into what they called scandalous sale and distribution of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) otherwise known as kerosene in the country. Rising under the auspices of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the workers alleged that some powerful individuals are feeding fat on the subsidy on kerosene to the detriment of the masses. NUPENG’s President, Comrade Igwe Achese, who said this in a statement, maintained that the ministry of Petroleum Resources and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), had refused to act despite several petitions. He said: “Today there is crisis because DPK (Kerosene) is being subsidized by the Nigerian government and everybody is running away from AGO (diesel) because AGO is already deregulated. As we speak, NNPC is the sole importer of DPK. “Looking at the production capacities of our refineries; the Port Harcourt refinery, the Warri Refinery and Kaduna Refinery, you know very well that there is a huge shortage in terms of supply while demand is increasing daily. “I am calling for investigations because we have gotten to a level where things must be unfolded for the world to know what is happening. NUPENG is also looking at a situation where this can be done right. Investigations have shown that Nigerians are among the highest owners of private jets in the world, but we are still suffering because of the uneven distribution of God-given wealth and resources we have today. “Why are some of the filling stations that sell DPK moribund? It is because they no longer receive products. We have reports that marketers are suffering because their fund is tied down at NNPC for the past two or three years because they have not been given allocations. If you see drafts lying in NNPC, they run into millions or billions of naira.” The scandal, he said, is perpetrated thus; “Marketers will put in drafts and submit to NNPC, and at the end of the day, these drafts will be lying idle in NNPC, unattended to. For two or more years, the marketers will not receive products to distribute. “You ask the question, has NIPCO been receiving products? Has IPMAN been receiving DPK as expected from NNPC? The answer is yes, and at what rate? They get the product at less than N45.00. How much do they sell this product? Go and find out. “Is NIPCO or IPMAN being paid subsidy as the case maybe, and the answer is yes. We need to look at this issue. Yes, we ap-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Oil workers to president: Probe scandals in kerosene distribution preciate those who work hard and who God has also blessed in their efforts to be what they are today. “I cherish these individuals. But we must expose those who corruptly enriched themselves to the detriment of the majority of Nigerians. Until we get to that level, it will be difficult to correct a lot of abnormalities in that sector. The question is, who is supposed to clear this mess and move the sector forward? It is the Ministry of Petroleum be-

cause it is its responsibility. By the Act that established NNPC, it is its responsibility to look into this issue. “We have been asking for opportunity to meet with the Minister of Petroleum to let her know these issues, and ways we can overcome them, but it has been very difficult. We know President Jonathan cannot follow up all that are going on; he can only follow up on information given to him by top government functionaries.”

Noting that the responsibility of giving him the necessary information falls on the minister, the Union asked: “Where do we have huge corruption today? It is in oil and gas. In terms of divestments, corruption, in terms of those who buy the oil blocks, corruption, in terms of those who come to invest in the sector, corruption, in terms of the processes and others, there is corruption everywhere. “Most of these marketers take DPK outside the country. Even when they are imported by

Nigerians, and brought into our storage facilities in Nigeria before you know they are taken out of this country. These products are being recycled. Nigeria is so corrupt in this issue of the oil and gas sector, especially in the downstream. Government must see the challenges in the sector, like the way they view insurgency in the country. “The Government must take the stance and understand that the sector must be restructured.”

Fuel tankers

N500m alleged scam tears Ogun IPMAN apart FRAUD The newly elected Chairman of IPMAN has accused past leaders of misappropriating N500m Adeola Yusuf

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Mosimi depot, Sagamu, Ogun state, is in disarray following a missing N500 million from the covers of the association. The new executive of the association has threatened to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged missing funds from the association’s account. This has set the executive at daggers-drawn with the immediate-past executive, under, which the money allegedly got missing. The newly elected Chairman of the association, Adeleke Dada, had disclosed shortly after the inauguration of the new executive members of the association in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, that the association lost about N500 million during the last administration.

This alleged fraud, he claimed, was perpetrated with what he called unnecessary levies collected by the past leaders. But, in a swift reaction, the former Public Relations Officer of the association, Peter Awosanya cautioned the new leaders against the action. Awosanya who described the move to invite EFCC as a welcome development, however, advised the new leadership to tread softly, saying, there is need to allow peace to reign. Dada said the past leaders misappropriated about N500 million during their tenure because they made about N10 million per month from all of

the unnecessary levies, which are illegal collection that were not accounted for. “We are going to call on the EFCC to probe them because they embezzled the unnecessary levies that were paid to them,” he said. Continuing, the new Chairman also alleged the last administration was responsible for the hike in the price of fuel in the state. “During the fuel scarcity period, government did not increase the price of petroleum, it was their administration that increased the price in their own capacity to the rate of N110 per litre, which is very wrong, the

government didn’t tell them to increase it. “We had enough of the product in Mosimi depot, so, whenever there is scarcity, they used that opportunity to hike the fuel price so as to enrich their pockets, which was not good on the masses,” Dada said. He, however, promised that the newly elected officers will put an end to the atrocities done by the last administration. “Now that we are on board, there will be a lot of differences because we will have to sanitise the whole system. People have been denied a lot of things, which we are ready to put in the right place.

US Court may slam billion dollars fine on BP

P Plc was ‘grossly negligent’ for its role in the 2010 spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a US district judge has said in a ruling that could add billions of dollars in fines to the more than $42 billion in charges taken so far for the worst offshore disaster in US history. Shares of BP traded in the United States fell 5 per cent, or $2.40, to $45.31, eroding about $8.8 billion of its market value. "The Court concludes that the discharge of oil 'was the result of gross negligence or will-

ful misconduct' by BP, said the ruling from US District Judge Carl Barbier in New Orleans. BP said it would appeal the ruling. The company was already forced to shrink by selling assets to pay for the cleanup of the disaster aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig that killed 11 workers and spewed millions of barrels of oil for 87 days after the blast. "Obviously the market's not taken it well and it was a little bit unexpected but you

would expect BP to appeal the level of the fines, the decision made," said TJM Partners head of trading Manoj Ladwa said in London. "It is a shortterm concern; longer term BP are cash generative and I'm sure they'll have the funds to pay for this." Barbier has yet to assign damages from the spill under the federal Clean Water Act. Previous calculations by Reuters have shown fines could run to $17.6 billion in the costliest scenario.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

CONCERNS The increasing incidence of fissures among officers and men of state security agencies is worrisome

Labour to IG: Probe police role in pipeline vandalism

Adeola Yusuf

rade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has called on the Acting Inspector General of Police to expose officer that are allegedly conniving with pipeline vandals. The congress, which said this in a statement, also expressed concern over the increasing role of some unscrupulous men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF), in the pipeline vandalism. The statement signed by TUC President and Secretary General, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Barrister Musa Lawal, TUC said: “The increasing incidence of fissures among officers and men of state security agencies is worrisome. “The latest incident involving officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, was reported to have happened at Owutu area of Ikorodu where a committee that included the Commandant General of the Corps, Mr. Ade Abolurin, and his men along with officers of the Nigerian Army, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, Office of Attorney General of the Federation, and some other persons, was said to have been on an inspection-and-assessment tour of disposable forfeited items, only to find themselves being threatened at gun-point by a police inspector and his men who claimed the territory was theirs. “We feel particularly concerned because we believe that the presence of security operatives at such a trouble spot, irrespective of their respective agencies, should boost efforts to secure the nation’s pipelines from vandals. “Unfortunately the contrary appears to be the case, and one wonders if security operatives are meant to shield the vandals. Or what else are we to make of a situation where officers of a particular security arm confront those from other arms in such spots and tell them that they are encroaching into “their territory? “If their motives were right, should those antagonistic policemen not have welcomed the presence of officers who came from sister agencies to offer assistance in checking the activities of pipeline vandals and oil thieves?” They noted that Nigeria is today facing serious security challenges that have led to mass destruction of lives and property, a situation that has been accentuated by proliferation of arms and ammunition with the connivance of a few misguided security operatives. The Union said: “Surely it is unacceptable that the genuine efforts of the government and patriotic security operatives who stake their lives and resources to protect us and our

Vandalised oil pipeline

economic interests should be sabotaged by the fifth columnists. Thus, we salute the courage and forthrightness of Mr. Abolurin and his men who, notwithstanding the threat to their lives, arrested some vandals and oil thieves in possession of several gallons of petroleum products loaded in two Cotonou-bound boats. “The Congress implores

the new Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, to call his erring officers to order and ensure that they conform to the government’s agenda on security and economic transformation. This is not the first time such breaches as occasioned by the likes of the aforementioned police inspector and his men have been known to happen.

“For instance in 2013 two men of the anti-pipeline vandalisation squad of the Lagos State Command of NSCDC, namely Messrs. AIC Gabriel Adaji and IC Innocent Akegbe, were killed by policemen in similar questionable circumstances. “We vehemently insist that no policeman or other security officer has any right to

shoot or even point a gun at another who has not violated any law of the land. Any act to the contrary must be checked, as it is criminal and portends grave implications for the society. And all culprits should be promptly apprehended and punished to deter others from treading the same unholy path. A stitch in time saves nine.”

Corruption: Indonesian energy minister Jero ‘quits’ JAIL The ongoing KPK probe has led to the conviction and seven years jail term for former regulator chief Rudi Rubiandini.

ndonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jero Wacik, has resigned in the

wake of being named a suspect in a corruption probe, according to a report. Jero’s resignation was expected after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him as a suspect in relation to his role in a number of alleged cases of graft. The minister submitted his resignation to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono last Friday, local newspaper Jakarta Globe reported.

The paper cited another minister as saying Jero’s resignation had been accepted and the hunt is on to appoint an interim minister. Jero has not, however, given up his position in the ruling Democratic Party, the report stated. The ongoing KPK probe is focused on the Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas regulator SKKMigas, and has already led to the conviction and jailing for seven years of former

regulator chief Rudi Rubiandini. Jero’s number two at the ministry, secretary general Waryono Karno, was also arrested after $200,000 cash was found in his office. Upstream last November reported that the minister was questioned by the KPK in the wake of the Kernel Oil oil trading graft scandal that implicated the upstream regulator and staff in the ministry, although Jero has always maintained his innocence.

Shell makes Utica gas find in Pennsylvania hell has announced new disSwithin covery wells (Neal and Gee) the Utica formation in

Tioga County, Pennsylvania, USA. These wells were drilled to a total measured depth of approximately 14,500 and 15,500 feet (4,420 and 4,724 meters) with lateral lengths of 3,100 feet (945 metes) at Gee and 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) at Neal, respectively. These results are comparable to the best publicly announced thus

far in the emerging Southeast Ohio Utica dry gas play. The Gee and Neal discovery wells extend the sweet spot of the Utica formation beyond Southeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, where previous discoveries have been located, and into an area where Shell holds a major leasehold position of approximately 430,000 acres. The Gee well was drilled over 100 miles to the northeast of the nearest horizontal Utica producer, and had an

initial flowback rate of 11.2 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. Gee has been on production for nearly one year. Shell began production of the Neal well in February, with observed peak flowback rates of 26.5 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. “This successful discovery is the result of solid technical work in our onshore business” said Marvin Odum, Shell’s Upstream Americas director. “Last year, we refocused our

resources plays strategy to select fewer plays with specific scale and economic characteristics to best suit our portfolio. The Appalachian basin is one of those areas, and these two high-pressure wells both exhibit exceptional reservoir quality.” Shell is currently awaiting results from four additional Utica wells drilled in Tioga County, and anticipates those wells will produce later this year.

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Nigeria’s Q2 crude production hits one-year high OUTPUT HIGH Nigeria has led crude output from the OPEC to a one-year high in August Adeola Yusuf

he Nigeria’s crude production has hit 2.21 million barrels per day in the second quarter of this year, the highest level in one year. The statistics office, which gave this new production data said that this new oil production high has also contributed to the 6.54 per cent growth, which the country’s economy recorded in the same quarter. It also said crude oil produc-

Country now produces 2.21m barrels per day tion hit 2.21 million barrels per day in the second quarter, up from 2.11 million barrels per day in the corresponding period a year ago.” Nigeria's economy grew 6.54 percent in the second quarter, up from 5.40 percent in the same period of last year, the statistics office said last Sunday. Meanwhile, the surging oil production in Nigeria led output from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to a one-year high in August, a Bloomberg survey showed. Production by the 12-member OPEC rose by 891,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 31.033 million, according to the survey of oil companies, producers and analysts.

Last month’s total was revised 80,000 bpd lower to 30.142 million because of changes to the Nigerian and Iranian estimates. Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Angola led gains as new deposits came online, security improved and field maintenance programmes ended. Iran and Venezuela were the only members to record production declines this month. Nigeria’ production climbed 380,000 bpd to 2.3 million in August, the most since January 2006. It was the biggest onemonth gain in data going back to 1989. Output is often disrupted by unrest in the Niger Delta, the country’s main oil-producing region, leading companies to declare force majeure, a legal

step that protects them from liability when they can’t fulfill a contract for reasons beyond their control. “A lot of force majeures have in Nigeria expired,” Amrita Sen, chief oil market analyst for Energy Aspects Ltd. in London, said by phone. “There were no real disruptions this month, which in the case of Nigeria is a big deal.” On August 5, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) started oil production from the first well at the Bonga North West deep-water development off the Nigerian coast. The Bonga project, which began producing oil and gas in 2005, was Nigeria’s first deep-water development in

water depths over 1,000 metres. Bonga North West represents a significant step forward for the project. Oil from the Bonga North West sub-sea facilities is transported by a new undersea pipeline to the existing Bonga floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) export facility. The Bonga FPSO has been upgraded to handle the additional oil flow from Bonga North West which, at peak production, is expected to contribute 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, helping to maintain the facility’s overall output. Saudi Arabia, the group’s biggest producer, bolstered output by 160,000 bpd to 9.98 million, the highest level since September, when the desert kingdom pumped 10 million.

SEPLAT donates to ebola eradication effort

Oil barrels

Work on $533m Kariba South extension gets underway BUDGET The project is probably the cheapest possible addition to Zimbabwe’s generating capacity at US$1,78 a watt

ariba South Extension has been a long time in the planning, the first studies by consultants being made in the early 1980s; but now work has started to add 300MW bringing the station up to 1050MW. The budgeted cost, US$533 million, is probably the cheapest possible addition to Zimbabwe’s generating capacity at US$1,78 a watt and now that Zesa’s problems of getting customers to pay have been solved, largely through the installation of pre-paid meters, servicing and repaying the loans required for the extension are not going to be difficult.

With the shortages in Zimbabwe, the extra electricity will be sold. This is no doubt why China, which is lending US$320 million, and development finance institutions, which are lending the balance, were not worried about the security of the loans. Kariba South Extension, when commissioned, will give Zesa vitally needed flexibility and help it meet the demand at peak periods. It will not add to the energy capacity of Zimbabwe’s generation since all the water allocated to Zesa at Kariba is already being used and so flows can only be reallocated; but it will allow Zesa to, after decades of using Kariba South as a base-load station, to use it as a hydro station is supposed to be used, to meet surges in demand very quickly and cheaply. Zesa will be able to push output at peak periods and cut back at slack times, like the middle of the night when it now actually has a surplus of capacity.

But as Zim-Asset kicks in and rapid economic growth resumes, Zesa will need more generating capacity to meet the rising base load, which is why the other project that is quick to implement, the extension on Hwange Thermal, now needs to be moved up the priority ladder. As President Mugabe noted, when he presided over the ground-breaking ceremony at Kariba this week, there are other schemes that can add to Zimbabwe’s capacity using a lot of existing infrastructure. Small hydro schemes can be installed at several existing dams and can add another 500MW of total capacity; each scheme might be small but together they can make a huge difference. Since these schemes largely use existing dams the cost of implementation is, in terms of dollars per watt, quite low. The President also noted the need to develop the alreadyapproved new schemes on the Zambezi, including Batoka Gorge. In fact, this dam will

enhance the Kariba power stations since the Batoka and Kariba schemes, operated as a single unit, will together generate more than just the sum of their parts. When the river is in flood Batoka will take a higher part of the load, since not much water can be stored in that narrow lake, while as the floods subside Kariba South will take the load, and as that happens the extension will really come into its own. President Mugabe also gave a timely warning about delays, inefficiency and lack of commitment in the past on some public projects. As he noted, this cannot continue. The Kariba South extension is now going ahead. The plans are finalised and have been refined. Contractors have been chosen, the money borrowed and the work begun. Debate, except over how to beat the four-year deadline, is over and what is now needed is action.

eplat Petroleum Development Company Plc on behalf of the NPDC/ SEPLAT JV said that it had joined other well-meaning Nigerian corporates in donating to the cause of eradication of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The oil firm by donated N30, 000.00 to First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos and N20, 000,000.00 to the Lagos Isolation Centre. The company, which said this in statement, disclosed: “It recognises the great sacrifices that this unfortunate outbreak has brought upon First Consultants Medical Centre – Lagos, the hospital where the EVD was first handled in Nigeria. “Due largely to the professionalism they displayed in handling this difficult case, the nation has managed to keep the spread of the disease reasonably under control, howbeit, at great cost in human and material assets to the hospital. ‘SEPLAT, further appreciates the prompt setting up of the Lagos Isolation Centre and the pivotal role it has played in curtailing the spread of the disease.” SEPLAT, the operator of the NPDC/ SEPLAT Joint Venture, is a publicly quoted Nigerian Exploration and Production independent company. The company listed simultaneously in Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges in April 2014, with an average gross gas production of 99 million standard cubic feet per day in 2013. The company projects to triple its gas production by end 2016 through massive investments in processing and delivery infrastructure. SEPLAT is also targeting gross operated oil production of 85 Mbopd from its existing assets by the end of 2016.

PROPERTY&ENVIRONMENT PAGE 33, Tuesday, September 9, 2014

DASHED Hope of over 250 doctors already subscribed to the estate is hanging in the air Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

hen the Lagos State Medical Guild announced plans to build a housing estate for its members to enable them own their own houses before retirement sometime ago, many people, especially other professional associations lauded the initiative. Four years down the line, nothing has been heard about the housing initiative. But an impeccable source, who did not want his name in print told New Telegraph that the project has been stalled due to internal wrangling. It was learnt that the estate's problem has been compounded by issues with the landowners and the developer. The source, hinted that the project, which has gulped over N85 million is now in comatose without any solution in sight. “As we stand now, the landowners are threatening to take back their land while bank has pumped a lot of money into the project,” the source said. Located at Wawa on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the proposed estate was to contain 264 units of three-bedroom apartments and duplexes with roads, drainages, parking lots and green areas. The idea was to ensure that doctors have decent roofs over their heads. Before now, journalists were told that N60 million loan had been secured from First Bank and N80 million from Equatorial Trust Bank to kickstart the project, while Union Homes had provided them with affordable mortgage plan. The source alleged that the problem started when the new BOT took over from the former with the intention to start the estate’s project afresh without considering the amount of capacity that had gone into it. Asked if there were alle-

‘Internal wrangling stalled Lagos’ Medical Estate project’

One of the housing estates in Lagos

gations of fraud, the source stated that there was none, as the account of the guild was audited three times by the new exco, adding that no incriminating thing was detected. “Initially, they said there was no land anywhere and later agreed there was land. Initially they said that there was fraud somewhere and they went through the books, they did not find any fraud. The account has been audited about two or three times and still, there was no fraud,” he said. As it is now, the source said that the project has suffered setback due to lack of capacity on the side of people currently handling it. “They lack the idea and know-how to move it forward,” the source said. Before, the source said that

lion, asking the developer to move to site only for the new BOT to stop the developer. On why the developer has refused to continue with the proj-

ect, the source said: “Because the former BOT brought in the developer, they do not want to use the developer. There is no continuity. They discarded the bank offer to pay for the land and they also refused to move to site even when the bank approved a project manager to ensure timely disbursement and the implementation of the construction schedule.” The source said that the Omo-oniles have been demanding the last tranche of their payment. “Currently, the project cannot move forward. There is litigation; there are liabilities; they have to pay landowners; and pay the people they engaged. The confidence of the subscribers have been eroded,” the source said.

Eyakenyi

Ayere

Currently, the project cannot move forward. There is litigation; there are liabilities; they have to pay landowners; and pay the people they engaged Fashola

the financing bank has assured injection of N300 mil-

Emergence of NMRC'll compliment FMBN –Minister T

he Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, has assured that the emergence of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC) will not affect the operations of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). Justifying the establishment of NMRC, the minister

said that the FMBN alone would not be able to finance the mortgage that Nigerians need, hence the formation of the former. She explained that apart from the FMBN, there are other Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) that are also involved, pointing out that NMRC is going to set out the clearinghouse of refinancing

the PMIs. She said: “As FMBN is undertaking the mortgage of a certain number, other PMIs are also doing their own. When they declare what they have, NMRC’s responsibility is to refinance them. It is not coming to do the work of FMBN nor the work of PMIs. It is to C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

property & ENVIRONMENT

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NHF collections rise by 300% – FMBN boss INNOVATION Computerisation and introduction of electronic cards have improved the agency's operations Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

anaging Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr Gimba Ya’u Kumo, has said that the bank has been able to increase the collection of the National Housing Fund (NHF) by almost 300 per cent. Disclosing this to journalists at the weekend, Kumo said that the collection of NHF has improved from N700 million in 2010 to N2.5 billion as at today.

He said: “The first thing we did was to strengthen the collection process of the bank. We were able to mop the collection of the National Housing Fund by almost 300 per cent from N700 million we met in 2010 to about N2.5 billion as at date.” Besides, he said that the bank’s operations have been transformed and computerised, adding that it has now introduced electronic collection for contributors. He said: “We now came up with NHF e-card, which we have started to distribute to NHF contributors and this was launched in January during the launch of Aviation Estate in Abuja. The e-collection is an effective tool for contributors to the NHF to easily access and monitor their contributions and transactions with the

Fund. It is part of his President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s objectives to promote openness in government business, boost contributors’ confidence, and encourage defaulters to now start complying by making their contributions as and when due. Commenting on the launch of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company, Kumo lauded the efforts aimed at providing affordable housing units to Nigerians and described the initiative as the beginning of a revolution in the housing sector in the country. He said that the FMBN had concluded arrangement to introduce a housing scheme for Nigerians in the Diaspora before the end of this year.

Ya’u Kumo

Nigerian, US firms to construct Middle East, Africa top global hotel revenue EUROPE 250 housing units in Ondo

n indigenous firm, Medaville Group, through one of its subsidiaries, Medaville Construction Company, has signed a partnership agreement with a United Statesbased firm, Verano Group of Companies, to build 250 housing units in Akure, the capital of Ondo State. Located at the exclusive Alagbaka Government Reserved Area of Akure, Chairman, Medaville Group, Chief Ademola Akin-Benson said that the project was being undertaken with support from the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Akin-Benson and Chairman, Verano Group, Mr John Quelhes, signed the pact for the commencement of the project for which about $10 million loan facility had been obtained from some financial institutions in the US. The project,which started two years ago but was stalled

Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko

for lack of funds arising from the problems in the Nigerian banking system, has received a boost with the signing of the deal by the two companies. Speaking about the setback suffered by the project conceived two year ago, AkinBenson said that it was very difficult to access funds for the housing estate. But now, he said: “Fortunately for us, we are one of the lucky companies in Nigeria to be able to access loan facilities from the United States of America guaranteed by a Nigerian bank. The signing of the partnership arrangement, he said, marked the full commencement of the project. It aims at building 250 housing units comprising threebedroom terraces, four-bedroom detached duplexes with two-bedroom boys’ quarters, and five-bedroom detached duplexes with two-bedroom boys’ quarters. The modern buildings, he explained, were fashioned after the American standard, whereby all facilities will be provided only for the owner to park in with just his luggage. He said that the housing units would be sold at affordable prices to Ondo State citizens both at home and in the Diaspora. Chairman of Medaville Construction Company commended Governor Olusegun Mimiko for his support and for conceiving the idea of public-private partnership in the real estate sector, while he was Minister of Housing and Urban Development. He described the project as an innovation and urged indigenes of the state to embrace it because it was safe, reliable and affordable, adding that subscribers will either buy outrightly or pay in installments.

Europe is the second highest revenue per available room

Dayo Ayeyemi

with agency report he Middle East and African Terage region had the highest avrevenue per available

room at $120.88 in August, increasing 2.1 per cent from last year, according to STR Global. The report from World Property Channel, says the region recorded a 5.9 per cent increase in average daily rate to $191.44, also the highest among regions, while witnessing a 3.5 per cent decrease in occupancy to 63.1 per cent. The hotel performance in

the Middle East is leading the positive numbers in the MEA region, with Dubai as one of its top performers, STR reports. Commenting, Managing Director of STR Global, Elizabeth Winkle, said: "The exception was July, when Dubai saw a decline in occupancy because of Ramadan. "October was the first month where supply growth outpaced demand growth, and as a result, October was the first month with an occupancy decline." The region with the secondhighest revenue per available room was Europe at $105.09 in October, increasing 9.8 per cent from last year. Asia Pacific came in third, with the Americas reporting the lowest amount of revenue per available room. Beirut, Lebanon, reported

the largest occupancy increase, rising 17.6 per cent to 45.3 per cent. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, followed with a 15.8-per cent increase to 76.7 percent. Cairo, Egypt, fell 46.6 per cent in occupancy to 28.0 per cent, posting the largest decrease in that metric. Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. rose 10.7 percent in ADR to $172.77, reporting the largest increase in that metric. Cairo (-11.6 per cent to $100.23) ended the month with the largest ADR decrease. Three markets achieved RevPAR increases of more than 10 percent: Abu Dhabi (+28.2 percent to US$132.46); Beirut (+17.3 per cent to US$72.17); and Muscat, Oman (+11.5 per cent to$173.66). Cairo fell 52.8 per cent in RevPAR to $28.06, posting the largest decrease in that metric.

‘Emergence of NMRC'll compliment FMBN' CONTIN U E D F RO M PAGE 3 3

refinance them. “This is the mortgage bank who will finance the mortgage for the building from offtakers. The offtakers will now pay a stipend every month for the cost of the building for a long period.” The minister noted that the Federal Government is targeting the low and medium-income groups in its new housing scheme, adding that the price of the units will range between N3.5 million and N6.5 million. “If you look at the lowest civil servant, if you stretch that over 20 years, he can afford N2,000, N3,000 and N5,000 a month,” she stated. For affordability sake, she disclosed that government is moving in to control the cost of the building and to intervene by assisting the low-income earners to build the down payment of 20 per

cent or 30 per cent for the house. “Everything we are saying is about affordability. The major problem facing Nigerians has to do with cost of building. The present administration saw that need to intervene because when a civil servant on level four or five would work for 35 years and retire, coupled with the problems at home, he would not be able to have a home,” she said. Justifying the seriousness of government to build lowincome houses that are affordable, Eyakenyi said that she has interacted with all stakeholders lately to know why the cost of building is on the high side. Based on the findings, she said: “What makes the cost of building has to do with the materials, the cost of construction and the cost of land.” To ensure that high cost of construction is reviewed, she

explained that government is giving out land free to developers and also partnering the state governments to give data on what is required by surveying the acquired land. She said: “The Federal Government pays compensation and title is given. The developer now comes in to develop. So the cost of the land is not structured into the cost of the building. “Apart from that, we have been able to interact with some stakeholders, I mean the manufacturers of the building materials like cement and roofing sheet, we negotiated with them so that they do not give their materials to developers at a high cost. We negotiated and we would buy at the company price,” she said. By the time you take off the cost of land and the materials’ side is under control, she said that definitely the cost of production would be reduced.

property & ENVIRONMENT

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Kogi, developer seal deal for Civil Servants' Estate SYNERGY About 2,500 housing units are to be built for the workers Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

ith the current transformation going on in Kogi State, civil servants in the state are in for a major fortune, no thanks to the public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement between the government and Messrs Kenmas Properties Development Nigeria Limited (KPDNL), to build affordable homes for them.

In the arrangement, Kogi State government is providing the land coupled with infrastructure such as road while the developer is expected to provide fund for the construction of the housing units and to also process the National Housing Fund (NHF) for subscribers. Already, the deal has been sealed, land allocated, while the developer is expected to move to site before the end of this month. The developer will be presenting its construction schedules for the state government anytime from now. Located in Lokoja West, the estate sits on 25.6 hectares of land and its construction is

Wada

expected to be completed in three years.

The PPP arrangement, according to the Managing Director of Kenmas Properties Development Nigeria Limited, Mr Adams Kehinde, would yield 2,500 housing units, adding that about 1,400 subscribers have been prequalified. He said that he is working towards the process of constructing between 100 and 250 housing units by February next year. Kehinde told New Telegraph: “What we are trying to do in Kogi State is to build a Workers’ Estate that is well equipped in terms of infrastructure such as school, intercom, shopping mall, street light and many more.”

One of the low cost estates in Abuja

He disclosed that approval of the state government has been secured to commence construction, adding that his technical partners and the banks will come in before the end of this month. He said: “We are going to move to site massively for the preparation. For the subscribers, once the government approve our layout, we are going to give them letters of allocation of the land. We will allocate the land for them off-plan. They are expected to acquire the land/property through a long-term financing. “The letter of allocation to the land clearly stated that between three years, it must be completed.” According to the managing director of Kenma, the labour union in the state is involved in the estate, saying that they formed major committee members as they are going to monitor the project and report back to government. He said the company is approaching Zenith Bank for financing, adding that the name of the Primary Mortgage Banks to package NHF loan for workers would be released later. For outsiders - non civil service workers, the managing director hinted that they would be considered in the second phase of the project, stressing that phase 1 is for government’s workers.

Nigeria Infrastructure Master Plan long overdue –Adedire Mr Bisi Adedire, a consultant, city planner and immediate past chairman, Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), in this interview with Dayo Ayeyemi, praised the Federal Government for coming out with an Infrastructure Master Plan for the country. He however, lists the necessary things to be done to ensure its implementation What can you say about the approved Infrastructure Master Plan for Nigeria? The Nigeria Infrastructure Master Plan is long overdue for a nation of over five decades of independence. Therefore, it is a welcome development and a right step in the direction of infrastructural development and ultimately, national development. Infrastructure Master Plan is a comprehensive plan for the infrastructural development of a region; say a city/nation. It refers to a document which presents the amenity and infrastructural blueprint of a region for the optimum functionality of the entire region, usu-

ally showing the current and the future condition. It represents a guide to infrastructure development and amenity provision, with adequate consideration of the potentials of the region, as physical development unfolds. An Infrastructure Master Plan will better the lot of the people if implemented and it would place a responsibility on government at any level to meet the infrastructural need of its jurisdiction for which a plan has been drawn. It is a plan that should be prepared and implemented at all levels/tiers of government (federal, state and local). What do Nigerians stand to gain by this master plan? Some of the merits of this master plan include improved economic development. This would result when foreign investors become more encouraged to invest in the Nigerian economy. Without mincing words, the poor infrastructural condition of the nation has sent so many packing and discouraged other investors from Nigeria. However, an improved infrastructure level where power supply, transportation network, water supply etc are satisfactory is a pull factor to foreign investments. This would in turn boost the economy of the nation. It will also lead to improved standard of living – people can live more conducive and productive lives when infrastructures are in place. Many houses in the country today are not worthy of habita-

tion due to their location, which is bereft of necessary infrastructures and amenities. People would definitely live more productive lives when they have access to water, power and spend less hours on the road to mention but a few. It that all? Job creation – The implementation of the Infrastructural master plans is not a once and for all venture but a continuous one due to the financial implications and the magnitude. Therefore, it opens up employment opportunities for relevant professionals and a host of others (skilled and unskilled labour) during implementation. Imagine a nationwide pipe borne water supply project where water engineers and plumbers are needed in all 36 states of the federation at a time. If as a plumber you do not get a job in Lagos, there must be a place for you in either Enugu or Kano State. It will also encourage industrial development. Many industries in Nigeria have phased out on the ground of poor infrastructures. A lot others have not started for fear of what to support them. Therefore, Nigeria might as well become more industrialised by implementing infrastructure plans, which inevitably

Adedire

sets the stage for rapid industrial development. One major area this would benefit is agricultural industrial activities, which are yet to take off significantly. It will ensure standard physical development. It can be observed that the locations of slums and squalor conditions in the nation are places forgotten in terms of infrastructure. This gives the dwellers of such places the effrontery, hoping that they would not be discovered. However, with adequate infrastructural provisions, such can be easily curbed as no right thinking man would put up a C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 5

36 property & ENVIRONMENT NOVELTY This is to enhance homeownership among people who can no longer afford homes

evelopers in Dubai should introduce rent-to-own schemes to help many buyers who can no longer afford homes in the emirate’s booming residential real estate market, Chesterton claimed. Although Dubai suffered price falls of up to 60 per cent in some locations during the economic downturn, prices have been rising strongly again and new mortgage rules means it is harder to get a loan, especially for expats. International property agency Chesterton believes that rent to own schemes, which were popular during the early 2000s when Dubai was establishing its own property marketplace, would help those struggling to afford to buy amid stricter regulations designed to cool rising prices. According to Robin The, director of valuations at Chesteron MENA, such a move would also inspire confidence in buyers and reduce the risk element in buying into the UAE market. ‘There are several expats who have been here for years and are now looking at buying a property, but are finding it difficult due to the current mortgage cap restrictions. Exponential growth in the UAE property market has made buying a property a near difficult proposition for the majority of end users,’ he explained. Mortgage regulations requiring a 50% down payment for expats has also hit the loans sector. So while the regulations have stabilised the market, they have at the same time made property investment

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Dubai developers urged to offer rent-to-own schemes unaffordable for most expat residents who usually cannot manage the deposits needed. ‘The solution to this is a rent to own option which gives owners the flexibility to terminate the contract towards the end of the tenure if the decision has not been made to purchase the house without any penalty,’ he added. A typical rent to own real estate agreement is structured like an option contract. It allows the tenant to purchase the property at a fixed price within a specific period of time. A portion of the monthly rent paid during the lease period is counted towards the down payment on the property. Usually the property is leased higher than the market

rate to cover the option price or the deposit that tenant has to pay to activate the option. If the tenant is unable to exercise the option to buy, the owner is then free to rent or sell the property to another buyer. ‘Rent to own schemes have various benefits for both tenants and developers. While sellers get an option fee and potential buyer, tenants get to live in the property and try out the neighbourhood before actually settling in for the long term,’ said Simon Gray, managing director for Chesterton MENA. ‘It also provides an opportunity for the seller to sell the property at a higher asking price because buyers who cannot own a house in any other

way are usually willing to offer a higher future price based on the assumption that the market will improve,’ he pointed out. ‘From the developer's point of view, offering a lease to own scheme will surely open up an additional pool of potential buyers and is an option worth considering as the market starts to further consolidate,’ he added. ‘The objective of these schemes will inspire confidence in buyers and reduce the risk element in buying into the UAE market. Such schemes would benefit the investors and sellers in the current scenario, where the property prices have become more stable after exponential growth over the last year,’ he concluded.

Abandoned old Federal Government Secretariat complex, Ikoyi, Lagos

Scotland estates to attract young buyers Galbraith, one of ScotCinKD land’s leading specialists the sale and management

of country estates, say that a new generation of estate owners may be about to come to the fore. A number of estates now on the market can be purchased for around the £1 million mark, offering agricultural, residential, sporting and renewable possibilities for prospective land owners. The firm says that estate owners no longer necessarily hail from generations of the same family and might be selfmade individuals or entrepreneurs from all over the world. These smaller more affordable estates now coming to the market are paving the way for new owners in the Highlands and Islands. CKD Galbraith have recently brought to the market an historic residential and sporting estate on the Island of Rousay, regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of Orkney. Trumland Estate is for sale for offers over £950,000, comprising some 1,746 acres, a main house built in 1873 to the design of David Bryce, three estate cottages, a former coach house and sporting and sailing opportunities. The firm believes that estates such as Trumland offer a tremendous opportunity to invest in a potentially gratifying project for those willing to manage and develop the land and housing.

‘Nigeria Infrastructure Master Plan, long overdue' C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

shanty along a tarred road with drainages and street lightings. Infrastructure provision has a way of stirring up a sense of responsibility and order in the people. It will improve revenue generation – Any government that ignores the development of infrastructures is only short changing itself. Infrastructure development still remains a viable means of revenue generation to the government. For example, 80 per cent if not 90 per cent of Lagos State residents provide water, power and some other essential needs for themselves in their homes. Imagine what revenue would accrue to the government if such supplies were paid for. This equally applies for other infrastructures for which people have always found a substandard alternative. I must say that the benefits of a plan of this nature cannot be exhausted in a short message like this. This implies there are lots of other benefits not mentioned now. Do you foresee any challenge? As beautiful and laudable it would be to embark upon this infrastructure master plan, it comes with its attendant challenges, especially for a country like Nigeria. The problem of Nigeria has never been the want of ideas, programs or plans that can effect desirable transformation. The bane of our condition is implementing

whatever is planned or programmed. Therefore, the number one challenge facing Federal government proposal is: What do you think the government requires ensure the implementation of the master plan? The political will to bring this idea into manifestation and completion is very vital to the success of the infrastructure master plan. The implementation of the plan as earlier stated must be carried out in all the states of the federation as this would help decongest some states and discourage migration and bring about even development. An implementation plan must also be drawn to achieve the master plan in phases. Finance: This venture is capital intensive and involves a lot of expertise, both foreign and local and cannot be completed in short time. Nigeria might

The political will to bring this idea into manifestation and completion is very vital to the success of the infrastructure master plan

not be able to single-handedly fund the entire project at a time and thus might be requiring foreign aids. Sustainability: Another plague that often betides projects in Nigeria is lack of continuity. Many laudable projects have been abandoned after commencement and ends up not benefiting the people usually due to the exit of the initiating government. Therefore, owing to the magnitude of this project, it cannot be completed within a four year or even eight year tenure. The only way out is to enforce and ensure sustained and continuous development across different political dispensations. Maintenance: The culture of maintenance is still unborn in the Nigerian setting where things are rather only repaired after critical dilapidation than maintained. Infrastructures require routine maintenance sessions to forestall breakdown, which is less expensive compared to reparation. An adage says. ‘Prevention is cheaper / better than cure’. Built-up area: Infrastructural development is usually more challenging in built-up areas where physical developments have become substantial than virgin areas. This is because there would be need for earth breaking and sometimes some house might be affected in the course of implementation. For example, road construction has resulted in demolition of some houses while laying of pipes

has resulted in breaking up tarred roads. Complementary plans: For the infrastructure master plans to really deliver its dividends there are other complementary plans that should be in place. Some of them include the land use plans, structure plans, site and service plans and regional plans etc, which are all subsets of a general master plan including the infrastructure plan. It is indeed a thoughtful decision by the Federal government to embark on this project, which would undoubtedly bring about the long awaited and desirable transformation in Nigeria. However, to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the plan in view, all necessary professionals, especially indigenous ones, with required training and expertise in this field should be involved from the outset. More so, there should be a public consultation to create awareness in the Nigerian people of the government’s decision and obtain their inputs. Successful planning is that which is not done in isolation of the people planned for. Once again, Infrastructure Master Plan is a welcome development for Nigeria. Until we overcome the 'Nigerian Factor' in everything in Nigeria and we relegate personal interest to the background and put national interest on the front burner, policies of government will continue to be beautiful only on paper, while implementation will continue to be near zero.

Emirates, Arik partner to ease passenger connectivity p–38

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

BUSINESS 37

Carnibalised aircraft

Why aircraft are sent to ‘graveyards' LIFE SPAN Airlines are obsessed with fuel savings in order to stay relevant in today’s economy Wole Shadare

ne of the first things you see as a visitor when you peep through the aircraft window while landing in Nigeria’s mega city is a rustinfested carcass of some of the airplanes that once flew across the length and breadth of the country and beyond. On a large expanse of land at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, is a large number of aircraft called “the graveyard,” an overgrown field filled with about a dozen cargo and passenger airplanes long since abandoned and left to rot by insolvent airlines. Over 70 airplanes that had been abandoned by their owners dot the area. They range from small commuter jets to bigger airplanes. They sit at airfields across the country and serve as a haunting land minder of Nigeria’s chaotic and disaster-filled aviation history. Not too long ago, some aluminium smelters began work by dismantling the planes as part of a government plan to remake Nigeria’s aviation industry. While some of Federal Government’s plans seem as-

pirational at best, the modest goal of simply removing the derelict aircraft represents at least a change in a nation where corruption often ensures things remain exactly the scrambled way they are. But the issue is not about old planes that dot the airports across Nigeria; it is about why aircraft out last the others. Fundamental questions Why did this one type of airliner outlast newer ones? Why did they get rid of this one type? When are they finally going to retire this plane? And so on. The reasons why some planes get sent sooner than others depend on the airline itself, why it got that type in the first place and whether or not that justification or reasoning still exists. Regardless of why or when, all airliners share the same fate: sooner or later, they will get to the bone yard or graveyard eventually. Aircraft cycles Aircraft, especially large and particularly sturdy ones, like the Boeing747, can last up to 100,000 flight hours or100,000 cycles. What’s the difference? Flight hours are exactly what it sounds like - the total amount of time the aircraft is in the air. A cycle represents one trip of the aircraft from Airport A to Airport B, or more specifically for our purposes, the time the pressurisation system is activated on the ground to the time it’s de-activated on the ground at the destination airport.

Flying and stress to aluminium President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, said that flying puts a lot of stress on an aluminium tube - turbulence for one, but also the simple act of moving through the air. Wings bend - actually, they bend a lot as part of how the aircraft defeats turbulence for the sake of passenger comfort and achieve high fuel efficiency. “Things bend and move imperceptibly as flight attendants move about the aircraft, systems function within their normal parameters and in just experiencing the act of existing as a component of a large moving machine. These are small, tiny forces, but after 20 years of flying across the Pacific Ocean for half a day each flight, they add up.”

With “plastic” planes like the Boeing 787 becoming popular, and Airbus sending its A350 into service, airliners might stick around longer, but if nothing else, economic factors will take them out of service

The making of plastic plane With “plastic” planes like the Boeing 787 becoming popular, and Airbus sending its A350 into service, airliners might stick around longer, but if nothing else, economic factors will take them out of service. Technology outpaces all aircraft and sooner or later, aircraft simply can’t keep up with new frames. Even these carbon aircraft will reach a point of structural compromise eventually - right now, we’re just not sure after what time and under what circumstances, but pretty sure the aircraft will simply become economically unviable before that. Financing structures also play a role, which is why Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines held on to its DC-9s longer than some of the far newer and fancier Airbus and Boeing aircraft it leased. As for refurbishing airliners, that tends to be out of the question - well, not entirely. In industry parlance there’s a thing called a “Heavy D Check” - the last of a sequence of maintenance procedures starting from A. The paint comes off, the old engines get swapped out for new ones and stripped of what can be reused, and even whole skin panels are removed and replaced. Basically, what needs to be replaced does get replaced - as long as it’s economic to do so. Theoretically, you can replace a timed-out wing spar on a 747 and keep it flying forever

- but the process to do that is so complicated and expensive, all you’ve accomplished is to completely disassemble an airplane and reassemble a new one in its place using a mixture of old and new parts. Fuel savings Airlines are obsessed with fuel savings in order to stay relevant in today’s economy, and they’re willing to put down money for new planes in the name of less use of the gas pump. An old jetliner can’t compete with a new one even with massive upgrades - a 737 “Next Generation” (600 through 900 models), for example, has fewer holes cut into it because a combination of engineers and bean-counters decided those holes weren’t needed after all (or rather, they decided it was preferable to sacrifice the cabin-air feed they provided for passenger comfort in order to make the fuselage more aerodynamic and instead continuously recycle the air already in the plane). An NG might have engines that belong in the same CFM56 family as what hangs on a 737 “Classic” but said engines have undergone a decade’s worth of evolution in the meantime. Some parts that used to be aluminium are now composite. The NG even has an entirely different wing design compared to the older model, and the new MAX models will C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 8

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Emirates, Arik partner to ease passenger connectivity Stories by Wole Shadare

n continuation of their resolve to ensure customers on their respective networks experience seamless connectivity, Emirates, a global connector of people and places, and Arik Air, West Africa’s leading airline, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen its existing commercial relationship. Though both airlines are currently in a one-way interline agreement, where Emirates passengers are connected throughout Nigeria and West Africa via Arik Air’s current domestic and regional network, the new agreement recently signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president, Planning, Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs, and Chris Ndlulue, Arik Air’s managing director, in Dubai, will see both carriers explore

other areas of cooperation for the future, including frequent flier programmes, passenger and cargo handling. In a statement in Lagos, Kazim was quoted as saying: “Both Emirates and Arik Air have expressed interest in exploring ways to expand our existing commercial relationship and to look at different areas in which we can cooperate that will be mutually beneficial to both airlines, including seamless connectivity for our customers on our respective networks. We also intend to explore the potential of code share arrangements as passenger traffic flows mature between both parties’ networks.” Ndulue on his part revealed that Arik was delighted on the new partnership as both airlines share a similar vision of convenience and safety to its customers. “Arik Air is happy to open its network in Nigeria and West

Africa to Emirates passengers; we are excited at the vast worldwide network of Emirates being made available to Arik Air’s passengers. The invaluable cooperation between the two airlines offers a lot of synergy to both airlines in achieving their objectives,” he said. Emirates is one of the world’s leading international airlines and flies to over 140 destinations in 81 countries across six continents. It operates the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft and Airbus A380s. Nigerian Arik Air is the largest airline in Western and Central Africa and has developed and successfully operated an extensive domestic route network in Nigeria, and regionally across Western Africa from its twin hubs in Lagos and Abuja, and to Johannesburg in South Africa and intercontinentally to New York and London from its Lagos hub.

Emirates airlines Senior Sales Executives, Ms Grace Babalola (left) and 11 selected travel agents in Abuja before their departure for the Emirates-sponsored familiarisation trip to Dubai.

A power plant

Manager decries running of PH Airport on generator he high cost of running Telectricity generating sets to provide for the Port Inter-

national Harcourt Airport (PHIA) is now a source of worry to the management of the airport. Most of the airports in Nigeria are not connected to the national grid. The agency spends enormous amount of money running into over N1 billion on diesel, Premium Motor Spirit to generate electricity. General Manager, SouthSouth/South-East, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN), Mrs. Ebele Okoye has disclosed that a total of 4 trucks of 33, 000 litres each of diesel were used monthly to power generating plants at the airport. According to her, the absence of reliable public power source has led to the airport depending 100 per cent on generating plants, which has left the airport with little or no resources to run the airport especially with the high cost

of diesel. She explained that the airport depended solely on secondary power source as against the primary source of power. On cargo development, she announced that the management of the airport was embarking on home delivery of cargo in conjunction with an independent company adding that cargo has not been fully utilized. Okoye said as part of the airports means of generating revenue, a new toll gate would soon be erected in conjunction with the Rivers State government with terms of agreement. She noted that funding has been the greatest challenge in the day to day running of the airport, urging airline operators and passengers to bear with them as a result of the ongoing work at the airport adding that it will be in their benefit at the end of the exercise.

BA extends ban on flights to S'Leone, Liberia

ritish Airways has extended a ban on flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone because of the current situation in these countries with the Ebola virus. “British Airways has suspended flights to and from Liberia and Sierra Leone until December 31 due to concerns about the health situation in those two countries,” - said the airline in a statement. BA had earlier announced suspension of flights until this month. Passengers affected can receive a refund, change the tickets for a later date or to exchange them for the flights to Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. In addition to British Airways, several other international carriers cancelled flights to the countries, where cases of Ebola have were reported. Among them are the national carrier of Cote d’Ivoire, Ivorian Air, the

Emirates Airline, Emirates, the largest airline in Africa, ASKY, South Korean Sirline, Korean Air. Some of British Airways’ much-loved Boeing 747s are to receive a cabin refresh including a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system. Customers travelling on the 18 selected 747s will be treated to double the choice of TV programmes and films thanks to the installation of Panasonic’s next generation eX3 entertainment system. The new system, which will be installed from August 2015, will provide more than 130 movies and 400 TV programmes on larger, hi-resolution screens, capable of touch and swipe gestures, giving the system the familiar feel of using a tablet. Lightweight in design, the system from Panasonic Avionics Corporation also helps to save the amount of fuel used

by the aircraft. As part of the upgrade, customers in World Traveller Plus on these aircraft will have access to a universal power socket at every seat, capable of accepting plugs from the UK, US and Europe. In addition, World Traveller customers will now have their own personal USB socket to power phones and tablets. Richard D’Cruze, British Airways’ in-flight entertainment and technology manager, said: “We know that in-flight entertainment is really important to our customers – being able to relax and watch a film or listen to music helps customers to pass the time enjoyably - so by installing this state-of-the-art equipment we will be able to deliver even more programming on board.” The refit, which will be carried out by British Airways’ engineers in Cardiff, will include a cabin interior refresh

bringing these 747s more in line with the airline’s newest aircraft. New seat foams will be installed in World Traveller and World Traveller Plus to increase customer comfort

and new style seat covers fitted to improve appearance and match those on the A380 and 787. Carpets and curtains throughout the plane will also be replaced to the new aircraft colour pallet.

Why aircraft are sent to the grave C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 7

have a further redesigned wing. Factoring all the major design changes, the hours that have accumulated on the old airframe, and other refurbishment costs, and that old bird is going to be sent to the bone yard. Hard life for airliners Airliners live a hard life, but it’s possible to stretch a general aviation aircraft’s life span for generations of use. A large remanufacturing and support base helps create high-

ly skilled technical jobs in the aerospace industry, offer more affordable flight and transportation options for every price point, and keep many classic out-of-production designs flying. Remanufacturing can help the 172 Skyhawk pilot as much as it helps the corporate executive who loves NetJets. With engineers, technical advisers and number crunchers passionate about general aviation, expanding the GA remanufacturing base tremendously helps preserve aviation as an active flying art and useful means of rapid conveyance.

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Delta introduces fall-inspired in-flight menus INNOVATION Authentic regional food and wines is an alluring part of travel Stories by Wole Shadare

rom September 1 through November 30, BusinessElite customers on trans-Atlantic flights from Atlanta to Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA) and London (LHR) are being served an original menu from the Atlanta-based Hopkins, inspired by autumn’s seasonal ingredients

and rich colors. During the same period, intercontinental flights between the US and South America will feature a new menu from the Miami-based Bernstein. “Shifting our menus seasonally means our chefs, who already consider regional markets when designing dishes, are also taking inspiration from ingredients that are at their best this time of year,” said Robyn Klein, Delta’s Managing Director – In-flight Onboard Services. “For many, experiencing authentic regional food and wines is an alluring part of travel, so our culinary team’s thoughtful menus mean cus-

tomers can enjoy this aspect of their journey even before arriving at their destination.” Hopkins, owner of Atlanta’s Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House and H&F Burger, has created a menu with a variety of new first - and second-course dishes, including African squash soup, with an optional garnish of crispy Sea Island red peas; Sunburst Trout Farms smoked trout with fingerling potato salad and dill pesto and gulf shrimp and heirloom white grits with Creole gravy. The menu also includes unique desserts such as warm sticky toffee cake with High Road sorghum chocolate chip

ice cream and a selection of southern cheeses served with grapes, crackers and white peach compote. The vegetarian option is an autumn sweet potato tortellini with lemon butter, roasted vegetables with goat cheese fondue, Sea Island red peas, turnip gratin and sauteed kale with toasted faro. Chef Hopkins’ fall menu also introduces the “Benneficiary,” a savory bourbon whiskey cocktail made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Benne-Orgeat, served with spiced Georgia pecans and cheese straws. Freshly baked buttermilk pull-apart rolls, and multi-grain and pretzel bread from Chef Hopkins’ own H & F Bread Co. continue to be served warm with locally churned Banner Butter. Chef Bernstein, who has appeared on Top Chef and Good Morning America, and hosts Check, Please! South Florida, has refreshed a menu featuring her signature Latin American cuisine that is infused with bright and bold flavors. All meals served on outbound US flights to South America this fall begin with smoked pecans and finish with High Road vanilla and cherry chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. Chef Bernstein introduced three cycles of entrees to be rotated monthly throughout the fall season, including dishes

such as braised beef short ribs with sweet potato puree, haricots verts and sauteed apples; carrot braised chicken thighs with potato leek gratin and sauteed swiss chard and a chilled plate featuring mango curry chicken salad with melon and watercress. A vegetable lasagna with bechamel sauce and cheese is the vegetarian option. The new entrees are offered in the Business Class cabin on flights between the US and Bogota (BOG), Venezuela (CCS) and Ecuador (UIO). In addition, Chef Bernstein has developed a breakfast menu for service prior to arrival on all BusinessElite flights between the US and Brazil, Santiago (SCL) and Buenos Aires (EZE). Delta’s BusinessElite wine selections are chosen to complement each menu by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, winner of the Best Sommelier in America award and Delta culinary team member since 2007. Robinson, Hopkins and Bernstein are all recipients of the James Beard Award, which is the highest honor for food and beverage professionals in North America. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has started discussions with domestic airlines on the payment arrangement to offset the N4.5 billion en-route charges owed it by local carriers.

EgyptAir pledges support for Nigerian youths inners of the Secondary W Schools category of the 5th Bristow Helicopters/Travel & Delta Airlines' flat bed

NAMA to collect en-route charges from airlines

he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has contacted airlines in a bid to make them pay en-route charges, which was decided in favour of the agency by the Supreme Court. The agency had introduced the charges which the operators said they were not going to pay, describing it as double payment. It was learnt that while some carriers responded to the invitation and reached agreement with the agency on how to offset the debts, others declined to respond to the invitation. A source from the agency confirmed the development at the weekend and stated that Aero Contractors has come up with its payment procedures. “We started meeting with the airlines since Monday (August 25, 2014). The first airline we invited did not come but

Aero Contractors honoured the invitation and we have agreed on how they would pay us their own share of the debts. We purposely waited for these months after we got the favourable judgement from the Supreme Court. The court in February this year unanimously granted us our requests and said that the airlines did not have the right to refuse to pay the enroute charges,” the source said. It was gathered that the airlines started paying the enroute charges after the judgment in February, but refused to pay the N4.5 billion that accrued from the charges while the case was in the court. The source added: “All the airlines are paying the enroute charges since after the judgment. They did not know that we would win the case or that we would go as far as went to fight to get that charges,

but en-route charges are internationally recognised; it is not peculiar to NAMA, other airspace management agencies collect the charge from airlines.” A source in NAMA confirmed that the agency has stated discussion with the airlines on payment modalities. “We are meeting with the airlines to reconcile with us on the debts and to also tell us how they intend to be paying us until all the debts are paid. They may decide to pay us a certain amount every month until the debts are paid. I also learnt that some airlines have already started discussion with us,” the source said. The AON had, prior to the court action, urged government to stop the charges and insisted that indigenous carriers ought to be exempted from paying such charges.

Business News National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2013/2014) recently paid a courtesy visit to EgyptAir office in Victoria Island, Lagos. The students, who were accompanied by their parents were received by the General Manager (GM), EgyptAir, Mr Khaled El Rafie. The team was made up of the Grand Prize Winner, Miss Karimat Sowemimo of Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School (MMASS), accompanied by her mother, Mrs Modinat Sowemimo, an engineer; Second Prize Winner, Miss Tolulope Ogunkoya of International School (Unilag) Lagos (ISL) with both parents – Mr and Mrs Olayide and Abosede Ogunkoya; Miss Divine Nwachi also of MMASS with her school teacher, Mrs Clementina Igweonu; as well as Mr Ewos Iroro, founder and coordinator of the yearly contest. Welcoming the contingent to his office, Mr El Rafie noted that EgyptAir has been a long-standing sponsor of the National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC) since its inception in 2009 in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy of investing in the future of

young Nigerians, which he said are “the future of the nation and custodians of a better tomorrow.” He congratulated and commended the winners for their brilliant performance and urged them to keep their passion for learning and the aviation industry alive,” adding that EgyptAir will continue to do its best to contribute even more to support Nigerian youths and NTEC in particular.” Founder and coordinator of NTEC, Mr Ewos Iroro, said: “We are grateful to EgyptAir for identifying with our noble initiative and modest efforts aimed at generating greater public awareness for the aviation industry and raising future aviation professionals. We cannot thank you enough for all that your organisation has done over the years, but we would like to use this forum to further solicit your increased support as we join hands in laying a solid foundation not only for your youngsters but also for the aviation sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.” The GM thereafter presented each member of the contingent with choice gifts and mementoes courtesy of EgyptAir. “I look forward to welcoming you on board our flights to experience our exquisite Egyptian taste and hospitality,” he concluded.

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Virgin Atlantic takes off with Illamasqua SIMPLICITY Virgin Atlantic’s new look conveys simple yet incredibly stylish charm

his year sees Virgin Atlantic celebrate its 30th anniversary and after recently revealing the redesigning of the iconic red uniforms this summer, Illamasqua is incredibly excited to hop on board with Virgin Atlantic and be the make-up of choice for all ground staff and cabin crew. The collaboration between these two British brands will see Virgin Atlantic’s new uniform, which captures the renowned glamour and style of the cabin crew, mirrored with a new fresh make-up look designed by Illamasqua exclusively for the airline. Virgin Atlantic’s new look conveys simple yet incredibly stylish charm and this can be seen in the make-up with soft natural definition to the eyes and brows and subtle contouring to create a complementary shape to the face. In addition, Illamasqua have created a lipstick to specifically match Virgin Atlantic’s famous pantone red to ensure staff can maintain their red-hot iconic lip look.

The Glamore Lipstick is a hydrating, satin finish lipstick, appropriately named Virgin and offers ultimate comfort and smooth application without compromising on colour and is the faultless finishing touch to the Virgin Atlantic look. “When I think of Virgin Atlantic, I automatically think class, sophistication and glamour,” says Clare Lille, South Trainer for Illamasqua. “This look we have created for the cabin crew and ground staff oozes elegance and sophistication that is easily achievable to create on yourself. We wanted to embrace femininity and empower women of all skin tones. Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick in Virgin is the finishing touch that signifies everything we wanted to achieve with the make-up. It’s got the balance of that classic red that never leaves your handbag and the iconic touch of Virgin Atlantic glamour.” Rebecca Creer, Global Spas and Styling Manager for Virgin Atlantic commented: “The design of our new uniform has provided us with the perfect opportunity to re-look at our overall style to ensure that it not only fits with the new uniform, but also our brand. A key part of our look has always been the iconic red lips and Illamasqua really under-

Dana Air launches promotional business class fares Wole Shadare ne of the leading domesODana tic carriers in the country, Air, has introduced a

special promotional acrossthe-counter fare of N27,000 for a one-way business class seats on all its existing domestic route network to herald the 54th independence anniversary of the nation. Chief Commercial Officer of the airline, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, who announced the special offer for business class seats; also noted that economy class seats are still being sold at online fares starting from N9,000. He explained that the business class promotional offer was conceived to stimulate the traveling guests to experience comfort of the business class cabin at reasonable fares, as they now have the option to upgrade their economy class ticket to business class upon paying an additional N9,000 at

Dana Air's MD-83 aircraft

the counters. “We will continue to offer various forms of incentives to the travelling public in order to improve the volume of air transport patronage in Nigeria, especially as air transport still remains the best means to travel from one point to another and it is our hope that our guests will take advantage of this offer to experience incredible value and convenience of travelling in our premium cabin,” Mbanuzuo said. Dana air has been in the forefront of launching innovations that seek to exceed the flying aspirations of its teeming guests as only recently, it launched the flydana mobile app, which enables guest to book, pay and check in online. The airline currently operates daily flights from the Murtala Mohammed to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo as well as direct flights from Abuja to Uyo and Port Harcourt.

stands colour and their lipsticks are known for their high pigmentation content which really makes them stand out from the crowd. The new Virgin colour they have created

complements our new uniform beautifully and will take the iconic Virgin red lip into the future.” Along with Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick in Virgin

being the go-to colour choice for Virgin Atlantic cabin crew, it will also join the existing Glamore Lipstick line this month across all Illamasqua stockists.

Virgin Atlantic's Business Class cabin

New airport lounges in Africa make million-dollar debut

ocated in the new Terminal 1A, the future home of Kenya Airways and the airline’s SkyTeam partners, soon two brand new premium lounges will be launched, as progressively more flights move from the former Unit 2, now Terminal 1C, to the new facility. Kenya Airways recently announced that passengers travelling in economy class will have as many as 26 check-in counters available, enough to process the ever-growing number of passengers and flights by Kenya’s national airline, while premium passengers will have four dedicated counters available for check in, if they have not taken advantage of the on-line check in and seat selection now available on the airline’s website. Passengers will soon be able to use either of the two lounges, probably the one nearer to their departure gate, where again a separate boarding channel for premium passengers will ensure fast-track access to the aircraft and into their flat-bed sleeper seats on the B787s and the B777s while generous recliners await in the B737NGs and the Embraer E190s. From advance information received, it is clear that Kenya Airways has not only invested in brand-new, state-of-the-art aircraft but also into corresponding ground facilities for check-in and in premium lounges. Said one source close

to the airline: “This is the start of a new era for Kenya Airways. When their passengers check in at a brand-new terminal building, their expectations are raised from the start. As one of Africa’s leading airlines it is expected that KQ (Kenya Airways) matches if not exceeds (the) service levels of their main competitors from the African continent. I would not be surprised if not very soon they might introduce separate transport from apron-parking positions for premium passengers into the arrival terminal or start (to) offer limo services, perhaps not for free but against a nominal fee. From what I know, they are brainstorming how to uplift service levels, and you and I can only stand by and watch what next they spring on us.” In fact, did the airline’s CEO

Passengers will soon be able to use either of the two lounges, probably the one nearer to their departure gate, where again a separate boarding channel for premium passengers

and Group Managing Director Dr. Titus Naikuni speak on the subject via a media release received: “The development of a world class terminal by our partners Kenya Airports Authority has in turn seen the development of some of the most advanced and comfortable airport lounges for Kenya Airways guests. Both Simba and Pride Lounges will offer utmost luxury and comfort for our guests and will feature a melting pot of African cultures as we further seek to enhance customer experience at our Nairobi Hub. We are an inherently African airline, operating on a global scale. We carry guests from all across the globe through our Nairobi hub hence the theme of our lounges as a meeting point and a melting pot of different cultures. Terminal 1A lounges represent our inherent African heritage as well as the contemporary world we operate in.” Only recently, as reported here at the time, was Kenya Airways named as one of the globally 10 most improved airlines and being the African hub for all SkyTeam partners makes it almost mandatory that KQ pulls out all stops to match the service levels of Star Alliance’s African members with newly modernized hubs in Addis Ababa and Johannesburg. Well done Kenya Airways and looking forward to seeing the new lounges in action very soon.

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Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Airtel seals N155bn tower deal in three weeks said. According to Reuters, while ATC did not respond to query, IHS could not be reached for comment. The proceeds of the sale will be used to retire a part of the company’s debt, which dropped t $9.6 billion at the end of the June quarter from $10.07 billion at the end of March Bharti net debt-to-EBITDA dropped to 2.04 from 2.20 between the two quarters. The development comes close on the heels of Bharti selling 3, 1000 towers in the continent in July. Bharti had sold its 3, 1000 towers to Helios Tower Co, an independent tower operator backed by George Soros, Madeleine Albright and Jacob Rothschild for an undisclosed amount. While neither Bharti nor Helios disclosed the valuation of the transaction, sources disclosed that that the Indian company had raised close to $800 million. Bharti has also previously

FRONTRUNNER American Tower Company is believed to be leading the race Kunle Azeez

with Agency reports

elecoms operator, Bharti Airtel, is expected to reach an agreement on the sale of its telecoms towers in Nigeria for more than $1 billion (about N155 billion) within the next three weeks. Reuters quoted a source aware of the status of talks as saying that American Tower Company (ATC) is believed to be leading the race to buy the 4, 000 towers, followed by IHS Towers. Once the sale goes through, Bharti would have successfully sold almost half its towers in Africa. “ATC is believed to have bid the highest amount,” the source

been reported to be hoping to raise up to $3 billion through the sale of its African towers. However, given the current valuation of towers companies in the continent, Bharti’s expectation is believed to be on the higher side. “Since buyers are (only) willing to cough up some more than $2 billion, negotiations are delaying the closure of the deal,” another source said. Bharti owns 15, 000 telecoms towers across 17 countries in Africa. It decided to sell them to independent tower companies after failing t create a joint venture tower company with other telecoms operators. This would have been along the lines of Indus Towers, a joint venture of Bharti, Vodafone and Iade Cellular in India. Increasingly, telecoms operators across Africa such as MTN are selling their towers to independent companies owing to the highest costs of running the infrastructure in area of low population density.

Naira firms as offshore fund position for bonds

he naira firmed against the US dollar yesterday, after some offshore funds bought the local currency to participate in the debt market in Africa's biggest economy, dealers said. The local unit according to Reuters, closed at N162.36 to the greenback, marginally firmer than last Friday's close

of N162.40. Dealers said the Nigerian units of some foreign banks sold the hard currency yesterday, to be able to participate in the bond market on behalf of their offshore clients, boosting support for the naira. The naira eased against the dollar last week after some importers brought forward their

obligation to tap into the monthend liquidity boost provided by oil companies selling the greenback to meet their local obligations, dealers said. Dealers are waiting for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which accounts for bulk of the dollars traded on the interbank market, to sell dollars soon.

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

Offer 163.38

Compliant BDCs now 2,493, says CBN

he number of Bureau De Change (BDC) operators that have complied with the new capital of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation requirements has been put at 2,493. This indicate an increase 51 compared with a total of 2442 published by the CBN earlier. According to the CBN, the 2493 BDC firms had complied with its new capital requirements as at July 31, 2014. The CBN had in June announced a new minimum capital requirement of N35 million for the operation of BDCs in the country, up from the N10 million it was previously. In order to ensure that the forex dealers comply with the new capital requirements, the CBN had then extended the deadline to July 31, 2014. The apex bank had also stated that interest would now be paid on the mandatory cautionary deposit of N35 million, based on banking industry savings account rate. It among other requirements,

Chris Ugwu 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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

gun looking up, it has been slipping in Africa. With over 27, 000 telecoms towers mostly built by telecoms operators such as MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and indigenous operator Globacom and in an economy where public electricity to run the base stations are non-existent, experts say outsourcing remains veritable option for them to run their operations in a more cost-effective way. Nigeria’s telecoms regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission, has also designed a ‘Guidelines on Collocation and Infrastructure-Sharing for the operators, having realised high cost of running their operations.

CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele

also reviewed the mandatory cautionary deposit for BDCs upward to N35 million. The regulator had pointed out that on the expiration of the deadline on July 31, 2014, that it would cease to fund any BDC that failed to comply with the new requirements, adding that "only BDCs that meet the new requirements would qualify to be engaged as agent by the licenced international money transfer operators for inward and outward transfer business in Nigeria."

Filing of returns: NECA gets SEC’s waiver

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

These operators then lease the towers back from the buyers on a log-term basis. Analysts say the purchase makes business sense for tower companies such as ATC and Goldman Sachs-backed IHS, which are then able to rent them out to multiple telecoms service providers. Last month, Bharti raised Rs 2, 100 crore through the sale of a 4.5 per cent stake in ts tower arm, Bharti Infratel. The company had said it would use the proceeds to retire part of its debt. Most of the company’s debt stems from the purchase of its African operations. While Bharti’s operational performance in India has be-

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

he Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has secured forbearance for companies from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on penalties for late or non-filing of returns. The waiver, according to a statement from Director, Social, Economic & Labour Affairs, NECA, Mr Timothy Olawale, followed the outcome of a successful engagement between NECA and SEC. The engagement became necessary because for some, corporate entities had pleaded with SEC to waive penalties slammed on companies that had failed to comply with SEC rules on filling requirements as stipulated by the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007. NECA had to intervene on behalf of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to make a plea to SEC to grant some forbearance in view of the fact that most private sector companies were not aware of the

requirement. SEC according to the statement granted 100 per cent waiver of all penalties imposed on public companies from 2008 to 2010 and 40 per cent waiver on outstanding penalties from 2011 to 2013. Commenting on the development, the President of NECA, Mr. Larry Ettah said: “The outcome of this initiative by NECA is another testimony of how private and public sector institutions could work together for the good of the economy.” He noted that the association has already communicated the outcome of the engagement to private sector operators, who are expected to take advantage of it within one week of the agreement. NECA is a platform for private sector employers to interact with the government, labour, communities and other relevant institutions in and outside Nigeria for the purpose of promoting harmonious business environment that engenders productivity and prosperity for the country.

42 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

8-Sep-14

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

Description 9.25 28-SEP-2014 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

28-Sep-07 23-Apr-10 16-Aug-13 27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

9.25 4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

100.00 535.00 530.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 281.35 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 70.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,591.19

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,676.00

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Description

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

0.05 0.62 1.94 2.63 2.88 2.98 3.72 4.81 5.12 7.39 9.51 14.22 14.70 15.20 15.87 19.86

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

10.27 10.99 11.33 11.28 11.30 11.30 11.33 11.37 11.48 11.94 12.03 12.38 12.39 12.41 12.15 12.20

7.61 10.73 11.24 11.22 11.24 11.24 11.23 11.29 11.39 11.89 11.98 12.34 12.35 12.36 12.10 12.16

99.92 95.89 102.90 108.45 96.49 95.17 98.08 116.75 83.00 121.40 112.10 117.29 100.59 73.51 85.00 99.60

100.07 96.04 103.05 108.60 96.64 95.32 98.38 117.05 83.30 121.70 112.40 117.59 100.89 73.81 85.30 99.90

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.15 0.71 1.32 2.25 2.61 2.83

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.67 13.67 13.53 13.32 12.30 12.30

98.35 91.05 104.67 101.24 99.67 97.18

15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.10 0.98 0.58 1.10 1.11 2.61 1.66 3.31 2.28 4.07 2.48 2.48 2.86 2.93 5.21 3.00 3.61 6.22 6.31 3.79 3.82

3.29 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

13.77 15.65 14.19 15.70 14.72 16.89 12.30 13.11 13.11 12.35 12.30 16.08 12.30 12.30 12.50 14.04 12.33 12.80 13.77 12.78 13.29

99.95 97.23 99.47 98.72 101.30 85.88 102.43 102.29 101.85 105.13 104.80 96.12 105.08 107.84 107.44 101.68 106.71 102.88 105.01 105.04 104.98

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,282.54

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

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

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

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

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

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 28.37 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds

484.10 491.68

A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

Nil

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

*FLOURMILLS

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto

NAHCO

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR BBB/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER *TOWER

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

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

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

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

*DANA NAHCO

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.08

1.00

11.38

99.97

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.28

5.21

16.30

99.13

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.31

8.71

19.77

99.00

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.70

4.88

15.91

96.46

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.77

1.00

12.08

100.52

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.85

2.63

13.76

100.78

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.06

1.00

12.33

101.16

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.13

1.34

12.67

102.83

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.06

1.00

12.31

101.71

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.88

13.20

109.08

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.83

3.48

14.80

102.17

09-Sep-11

18.00

3.27

09-Sep-18

2.00

5.20

16.54

102.57

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.90

09-Sep-18

2.00

5.06

16.40

101.61

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.04

1.35

12.70

104.00

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.11

2.29

13.62

104.15

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.44

6.11

17.41

99.36

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.31

2.16

13.48

106.52

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.18

2.76

14.55

102.72

11-Feb-18

3.43

1.00

12.32

94.20

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

142.08

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

144.74

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

12.00 11.30 Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.62

4.48

111.62

112.49

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

3.90

3.70

104.32

105.06

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

4.96

4.85

110.01

110.85

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,629.78

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

3.24

111.13

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.37

105.04

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.72

101.35

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.66

8.10

94.47

96.16

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.04

5.75

99.86

100.91

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

8.70

105.75

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.13

100.48

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

8.97

8.72

99.13

100.10

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.42

103.01

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

7.49

95.75

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

8.73

8.56

102.88

103.73

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

7.53

101.48

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.60

8.42

99.79

100.68

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,760.00 4,852.09

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 31 38 45 52 59 66

FIXINGS Maturity 18-Sep-14 25-Sep-14 2-Oct-14 9-Oct-14 16-Oct-14 23-Oct-14 30-Oct-14 6-Nov-14 13-Nov-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.10 10.15 10.40 10.10 10.40 10.25 10.40 10.15 10.70

Offer Discount (%) 9.85 9.90 10.15 9.85 10.15 10.00 10.15 9.90 10.45

Bid Yield (%) 10.13 10.20 10.47 10.19 10.51 10.38 10.56 10.32 10.91

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.9583 12.3728 12.9370 14.1664

NITTY

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.50

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

10.75

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M 6M

162.25 162.46 162.72 163.32 164.50 165.59 169.27

162.35 162.69 163.02 163.90 165.78 167.38 172.63

O/N Tenor Call 1M 3M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.50 11.87 12.54

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

***LCRM

09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

112.22 116.70 66.49

09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

2.25 2.61 2.83

2.00 1.00 1.00

13.32 12.30 12.30

101.24 99.67 97.18

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 28.37 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

0.10 0.98 0.58 1.10 1.11 2.61 1.66 3.31 2.28 4.07 2.48 2.48 2.86 2.93 5.21 3.00 3.61 6.22 6.31 3.79 3.82

3.29 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

13.77 15.65 14.19 15.70 14.72 16.89 12.30 13.11 13.11 12.35 12.30 16.08 12.30 12.30 12.50 14.04 12.33 12.80 13.77 12.78 13.29

99.95 97.23 99.47 98.72 101.30 85.88 102.43 102.29 101.85 105.13 104.80 96.12 105.08 107.84 107.44 101.68 106.71 102.88 105.01 105.04 104.98

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.70

4.88

15.91

96.46

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.77

1.00

12.08

100.52

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,282.54

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto Tuesday, September 9, 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 Sanctity of Truth

NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO 2014 LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

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

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 43

Dubai firm invests $300m in Dangote Cement PROSPECTS

Nigeria provides fantastic long-term investment opportunities TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL by MARKET CAPITALISATION Stories Chris Ugwu

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

nvestment Corporation of Aa/Agusto GTB µ NGC investDubai (ICD), the main Nil Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC ment arm of the Emirate of A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS Dubai has acquired 243,500 BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS million units of Dangote CeA+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO ment Plc sold by Dangote IndusA-/Agusto FSDH tries A/GCRLimited for $300 UBA million BBB-/GCR (about N48 billion). *C & I LEASING BBB+/DataPro†; *DANA# LimMeristemBB+/GCR Securities A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER# ited, a dealing member of the AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER# Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA executed the sale and purchase Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA # of BBB-/DataPro†; the shares, while*CHELLARAMS Guaranty BB+/GCR BBB/GCR Trust Bank acted as *DANA the banker. A+/Agusto; A-/GCRCement, NAHCO Dangote which is TOTAL VALUEforms listed onOUTSTANDING the Exchange, TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

part of the Dangote Group, a diversified conglomerate of African businesses, founded and controlled by internationally renowned Nigerian business leader Aliko Dangote. Under the terms of the agreement, which was signed at a ceremony in Dubai attended by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Executive Director 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 13.50 GUARANTY 18-DEC-2014 of and CEO of theTRUST Investment 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 Corporation of Dubai and Al10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 haji Aliko Dangote, President 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 and CE of Dangote Industries 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 Limited, ICD29-SEP-2016 agreed to invest 13.00 NAHCO $300million 14.25 FSDH (about 25-OCT-2016N48 billion) 13.00 UBAa30-SEP-2017 to acquire minority interest. 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 Dangote, which has in reMPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 cent years achieved significant MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 revenue growth and industryMPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 leading margins, has market 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 capitalization of18-OCT-2018 approximately 15.75 LA CASERA MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 $23 billion. 16.00places DANA II 1-APR-2019 This the company, in NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 value15.25 terms, above industry heavyweights such as Anhui,

CRH and Heidelberg, and leaves it second in value only to the recently merged Lafarge/Holcim. The company has expansion plans to grow its capacity from the current levels of 35 MTA to more than 60 MTA by 2018, both domestically and across the continent, in order to capitalise on long term structural economic growth. Domestically , this will 07-Oct-11 11.50 allow the company and 18-Dec-09 to maintain 13.50 01-Apr-10 17.00 posigrow its market leading 17-Aug-10 tion (currently 62 per10.00 cent) in 09-Dec-10 12.00 Africa’s largest economy (Nige06-Jan-11 14.00 rian GDP is expected to grow by 29-Sep-11 13.00 6.6 per cent -7.3 per cent14.25 per year 25-Oct-13 between 2014 and 2018.) 30-Sep-10 13.00 The30-Nov-12 non-domestic18.00expan16.00 sion, of09-Apr-11 19 MTA across 12 other 09-Sep-11 18.00 countries, leverages the compa09-Sep-11 16.00 ny’s industry and operational 22-Sep-11 14.00 expertise, whilst also 15.75 targeting 18-Oct-13 clear market The 17-Feb-12 inefficiencies. 17.00 plan is01-Apr-14 already taking16.00 shape in 14-Nov-13 15.25plants the commissioning of in South Africa earlier in the

year with plans to commission plants in Senegal, Zambia, Cameroon and Sierra Leone before the end of the year. The transaction represents a landmark for ICD being its first major investment in the high growth African continent and 484.10 is aligned with one of its key 491.68 strategic goals to pursue diversification. Commenting deal, 11.80 07-Oct-14on the 0.08 Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaiba13.17 18-Dec-14 0.28 2.00stated: “We 31-Dec-14 0.31 ni, believe Sub-Sa-

Guinness Nigeria profit falls as drinkers avoid pricy brands

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.85

2.63

13.76

100.78

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.06

1.00

12.33

101.16

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.13

1.34

12.67

102.83

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.06

1.00

12.31

101.71

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.88

13.20

109.08

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.83

3.48

14.80

102.17

G 3.27

uinness 09-Sep-18 Nigeria Plc,2.00 the 0.90 09-Sep-18 2.00 West African nation’s4.04sec35.00 22-Sep-18 brewer, said2.11full2.70ond-largest 18-Oct-18 year 0.41 profit declined 17-Feb-19 as drinkers 2.44 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.31 inAfrica’s biggest economy 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.18 switched to cheaper brands. 142.08 In a financial statement re144.74 leased to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, the company said its profit before 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.43 tax (PBT) for the year ended 12.00 mond Bank Plc followed with a June 30, 2014, dropped by 31 per 11.30 turnover of 56.9 million shares cent from N17.0 billion in 2013 to N11.68 billion in theBidreview valuedIssue at N694.9 billion in 1,218Outstanding Value Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Yield (%) ($mm) period of 2014. deals. The number of gainers at the Guinness also reported a declose of07-Oct-11 trading session was 29 cline in its post-tax profit of 19 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 4.62 per cent to N9.573 billion from while decliners closed at 25. N11.863 billion in its year3.90 2014 Cadbury 12-Jul-13Nigeria Plc 5.13led the 500.00 12-Jul-18 gainers’ table with N19.73 to audited year. 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 close at12-Jul-13 N55.08 per In the same breadth,4.96revShare, while UACN Nigeria 1,500.00 enues also declined to N109.20 Plc followed with a gain of N1.11 1,629.78 billion in the 12 month period to to close at N59.70. Lafarge WAP- June 30, compared with N122.46 CO Nigeria Plc added N1.00 to billion during the same period 11.50 450.00 year. 01-Feb-16 3.24 close at01-Feb-11 N118.00 per share. last 7.50 Julius 500.00 19-May-16 On 19-May-11 the other hand, The brewer however,4.37de350.00 25-Jul-17 of N3.20 6.72per Berger25-Jul-12 Nigeria Plc led7.25 the price clared a dividend 300.00 02-May-18 8.66 losers’09-May-13 table, dropping6.88 N6.50 to share to investors of the compa6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.04 in its 2014-audited year-end. close at08-Nov-13 N65.00 per share, while ny 08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 8.70 Flour Mills Nigeria Plc followed The N3.20 kobo proposed divi22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.13 with a 21-May-14 loss of N6.48 to8.75close at dend payout to shareholders of 200.00 21-May-19 8.97 N64.76.07-Aug-13 Guinness Nigeria Plc the depicts was a7.42 drop 8.25 300.00company,07-Aug-20 shed N5.20 per share to of 54.28 per cent compared7.49 with 09-Dec-13 6.63close at 360.00 09-Dec-20 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 paid in24-Jun-21 N7.00 the previous8.73 year. N175.80.

Nigerian stocks advance on investors’ optimism Supranational Bond

AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE he bulls maintained their TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

grip on the market as bargain hunters jostled Issuer for Rating/Agency shares on the back of blue chip companies. FGN Eurobonds Analysts said the resurgent BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P of the bulls to sustain market BB-/Fitch; FGN rally after weeks of loss was BB-/S&P evidence that confidence is reBB-/Fitch; turning BB-/S&P to market in spite of TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE security challenges that has posed toCAPITALISATION investment in TOTALthreat MARKET the country. Corporate The keyEurobonds market performance B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I Inmeasures, the NSE All Share B+/Fitch; GTBANK PLC I dex andB+/S&P market capitalization B+/S&P BANK PLC rose by 0.13 per cent,ACCESS as market B/Fitch; B/S&P extended FIDELITY BANK PLC sentiments gaining B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC streak following investors’ opB/Fitch AFREN PLC II timism. B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC Consequently, theDIAMOND All-Share B/Fitch; B/S&P BANK PLC Index gained 54.19 basis points B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC orB-/Fitch; 0.13B/S&P per cent to close AFREN PLC III at 41,214.81 as against 41,160.62 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

recorded at the weekend, while the market capitalisation of equities appreciated by N18 bilDescription lion or 0.13 per cent as market sentiment remained green. Meanwhile, 6.75 a turnover of JAN 28, 2021 479.7 million shares worth N50.7 billion in 5.13 4,168 deals JUL 12, 2018 was recorded in the day’s trading. 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 Other financial services subsector of the financial services sector was the most active during the day (measured by turnover volume); with 74.8 million FEB 01, million 2016 shares worth 11.50 N377.8 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 exchanged by investors in 653 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 deals. MAY 09, 2018 Volume in the6.88 sub-sector was 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 largely driven by activity in the 10.25 APR 08, 2019 shares of UBA 6.25 Capital Plc and APR 22, 2019 FBNH Plc. 8.75 May 21, 2019 Also, the banking 8.25 AUGsub-sector, 07, 2020 boosted by activity in the shares 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUNDia24, 2021 of Access Bank Plc and

haran Africa, and particularly Nigeria, provides fantastic long term investment opportunities. In this case, Dangote Cement provides some excellent investment credentials, being a highly profitable, well capitalized and efficiently run organization, with a market leading position in the largest African economy and very well positioned to access and 1.00 11.38 99.97act on growth opportunities across 5.21 16.30 99.13 8.71continent. 19.77 99.00 the

5.20

16.54 “Nigerian drinkers102.57 are cut5.06 16.40 101.61 ting down on premium beer” 1.35 12.70 104.00 such after 2.29 as Guinness 13.62 104.15a rise in6.11 fuel prices on 17.41put pressure 99.36 2.16 13.48 106.52 disposable household income, 2.76 14.55 102.72 Adewale Okunrinboye, an analyst at Lagos-based Asset & Resource Management Co., told Bloomberg by phone. “The company’s premium strategy is 1.00 12.32 94.20 affecting its sales, while higher finance charges and operating costs on the route to market is cutting profit.” Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price The brewer started to sell DubicPrices lager, which costs less than & Yields the company’s flagship Guin4.48 111.62 112.49 ness stout, to improve sales in Africa’s most populous nation, 3.70 104.32 105.06 Chief Executive Officer Seni 4.85 110.85 Adetu told 110.01 Bloomberg TV Africa in May. A wave of deadly bomb attacks and kidnappings by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram in the northeast 111.13 and Abuja, 111.13 of3.24the country the 4.37 105.04 contributing 105.04 capital, is also to 6.72 101.35 101.35 lower beer sales, he said. 8.10 The stock94.47 fell 2.9 per96.16 cent, the 5.75 99.86 100.91 most since August 11, to N175.80 8.70 105.75 105.75 at6.13 the close 100.48 of trading100.48 in Lagos. It8.72 has declined almost 26 per 99.13 100.10 cent 7.42 this year, 103.01 compared 103.01 with a 7.49 0.3 per cent retreat in the Ex95.75 95.75 change All-Share Index. 8.56 102.88 103.73

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

7.53

101.48

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.60

8.42

99.79

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

101.48 100.68

8-Sep-14

4,760.00 4,852.09

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 FIXINGS Money Market FMDQ OTCBills PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com. Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) 10 18-Sep-14 10.10 17 25-Sep-14 10.15 FGN Bonds24 2-Oct-14 10.40 31 9-Oct-14 10.10 38 16-Oct-14 10.40 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 45 23-Oct-14 10.25 52 30-Oct-14 10.40 9.25 28-SEP-2014 59 6-Nov-14 10.15 4.00 23-APR-2015 66 13-Nov-14 10.70 13.05 16-AUG-2016 73 20-Nov-14 10.10 15.10 27-APR-2017 80 27-Nov-14 10.80 9.85 27-JUL-2017 87 4-Dec-14 9.70 94 11-Dec-14 10.70 9.35 31-AUG-2017 108 25-Dec-14 10.60 10.70 30-MAY-2018 115 1-Jan-15 10.80 16.00 29-JUN-2019 NA NA 122 8-Jan-15 10.75 7.00 23-OCT-2019 129 15-Jan-15 10.80 16.39 27-JAN-2022 136 22-Jan-15 10.25 14.20 14-MAR-2024 150 5-Feb-15 10.60 15.00 28-NOV-2028 164 19-Feb-15 10.30 12.49 22-MAY-2029 178 5-Mar-15 10.35 213 9-Apr-15 10.20 8.50 20-NOV-2029 227 23-Apr-15 10.30 10.00 23-JUL-2030 241 7-May-15 10.00 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 332 6-Aug-15 10.40 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 360 3-Sep-15 10.35 *from the MARKET Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration TOTAL CAPITALISATION

Offer Discount (%) 9.85 9.90 10.15 9.85 10.15Date Issue 10.00 10.15 28-Sep-07 9.90 23-Apr-10 10.45 16-Aug-13 9.85 27-Apr-12 10.55 27-Jul-07 9.45 10.45 31-Aug-07 10.35 30-May-08 10.55 29-Jun-12 10.50 23-Oct-09 10.55 27-Jan-12 10.00 14-Mar-14 10.35 28-Nov-08 10.05 22-May-09 10.10 9.95 20-Nov-09 10.05 23-Jul-10 9.75 18-Jul-14 10.15 10.10

Bid Yield (%) 10.13 10.20 10.47 10.19 10.51 (%) Coupon 10.38 10.56 9.25 10.32 4.00 10.91 13.05 10.31 15.10 11.06 9.85 9.93 11.00 9.35 10.94 10.70 11.18 16.00 11.15 7.00 11.23 16.39 10.66 14.20 11.08 15.00 10.80 12.49 10.90 10.85 8.50 11.00 10.00 10.71 12.1493 11.49 11.53

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

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

Modified Duration Buckets

***LCRM <3

3<5 >5 CAPITALISATION Market

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET

Description

Issue Date

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25Porfolio FMB II Market 03-APR-2017 Total Outstanding Value(Bn) 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 1,036.71 983.07 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

1,138.54 818.23 2,993.48

Tenor O/N 1M Outstanding Value 3M (N'bn) 6M

Rate (%) 10.9583 12.3728 12.9370 Date Maturity 14.1664

100.00 28-Sep-14 535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 530.27 16-Aug-16 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 10.2050 2M 10.4457 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 10.8708 300.00 30-May-18 6M 10.8971 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 10.9034 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 11.4852 600.00 27-Jan-22 281.35 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 NIFEX 150.00 22-May-29 Current Price ($/N)20-Nov-29 200.00 BID($/N) 591.57 162.1500 23-Jul-30 OFFER ($/N) 162.2500 70.00 18-Jul-34

4,591.19

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.50

Tenor

O/N

10.75

Spot 7D Offer 14D Yield 1M (%) 2M 7.61 3M 10.73 6M 1Y11.24

REPO TTM (Yrs)

Tenor Call 0.05 1M 0.62 3M 6M1.94

Bid Yield (%)

Rate (%) 10.50 10.27 11.87 10.99 12.54 11.33 13.68

2.63 11.28 11.22 2.88 11.30 11.24 2.98 11.30 11.24 :Benchmarks 3.72 11.33 11.23 * :Amortising Bond 4.81 11.37 11.29 µ :Convertible Bond 5.12 11.48 11.39 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 7.39 11.94 11.89 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.51Mortgage Bank of12.03 11.98 FMBN: Federal Nigeria 14.22 Finance Corporation 12.38 12.34 IFC: International 14.70 12.39 Management 12.35 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian Company 15.20 Aviation Handling 12.41 12.36 O/N: Overnight 15.87 12.15 12.10 UPDC: UAC19.86 Property Development Company 12.20 12.16 NOTE:

WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Bid ($/N) 162.25 162.46 162.72 Bid Price 163.32 164.50 99.92 165.59 95.89 169.27 102.90 176.61

Offer ($/N)

Price

162.35 162.69 163.02 Offer Price 163.90 165.78 100.07 167.38 96.04 172.63 103.05 184.87

108.45 108.60 96.49 96.64 95.17 95.32 NA :Not Applicable 98.08 98.38 # :Floating Rate Bond 116.75 117.05 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 83.00 83.30 121.40 121.70 †: Bond rating expired 112.10 112.40 117.29 117.59 100.59 100.89 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 73.51 73.81 UBA: United Bank for Africa 85.00 85.30 99.60 99.90

4,676.00

Rating/Agency

NIBOR

Bonds

951.30 872.92 2,807.29

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 Weighting by 03-Apr-12 Outstanding Vol 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 35.02 06-Jul-12 33.89

0.00 0.00 Weighting by Mkt 17.25 Value 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 34.63 0.00/16.50 38.03

978.35 24.56 3.30 Bucket Weighting 112.22 116.70 66.490.35 0.34

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 % Exposure_ 03-Apr-17 Mod_Duration 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 16.25 06-Jul-17 34.48

0.15 0.71 1.32 Implied Yield 2.25 2.61 11.31 2.83 11.77

31.09 100.00

27.33 100.00

1,282.54 1.00

0.31

49.27 100.00

12.11 11.86

1,301.62

# Risk Premium (%)

1.00 2.63 Implied 2.27 Portfolio 2.00 Price 1.00 119.2332 1.00 135.6769

103.7944 120.0048

Valuation Yield (%) 11.67 13.67 13.53 INDEX 13.32 12.30 1,132.47 12.30 1,148.86

1,210.85 1,139.92

Indicative Price

98.35 91.05 YTD Return 104.67 (%)101.24 99.67 13.2472 97.18 14.8860

21.0845 13.9917

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

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

15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11

14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00

15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18

0.10 0.98 0.58 1.10 1.11 2.61 1.66 3.31 2.28 4.07

3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

13.77 15.65 14.19 15.70 14.72 16.89 12.30 13.11 13.11 12.35

99.95 97.23 99.47 98.72 101.30 85.88 102.43 102.29 101.85 105.13

Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

44 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Quantity Traded 200

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 53 19 376 83 6 38 78 653

Current Price 3.37 3.95 15.00 4.25 0.59 30.00 2.15

Quantity Traded 571,137 674,646 14,469,289 9,042,776 247,154 407,186 49,406,340 74,818,528

Value Traded 100.00 Value Traded 1,915,199.13 2,664,418.78 217,027,571.45 38,423,533.53 145,820.86 12,216,698.11 105,453,079.27 377,846,321.13

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at September 8, 2014

Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032

Daily Summary (Bonds)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Symbol FG9B2022S1

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 121.15

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 123,154.11 123,154.11

100

123,154.11

100

123,154.11

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC Daily Summary as of OIL 08/09/2014 OKOMU PALM PLC. Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032 PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO Symbol LIVESTOCK Daily Summary

No. of Deals 69 41 11 121

Current Price 0.56 34.50 36.00

Quantity Traded 20,414,768 456,220 38,443 20,909,431

Value Traded 11,431,170.08 15,658,113.98 1,382,423.03 28,471,707.09

No. of Deals 27 (Equities) 27

Current Price 3.20

Quantity Traded 587,884 587,884

Value Traded 1,876,789.53 1,876,789.53

21,497,315

30,348,496.62

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

148

Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 7 408 48 463

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

Current Price 1.47 6.50 59.70

463

Quantity Traded 128,716 33,415,179 Page 344,489 33,888,384

Value Traded 186,958.53 216,737,483.37 1 of 13 20,550,824.57 237,475,266.47

33,888,384

237,475,266.47

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 1.06

Quantity Traded 208,751 208,751

Value Traded 221,516.06 221,516.06

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 45 45

Current Price 65.00

Quantity Traded 345,653 345,653

Value Traded 21,415,236.68 21,415,236.68

Real Estate Development Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 UACN15:08:32.032 PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Printed 08/09/2014 Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 15.34

Quantity Traded 34,850 34,850

Value Traded 530,514.00 530,514.00

589,254

22,167,266.74

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DNSummary TYRE & RUBBER PLCEQTY Activity on Board

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 64,800

Value Traded 32,400.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 4

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 64,800

2Value Traded of 13 32,400.00

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

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals 2 87 20 2 106 2 219

Current Price 7.91 175.80 28.02 2.46 176.50 3.32

Quantity Traded 4,500 309,056 182,650 500 1,257,500 51,500 1,805,706

Value Traded 37,350.00 54,073,948.78 5,125,705.50 1,170.00 221,287,434.68 170,980.00 280,696,588.96

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

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 134.00

Quantity Traded 21,380 21,380

Value Traded 3,008,166.00 3,008,166.00

Symbol No. of Deals DANGFLOUR 24 DANGSUGAR 30 FLOURMILL 49 HONYFLOUR 45 Daily Summary (Equities) NASCON 23 NNFM 2 173

Current Price 6.97 8.36 64.76 4.20 9.69 22.05

Quantity Traded 527,110 199,498 153,167 2,280,066 71,675 7,659 3,239,175

Value Traded 3,674,212.10 1,660,645.03 9,541,307.44 9,510,133.78 688,660.86 160,685.82 25,235,645.03

Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 Food Products Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032 DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Activity on Board EQTY Food Summary Products Totals

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified CADBURY PLC. © Published by The NigerianNIGERIA Stock Exchange NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 35 46 81

Current Price 55.08 1,019.00

Quantity Traded 118,940 Page 52,188 171,128

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 8 4 12

Current Price 4.30 0.89

Quantity Traded 152,430 152,497 304,927

Value Traded 640,910.30 131,722.45 772,632.75

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 50 25 75

Current Price 34.22 48.00

Quantity Traded 340,221 72,999 413,220

Value Traded 11,723,611.18 3,386,875.17 15,110,486.35

6,020,336

383,514,382.91

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 Banking Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032 ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE PLC Daily Summary as ofBANK 08/09/2014 STERLING BANK PLC. EQTY PrintedActivity 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032 Summary on Board

577 Current Price 9.40 6.20 18.19 1.99 30.00 2.86 2.20

Quantity Traded 18,229,958 7,238,031 1,460,296 3,122,924 5,683,495 3,059,401 1,703,117

No. of Deals 135 59 10

Current Price 7.40 9.42 0.50

Page Quantity Traded 3,123,875 1,068,683 1,352,925

Symbol WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 20 246 1,218

Current Price 0.90 24.21

Quantity Traded 1,426,678 9,459,019 56,928,402

Value Traded 1,283,759.83 229,021,574.62 694,993,624.34

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST EQUITYASUR INTENEGINS LAWUNION MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM STDINSURE UNITYKAP WAPIC

No. of Deals 18 6 3 1 1 1 2 8 13 1 2 63 119

Current Price 0.80 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.50 0.54 0.79 0.50 0.50 0.72

Quantity Traded 1,187,609 320,000 310,000 10,000 1,000 30 17,000 2,191,519 853,711 48,600 100,000 2,896,792 7,936,261

Value Traded 950,377.20 318,940.00 155,000.00 5,000.00 500.00 15.60 42,520.00 1,183,420.26 674,457.69 24,300.00 50,000.00 2,128,434.06 5,532,964.81

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.99

Quantity Traded Page 440 440

Symbol ASOSAVINGS

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200

Value Traded 100.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 200

6 of 13 Value Traded 100.00

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 53 19 376 83 6 38 78 653

Current Price 3.37 3.95 15.00 4.25 0.59 30.00 2.15

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGSon AND LOANS PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 185 DIAMONDBNK 62 ETI 90 FIDELITYBK 64 Daily Summary (Equities) GUARANTY 231 SKYEBANK 87 STERLNBANK 29

Value Traded

3 6,428,454.10 of 13 52,230,009.72 58,658,463.82

Symbol

UBA Daily Summary (Equities) UBN UNITYBNK

Daily Summary (Equities)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

1,993

Value Traded 171,067,124.21 44,616,289.77 26,543,006.41 6,192,267.86 170,147,910.11 8,728,852.53 3,742,757.82 4 of 13 Value Traded 22,914,223.74 10,059,394.94 676,462.50

Traded13 5 Valueof 447.20 447.20

Quantity Traded 571,137 674,646 14,469,289 9,042,776 247,154 407,186 49,406,340 74,818,528

Value Traded 1,915,199.13 2,664,418.78 217,027,571.45 38,423,533.53 145,820.86 12,216,698.11 105,453,079.27 377,846,321.13

139,683,831

1,078,373,457.48

Symbol UNIONDAC

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 120,000 120,000

Value Traded 60,000.00 60,000.00

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 6 15 6 16 11

Current Price 2.03 3.52 65.99 1.50 1.05

Quantity Traded 104,750 250,370 11,688 244,864 128,120

Value Traded 212,450.50 885,449.00 747,439.36 371,681.68 136,790.20

HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 Healthcare Providers Totals Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032 Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC HEALTHCARE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Pharmaceuticals PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

1,993 Symbol UNIONDAC

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 120,000 120,000

Value Traded 60,000.00 60,000.00

Symbol No. of Deals EVANSMED 6 FIDSON 15 Daily Summary (Equities) GLAXOSMITH 6 MAYBAKER 16 NEIMETH 11

Current Price 2.03 3.52 65.99 1.50 1.05

Quantity Traded 104,750 250,370 11,688 244,864 128,120

Value Traded 212,450.50 885,449.00 747,439.36 371,681.68 136,790.20

Current Price 2.38

Page Quantity Traded 500 740,292

Symbol PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 1 55 56

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

7 of 13 Value Traded 1,190.00 2,355,000.74

860,292

2,415,000.74

Symbol TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.88

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 1,790.00 1,790.00

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 3 1 4

Current Price 0.50 2.21

Quantity Traded 1,350,000 500 1,350,500

Value Traded 675,000.00 1,050.00 676,050.00

1,351,500

677,840.00

Current Price 30.95 8.60 39.05 14.50 224.99 1.15 1.60

Quantity Traded 163,554 88,623 20,190 538,109 243,634,886 850 4,200

Value Traded 5,163,804.47 759,145.65 789,599.80 7,640,279.71 48,729,301,240.75 935.00 6,384.00

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 Building Materials Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032 ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

1,078,373,457.48

No. of Deals 1 1

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

139,683,831

5 Symbol No. of Deals ASHAKACEM 34 BERGER 13 CAP 10 CCNN 35 Daily Summary (Equities) DANGCEM 29 DNMEYER 2 PAINTCOM 1

Page

Symbol PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 24 29 177

Current Price 5.16 118.00

Quantity Traded 765,800 103,814 245,320,026

Value Traded 3,964,970.00 12,155,185.20 48,759,781,544.58

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

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 1.82

Quantity Traded 29,920 29,920

Value Traded 54,614.40 54,614.40

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

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 18.85

Quantity Traded 8,976 8,976

Value Traded 176,588.60 176,588.60

245,358,922

48,760,012,747.58

Quantity Traded 1,300 1,300

Value Traded 6,773.00 6,773.00

1,300

6,773.00

Quantity Traded 1,986,569 1,986,569

Value Traded 1,020,877.06 1,020,877.06

Page Quantity Traded 2,139,762 2,139,762

9 of 13 Value Traded 54,514,424.90 54,514,424.90

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 Chemicals Totals Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032 NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

190 Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 5.48

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

35 35

0.51

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 232 232

Current Price 25.49

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 22 58 116 21 3 17 237

Current Price 61.00 3.94 217.99 174.00 55.96 172.06

Quantity Traded 73,927 1,268,838 329,322 50,236 4,325 13,603 1,740,251

Value Traded 4,284,089.65 5,013,517.73 71,614,471.07 8,741,642.28 229,960.25 2,362,891.21 92,246,572.19

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 679.98

Quantity Traded 18,096 18,096

Value Traded 11,848,770.26 11,848,770.26

5,884,678

159,630,644.41

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

OIL AND GAS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

OIL AND GAS Totals

Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 Printed 08/09/2014 SERVICES15:08:32.032

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

516 No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 1.00

Quantity Traded 201,984 201,984

Value Traded 195,523.64 195,523.64

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 4.79

Quantity Traded 20,000

Value Traded 91,200.00

Courier/Freight/Delivery TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 2 3

Current Price 1.79

Quantity Traded 26,500 46,500

Value Traded 49,555.00 140,755.00

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,249 1,249

Value Traded 624.50 624.50

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,500 2,500

Value Traded 1,250.00 1,250.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 41 41

Current Price 1.05

Quantity Traded 18,648,853 18,648,853

Value Traded 19,576,295.65 19,576,295.65

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

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 3 12 15

Current Price 1.58 4.15

Quantity Traded 31,000 151,739 182,739

Value Traded 48,120.00 601,851.00 649,971.00

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 0.68

Quantity Traded 3,692,034 3,692,034

Value Traded 2,512,069.32 2,512,069.32

Symbol

No. of Deals 4

Current Price 2.00

Quantity Traded 19,543

Value Traded 39,086.00

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

Daily Summary as of 08/09/2014 Road Transportation Printed 08/09/2014 15:08:32.032 ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC

Symbol RTBRISCOE

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Daily Summary (Equities) AIRSERVICE

Page

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Transport-Related Services NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol NAHCO

No. of Deals 25 29

Current Price 5.00

Quantity Traded 314,827 334,370

Value Traded 1,575,636.53 1,614,722.53

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 4.77

Quantity Traded 1,545,819 1,545,819

Value Traded 7,421,292.00 7,421,292.00

150

24,656,048

32,112,503.64

EQTY Board Totals

4,168

479,791,860

50,706,734,379.59

Equity Activity Totals

4,168

479,791,860

50,706,734,379.59

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

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

ETF Board Totals

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 4 5

Current Price 1,987.00 18.72

Quantity Traded 24 101,000 101,024

Value Traded 47,688.00 1,889,900.00 1,937,588.00

101,024

1,937,588.00

Page

FEATURES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com otuntise@yahoo.co.uk

Tejuosho ultramodern market: Imposing edifice, exorbitant rents

Tejuosho Market

High cost of hiring stalls may frustrate poor traders from moving into the newly completed ultra-modern Tejuosho market, writes ELIJAH SAMUEL

hange, it is often said, is the only constant variable of life. When it comes, whether influenced or naturally unveiled, it is always not without its impact on socio-economic relations in society. Thhe ravaging inferno, which engulfed the old Tejuosho market about a decade ago, was the de facto change agent that ushered the market on the path of modernity. It has made business and social relations around the Tejuosho, Ojuelegba and other surrounding communities in Surulere Local Government Area and Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) never to remain the same again. As a consequence of the unfortunate incident which necessitated the rebuilding and the reconstruction of the old market, business activities were halted, residents were displaced as residential houses were converted into commercial buildings in utter disregard for the original plan; the area had quickly translated into highly concentrated commercial

centre which is not the original plan of the area. All these were indirectly to the detriment of the serenity and comfort, which the residents once enjoyed. Sprouting now in the stead of the old market is the intimidating Ultra-modern Tejuosho Market which comprises over 1,660 shops in various sizes, underground ample parking space and security measures which have being put in place to enhance safe and comfortable business environment. However, following the completion and the eventual inauguration of the market by the Lagos State Government recently, apprehension is now rife among the residents and the business community in the area over the suspicion that government is contemplating a clampdown on business owners to enforce their relocation into the Main Tejuosho Market. Ahmed Owolabi, who runs an embroidery outfit in Tejuosho, decried the denial of traders’ rightful place in the market. He said: “That massive edifice in a way is intimidating some people. Some have not even gone to make enquiries concerning the place; they are too scared to even take forms because of the imposing structure of the new market. “The government has jettisoned the promise made from the outset of the reconstruction, after the fire

incident. The prices fixed for those shops now that the market is opened for commercial activities indirectly indicate that the market is not for ordinary traders; that environment is meant for big business outfits and chain stores. “The only way we all could benefit from the rebuilt market is for the government and all relevant stakeholders to review the prices downward to affordable level for the masses. Other than the prestige which this magnificent building attracts to this community, many people, even those that are landowners, will be denied the benefits of securing a place in the market.” But Alhaji Hakeem Salami, who plies his graphics and designs trade in the area, expressed delight over the new market. He said: “I’m very happy that the market has been completed and opened. I believe that the closeness of my business to the market will attract immense benefits to me and my business. “The fear, however, is that by the time business activities peak at the market, the property owners in the vicinity may embark on arbitrary increase of the rent fees.” However, in order that the structure may not suffer the fate that is associated with other public facilities, Salami advised that adequate attention should be given to the mainte-

nance of the structure and the surrounding infrastructure. He added: “For a few days after they opened the building, there was no electricity for about four days; the water was also not running. We were told that there was a cable somewhere underground that was faulty, may be as a result of the construction work that has just been concluded. So, we saw they were digging the ground somewhere close to the market. “In view of these lapses, I’m of the opinion that government should give adequate attention to the maintenance of the Tejuosho market. “I’m more comfortable where I have my business, so I don’t have interest in moving into the market. However, findings showed that the rent fees of the least shop in the market is about N40,000 per month. This clearly shows that the place is not meant for small businesses. Let the government do a drastic reduction to make the rent affordable.” For Prince Andy Uma, a dealer in cottons and interior decoration accessories, the prices of the shops are on the high side. He said: “Let the prices be reduced by the government so that people can move into the place. “We hope that the new market will surpass the stature of the former, which was an international market C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 6

46 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Joy, apprehension as Tejuosho market returns C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

that actually attracted people from all over the world for business transactions. “Nevertheless, I will appeal to the government not to demolish stalls around as a way of forcing the people into the market. If the government attempts to force people into the market, a lot of the business people will lose their means of their livelihood. “They should allow these businesses which had endured the period of reconstruction to exist alongside the main market. It is not in the interest of both the government and the people, if such an action is taken.” Yet, Okey Samson, a dealer in assorted fabrics, admonished that rather than coercing the traders, the high cost of shops should be reviewed downwards. “The cost of a shop in the new market is too high. They should not force people into the place by taking drastic actions, but by bringing the rents down. “There should also be regular power supply; let them discourage indiscriminate use of generators which may lead to fire outbreak,” he advised. Another trader, who gave his name simply as Ibe, thanked God for allowing the project to be completed. He said: “I appreciate the government as well. Nonetheless, the prices are beyond the reach of small businesses like ours. “Although plans are on to move into the market, we are still encumbered with raising funds to acquire shops in the market. Sincerely, some people already have the money which will make them move into the market but they are less than those who are still battling with raising funds. “The planning of the market, no doubt, has incorporated many features and facilities which were lacking in the old, but it seems not to be for of the masses.” A resident in the area, Emanuel Nkwocha, expressed delight over the turnaround that the reconstruction of the market has attracted. The man also bemoaned the situation whereby residences are converted to commercial buildings thereby eroding the peace and tranquillity that once was a feature of the area. He said: “This is a great thing happening to this area. It will be premature to assess the impact this edifice will have in this environment. “However, there must be positive and negative impacts of a development like this in a community: negative in the sense of miscreants that may possibly sprout as a result of commercial activities in and around the market. And positively, it will facilitate business, especially with the

Fashola

Dosumu

Ibe

Salami

Samson

Nwokocha

cial purposes. And with the present circumstance where the prices of shops in the new market are on the high side, you wonder how effective that relocation policy can be. “If the government can make the prices more affordable than what is obtainable in other properties around here, the people will be willing to move inside the new market because it makes business sense to run business on cheap rent. But if the rent is equivalent to where they are, they will prefer to stay where they are presently located.” The Iyaloja General of Surulere, Alhaja Ganiyat Dosumu, under whose jurisdiction the market falls, expressed gratitude to God for sparing her life to witness the reconstruction and the completion of the market. She nevertheless dispelled worries and apprehensions being expressed by traders. “I give thanks to God for what He has done, making us to witness the completion of this market. Since the reconstruction started, I have always been around, holding meetings with the members to keep hope alive.” Commenting on the alleged deprivation arising from the high costs both for rental and acquisition of shop spaces in the new market, Dosumu posited that consideration should be given to prevailing pricing of commodities which in part is responsible for the exorbitant prices for shop spaces at the ultra-modern market.

She said: “We know that prices of commodities are no longer what they used to be. The government has promised that there won’t be any deprivation; that we will have our places back in the new market. Thus, we implore the market women and men to look for money to get what belongs to them. “The issue of deprivation does not arise because most of the members, during our meetings, expressed satisfaction with the trend of proceedings. If they had so wished, who am I to dissuade them? “Although we had initially protested the outrageous fees and the government promised that the issue would be looked into. But curiously, some of the members agreed to pay as they have expressed satisfaction with the fees. All I could tell them was for them to consider the offers diligently before sealing the deal. “But enormous gains abound in going back into the market to commence commercial activities just as we had done in the old market. “However, a lot of security measures have been put in place to forestall fire outbreak and any untoward occurrence in the market.” As the Main Tejuosho Ultramodern Market sets for the take-off of commercial activities amidst the worries and apprehensions, it remains to be seen how the expectations of residents and business community in the area will be assuaged.

The cost of a shop in the new market is too high. They should not force people into the place by taking drastic actions, but by bringing the rents down expansion and other features that have been added to the new market. “But the authority in charge of the place, for the benefit of the residents and the environment, should ensure adequate security. This is because large commercial for mations like this usually attract miscreants and other social undesirable elements, and they can constitute major hindrance to the original intention.” Reacting to the rumoured clampdown on surrounding businesses, Nkwocha said it was okay if the government wanted to go back to the original plan and asked the traders to relocate to the market. He said: “But following the destruction of the former market, a lot of apartments in the vicinity were converted into shops and warehouses. The property owners are enjoying the dividends of the conversion of their properties for large commer-

NEWS 47

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Saraki: Why Kwara APC ticket is open for all open

No inhibitions, partymen can live their dream for good reason Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

ormer governor and political leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara state, Senator Bukola Saraki has explained why the party decided to throw open its tickets for the various elective offices for the 2015 general polls. Saraki, in Ilorin, the state capital, told newsmen there was nothing strange in the directive which was made public last week in a statement

issued at the end of a meeting of the party’s state executive committee members. The statement had said that tickets for all offices are open to interested members and urged aspirants seeking to contest elective positions in the 2015 general elections to declare their political ambitions. When asked for explanation on the decision, Saraki said: “It is not strange. I think what they are saying is that anybody that has interest can aspire but you know aspiration also must be within reason. You have never been a councillor before and you now say you want to go to House of Representatives or you want to be governor. “I think what they are saying is that you must have contributed to the

community. People who are in position and help people would go a long way in being favourite choice in APC. We are not discouraging anybody but again, people must know what they are aspiring for and know their contribution to society”. Excerpts from the statement, signed by the party’s publicity secretary in the state, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari reads: "The resolution was reached at an expanded APC State Executives Council (SEC) meeting presided over by APC Chairman, Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani and held at the Party Secretariat in Ilorin, Kwara State". "The APC reached the resolution that there is no automatic ticket for aspirants at all levels, without exception, in the

2015 general elections at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Wednesday at the Party Secretariat in Ilorin. "We urge all aspirants seeking to contest elective positions in the 2015 general election to declare their political ambitions as the APC will soon kickoff the process of direct primary elections for all aspirants in Kwara State. There will be level playing field for all aspirants. All aspirants would be subjected to transparent, fair and credible primary elections. "The APC believes in internal democracy and the forthcoming primary elections will afford our party another opportunity to prove to Kwarans and Nigerians that our unity as a party is bonded by internal democracy.

Uduaghan, IGP, petitioned over Delta community election Gabriel Choba Ughelli

ix chairmanship asSquarters, pirants of Udumoto Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of Delta state who are contesting for the Ekpan Community youth presidency have petitioned Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Inspector General of Police and others. The aggrieved aspirants want them to probe into the activities of one prominent chief in the community, over what they termed as intimidation and imposition of candidate on co-aspi-

Group backs Jonathan Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

political group known AGoodluck, as, Mass Movement for (MMG) cham-

Group Head, Marketing and Communications, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ikechukwu Kalu (left) and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, at the 80th birthday anniversary of Chief Mbanefo in Lagos

FG lacks data on illiteracy, says Wike Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

orried by the conflicting statistical evidence on the illiterate population in the country, Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike has said that the nation has no accurate data on the number of out of school children as well as illiterate adults in the country. A status report by the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) released in 2012 said 38 percent of 164,294,516 Nigerians are illiterates. The figure represented 63,213,272 illiterate Nigerians. According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Nigeria has 10.5 million out of school children. But Wike said Nigeria does not have the exact figure of its illiterate popula-

tion. The Minister who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at a press briefing marking this year's International Literacy Day lamented that absence of accurate data has been a major bane of developmental efforts of federal government. The theme of this year celebration is Literacy for Sustainable Development. He however said that the federal government has set up a committee to work with the Federal Bureau of Statistics to carry out a census of out of school children and those in school. This was as he remarked that the achievement of Education for All (EFA) goal in the year remains unattainable. While saying that federal government has made tremendous commitment to the realisation of the goal, the Minister blamed many state governments who according to him have failed to access their funds

with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). His words: "Honestly speaking, one major problem we have in this country has to do with accurate data. You ask yourself, each year we say 10.5million. Does it mean that nobody is enrolled in school each year even with the robust effort federal government is making to ensure that children and those who are out of school go back. Does it mean we still have that figure of 10.5? So, we have set up a committee to work with the federal Bureau of Statistics in order to have accurate data. One major problem you know that is very common in this country is lack of accurate data not only as regard the education sector but in all sectors." According to Wike, "if you ask the National Planning Commission, the data they will give you may be different from what the Statistics Bureau will have. It is quite worrisome

but a committee has been set up to see that we really carry out the actual census in terms of children who are in schools and those who are not in school." He said "in terms of percentage, I must say frankly speaking" that this government at the federal level has done quite well in mobilising the state in order to achieve this goal. But the truth of the matter is: it will be difficult for me to say that by 2015 we would have achieved Education for All (EFA). That's not possible as at today. But whether we have made tremendous effort in doing that: yes. If you remember when I did my Ministerial presentation of what we have done in education sector I did say that it will be impossible for us to attain this if all the states will not key in. I did say that most states still have their funds unaccessed in UBEC and if these funds are not accessed obviously it will affect enrolment in schools."

rants. According to a statement filed on their behalf yesterday through the chambers of Ada Val Arenyeka and Co. and made available to New Telegraph, the petitioners, Mr. Agagbo Andrew, Mr. Morgan Egele, Mr. Ukuko Joseph, Mr. Sakutu Oghenero, Mr. Alex Adjenughure and Mr. Roland Adjenughure also copied Delta State Police Commissioner, State Security Service, Caretaker Committee Chairman, Uvwie and the Area Commander, Warri, praying them to intevene in order to avert any unforeseen crises in the area.

pioning the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed that they would block the Presidential Villa in Abuja, if Jonathan declines to run in 2015, until he answers the clarion call of the people to continue with his transformation agenda. The group at the weekend took its campaign train to Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital on the need for the people to support the re-election of the President come 2015. Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the Director-General of the group, Dr. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu said the group is a forum of former deputy governors, of which Jonathan is a member and any serving deputy governor, who may wish to join. Ibe noted that the group

was the first to kick-start the campaign for Jonathan’s re-election, assuring that they would adopt neighbor to neighbor, house to house and all forms of interpersonal communications to sensitize the people on the need to support the agenda. According to him, members of MMG were motivated to ensure the re-election of the President and its membership cut across all the local government areas in the country and several Africa and world countries. His words: “Goodluck is the best of all presidents of the country. This is the first time we are witnessing real democracy. Even opposition’s talk, he has not reacted. We should beg Nigerians to support the President”. The event which was used to inaugurate the state executives of the group also captured road shows and solidarity to the President’s re-election bid.

Ahmed pledges support for transporters Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

he Kwara state governTready ment yesterday said its to support opera-

tors in the transport sector as an important platform for the development of any economy. It also dismissed claims that it has not started any new project since assuming office. Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed while playing host separately to members of the Motocycle Riders Association and leaders of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said it would be wrong for any government to downplay the vital role transporters play in enhancing daily economic activities of citizens, hence the need to support them. The two groups visited

the governor to express their support for his administration and called on him to contest the forthcoming election in the state with a pledge to support him if he decides to do so. Ahmed, who spoke in Yoruba told leaders of the RTEAN to dismiss anyone who claims his administration has only been completing projects started by his predecessor as he pointed out that if he had left such projects just to prove that he is now the governor much of public funds would be wasted. He said: “If we left the schools or roads uncompleted just because we want to prove that we are now governor whose funds was used in starting the schools and roads, is it not your funds? Should it be wasted like that?

48 NEWS BATTLE It is going to be a straight fight between PDP's Umar Fintiri and Jibrilla in the October 11 election Onyekachi Eze, Johnchuks Onuanyim and Lateef Ibrahim enator Bindo Jibrilla, yesterday emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Adamawa State governorship primary election even as the former Vice-President and chieftain of the APC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Adamawa 2014: Jibrilla emerges APC governorship candidate lAs PDP lauds primary election commended the party for a free, fair and credible primary. Atiku also congratulated Senator Jibrilla over his emergence as the governorship candidate of the party in the October 11 governorship primary. A statement signed by the media office of the former vice-president said Atiku noted that the APC in Adamawa had, by

Don traces human origin to Africa Camillus Nnaji rigin and evolution of human race has been traced to Africa, while humanity later spread to Europe, Asia , Middle East and Americas. Delivering a lecture titled: “Igbere Origin facts and fallacies” on Saturday in Lagos, Dr. Uwakwe Esse , a lecturer at the Department of History and Applied Arts, Abia State University (ABSU) and Director National Archives, said Scientists and Archaeologists agree that man first evolved in Africa. “Scientists and archaeologists agree that man first evolved in Africa, in the Olduvai Gorge in the present Tanzania in East Africa, and it was from here that the early man travelled along the Nile Valley until they settled down in the present Southern Sudan. It was from Africa that man spread to other parts of the world”, he said. Esse pointed out that the original inhabitants of Af-

rica were the Negro race to which both the Igbo, Igbere and indeed all Africans belong. The Negro is black in colour, with broad nose and thick hips. Evidence of Negro origin is found in the Sudan region of Africa, according to him. Tracing the further the origin of the Igbo and Igbere people, Esse debunked the claims by those who believe that Igbo belong to the lost tribe of Isreal as fallacy adding that such claims can only be dismissed by scholars as ”a vain search for a noble cultural ancestry”. He said the Igbo, Yoruba, Edo, Igala ancestors left the Sudan region and moved to the Niger- Benue Confluence. .They spoke a common language which belonged to the ‘Kwa Sub’ family of the Niger-Congo family group. It took about 400 years for the languages to diversify. The NigerBenue confluence was the melting point of culture of different ethnic groups that inhabit the central and southern Nigeria.

Jonathan’s support group to train members in C/River Clement James

Calabar

he National Coalition TPresidency for Jonathan/Sambo , Cross River

State chapter, yesterday said it will ensure that its members were enrolled in the Skills Acquisition Centre in Akpabuyo Local Government of the state. Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the chapter, Mr. Bassey Ekefre, said this in Calabar at the inauguration of the state and chapter executives. He said the coalition will take advantage of the acquisition centre being a federal establishment, to encourage its members develop their

skills in various areas. He said: “There is a skill acquisition centre being constructed by the Federal Government under the supervision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs at Akpabuyo that is at about 60 to 70 per cent completion. “It will take at least 500 candidates at once. They will be trained in different skills including, plumbing, oil services, driving and others, but basically oil services skills,” he said. According to him; “The jobs are already there for them. When they finish, we will get them jobs. It is meant for the nine oil producing states, including Cross River.”

the conduct of a free, fair and transparent primary signaled its intention to work together to wrest power from the PDP. According to the statement; “The former vicepresident, who voted in Jada Ward 1 in Jada Local Government, called on other contestants to rally support for Senator Jibrilla in the interest of party unity and the need to dislodge the PDP from the Government House. The Turaki Adamawa said that as a democrat, he has accepted the result

of the APC primary and urged other party members to follow suit. According to him; “As a democrat, I accept the outcome and ask all party members in the state to do the same. “As members of a truly democratic party, the outcome of the election is binding on all party members and we must all work to pull our support behind the flag-bearer during the governorship election,” Atiku said. He said the APC primary was not a personal-

ity contest, but a rescue mission, which will pave the way for the transformation and economic development of the state and the wellbeing of its citizens. In his words; “It is a mission which all patriots and friends of the state must be a part of by ensuring victory for the APC in the October 11 election.” Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the successful conduct of its governorship primary

in Adamawa State and its victory in the Niger East senatorial election are signs of good things to come as the party prepares for next year's general elections. Adamawa State Acting Governor, Ahmed Umaru Fintri, was in the early hours of Sunday, declared PDP candidate for the October 11, 2014 governorship bye-election while Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu, of the PDP won the bye-election in the Niger East senatorial district.

L-R: Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari; Senator Dahiru Tambuwal and Alhaji Aminu Tafida, during a condolence visit to Tambuwal in Sokoto

Enugu to export pineapples Ondo West PDP adopts Uwakwe Abugu

Enugu

he Enugu State government yesterday said it will soon commence the exportation of pineapples to countries in Europe. The government announced this after the state executive council meeting held at the Government House, Enugu. To this end, it said practical steps are being taken to promote agricultural activities that would lead to the shipment of pineapples to Europe this year. The export would be from the 150 hectares of farmland, the Enugu-San Carlos Pineapple farm in the state. Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, who spoke with journalists after the meeting, also hinted of the government’s plan to elevate the School of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship, Iwollo-Oghe, to the status a polytechnic. He said: “The council

gave approval that a draft bill for a law for the upgrade of the College of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship, Iwollo Oghe, to Enugu State Polytechnic, should be forwarded to the House of Assembly for consideration and possible passage.” According to the commissioner, the bill, if passed into law, and the school established, would help reduce the hardship faced by candidates seeking admission into higher institutions and also facilitate the steady and direct inflow of material, financial and other resources from outside the state (TET Fund and PTDF). Speaking further on the promotion of agriculture, Ugwoke said the council approved the introduction of livestock and invests in banana production in the farm, jointly owned by the state government and San Carlos, an America-based farming conglomerate.

Mimiko as leader Babatope Okeowo

Akure

head of the formal move AMimiko of Governor Olusegun of Ondo State

from the Labour Party (LP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaders and members of the party in Ondo West Local Government yesterday passed a resolution accepting the governor as the leader of the party in the local government. The leaders at the meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Ondo included Chief Segun Adegoke, Dr. Temitayo Fawehinmi, Chief Olabisi Johnson, Prince Ademola Adeyemi, Capt. Ademola Ariyo (rtd.) Mr. Patrick Sekoni, Hon. Bola Ogundele and Hon. Ayo Akinfolarin, saying they are ready to work with the governor and members of the LP when they eventually join the party. Adegoke, who set the

tone for the meeting said: “Ondo West Local Government welcomes the governor wholeheartedly, we are happy that he has joined us. He was once one of us and has now returned. “He was one of the PDP leaders in Ondo Kingdom; he was Secretary to the State Government and a Minister of the Federal Republic under the party before he joined LP to realise his governorship ambition.” Ade goke said Mimiko’s coming to the PDP would be an added advantage as he has won all bye-elections held so far for the LP and has also won the second term election as governor. He, however, said members should shun factions and grouping adding that once they remain united, the old members would be able to benefit from the government and the party.

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Why Edo may lose out in NDDC Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

ember representing M Edo State on the board of the Niger Delta De-

velopment Commission (NDDC), Mr. Osarentin Peter Enogieru, yesterday attributed political power play among forces as a stumbling block to the appointment of individuals into the intervention agency. Enogieru said this when members of the Coalition of Edo Youth Groups (CEYG) led by Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s office in Benin. He observed with dismay that the nomination of the state representatives on the board has been asso-

ciated with problems and petitions, because of personal and group interests and partisan politicking. The NDDC commissioner said the emerging trend may not be unconnected with the high level awareness, education and sophistication among major political actors and stakeholders in the state. According to him; “The nomination of Edo State representatives on the board of the NDDC right from its inception has been problematic. This is because of the high-wired politicking and interests. This is because of the high level of education and the sophistication of the people, who know their rights, when the various interests contend for anything that they know they value.”

Ukaegbu: There is no anointed candidate in Abia APGA Peter Osondu

ABA

bia State Chairman of AGrand the All Progressives Alliance (APGA),

Prince Ukaegbu, yesterday said that the party has not anointed anybody as its candidate in the 2015 governorship election in the state. Addressing newsmen at the party’s Aba office, Ukaegbu said the clarification became necessary to debunk insinuations in some quarters that the party leadership has anointed a certain aspirant for the governorship ticket ahead of the primar scheduled for October. Ukaegbu, who disclosed that the rumour was false, said such practice was alien to the culture of the party from the local government to federal level.

According to him, all elective offices in the 2015 general elections shall be contested for through free, fair and credible primary with a level playing ground provided for all aspirants, adding that only a credible, free and fair APGA primary would ensure that the best of the many candidates jostling for the positions will be presented to the people in the 2015 general elections. “We, therefore caution those responsible for these falsemisrepresentationstodesist from such as it is capable of diminishing the fortunes of the party and we view same as an anti-party activity and if unchecked is likely tobringtheimageof theparty to ridicule and disrepute and the party would not hesitate to impose disciplinary measures against such individuals,” Ukaegbu warned.

‘INEC can't conduct free poll' Tunde Oyesina

ABUJA

hairman of the NigeC(NBA), rian Bar Association Abuja branch, Mr.

Desmond Yamah, yesterday said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is such a small body saddled with the responsibility of conducting a free and fair election for the over 150 million Nigerians. Yamah, who stated this in an interview with New Telegraph, also called for the establishment of special courts to try electoral offences. He added that INEC over the years has been experiencing serious challenges, adding that though, they are taking steps on their capacity and funding. “For instance, they embark on voters’ registra-

tion, trying to make people appreciate the value of their vote and all that, despite the way the structure is, because of the influence of many, and the benefits of winning an elected office in Nigeria, it has made it very difficult for INEC to face off all challenges in the cause of conducting elections, because people are desperate. “People see it as a ‘do or die affair,’ they see it as drawing a line between poverty and stupendous wealth. As long as all these things are there, INEC will be over stretched to the maximum capacity, in terms of capacity, in terms of security, in terms or ballot boxes snatching and all that," he said. “So, I think basically, the money aspect of politics should be discouraged, if there will be a free and fair election in 2015,” says Yamah.

L-R: Wife of Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mrs. Bola Alli; wife of the Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Janet Adeyemo, after a press conference on the forthcoming 2014 Oyo State Officials' Wives Association (OYSOWA), National Women's Summit in Ibadan …yesterday

We’ll bury APC in Kaduna, says PDP PREDICTION With a wave of the hand, PDP stalwarts in the vice-president's home state dismiss APC Ibraheem Musa

Kaduna

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State yesterday predicted the death of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state even as it said it will defeat the party

in the 2015 general elections. The party’s Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Isyaku Balarabe Aliyu, who made this prediction during a press briefing, further said that his party will achieve a landslide victory that has never been recorded in the history of the state. The PDP chieftain also said that his party is well organised and has a strong followership in every nook and cranny of Kaduna State. Aliyu, who said the APC cannot be compared to his party, also challenged the opposition at the polls next year.

The number of defensive attempts made by USA in Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

“Let us meet at the ballot box, no harassment, no intimidation and force and you will see what will happen. We will humble them again,” he added. According to him, APC is just dishing out propaganda and selling lies to the electorate but “the people of Kaduna State are not fools; they are knowledgeable and have capacity of reasoning and they know that APC is not the answer.” The party leader further said that PDP has been attracting more followership in Kaduna State. He noted that what

N368.7m

The IGR realized from other revenue sources of Akwa Ibom State in 2012. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

APC is telling the public is different from what is on ground. “Even if you hate us, it is a fact that we have brought development to the state and it is on ground,’’ he added. Listing PDP’s achievement, Aliyu said the ruling party has ensured participatory governance in Kaduna State, revived the Ikara Processing Company and worked tirelessly to ensure peace in the state. Also speaking, PDP’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Mansur, described APC as “a disorganised and confused party and so cannot be equated with us.”

24,116

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

Ijaw youths fault Jubrin over comments on oil theft Chris Ejim

YENAGOA

undreds of Ijaw Youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday described as ‘mere rhetoric’ and a ‘cover up,’ the position of the Chief of Naval Staff, ViceAdmiral Usman Jubrin, over the inability of security agencies to tackle the menace of oil theft in the Niger Delta. According to them, though the meeting of top naval officers with the chief executive officers of multinational oil companies on how to tackle the menace of oil

theft and the threat to publish the names of officers and multinational companies involved is a welcome development, the IYC is not impressed by the mere threat issued by the chief of naval staff, who rather than taking drastic action to arrest the ongoing environmental genocide in the Niger Delta called ‘oil theft,’ chose to be doing something else. According to the IYC through its spokesman, Comrade Eric Omare, the statement by the navy chief is nothing other than the usual rhetoric of government and security agencies to

the problem of oil theft. According to the IYC, “We wish to state for the umpteenth time that the people involved in the business of oil scam are top politicians, serving and retired military personnel, oil company executives and their foreign collaborators. “While the Niger-Delta locals are used as artisans, the involvement of these high profile persons in the business is the reason government and security agencies have not been able to summon the courage and political will to bring oil theft to a stop. “The resultant effect

of this government’s dereliction of duty and security agencies’ complicity in oil theft is the massive despoliation of the Niger-Delta environment." Omare said, today, the flora and fauna of the Niger-Delta and the peoples source of living are gone as a result of decades of oil pollution and recently partly due to the activities of oil thieves and the crude modus operandi of security agencies, who usually spill the oil and in the process, destroy materials used for oil theft, when they choose to take action.”

50 WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

British royal couple expecting second child

rince George is not going to be an only child for long, the toddler will soon have a baby sister or brother to share his fancy digs at Kensington Palace. British royal officials said yesterday that Prince William and the duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, are expecting their second child. For the second time, Kate is being treated for acute morning sickness in the early phases of her pregnancy. The first time she was so ill she required hospitalization.

This time, she is being treated by doctors at her residence in Kensington Palace. She canceled a planned engagement in Oxford to rest and receives medical care. Prince William told well-wishers in Oxford that Kate should be over the worst of her symptoms in a few weeks. "She wishes she could be here," he said. The new baby, boy or girl, will become fourth in line to the throne, pushing Prince Harry to fifth. George, who is 13 months old, is third and likely to become Britain's monarch one day. William is second in

line, while his father, Prince Charles, is first. Britain had changed its laws before George's birth so that the couple's first born would be in line for the throne regardless of its sex. Before the change, a girl would have lost her place in line if a boy was born later. William and Kate have often expressed an interest in having a larger family. The royal couple and their families are "delighted" with the baby news, said officials at Clarence House, the couple's office. The announcement follows months of spec-

ulation in the glossy British and American press about a possible baby brother or sister for George. After hospital treatment for severe morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, Kate recovered and gave birth to George in July 2013 without further complications. The current illness means the 32-year-old duchess may need extra hydration, medication and nutrients. Britain's

Syrian war planes target ISIS, kill 60 civilians

Kate and Williams expecting second child

12 die as al Shabaab bombs African peacekeepers

omalia's Islamist rebel group bombed African peacekeepers and government vehicles yesterday in twin attacks that left at least 12 civilians dead, marking al Shabaab's first major attack since promising revenge for the killing of its leader last week. The blasts within an hour of each other on the same road southwest of Mogadishu targeted a convoy of African Union (AU) troops and a Somali government convoy of police and national security forces. Civilian buses near the first blast were hit. "We are behind the two car bombs driven by mujahideen (fighters)," Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, spokesman for al Shabaab's military operations, told Reuters. Al Sha-

baab, which wants to impose its strict version of Islam on Somalia, appointed a new leader at the weekend after U.S. missiles killed his predecessor Ahmed Godane and said the group's enemies would reap "bitter fruits" of revenge. Abdikadir Mohamed Sidi, governor of the Lower Shabelle region south of Mogadishu, told Reuters by telephone he was driving behind the AU convoy at the time of the first blast and saw three civilian vehicles in the same area. He said more than 12 people were killed in one minibus. Two African Union soldiers were injured in that attack, about 20 km (13 miles) from the capital. The rebels said four Americans and a South American were among those killed in the attack on the AU convoy.

There was no official confirmation. Al Shabaab's figures and details it gives of those killed often differ markedly from official accounts. "It is a disaster. The flesh of the people was mixed up and stuck to the tarmac road and the debris of the vehicle," said Major Hussein Ahmed, a senior police officer, describing the scene near the African Union convoy where minibuses were hit. More than two dozen others were wounded in that first blast, including two African soldiers, the governor said. At least two people were injured in the second blast, said Major Hussein Ahmed. Following Godane's death last Monday, rebels pledged allegiance to their new leader, Sheikh Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaida.

Press Association reported that Kate's pregnancy hasn't passed the 12-week stage, which is when she became ill in her first pregnancy. Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted by the happy news that they're expecting another baby." "On behalf of the whole country, I am sure the House will join me in congratulating them on this fantastic news and wishing them well in the months ahead."

yrian government warplanes killed at least 60 civilians including a dozen children in two days of air strikes on Islamic State-held territory at the weekend, activists said yesterday. President Bashar alAssad's military has stepped up an aerial campaign over the last three months against Islamic State, an al Qaeda offshoot that controls about a third of Syria's territory, much of it desert in the north and east. The air strikes have hit a number of Islamic State targets but have also killed many civilians in territory under the group's control. The death toll included 41 killed during air strikes on Saturday that hit a bakery run by Islamic State in their stronghold of Raqqa city in the north, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Another 19 civilians were killed in the eastern Deir alZor province, which borders Iraq and, like Raqqa province, is almost entirely controlled by Islamic State militants. The Observatory, which monitors violence in Syria through a network of sources on both sides,

did not say how many militants were killed in the strikes, but in an earlier report it said at least 15 had been killed in the Raqqa strikes. One Raqqa-based activist told Reuters the dead from the bombardment included eight members of one family, that of Khaled al-Haj Omar, and four from another family whose remains have not been found. The youngest was 7-year-old Ibrahim al-Abed, he said. Among the women killed were Ayesha Hassan, 60, and 18-yearold Zeina al-Ahmad, the activist said. Confrontations between Islamic State militants and Assad's forces have escalated sharply since the Islamists made lightning advances against Iraqi government forces in June and declared it was establishing a caliphate in territory it controls on both sides of the border. Since then Islamic State has killed hundreds of Syrian government forces and seized three military bases in Raqqa province. Syria's air force has bombed the group's positions, even as U.S. warplanes strike the group on the other side of the border in Iraq.

Cameron: NATO following Scottish self rule

ritish Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday a number of NATO partners had used last week's summit of the alliance in Wales to raise concerns about Scotland's Sept. 18 vote on independence. Asked by a lawmaker in parliament if he had discussed the implication of potential Scottish secession on both the defense of the United Kingdom and of NATO, Cameron said: "Of course a number of people raised their concerns about the referendum." "The overwhelming view of people who wish our country well

is to say of course it is a decision for the people in Scotland but they hope we stay together," Cameron told parliament. Britain has four submarines carrying Trident nuclear warheads operating out of the Faslane naval base in Scotland. The pro-independence Scottish National Party wants nuclear weapons removed from an independent Scotland at the earliest opportunity. Independence campaigners want Scotland to seek NATO membership as a non-nuclear state if it breaks away from the rest of the United Kingdom, ending a 307-year tie to England.

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

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newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com adekunles@yahoo.com

tuesday, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

Did you know?

That Serena Williams 18th Grand Slam title makes her just four behind Steffi Graf, who holds the alltime record with 22 career grand slam single titles in the open era

Obudu LOC retains $50,000 prize for winners

he Local Organising Committee for the 10th Obudu International Mountain Race and the 6th African Nations Mountain Running Championships at the weekend revealed an unchanged $50,000 top prize money for winners of the men and women’s individual winners. The decision is to ensure the race maintains its status as the

highest paying mountain race in the world. The LOC also revealed that the new 13km (for men) and 9.64km (for women) race course used for last year’s edition will also be used for this year’s race. Media chief of the race, Patrick Ugbe, who is also the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, says governor of the state, Liyel

Imoke, has approved the retention of the top prize money. “We pride ourselves in not only organising a world-class competition that has received huge compliments from the international body for the sport, the World Mountain Running Association, we also organise the highest paying mountain race in the world. The prize money has continued to attract

Again, Nigeria escapes FIFA ban

the very best mountain runners in the world to Obudu every year,”Ugbe said. Meanwhile, the WMRA has listed the Obudu mountain race and the 6th African mountain running championships as one of its 16 major events for this year and the only one slated for the month of November. The race is also listed as the final major for the year.

athletes in action

lAmadu resumes as Giwa quits NFF

lNigeria, S/Africa tie on course Ajibade Olusesan and Comfort Chukwu Abuja

igeria has avoided a ban from world football governing body, FIFA, after the factional President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chris Giwa, failed to show up at the Abuja secretariat of the NFF on Monday. FIFA had given Nigeria until 7am Monday morning (yesterday) to have Giwa vacate the office or risk suspension from all football activities. The football body said it never recognised Giwa’s election of August 26 and must not be allowed to continue parading himself as the president of the

federation. Confederation of Africa Football also threatened to throw the country out of 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers if FIFA’s deadline was not met. However, the proprietor of Giwa Football Club appeared to have given up the threat to disregard FIFA’s warning as he did not resume at the Abuja secretariat on Monday. Secretary General, Musa Amadu, who came to the office for the first time in more than three weeks, took over the operation at the federation and he held a brief meeting with top management staff on Monday morning. Musa told reporters that the focus must shift to football after the row and promised

that the process of election into the new Executive Committee of the football body will be accelerated. “It has been a difficult time for our football but everything is over now. Our attention should shift towards moving our football forward because the country’s football has gone through a tough period. “The next step is to have an extra-ordinary assembly that will set a date for elections into the new executive committee. “It is important to emphasise that this will not happen beyond September 25, as directed by FIFA.” He also added that he will notify FIFA about the recent development in a report he would send to Zurich. “The first report will go out to FIFA at

We can beat Eagles this time – Vilakazi

close of work today (Monday), but there will be a caveat for further reporting in case there is a change of circumstances.” With this development, the Super Eagles now have the opportunity to revive their dream of qualifying for the 2015 Nations Cup as the match between Nigeria and South Africa in Cape Town will now go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday. Nigerian football has been thrown into turmoil since after the World Cup when the Aminu Maigari ‘s board was expelled by a Nigerian court in July. The crisis took a more worrisome direction last month when two separate congresses of the NFF were held in which one of them produced Giwa as the new president despite FIFA’s advice that election should not hold on August 26.

} P 52

Nigeria vs South Africa

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

We’ll make up for Congo loss against Bafana – Igiebor Ifeanyi Ibeh

igeria midfielder, Nosa Igiebor, has expressed optimism about the national team’s chances of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, despite last weekend’s shock home loss to Congo. The Super Eagles fell 3-2 to the Red Devils at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, in Calabar, in their opening match of the 2015 AFCON qualifiers and will next face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Wednesday in Johannesburg in a match they cannot afford to lose if they are to keep alive their hopes of defending their title in Morocco. South Africa currently top the Group A standings following a convincing 3-0 away win against Sudan last Friday. But irrespective of the current situation in Group A, Igiebor is confident the Super Eagles will make up for last Saturday’s loss with a convincing display against the South Afri-

cans and get their qualification campaign back on track. “Let me apologise on behalf of my teammates for that loss. We let our people down. But it was just not our day and I promise we will make up for that result when we play against South Africa,” said Igiebor in an interview with New Telegraph. “I know things look bad at the moment but we will learn from the experience (against Congo) and become a better team. “We did not underestimate them, as some people have been insinuating, but it was just not our day,” added Igiebor who was a second half replacement for

Ramon Azeez on Saturday. The defeat was Eagles ‘first loss at the U.J. Esuene Stadium and fans at the match venue, after the Congolese had established a 3-1 lead, voiced their displeasure at the Super Eagles’ uninspiring display by jeering their every move, while applauding every move by the Central Africans. Igiebor expressed solidarity with the fans’ action, even as he hopes he and his teammates will get another chance to rectify the damage and earn the fans’ support in subsequent matches. “Calabar had always felt like home,” continued the Israel-based midfielder. Igiebor

We can beat Eagles this time – Vilakazi

ibusiso Vilakazi, who inspired South Africa to a 3-0 victory against Sudan, believes Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations clash against Nigeria, serves as a great opportunity for Bafana Bafana to finally get a competitive victory over the Super Eagles. The South Africans have never beaten the Super Eagles in a competitive match, and Vilakazi, while

speaking to the media on Monday, said; “We just need to keep our feet grounded and the rest will follow. The players know what it means to represent one’s country; they know that behind their backs that they are carrying the hopes of 52 million people. The reigning PSL Player of the Year added; “We know our history against Nigeria but we are determined to change all that. History is always there to be rewritten and I am confident that come Wednesday, we will put smiles on faces of South Africans.”

Stand-in captain, Senzo Meyiwa, who’s taken over from the injured Itu Khune, also wants to rewrite the record books. “Yes, they say in soccer certain teams have their hoodoo side but we are ready for the Nigeria match. We are all determined to change the course of history and everyone cannot wait for Wednesday,” he said. “The fact that they lost to Congo has not affected our preparations and determination; we are just concentrating on our task at hand and that is to beat them at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.”

Confident Onazi calls for calm

igeria inter national midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, insists calm heads are required if the Super Eagles must bounce back from last Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Congo with a win against South Africa on Wednesday. “I was shocked and angry after that game against Congo because when I am on the pitch, I always want to win,” the midfielder was quoted as saying in a

Onazi(front)

report on Supersport.com. He added; “We know South Africa well because we have played many games against them recently. I am confident we will do well in (Cape Town) because this (Nigeria) team is a special one. “We have achieved so much success of late because we are very united and we trust in God. That will help us a lot this time around.”

Mashaba tempted to start two-goal hero B

afana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has disclosed that he is tempted to start Sibusiso Vilakazi in Wednesday’s match against Nigeria after the forward grabbed two goals against the Sudanese. Second half replacement Vilakazi, who came on eight minutes into the second half in Khartoum, scored a superb brace to send South Africa on their way to a 3-0 win. And Mashaba, on Monday, hinted he Mashaba

was resisting the temptation to include Vilakazi in his starting line-up as a result of the Wits midfielder’s heroics. “In modern football, there’s what we call a technical weapon - good players start from the bench,” he said. “All three subs who came on paid dividends. It was like they wanted to show the coach that they don’t belong to the bench.” Mashaba, meanwhile, said he and his team were focusing on the mental side of things ahead of Wednesday’s match.

Bafana Bafana star, Jali, doubtful

fter picking up a knock against Sudan, Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba is monitoring Andile Jali’s progress ahead of their encounter against Nigeria. According to KickOff.com, Mashaba confir med that Jali was “jogging all by himself ” while the rest of the team continued to train together. “He is currently being assessed by the medical team. I didn’t want to get involved with that. But it’s nothing serious, if there is anything we will let you know tomorrow (Tuesday),” said the 64-year-old. After Sibusiso Vilakazi’s brace against Sudan, Jali could easily be replaced with the Bidvest Wits captain who played a remarkable second half in Khartoum. Mashaba however revealed that he won’t jump the gun by leaving Jali out of his starting XI. “We have two more training sessions, come tomorrow (Tuesday) we will give the line-up at 18:00. We can’t say whether he will start or not because we have the Jali issue to look at,” he said.

SAFA urges fans to intimidate Eagles

he South African Football Association has urged fans to come out in numbers when Bafana Bafana host the Super Eagles at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night. Tickets for the clash are still available and Safa’s head of communications Dominic Chimhavi wants the fans to create an electric atmosphere when South Africa take on the Super

Eagles. “We are asking the members of the public to go out and buy tickets,” he was quoted as saying by KickOff.com. “The tickets are going for R50, R100 and R150. Capetonians have never disappointed, especially when Bafana are playing, and we want them to create an electric atmosphere.”

SPORT | EURO FOOTBALL

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Italy, Norway clash in Conte first competitive match

ntonio Conte takes Italy to Norway for its Euro 2016 qualifying opener having already replaced pessimism with optimism. The four-time World Cup winners won just one of 10 matches prior to the recent appointment of the 45-year-old – a run which saw them suffer a disappointing first-phase exit at Brazil 2014. But despite fielding an understrength side, Conte masterminded a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands which prompted countless Italian football personalities to shower him in praise. “You already saw he has given us a very precise idea of football,” Leon-

ardo Bonucci told Rai Sport. “We tried his ideas tactically from the first day – the same ideas that helped Juventus win three consecutive Scudetti. His methods are certainly strong. These 10 days have been the right pill to absorb his battling spirit.” Italy and Norway have Croatia, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Malta for company in Group H. With Mario Balotelli suspended for the game in Oslo, Conte overlooked him for the Bari friendly. In the Liverpool striker’s absence, goalscorer Ciro Immobile and debutant Simone Zaza formed an impressive pairing.

Hiddink searches for first win as Netherlands face Czech Italy’s Simone Zaza(middle) being tackled by Netherlands players during their friendly match

Pirlo: I am still available for Italy

uventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has come back on his decision to retire from international duty after speaking to Italy coach Antonio Conte. The 35-year-old had previously suggested that he would say farewell to the national team after the World Cup, but he has now decided different. “I have spoken with Antonio Conte and I’ve told him that I’m available for Italy,” Pirlo told reporters. “It was a difficult decision to take. I had wanted to stop playing for the national side but he took over and he asked me to lend a hand. I am happy to do that and we are hopeful we can achieve great things together. “I saw the game against Netherlands

Dunga’s men on redemption mission

(2-0 win) and you could already see Conte’s influence.”

Pirlo

uus Hiddink is aiming to overcome a difficult start to his second spell at the Netherlands reins when Euro 2016 qualifying begins in Prague against Czech Republic. With Arjen Robben, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart out injured, the Dutch lost 2-0 away to Italy last Thursday, hindered by an early red card for Bruno Martins Indi. That set a disappointing tone for Hiddink, who took over a side buoyed by their unexpected thirdplace finish at the World Cup.

Yet Hiddink, who replaced new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, has plenty of experience and will be confident of steadying the ship. He believes the key to his side’s upcoming encounter is making a better start than against Italy. “The evening was already over after eight minutes,” Hiddink rued. “During the opening stages, we were naive in our defending. “We were so easily overrun and that should not be the case. You cannot start a match so badly.” Hiddink was nonetheless pleased key striker Robin van Persie got some

Blatter to stand for fifth term F

IFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed he will stand for re-election as the head of world football’s governing body. Blatter has run rule over the game for more than 16 years after being appointed in June 1998, spanning four terms. The 78-year-old has introduced measures to tackle corruption in his time in charge, including the advent

razil’s road to redemption reaches phase two on Tuesday (today) as they take on Ecuador at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States. The five-time world champions crashed out of the recent home World Cup at the semi-final stage when suffering an embarrassing 7-1 loss to eventual winners Germany. Insult was then added to injury as the Netherlands cruised to a 3-0 triumph in the third-place play-off. But with coach Dunga having returned to take the reins for a second time having led them to the 2007 Copa America title, Brazil have entered a new era as they attempt to re-establish themselves at the top of the footballing pile. The former midfielder started well, with Neymar grabbing the only goal with a stunning 83rd-minute free kick as the Selecao beat a Colombia side who caught the eye so impressively in the World Cup. Neymar

of an ethics committee to investigate some of FIFA’s own dealings. Speaking via video at the 2014 Soccerex convention in Manchester, England, Blatter remains confident he is the man to lead football going forward. He said: “I will inform the executive committee. It’s a question of respect also to say then to the football family: ‘Yes I will be ready. I will be a candidate.

Reus out for a month B

orussia Dortmund have confirmed that Marco Reus will miss approximately four weeks of action after picking up another ankle injury in Germany’s 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Scotland on Sunday night. The attacker missed the World Cup due to an injury to his right ankle and following a challenge from Charlie Mulgrew at Signal Iduna Park

Blatter

there were fears that the joint had suffered another serious problem. Dortmund have, however, indicated that his injury is not as serious as the 25-year-old’s previous issue. BVB team doctor Markus Braun has suggested that Reus has strained his ligaments and will require four weeks rehabilitation to allow the injury to heal fully.

minutes under his belt. “It’s nice that Van Persie could play a little longer,” he said. “He sacrificed himself for the team very well.”

Ronaldo’s absence no excuse for Portugal’s loss –Bento

ristiano Ronaldo’s absence was not the reason for Portugal’s shock 1-0 home defeat to Albania, coach Paulo Bento has insisted. The Real Madrid star sat out the opening Euro 2016 qualifying Group I fixture in Aveiro due to his continuing recovery from a back injury, and Bekim Balaj’s second-half goal insured that Bento and his side got off to a poor start. But the Portugal boss refused to cite the loss of Ronaldo nor the change to a three-man defence as excuses for the defeat, insisting his side got what they deserved from the match. “I’m not making excuses,” Bento told uefa.com. “It wasn’t a lack of commitment on the part of my players, but we weren’t efficient enough while Albania were very efficient. “We are all frustrated because of the result. We could have done better, even though I think we were not that bad.”

Bento

2015 NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

SPORT

Egypt defence worries coach E gypt coach Shawky Gharib admitted that he was disappointed with his side’s perfor mance during Friday’s 2-0 loss to Senegal in their Group G 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The pharaohs, who are looking to book their place in the continental competition for the first time since 2010, got their campaign off to a poor start. “I didn’t expect that performance at all,” Gharib said. “But you can’t evaluate our experience with the national team after a single match. “The qualifying campaign and our group are tough. However, we still have five matches to play, it’s too early.” Although he was disappoint-

ed with the manner in which they conceded the two goals, Gharib says the blame should not only lie with the defenders. “Our defensive performance is wor risome ahead of the match against Tunisia as the time is too short to amend the mistakes,” Gharib said. “We had many mistakes in passing the ball and we failed to put the required pressure on our opponents but the defenders are not the only ones to be blamed. “The Egyptian league hasn’t started yet and also Mohammed Salah didn’t play regularly with Chelsea. If Salah is off-for m, Egypt’s perfor mance is always affected.” Tunisia came from behind to beat Botswana 2-1 on Satur-

We must make home advantage count – Uganda coach U

Gharib

day and will be the more confident side ahead of Wednesday’s clash which is set to take place at the Cairo inter national Stadium.

Algeria, Mali look to continue winning form A

lgeria and Mali will both be looking to continue their winning form when they clash in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Group B qualifier in Blida on Wednesday evening. Algeria come into the match having claimed a 2-1 away win over Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Saturday in their first match under new French coach Christian Gourcuff. Speaking after the victory, Gourcuff said; “I am very glad I got an important win in my first game in charge of Algeria. It was a tough game as our opponents took advantage of being hosts

and really pushed us to the last minute, but I am happy we managed to get an important win.” As for Mali, they eased to a 2-0 home win over Mali in Bamako despite playing a third of the match with 10 men following a red card to Mamadou Samassa. This midweek match represents a chance for either Algeria or Mali to take control of Group B and put themselves in a strong position to end the qualifying phase as one of the top two in their pool, thereby securing a ticket to the AFCON finals in Morocco next year.

ganda Cranes tactician, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, has said they must make use of home advantage to beat Guinea on Wednesday in a 2015 Afcon qualifier. “Drawing in Ghana last weekend will not help a lot if we fail to beat Guinea at home. We must work hard to make sure we get three points,” Sredojevic said at the Entebbe International Airport as the team returned from Ghana. The Cranes held African giants Ghana to a one all draw at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. Guinea who beat Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo 2-1 on Friday tops the group with three points. Sredojevic whose team was meant to head straight

Sredojevic

to camp upon arrival said his boys have to keep focused and simply know that they need to ensure the team can pick all the three points on Wednesday. The Coach called upon all football loving Ugandans to come and fill the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole to cheer the team to victory. He explained that the 12th man, who are the fans, will be very important to push the team to work hard.

Ex-Ghana captain begs fans

x-Ghana captain CK Akunnor has called on exasperated home fans to be measured in their approach in order not to scuttle the country’s 2015 Nations Cup qualification campaign. The Black Stars were apathetically received in Kumasi and that contributed in their unimpressive showcase which resulted in the 1-1 draw at the Baba Yara Stadium. Akunnor says this trend, if sustained, might hurt the team in a bid to advance to Morocco next January.

Walusimbi Godfrey of Uganda(left) challenging Andre Ayew of Ghana during last Saturday’s AFCON qualifiers

Appiah won’t resign from Black Stars duty lack Stars coach Kwesi Appiah insists he has not considered quitting his post despite an unconvincing start to the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Appiah, who took charge of the men’s senior national team in April 2012, has been under immense pressure after failing to reach the final of the 2013 African Cup of Nations and crashing out of the 2014 World Cup at the group stage with the Stars. Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Uganda in the 2015 AFCON qualifier in Kumasi has seen calls from fans for his resignation intensify. However, Appiah says he plans on staying on as coach of the team, adding he would have to pay compensation if he did resign. “I will not resign because if I do I have to pay the FA [compensation]. I haven’t thought of resigning,” he said. Several football analysts have called Appiah’s technical ability into question with the

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Ghana Football Association set to appoint a technical advisor to help “steer the national team in the right direction.” Appiah was evasive when asked whether he needed technical assistance saying that he “can’t answer yes or no. If we’ve money to pay 1,000 people to advise me, fine.” Former Black Stars head coach, Milovan Rajevac, is favourite for the job.

Appiah

Guinea coach braces for tough Cranes G

uinea coach Michel Dussuyer leads his team against Uganda on Wednesday knowing they will have to be at their best if they are to pick a result from Kampala. T he two meet in Group E’s second game of the 2015 Nations Cup qualifiers with the visitors leading the pool on points following their 2-1 opening win over Togo. Uganda are level with Ghana on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in Kumasi on Saturday. Dussuyer knows they f ace a side that last lost a qualifier at home in 2004 against South Africa but both teams come into this game high on confidence fol-

lowing their weekend outings. “Ug anda is a good team,” he said from the team’s hotel in Kampala on Monday, adding, “A strong team, which perfor ms ve r y we l l wh e n t h e y p l ay at home. “T hey have perfor med very well in the first game in Ghana with a draw, and we expect a very tough game for us. “We expect Ug anda to play a strong g ame at home and as I said it will be dif ficult, but we are there to fight and have a good result.” T he last time the two sides met in Kampala they played out a 4-4 draw in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers.

Sport

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

BUSINESS

PEPSI Academy UK scholarship winners jet out

FOCUS ON CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

with Emmanuel Tobi

emmanuel.tobi@newtelegraphonline.com

0805 400 5669

Sterling Bank brings Arsenal coaches to Nigeria

nuh Morgan Daniel and Agunnubi Abayomi Dada, the two beneficiaries of this year’s edition of Pepsi Football Academy (PFA) UK Scholarship have finally moved to Brooke House College in United Kingdom on a two-year’ study and training scholarship courtesy of Pepsi. Technical Officer of PFA, Mr. Adewale Laloko, in his farewell message charged the young stars to adhere to the academy’s moral values and be true ambassadors of Pepsi and Nigeria. “You have to behave yourselves, obey instructions and at-

uper Eagles midfielder, Babatunde Michael, has revealed that the injury he sustained during the Brazil 2014 World Cup stalled his transfer from Volyn of Ukraine during the European transfer window which ended on September 1. Babatunde fractured his wrist during a World Cup group game against Argentina in June. “My hand injury stopped me from moving this summer. I had so many offers, but they were giving unbearable conditions and I couldn’t accept such, so I decided to stay back and concentrate on helping my team Volyn do well this season,” Babatunde told AfricanFootball.com “My club had several offer, but no club wanted to risk the injury until it’s 100percent healed.”

Charles Ogundiya

S L-R: Mr. Adewale Laloko, Technical Officer of Pepsi Football Academy(PFA); Morgan Daniel, first beneficiary of 2014 edition of PFA UK Scholarship; Chigozie Mba, winner of 2013 edition of the scholarship; Agunnubi Abayomi Dada, second winner of the 2014 edition and Mr. Mike Nzeagwu, Head Consultant, Metro Media Communications at a brief farewell ceremony in honor of the two winners in Lagos before jetting to UK recently.

tend trainings” he admonished, while urging them to work hard and be focused as these are the main in-

gredients for success in any career. Mr. Mike Nzeagwu, Head Consultant ,Metro Media Communica-

L-R: Rabi Isla, Director, Development and Learning, Denloye Enitan, Director of Communications, the Chief Executive Officer, Mathew Wilshire, Fela Bank-Olemoh, the CEO of MediaVision Limited,Etisalat Team captain, Andrew Enebeli and Coach Charles Adeosun as Etisalat emerged 2014 Nigeria Telecom Games winners.

World Cup injury ruined Babatunde’s Euro transfer

SPORT 55

tions, the public relations firm for Seven Up Bottling Company plc, said Pepsi, through PFA has remained one of the biggest supporters of grassroots football in Nigeria as it has over 3000 youngsters training in 14 centers across the country. He implored the boys to maintain the tradition of excellence which the Academy has been noted for in the past 22 years. PFA UK scholarship, which was established in 2005, has produced over 15 players including Chigozie Mba who won the scholarship last year.

terling Bank has concluded plans to improve Nigerian football as two coaches from Arsenal will be visiting the country for a coaching clinic targeted at the youth. According to the Head Retail Product Unit of Sterling Bank, Gbenga Adegoke, the coaches will be in the country to share knowledge with Nigerians players. “It would have been nice for a big star in the team to come with the coaches, but the team will be busy with games, so we are looking at bringing an Arsenal legend to accompany the coaches.

“It will be a two-day football training clinic during the season, some youths will be selected from our customers as part of our partnership with the club,” he said. Meanwhile, some Nigerian journalists will have the privilege of watching live matches of Premier League club, Arsenal, at the Emirate Stadium as part of relationship between the club and Sterling Bank of Nigeria. Speaking further, Adegoke said; “We are also looking at a way of getting fans’ opinions of the team, questions from fans that will be taken to the coach and the players for answers.”

Serena: 18th title means so much

Keshi joins Eagles today Emmanuel Tobi

uper Eagles Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, on Monday led the team in their first training ahead of Wednesday’s all-important Nations Cup qualifier against hosts Bafana Bafana. Head Coach Stephen Keshi decided to keep faith with the same squad as the team had its first training session for the match at 8pm local time, which is 7pm Nigerian time. Keshi who did not travel with the team on Sunday night due pressing personal issues will link up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday morning. In his absence, Amoka-

chi, handled Monday’s work-out. The team is quartered at the serene Southern Sun hotel on the outskirts of Cape Town. The team made up of 21 players, technical officials and backroom staff, was led into South Africa by NFF, Director of Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme. The team flew into Johannesburg from Lagos in a South Africa Airways plane. The flight from Lagos lasted six hours before it took another flight to Cape Town for the duel. Among the 22 players that prosecuted the disappointing game against Congo Brazzaville, only ElKanemi FC goalkeeper, David Obiazor, did not make the trip.

Nigeria will end Egypt’s Table Tennis dominance -Toriola Ajibade Olusesan

ormer African table tennis champion, Segun Toriola, has predicted an end to the dominance of Egypt on the continent. The North Africans have been at the top of the game on the continent in the last five years but their stronghold over Nigeria was broken two months ago when Aruna Quadri beat their top two players at the African Top 16 Championship in Lagos.

“We have improved a lot now especially with young players like Aruna Quadri as everybody witnessed at the Lagos World Tour and the African Top 16 Cup. At the moment, some of the Egyptian players are afraid of Nigerian players. “I believe in the next four to five years, we will see tremendous improvement in Nigerian table tennis and I am hopeful that a young player like Tosin Oribamishe will be an Africa champion in the next three or four years,” he said.

Serena Williams celebrates her US Open victory, on Sunday.

erena Williams said she had felt the pressure of chasing an 18th Grand Slam title until Sunday’s US Open victory. The American beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-3 to go fourth on the all-time list of major winners alongside Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Williams, 32, admitted it had been on her mind all year, and was the first thing she thought of upon victory. “I’ve been trying to reach it for so long,” she said. “I didn’t really think I would get there. I felt so good.” She is the second-oldest player to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era after Navratilova (Wimbledon 1990,

age 33) Navratilova and Evert joined Williams for the trophy ceremony and presented her with a bracelet carrying the number ‘18’ to mark her achievement. “It means a lot to me,” said the world number one. It was Williams’s sixth US Open and 18th Grand Slam title, but her first in a year that, before New York, had seen her fail to get past the fourth round at any of the other majors. “I definitely did not think I was going to win a Slam this year,” she added. “And I even said, ‘I’m ready to start next year already. Let’s put this behind me.”

World Record

On Marble

You will receive everything you need when you stop asking for what you do not need.

– Nisargadatta Maharaj

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

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

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

N150

Tallest man ever. The tallest man in medical history for whom there is irrefutable evidence is Robert Pershing Wadlow (Alton, Illinois, USA) born 22 February 1918, who when last measured on 27 June 1940, was found to be 2.72 m (8 ft 11.1 in) tall.

Of Abia, Governor Orji and hero of shame

hen during October 2013 an Aba-based musician Brightman Cletus De Colonel released his music video on the decay of Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State, it was apparent that Governor Theodore Orji consigned the lyrical lamentations of the young musician to the trash can. Otherwise, he would have done something positive to redeem Aba, for the music video, with seductive dance steps of Abia maidens, put a pictorial visage to the rot of the famous Enyimba City. Ironically Aba decayed in tandem with the cocktail of taxes imposed on its inhabitants by the various arms of the Orji administration. Brightman talked about dog permit, monkey permit and other forms of permits and emblems on sale in Aba all of which, in the face of government’s negligence of the city, amounted to a colossal swindle. If the musician’s powerful message did not as much as stir Governor Orji’s conscience to live up to his constitutional responsibilities, the indigenes of Abia State can only hope that the tick-off recently administered on their governor by Prince Arthur Eze will do the magic. Governor Orji had gathered the high and the mighty, the low and the disillusioned, to what he conceived as another cavalcade for sycophancy and praise singing. It was actually the 23rd anniversary of the creation of Abia State on September 2, 2014 which took place at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia. As these things happen, Prince Eze, popularly known as and called Ozo Igbo Ndu (Saver of Igbo life), was the guest of the governor. If any diviner had told Governor Orji what awaited him that day from one of his guests, he would have abominated such a hapless fellow. But Prince Eze was in his elements as reported widely in the media. The oil magnate fired a devastating missile on Orji at pointblank range: “Abia State stinks,” he declared. “Right from the Abia Tower in Umuahia, the rot hits you. Abia State is now the dirtiest in the country--garbage everywhere, along with bad roads. The people are really suffering and you see it in their faces. Are there no elders in Abia again? If so, what are they doing? What are the senators, the members of House of Representatives, and other elected people doing? Nothing! If you do not know what to do again, please write

Guest Columnist Ijele Agha-Ibeka

It was former Governor Chris Nwabueze Ngige who, realising that his path to Government House, Awka, was paved with undemocratic macadam, wormed his way to the hearts of majority of Ndi Anambra. He provided them leadership and won at the court of public opinion, where it mattered most. Dear Brother Theo, is it in your best interest to use the remainder of your tenure to destroy your tag of the Hero of Shame, and thereby, avert walking the part of perdition? to President Goodluck Jonathan and let him come to your aid. Abia State needs help.” When he had done with the evisceration of Orji, the billionaire prince from Ukpo in Anambra State tossed the microphone to the floor and stormed out of the venue of the lackluster event. We will need to delve a little into the past in order to ventilate this proposition. Governor Theodore Orji was the Chief of Staff to the former governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu who got him elected as his successor. Indeed, it will matter to all to remember that Theodore Orji won his governorship while still in EFCC detention chambers in Lagos where he had been kept on charges of financial impropriety. In what qualified as Rambo theatricals that combined an inattentive judiciary and political permutations, Theodore Orji got sworn-in as Abia Governor inside the state’s liaison office in Lagos. This was done to preclude the contingency of the EFCC re-arresting him. As it turned out, impunity became

Orji

Theodore Orji’s middle name the moment he acquired the toga of gubernatorial immunity. In another nine months, Theodore Orji would have done eight years as Abia State Governor. It is disappointing that all he has for legacy after all these years is the damning censure that Prince Arthur Eze publicly administered upon him. Well, it is in his best interest to bear in mind that, once out of power, the warmth of political hirelings and praise singers will melt away like wax in extreme heat. Then will he realize that the arms of prisons are still wide open for those deserving of its disorienting embrace. As apposite as the points raised by Prince Eze are, many other “sins of Theodore” cry to the heavens for expiation. He has severally been accused of having handed over the state apparatus to his son, a fellow who goes by the sobriquet of Ikuku (Wind!) and who, in league with a battalion of “bodyguards” has allegedly converted Abia State into a frighteningly highhanded political enclave. A fact that sticks out like a sore thumb is the position of Abia as a crime-infested state, with kidnapping and armed robbery struggling for first place in terms of effrontery of perpetration and regularity. Questions must be asked as to why this

negative turn of things was not challenged and reversed by the political authority. For the records, Abia State has the capacity for transcendental developmental strides. The state is oil-producing with its appurtenances and privileges. Commerce happens big time in Abia State, especially with Aba as one of the leading trading centres on the west coast of Africa. Agriculture has a home in the state. The level of educated human capital of the state is among the highest in the country. With all these, would it be out of place to say that Abia State has no business being in its current state of despair and despicable mess? I must conclude by leaving His Excellency, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, with the following lines from Proverbs 6:6-8: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest.” It was former Governor Chris Nwabueze Ngige who, realising that his path to Government House, Awka, was paved with undemocratic macadam, wormed his way to the hearts of majority of Ndi Anambra. He provided them leadership and won at the court of public opinion, where it mattered most. Dear Brother Theo, is it in your best interest to use the remainder of your tenure to destroy your tag of the Hero of Shame, and thereby, avert walking the part of perdition?

OMOBABA

2015: LAMIDO CANNOT MATCH JONATHAN – Clark

– Is it a case of DAVID and GOLIATH?

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