Binder1 thursday, june 11, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS /newtelegraph

Vol. 2 No. 477

Thursday, June 11, 2015

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

Court dismisses N19.2bn fraud suit against Sylva NEW TELEGR

Emefiele takes charge of forex approvals Ayodele Aminu and Tony Chukwunyem

s the Bankers’ Committee meets in Abuja today to deliberate on issues in the industry and the economy,

there are indications that Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, may have taken personal charge of scrutinising banks’ foreign exchange demands as part of efforts to check speculation and arbitrage.

At the meeting, to be chaired by Emefiele, he is not expected to make any policy statement because he does not know the strategic direction of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, New Telegraph has learnt.

Investigations revealed that although the Central Bank’s Trade and Exchange Department is responsible for overseeing lenders’ official foreign exchange demands and those from other authorised forex dealers, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

News

APH THURSD AY, jUne 11,

N150

2015

Subscriber sues alleged N4.036 firm over m fraud

Law

Interview

Ahamba: Why Buhari must implement confab report

Lawyers at the weekend rose from their quarterly meeting in Sokoto and condemned what they regarded as inces kidnap of judge sant s country. They in the described it as not only worrisome but a timebomb the governmen should t fail to address it. Besides, they tasked President Muhamma du Buhari on his electoral prom saying the ‘chan ises, ge agenda must reflect the view of Nigerians that Nigeria indeed needs chan ge’. FOLUSO OGUNMOD EDE reports

Lawyers ta ck six pages judges’ kid le FG over nap of THE law

lthough their L-R: NBA 1st Vice Preside was far from agenda nt, Mr. Francis Ekwere, Preside eral securi the gennt Augusti ty chalne Alegeh SAN lenge and Chief Judge nation before bedeviling the of Sokoto President State Hon. hammadu Justice Aisha MuSani Dahiru tration wasBuhari’s adminisMay 29, lawyerinaugurated on s were howev piqued by er the incess ant attack on judges s have becomespecially as they e target of kidnap pers in recent times. They howev er threat mass protes ened eral Gover t should the Fed- ed at the Judiciary nment and must be condemned in rity agenci its secuthe strong es est possib the infamo refuse to reverse terms, they said. le us trend and Particularly rence of that lives ensure this unfort , the lawye and dence. unate incirs cial officer property of judi- solved that they the inaugu would not reOur Judges adequately s nationwide were their hands and ration watch the fold secured. sant kidna equate protec must be given ad- Osinbajo ‘s adminof the Buhari/ incesSpecifically pping istration. tion to enable In a comm function demned what, the lawyers con- abated, insisting of judges unthem uniqué, they and perfor that the police and other they descri cred role to m their sa- “The 2015 electio said: as worris ns ome the kidnap bed take adequsecurity agencies of violence the society. All forms by an unprecedenwere marked of judges must ate securi ping , insisting ciary must targeted at the Judi- campaigns which ted level of nation’s judges that the to prevent a re-occu ty measures be condem threatened rrence It must strong ned in the boil over. was . to adequate est possib protection be given meetin at their quarterly Our Judges The NBA Besides, they le terms”. them functi g held at to enable in recogn the weeke NEC its leadin were unanim ition of that the era must g their sacred on and perfor m Ginginya Coral nd at role ous be whereby funds given Hotel, Weste toral system engaged the elecrole to the Bye Pass for the judicia All forms road, society. rn from two ry would meant angles. adequate of violence the NEC meetin Sokoto, venue different held by the be withof targetFedera g. First, l Government They said: was over protection the NBA as “Just a few to ago, we disbursementhey sought for the er education andorganised Votweeks were inform enable them mobilization t of the campa unfortunate ed of the out delay with a view fund with- branchigns. We commend Court Judge kidnapping of High industrial es for their to ridding the function and in action The most Okene, Kogi State. arm of govern from the third- regard and it was efforts in this unfort based perfo efforts that unate this shocki on their rm their This, the ment. the electio ng news was part of ns were not evil was perpet fast-tract lawyers said would marred by irregu that sacred role development larities. rated in broad this to light, in full The NBA judiciary FOLUSO OGUN s in the Electi glare of pedest dayespeci the society MODEDE The NBA countant-Gen ally if the Ac- Group must be on Working rians. JUDICIARY commended eral ensure They were attack and hereby condemns EDIToR the funds . d that this able to were made foluso.ogunmoded tacks againsother such related the same available sources and had harness renewtelegraphonlin e@ att the Judici the Observers all parts of on the Nigeri ary. We call e.com their allocat 36 States receiv in © Daily Telegrap the e ions. h Publishin other securi an Police Force NBA was country. However, g Company and the only Limited organizathat adequ ty agencies to ensure seized the the lawyers also tion that had Obser ate securi NBA-NEC North- Easter vers in the are taken ty measu to review meetin res to preven n part of the the state of g try and t a reoccu especially counthe rthe 2015 generanation bers for we commend our tions and memthe work the roles played l elec- done in this respecthat they have yers in the by lawelectoral succes t. s and

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Senators on warpath CoNTIN UED

oN PAGE 22

lPro-Lawan lawmakers head for court lTinubu's wife snubs Senate President Saraki }4 lEx-Reps leaders to APC: Reconcile with Dogara

Quick Read

Editorial

Dick Tiger’s deserved recognition }19 RMAFC to cut president, others' emoluments }9

L-R: Director, National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON), Mr. Knut Ulmvoen; Managing Director, Mr. Paul Farrer and Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos…yesterday.

Cold war brews in APC over Saraki, Dogara lWe're on the same page with Buhari, says party lSenate President: I won't dump APC

Ayodele Ojo, Johnchuks Onuanyim and Biodun Oyeleye

he emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Speaker,

House of Representatives is setting the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on a collision course with

President Muhammadu Buhari, it was learnt yesterday. New Telegraph learnt that the leadership of

the APC has expressed dismay over the stance of Buhari on the emergence of the leadership of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Senators on warpath over Saraki Chukwu David, Philip Nyam and Onyekachi Eze Abuja

rom the legislature, the battle for the leadership of the Senate is soon to move to the court. Aggrieved senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who were outwitted on Tuesday when some of their colleagues teamed up with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers to elect Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate president yesterday vowed to go to court to challenge Saraki's leadership of the legislature. The senators, who were not among others sworn in on Tuesday because they were attending a meeting supposedly called by President Muhammadu Buhari to mediate in the leadership tussle rocking the National Assembly, walked out on the Senate in session shortly after they took their oath of office. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, who was regarded as the arrowhead of the plot to stop Saraki, pointedly snubbed the Senate president after she was sworn in. The senators, under the aegis of Senate Unity Forum (SUF), who backed Senator Ahmed Lawan against Saraki, said the elections of Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, were flawed. The aggrieved senators, at a press conference in Abuja, accused the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, of perpetrating illegality in the election of Saraki as Senate president when only 57 out of the 108 senators- elect across party lines were present. The 33 pro-Lawan senators were led by Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue North East). Gemade said contrary to reports that they boycotted the election that produced Saraki, they were at the International Conference Centre (ICC) for a meeting with Buhari. He said the process that produced Saraki was unconstitutional and could not confer legitimacy on the Senate president. According to him, the group would, therefore, seek both political and legal redress against the election of the presiding officers of the Senate. He said: "As loyal party members, we would take all necessary political and legal means to strengthen our democracy and demo-

cratic process in line with the change that we promised our (teeming) supporters during our electioneering. "This process, which remains unconstitutional, cannot confer legitimacy on the elected Senate president. Our right to participate in the election of the Senate president is a constitutional right, which cannot be taken by any person or group of persons." Gemade added that quorum was not formed as at the time of conducting the election that produced Saraki. He said the required quorum was two-thirds majority of the membership of the Senate and not one-third that was relied upon. However, Coordinator of the Like Minds Senators (LMS), a pro-Saraki

group, Senator Dino Melaye, faulted the claims of the pro-Lawan group that Buhari called them for a meeting. He described Buhari as a responsible, transparent and honest Nigerian whose name should not be dropped to achieve a negative purpose. Melaye said the information on the purported meeting with the president was dubious and fake and was orchestrated by some mischievous members of the party to achieve a sinister motive. Earlier, Saraki had administered the oath of office and allegiance on 28 APC senators who were absent during the inauguration of the Eighth Senate on Tuesday. The SUF senators, led by Lawan, mobilised themselves to the chamber as early as 8:30am yesterday,

waiting for Saraki to formally swear them in. The senators, after the votes and proceedings of the previous legislative day were adopted, took turns to take their oaths by reading it out aloud and appending their signatures. By protocol, each of the newly sworn-in senators was expected, after taking the oaths, to present a copy of his or her certificate to the Senate president and in turn shake hands with him. The protocol was duly followed by all the senators except Senator Oluremi Tinubu, (Lagos Central), who refused to shake hands with Saraki, but merely showed him her certificate and walked out on him. At plenary yesterday, the senators protested their exclusion in the elec-

tion of the Senate president, saying it breached their fundamental human rights as well as privileges as members of the Senate. Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central), who raised Order 53 of the Senate Standing Order 2011 (as amended), on matter of privilege, said that his exclusion from the election of the president of the Senate and the inauguration that followed, did not only deny him of his right to participate in the process, but had also subjected him to public ridicule. But ruling on the matter, Saraki said the Senate Standing Order, which Marafa made reference to required that he should have had a previous discussion with the Senate president before raising the issue on the floor. Consequently, he ruled him

out of order. Also Gemade, who was visibly angry over the exclusion of his members, insisted that Saraki should give attention to the matter as the privileges of the senators were breached. Again, Saraki ruled him out of order, saying that he had earlier ruled on the matter. He cited the standing rule of the Senate that says no mention should be made of a matter upon which a decision has been made. At this point, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe) said the process through which Saraki was elected and the Eighth Senate inaugurated was in strict compliance with the constitution. According to him, Maikasuwa read the letter of proclamation by Buhari CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

L-R: Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Executive Director of the bank, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, during a visit to the governor in Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

Emefiele takes charge of forex approvals CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

in recent times, the department has to wait for the CBN governor to approve banks’ requests before disbursement. It was gathered that the development had resulted in banks enduring costly delays in getting forex at the official rate from the regulator. A bank's managing director who spoke on condition of anonymity told New Telegraph that such delays almost resulted in the lender losing the services of its international consultants. He said: “We applied for foreign exchange to pay for the services of this consultant since January, but our request was not ap-

proved until May. When we inquired what the reason for the delay was, we learnt that they were waiting for the approval of the CBN governor.” Another financial analyst, who asked not to be named, said while Emefiele was entitled to use all legitimate measures to ensure CBN's success in its task of defending the naira, it would not be right if such measures were allowed to prevent legitimate dealers from accessing forex or impacting the market. He said: “For instance, I’m certain that when the CBN was introducing forex measures last December, it did not expect that it could result in

JPMorgan threatening to eject Nigeria from its Government Bond Indexes (GBI-EM). Although, the bank’s efforts to stabilise the exchange rate are commendable, it should not overdo it.” But a top CBN official, who craved for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the allegation “cannot be true and can’t be generic.” He added that banks are being economical with the truth and are always looking for loose ends. “Please kindly ask the banks whether their documentations complete. We have had three Bankers’ Committee meetings since the beginning of this year,

why didn’t they table the matter at the meeting? If you can give me the names of these banks, then we would be able to investigate,” he said. However, it was learnt that the CBN had started fast tracking its forex approvals, going by the steady depletion of Nigeria’s forex reserves. The latest CBN data yesterday revealed that the nation’s reserves had fallen to $29.18 billion as at Tuesday, from $29.78 billion on May 17, 2015. The dearth of liquidity in the forex market, occasioned by the apex bank’s forex trading restrictions last December, had compelled JPMorgan to threaten to kick Nigeria

out of its emerging market bond indexes tracked by more than $200 billion of funds last Friday. JPMorgan, which is the largest bank in the United States, with total assets of $2.6 trillion, said the decision to remove Nigeria would be “finalised in the coming months” and no later than the end of 2015. Within this period, JPMorgan Chase & Co. said that it expected the new government headed by Buhari to have eased trading conditions. Nigeria, according to the American multinational banking and financial services holding company, has a 1.8 per cent weighting in the gauge.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

NBS: 469,070 jobs created Q1 2015

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

data on jobs creation issued yesterday by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has put the total number of jobs created in the economy in the first quarter of 2015 at 469,070. This shows an increase of 26.95 percent (99,585) over the number of jobs created in the preceding quarter.

The breakdown indicated that the formal sector, which is predominantly “white collar job,” generated 130,941 new jobs representing 27.92 per cent of total jobs generated in the first quarter of 2015. However, the number of jobs generated by the formal sector shows a decline of 5.13 percent (7,085) when compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. The decline in the formal sector jobs often

sought after by graduates created in Q1 2015 represents the third straight quarter of consistent reduction in formal sector jobs. On the other hand, there was also a 30.5 per cent (1,339) increase in the number of jobs created in the public sector of the economy, making it 5,726 new jobs generated in the public sector in the first quarter of 2015. The jobs generated in

the public sector represent 1.2 per cent of the total new jobs during the period. Also, in the first quarter of 2015, 332,403 new jobs were created in the informal sector, compared to 227,072 new jobs in the fourth quarter of 2014. This signifies a 46.39 per cent increase between the two periods and represented 71 per cent of total jobs created in Q1 2015, the largest share of total jobs

in any quarter since the NBS started tracking jobs in 2012. The sharp increase in informal sector jobs is much expected, given the numerous informal economic activities that come on during election periods. The informal sector consists of low skilled and often low paying jobs generated by individuals or micro businesses employing less than 10 or those businesses operating with

little or no structures like those in subsistent agriculture and wholesale and retail trade. “Additionally, the declining availability of formal sector jobs relative to demand for them is resulting in unsuccessful job seekers establishing micro businesses and engaging in more informal, lower skilled and often lower paying economic activities to make ends meet,” NBS data showed.

Why APC was humiliated, by PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Senate President Bukola Saraki (left) with Senator Andy Uba after the first plenary at the Senate in Abuja…yesterday.

APC leaders angry with Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

National Assembly. Saraki and Dogara, in elections held in the two chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday, had defeated the party's consensus candidates, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, in the race for the Senate presidency and House speakership. However, hours after the APC rejected the Saraki Senate presidency and Dogara's leadership of the House for defying the party, the president expressed his willingness to work with them. It was also learnt that APC leaders, besides being angry with the president over his mild stance on Saraki and Dogara's defiance of the party, have expressed worries in the “manner the president is side-tracking them in the choice of key appointments and the delay in the composition of his cabinet.” Some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC said Buhari was working at cross-purposes with the party.

“How could a president take a stance which is at variance with that of the APC when he is abreast of every action of the party? Is he trying to be a good man and let the public see the party leaders as fall guys? This is unstatesmanlike,” a member of the NWC told New Telegraph. It was learnt that some leaders of the party were taken aback by the president’s tacit endorsement of Saraki and Dogara. “The president was properly briefed on the position of the party on what transpired in the National Assembly over the emergence of its leadership. President Buhari agreed with the decision of the party that disciplinary measure should be taken against the erring lawmakers. The president never opposed our position and the party information organ was mandated to issue a statement in that regard. “But we are surprised that after the APC issued its official statement, the president came up with a statement at variance with the position of the

party. How can we ensure discipline in the party with the president’s disposition? This is why leaders of the party are not happy with Buhari on this matter,” another party leader, who craved anonymity, told New Telegraph. An APC governor also said the leaders of the party were not happy with the president on his role in the impasse over the National Assembly leadership tussle. He said: “The truth of the matter is that the leaders of the APC are not opposed to Saraki emerging as the Senate President. But President Buhari expressed reservations over Saraki’s choice on the strength that he might challenge him or his preferred candidate (if he is not running) in the 2019 presidency. Hence, he preferred Senator Ahmed Lawan to Saraki. “This is why some of the president’s men who are senators are on the side of Lawan. Bola Tinubu was only given the task of carrying out the assignment to prevail on Saraki to drop his ambition or stop him at all cost.

Unfortunately, the president created an impression that he has nothing to do with who becomes the leaders of the parliament whereas he was the main actor.” An associate of former Lagos State Governor, Tinubu, told New Telegraph that the former governor was enraged because he was seen as the fall guy. “The general thinking is that Tinubu was the architect of the plot against Saraki as part of the plot to extend his area of influence to the National Assembly. That is farther from the truth. Yes, he was the promoter of Femi Gbajabiamila’s ambition as speaker of the House of Representatives. That was where it ended. “I can tell you that when Saraki began his consultation for the Senate presidency, he consulted with Tinubu in Lagos who gave him the nod. Not sure of the support, Saraki took some of his political associates to London to meet with Tinubu where he also sought his endorsement. Tinubu pointedly told Saraki that this was CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

before conducting the election that threw up Saraki and Ekweremadu as president of the Senate and the deputy president of the Senate respectively. Goje said whoever argued against what happened on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday was simply asking the Senate to disobey the constitution, adding that whoever went to the ICC and missed the election was on his own. Later, Ekweremadu moved a motion that the president of the Senate should send a message to Buhari, notifying him that the President of the Senate and the Deputy President of the Senate had been elected. He also asked the Senate to send a congratulatory message to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and his deputy, Hon. Yusuf Lasun, on their successful elections on Tuesday. The motion was seconded by Goje and was approved when put to voice vote by Saraki. Also yesterday, past presiding and principal officers of the House of Representatives called on the APC to consider the election of Dogara and Lasun as a display of legislative independence. They, therefore, urged the party to consider reconciling with the duo in the interest of the party and the nation. Speaking on behalf of the delegation which was led by a former Speaker of the House, Hon. Agunwa Anakwe, former Speaker, Hon. Umar Ghali Na'Abba told the APC that the emergence of Dogara must be seen from the context of a larger picture that legislature all over the world perform effectively when independent. The delegation was on a visit to Dogara to congratulate him on his election.

Responding, Dogara expressed appreciation to the delegation, saying that he felt humbled and honoured to receive them. In another development, the PDP has blamed the defeat of the APC candidates in last Tuesday's National Assembly leadership elections on the greed, lust for power and inordinate ambitions of the party leaders. "APC’s disdain for democratic norms, the rule of law and the sanctity of the legislature, coupled with its excessive thirst for power portends grave threat to our survival as a nation and calls for serious concern among Nigerians and all lovers of democracy and freedom world over," PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, stated. The party also condemned the botched attempts by the APC to close the National Assembly and stop lawmakers from carrying out their constitutional duties. “It is totally against the tenets of democracy, the principles of separation of powers and independence of the legislature as enshrined in the constitution," the PDP stated. It described the threats by the APC against the new leaders of the National Assembly as empty boasts aimed to cover its naivety, inexperience and unpreparedness for governance. The party admonished the APC to shed its arrogance, eat the humble pie and get more organised for governance, noting that it lacks the capacity, capability and means to sanction duly elected leaders of the National Assembly. "They should note that Nigerians have since moved ahead with the new leaders in the National Assembly and stop wasting their energy on propaganda and blackmails to heat up the polity," PDP added.

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Court dismisses N19.2bn fraud suit against Sylva lWe can still bring fresh charges against ex-gov, says EFCC Tunde Oyesina and Emmanuel Onani ABUJA

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday dismissed the N19.2 billion fraud charges preferred against a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency had, about a week ago, withdrawn a similar suit against Sylva, which was filed before another judge of the Federal High Court. The commission had said then that it withdrew the suit before Justice Evoh Chukwu in order to pursue the suit before Justice A.R Mohammed. Sylva had then, through his counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), filed a preliminary objection to the suit before Justice Mohammed, describing it as an abuse of court process. Delivering ruling yesterday, Justice Mohammed held that the charges instituted against Sylva by the EFCC were an abuse of court process

since they were based on the same set of transactions involved in the charges that were recently dropped against the accused person. The court also held that the EFCC attempted to interfere with the administration of justice by withdrawing the charges after the court had heard and adjourned for ruling Sylva’s notice of preliminary objection on the multiplicity of the charges filed against him by the EFCC. Justice Mohammed further held that if EFCC was ready to prosecute the accused person, it ought to withdraw the

charges that were before it since they were the ones filed after the one before Justice Chukwu. Sylva was arraigned for the N19.2 billion fraud charges in 2012 alongside Nide Francis Okonkwo, Gbenga Balogun and Samuel Ogbuku. They were alleged to have used three companies – Marlin Maritime Ltd, Eat Catering Services Ltd, and HaloweenBlue Construction and Logistics Ltd – to move the amount from the treasury of the Bayelsa State Government between 2009 and 2012 under false pretence of using the withdrawn money to augment

salaries of workers. Reacting to the ruling, Sylva’s media aide, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said: “The ruling today, by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, has, at long last, vindicated Chief Timipre Sylva and ended an elaborate game of cat and mouse being played by the EFCC on purpose to frustrate the political life of the former governor. “The judge clearly accused EFCC of interfering with the administration of justice and abusing court process while dismissing all the corruption charges against the former governor. “All the multiple charg-

es by EFCC against Sylva and his associates had a single aim to persecute, intimidate, harass him and, in so doing, destroy his political career. "We are happy that at last, justice has been done in this matter. We are very much relieved that all the attempts by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to keep Sylva away have failed.” However, the EFCC has faulted the court's ruling, saying the verdict does not stop it from prosecuting Sylva. EFCC, in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson

Uwujaren, said Justice Mohammed, in dismissing the charge, erred in law as the accused persons had not taken any plea; no proof of evidence was placed before the court and trial had not commenced. "The dismissal of the charge by Justice Mohammed, following the application of the commission to consolidate the charges against the former governor and his accomplices, does not amount to a discharge or an acquittal, and it does not preclude the power of the agency to bring fresh charges against the defendants," it said.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

ABUJA

PORT HARCOURT

KANO

ENUGU

IBADAN

CALABAR

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

31oC 24oC Storm

31o C 23oC Cloudy

22oC 19oC Sunny

L-R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf; Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, during a courtesy visit to Dogara in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

We're on the same page, says Lai Mohammed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

39 C 25 C Mostly Sunny

26o C 17oC Thunder Storms

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24oC 14oC Sunny

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a concluded issue. But when the president kicked against Saraki, the game changed. So, Buhari is actually the one that plotted against Saraki,” the source added. It was further learnt that the party leaders were not happy with the president over the composition of his cabinet. Some of the APC leaders said they were not carried along in the composition of the cabinet and expressed concerns that the president was dragging his feet in making key appointments. “Nobody knows what the president is up to. It is like he is only consulting with himself. For almost two weeks, the president has not made any critical appointments outside his personal aides. By now,

we expected him to have appointed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff and National Security Adviser (NSA), which he has failed to do. “Sometimes the leaders of the party are kept incommunicado with the president. Well, we are just watching to see what Buhari will do,” a member of the NWC said. But the party's spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told New Telegraph that there was no misunderstanding between APC and the president. “The president clearly stated that he backed his party, but that a process had taken place over the choice of National Assembly leaders. So, Buhari and APC are on the same page," he stated. Asked to interpret what

the president meant that elections were constitutional, Mohammed said: "What is constitutional? He only meant that a process has taken place. "The position of the party is very simple. Party said it was disloyalty on the part of Dogara and Saraki to have abandoned the party. We did not talk about constitutionalism in our statement." Meanwhile, the party is weighing options on how to deal with members who defied it. A member of the NWC said the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party would meet to ratify the decision of the party leadership on the matter. “If we don’t discipline the erring lawmakers, we are sunk. So, we will definitely act to teach others

lesson,” the source said yesterday. Amid the threat of sanction against him and others, Saraki has assured the party that he would not defect to any other party. Saraki, in a statement yesterday by his media office, also described Buhari's reaction to Tuesday's elections of National Assembly leaders as a "great mark of leadership" and a demonstration of the president's commitment to democracy. He commended Buhari for remaining steadfast in his commitment to the principle of non-interference in National Assembly politics, even in the face of great pressure on him to act otherwise. On the insinuations that he would return to the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), Saraki described such suggestions as "absurd and laughable." He said: "It is just cheap blackmail by political adversaries who want to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. And those making such desperate allegations should remember that I willingly left the PDP on matters of principles when the party was in power. Is it now that the party is out of government and in opposition that I will now return, having worked so hard for my party in the last general elections?" He pledged his loyalty to APC, saying he remains a loyal party member and a leader of the party, committed to contributing his quota to building the party and helping it to deliver its promise of change to Nigeria.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

News

Isiaka lauds Saraki, Dogara's emergence Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, as the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives has been described as a manifestation of freedom for the legislative arm of government and a plus for the sustenance of democracy in the country. The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the last election in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka, said this in a statement made available to our correspondent yesterday. Isiaka said the bold step taken by the National Assembly to be independent and elect their leaders would strengthen democracy and help to improve the welfare of Nigerians. Isiaka described Saraki and Dogara as experienced and tested politicians, capable of leading the National Assembly to give Nigerian quality legislation. He noted that Saraki did not only perform creditably well as governor of Kwara State, but left indelible achievements for generations not yet born.

NNPC admits non-remittance of N2.32trn LNG funds

l Says reconciliation ongoing with inter-ministerial team

Adeola Yusuf

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday admitted that it was yet to remit N2.32 trillion ($11.6 billion) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) dividends as alleged by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

he Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Dr. Felix Abali, has attributed the delay in releasing the final report of Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012 to lack of laboratory to analyse data. Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Abali said that the Dana Air accident had both local and international inputs, which unfortunately slowed down investigation by the bureau. He explained that on

the local scene, the flight recorders were sent abroad for downloading and analysis, stressing that as at the time of the accident, AIB had no laboratory where it could analyse accident data. He noted that on analysis, one of the recorders was found to be damaged by overexposure to fire and said the bureau also had challenge with getting pathology reports like the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and toxicology, which had to be done abroad.

EFCC arraigns 14 foreign nationals for bunkering Akeem Nafiu

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday arraigned 14 nationals of Russia, Ukraine, Japan and United Kingdom and their companies before Justice Ibrahim Buba of

NEITI had last Tuesday said that $11.6 billion, about N2.32 trillion, which represents outstanding total dividends arising from loans and interest repayments from Federal Government’s investment in LNG needed to be recovered into government coffers. The agency also indicted oil and gas firms operating in Nigeria of de-

frauding the country to the tune of $19.1 billion, about N3.82 trillion, over the last couple of months, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the recovery of the money from the companies. Owing up to the nonremittance of the money, the NNPC however, refuted NEITI’s allegation that nothing was being done to get the money remitted.

Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs division of the NNPC, Ohi Alegbe who made this clarification in a statement, maintained that the matter has since been referred to the InterMinisterial Task Team (IMTT) for reconciliation and resolution. He disclosed that contrary to the impression created by NEITI that

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (middle) going in for his first plenary session at the floor of the House of Representatives in Abuja …yesterday

Lack of laboratory delays Dana final report — AIB boss Wole Shadare

thursday, june 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

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a Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged involvement in massive oil bunkering on Nigerian territorial waters. They were alleged to have illegally dealt in several thousands of metric tons of petroleum product, automated gas oil and low pour fuel oil.

nothing was being done to get the money remitted, the matter had since been referred to the InterMinisterial Task Team (IMTT) for reconciliation and resolution. “At the last meeting of the IMTT, it was resolved that the Minister of Petroleum, Chairman of NEITI, Executive Secretary of NEITI, and the Group Managing Director of NNPC should meet on the issue of NLNG dividends and report back to the IMTT. “Unfortunately, that meeting has not held. However, another meeting of the IMTT is coming up next week and the issue will be taken up from there. “NEITI as a member of the IMTT is aware of the ongoing efforts to reconcile and resolve the issue of NLNG dividend remittance.” NEITI, in a statement in Abuja, disclosed that the amount represents clear cases of underpayments, under-assessments of taxes, royalties, rents, among others, revealed in its several independent audit reports, which have not been adequately addressed in the past. Executive Secretary, NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, also described the transfer of eight oil wells sold by the NNPC, to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in 2010 and 2011 as lacking in transparency and called for a full investigation into the transaction.

DHQ to Zaki Biam: Military Insurgency: Commission requires N13bn won't retaliate attack sum of 38.5 billion francs Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday allayed the fears of the people of Zaki-biam in Benue State, of the possibility of a reprisal by the military. The DHQ, in a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, said the assurance became necessary following what it said, was the killing of a soldier and a policeman by an armed gang, which has forced the people to flee their community. A similar incident had occurred in the community in 2001, leading to a fierce reprisal by troops. The statement from DHQ reads: "The people of Zaki biam who fled their homes after an armed gang ambushed and killed a soldier and policeman recently have been assured that there will be no reprisal attack

on the community as rumoured in some quarters. The military authorities in the locality have assured that while every effort was being made to track down the armed gang that have been operating in the area before the incident, no civilian will be unduly harassed. "There had been apprehension in the community following the incidence which triggered a rumour of impending reprisal attack by the military. The people were therefore advised to return to their homes and normal activities as the troops are there for their protection. "An armed gang identified as Gana which have been operating along Zaki-biam/Katsina Ala road had attacked the troops on patrol as they were on their way to respond to distress call from civilians in the town on Tuesday. The gang which had reportedly been terrorising the community for some time, also made away with a number of items.

Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Lake Chad Basin Commission, a regional body comprising Nigeria, Chad Niger and Cameroon, has said that an estimated N13 billion will be required to urgently develop territories affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Boko Haram, which has ravaged a large part of the North-East, had carried out isolated attacks on Nigerien, Chadian and Cameroonian territories. The Executive Secretary of the LCBC, Mr. Sanusi Abdulahi, who spoke at the end of the Meeting of Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Commission, said the regional commission was mandated to evolve an emergency development plan, which will complement the ongoing counterinsurgency operations. According to him, "We have therefore articulated an emergency development programme for the

or about N13 billion." He disclosed that the intervention fund will be deployed in the Region of Lac and Hadjar Lamis in Chad Republic, Far North Region of Cameroon, Regions of Diffa and Zinder in Niger Republic. He listed beneficiary states in Nigeria to include: Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa and Kano. He said the essence of the commission is to: "Combat the causes and conditions that favour the development of insecurity specifically, to undertake actions that generate revenues through agro-pastoral, business enterprises. "Strengthen the capacity of youth, women and vulnerable groups by financing social and professional integration skill acquisition. "Raise awareness in the Lake Chad region on security in order to create a climate of trust, conducive to the improvement of their living environment and illiteracy eradication."

NEW TELEGRAPH thursday, june 11, 2015

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

n line with prevailing mood of the nation, coupled with reduction in revenue accruals to government coffers, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission ( RMAFC) yesterday set machinery in motion preparing the ground for drastic downward review in salaries and allowances of Political, Public and Judicial Office holders. The agency statutorily empowered by constitution to prepare remuneration packages for political and elected office holders, said yesterday that it had begun the process for review of the existing Remuneration Act of 2008 . Disclosing this in a

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RMAFC to cut President, others' emoluments W

Shareholders commend NASCON on diversification

statement by Head, Public Relations, Mohammed Ibrahim, he quoted Commission Executive Chairman, Engr. Elias Mbam, as saying yesterday while inaugurating members of remuneration committee whom, he gave the task of carrying out the review. In carrying out the exercise, Mbam urged the committee to be conscious of the prevailing economic situation and the need to reduce cost of governance, so as to free more funds for development. He also explained that

the commission was constitutionally empowered to undertake the review of the remuneration packages as may be required from time to time so as to reflect current economic realities; advise Federal and State Governments on Monetization policies; generate cost of living indices for revision of allowances, amongst others. Specifically, he charged the Committee to undertake wide consultations with all critical stakeholders, including all arms of government of the federa-

tion, the national and state assemblies, States and Local governments, Professional economic bodies, the organised labour, the academia, the media and Nigerian Public in general, so as to enrich the process. The Chairman, the statement said, reminded the committee of the need to ensure that the review effectively minimizes wastages and abuses and ensures prudent management of resources as well. The committee is expected to holistically review the existing remuneration Act;

identify areas of wastages and abuse, examine the implementation of the Monetization Policy by MDAs and advise on appropriate remuneration for Political, Public and Judicial Officers commensurate with the work they do. Mbam stressed that the exercise which is expected to reduce cost of governance in line with the current realities where the economy is characterized by inflation and down turn in international oil prices amongst others is envisaged to be completed.

Bomb kills three female suicide bombers in Borno

he Borno Police Command has confirmed the killing of three suspected female suicide bombers in Konduga Local Government Area when their Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) detonated on their way to Maiduguri. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Opadokun, made the confirmation yesterday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri. Opadokun said the bombers died on Tuesday on their way to Maiduguri to cause more havoc and disaster in the city.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, speaking to newsmen on the ongoing process of establishing the Yola Military Command and Control Centre, during his visit to Yola …yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

Reps want police to probe killings of corps members Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives has called on the Nigeria Police to investigate all killings involving the members National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) across the country. Meanwhile, the House, which was inaugurated on Tuesday, yesterday adjourned plenary session until June 23, 2015. The House took the decision following the adoption of a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance yesterday by Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) on the urgent need to protect NYSC members and review their terms of services. While leading debate on the motion, Chinda recalled the initial objec-

tives of setting up the NYSC program, reiterated that various Corps members in the country had suffered injuries and untimely death in their host states, a development he said negates its establishment. However, former minority leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, opposed the prayers of the motion on the grounds that it requires the amendment of a portion of the NYSC Act which ought not to be done, but rather that the whole Act establishing the NYSC should be brought for amendment. In his contribution, Hon. Nkem Abonta called for extra measures to be taken to protect Corps members, while Hon. Sani Zoro added that the terms of service of all other uniform institutions like the Nigerian Army be reviewed as well.

Ambode woos investors as Dangote gives N400m to women Muritala Ayinla and Mojeed Alabi

agos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday reiterated his commitment to making the state comfortable for investors. That was even as he commended the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for donating N400 Million through the Dangote Foundation to 2,000 women in each of the 20 Local Governments in the State. Meanwhile, Dangote said that he remains committed to building the largest ever single refinery of 650,000 barrels per day, which according to him, is by far more than the consumption of Nigeria. He said that when completed, that would satisfy Nigerian oil consumption for at least, the next seven to 10 years when completed.

Speaking when he played host to Dangote at his office in Alausa, Ikeja, Ambode said that his administration is willing and ready to make all investors have a comfortable business profile in the state. He assured investors that his administration was ready to support the Dangote Group and others where it is necessary towards ensuring that investors have a comfortable life. He said: “This visit is highly significant. We said it that we are going to open up Lagos State for greater business and we also said we are interested in bringing in foreign investors and also create an Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment. “This visit is symbolic in the sense that the bottom line is creating jobs for our youths and he has shown full commitment as a great Nigerian."

ith a dividend of N1.32 billion, culminating to 50 kobo per share due to every investor of the company for the 2014 financial year, shareholders of National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON), a subsidiary of Dangote Group, yesterday commended the company on the huge investment made in production of tomato paste, vegetable oil and seasoning. The shareholders, who spoke during the 2014 general meeting of the company, held in Lagos yesterday, urged the board to strengthen its research and development department to achieve optimal results and enhance operations. Specifically, a shareholder, Kazeem Olayiwola, lauded the management for enhancing their returns on investment through dividend payout. Olayiwola expressed satisfaction on the successes recorded so far in the production of other food condiments apart from salt, adding that the investment would translate into more values for stakeholders. He charged the management of NASCON, especially the marketing division to be more innovative as to drive more sales of the several range of products now available within the company. He specifically tasked the management to pay more attention to staff training and incentives as these are essential to drive productivity.

NOTICE OF EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF POLFA NIGERIA PLC. TAKE NOTICE THAT THE Extra Ordinary General Meeting of Polfa Nigeria Plc will be held at the Motorways Centre, 3rd Floor, Wing A,Toll Gate, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday, the 22nd day of June, 2015 at 10 a.m for the following purposes: ORDINARY BUSINESS 1. To receive the Statement of Affairs for the year ended 31st December 2009- 31st December, 2014, together with the Reports of the Directors, and Auditors thereon. 2. To pass a resolution converting the company from a public company to a private company. 3. To increase the share capital from N2,000,000 to N30,000,000. 4. To offer the new shares to shareholders in form of a right issue in proportion to their shareholding. 5. To pass a resolution empowering the Board to take all such other steps are ancillary to giving effect to the decisions of the meeting. The date of this Notice is 22nd May, 2015 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD Signed : OLUWATOSIN REIS (Miss) FOR: UNITY TRUSTEES LIMITED COMPANY SECRETARY 1, Shagamu Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos +234-2715354-61, 2719634-7 NOTE: PROXY A member of the Company who is entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is also entitled to appoint a proxy, who need not be a Member of the Company, to attend, speak and vote instead of him. All instruments of proxy should be deposited with the Office of the Company Secretary not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Abductors demand N20m for Catholic priest’s release Adesina Wahab

Akingbade

and a handset. He added: “They told the priest that some amount of money had been paid on his life except if he could pay them N20 million. They asked him to put on any clothe he likes and drove him away, since then we have not been able to establish contact with

him.” The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, confirmed the story, adding that the command was working hard to get the priest released. He said: “We are aware of it and we are following it up. The DPO in Ido informed the

Flood sweeps away 12-year-old girl in Lagos Muritala Ayinla

here was confusion yesterday at Orilowo Ejigbo in Ejibo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State as flood swept away a 12-year-old girl, Kehinde

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

Ado-Ekiti

unmen, who kidnapped a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, at Ido-Ekiti in Ekiti State, said he would lose his life unless he pays N20 million. The three gunmen invaded the house of the priest about 8pm on Tuesday. Akingbade is the parish priest of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ido-Ekiti. The cleric, who is a lawyer, also doubles as the assistant director, Justice, Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI) of the church in the diocese. The Bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, who confirmed the development in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said the Commissioner of Police, Etop James, had been informed about the development. The bishop said one of the three men pointed a gun at the head of one of the occupants of the priest’s residence and ordered him to lead them to Akingbade’s room where he was abducted. The bishop, who described the incident as “very sad and devastating,” said the abductors also went away with the priest’s computer laptop, undisclosed amount of money

Man slumps, dies in Osun

Popoola. At press time, rescuers were searching for the girl in in a canal in the area. It was gathered that a middle-aged man, who tried to rescue the girl, nearly lost his life in the process as the flood hit his head on a concrete before he was also rescued. The girl was said to be coming from a place where she had gone to buy food when the flood came and overpowered her. Confirming the incident, the Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said all efforts to rescue the girl proved abortive. However, Fadipe said the agency had placed people around the canal to search for the girl. He said: “When the incident happened, a man, who saw the girl tried to rescue her, al-

most lost control of himself, because he hit head on the concrete.” The director also said that the agency yesterday attended to about five fire outbreaks across the state. Fadipe said a family was about to move into one of the buildings that were razed yesterday. He said: “A family was about to move into one a new duplex that got burnt yesterday. “The owners were planning to move into the building. They had already parked in but they intended to start sleeping in the building the following day when the fire broke out. We heard that an electrician worked in the building a day before the fire. The electrician must have done a shoddy job.”

command about the incident and we are trying our best to get him released.” Meanwhile, angry youths at Ido-Ekiti yesterday took to the streets to protest Akingbade’s abduction. They blocked the Ido-Usi Road and prevented vehicular movement.

he effect of the financial crisis rocking Osun State yesterday claimed the life of a middle-aged man in Osogbo, the state capital. The yet-to-be-identified man slumped and died in Osogbo, over his inability to buy drugs to maintain his health condition. The victim was found dead at the popular Ola-Iya Junction, in the heart of the town. Witnesses said the deceased complained of an ailment which he had been managing with the help of one of his uncles, a civil servant in the state. He was quoted before his death to have said that “my uncle who usually gives me money to buy drugs for the maintenance of my health could no longer do so again because of the nonpayment of their salaries”. Witnesses said the man was begging for help as he was going down but people could not help him because of the fear of the police. At press time, the body was still lying on the ground while sympathisers were discussing his death in groups. A resident of the area, Mr Kunle Babawale, appealed to concerned authority to urgently evacuate the body. He said: “If the corpse was not evacuated with immediate effect, it would lead to health problems for the people.”

Three held for killing 11-year-old girl Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

en of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Ogun State, have arrested three men for allegedly abducting and killing one 11-year-old girl, Aminat Ishola. The suspects, identified as Babatunde Aderonmu, 21, Shina Damilare, 40, and Taofeek Ajisomo, 50, were paraded yesterday at the SARS office, Magbon, Abeokuta. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, who paraded the suspects, said Aminat was murdered eight days after her abduction. According to Adejobi, the suspects were still making phone calls to the relations of the victim, even after her death, demanding N2 million

ransom. The PPRO disclosed that the suspects kidnapped the girl on May 21 around 7:30pm at Arugudu, near Ijoko-Ota in AdoOdo/Ota Local Government Area of the state and took her to Osun-Jegede in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. At Ibadan, he said the suspects took the teenager to one Islamic cleric, Taofik Ajisomo, in whose house the victim was kept and who “administered some substances suspected to be poison to the young girl”. He said: “The police operatives in Agbado Division of Ogun State Command had earlier arrested the mastermind of the crime, one Babatunde Aderonmu, after he was suspected and reported to the police by the guardian and relations of the deceased and later transferred to SARS for further investigation.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

I felt humiliated, says girl defiled by father A man says he defiled his daughter because of a strange influence Camillus Nnaji

Waheed

asked if I was menstruating. He also asked me if anybody had ever had sex with me, I said no. He said he would use his penis to test me to confirm the truth. That was how he forced his ‘manhood’ on me and covered my mouth not to shout. “From that time, I started bleeding till morning when I became weak and he did nothing. He warned me not to let anybody know.” The victim said her father repeated the act on March 5 this year. She added: “I was browsing with someone’s phone in the house when he asked me

The victim

to remove my clothes. He put on condom and had sex with me. I felt very bad inside me but I could do nothing. The next day, I packed my belongings and ran away from the house to a near-by church. “I really felt humiliated. Before I left, I threw away all the condoms he bought and dropped a note that he should not look for me. At the church, I narrated what happened to me to them and they took the matter to the police.” Waheed, who earlier refuted the allegation, claimed that a strange influence came upon him and he did not know

what he was doing. He said: “Please police, journalists forgive me; I don’t know what came over me. I have been beaten thoroughly by Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) boys; that is why my eyes are swollen.” Speaking on behalf of the zone PPRO, Mr Olorunfemi Shem, said all the investigations carried on the matter and the medical report from a government hospital showed that the crime was committed. He said: “Our investigation and medical report from a government hospital proved that the girl was defiled by her father.”

Residents cry out over oil spillage, explosion Muritala Ayinla and Taiwo Jimoh

he residents of Ijedodo community in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State have cried out over the impact of oil spillage on their social and economic life. Fire erupted from ruptured pipeline in the community on Monday night suspected to have been caused by activities of oil pipeline vandals. But the residents said yesterday that the spillage and the explosion had altered their natural habitat. This came as officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said they were yet to access the explosion point. The residents called on the government and NNPC to proffer a lasting solution to the incessant explosions in the community. It was gathered that the NNPC and NEMA officials stormed the scene late on Tuesday to search for the point of ex-

Life isn’t fair to me, says drug peddler Juliana Francis

STRANGE INFLUENCE

14-year-old girl (name withheld) said she felt bad and humiliated after she was defiled twice by her father. The culprit, Adeboye Waheed, 48, has been arrested by policemen attached to Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos. The suspect, who was paraded before journalists yesterday, blamed the act on strange influence which befell him. The victim lives with his father, step mother and four siblings on Adama Araro Street in Ikorodu area of Lagos. The lid was blown open when the victim, an SS1 student of Araromi Isoju Grammar School in Ikorodu, ran to a near-by church to report her ordeal. She said: “My father started checking my private part, to check if I have started mensuration in 2014. On a particular day in November of the same year, I was sleeping on the floor of our one room apartment in the night, he removed my rapper. My step mother was not around that day. “He used his fingers to touch my private part and

City Briefs

Smoke rises from the explosion site

plosion but were not successful because the bridge to link the explosion point was already damaged by the vandals. Although, officials of the NNPC have started reconstructing the bridge, the terrain hampered their efforts. The South-West Information Officer of NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, told our correspondent that the terrain

had hampered efforts to reach the explosion point. The explosion has forced NNPC to shut the supply of petroleum products from the Atlas Cove. It was learnt that the explosion occurred less than 24 hours after the Federal Government contractor handling the protection of pipeline in the area, Donyx Global Concept

Limited, held a meeting with the NNPC officials. A few weeks ago, vandals attacked pipelines in the area, leading to leakage of petroleum products on the waterways in the community. One of the residents, Mr Tajudeen Olaosebikan, appealed to the government to strengthen security in the area, while bemoaning the activities of the vandals. Olaosebikan said that the vandals must have commenced their operations immediately the downpour started. Also speaking, the leader of the Ikotun-Igando division of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Mr Taiwo Famuyiwa, said they did not know what caused the explosion. “What we saw was fire and we have informed NNPC to visit the place to ascertain the cause of the explosion,” he said. Other residents said NNPC officials were still being expected to fix the pipeline, when the vandals invaded the area and started scooping fuel.

commercial tricycle rider, Samuel Anele, arrested for peddling 4.892kg of methamphetamine, said he was promised N1 million to set up his own business. Anele, 45, was among four suspected drug traffickers apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). They were apprehended at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu while attempting to smuggle 8.876kg of various narcotic drugs to India, Turkey, Hong Kong and China. He said: “I am a commercial tricycle rider. Life is not fair to me. Every day it is one problem after another and the money I earn is not enough. “It was frustration that made me to smuggle drugs. They promised me that the drug has been properly hidden and that when I return they will pay me the sum of N1 million. At the airport, my bag was searched and the drug detected. Now I am now left alone to suffer.” Two of the suspects were found to have concealed illicit drugs in their luggage while the other two ingested the drugs found on them. The NDLEA Commander at the Enugu Airport, Nsikak-Abasi Udoh, said all the suspects were being investigated. He said: “The names of the suspects are Samuel Anele, a tricycle rider, caught with 4.892kg of methamphetamine on his way to Bombay, India. Another suspect, Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu was caught with 1.293kg of cocaine on his way to Istanbul, Turkey. “Ukaeji Tochukwu was found with 1.408kg of cocaine on his way to Hong Kong while Nwoye Godfrey was caught with 1.283kg of cannabis which he had wanted to smuggle to Guangzhou, China. The suspects are helping our team of investigators.”

We will flush out criminals –Anambra CP EcheNwaobasi Nnewi

he Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr Hassan Karma, has vowed to check criminal activities and sales of illicit drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, etc in the state. Karma gave the assurance while speaking on the assassination attempt on the traditional ruler of Obosi town, Igwe Chidubem Iweka 111, by gunmen. In the attack, the assailants shot and wounded one of the palace guards. Obosi is one of the urban communities that make up Idemili North Local Government Area of the state. The commissioner, who spoke while commiserating with Iweka at his palace in Obosi yesterday, also said that the police were intensifying efforts to police all the troubled spots in the states to ensure a crime-free society. The Igwe had earlier survived two attempts on his life. In 2012, gunmen shot sporadically into his palace with AK47 rifles and injured some palace guards. Also in 2013, his convoy was attacked by gunmen ridding on a motorcycle while returning from Asaba Airport. The convoy had gone to drop off the monarch on his way to Abuja. A police corporal was wounded in the incident.

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thursday, june 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Restore fuel supply now, NLC tells FG Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

s the lingering scarcity of premium motor spirit (PMS) enters its fourth month with no end in sight, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has challenged the federal government to end the fuel scarcity before it causes more harm to the economy. This was as the labour body said it would not support any attempt to hand twist the govern-

l Kicks against subsidy removal ment to remove the fuel subsidy on the account of fuel scarcity. NLC in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its acting president, Kiri Mohammed, lamented that the scarcity entered fourth month without credible solution by government. It stated that the crisis has further slowed down national economy and caused hardships to many families and homes, with workers, both in the for-

mal and informal sectors, being the most hit. "The current scarcity of petroleum products entered the fourth month, this month and a credible solution is yet to be provided other than media reports of promises to end the crisis, a crisis that have already further slowed down our national economy and caused hardships to many families and homes, with workers, both in the formal and informal sectors,

being the most hit. “It has become extremely difficult for workers to get to work because of the perpetual scarcity of petroleum products, which has burdened their salaries as they now have to pay exorbitant transport fares to commute to work, even as majority of them have not received salaries in months. “This has become worse as public transportation is scarce due to unavailability of fuel, and

this might cause workers to stop resuming at work," NLC stated. It added that government must take full control of the situation and declare an emergency that would ensure that pumps at all fuel stations across the country are selling effectively, and at the official price of N87 per litre. NLC emphasised that the government must not allow itself to be blackmailed, by petroleum marketers, to abandon the delivery of goods and services that help the economy out of prevail-

ing doldrum. It noted that, "The unavailability of petroleum products and lack of electricity are some of the reasons our economy is down and any serious government must direct serious attention to these. “While we commend the present administration for taking firm steps at confronting the prevalent terror attacks in some parts of the country, we urge government to also see the scarcity of petroleum products as yet another major challenge that must not be treated with kid gloves. “We however make haste to restate our opposition to the removal of subsidy, if the scarcity is a ploy to arm twist government to do so."

Expert blames infrastructure decay on poor budgeting Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

T L-R: Group Managing Director, Mutual Benefit Assurance, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi; Director, Rifugio Communications, Mr. Adeola Idowu; Chairman, Mr. Kayode Thomas and Director, IM, Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, during the inauguration of Samsung Experience Store in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Nigeria loses N1.3trn annually to foreign studies Mojeed Alabi

igeria is said to be losing as much as N1.3 trillion annually to foreign countries, including her neighbours such as Ghana and Benin Republic as a result of the influx of the nation’s students to these countries to acquire education. This was disclosed yesterday by the ViceChancellor of Covenant University, CU, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Charles Ayo, while making a presentation at a conference held on the campus to discuss the deployment of technology to acquire sound and qualitative education delivery by universities in the country. According to Ayo, no nation can grow beyond the quality of its education, and as a result, the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari must recognise the need to prioritise education as the bedrock for national development in order to halt the capital flight.

Buhari meets Biya, Chad Basin leaders in Abuja today Anule Emmanuel

resident Muhammadu Buhari will today host a meeting of Heads of state and Presidents of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Abuja to discuss strategies on the way forward to ending the insurgency in the North East and what dangers the crisis portend for the entire region. Ahead of the meeting of the leaders, Buhari yesterday held a closed door

meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh and the Chief of Naval Staff Usman Jubril at the defence house. Among leaders that are expected to attend the meeting which will hold at the presidential lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe international Airport are Paul Biya of Cameroon, Mohammadou Issoufou of Niger, Idriss Debby of Chad and the President of Benin Republic, Boni Yaye.

Group tasks National Assembly on passage of PIB Wale Elegbede

s the 8th National Assembly commences its legislative duties, the Secretary General of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), Mr. Tony Uranta has urged the Senate to make passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) one of its first priorities. In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos, Uranta also commended the Red

Chamber over the seamless emergence of Sen Bukola Saraki as the Senate President, adding that the development is a boon for the nation's democracy. The House of Representatives, on June 5, passed the Petroleum Industry Bill, a few hours to the end of their tenure, on the last legislative day of the 7th National Assembly. However, the failure of the Senate to pass the same bill made the decision of the lower chamber of no effect.

Nigeria scales global aviation security audit Wole Shadare

igeria has passed the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) security audit test of the nation’s aviation industry. The team of global aviation regulatory body auditors disclosed yesterday that the country performed excellently in the nine-day audit conducted on the nation’s aviation security system. This was made known by the team leader, Steven Neu, who said he was very impressed with the national security programme as there were very minimal open items to be closed. Neu said: “Nigeria surpassed our expectations. We reviewed the 2008 audit before we commenced this exercise but we discovered there have been massive improvements in the security systems at the airports. “To Nigeria’s credit all the minimal open items were closed immediately. The audit was focussed on the eight critical elements.”

The team leader said Nigeria is one of the first countries in the world to go through the USAP Continuous Monitoring Assessment (CMA) Audit, just as he lauded all the security agencies at the airports – the aviation security, Nigerian police airport command, DSS, Port Health Services, Air Force, Nigerian Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Quarantine services. He said now that the USAP CMA activity has been completed, draft findings and recommendations will be provided to the regulatory authority. After 60 days, ICAO will forward the USAP CMA audit report to Nigeria. In 30 days, Nigeria will submit its comments on the audit report if any. Within another 30 days, the country will submit to ICAO its Corrective Action Plan (CAP). The Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman, thanked the ICAO auditors for a very thorough and transparent audit.

he high level of infrastructural decay in the country has been attributed to the lack of budgetary provision for the maintenance of the existing infrastructure, a facility management expert has said. The Programme Director, International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Abuja Chapter, Mr. Collins Osayamwen, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the 2015 World Facility Management day, with the theme: 'Building Resilience for The Future'. According to him, the only kind of maintenance Nigeria understands was breakdown maintenance, which he said was due to lack of proper planning and budgetary provision. He said, “I tend to a little bit disagree that Nigerians lack a maintenance culture, the reasons why we are unable to maintain our infrastructure, not even from government alone but even private is because from the world go, we get it all wrong. He pointed out that the inability of the engineers, builders, architects, who build, to work together with facility managers, who maintain, have contributed immensely to infrastructural decay in the country. "The kind of maintenance we know in Nigeria is breakdown maintenance, until it fails you don't care whether it needs service or not.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

National Assembly APC fails litmus test

Reorganisation

Rebuilding PDP with equity, clean hands

Agenda

Nigeria needs new security architecture, says Ekhomu

Power tussle

War without an end

Politics IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN argues that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in a fix over the emergence of the National Assembly leadership

Learning the hard way

any political analysts and thinkers have seriously warned before Tuesday that the delay by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone National Assembly leadership positions may work against the party in deciding who emerges leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Former Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who was also elected senator in the March 28 polls, had alerted his party that some APC lawmakers were working with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to embarrass APC in the choice of the National Assembly leadership. True, by the time the lawmakers at the National Assembly were through with their elections yesterday, the fear of many APC members was confirmed: PDP played a huge role on who emerged as NASS leadership. In the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki (APC Kwara Central) was elected unopposed as President by 57 votes of the 109 votes. Fifty-one senators including the candidate of APC, Senator Ahmed Lawan, were caught unaware. And in line with the Saraki-led APC senators’ deal with PDP senators, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (PDP-Enugu West) was elected Deputy Senate President with 54 votes, beating Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South), who scored 20 votes. In the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi State) pulled 182 votes to beat the APC’s preferred candidate, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State, who scored 174. The APC won majority seats in both chambers of the National Assembly in the March 28 general elections and naturally would have produced all the leaders of both the

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Odigie-Oyegun

Senate and the House of Representatives, positions formerly held by PDP since 1999. But, the rules of the National Assembly do not make party affiliation a pre-condition for electing leadership positions. Until yesterday, the APC was unable to agree on which zones of the country would produce what positions in the National Assembly. It merely adopted candidates. Expectedly there have been mixed reactions from political actors on what transpired at the apex legislative chambers. While some analysts described the APC’s action as anti-party, some said the lawmakers certainly acted in line with the principles of liberal democracy – as parliamentarians in the National Assembly, which suggests that the ‘national interests’ should surpass local interests of their party. For instance, Senator George Akume, who was adopted by APC leadership as Deputy Senate President, while responding in a press conference held at his residence on Tuesday, said that what happened at the Senate smacks of due process but he was quick to stress that he had nothing against all those involved in the ‘sham elections’. “People think they can use money to subvert democracy; but all that is rubbish and at the appropriate time we will speak,” the Senate former Minority Leader stated. Theoretically, the action of APC senators may have sparked the long-time debate about the role of ‘representatives and responsibili-

Tinubu

People think they can use money to subvert democracy; but all that is rubbish

Kwankwaso

ties’, especially when APC is not new in the game of disobeying party’s directive. Last year, seven APC senators ignored the order or directive of their party – asking them to block the screening of Service Chiefs appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan by fully participating in the exercise. The controversial order of the APC, which generated impassioned debate among Nigerians and the international community for days, was predicated on alleged impunity that was exhibited by the Jonathanled executive arm of government in the crisis in Rivers State. In taking that decision, the seven senators’ obvious gospel in their estimation, was that national interests should surpass local interests of their party. In the current circumstance, the senators may have also acted in line with the principle of separation of powers, which suggests that members should be allowed to decide their leadership including other undisclosed political interests. To be sure, some political theorists had also argued that even when you are directed by your “people”, senatorial district or party as a parliamentarian to take certain actions, what should pre-occupy your mind is that you are elected locally to formulate and legislate for public interest in an accountable way without any form of inducement. An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Barrister John Onoh, shares

this view in an interview with New Telegraph, he said: “For me, members of the National Assembly have acted well and they deserve huge commendation. It was democracy in action. Party politics is not about selfish interests of some party leaders or godfathers.” From the academic, many political scholars have discussed extensively on the real role of representatives. And of the sensibly smaller number of academics who have focused on the role of representatives, 18th-century political philosopher Edmund Burke, and more recently American political theorist Prof. Hanna Pitkin, are two of the most cited scholars in this area. In his famous speech to the electors of Bristol at the conclusion of the poll, after he was elected to parliament as a member for Bristol, Burke voiced his now famous “trustee” view of representation. Hear Burke: “Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests, which interests each must maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents and advocates; but Parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole – where not local prejudices ought to guide, but the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole. You choose a member, indeed; but when you have chosen him he is not a member of Bristol, but he is CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Politics

The All Progressives Congress (APC) that won the 2015 general elections and on May 29 took over rein of leadership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was on June 10 baptised with antics of opposition political party as they were deprived of their choice of leadership at the National Assembly. JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM reports

hat goes around comes around. This is a common saying which depicts the experience and intrigues involved in electing the leadership of the eighth Senate and House of Representatives. The All Progressives Congress (APC) which is the ruling party and has the highest number of senators and members of the House of Representatives lost to the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in determining who becomes what in the two Chambers. The scenario of the election of principal officers at the National Assembly on Tuesday was not quite different from what happened in 2011 when the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) one of the legacy parties that formed APC thwarted the plans of PDP to elect the Speaker, House of Representatives. The PDP as a ruling party and with the majority members in the House had planned by zoning to elect a South-West member as the Speaker of the House but its effort was truncated by ACN as was directed by the national leader of the party then, Senator Bola Tinubu. Eventually the now governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, emerged as Speaker and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha emerged as Deputy Speaker. The emergence of Tambuwal and Ihedioha then were at variance with the zoning formula and directives of the party leadership. For opposition political parties, especially ACN, it was democracy in action as they had argued that it was not for PDP to dictate to the federal legislators on those who should be their leaders. The opposition party was very excited on the turnout of event. The then ruling party, just like APC has just done, had threatened fire and brimstone against Tambuwal, Ihedioha and other members of PDP who thwarted the decisions of the party on the Speakership of the 7th Assembly. It could be interesting to note that Tambuwal and Ihedioha completed the 7th Assembly as Speaker and Deputy Speaker. By the time APC embarked on

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC fails litmus test

L-R: Senate President, Bukola Saraki with the gavel; Senators Dino Melaiye and Sani Yerima, at the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly in Abujaâ&#x20AC;Śon Tuesday.

the voyage of making its choice of National Assembly leadership on June 4 at the International Conference Centre through a mock election, little did it know that a repeat of 2011 was possible at short time and at a high magnitude. The APC mock election that produced Senators Ahmed Lawan and George Akume as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively and also Hons. Femi Gbajabiamila and Mohammed Monguno as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively was shrouded in controversy. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who won the Speakership election on the floor of the House had walked out on the national leadership of APC led by its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who presided over the election at the Conference Centre. Dogara, according to his supporters walked out on two grounds. One, that he was not properly briefed that there was going to be a mock election as he could not mobilise his supporters. Two, that speakership of the House of Representatives would not be determined by APC lawmakers alone. He issued a statement dissociating himself and his group from that election and dared the leadership of the party. But for Senator Bukola Saraki, he and his supporters did not show up at the venue of the mock election when the APC national leadership reconvened later that night for the election of the Senate Presidency candidate. The APC senators who came went ahead and elected Senators Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State and George Akume from Benue State as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively before the APC national leadership. However, what emboldened Saraki and Dogara was the fact that there was no zoning in the constitution of the APC; that the President and supposedly leader of the party, Muhammadu Buhari had said he would repeat mistakes of the past where the President determined who be-

Party supremacy can only work and endure in an environment of fairness and equity

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

came what at the National Assembly but that he was ready to work with anybody that emerges as a principal officer at the Assembly and also that the opposition party, the PDP, has substantive number in both chambers Another important reason why the duo of Saraki and Dogara did not consider the mock elections that threw up the opponents as candidates was the fact that for a long time the party executives refused or was reluctant to act and take a position on who gets what. This scenario is still at play in choosing the cabinet members. The National Working Committee (NWC) of APC did show lack of focus and indecisiveness on the way the party will form leadership at National Assembly and also at the executive arm of government. This manifested almost two weeks after the party took over governance as no key appointment was made. The office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) which is key to governance could not be named at the day of inauguration and two weeks after. Little wonder the opposition party, the PDP, said that APC was not prepared for governance. The APC NWC was being propelled by the National Leader of the party and former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, and former interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande. Most time, they propel the NWC or the President, it always on the wrong path. This propelling was what led to the party to fix a meeting with elected APC legislators on the day of inauguration of the 8th Assembly. The outcome of that singular action has led to the party being embarrassed at the National Assembly as its candidates for posts of Senate leadership and that of the House lost out. While senators were at the ICC waiting to meet with the president, a proceeding was going on at the Senate Chambers that caught national leadership of APC and its preferred candidate napping.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

The May 10 challenge and mistake of APC would not be the only one the party would make. Numerous of such challenges and mistakes are ahead of the party as a ruling party. APC is grappling with the problem of population and how to satisfy all interests. They are accusing PDP of trying to destablise the government. The same sin they had indulged in as opposition party. The products of rebellious acts of PDP members that they enjoyed as an opposition party would not leave them unhunt as those act they did in PDP and they were hailed by APC would also find their ways in APC. The governor of Imo State and the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha, did say recently at the retreat for APC governors that without the five PDP governors that joined APC in 2013, the party would not have been celebrating its victory at the poll. It is obvious that the governors and other PDP members that left the party to join APC are looking for justice. They wanted the presidential ticket of the party, they were denied; they wanted the Vice Presidential ticket of the party, they were denied and they sought for the Senate Presidency, APC said no that they are strangers in the party and should not enjoy such a lofty position. Naturally, they would fight back and they did to clinch the position of the Senate Presidency. The national leadership of the APC has tagged their action as disrespect to the party and lack of adherence to the supremacy of the party. Such disrespect and non-adherence would be occurring because APC as a party is not properly structured. It is structured in a way that one or two persons can say what should happen in the party. APC would soon understand the importance of zoning and would commend PDP for enshrining that in its constitution. Without zoning, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free-for-all and in such a situation one zone may CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

Abubakar Ibu-Mohammed

he 60-year rule, predicted by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), came to a premature ending on March 28, 2015, following the party’s defeat at the presidential election that day. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has since handed over to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). A number of factors contributed to the woeful performance of the PDP and many of its candidates in the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and House of Assembly elections. The first was complacency fuelled by the false impression that the party was unassailable. What gave rise to this illusion is best answered by Chief Vincent Ogbulafor and Dr. Ahmadu Ali, both of whom were former National Chairmen of the PDP. They boasted and, perhaps, truly believed that the party would continue to win elections. But the winning game has abruptly changed. There are no more winning ways. The entire scenario changed under the chairmanship of former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, the acclaimed “game changer”. Why couldn’t the game changer sustain the tempo of the boast, at least for another fouryear term? Not only did Mu’azu fail to secure victory for the PDP, he was accused of superintending over the defeat of the party. So, he had to go. His resignation did not come quickly, quietly or easily. There was intense pressure on him to throw in the towel. Initially, he resisted the pressure. That was when the entire National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was being pressured to resign. But the NWC members rallied support for one another. They resisted the move by party leaders and members to push for their sack. The general perception was that the NWC mismanaged PDP’s electoral fortunes by taking actions that were inimical to the wellbeing of the party and its members. The second factor that contrib-

Rebuilding PDP with equity, clean hands

Mu’azu

Secondus

uted to the failure of the PDP in the general elections was the fielding of unpopular candidates by the NWC members through primaries that were highly compromised. In fact, there were reports that some members of the NWC collected millions of naira from aspirants in various states across the country to manipulate the primaries in their favour. Unpopular candidates were, in the process, given tickets at the expense of good ones, who felt aggrieved and had to leave with their supporters for other parties. The greatest beneficiary of the defection was the APC. The implication for the PDP was a crushing defeat in the elections for which Mu’azu had to resign. However, Mu’azu’s resignation should not be the end of the story. Following the PDP’s defeat, there have been suggestions and

If Mu’azu had to resign as National Chairman, other members of the NWC... have no justification to stay a day longer

Learning the hard way C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

a member of parliament.” What this argument suggests is that while it is politically correct for a representative to always consult his “people” and party before acting on issues, he or she is not bound to do what they want once he or she is elected as a member of national parliament – a responsible parliamentarian should be free to act as seems best to him in pursuit of his legislative duties. What option before APC? Apparently pissed off by the rebellious act of some of its members, APC came out smoking on Tuesday night. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, APC described as totally unacceptable and the highest level of indiscipline and treachery, the conduct of the inauguration of the National Assembly that led to the emergence of Senator Saraki and Hon. Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. “All National Assembly members-elect who emerged on the platform of the party are bound by that decision. The party is supreme and its interest is superior to that of its individual members.” Muhammed further said that the APC lead-

ership would meet in a bid to re-establish discipline in the party and to mete out the necessary sanctions to all those involved in what is nothing but a monumental act of indiscipline and betrayal to subject the party to ridicule and create obstacles for the new administration. APC decried a situation in which some people, based on nothing but “inordinate ambition and lack of discipline and loyalty.” will enter into an unholy alliance with the very same people whom the party and indeed the entire country worked hard to replace and sell out the hard won victory of the party. From the look of things, there are two options before APC: The party may decide to suspend its rebellious members to serve as a deterrent to others in future or face the reality by accepting the outcome of the election and find ways to accommodate PDP in the interest of smooth and crisis-free eighth National Assembly. But, then, each of the option has its own challenges. For instance, allowing APC members to get away with the indiscipline may erode the theory of supremacy of political party. However, there is fear among some APC leaders that sanctioning the “rebellious” members may drag the party into different political crises that may be difficult to manage. Either way, APC is in a fix.

strategies on how to rebuild and reposition the party for its role as a viable opposition party, and in preparation for the 2019 general elections. For this purpose, the party needs general cleansing and overhauling. So, if Mu’azu had to resign as National Chairman, other members of the NWC, particularly those who committed various acts of bribery and anti-party activities, have no justification to stay a day longer. Sadly, many of these men and women are still keeping their seats in the NWC. Some of the details of acts committed by these NWC members against their own party are mind-boggling, horrible and morally reprehensible. The question that led to Mu’azu’s resignation is whether it is true that he betrayed the party and its presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan. Is it

true that Mu’azu undermined Jonathan during and after the election? Tragically, the guilt of some members of the NWC is more than that of Mu’azu. Not only did they betray the PDP by working against its electoral interest, they were alleged to have received financial gratifications from aspirants to facilitate their tickets at the party primaries. It happened in Adamawa, Borno, Imo, Delta, Anambra, Abia, Benue, Plateau and other states! Was there deliberate sabotage of the party and its electoral chances by these NWC members, especially those who were financially mobilised to work for the party but chose to divert the funds into their private pockets? If that was what happened across the six geo-political zones, is it fair to have sacrificed only Mu’azu? Shouldn’t the entire NWC, as presently constituted, be dissolved so that the process of repositioning the party can begin on a clean slate? It amounts to a huge joke talking about rebuilding the PDP, with an NWC headed by Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who is himself part of the questionable order. Such a body is not morally armed to reposition the party. As it is, Secondus is expected to act as National Chairman for two months. By July ending, a new National Chairman will emerge from the Northern part of the country to succeed Mu’azu in a substantive capacity. Neither Secondus nor any of the NWC members such as Dr. Kema Chikwe or Olisa Metuh has the moral pedigree to renew the confidence of those who have lost hope in the PDP. Hence, they should give way for clean hands. Those who have sold the PDP for personal gains cannot play any positive role in its repositioning. What the party needs is clean set of members comprising loyal and committed persons, not those who have soiled their hands. The PDP has an abundance of men and women of integrity who can undertake the task of rebuilding the party. •Ibn-Mohammed, a political analyst, sent this piece from Kaduna.

APC fails litmus test C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 4

take all and leaving other zones with nothing. It is pertinent for APC to have a second look on its constitution and come up with an acceptable way which positions would be shared in the party. The notion of competence as emphasised by Tinubu is a mirage that does not sincerely exist. If the party believes in the philosophy of competence to choose the leaders of the party, why did they embark on the mock election to choose Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives? They should have allowed all the legislators to go to the field and emphasise to them to elect a competent person. With the scenario that happened at the National Assembly, President Buhari should adhere to the

advice given to him by former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Blair had said to him in his keynote address at the APC Policy Dialogue to extend hands of fellowship and accommodate everybody in his government. According to Blair, this would give him and his administration a national look. Buhari should not listen to those projecting some geo-political zones as not part of APC success story and therefore should not get anything in the government. If APC would hold power for a long time, it should accommodate everybody to expand its coast. The party should learn how to manage success and manage population. Party supremacy can only work and endure in an environment of fairness and equity.

16 Politics | Interview Security expert and Chief Executive of Transworld Security, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, believes that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari needs a new security architecture. He spoke with JULIANA FRANCIS

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria needs new security architecture, says Ekhomu

What’s President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration greatest security achievement? I think it’s the containment of the North-East insurgency. When the insurgency went bad, they grabbed a lot of territories. We were able to rebound and recover lost territories. Boko Haram war has not been won, but he was able to contain it. Would you say that Boko Haram insurgency was Goodluck Jonathan’s greatest challenge? Yes! It was his biggest threat and biggest threat to this country. It claimed over 20,000 lives. It disrupted the economy, displaced population and brought the country to the level of ridicule. The idiotic manner it was handled, when they were being handled with kid gloves, gave room for it to blow into full insurgency. This Boko Haram has been on for long. It started during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration; as far back as 2002. Back then, they weren’t a terrorist threat. They hadn’t taken to violence. By 2009, they turned to violence during Yar’Adua administration. The decision Yar’Adua made in telling General Maina to go and crush Boko Haram in Maiduguri and destroy railway quarters was a very bad decision. That was what made them mad and this is where we find ourselves today. Nigerians were being killed every day by Boko Haram, but when it was time for election campaign, some level of success was recorded in the fight against the insurgency. Why did it took the government so long? I believe that the politics of the election chipped in. The type of names the political opponents started calling him [Jonathan] was part of it. They said he was weak and clueless. It got him angry. The All Progressives Congress (APC) succeeded in making Boko Haram a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) problem, whereas it wasn’t. When they challenged Jonathan, he had to do something; where he had vacillated and showed cowardice, he got angry and said this was going to end. It was however what we called, too little, too late. Ordinary, common people were told that Jonathan didn’t want to fight Boko Haram. They were scripted. This was part of the reason he lost the election in a big way. This same people forget that it was the same Jonathan that came round and rescued them from Boko Haram. The political labelling they gave him, finally forced him to act. So you think the name calling spurned him on? There are certain things we need to keep in mind. The lack of equipment for the military forces for many decades didn’t help the fight.

Ekhomu

kinds of stupid things. They said it to disparage our military and Jonathan. It’s very unfortunate. Military is the last line of defence for the whole country. This is called the tides of war. It’s up and down. It’s the same military people had been abusing that came back and won the war. Look, yes, they brought in some foreign guys, but they also brought in a lot of equipment. Our troops needed somebody to show them how to use the equipment. You remember the Americans came to Nigeria, but later left in anger.

We saw a situation when they attacked Giwa Barracks; a tank was positioned there and it was meant to blow away the bad guys since there was intelligence that they were coming. When the tank was fired by the military, it exploded on them. They had antiquated equipment. We had evil people importing nonsense as military hardware into this country. These people should be identified and tried for putting our soldiers at risk. Many government didn’t bother to renew military equipment and many Ministers of Defence got rich on the military. I remembered that during Obasanjo administration, he was the Minister of Defence. He didn’t buy anything for the military. Which president bought equipment for the military last? It was President Shehu Shagari who last equipped the military. Right from Buhari to Jonathan, nobody equipped the military. They didn’t have good stuff to fight with. Meanwhile, the enemy had equipment from Libya. They were using modern terrorists’ equipment to fight. Our soldiers were using AK47 rifles while the enemy was using ‘Double A’ equipment. AK47 effect range is less than 100 metres. ‘Double A’ can go for two miles. Once they know where the Nigerian troops were, they would fire Double A into their midst. Our soldiers were outclassed. When our soldiers were equipped and with the combination of air power, we could see them down. We went to America to ask for combo-attack aero copters, they turned their noses at us. Boko Haram is twin brothers of ISIS. I understand that mercenaries are winning the Boko Haram war for us, not our soldiers. That’s not true! That’s a very uncharitable comment. People say all

We need new thinking to come into policing and security of this country

Why did they get angry and leave? They got angry because they wanted us to withdraw our troop, so that they could come and check out their equipment or something, I really don’t know, but some unholy things we just didn’t want to do. Our guys said no, we couldn’t do that. We’re fighting a war! Why should your training mission be more important than our war? If you really need to teach us, come to the frontline with us. After all, they are the ones accusing us of committing human right abuses. They didn’t come. They said it wasn’t their mandate. They carried their equipment and left. I was very proud of the Nigerian soldiers. You mentioned lack of equipment before… (Cuts in) The Senate approved $1 billion of foreign loans for us to acquire the equipment. That was how they were able to pay for that stuff. Now, for the sourcing of the stuff, they had to go to Russia and China because the Americans bluntly refused. Even when the Israelis wanted to sell to us, the Americans directed them not to sell to us. The Western world generally refused to sell to us. The Americans however came out to say they refused to sell because the Human Rights Watch

said that soldiers were killing people in thousands. When you mentioned lack of equipment and soldiers and people that had died, the first thing that came to mind was the soldiers being charged for mutiny. They were like sent on suicide mission. What’s the moral justification in condemning them to death? The Nigerian Army Act says that if you refused an order, you should be court-martialled. Yes, you’re right, we had insufficiency of equipment. Many people fought battle against Boko Haram and won. Look at the battle of Mubi. A few Boko Haram fighters, less than 100, came and drove away thousands of troops. Isn’t that stupid? I guess it was because there were some people in the army who didn’t believe in the fight and didn’t want to follow the orders of the government and saw the military high commander as an extension of the Federal Government. It’s known in military tradition all over the world, that if you lose a military objective, you could be court-martialled and sacked, it’s as simple as that. Why should it be different in Nigeria? Is it because we are Nigerians? Let them shoot them! By the time they shoot a few of them, they’ll know that soldiering is not a tea party. When you go in there, you’re going there with your life in your hands. When your commander tells you to stand here and fight, you stand there and fight until you die! It’s part of it. That’s why we give them heroic celebration. If they don’t honour the tradition of soldiering, then people will not honour them as soldiers. What can Buhari administration do to better security in Nigeria? They have to prioritise security in the country. We’ve been able to push back the Boko Haram from territories they are holding. They’ve changed their strategy to suicide bombing and all kinds of criminal explosions. They’ve gone back to guerrilla warfare. That’s going to continue for a while. It’s not a good news, I’m sorry, but it’s going to continue for a while. We thank God that Jonathan has been able to push them out of Sambisa Forest. There’s a lot of progress in Sambisa, leading to rescue of over 2000 women and children, even though most of the women are pregnant for the Boko Haram fighters. We need to have new security architecture. Whatever it is we are doing right now, it’s not working We need new thinking to come into policing and security of this country, such that we can revive the productivity of law enforcement personnel, intelligence personnel and certainly military personnel, so that the three of them can work in tandem. We also need to look at civilian security outfits like vigilance group, private security agencies as complement to the national security. We also need to look at other groups like civil society organisations and the media, partnering with security agencies in terms of promoting security information and security awareness.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

Emmanuel Masha writes on the raging battle in Rivers State over the looting of the Government House

War without an end

f there is a political feud that would most likely remain for long, and attract serious negative consequences, it is the one between former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike. Those who thought that the feud would at least subside after May 29 have been proved wrong with the way things have gone. The situation has worsened to the extent that one observer recently noted that “both Amaechi and Wike could be seriously distracted to fully actualise their visions if they don’t slow down.” But Prince Tonye Princewill, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the April 11 election, said there is no fight between Amaechi and Wike, but a plot for the Ikwerre to retain the governorship position after Amaechi’s eight years in power. “They know what they are doing,” said Princewill at a session with journalists before the election. Many strongly disagreed with him. Political observers in the state, who know the deep bitterness between the two politicians and the key actors in their political camps, saw what is currently playing out in 2013. That was two years after Amaechi had dispatched Wike to Abuja to work for the Federal Government, a move, those who know the former governor very well, described as one of his worst political decisions. Some say it was based on the fear that Wike’s influence would continue to rise, and surpass that of Amaechi. The way things played out from 2006 to 2007 towards the end of the Odili administration, and from late 2007 to 2011 when Amaechi was re-elected could have caused concern for any politician with a succession plan. When Amaechi embarked on a self-imposed exile to Ghana and eventually made it to the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike was not a peripheral character in the transformation. In fact, it was Wike who remained in the state, when Amaechi fled to Ghana, and absorbed the heat in the wake of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s declaration that Amaechi’s emergence as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had a “K-leg.” Rather than take flight, Wike, who like Amaechi believed the judiciary could correct that “K-leg,” took charge of the “command and control” centre that worked round the clock for Amaechi to emerge as the only governor in the country’s history whose name was not on the ballot during the real election, and as such was not voted for by the electorate. Late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, saw the Supreme Court judgement that ousted Sir Celestine Omehia and brought in Amaechi as a judicial blunder, and he fought it until his passage. Former Transport Minister, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, who contested the governorship in 2011 against

Governor Wike conducting people round the vandalised Government House

Amaechi

Amaechi under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), kicked over the way “the unelected Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi” was running the affairs of the state. That was in Abuja, where the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Committee, headed by eminent jurist, Justice Kayode Eso had relocated to hear out Sekibo and others who felt that Rivers was not conducive enough to appear before the commission. Once Amaechi became governor, he was convinced that the best compensation for Wike was appointment as Chief of Staff. This forever changed the way he was seen by both friends and political allies and opponents as he used his new position to oil his political agenda. Amaechi and Wike later fell apart. The battle has continued even after Amaechi left office. But the renewed battle started over the looting of the Government House.

Wike

There is no fight between Amaechi and Wike, but a plot for the Ikwerre to retain the governorship position

Just before the May 29 inauguration, policemen intercepted some pick-up vans loaded with furniture and fittings heading out of Government House, Port Harcourt, and briefly questioned some persons for alleged looting, it was the PDP that first drew the world’s attention to the incident. Although, the suspects were later released, some observers said it was a confirmation of the news that had been flying around a month earlier that things were being moved out of Government House secretly. Based on unconfirmed reports, the rate at which properties were being moved and the audacity by those behind it, made some to draw the conclusion that it involved high ranking people in government. Daily, people drove into Government House for various reasons, and in the last seven years, it has not been heard of that drivers or staff attached to any of the

sub-units in the area had been quizzed and arrested for alleged looting. But on the day in question, a source inside Government House, said that the security men at the gate, were on a tip-off after politicians from another camp had alerted the security men, mostly policemen of alleged looting inside Government House. That was almost three weeks to the May 29 handover date. But because there was a continuous war of words between the camps of Amaechi and Wike, some found it very difficult to believe the report, arguing that the allegation was a deliberate plot to rubbish the Amaechi administration. The fact remains that many did not care whether or not Government House was being looted, or whether some commissioners were hijacking vehicles, and costly items from their ministries, when they were being owed four months salaries while government information handlers lied repeatedly that no worker was being owed. But that was the period when workers, pensioners, sportsmen and women who represented the state in past competition turned Port Harcourt to a big protest ground. The players of the two main football clubs – Sharks and Dolphins – were not left out as they protested arrears, sign-on fees among others. Again, the majority of the people of the state, who were affected by the fact there was complete power failure running into days in the face of petroleum scarcity couldn’t have cared less if the Government House was moved or purchased by the highest bidder. In the last one year, the trauma of living in Port Harcourt, and environs due to failing roads, and the unending feud among politicians and the return of violent crimes were far more difficult to comprehend than minding what was smuggled out of Government CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Buhari: Nigeria in search of the missing link Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

ecently at a thanksgiving party, the celebrant, a man who just won an election into the House of Representatives, after cutting the cake and a fine hug of his wife was asked to conclude with a kiss. “You are forgetting something Sir…you have to kiss Madam” the cheerers screamed in unison. The celebrant in bewilderment looked around and said “I have actually not done it in a long while… In earnest; I have forgotten how to kiss” We can all acknowledge that a kiss is not a defining feature of any ceremony. In order words, a kiss or its absence does not portray how well a ceremony went. And, at this particular event, I am sure the guests were not requesting a ‘kiss performance’ as endorsement of a perfect ceremony; as much as they were also not aiming to test the celebrant’s kissing skills. More so, I do believe that on the biological side, a kiss has no significant contribution to reproduction. While also on the romantic side, it cannot be claimed to be a true test of the affection we have for each other. However, having been part of our emotional expressions through the ages, it would be misplaced to dismiss it as utterly wasteful, no matter how vain we perceive of its practical essence. All said, we can further attest that a consensual couple in the act of kissing, nevertheless creates a momentary harmony which superficially binds two hearts into each other’s care – and it nevertheless passes a subliminal message making on-lookers to instantly presume that all is well between the kissing couples, while the lovelorn or those not currently experiencing a blissful love affair are made to twinge with feelings of envy. But essentially, it is the unspoken words, the subliminal or subconscious messages which our bodies reveal about the state of our wellbeing that I want us to dwell on: Such prolific harmony that the act

of kissing suggests about people: A state in which nobody harbours any misgivings about the pleasantry that abounds. Today we may attempt to veil some of our feelings with the characteristic Nigerian cheerfulness. But underneath our habitual cheerfulness is that fine layer of burdensomeness which is only revealed at the level of how easily we are forgetting to express those simple niceties like kissing of one’s couple. And in coping with the deluge of our worries, we can only do so much as what the late musical icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti says of our characteristic ‘Suffering and smiling’ which was also emblazoned in one of his evergreen musical tracks. Truly, we have so much to bother about. Insecurity, falling educational standard, rising unemployment, crooked electoral process, erratic electricity power supply, institutionalized corruption, governance that has failed to meet the people’s yearnings, and so on. While our bodies struggle with how best to present our feelings and the true state of affairs to on-lookers, would they also be able to dismiss as unimportant the long forgotten sacred trust which existed in our society? The one which epitomizes the divine order of being our brother’s keeper and the abhorrence of criminality? Most of us can attest to sometime in the past when a seller, a woman who other pressing chores take away from standing by her wares, could display such wares on any raised platform unattended in front of her house, while interested buyers pick from the platform and drop their monies on the platform for the seller to retrieve later. About this, some of us may be quick to conclude that adherence to Christian tenets made the above attitude possible. But of a truth, Christianity had not gained much ground then; but mainly the awareness of divine justice was guiding and forebodingly accepted across our society. Going forward, I think that such era of sacred trust is worth reliving in our interpersonal relationships and indeed the way governance is conducted. Truly

we have all become wrecked by the new generation’s rabid consumptive tendency which suggests all God’s creations going into extinction shortly; and therefore the pillaging has to be done in a hurry to get our personal stock fully piled up. Now there comes somewhat like a redemptive wisdom. In retrospective candour and bravery, a search for the missing link is currently being established by a providential history which has seen a well acclaimed electoral victory beckoning on Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as one of the very few remaining untainted ones, who still maintains a moral and perhaps hope-clad beacon that could lead us to the missing link. In the days ahead, the President elect would be seen as expected, beaming his moral laser on all of Nigeria’s troubling issues. There is no doubt that he presents with the moral stamina to see him through. While some even contend that the exercise would strain his health beyond capacity to cope, but the overall outcome of his efforts would be benchmarked on how deeply we have all swathed the foundations of judgment on pure objectivity or otherwise. When for instance the President elect’s snooping laser takes our awareness to the vaults or projects of regional warlords, political opponents, churches, mosques, or any other of such delicate interests which have been stacked or equipped with Nigeria’s stolen monies; how do we free our conscience from corruptive influences so that the ideal justice can be served without some of us screaming oppression, sectionalism, tribalism, infamy, heresy or haram? It is on this reckoning that I hope the many parts of the driving force ‘change’ should be well understood. If the first part has to do with our voting culture, there is still a lot other parts which have to do with us; how we have affirmed to better our lot, and what we would be contributing and forfeiting to attain such desires if we truly believe that it is not too late to be hopeful. •Ogbeide-Ihama (mustardaffairs@yahoo.com), wrote in from Benin-City.

Grooming Nigeria’s next youth head of government Bola Aderogba

ollowing the January 26, 2015 swearing-in of Alexis Tsipras, not a few were as shell-shocked about the build-up of events that ultimately produced Greece’ 186th Prime Minister; as the rest of the world were, about the emergence of that countries youngest leader - at just 40-Years of age. Before this time, the youngest head of government of Greece was 48-year old Konstantinos A. Karamanlis who assumed power in 2004. I have followed with awe, how a country as conservative as Greece; hitherto renowned for a cortege of the elderly as its rulers, would settle for Tsipras, particularly in a dispensation as disconcerting as they have found themselves. Before now, the average age of contemporary Grecian leadership (between the years 1974 to penultimate epoch) was put at 65-Years. This having been the trend as dating back to the times of Konstantinos G. Karamanlis -1974 aged 67; Xenophon Zolotas – 1989, aged 85; to Andreas Papandreou – 1993, aged 74; to mention a few. In any event, Greece has made its choice in Alexis, a 1999 radical Youth leader and secretary of the Synaspismos–Youth wing of the communist Party. He would go on into mainstream Greek political sphere in 2006 when he ran for and won the membership of his local Athens municipality under the Syriza – Anoihti-Poli Party ticket; and thereafter, progressing steadily to as-

suming leadership of the Synaspismos during its February 10, 2008 Congress at age 33. In 2009, Tsipras was elected into the Greek Parliament for ‘Athens A’ and sooner became that countries main opposition party leader. On the contrary, while the average age of Nigeria’s contemporary leadership on assumption of office, was put at an enviable youth-grade age of 48, the trend in the last twenty-five years seems to have long departed that pedestal, making it seemingly audacious for people of that age-cadre ever finding a chance at the centres political space. Before the March 31st 2015 re-emergence of General Mohammadu Buhari, as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic, our oldest President was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who assumed Power a second time in 1999 at the age of 62. The then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida turned 44 upon assumption of office in the August of 1985 while General Abdulsalam Abubakar was over 53 in 1998 whereas the youngest Nigerian Head of Government remained General Yakubu Gowon when he came into power in 1966 at age-32 just before the civil war broke-out. The coming-into power of General Buhari come May the 29th, 2015 a second time at 73-odd years; not only makes him the oldest Head of Government Nigeria has ever produced, but the most persistent and resilient - beating 71-year old and all-time record holder - Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin of Ondo State.

Interestingly, outcomes of empirical research done on the subject of age as to its relevance to effective leadership have gone-on to advocate policies hinged on equitable employment and promotional availability regardless of age. In fact, there is even some evidence to suggest that the only plausible edge younger supervisor’s display over their older counterpart is that – while the former engages in more relationship-oriented activities, the latter and supposedly the more emotionally intelligent on the other hand, may have difficulty cultivating or nurturing relationships. From the Greek illustration, and in bringing home the point about choices in leadership viz-a-viz the age factor, I reckon that the extant peculiarities of nations should necessarily inform their electorate’s decisions in this regard and at any given point. Having said that, Nigeria’s political situation necessarily gave rise to then 53-Year old Vice President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 on the aegis of Parliaments Doctrine of Necessityasa result of the vacuum created following the incapacitation of 59-year old late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua at the time; thus paving the way for his eventual election into office in May 2011. Ironically, the gusto which greeted the enthronement of President Jonathan in 2011 was equally proportional to that which the same electorate have handed-down in his summary ouster at the March 2015 Polls, for sins allegedly predicated on leadership incompetence as exhibited by the largely

unprepared and hitherto unwilling 53year old candidate altogether. In bringing about effective leadership at any level, four time-tested practices successful world leaders essentially adopt are hinged on developing a personal vision; articulating that vision in a way that connects powerfully with the led; following through on communicated promises; and then ensuring everyone else fulfills their part of the bargain i.e. execution! It isn’t such a hard thing. Further to this, it is my submission that it is in fact, during periods of crisis or disenchantment; such as Nigeria has been avoidably plunged into, that charismatic leaders emerge. Take the Greek choice of Tsipras as case in reference. It is not in doubt that the young man and his unwavering team will yet succeed in turning the down-spiraling economy of Greece around, not necessarily because of sheer determination, but more about his economic teams ‘pre-planned-outwinning strategy’ – which is to execute their Russian credit route choice as Greece’ economic protector in the event of Athens being ejected from the 19-nation European currency block. Russia, in turn, has committed it would happily consider a Greek request for aid – in spite its own financial woes. As leader, Tsipras has demonstrated capacity even in the face of implementing a gamble with the fate of his nation. • Aderogba, a bank executive, wrote-in from Advantiumbookreviews

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Dick Tiger’s deserved recognition

fter wailing and waiting endlessly for her husband, Richard Ihetu, to be recognised for the honour he brought to the country, Dame Abigail Nwaubani, died a sad woman in 2008. The man ,better known as Dick Tiger, was the first Nigerian to be world boxing champion in two weight categories. Dick Tiger became world middleweight champion in 1962 after defeating Gene Fulmer of the United States ,in Candlestick Park, San Francisco. In 1966, he moved up the ladder, capturing the Light Heavyweight belt in New York’s Madison Square Garden, at the expense of Jose Torres of Costa Rica. Recently, the Federal Capital Territory Administration[FCTA], named a street in Abuja after the legendary pugilist. The street naming also accommodated other sporting greats like Chioma Ajunwa, Power Mike Okpala, Rashidi Yekini, Sam Okwaraji and Daniel Amokachi. It was not restricted to sports heroes, though. Past ministers, entertainers, educators and industrialists were not left out. Walter Ofonagoro, Baba Gana Kingibe, Barnabas Gemade, Chika ‘Zebrudaya’ Okpala, Osita Osadebe, Dan Maraya Jos, Tekena Tamuno, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and Innocent Chukwuma, now have streets in their names. Naming a street after Dick Tiger outside his home state ,Imo,

may just be part of the recognition his family has been craving for . In Owerri, there is a Road in his honour around the Aladinma area. In his Amaigbo home town, the Dick Tiger Memorial school which he built, still stands. But for a Nigerian who was a world hero, confining him to his state smacks of insincerity. Dick Tiger won most of his titles as a Nigerian. Right from 1958, when he floored home boy, Pat McAteer of Scotland , at the Liverpool Stadium, Birkinhead, to grab the British Empire Midddleweight belt, to the second time, seventh round pounding of Fulmer at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan in August 1963, the boxer was a proud Nigerian. If there was a boxer of the Decade in the 1960s, it was the Nigerian. Voted Boxer of the Year twice [1962, 1965], by the authoritative Ring Magazine, no other boxer including Mohammed Ali[Cassius Clay] and Sony Liston was so recognized. And to crown it all, Dick Tiger was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, on November 11, 1982, eleven years after his death. Abigail had cause to berate the Nigerian government for forgetting her husband’s achievements. She blamed the Yakubu Gowon regime for not inviting her to the Second All Africa Games, Lagos ’73. All alone , she trained their eight children, many of them found their way back to the United States. The belief then was that

because Dick Tiger supported Biafra and even wore Biafran Army battle rig, the Nigerian government did not deem it fit to honour an enemy. That is an irony, for Gowon preached no victor ,no vanquished, at the end of hostilities. The argument did not fly because many of the career soldiers who fought on the Biafran side, later became generals in the Nigerian Armed Forces. One man who brought Mrs Ihetu close to the corridors of power, was Chief Michael Okpala, Power Mike , the one –time undefeated world Heavyweight wrestling champion. In 1986, he organized the Dick Tiger Memorial Boxing Tournament. President Ibrahim Babangida graced the occasion, with his son, Mohammed. Babangida was a boxer as a young officer. One of Dick Tiger’s contemporaries, Abraham Tonica, claimed to have taught Babangida the rudiments of the game at Ibadan. Mrs. Ihetu sat close to the military leader in Lagos and that was the last time she got close to those who should honour her man. Dick Tiger was not just an ordinary Nigerian whose wife should seek government attention. A man who brought so much honour to the country deserves some pat on the back even in death. It was no easy task to have defeated some of the best boxers of his time, like Ace Armstrong, Joey Giardello, Holly Mims, Nino Benvenutti, Andy Kendall, Frank De Paula and

Roger Rouse. His title defence against Fulmer in Ibadan, brought a lot of goodwill to the country. That was the first time, West Africa would host a world title fight. It took the efforts of government to make it possible. The Nnamdi Azikiwe/Tafawa Balewa government put in 20,000 pounds while each of the three regions of Eastern, Northern and Western, released 15,000 pounds. That also earned a lot of foreign exchange for the host nation Dick Tiger’s defeat of Mcateer in far away United Kingdom was sweet victory for many of his kinsmen. Sweet revenge, it was. For British colonial masters had deposed and banished King Jaja of Opobo, in the 19th Century. The King was originally from Amaigbo, before being sold into slavery. We commend the FCTA for doing what the Federal government has been unable to do . If those who played active roles in the Civil War, later became national heroes, there is no logic in denying Dick Tiger deserved national recognition. No monument outside his village stands in the name of this great boxer who made Nigeria proud. The FCTA move again reminds us that those who fail to honour their heroes, may never get recognition in whatever they strive to do. A man who brought honour and foreign earnings to his country, cannot be forgotten. We salute the FCTA for taking a bold and wise step. This honour is well deserved.

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20 Politics CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

House. But something happened three days before May 29 inside Government House – the day a Port Harcourt-based radio station reported that Amaechi moved out two lorries loaded with furniture, expensive curtains, utensils and other high quality items. Shortly after, it was all over that looters were having a field day in Government House. Some have wondered why Amaechi should move with a pin out of Government House considering that he did not bring anything when

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

War without an end he became. Before then, some buses parked inside Government House car par had been spotted in Lagos courtesy of a commissioner who can hardly be linked to such mess. The truth of the matter is that Government House was looted, but what differentiates this particular one is that after cars, buses and generators were looted, the perpetrators equally descended on doors and windows, which were carefully removed from their positions. But de-

spite the alarm raised by observers over the incident, information handlers kept mum, thinking it would be swept under the carpet. It was only when Wike said that with the level of the looting in Government House, it could take three months before he starts operating from there. He spoke shortly after inspecting Government House and alleged that all the bullet proof doors, furniture cars, crested carpets, curtains and windows were stolen

by the former administration. He said: “As I speak with you, everything has been vandalised. I will not enter the Government House in the next two or three months. There is no vehicle in Government House, not even one. Yet the former governor talks about corruption.” The PDP state chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, who also expressed shock at the level of looting of facilities in the Government House, appealed to the leadership of the All

Progressives Congress (APC) to prevail on Amaechi to return all the looted items, noting that the action of Amaechi was “childish and criminal.” Obuah said: “The PDP sees no justification for former Governor Amaechi to be that wicked as to treat the people and a state that have fed him all his life the way he did. “It is therefore, our view as a responsible party, considering the huge resources and inconveniencies that would cause the state to replace

the looted items, in terms of fresh procurement or refurbishment of the broken items, to again urge President Buhari and other APC leaders to sanction the former governor, ask him to return the loots and also charge him to apologise to Rivers people for the shameful act, which is responsible for the delay of Wike to move into the Government House and the use of those public facilities by the new administration since after its inauguration on May 29,” Obuah said. However, reacting to the allegation of vandalism, Amaechi said the allegation was an attempt by Wike “to intimidate, threaten and blackmail officials of his (Amaechi’s) administration, including civil servants into making false, phony and bogus claims of alleged corruption and corrupt practices against him (Amaechi) and his wife, Judith; concocted claims that cannot be substantiated.” Amaechi, who spoke through his spokesman, David Iyofor, said that Wike’s utterances was another cheap smear campaign and ploy to siphon billions of naira from the state treasury under the guise of renovating a ‘vandalised’ and ‘looted’ Government House. Amaechi said: “I am aware that this (Monday) morning, Wike in company of his coterie of court jesters took some video cameramen and photographers on a tour of the governor’s residence inside Government House. He took them to the governor’s bedroom where he made further claims that the place have been looted. “The question to ask is: did Wike know what was in my former bedroom before now, to conclude that the bedroom was looted? Did he speak with or review with the Permanent Secretary of Government House, who is the chief accounting officer before jumping into such hasty and misguided conclusion? “Apparently, he had already reached a conclusion before arriving Government House, and all he has been saying and doing is to work towards that conclusion of looting and vandalism. “It’s instructive to note that on Friday, May 29, Wike had barred some key officials of Government House, including civil servants from accessing the place. Forty-eight hours later, he started shouting ‘vandalism and looting’. This doesn’t smell right. I left the place intact. If there’s any vandalism or looting in Government House after I left, Rivers people should ask Wike what happened.

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Law Lawyers at the weekend rose from their quarterly meeting in Sokoto and condemned what they regarded as incessant kidnap of judges in the country. They described it as not only worrisome but a time-bomb should the government fail to address it. Besides, they tasked President Muhammadu Buhari on his electoral promises, saying the ‘change agenda must reflect the view of Nigerians that Nigeria indeed needs change’. FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE reports

lthough their agenda was far from the general security challenge bedeviling the nation before President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was inaugurated on May 29, lawyers were however piqued by the incessant attacks on judges especially as they have become target of kidnappers in recent times. They however threatened mass protest should the Federal Government and its security agencies refuse to reverse the infamous trend and ensure that lives and property of judicial officers nationwide were adequately secured. Specifically, the lawyers condemned what they described as worrisome the kidnapping of judges, insisting that the nation’s judges must be given adequate protection to enable them function and perform their sacred role to the society. All forms of violence target-

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY Editor

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L-R: NBA 1st Vice President, Mr. Francis Ekwere, President Augustine Alegeh SAN and Chief Judge of Sokoto State Hon. Justice Aisha Sani Dahiru

Lawyers tackle FG over judges’ kidnap ed at the Judiciary must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, they said. Particularly, the lawyers resolved that they would not fold their hands and watch the incessant kidnapping of judges unabated, insisting that the police and other security agencies must take adequate security measures to prevent a re-occurrence. It was at their quarterly NEC meeting held at the weekend at Ginginya Coral Hotel, Western Bye Pass road, Sokoto, venue of the NEC meeting. They said: “Just a few weeks ago, we were informed of the unfortunate kidnapping of High Court Judge in Okene, Kogi State. The most unfortunate part of this shocking news was that this evil was perpetrated in broad daylight, in full glare of pedestrians. The NBA hereby condemns this attack and other such related attacks against the Judiciary. We call on the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to ensure that adequate security measures are taken to prevent a reoccur-

Our Judges must be given adequate protection to enable them function and perform their sacred role to the society

rence of this unfortunate incidence. Our Judges must be given adequate protection to enable them function and perform their sacred role to the society. All forms of violence targeted at the Judiciary must be condemned in the strongest possible terms”. Besides, they were unanimous that the era whereby funds meant for the judiciary would be withheld by the Federal Government was over as they sought for the disbursement of the fund without delay with a view to ridding industrial action from the thirdarm of government. This, the lawyers said would fast-tract developments in the judiciary especially if the Accountant-General ensured that the funds were made available the same the 36 States receive their allocations. However, the lawyers also seized the NBA-NEC meeting to review the state of the nation especially the 2015 general elections and the roles played by lawyers in the electoral success and

the inauguration of the Buhari/ Osinbajo ‘s administration. In a communiqué, they said: “The 2015 elections were marked by an unprecedented level of campaigns which threatened to boil over. The NBA in recognition of its leading role engaged the electoral system from two different angles. First, the NBA organised Voter education and mobilization campaigns. We commend the branches for their efforts in this regard and it was based on their efforts that the elections were not marred by irregularities. The NBA Election Working Group must be commended. They were able to harness resources and had Observers in all parts of the country. NBA was the only organization that had Observers in the North- Eastern part of the country and we commend our members for the work that they have done in this respect. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

22 Law

THURSDAY, june 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Former NBA Secretary-General, Mr. Obi Okwusogwu (SAN); Ekere; Justice Dahiru; Former Lagos NBA Chairman, Taiwo Taiwo and former NBA President, Mr. .J.B. Daudu

Kidnapping: Lawyers rise in defence of judges C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

We must specially congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, our very own Prof. Yemi Osibanjo SAN on their landslide victory at the elections which also marked the first time a ruling party would be defeated at the general elections. The NBA is in no doubt that the new administration appreciates the expectations of Nigerians whose massive votes for their change agenda reflects the view of Nigerians that Nigeria needs change. “We would continue to play a pivotal role in the current face-off between members of JUSUN and the government at both federal and state levels. Owing to the important role played by the NBA, the Federal Government appointed the NBA as the official Mediator in the settlement process. The NBA was able to mediate proactively at all levels and was able to ensure the suspension of the JUSUN strike at the national level and in all but eight States of the Federation. “In line with the resolution of our NEC in March, we have instituted actions against Benue and Plateau States on behalf of JUSUN. We have secured garnishee orders on their accounts and we believe that these orders would soon be made absolute. Other states which have similar issues are encouraged to furnish the NBA with the requisite information to enable us be able to assist them. Reports reaching us are that at the Federal level, there is substantial compliance. However, there have been issues of persistent delay in releases. For example, salaries for January, February and March 2015 were paid on the 26th or 27th of March. The NBA has commenced negotiations with the office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation to see if releases to the judiciary will go out

at the same time that releases to the state go out so that the delays will be reduced. For the states, we have had various challenges and we commend JUSUN for the steps they have so far taken towards an amicable resolution of the matter. However, we are mindful of the fact that some branches of JUSUN have been more cooperative than others. Lagos JUSUN chapter must be commended. They were the first to call-off the strike despite the refusal of the State Governor to pay their January salaries. However, the NBA President, Mr. Augustin Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria seized the avenue to launch the association’s official stamp, practice licence, insurance policy, pro bono national centre and the NBA conference billed for August. Alegeh said: “We launched our Stamp on 15 April 2015 in an event that witnessed the attendance of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon, Justice Mahmud Mohammed GCON. We commend the CJN for his attendance at the event and for his unwavering support to the Bar. Most importantly, we commend him for his directive to all Heads of Court fixing June 1, 2015 as the effective date for the implementation of the NBA Stamp policy. The Stamps will bear the name and Enrolment No. of the lawyer. “The NBA Practice License was also launched on April 15, 2015. Lawyers in attendance who had paid the Annual Bar Practising Fees and filled the relevant forms were presented with their Annual Bar Practising License at the venue. Branch Chairmen who were present at the event were also encouraged to collect printed Practice Licenses of their members for subsequent distribution at the branches. Presently, the Practice License this year will be issued on the basis of payment of Bar Practising Fees alone. However, its issuance in sub-

sequent years will be based on the participation at Continuing Professional Development Programmes in line with the provisions of the RPC. We have referred this matter to our General Practice Committee to review and make recommendations on the way forward. “The NBA Insurance Scheme was also unveiled on 15th April, 2015. Lawyers who are verified and have paid their Bar Practising fees are covered under this scheme. All lawyers who have paid their Bar Practising fees are encouraged to fill and submit their Insurance Forms to their Branches as soon as possible to enable them reap the benefits of this Scheme. The NBA VISA Affinity Cards produced by our Official Banker – Access Bank will be unveiled. The benefits of this VISA Card cannot be over-emphasised. The NBA VISA Card will serve the dual role of an Identification Card as well as a payment card that serves all online payment portals; ATMs and POS terminals. The NBA VISA Affinity card will also afford lawyers the opportunity to access the various discounted welfare packages of several Service Providers negotiated on their behalf by the NBA. Most importantly the NBA VISA Card when used for payment on the NBA online platform for NBA Conferences, programmes and Seminars will attract a certain level of discount. “The NBA has concluded plans to establish a National Pro Bono Centre to address all issues relating to pro bono work/services rendered by lawyers to the general public. We are currently looking for an Office space in Abuja and will soon employ staff to work at the Pro Bono Centre. Allegeh also unveiled some of the NBA programmes and events coming up within the month.

They include NBA SBL conference, proposed SLP seminar, education summit, Mentoring Programme for the Nigerian Law School, ICLE PLANS, Annual General Conference and State of the Bar. He said: “The NBA Section on Business Law [SBL] organised its 9th Annual Business Conference in Lagos between the 7th and 9th of June 2015 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. All lawyers were actively participated. We are also going to have a One (1) day Seminar organised by the NBA Section on Legal Practice (SLP) workshop on Women’s rights in Sheraton Lagos towards the end of June 2015. The seminar will centre on topical issues like rape, child marriages, domestic violence and other related issues. This SLP Seminar is geared towards increasing public awareness on several issues which affect the average woman in our society. We want to put these issues in the front burner of national discourse with a view to exploring available options to forestall their occurrence. We urge everyone to attend and participate actively in the seminar. “Sometime later in the year, we intend having an education summit to review the state of legal education in Nigeria. We are mindful of the fact that educational standards are falling, yet nothing appears to have been done to address this issue so far. It is imperative that the NBA takes a position on the current state of our legal education in our tertiary institutions. The NBA should be able to decide whether or not the current system of operating a centralised law school should be maintained or not. These would help in improving the quality of legal education and the quality of lawyers we have. The NBA intends to set up a mentorship programme for the universities and law schools to afford senior lawyers an opportunity to visit and deliver lecture to the students from time to time. What the NBA intends to achieve with this system is to improve learning and quality of lawyers called to the Bar. The NBA intends to encourage senior lawyers who have specialised in certain areas of law to champion this initiative by organising lectures for law students. The NBA has been in constant discussions with the Law School and intends to take advantage of the newly installed video conferencing system in the various Law School campuses to be able to effectively reach-out to a wider audience. “The practice of law has evolved overtime and there exists several new areas of legal practice. The NBA intends to collaborate with foreign Bar Associations, Agencies and Fora in the quest to ensure adequate training of lawyers in these areas. These areas include Entertainment Law, Sports Law, terrorism etc. Consequently, the NBA will be organising a training Seminar in collaboration with the UNODC sometime in late August or early September 2015 on the fundamental rights aspects of the investigation, prosecution and trial of terrorism cases. This training seminar shall be free for all lawyers. We believe that when lawyers are well equipped with the letters of the law, the society is better off for it. Our 2015 AGC will hold from 21st to 28th August 2015. Issues related to the 2015 AGC will be raised and resolved in this NEC. CONTINUED ON PAGE23

Law

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, june 11, 2015

row

Director and company may end up in court over alleged victimisation of members of staff Akeem Nafiu

lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Fawehinmi, has threatened to file a suit to challenge the alleged plan by the FBN Trustees Limited to fire some of the members of staff of his late father’s companies. In a statement, Fawehinmi faulted the action of FBN Trustees Limited in its alleged attempts to force the General Manager of Books Industry Nigeria Ltd, Mufutau Akinnibosu, and two other staff of the company, who were security guards to resign. The two guards, Mr.

Fawehinmi faults FBN trustees over employees’ sack Bashiru and Mr. Abu, were said to have been with the Books Industry Nigeria Limited for at least 10 years. Fawehinmi alleged that the FBN Trustees Limited staff being led by Willy Ezeh, presented letters of dismissal and a cheque of three months’ salary to the trio in their quest to forcibly remove them from the company. in the statement, Fawehinmi said: “They attempted to frighten them, by getting policemen from the police station at Akinola Solanke Street and operatives of Bemil Security Limited who locked the main gate restricting anyone from going in and coming out of the premises. “In fact, I, Mr. Mo-

hammed Fawehinmi (Director), my mother Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi(Director) and my younger brother Mr. Saheed Fawehinmi (Shareholder) rushed to Books Industry Nigeria Limited and to our chagrin, Mr. Willy Ezeh, asked the policemen to restrict us from entering our own factory. “The same act was carried out at the Warehouse of the Nigerian Law Publication where all the Mallams employed were chased out by policemen led by Mr. Oduola Etomilade and Mr. Rotimi Obende of FBN Trustees limited”. He added that there was an attempt to relieve the Chief Security Officer (CSO) at the

Warehouse, Mr. Daniel Godwin, of his appointment, saying the CSO, who had been with his late father for more than 17 years, had handled all companies owned by deceased father including his house in G.R. A Ikeja. He further accused staff of FBN Trustees Limited of breaking into the warehouse by breaking the padlock used to secure the premises. Fawehinmi said: “Whenever FBN Trustees staff or the Company Secretary wants to do Stock taking, Auditing and replenishment of stock, the warehouse is opened for them. It is locked up afterwards by the Chief Security Officer, Mr. Daniel Godwin. That has always been the

practice even when my late father was alive. So when he died, my mum took over as the custodian of the keys to the warehouse. He said the policemen who laid siege on the warehouse were later withdrawn by the DPO of Alausa Police Station upon lodging of complaints. “When we went back to the Warehouse Mr. Etomilade Oduola and Mr. Rotimi Obende of FBN Trustees Limited instructed the Bemil guards they put on ground to restrict us from entering the premises of the Warehouse. “The overzealousness of the FBN trustees limited is shocking when what we expected from

them was to come in, bring in their expertise to the upliftment of the businesses above the level where my late father left it. But surprisingly what they want to do is power show over unsuspecting innocent employees and sacking them without any just cause all in the name of corporate restructuring. “We don’t understand why this restructuring of people who have diligently done their jobs over the years, not stealing, have never been found wanting, and have always honestly dedicated themselves to the service of enhancing the image of the companies of this man without any hindrance and for no just cause, they just want to lay them off. “We would be tackling this issue in court and we would always support our employees because they do the best they can for us and have remained committed to the ideals of Gani Fawehinmi”.

‘Buhari must give us policy direction’ C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 2 2

Ki-Moon

UN scribe, Banki Moon, lawyers seek review of obsolete laws Flora Onwudiwe

“D

iscrimination and neglect often lead to violence, threatening women’s and children’s health and limiting their chances to complete education and fulfill their potential” The assertion was made by the United Nations Secretary-General , Mr. Banki Moon on the International Day of Families held at the Ikoyi, Lagos office of the United nations Information Centre,(UNIC). The theme; Men in charge: Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families, Moon said that women in other parts of the world were more at the centre stage as equal partners, participating as decision makers in families with a view to raising a peaceful society in the development of the children. in his view, the National Information Officer of

UNIC, Mr. Oluseyi Soremekun lamented some of the nation’s obsolete laws which had hampered societal growth, saying it was time some of these laws were reviewed especially as some countries of the world had put behind them laws and practices and embraced “change legal law and social norms that support male control over women that do not give equal rights to men ,women and children.” However, the event which attracted men and women from all walks of life including students from different schools in Lagos metropolis also accommodated a theme “Supporting Families: A path to National Development” delivered by Dr. Grace Evbuomwan of the Covenant University while Mr. Michael Ijeh, a lawyer dwelt on “The Unique contribution of Fathers to Adolescent Development.” In her paper entitled; Supporting Families: A

path to National Development, Evbuomwan said that the global theme implies that the men were always at the fore fronts thereby hindering women from contributing to the development of the society. She however, cited the late Dr. Adadeboh who died of Ebola Virus Diseases (EVD) as the only woman who paid the supreme price for the country devoid of the dreaded virus. According to her, the teeming women population was not given the same treatment alongside their men folk which hindered them from being at par with them, hence they were not able to contribute their quota to national development. Evbuoman who was always citing women in the advanced countries as contributing equally with their male counterpart, attributed poverty as one of the causes of Nigeria’s underdevelopment.

We congratulate our members who won elections at the just concluded polls such as Rivers and Bauchi States. We have notified branches to forward the details of their members who were victorious at the elections as we intend to hold an interactive session with all of them regarding the expectations of the Bar from them. The crucial role that lawyers play in national development and the trust reposed in them by members of the public is tremendous and the theme of the 2015 AGC will be centered on the contribution of lawyers in the development of the country. The story of the 2015 elections will not be complete without the singular act of the immediate past President, H.E Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR who in accepting defeat placed a phone call across to his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him on his victory. Though opinions may differ on the success of his administration, there is unanimity globally that His Excellency’s action singles him out as a man of integrity and peace. The NBA expects that the agenda of the new administration in their first 100 days in office would be to tackle the problems of infrastructural deficiency, unemployment, insecurity, pervasive corruption, revenue leakages, devaluation of the naira and persistent scarcity of petroleum products. The NBA also expects the new administration to urgently set out as part of its agenda the amendment and reformation of Nigerian laws to make them meet present day challenges. The NBA offers its support to the adminis-

tration in the exercise of amending, reforming and update of our laws. The present government was voted massively based on its Agenda of Change. However, to be able to achieve this Agenda of Change, the government must work within the dictates of the law at all times. “To achieve this Agenda of Change, the government must resist the temptation to introduce policies that will not be backed by law or contrary to law. The government must embark on the review of laws and ensure that any law that will work against the agenda for change is promptly amended to bring it in line with the work of the government. Government must have a clear policy thrust and engage the National Assembly to achieve same. Government must ensure that Bills are passed timeously and at times like this, the PIB which spent 16 years under the PDP government will not repeat itself under this current administration. We urge the current administration to engage members of the National Assembly to identify the policy thrust of the new government. This is necessary in the next few days as some of the campaign promises being made by candidates of the principal offices of the legislature are hinged on the increment of allowances and does not appear to be in sync with the government. At a time when the people are complaining that the cost of governance is too high and that the salaries of the legislature are more jumbo than jumbo jets. ”We believe that the present government should engage both those seeking legislative office and those voting for them to inform them that this action runs contrary to the thinking of Nigerians.

Law | News

Akeem Nafiu

s u b s c r i b e r, A b r a h a m Omokanye, has dragged an estate firm, Gran Imperio Group, before an Igbosere High Court presided over by Justice A.J. Coker, over an alleged attempt to defraud him of N4.036 million through mortgage scam. Sued include are the Metropole Interproject Limited and the Managing Director of Gran Imperio Group, Mr. Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Omokanye in the suit marked, LD/267CMW/2015, is seeking an order directing the defendants severally and individually to pay him by certified bank draft the sum of N6,397,852.50, with interest at the rate of 35 per cent per annum before judgment and 19 per cent per annum from judgement until judgment was liquidated. At the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday, a lawyer to the claimant, Chukwuemeka Amaghiro, informed the court that the matter was for hearing of all pending applications in the matter. However, lawyer to the defendants, Olanrewaju Jolaoso informed the court that his clients were already making frantic steps to settle the matter out of court. He however urged the court for a short adjournment. Consequently, the presiding judge, Justice A. J. Coker adjourned further hearing in the matter to June 30, for report of settlement. Omokanye in his statement of claim filed before the court by his lawyer, Chukwuemeka Amaghiro, painted a picture on how he entered into a contract for the

THURSDAY, june 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Subscriber sues firm over alleged N4.036m fraud sale and purchase of one unit 3-bedroom house at the Essential Homes besides the Lakeview park 2, off Lekki-Epe Expressway. He added that under the said contract, the total offer price of the said property was N18,204,615 million, covering the unit price, connection fee, documentation fee and rent-to-own with 17 per cent interest. He also averred that as part of conditions for the acceptance of offer, he was made to pay initial deposit of N4, 036, 500, while a balance of N14. 168, 115 was to be spread over a period of 36 months at N1.180, 676.25,

every three months. He added that after accepting the offer, he paid the initial deposit of N4.036 million, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract in the month of July and October, 2014, respectively. But during the performance of the contract and sometimes in September, 2014, he was informed by the first defendant’s sales and marketing relations officer, Akinsanya Opemipo about the firm’s inability to make delivery of the property in October 2014 as earlier agreed upon, while the company pleaded with him to ac-

cept delivery in November, 2014. The offer which he claimed was rejected. He further stated that following his rejection of the company’s plea and new terms and conditions for the property, he categorically informed the firm that he could only continue with the contract earlier signed, and that he refused to make any further payment due to the breach of contract. He added that the firm informed him that the particular property he paid initial deposit for was no longer available. Consequently, he is seeking an order compel-

ling the defendants severally and individually to pay him by certified bank draft the sum of N6.397, 852.50, N10 million and N1.5 million, representing total payment made by him to the firm, including general and exemplary damages and the cost of filling the suit. Responding, the defendants in their statement of defence filed before the court through their lawyer, Olanrewaju Jolaoso, while urging the court to discountenance the plaintiff ’s claim, stated that after its wide spread campaign and subsequent subscription to the clients, there was

a sharp increase in the price of building materials, coupled with the fact that the estate was over-subscribed by large numbers of customers which led to acquisition of more land mass from the land owning family invariably increased the amount to be spent on amenities to be provided in the estate. They further stated that they never breached the terms of the offer but the initial terms were not workable due to resources required to develop the estate. It was added that the development work never stopped in the estate while the claimant refused to pay during negotiation. They therefore also seek an order of the court directing the claimant to pay to them the total sum of N12 million, being special and damages for the breach of contract.

NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh addressing NBA-NEC delegates in Sokoto...at the weekend.

NCICC asks FG to investigate Army on AI allegation Tunde Oyesina

he Nigerian Coalition for the international Criminal Court (NCICC) has called on the Federal Government to investigate the report by Amnesty International (AI) on atrocities allegedly committed by the Nigerian military and Civilian Joint Task Force in the ongoing conflicts between Nigerian forces and the insurgents in North-East Nigeria. The Amnesty International report had revealed that the Nigerian military and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force may have committed war crimes and crimes

against humanity and lists the names of the officials that should be held accountable. This, Amnesty International described as “horrific mass extrajudicial executions by the Nigerian military is nothing short of war crimes”. In a release issued by its chairman, Obiagwu Chino, the NCICC agrees with this categorization adding that it had documented violations of human rights in the North East through its member organisations which acknowledges that there are serious issues of atrocity crimes. It reads: “While the perpetrators are not

Buhari

prosecuted, the victims of these crimes are not adequately protected, supported and have no means of redress whatsoever.

The NCICC however called on the Federal Government to conduct an investigation on the allegations made by Am-

nesty International and to ensure that those found culpable are held accountable. “Be that as it may, the allegations made against the Nigerian military and the Civilian Joint Task Force does not in any way justify or diminish the crimes committed by Boko Haram. “Therefore, we continue to request that the Federal Government should ensure that those responsible for arming and supporting members of Boko Haram should be held accountable for the crimes committed against Nigerians. “Furthermore, we reiterate our call for the

establishment of an international crimes division of the Federal High Court to ensure a speedy trial process as justice delayed is justice denied. “Furthermore, it should be recalled that the NCICC has previously issued a press release calling on the Federal Government to increase its effort in protecting the vulnerable civilians in North East Nigeria”, it stated. The NCICC further calls on the Victims Support Fund as a matter of urgency, to deploy resources for the rehabilitation and return of victims and internally Displaced Persons.

Law | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, june 11, 2015

Mike Ahamba, a titled chief, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In this interview with TUNDE OYESINA, Ahamba is rooting for Buhari’s validation of the National Conference report. Besides, he speaks on electoral reform, corruption, unemployment and sundry issues.

or one of the nation’s Senior Advocates, Chief Mike Ahamba, Nigeria would be returned to its former glorythe giant of Africa if President Muhammadu Buhari would give life to his inaugural speech. Apart from the manifesto bequeathed to him by his party-the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Buhari has vowed to turn the nation’s fortune from a paralysed economy through job creation to one of the world’s leading economies. Besides, he promised to address security, power and tackle corruption head long. This, among others top Buhari’s agenda for the nation. However, Ahamba wants the President to also propose electoral reform for the nation especially as the country makes progress in its democratic process. He said: “The President should bring about a new Electoral Act that will be tailored in a manner that is neutral for both the petitioner and the respondents. The present one is pro-respondent. Sir, how would you want corruption and unemployment be addressed by Mr. President? While tackling corruption, there should be no witch hunting. Mr. President must tackle any corruption that comes along his way no matter who is involved while unemployment is not an overnight thing because the government must get fund to create jobs outside government. A concerted effort should be made to create job outside the government. At the moment, the biggest employer is government. That burden has to be taken off government. Nigerian should know that it will take a little time to adjust, but the ultimate target is to create job outside government than within government. Former President Goodluck Jonathan asked President Buhari to implement the confab report, is it necessary at all?

Yes, the President should consider the recommendation objectively and implement appropriately those that ought to be implemented. I never expect that all the resolutions are not meaningful. What would you want the President to do with the moribund refineries in view of the fuel scarcity which paralysed the nation’s economy a few weeks ago? It should be at the front burner. It has to be done. To revamp the refinery is a task that must be done. The Buhari government must take this serious.

Ahamba

Ahamba: Why Buhari must implement confab report Cost of governance may have had a toll on the economy, would you want the President to toe his predecessors’ path with scores of ministers and advisers? No, this must be reduced. I have always said that one decision I did not like at the confab is the full time legislature. Our legislature should be part-time and cut down the cost from there. Government should not be an avenue for making wealth but an avenue for service. Anybody who wants to make money should go into private practice and make as much money and pay appropriate tax. There is no crime in that, but when we think that it is through government that we will improve our individual economy, no government can thrive under that attitude. Unfortunately that is the attitude we practice in Nigeria. I pray that Buhari together with those who he works with will find a way to correct this attitude. From President Buhari’s background, I mean, as a former dictator, would you envisage any abuse of the Rule

of law? He has to uphold the rule of law even if he does not like it. He has already shown that in 1987 when a judgement was given against him, he did not agree but he accepted it. I think that he should continue to do that and continue to tell those that work for him that they are not above the law and orders made against them should be obeyed. There is controversy on why the President dropped his military title, General from his name, any legal issue in this regards? He is entitled to that. Obasanjo decided to become a Chief. Buhari may want to be addressed as simply Buhari, Alhaji or Mallam. From his first speech after inauguration, we will know how he wants to be addressed. Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, now Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal defection suit is pending in court. What happens now since he has been sworn-in as a governor? All what we are asking the court

is to give a definite pronouncement as it bothers on a very important issue that can determine the political state of the country. The constitutional responsibility needs to be interpreted for their successors because the office of the Speaker is a party to the suit. It is necessary that Section 68(2) of the 1999 Constitution be interpreted for stability in the legislature. It is carpet crossing that is now called defection and such had led to tribalism when it was applied in the West to unseat Nnamdi Azikwe who could have been the Premier of the Western region. It was carpet crossing that led to the civil war and that was why the assembly in 1977 banned carpet crossing. Now carpet crossing is sneaking in the name of defection and it is threatening the polity, I believe that it is absolutely necessary for the court to decide how this can be stopped, as written in the Constitution to prevent the crisis that may emanate from it. That is what we are pursuing and not any individual, we are pursuing stability in the polity.

26 Law | News

THURSDAY, june 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Directors sues FCSC, seek court nod to stop promotion interview Adejumo

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

ix Deputy Directors of the Federal Civil Service have asked the National Indus-

trial Court to stop the nation’s Head of Service and the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to stop the 2015 promotion interview. The plaintiffs, Dr. John

Magbadelo, Mrs. Ada Madubuike, Mrs. Ganiat Oginni, Mrs. Janet Ayorinde and Reuben Musa are asking the court to issue an injunction restraining the defendants from conducting the 2015 Federal Civil Service Directorate Level Officers Promotion Evaluation/Interview pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The President of the court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo , however ordered parties to maintain

status quo. The plaintiffs also asked the court to stop the defendants from compelling them to write another examination after they had scored above the 60 per cent cut off mark in the 2014 Federal Civil Service Examination as Deputy Directors. In a related development, there is disquiet amongst commissioners in the FCSC over an alleged decision by the chairman, FCSC to in-

clude two officers who were not yet qualified for promotion alongside 11 senior Deputy Directors who already passed the 2014 promotion interview but could not be promoted for lack of vacancy declared. While one of the officers being considered for accelerated promotion was last promoted deputy director last year, the other was promoted to Deputy Directors in 2012. The recommendation

by the chairman of the FCSC to promote these two officers was said to have violated the Public Service Rules which require a minimum of four years maturity. In what appears to be an undue advantage, the two lawyers are being recommended for promotion despite the fact that there were other lawyers who were their seniors. The senior lawyers, according to report, had spent more than the four years maturity period having passed the promotion examinations last year but were not promoted for lack of vacancies. There are also two other Deputy Directors who completed the four years maturity period this year and qualified to write this year’s promotion examination. Rule 020701(b) of the Public Service Rules states ‘the minimum number of years that an officer must spend in a post before being considered for promotion shall be for grade level 15 -17, minimum of 4 years.’ In violation of this clear provision of the rules, the FCSC wrote to the ministry of justice proposing for promotion of the two officers who were yet to spend the mandated four years maturity period. Rather than consider these 13 Deputy Directors for the promotion exercise this year now that the ministry has declared 12 vacancies, the ministry endorsed the illegal recommendation of the FCSC. In a letter by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Yola, the ministry of justice gives tactical approval to the FCSC to promote two favoured Deputy Directors in violation of the Civil Service Rules. Despite knowing that the favoured Deputy Directors had not spent the mandatory four years maturity period and that there are qualified Deputy Directors, the justice ministry is supporting the blatant illegality by seeking waiver for the unqualified Deputy Directors. The letter from the Solicitor General to the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission reads in part: “Pursuant to the Call circular for the year 2015 promotions for salary Grade Levels 14-16 Officers, we had declared 12 vacancies for Directors on GL 17 which was based on the rule that only vacancies that existed as 31st December 2014 should be declared.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

27 Health Living

Health Features

Cost of wearing ill-fitting shoes

Getting value from your food

Health

Nature Power

Medicinal value of coconut

‘Insecurity behind rising mental illness’

For various reasons, violent attacks in the country have increased leaving in their wake deaths and the maiming of those cut in the crossfire. Many survivors are also coming down with manifestations of mental illness further compounding their health challenges. But experts say early medical intervention is key to tackling the menace, writes APPOLONIA ADEYEMI

ising security challenges occasioned by bombing episodes, kidnappings, cultism, armed robbery attacks, are already manifesting in mental health problems among the victims and some of their relations. This is the submission of a panel of discussants at a lecture on Security Challenges and the Impact on Nigerian Families, put together by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos recently. Apart from mental health challenges, numerous deaths have also been recorded from violent clashes between suspected herdsmen and farmers over grazing rights in some states of the federation. However, medical experts said if such mental health manifestations are detected early and promptly referred for psychiatric management; relief will come the way of victims. Early intervention could prevent complications of those conditions in victims, in family members and some close friends that are similarly affected. According to Dr. Oyetayo Jeje, a psychiatrist and president,

Appolonia Adeyemi Health Editor

appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

Association Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos, once someone that is predisposed to having mental illness are in an area where there is security challenges including kidnapping, bombings, etc., they tend to come down with psychiatric problems such as post-traumatic stress disorders, depression and a couple of other psychiatric illnesses. Mental illness is a condition which causes serious disorder in a person’s behavior or thinking. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an Americanbased advocacy group, estimates that one in five adults experiences a mental health condition globally every year. Similarly, one in 20 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Jeje said specific symptoms to look out for in victims manifesting post-traumatic stress disorders include poor sleep, night mares, relieving the violent events in which the victim was involved, for example a kidnap or a bombing episode. Similarly, some individuals could have acute stress reactions meaning victims not being able to speak well, she added. “There could be irritability including victims presenting sadness, anger and sometimes crying, poor appetite and reduced libido. “Some people even have suicidal thoughts and behavior as well as ‘attitude to end it all’ probably because they have lost property and loved ones which often prompt such persons to ask themselves if continued living was worth it in the face of their ordeal.” For those that are predisposed

A man showing a sign of depression

For those that are predisposed to having psychotic breakdown, they may become aggressive

to having psychotic breakdown, they may become aggressive and they may begin to hear what other people around are not hearing, she said, adding, “there can be psychotic break down.” On the outcome of cases that did not get early psychiatric intervention, president of the ARD at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, said the individual may not be able to function optimally. “There might be impaired functioning. It can affect the person’s finances especially when the particular victim cannot go to work to do his business accordingly.” Furthermore, Jeje said, other symptomps may present in the emotions of victims. “For some people it could be so bad that they may become a danger to themselves and to others. A good example is that a victim that has depression manifesting suicidal behaviours may end up committing suicide. He may even injure those around him or herself.” She stressed that it is important to pick out these symptoms especially when they begin to manifest afresh and warned that if not picked on time for treatment, it can be bad. “Affected victims should get psychiatric attention as soon as possible,” she added. While statistics may not be readily available to show the

Dr. Jeje

enormity of the problems, president of ARD at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, said with increased violent attacks, the number of victims referred to psychiatric hospitals across the nation, has increased tremendously. According to her, a couple of similar victims and indigenes of south east states who hitherto resident in Borno State where armed terrorists hold sway, have been leaving the north in droves and relocating to Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. Citing the case of a particular female victim who having lost her property and all family members, Jeje said she was rushed in CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Health News

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NAFDAC bans sales of local gin

Healthy Living

lAs 38 die drinking ‘ogogoro’ Obinna Odoh Abuja

he National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) has ordered the immediate confiscation of all the local gins in Rivers State following the death of 38 persons suspected to have died after consuming locally brewed alcoholic gin popularly known as Ogogoro. Similarly, the Agency has cautioned the general public to desist from taking the product with immediate effect. The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii stated this in Abuja during media briefing said that it has become imperative to take action since the deaths have spread to three Local Government Areas of the state. It would be recalled that in April about 18 persons died from the consumption of a local dry gin contaminated with methanol (poisonous material) at Ayadi and Irele council areas in Ondo State. “People should stop consuming ogogoro unless they want to embark on a suide mission. “The symptoms suffered by the victims included vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, headache, dizziness and loss of consciousness. These symptoms are the hallmark signs of methanol poisoning,” said Orhii

The NAFDAC boss further disclosed that out of the 42 cases record in Rivers State only 4 persons are still alive. NAFDAC boss further warns that the public should avoid unregistered locally produced spirits and bitters. It said in the event of an emergency, the case should be immediately reported and evacuated to the nearest tertiary hospital as quick intervention can save lives. He assured that the situation has been put under control as the NCDC , WHO and health agency in the state are working assiduously to save the remaining lives. “A preliminary investigation conducted by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) World Health Organisations(WHO) ruled out any infectious disease and confirmed the possibility of poisoning as the cause of death and advised NAFDAC to conduct an investigation” stated Orhii. The NCDC boss, Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi said that methanol is a flavouring which makes the ogogoro tastier, adding that the agency will push for regulations and minimum standards in the production of the product. He said that investigations by the agency show that the ogogoro being consumed in Rivers State came from Akwa Ibom State. “We must start confiscating the products where people are dying using the Police and led by NAFDAC. No waste of time,”said Nasidi.

L-R: Executive Secretary of Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre, Dr. Omolola Salako; Nollywood artist and Sebeccly Ambassador,, Chioma Akpotha; Ladun Ogunbanwo; and Board Member of Sebeccly, mrs Toro Omojole igniting cancer awareness at the launch of Light Lagos Pink, held in Lagos recently

Sebeccly ignites 100 buildings pink over cancer Esther Albert

esidents of Lagos will witness an unprecedented buzz of breast cancer awareness this year as the Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre is set to illuminate Lagos pink with a view to breaking a Guinness World Record for breast cancer in October. Dr. Omolola Salako, executive director, Sebeccly cancer care and support centre, said this will be achieved through the Light Lagos Pin campaign, an annual, state wide, collaborative fundraising campaign hosted in partnership with the Lagos State Government. “The Guinness World Record will feature over 12,000 people (men and women) wearing pink to form the largest human pink ribbon in October 2015. “The event will promote breast awareness, serve as an advocacy platform to push for the inclusion of cancer care under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and raise funds to strengthen ongoing cancer initiatives, the Sebeccly Mastectomy Initiative at General

Hospital Lagos and Sebeccly Chemo and Radiotherapy Access Initiative in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The 2015 Light Lagos PinkTM Campaign is meant to Ignite support and donation to support the treatment of over 400 breast cancer patients and build the first cancer survivorship centre in West Africa, inform women about early detection strategies and available breast cancer resources and Illuminate several buildings pink to serve as a visual reminder that October is breast cancer awareness month and together, Nigerians can improve breast cancer survivorship. The Light Lagos PinkTM campaign will run for the next six months with a climax in October, the breast cancer awareness month. Considering that Pink is the official colour of breast cancer, the campaign will feature pink illumination of over 100 buildings in strategic locations, which will serve as a visual reminder to people on the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Salako said breast cancer is on the rise. There is need to create a campaign that promotes breast awareness.

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

Cost of wearing ill-fitting shoes

ost women wear improperly fitting shoes because the shoes are cute and even when undersised. After years of abuse and pain, the consequences can be bad. In most cases only surgical intervention is the cure. Recently, I had a bunionectomy and hammer toes repair due to wearing shoes or rather squeesing my feet into shoes just because they are cute. Bunions are painful, inflamed swelling of the bursa at the first joint of the big toe, seen as a lateral deviation of the great toe, thought most of the main causes might be strong family disposition to history of all types of arthritis, and the hypermobility of the big toe. Some predisposing factors might be genetic foot prone to facing downwards like curved, frictions over the first joints of the foot but majority of the cause is considered to be environmental which is wearing pointed and tight shoes. Symptoms Pain and deformity at the great toe and significant pain limiting activity. Signs of possible surgical intervention are severe inflammation and laceration, as well as bony and soft tissue enlargement, painful callus development on the second toe, forced into hyperextension by deviated big toe. Management Conservative relieve pressure over painful prominences, correct excessive pronation by wearing, properly fitted low heeled stiff soled shoes and wide square toe box shoes. Also, functional foot orthosis worn five to six hours a day on most days will help. Use splints to separate first and second toes. In addition, rest the foot and apply moist heat at the end of the day. If these do not work then surgical intervention can be used, though simple bunionectomy may not be effective. Hammer toes Another name for hammer toes is claw toe. This can happen in any toe more especially two, three, four, and five toes, which can be defined as bending/flexion deformity at the distant joints of the toes especially the joints close to the nails, resulting in depressed tip of toe deformity. This is seen mostly in second toes because it is longer than the greattoes. Managment This is achieved by stretching, over and under tapping to adjacent toes, use gel filled corn pad over the joints, but in resistant case, surgical correction is the solution and healing can take four to six weeks.

Bunions

Hammer toes

Bunions and harmmer toes

Foot problem Corn of toe is defined as a thickening of the skin due to friction or pressure which results in the formation of a small painful raised bump associated with a conical mass pointing down into the dermis. It is formed as a result of high thickening of epidermal skin, excessive pressure on the joints of the bone and tight shoes or poorly fitting shoes. Some secondary causes are plantar warts. There are soft cor ns/and hard corns. Soft corn macerate easily due to perspiration and extreme pain, which occurs between toes and most common on four /five toes, Treatment Home treatment is to use warm water and soak affected food, apply corn plaster that contains salicylic acid and avoid contact with normal skin. One can wear low healed shoe, shoe with large deep toe box and check shoe for irregularities that cause pressure. Also, surgery is indicated for difficult to treat cases.

Health Feature 29

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

Getting value from your food Appolonia Adeyemi

o a layman, it may be incomprehensible to hear that spending more time to chew or munch food while eating has direct impact on the nutritional value the body would absorb from that meal. Although, rushing while eating breakfast, lunch or dinner may come naturally to consumers, new eating approach which requires consumers to chew food properly while eating, is now the way to go. Nonetheless, many people eat in a hurry. In the process of eating without delay, many are oblivious of the negative impact eating in a hurry can impose on health. In a presentation at the Interactive Forum For Lagos State Nurses which held in Lagos recently, Professor Oladapo. Ashiru, medical director of Medical Arts Centre, said whether one is eating rice or any other food, it should be done slowly. Food should be chewed properly to enable the body derive minimum benefit from such food. According to medical experts, chewing breaks food down from large particles into smaller particles that are easily digested. Similarly, proper chewing of

Orlakhi

food makes it easier for intestines to absorb nutrients from the food particles as they pass through. Recent research presented at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting and Food Expo in Chicago showed that when participants chewed almonds longer, the smaller particles were better and more quickly absorbed by the body. In those who chewed less, the larger particles were passed through the body, while also providing opportunistic bacteria and fungi with a source of fuel during their transit. Purdue University professor Dr. Richard Mattes explained. “Particle size [affects the] bioaccessibility of the energy of the food that is being consumed. The more you chew, the less is lost and more is retained in the body.” Corroborating this view, Ashiru said depending on what an individual is eating. “You may chew it 10 to 20 times. If you are eating meat, you could chew it up to 30 and 60 times. Failure to chew food properly is not healthy, he said. “The food must be chewed. Any food one swallows must be close to water. When you are swallowing solid and it gets to your intestine, it is of no use to the body because when it gets to the intestine the stomach will just take the surface of it; the rest of it will be taken to the intestine untouched. According to Ashiru, the stomach must empty its content within three to four hours. So, in that period it will only digest food particles that are in semiliquid form. When food that is not properly chewed gets into the intestine, Ashiru said it creates obstruction and likened it to objects blocking the pipe of the intestine. “It is an obstruction. “The next food will come the

Any food one swallows must be close to water An man munching

next day, it will meet those that were not properly chewed like that. And those blocks of food will stay in the intestine up to 20 to 30 days. It will now be fermenting, decaying and bringing out bad odour and toxins that will penetrate various parts of the organ.” He therefore reasoned that proper chewing is the key to getting optimum nutritious benefits from food. A dietician at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, Obinna Ogbonna said, it is not the best for anyone to rush food while eating. Those who do not chew food properly may not get the best nutritional value from the meal.

When food is not chewed properly, its nutrient absorption will be reduced, he added. Ogbonna advised, “People should eat their meal slowly. Even after eating they should not rush to do other activities. Emmanuel Orlakhi, managing director/CEO, Healthy Living Communications and convener of the ‘Healthcare Industry Interactive Forum for Nurse Leaders, said the idea of the forum started six years ago involving other groups including general practitioners, surgeons, paediatricians, laboratory scientists, etc. “It was therefore imperative to also organise for nurses, being the mother of medical practice.”

Mental illness on the rise CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 27

emergency situation to Yaba “after manifesting signs of psychotic disorder.” That is why we chose that topic so that we could talk extensively and enlighten the populace especially law enforcement agents on the dangers of insecurity and signs to watch out for in victims. According to her, resident doctors specifically targeted policemen for the training because they bring some clients to hospitals. However, while highlighting the need to get help quickly to afflicted persons, Jeje said, “the security of the nation is not really in the hands of the armed forces members alone. “It is in our hands. We have to be our brother’s keepers by getting victims to doctors as fast as possible. She urged general medical practitioners handling such

cases to refer them urgently for psychiatric attention. “We do not want such victims to go to traditionalists, herbalists and churches. We want them to be brought to us (psychiatrists because mental illnesses are not spiritual. They are purely medical cases. “We do a lot medical intervention for victims and they get better and start functioning. It behooves on all of us to be security conscious,” she added. Retired General, Dr. Gbenga Okulate, a psychiatrist in his keynote address, confirmed that with heightened insecurity, the country is recording rising mental health problems among Nigerians. “Such has been found in other places, south. America and other countries that had passed through Nigeria’s level of development.” He called on the three tiers of government to put in place some serious policies that will

L-R: Medical Director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Dr. Rahman Lawal; and Okulate at the Ordinary General Meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, held in Lagos recently.

address the issues when they arise. A lot time, because the country is unable to plan for young people that growing up, a lot of unemployed youths have something planted down on which violence and security challenges grow, reasoned

Okulate. Issues of personal, family and community insecurity affect individuals, families and community mental health. He noted, “Any issue that is likely to affect people’s social and family functions such as religious activities, recreations,

work, earning a living, would affect their mental health,” he reasoned. Therefore, Okulate suggested, “Where we can do something about it, we do it; where we cannot, we just plan for how to deal with them when they happen.”

Health News

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagos, JICA strengthens access to health services

A woman receiving oral health care at the Lagos free medical mission at Lekki Local Council Development Authority (LCDA)

FMC Umuahia boss honoured

Perm sec lauds emergency response operation Obinna Odoh Abuja

he emergency operation team flagged off about fortnight ago by the former Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan to enhance smooth transition, zero mortality and very minimal morbidity during the just concluded presidential inauguration has been adjudged a success. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health. Mr. Linus Awute who disclosed this during an interactive section with journalists in Abuja said that the Medical sub-committee of the Presidential inauguration committee has done wonderfully well by delivering excellent service during the long week activities that ushered in the new admin-

Igbeaku Orji

istration of President Muhammad Buhari. Awute affirmed that there was neither an incident nor casualties throughout the period of the inauguration. He observed that it is in the culture of the federal ministry of health whenever there is such an event that is to attract mass participation, just like the inauguration of the new administration, the ministry is expected to put some response mechanism on ground to prevent risk of losing lives. ThePermanentSecretary thanked all the members of MDAs and health professionals who helped during the event for sincere commitment. He also extended commendations to diplomats from African region and beyond and indeed the general public for maximum cooperation during the ceremony.

Umuahia

Nigerian doctor and the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Dr Abali Chuku, was among the four medical practitioners inducted into the Medical Mission Hall of Fame in Toledo, Ohio, USA. Other inductees of the Medical Mission Hall of Fame include Alfredo V. Casino of the Philippines, Clinton O. Longenecker of the University of Toledo, Ohio and Paul R. Williams of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. The Medical Mission Hall of Fame is an annual ceremony organised to recognise the contribution of the inductees for using medical services to uplift humanity.

Chuku

Dr. Abali Chuku, an Ophthalmologist, was honoured for the uncommon transformation that has taken place at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Umuahia, since his ascension as the medical director in 2011. He has lifted FMC, Umuahia to a center of excellence in medical service, human resource development and infrastructural transformation. This, has changed the public perception of the hospital as a transit camp to the great beyond.

apan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health has launched the pro-poor community health project. A project focuses on strengthening outreach services in communities and encouraging members of the community to take advantage of health care services provided at the primary health centers (PHCs) close to them. At a ceremony held recently at the Eti-Osa local government secretariat, Igbo-Efon to launch the project, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. YewandeAdeshina explained that the pro-poor community health project sponsored by JICA commenced in year 2014 and expected to run through year 2018 adding that the aim is to expand and improve the concept of universal health coverage, reduce child morbidity and mortality and improve maternal health. She added that the project which is presently being implemented in EtiOsa LGA is targeted at poor communities where lack of finance, poor accessibility to health services and limited knowledge about health services amongst others is inhibiting unfettered access to health services. Adeshina listed communities which are intended beneficiaries of the project in Eti-Osa LGA to include; Ikota, Bambo, Ebute, Ajiran, Jaknde, ebeute-Ikate amongst others adding

that the implementation of the project will include the administration of questionnaires to find out the challenges confronting residents of the area especially women of child bearing age in having to access to health services in the community especially at the PHC with the aim of surmounting these challenges. Said She, “some people will say they have financial barrier, some will say they couldn’t locate health facilities in their community, some may complain about the attitude of the health workers in facilities close to them while other may cite cultural or religious conviction for not patronizing these facilities.” “The questionnaires to be administered are meant to elicit response about why people don’t patronize PHCs, attend ante-natal or post-natal services in PHCs or why they choose to patronize other traditional health care providers rather than the PHCs with the aim of solving identified problems and ensuring unfettered access to health services, Adeshina said.” Decrying the low patronage at the PHC level, the Special Adviser advice residents of the area to take advantage of various health services provided at the PHCs stressing the PHCs have been revitalized to provide mostly free and affordable services adding that the State government believes that primary healthcare system is the bedrock of any health system.

Medicinal value of coconut 2 CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

o many people, the coconut plant is an ordinary plant. They do not see anything special or interesting in the plant. But to those who have eyes to see, the coconut plant is a blessing, a gift from nature. Cocos Nucifera is called coconut in English, ‘Kwakwar’ in Hausa, ‘Ivi-Obio’ in Bini, ‘Ake-beke’ or ‘akuoyibo’ in Igbo, ‘Agbon’ in Yoruba, ‘Uvien’ in Esan.. It contains glycerioles of capprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids. Every part of this plant is medicinal. The bark of the plant dried and burnt into ashes is effective remedy for skin ailments like rashes, black spots, scabies and measles. Simply mix two-dessert spoons of the powder with half a glass of palm kernel

Nature Power Fr. Anselm Adodo, OSB

naturepower@paxherbals.net; twitter: @anselmadodo oil. Apply to the affected part. For toothache, mix two tablespoonfuls of the ashes with one shot of dry gin. Stir it well and use as a mouth wash. Coconut water strengthens the immune system and helps it to resist illnesses. If you are given some chemical antibiotics like chloraphenicol or amoxil in the hospital, you will or should be instructed not to drink coconut water because it will neutralise the effect of the drug. If a child or an adult takes an overdose of a dangerous drug, administer coconut water to neutralise the side effects. Four years ago, I met a lady who was diagnosed to be

suffering from cancer of the breast. It was very bad then, and was considered too late for an operation. I advised her to mix four litres of coconut water with one liter of honey and take ½ a glass twice daily. So she did. Up till today the woman is still alive and going about her normal duty, even though the cancer symptoms are still very much apparent. The coconut water has clearly been exercising a moderating effect on the cancer cells. I am very sure if an operation had been performed on the breast the poor woman would have been dead long ago. The white pulp of the immature coconut is very use-

Coconut plant

The water in the coconut is an excellent cleanser

PHOTO travellingartist.wordpress.com

ful for the memory. People suffering from loss of memory, forgetfulness and any form of memory defect should make friends with coconut. Remove the whitish pulp inside the immature coconut and mix with a little honey. Take as much as you wish. A trial will convince you.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

Industry

ICT

Cocoa processing: Nigeria’s thorny road to survival

Controversial spectrum sales threaten NCC’s autonomy

Business What's news

Nigeria’s broadband penetration hits 10% Internet broadband penetration in Nigeria has further moved from eight per cent to 10 per cent, New Telegraph has learnt.

p.32

Rewane sees May inflation rising to 8.8% Analysts at Bismark Rewane led Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited have predicted a rise in inflation for the month of May, which has been forecast to rise to 8.8 per cent.

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L-R: General Secretary, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Mrs. Jacqueline Odiadi; President, Mr. Foluso Fasoto; President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mrs. Debola Osibogun and Financial Secretary, APBN, Mr. Oye Akinsulire, during a press conference on the activities of the Institute in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

N13.41bn rice, palm oil arrive Lagos in one week wo commodities, palm oil and rice, valued at N13.41 billion ($67,530,360.25) have been shipped by importers to the Lagos Port Complex in the last one week. It was learnt that while some 125,705.35 metric tons of rice valued N9.42 billion ($47,139,405.25) arrived in seven vessels at the

ENL Consortium terminal of the port, 34,450 metric ton of crude palm oil worth N3.078 billion are being offloaded at the Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited in the same port. The commodity was shipped to the port in four vessels. Price of rice at the international market is $375 per metric ton, while the value of crude palm oil is $591.9 per metric ton. At the ENL Consortium terminals are MV Selecta laden with 20,800 metric tons; MV Ocean Master, 30,000 metric tons; MV Kent Giant, 23, 905.35 metric tons; MV Vigorous, 35,000 metric tons; MV Atlantic Pride, 25,000 metric tons and MV Agios Nicholas, 26,000 metric tons.

INFLATION RATE April 2015................................8.7% March 2015.............................8.5% February 2015.........................8.4%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate....................12.57% Prime Lending Rate...........17.93% Maximum Lending Rate...26.83%

ACTIVITY

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Ship traffic increases at the Lagos premier port in June

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Bayo Akomolafe

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Also, MV Champion Spirit has ferried 5,000 metric tons of crude palm oil to the port; MV Sam Pride, 18,450 metric tons; MV Patriotic, 6,000 metric tons and MV Atlantic Ahambra, 5,000 metric tons. Nigeria has imported 2,370,000 metric tons of palm oil valued at N313.97 billion ($1,569, 888,000) in the last five years through the nation’s seaports. Last month, the port took delivery of 23,200 metric tons of the palm oil from two ves-

N9.42bn Total value of rice that arrived Nigeria

sels. MV Champion Spirit discharged 5,000 metric tons and MV Alo Sira offloaded 18,200 tons in the same terminal. Annual consumption of the commodity in the country is 1.5 million metric tons. In 2014, Nigeria produced only 930,000 metric tons of palm oil while it imported 525,000 metric tons to consolidate the local production. In 2013, the country took delivery of 500,000 metric tons; 2012, 470,000 metric tons; 2011, 440,000 metric tons and 2010, 435,000 metric tons were ferried through the port. This month, the port will host 59 vessels laden with fish, wheat, used vehicles, steel wheat, urea and some petroleum products.

Rates Dashboard EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(BDC as at Jun 5)

(Interbank as at Jun 5)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N218 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N330 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N240

l Foreign Reserves – $29.343bn as at 4/06/2015

Source: CBN

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N199 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N308 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N228

Business | News

INVESTMENT The country needs about $10bn investment over the next five years to boost broadband network Kunle Azeez

nternet broadband penetration in Nigeria has further moved from eight per cent to 10 per cent, New Telegraph has learnt. Before now, broadband penetration had moved from six per cent to reach eight per cent last February. “Currently, we have about 10 per cent broadband penetration,” Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, said during an Internet forum in Lagos. Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2013-2018 aims to achieve 30 per cent broadband penetration in the next three years. However, to achieve the target, experts say that the country would need $10 billion investment directed at building the next-generation broadband network in the country. While there is over 10 terabytes of Internet bandwidth capacity in the country brought about by the landing of international undersea cables including Glo 1, MainOne, West Africa Cable System (WACS) and Sat-3 cables, the need to transmit the capacity across the country to deepen broadband rollout has been a challenge. According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), “the term broadband typically describes recent Internet connections that range from five times to 2000 times faster than earlier Internet dial-up technologies. However, the term broadband does not refer to either a certain speed or a specific service.” The global telecoms body says that broadband combines connection capacity (bandwidth) and speed, as ITU also sees broadband as “transmission capacity that is faster than primary rate Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) at 1.5 or 2.0 Megabits per second (Mbits)”. Early this year, a report by the Federal Communications Commission, the telecom regulator in the United States, has changed the 2010 benchmark of 4Mbps downloads and 1mbps for uploads, for a new “broadband benchmark speeds”

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria’s broadband penetration hits 10% of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads. In Nigeria, experts say that what is described as broadband is a far cry from the Internet speed that qualifies as broadband service. “What qualifies for broadband would continue to change as people are able to connect to Internet at faster speeds for simultaneous multiple activities through a single connection,” Juwah said,

stressing that Nigeria was working to ensure that Internet speed increases in the country. He said: “There is a correlation between broadband and economic growth,” adding that the Commission was doing all it can to ensure that it meets the 30 per cent penetration. Already, the country’s $20 billion undersea cable investment is set for diffusion to accelerate ubiquitous broadband deployment in the country.

The National Broadband Council - the body set up by the Federal Government to monitor the implementation of broadband plan approved the new landing points sited. According to government, the siting of the new landing cables in four coastal states was to ensure widespread diffusion of high-capacity Internet bandwidths around the country The creation of the new landing points is to

be financed by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to promote the rapid establishment of recovery and restoration agreements among the cable companies and delivery of additional landing points for national security and resilience purposes. Speaking on the strides already made in the nation’s telecoms sector in the last 14 years, Juwah said: “Nigeria is one of the nations with the fast-

est growth in telecommunications. Our growth in this sector is regarded as a revolution given the speed with which we grew from 2001 from about 400,000 telephone lines to now 145.5 million as at April 2015, and improved teledensity from about 0.4 per cent in 2001 to 103.91 in April 2015. This phenomenal growth is credited to effective and efficient industry regulation.” On the Internet, he said that over 83 million Nigerian subscribers have access to the Internet. “So, the nation is as connected to the Internet as most other parts of the world. The drawback is that we do not have the type of broadband connection to the Internet as have been described above.

L-R: Director, Professional Development, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN), Dr. Charles Ugwu; Registrar/CEO, Mr. Sunday Adeyemi; President/Chairman of Council, Mr. Anthony Arabome; Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof. Charles Ayo and Registrar, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, during the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between CIPMN and Covenant University at Ota, Ogun State. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Rewane sees May inflation rising to 8.8% MORE SURGE Further increase in June inflation forecast Tony Chukwunyem

nalysts at Bismark Rewane-led Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited have predicted a rise in inflation for the month of May, which has been forecast to rise to 8.8 per cent. This indicated a one basis point increase against the 8.7 per cent of the previous month (May). Inflation, which is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time, has been on the upswing since last November last year. It rose from 7.9 per cent in November to eight per cent in December and further to 8..2 per cent in January this year. In February, it leapt to 8.4

per cent; March - 8.5 per cent and April, it moved up to 8.7 per cent. “Headline inflation in Nigeria is likely to increase to 8.8 per cent from April’s 8.7 per cent. This will be the highest rate of inflation recorded in 2015, if this forecast proves to be accurate; it will also be the highest since the impact of the subsidy reduction in 2012,” the analysts stated in the current edition of the firm’s “Economic Bulletin.” The experts said that the marginal rise in inflation is surprising, “given the prolonged fuel scarcity, heightened insurgency activities of Boko Haram and the impact of the planting season.” They also pointed out that although the naira has been cumulatively devalued by 26 per cent since October 2014, prices have only increased by 8.7 per cent. They attributed the development to a general reduction in global commodities imported by Nigeria.

“The fall in commodity prices has helped neutralise the devaluation impact. Another inflation mitigate has been the slowing growth in money supply, which is now annualised 5.3 per cent, way below the annual target of 15 per cent. We believe that consumer resistance to price increases is also playing a phenomenal role in keeping inflation muted. The FBN PMI Index, which shrank from 54 in April to 49.4 in May, is evidence of inventory destocking by manufacturers and merchants. The PMI is a leading indicator of manufacturer’s view of market prices movement,” the analysts stated. Giving details of how they came about their forecast, the analysts explained: “Our Lagos urban inflation index increased to 12.37 per cent in May, 1.18 per cent from 11.19 per cent in April. Typically, there is a lagged positive relationship between the headline and the urban inflation

rates. The y-o-y food and non-food indexes increased to 9.30 per cent and 13.92 per cent in May from 8.4 per cent and 12.64 per cent in the previous month respectively. The prices of pepper, vegetables, sugar, transportation, cooking gas and kerosene were noted to have influenced the increase in the general consumer price level. Most traders noted that there was low demand as well as consumers’ resistance to price increases despite the impact of the fuel scarcity on logistics.” They further predicted that the headline inflation rate is expected to increase further in June due to the lagged impact of the severe fuel scarcity in May, pointing out that transport fares recorded over 200 per cent increase in many parts of the country. “However, the impact of the anticipated increase in the inflation numbers may be muted by a favorable harvest season in Q3’15,” the analysts stated.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

SON, FRSC meet to regulate influx of used tyres p.34 As the country makes efforts to boost cocoa production, many stakeholders are looking beyond production to value addition. DELE ALAO writes

ith the determination of the new a d m i n i s t r at i o n under President Muhammadu Buhari to diversify the economy away from oil sector, analysts are of the opinion that cocoa bean processing may be the right choice. According to them, cocoa processing alone could contribute almost 35 per cent of the nonoil sector contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Today, the country prides herself as a cocoa producing nation, the fourth largest in the world. The cash crop, believed to be a major source of foreign exchange, if proper attention is

Industry

Cocoa processing: Nigeria’s thorny road to survival given to it, is a major raw material for the chocolate industry and other cocoa-based products when processed. Unarguably, since oil was discovered, the attitude of government towards agricultural produce like cocoa has been very disappointing. Industry observers are, however, of the opinion that President Olusegun Obasanjo, during his tenure, helped to boost cocoa production, likewise the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. More disappointing, however, is the collapse of cocoa processing firms. The collapse of Cocoa Industries Limited, Ikeja, Lagos, is a typical example. The cocoa processing factory, said to be the first in Africa, has since turned its facility

into a warehouse for imported goods and motor vehicles. It was gathered that the firm employed about 19,000 people both direct and indirect when it was at its peak. However, there are concerns over the attitude of government towards processing of cocoa into products for export as opposed to mere export of raw beans. Challenges Like other players in the manufacturing sector, many cocoa processing firms in the country have also gone comatose. Checks showed that presently, there are about 17 cocoa processing companies in Nigeria. Of the 17, only nine are functional and out of the nine, only two are owned by foreign-

Cocoa beans. Inset: Cocoa pods

Nigeria, Finland to boost trade ties

oth Nigeria and Finland have entered into a partnership aimed at deepening trade relations between both countries. During a visit to the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), Mr. Tony Ejinkonye, in Abuja, the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Ms Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, said “the embassy is fully ready to collaborate with the chamber, though there are notable Finnish companies in Nigeria doing direct and indirect businesses, even though there is room for improvement.”

According to a statement by the Vice-President, Media, ABUCCIMA, Mr. Jude Igwe, the ambassador added that Finland companies were seeking to do businesses in different areas like health and well-being industries. “I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to the Chamber and the Nigeria government to allow the Finish companies thrive,” she said. On his part, the ABUCCIMA president said that the chamber’s focus during his tenure was to seek trade cooperation between Nigerian businessmen and their

foreign counterparts. While imploring the Embassy and other interested companies in Finland to participate in the forthcoming Abuja International Trade fair, he said that Finland fell within the area where the chamber was yet to establish trade ties. This, he said, would provide a laudable platform for Finnish to showcase their products and also boost the volume of businesses between the two countries. Both parties agreed to work on a synergy that will improve bilateral trade relationship in respective countries.

ers. The functional factories are also said to be operating at below capacity while, ironically, up to 90 per cent of the high-level exporters of raw cocoa from Nigeria are foreigners. According to experts, one of the factors that crippled the cocoa processing sector is the inconsistency of government policies such as the Export Expansion Grant (EEG). The EEG, designed in 2005 to help local manufacturers deal with high production, has not helped as cocoa processors could not have access to the fund. In fact, at a media parley in Lagos on Monday, the Chairman, Cocoa Processors Association of Nigeria (COPAN), Dimeji Owofemi, said that cocoa processors at the moment could not assess N12 billion EEG. Owofemi noted that the essence of the grant, which was also to reduce production, distribution and logistics costs for non-oil exporters so as to enable them compete effectively in the international market, has been eroded by the inability of the processors to access the grant. The Federal Government, it was gathered, has not deemed it fit to redeem the grants to the processors. Owofemi said: “It has not been the best of time for our industry in recent time. The combined products ratio makes it extremely hard to break even generally for all grinders globally, but our case in Nigeria is the worst. The local buying price of cocoa beans in Nigeria is higher than the international terminal price because of speculators most of the time. The quality of the beans available is getting worse and complicated further by the indiscipline of the downstream players. The crop harvest is not increasing contrary to expectation and claim. The government policy favours agricultural raw commodities export.” Way forward Experts, among others, have recommended an immediate outright ban on export of raw cocoa beans with criminal prosecution for any company caught and, if found guilty, forfeit the proceeds of the transaction plus 50 per cent penalty and six months jail term for the principal shareholders, directors and top management of the company. “This may sound draconian, but such stiff penalty helped to build Singapore to its current level of industrial development within 30 years. It is called political gut. This

will engender immediate full capacity utilisation by the existing factories and encourage them to carry out accelerated expansion of their capacities within six months from the current estimated 200,000mt combined installed capacity by taking advantage of the proposed N48 billion Cocoa Processing Intervention Fund,” Owofemi said. He added: “This will also promote establishment of new factories and consequently result in increase in the number of cocoa processing factories, especially by the world leaders awaiting these laudable policy decisions and entrepreneurial Nigerians who may also take advantage of the intervention fund. “The collateral benefit of this is that those who have taken the steps to set up factories will be better motivated to be deeply interested in backward integration involving large scale growing of cocoa including research, seed garden, commercial plantation, pre and post harvesting activities and logistics to support their factories. This approach will complement and definitely be faster than governments’ solo efforts to increase production in the long run, especially given the support from the proposed Cocoa Production Fund. Private sector involvement in this manner is the secret of the envious level of production in Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia, even though they did not ban export of raw beans because of the 100 per cent law enforcement capabilities in those countries,” he added. Also, to move the cocoa processing industry forward, the COPAN chairman said that a greater skill development was necessary in partnership with other international organisations such as World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and Cocoa Producers Alliance (COPAL). Others to partner with, according to Owofemi, include Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Cocoa Exporters Association of Nigeria (CEAN) and National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI). As it were, the availability of a special fund such as the Cocoa Processing Intervention Fund to the tune of about N100 billion, the COPAN boss argued, would help to assist the processors. “Such an intervention fund, if in place, should be given to the existing processing firms and not business people who are planning to come in,” he said.

Business | Industry

Group to govt: Address N150bn unpaid export grants

PARTNERSHIP Agencies to prevent motorists from using tyres for agricultural purposes on commercial vehicles Stories by Dele Alao

he Organised Private Sector Exporters Association (OPSEA) has called on the Federal Government to reconvene the meeting of the Inter-ministerial Export Expansion Grant (EEG) Committee under the Federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to process and clear

the backlog of over N150 billion EEG and Negotiate Duty Credit Certificates (NDCCs) owed to exporters. Checks showed that since 2013, the meetings of the Interministerial committee on EEG and the EEG Implementation Committee have not been convened to process and approve the EEG on exports already made up to last year and foreign proceeds repatriated. National President of the body, Dr. Victor Iyama, who made the call in Lagos, said

LCCI hinges business growth on ICT

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has attributed the phenomenal growth of businesses in the country to the rapid development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry in the last 15 years. President, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, said this at the ICT Expo (ICTEL EXPO), organised by the Trade Promotion Board of LCCI in Lagos. The expo had the theme: ‘Connecting businesses and creating opportunities.’ Bello, who noted that all sectors of the economy relied on ICT for their operations, said: “From the financial sector, where e-banking is now the vogue, the agricultural sector, where the government now sells fertiliser through mobile phones to the consumer, goods sector where online stores are now all over, ICT and telecom-

munications have become the backbone of businesses.” Bello added that the expo was aimed at providing a credible platform to advance the opportunities and linkages in ICT. The LCCI president reiterated the chamber’s optimism towards a great investment opportunity that would come from closer interactions and business integration among ICT players and their customers at the expo, pledging his support towards it. On his part, LCCI Vice President and Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, said that the chamber chose the ICT sector because of its potential to revolutionalise business transformation, growth and improving the standard of living of the people and communities through innovations.

Nigeria, others to benefit from Coca Cola’s $4.5m youth funds

ix African countries include Nigeria, Kenya, Tunisia, South Africa, Uganda and Liberia, will benefit from Coca Cola’s $4.5m youth empowerment initiative tagged: Youth Empowered for Success (YES). The Coca Cola Foundation said this at the recently concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) in South Africa. The new youth empowerment initiative is expected to provide life skills training, business skills training and access to employment and mentoring for 25,000 young Africans. The programme’s implementing partners are Mercy Corps, Microsoft, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator and Kuza Biashara. The programme will address critical development and life skills for 18 – 35 years old unemployed and underemployed young Africans and provide access to sustainable economic opportunities created through employment or entrepreneurship.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

During the first three years, the Coca Cola Foundation aims to provide proof of concept for a scalable and replicable model with the ambition to reach 500,000 youth by 2020, by establishing strong partnerships with private sector, nongovernmental organisation (NGO), government and civil society organisations. On the initiative, Chairman, The Coca Cola Africa Foundation, Nathan Kalumbu, said: “Harnessing the incredible energy and ambition of a young and growing population will be critical to Africa’s future economic advancement. Over 10-12 million young Africans are entering the workforce each year, yet less than half of this has employment opportunities. The YES initiative underscores our commitment to identifying a sustainable long-term solution for youth economic empowerment and creating opportunities that will help overcome this employment gap.”

that the meeting had become necessary not only to clear the backlog of EEG-NDCCs but to also restore investor confidence and Nigeria’s credibility as an international trading partner. In a position paper on Nigeria’s non-oil export sector addressed to the Federal Government, he lamented that “the huge backlog of unutilised NDCCs had paralysed the non-oil export sector and also affecting Nigeria’s image as a reliable trading partner. The liquidity problem faced by exporters is having a negative impact on agricultural and manufacturing sectors.” He said that the sector has potential to generate employment and revenue for the economy. He said that from 2006 -13, the sector employed over 11

million Nigerians in the agroallied value chain directly and indirectly and also boosted agricultural incomes from $1.0 billion (2006) to $3 billion. “Nevertheless, non-oil sector has been facing a crisis since 2010 due to an arbitrary embargo imposed by customs to accept NDCC for duty payment. Notably, NDCCs are redeemed by way of payment of customs and excise duty. In January 2014, Federal Ministry of Finance suspended the acceptance of NDCCs for duty payment by customs, although no official notification was issued to that effect. “In reaction to exporters’ petitions in December 2014, the ministry released an allocation of only five per cent of the backlog of NDCCs whereas the

remaining 95 per cent remain outstanding till date. Based on the extant policy, exporters have continued to export and repatriate foreign exchange proceeds, which has led to a further accumulation of the backlog of EEG,” he added. According to him, incentives are needed to cushion the cost of infrastructure disadvantages faced by Nigerian exporters and to make Nigeria products competitive in the world market. According to World Trade Organisation (WTO), China, which is the world’s largest exporter, gave $55 billion as export tax rebates in 2009. India, which aims to double its exports from $400 to $900 by 2020 gives a package of incentives to its exporters.

L-R): Head, Environmental Compliance, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs. Oluseyi Osunsedo; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede; Director, Network Engineering, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Kola Adeleye and Head,Collocation Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Yinusa Oshiobugie, at the Federal Ministry of Environment 2015 World Environment Day symposium sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria, held in Abuja.

SON, FRSC meet to regulate influx of used tyres Deborah Olayode

he Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have gone into partnership to control the influx of fairly used tyres into the country. SON’s Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, who met with Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, in his office recently, urged the FRSC to step up its operations to address this trend, which has, no doubt, contributed to road traffic crashes in the country. Odumodu, who frowned at the rate at which motorists in the country operated with fairly used tyres, even in the face of road safety challenges associated with the use of such tyres, said that the visit was meant to serve as platform to review the Corps’ partnership with SON on vehicle safety standards in the country. “It is worrisome that motor-

ists patronise these products, which have not only expired in some cases, but also do not conform to minimum safety standards. It is also imperative to note that new tyres are not ruled out from expiration because some tyres may get close to expiring before being purchased and used by motorists who are ignorant of this,” Odumodu said. He urged the FRSC to expand its operational frontiers to tackle the influx of fairly used tyres into the country as part of measures towards further reduction in road traffic crashes. Odumodu also commended the FRSC management for remaining committed to its data collation on road traffic crashes, analysis and knowledge sharing with other relevant agencies, stressing that this initiative provides a definite guide for the Federal Government on national planning and other forms of decision making towards national growth. On his part, Oyeyemi recalled that the Corps had re-

mained focused in its enforcement strides with emphasis on tokumbo tyres and other traffic-related matters, which fall short of recommended safety standards, adding that through special intervention patrols, the FRSC does not compromise on its drive to deliver on set goals. He also suggested stronger collaboration between the FRSC, National Automotive Council and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria in this direction. He also sought for stronger legal framework to address the influx of right-hand steering vehicles into the country. The Corps Marshal commended the SON management for living up to its mandate towards ensuring that items and products used in the country complied with recommended standards. He also recalled the role played by SON on the school bus standards and ongoing advocacy for speed limiters to be installed on vehicles to further reduce speed-related crashes in the country.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

ICT

Tech investors target Nigeria, others p.36 The Nigerian Communications Commission’s assignment of a controversial digital dividend frequency spectrum without due process to two Nigerian billionaire businessman is raising questions on the independence of the country’s telecoms regulator, writes KUNLE AZEEZ

Controversial spectrum sales threaten NCC’s autonomy

n the last three weeks, the country’s telecoms umpire, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has been trying to explain why it gave out Digital Dividend Spectrum to some influential individuals without following the due process, as stipulated by laws. Spectrum is a national resource that is usually given out through a competitive auctioning to prospective bidders under the principle that the highest bidder, having met the pre-qualification requirements, gets the licence. In February 2013, the auctioning of the 2.3 gigahertz spectrum by the regulator, with such a finesse and transparency, received global commendations. In the auction exercise, Bitflux Consortium won the spectrum licence by offering higher bid price ahead of the second highest bidder, Globacom, during the historic auction, which took place in Abuja. This was not the first time the Commission, which has come to be under-studied by other African telecoms regulators, would be doing its job as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. The level of transparency displayed during the Digital Mobile Licensing (DML) of 2001, when the industry got liberalised, was adjudged by industry pundits as unprecedented. Available records also showed that other licences that followed the DML issuance to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) operators were auctioned in compliance with the country’s telecoms laws. Controversial spectrum However, industry watchers were left aghast at the recent controversy surrounding the ‘secret’ assignment of part of the country’s Digital Dividend Frequency Spectrum to two Nigerian businessman on the directive of the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. The billionaire businesses are Mr. Jim Ovia, owner of Visafone Communications Limited and Cyberspace Networks Limited, an Internet Service Provider (ISP); as well as Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr., Chairman of Globacom, country’s second largest telecoms

Ovia

EVC, NCC, Eugene Juwah

firm in terms of subscriber base. While Ovia was issued 900 megahertz spectrum, Adenuga got the 700 megahertz, both technically referred to as digital dividend Spectrum bands. According to findings, on the directive of the former president, sometime in 2014, the NCC was mandated, through the former Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, to assign the digital dividend spectrum to the two businessmen. Though the regulator first resisted the move, insisting on the need for the right thing to be done by giving such spectrum out through an auction, the assignment of the spectrum was later implemented by the NCC after approval by the National Frequency Management Commission, headed by Johnson. Denials The Commission was stuck in finding the right explanations to prove that it was not facing political interferences in the sales of the spectrum in question. While some sources within the NCC confirmed that there was actual assignment of the spectrum since the Commission was acting on the directive of its principal, other sources said that the licences were not assigned, but were only given to the two telecoms companies, Globacom and Cyberspace, on a two-year, non-renewable trial, after which it would be returned to the regulator for proper auction. One of the NCC official sources, who claimed that the Commission gave the spectrum to the billionaire businessmen ‘for trails for two years and not for actual assignment or allocation,” explained that the digital dividend

NCC should be more transparent and steadfast in adhering to the provisions of the telecoms laws

Adenuga

spectrum was not yet available for commercial licensing. “Since the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has failed to meet the analogue-to-digital switchover deadline this July, there is no way the NCC could have gotten any digital dividend spectrum to license,” the source said. Digital dividend spectrum is the spectrum band expected to be freed up after the country must have achieved digital broadcasting switch-over and whose licensing to telecoms players would help in the deployment of broadband services. Though, the NBC had, a few weeks ago, extended the country’s plan to carry out digital broadcasting switch-over for the next 16 months on the account of inadequate funding to implement the exercise, investigations revealed that the approval of the controversial digital spectrum licences to the two companies by former president Jonathan was in anticipation that the NBC’s digital broadcasting switch would be achieved this year. But, according to the NCC source, “until the digital broadcasting switch-over is done, there is nothing such as digital dividend spectrum for Nigeria. The spectrums are there but they have not been fully vacated and there is no way the NCC could have given out such spectrums because they are not yet available for commercial assignment,” the NCC source said. Document reveals 10-year spectrum assignment Meanwhile, contrary to NCC’s claims, New Telegraph’s investigation revealed that the NCC actually assigned the controversial spectrum to Ovia for a period of 10 years as a national licence without recourse to auction.

With invoice number 02245 and appended authorised signature, NCC engaged in the frequency assignment of 2x10Mhz in 900Mhz Band (New) to Cyberspace as a national licence, divided into five Tiers in a quiet deal that cost Ovia close to N3 billion to secure the spectrum. This, he got purportedly for his ISP, but actually meant to be ceded to Visafone on the long run. According to details of the NCC/Ovia transactions, the businessman paid N302.4 million for the use of the spectrum for 10 years in Lagos categorised as the only Tier 1 state in the deal. Ovia also paid the Commission N151.2 million each for the use of the spectrum in other five states, including FCT, categorised as Tier-2 states; and N120.9 each for the use of the spectrum in another five states categorised as Tier-3 states. For Tier-4 states, the Visafone’s founder paid N60.4 million each for other 14 states as well as paying N30.2 million each for the use of the licence in the rest 12 states categorised under the spectrum assignment as Tier-5. Unlike Ovia/NCC transactions, the details of Adenuga/NCC transaction could not be obtained. Meanwhile, a management source at Ovia’s Visafone, who spoke with New Telegraph, denied that Ovia actually took up the spectrum offer in the first instance. “Our chairman (Ovia) did not take the offer of the spectrum at all because what he was actually looking for is a spectrum that can offer IMPS (Improved Mobile Phone Services) and the digital dividend spectrum didn’t have that feature. So, our chairman didn’t take up the offer at all,” the source said. Unconfirmed sources also say that the impending coming of the 900Mhz spectrum to Visafone, which is more suitable for GSM company, may have informed MTN Nigeria’s recent interest to acquire the only surviving Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator in the country. This, it was gathered, also explains why Adenuga might be reluctant to return his own slot of the contentious spectrum because “Globacom, being a GSM operator, could use the 700Mhz he got for LTE trail.” Fear of Buhari New Telegraph has exclusively reported that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would probe the controversial spectrum deal. Consequently, for whatever reasons and in what appears as a calculated move to quickly exonerate himself from the messy C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

Business | ICT

BOOST Investors’ focus on Demo Africa 2015 presents a boost for tech start-ups Stories by Kunle Azeez

group of investors under the auspices of the European Business Angel Network (EBAN) has resolved to support the development of tech startups springing up in Nigeria and other African countries, New Telegraph has learnt. Already, EBAN, a pan-European representative for the early stage investor with over 150 member organisations in 50 countries, has decided to send high-powered delegation to attend and support Demo Africa 2015, which is being hosted by Nigeria for the second consecutive year. Established in 1999 by a group of pioneer angel networks in Europe with the collaboration of the European Commission, EBAN represents a sector estimated to invest 7.5 billion Euros a year and playing a vital role in Europe’s future, notably in the

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tech investors target Nigeria, others funding of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). EBAN fuels Europe’s growth through the creation of wealth and jobs. A foremost Nigerian angel investor and member of Lagos Angel Network, (LAN), Mr. Collins Onuegbu, told New Telegraph that EBAN has been supporting the development of the African angel community. “Our attendance was to deepen the ties and encourage the relationship between the two continental networks,” he said. Onuegbu attended EBAN conference in Eindhoven, Holland alongside president of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), Mr. Tomi Davies. At the Eindhoven programme, LAN requested EBAN to support Demo Africa and many investors from EBAN have committed to attend Demo in September in Nigeria to seek alliances and opportunities for investment in African startups. “We will continue to draw on the experience and support

of EBAN as we build the angel community across Africa to support the start-up community that is growing in the continent,” he said. At the 2015 Demo Africa, 40 of the most innovative tech startups in Africa would be offered a platform to showcase their products and announce to Africa and the world what they have developed. Demo Africa brings together Africa technology eco-system to share ideas and witness in-

novations by technology startups from across Africa. “Demo Africa 2014 was a huge success. We hope to build on this. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the local start-up scene to the rest of Africa and the world. It is a great opportunity to showcase African startups and help to deepen the investment ecosystem that Africa needs to grow. The investment summit that precedes DEMO is a great forum that brings investors from across

the continent. This year, EBAN will attend,” he explained. While reiterating what EBAN would bring to Demo Africa, Onuegbu listed some of the support EBAN would offer to include setting professional standards, training and certification, benchmarking, research and networking with peers, lobbying, raising awareness and capacity building as well as cross-border syndication and co-investment support.

Controversial spectrum sale CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 5

spectrum deal, Ovia is reported by Technology Times, an online ICT-focused news platform, to have quietly returned the digital telecoms frequency spectrum following the controversy trailing the shady deal. “Barring any change, Ovia is to be refunded the spectrum fee (of about N3 billion) earlier paid short of N30 million estimated to be usage surcharge for the period that Cybersapce occupied the frequency band,” the online news medium said, citing a source conversant with the situation. It also reported that Ovia’s request to return the key spectrum for mobile communication services has been granted by the NCC. Breach of telecoms laws According to industry experts, “the NCC’s secret noncompetitive sale of any highly sought-after spectrums in the bands 700/800/900 megahertz spectrums breached clear provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, Nigerian Procurement Act 2007, and the NCC Spectrum Pricing Regulation.” In particular, they argue that the sale has breached Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, Sections 1(e), 4(1)(d), 4(2), 33(3) as well as Public Procurement Act 2007, Sections 55(3), 56(3), 57(5,6) and also the Spectrum Pricing Regulations 2(a) and Section 2(c) and Section 4. “The perpetrators can be held liable and subject to criminal prosecution,” one of the stakeholders said. NCC’s image Meanwhile, industry watchers have said that the recent spectrum controversy is capa-

ble of sending wrong signals to foreign investors, who have been looking up to the NCC as an independent regulator. Globally, regulators are created in order to protect players in the market by protecting consumers of service, investors/ operators and delivering government policy. They are deliberately designed to be independent so that there is no political interference in their functions. In Nigeria, Section 25(2) of the NCC Act 2003 expressly prohibits a minister and, by extension, president from interfering in NCC functions and requires the minister and president to ensure that NCC functions are independent of any political interference. It would be recalled that in Mobitel vs. Minister of Communications in March 2010 case, where the operator approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to interpret law as to whether the minister/president has power to determine how 2.3 gigahertz should be awarded, the court ruled that the power to assign communications spectrum lies exclusively with the Commission and not minister or the president as per Section 121 of the NCC Act. “With regards to the sales of this spectrum, NCC should be more transparent and steadfast in adhering to the provisions of the telecoms laws in order not to undermine the success already recorded in the sector in the last 14 years of telecoms deregulations. “The Commission can do this by being bold enough to invoke necessary legal provisions, where its power, as an independent umpire, is being trampled upon by the government of the day,” an industry expert advised.

L-R: Executive Director,Operations, DigitalSENSE Africa, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke; Country Manager, OLX Nigeria, Ms Lola Masha; Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), House of Representatives, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau and Group Executive Editor, ITRealms, Mr. Remmy Nweke, during a two-day Internet forum in Lagos.

New solution tracks ISP’s service delivery

he Internet eXchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) has entered into a strategic partnership with Google Nigeria to deploy a solution that helps businesses and individual Internet users to diagnose the quality of data services being provided to them by their Internet Service Providers (ISP). The launch of the solution, the Measurement Lab (M-Lab) Network Diagnostic Tool in Nigeria, which held at two locations: Freedom Park, and IXPN offices on Broad Street, Lagos Island, recently, followed weeks of preparations.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, disclosed that the company began a process of obtaining and hosting the M-Lab Network in 2014 in recognition of the critical role of independent Quality of Service (QoS) measurements towards achieving policy and regulatory needs. While noting that the hosting of the Measurement Lab Network in Nigeria and the launching of the service has been made possible with the support of Google, an M-Lab consortium partner, and Glo 1, Rudman reiterated that the M-Lab Network

is a Diagnostic Tool, which employs a combination of variables to analyse the performance of ISPs. The IXPN CEO, who expressed his delight at the fact of the full installation of M-LABs in Nigeria, and with the support of Google, also explained what would be the next steps of the service. “We are unfolding plans to build the necessary capacity and sensitise key stakeholders on M-Labs, which has been set rolling by the one-day training and media launch on M-Lab today, Thursday, June 4, 2015 for stakeholders in the industry,” he said.

SWIFT plans 1,000 new base stations

ollowing the successful completion of the acquisition of Chromecom, another telecoms firm in the country, Swift Networks Limited, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), has disclosed plans to build 1,000 additional 4G /Long Term Evolution (LTE) base stations. The company in a statement, said that the new investment in base stations would be made in Lagos State, Abuja and Port Harcourt, to expand its network. As a sequel to our last communication to you in

October 2014, we are pleased to update you on the following actions we have taken to significantly improve your experience on our network. Chief Operating Officer, SWIFT Networks Limited, Mr. Chukwuma Okoye, said: “We have completed the acquisition of 15MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band from Chromecomm Limited, a subsidiary of Monarch Communications Limited. “This, in addition to our 20MHz of 3.5GHz spectrum, will be utilised to decongest our existing 4G LTE net-

work all across Lagos State from October, 2015,” he said. Okoye said that already, Swift Networks has ordered the equipment for the migration of over 100,000 WiMAX customers to its expanded 4G LTE network to be undertaken from October, 2015. “We hereby reconfirm that we would swap out all the current 4G WiMAX modems to the faster and more efficient 4G LTE modems free of charge. Further communication on the procedure for this migration will be sent to all our relevant customers in due course.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSday, JUNE 11, 2015

Photo | News

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina (eighth left), with members of State House Correspondents, after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

L-R: Managing Director, International Facilities Services Group, Dr. Tunde Ayeye; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Senior Vice-President, Florida Hospital, retired Lt.-Gen. Mark Hertling and Director, International Facilities Services Group, Mr. Dele Ogunbayo, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Osogbo.

L-R: Comptroller of Immigration, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Wunti Sule; Assistant ComptrollerGeneral, Zone G, Mr. Emmanuel Guuga and Zonal Comptroller, Benin City, Mr. Nbesis Jacob, at an interactive session by Nigeria Immigration Service, Bayelsa Command in Yenagoa.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (right), with the Managing Director, Masta Services Limited, Mr. Ugo Ohuabunwa, during an inspection tour of Ndioji-Ndiokereke-Abam-Arochukwu Road.

L-R: Head of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Prof. Victor Adetimirin; representative of the University of Abomey, Benin Republic, Prof. Pascal Houngnandan; representative of the University of Cheith Anta Diop of Dakar, Prof. Djibril Sane and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari, during the visit of delegates of International Master of Tropical Biotechnologies to the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Prof. Anthony Emeribe; former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Heath, Prof. Simon Ogamdi and Chairman, Dr. Nathaniel Shidalli, at the World Accreditation Day in Abuja.

Sitting from left: Acting General-Secretary, West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), Mr. Auwal Musa; Director, ECOWAS Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esther Otukoya; guest speaker, Mrs. Maryam Uwais and other participants, at a policy dialogue on Early Child Marriage and Protecting the Rights of a Child in Nigeria held in Abuja. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Brand Director, African Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Foundation, Wunika Mukan; Corporate Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem and Director, African Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Foundation, Azubike Nwagbogu, during a press conference to announce the competition in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

Mom&Parenting

Strap that baby to your back In this part of the world, it is one of the cultural identities that cut across almost all tribes that strapping a child to the mother’s back at a tender age(0-1year) is important. It therefore looks strange and awkward to see a Nigerian mother especially a young mother of nowadays imbibing the western culture of strapping her child to her bosom, Oluwatosin Omoniyi writes.

sther Olaseni, a 23-yearold, wanted to show off probably, when she carried her first child to her parent’s place in a remote village of Oyo State. The first day she entered the town, everyone, mostly the youth gathered around her, some looked at her with awe, others with total disgust. By the fifth day of her visit, the villagers had probably understood the meaning of seeing the young mother strapping her baby to her bosom instead of the traditional way of strapping to the back; they couldn’t come to terms≠ with it. They laid siege for her on her usual way round the village with her baby strapped to her bosom, they stoned her and the baby with stones and all sort of things. According to an eye witness account, she said the villagers gave an excuse that they couldn’t come to terms with her modern way of handling her child! “They said her method of strapping her child was the animalistic way, monkeys particularly. To escape being lynched as the youth were already gathered; they demanded that she strap the child in the traditional way acceptable onto them. Someone from the crowd brought forward a wrapper for her and she did just as she was instructed. Olaseni, however did not stay long in the village as planned. Also, an embarrassing scene took place somewhere in Yaba, area of Lagos, recently. A beautiful young mother with a baby girl firmly strapped to her bosom, was at the bus stop waiting for

Mom&Parenting

Oluwatosin Omoniyi City Editor

a bus going to Fadeyi, a sub area of Lagos. While waiting for the bus, she was playing with baby who was looking and smiling into her eyes, the bus arrived and she raised her leg to board the bus, the baby’s head slightly touched the hedge of the bus. With that, an elderly woman who was standing behind her raised her voice strongly against the driver of the bus for his impatience. She A true African mother and child PHOTO: www.timothy-kline.com Moby wrap baby carrier Photo: www.toysrus.com thereafter, dragged the young mother back from entering the bus, ordered her to strap the child sistants, the child gave up three properly to her back. Of course, hours after. “Till the moment, my the young lady was reluctant and friend is still at the Abeokuta Psytried to answer the elderly womchiatric, home, Aro, Ogun State. an politely, “okay ma, next time I She has not been able to come out will do that, thank you ma.” The of coma,” Hussein said. old women insisted and untied The above scenarios are not just her wrapper’s headgear, offered enough reasons to support the cusit to the young lady to strap the tomary baby carriage, nor are they child traditionally. She hurled enough reasons to abolish the modabusive words at the young lady ern way of baby carriage, especialcreating a scene, admonished ly in the advanced world of today where technology and innovation her loudly on the importance of have become the order of the day. strapping a child to its mother’s Woman and baby back, “don’t you know that the The fact probably, is for mothers to photo: www.terrynichols.blogspot.com back provides a special warmth choose methods best suitable and comfortable to them. and sense of security to the a quiet, calm alertness in the child?” she said. According to Esther AdesunJemima Hussein is still living loye, a grandmother of four kids infant. It decreases the levels of in the trauma of a terrible event stress hormones circulating in a and a retired nurse, there is actubaby’s blood stream, resulting in ally nothing wrong with the modthat happened in her presence a more relaxed, happy baby. about two years ago. She narrated ern method of carrying a baby and It’s just that that her course mate strapped her there is nothing spectacular with Most important she said is strapping child to her bosom and was headthe customary method either. “It that it enhances motor skills by ing home one hot afternoon. On is just that it is more African with stimulating the baby’s vestibular babies to getting to her bus stop, just as she strapping of babies to mothers’ (balance organs) by exposmothers’ backs backs,” she said. However, Ade- system was alighting from the bus, the ing the baby to a variety of sights, driver too was impatient, all of a is more African sunloye said that it allows busy sounds and motion. sudden, the handle of the carrier mothers the freedom to continue Ernest Ugiagbe, a socioloshe used in strapping her baby their normal daily routine while gist at the University of Benin, to her bosom went loose and the providing a comfortable richest UNIBEN, said that baby carbaby landed with its back head to and most desirable environment riage either to the mother’s back or bosom, promotes an intimate the ground! According to her, felfor their babies. connection between mother and low passengers, driver, passersGbemisola Omoniyi, a psyby asked her what and how it chologist with Federal Neurochild. He said it is also a most imhappened? She couldn’t answer. psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, portant factor that aids a healthy She was too transfixed to utter said, depending on the method of physical, intellectual and social a word. Everybody around the baby carriage, there is really no development of infants. The social conditioning has led parents scene of the incident ran away. difference, “it’s just that strapThe baby was rushed to the peping babies to mothers’ backs is to believe that if a baby is held diatric section of Igbobi general more African and acceptable in or carried too frequently they hospital, not far from her house this part of Africa,” she said. will be spoilt, clingy or demandin Fadeyi. Unfortunately, it was She highlighted some benefits ing. “Research has shown that about the time that there was of baby strapping to the back the physical and psychological resident doctors strike in the or front, as increasing cardiac benefits associated with baby output, improves circulation, state, only the paramedics were strapping encourage children to promotes respiration and aids feel secure and content and build available. Possibly, following the in digestion. It energizes their shoddy handling or typical lackaa solid sense of self-esteem,” he nervous system and creating daisical attitude of medical assaid.

40 Mom&Parenting

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Keep abreast of your child, be social media smart

with

Grace Essen

grace.essen@gmail.com

Oluwatosin Omoniyi

he United Nations Information Centre, UNIC, Lagos, in collaboration with Tehila Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation, TWYEF, joined the rest of the world recently in Lagos to mark the Global Day of Parents. They marked the day with a theme, “challenges of parenting digital savvy children.” At the Panel discussion, Nigerian parents were urged to keep abreast of their children and be social media smart. Speaking on ‘Contemporary Parenting and the Social Media’, Dr. Ifeoma Amobi of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, warned that interaction of young people on social media platforms should no longer be dismissed as a ‘waste of time’, but must be acknowledged by parents as a part of contemporary communication. ‘The new way of life, brought on by the spread and development of communication technology, demands different ways of parenting due to the altered fabrics of parent-child relationships,’ Dr. Amobi contended, ‘Parents should be their children’s best friends and should do so by becoming “social media smart”. She added that in order to fulfill parents’ duty of protecting their children, online activity should be treated with the same diligence as offline activity. In her remarks, the Executive Director of TWYEF, Mrs. Stephany Nwanma, reemphasised the importance of education and restoration of values through parenting and urged parents to rise up to the challenges of contemporary parenting. Speaking on “Critical Issues and Challenges with Parenting in Nigeria”, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Chief Medical Director and Director of Total Health Trust, observed that peer pressure from an early age, the excessive use of technology and gadgets, being subjected to bullying, a sense of entitlement, drugs and substance abuse, sexual experimentation as well as sibling rivalry were the challenges children and parents face at this time in the global development. ‘The parenting skills needed to tackle these challenges are not taught in schools or homes rather parents need to devise a more practical approach to navigate the challenges,’ he added. Princess Abiola Dosunmu addressed the issue of gender equality and women’s empowerment stating that fathers and mothers should be equally responsible for parenting,

MOM’S ALERT

Are stay-at-home mums bad for children?

T Director, UNIC Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja addresses the audience

L-R: Dr Ifeoma Amobi (University of Lagos), Mr Ronald Kayanja (UNIC Lagos), Princess Abiola Dosunmu (Erelu of Lagos), Mrs Stephany Nwanma (Executive Director, TWYEF), Oluseyi Soremekun (UNIC Lagos) and Mrs Chinyere

A cross-section of the participants

as “women have always been working side by side to create a happy home for children”. In her ‘Testimony of a Parent’, Mrs Chinyere Anokwuru, the former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos state on women ethnic groups, recounted how her parents upheld integrity and values in the face of hardship and poverty to raise her. She added that the values handed down to her by her parents had brought her to where she was at the moment. In his welcome address, the Director of UNIC Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja, highlighted the importance of parents to the development of the child, the community and the nation. He observed that the success of the United Nations’ mission to promote international peace and security, ensuring a world free from war and conflict, was dependent on the direction parents provided for their children and the society.

Quoting from the preamble of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Kayanja observed that “Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed”. He added that parents played an integral role in peace building through teaching values of tolerance, respect for one another, hard work and integrity among others. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2012, the Global Day of Parents was observed 1st of June annually to honour parents around the world. It acknowledges that parents of every race, religion, culture and nationality in all parts of the world are the primary caregivers and teachers of their children, preparing them for a happy, fulfilling and productive life.

here is a debate going on as a fall out of a recent New York Times article purported to document “Mounting Evidence of Advantages for Children of Working Mothers.” And here, I wish to share a write up by Donna Carol Voss in reaction to the publication in balze. com which I find quite insightful and inspiring. I took a closer look at the study whose statistics the New York Times purports to summarize. Daughters of working mothers completed more years of education, were more likely to be employed themselves and working in supervisory capacities, and made more money than daughters of stay-at-home mothers. Sons of working mothers showed no appreciable difference in their careers but did spend more time in housework and childcare each week, a support to their wives who were also more likely to work. Apparently a boy wants a girl like dear old mom, and if mom worked, he is more likely to marry a wife who works. A study author, who just happens to be a female professor at the Harvard School of Business, gushed that “kids will be so much better off if women spend some time at work.” Advantage is in the eye of the beholder, and in said professor’s eye, advantage equals education, employment, and income. She’s not incorrect if the goal is to maximize our gains in the material world, and certainly wealth and power are nice to have. Without doubt, families with stay-at-home moms sacrifice financial resources they would otherwise have. For the sake of argument, forget the costs of day care, transportation, and even dry cleaning that can dramatically reduce the impact of those additional resources. If the goal is women who are more likely to graduate college, be the boss, and earn high incomes, working moms are apparently the way to go. We “seek ye first the kingdom of God” types have a different primary goal in mind and therefore seek different advantages, often by sacrificing wealth and power. We tend to focus on the here-and-now as the path to somewhere better, that what really matters is only what we take with us when we die. It isn’t wealth and power. Family relationships matter more than anything else. Headstones say, “Here lies a beloved wife and mother,” not “Here lies a mother with a Ph.D.” Nothing wrong with education, nothing wrong with moms who have an MD, Ph.D, or JD, but it doesn’t appear to be enough. Young women who concentrate on education and career often find

themselves in early middle age, unmarried, with a powerful yearning to have children. Unappealingly retro but inescapably true is the fact that a woman’s best time to find a father for her children is in college. At no other time in her life will she be surrounded by as much intelligent, responsible, ambitious husband material. At that age, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel to find a good man. The older women get, the fewer good men are available. It’s no coincidence that for only one group is the rate of out-of-wedlock births increasing: women 35 and older. A gerontologist in California captures the essence of the problem: “I was 40 and dating and dating and dating and just not having any luck.” She found a sperm donor and now has a 4-month-old daughter, who she describes as “absolutely the best thing I ever did.” Mila Kunis, that Hollywood font of wisdom, said what many women feel, even if they are reluctant to advertise themselves as failed feminists. At a red carpet event soon after the birth of her daughter, Ms. Kunis was asked what had been the most surprising part of motherhood so far. “How little any of this matters,” she said, pointing to the glamour, the paparazzi, and the hoopla all around her. “Not to say that this is meaningless. But like truly how little this matters and how much I’d rather be home right now.” The truth is that no matter how powerful and economically successful they become, women are biologically and emotionally designed to want children. Even Hillary Clinton has a daughter. Women can have it all. They just can’t have it all at once. Women cannot excel in their careers by spending lots of time at work and simultaneously be there whenever their children need love and reassurance from the woman who gave them life. Quality child care is wonderful, but ask anyone whose mother has passed on: No one loves you like your mother. No one is as invested in the development of a child’s intellect, character, and kindness than a mother. If the goal is women who are more likely to satisfy their deepest desires by putting family relationships first, the advantages of stay-at-home mothers trump all others. Each woman makes her own bargain with the balance, and there are clearly benefits to modeling education and career for daughters. But to call them advantages as in preferable to the time and devotion stay-at-home mothers give family relationships is misleading. On her deathbed, no woman ever says, “I wish I’d spent more time at the office.”

Business | Money Line 41

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

CBN recertifies 28 more BDCs

GROWING

Number of firms increased for the eighth time

has again recertified 28 additional Bureaux De Change (BDCs). An updated list of BDCs that have complied with the new capital requirements posted on the apex bank’s website yesterday showed that another 28 BDCs had been recertified, bringing the total number of such

Tony Chukwunyem

or the eighth time since it hiked the minimum capital requirements for the subsector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

firms in the country as at June 10, 2015, to 2,688. Citing the need to weed out unserious operators in the sub-sector and check sharp practices, the banking watchdog had in June last year, increased the minimum capital requirements of BDCs from N10 million to N35 million.

A total of 3, 208 BDCs were officially registered with the regulator at the time of the hike in the capital requirements. However, on August 15 2014, the CBN announced that a total of 2, 442 BDCs met the new capital requirement at the expiration of its deadline of July 31, 2014.

Jaiz Bank earmarks N146m ‘forbidden’ income for charity

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

n line with the sharia law establishing it as a non- interest bank prohibited from making income from forbidden products (haram), the sum of N146 million realised by Jaiz Bank plc from non-sharia compliant income in 2014 operations, has been pushed to a dedicated charity fund foundation. The lender’s Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab, disclosed this to the shareholders yesterday. The bank, which started banking transaction three years ago, has broken even, recording a total income of N2.9 billion in 2014 operations as against N 0.91 billion previously recorded in 2013, indicating income increase of 220 per cent. Its total asset increased

by 24 per cent from N33.9 billion in 2013 to N42 billion in 2014, while earning asset s increased from N11.5 billion in 2013 to N24.5 billion. However, the bank said it would begin dividend payment to its shareholders from next year. Addressing the shareholders in Abuja at the bank’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), Mutallab explained the rationale for separating the’ haram income’ separately, citing nonexistence of sukuk products (non-availability of sharia liquidity market instrument s) where such income would have been invested. The Advisory Committee of Islamic Experts of

the bank approved the lender’s action according to Mutallab. Consequently, he said that the sum of N502 million had been paid to Jaiz Bank foundation as part of cleansing exercise of the preoperation non-allowable income in line with the directive of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN). He said the N897million under adjustment was training fund contribution remitted to Industrial Training Fund (ITF). Mutallab told shareholders that the bank had concluded plans to extend its branch network to all in 36 states before the end of 2015, adding that the board was awaiting the CBN National license approval.

“We have applied for national license from CBN and any moment from now, we are expected to get CBN’s nod. We have re-capitalised the bank to a level we are confident CBN will grant us national license and we will expand our operations to 36 states including Lagos, which is a very strategic to our operations “, he said. Earlier in his remarks, frontline shareholder, Dr. Farouk Umar commended the board and management of the bank for breaking even after just three years in operations. He advised the board to consider the option of re-capitalising the bank to enable it play as a national bank. .

Economic Indicators As at M2*

N19,142,526.05m

Mar, 2015

CPS*

N18,579,219.49m

Mar, 2015

INF

8.7

May, 2015

MPR

4/6/2015

US$61.81

10/6/2015

US$29,181,276,463

9/6/2015

Bonny Light Ext Res**

TTM 1.18 1.88 4.05 6.63 8.76 15.12 19.10

Price 99.06 101.88 106.07 110.65 101.93 68.00 87.82

NIBOR

Tenor (Days) Call 30 90 180

Rate (%) 19.0833 15.7738 17.0239 17.9681

Discount 11.23 11.45 12.65

Bid Yield 11.55 12.11 14.44

Change (%) -0.26▼ -0.27▼ -0.18▼

FGN Bonds Bid Yield 13.89 13.90 13.98 13.87 13.80 15.55 13.99

Change (%) 0.11▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.03 ▲ 0.04 ▲ -0.02 ▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.06 ▲

Change (%) 5.38 ▲ 0.54 ▲ 0.73 ▲ 0.40 ▲

Price 99.21 102.03 106.37 110.95 102.23 68.30 88.12

Bid Offer Spot ($/N) 198.68 198.78 THE FIXINGS –NIBOR,NITTY and NIFEX of February 6,2014

Offer Yield 13.75 13.81 13.88 13.80 13.74 15.48 13.94

NITTY

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 10.4916 11.5456 11.7935 12.3278 13.9247 14.0305

Change (%) 0.11▲ 0.05 ▲ 0.03 ▲ 0.04 ▲ -0.02▼ 0.00 ↔ 0.06 ▲ Change (%) 0.01 ▲ 0.13 ▲ 0.25 ▲ -0.67▼ 0.27▲ 0.29▲

Money Market

Discount 10.98 11.20 12.40

FG to raise N70bn in local currency bonds next week

he Federal Government plans to raise N70 billion ($353 million) worth of Treasury bonds with maturities ranging between five-year and 20-year at an auction next week, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said yesterday.

Treasury Bills Maturity Date 10-Sep-15 03-Dec-15 05-May-16

compliance of the policy slated for July 15, 2014, we anticipate further widening between the ‘street rate’ and interbank rate. We maintain our earlier position that the CBN’s Cashless Policy should be extended to the naira/dollar FX market, to check leakages of foreign exchange to unauthorised dealers and reduce the level of artificial demand for foreign exchange. Consequently, the counter reaction of the CBN will no doubt chart the course of the future performance of the naira.” He also stated that the new requirement, which increases the entry barrier, will weed out BDCs with low volume of transactions and reduce market infractions, which would further strengthen the market by allowing only viable highly capitalised BDCs to legally operate.

The DMO said it will issue a five-year bond to raise N40 billion, a 10-year paper to raise N15 billion and 20-year debt note to raise N25 billion on June 17, using the Dutch Auction System. The papers are re-openings of previous issues.

Emerging economies’ private sectorled investments hit $107.5bn

Source:CBN

Description 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 16.00 29-JUN-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

It added 51 more BDCs to the list on September 5, 2014 and on November 14 and 28 2014, it again increased the number by recertifying another 15 and 11 BDCs respectively. Again, on January 9, 2015, the apex bank announced that 21 more firms had been added to the list, thus raising the total of BDCs that had met the new capital requirement as at that date to 2, 523. The list was further updated on February 6 and 28 when the CBN recertified another 28 and 14 more BDCs respectively. Prior to the latest addition to the list, the CBN had on May 9, recertified 74 BDCs, thus bringing the total number of such firms to 2, 660. Commenting on the hike in capital requirements for the BDCs, Afrinvest analyst, Ayodeji Ebo, had said, “In view of the deadline for the

Offer Yield 11.29 11.83 14.11

Change (%) 0.65▲

Change (%) Rate (%) -0.26▼ Open-Buy-Back (OBB) 16.42 -0.27▼ Overnight (O/N) 17.17 -0.17▼

NIFEX

Bid Spot ($/N) 198.9000

Offer 199.0000

Change (%) 2.75▲ 3.17▲

Change (%) -0.01▼ Source: FMDQ

otal infrastructure investments in 139 emerging economies - for projects with private participation in the energy, transport and water sectors - rose to US$107.5 billion in 2014, driven largely by increasing activity in Brazil, according to an update released yesterday to the World Bank Group’s “Private Participation in Infrastructure” database. The data, covering the period from 1990 to 2014, reviews more than 6,000 projects across 139 low- and middle-income economies, provides a rich source of statistics on private infrastructure investment in emerging markets. “Our update reveals that the top five countries with the highest investment commitments in 2014 are Brazil, Turkey, Peru, Colombia and India,” said Clive Harris, Practice Manager, Public-Private Partnerships, World Bank Group. “These five countries together attracted US$78

billion, representing 73 percent of the investment commitments in the developing world in 2014.” The increase in the global investment commitments total is mainly due to increasing activity in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, which captured US$69.1 billion - much of which is attributable to investment commitments in Brazil, Colombia and Peru, which together accounted for 55 percent of the global total. Brazil’s large stake is a continuation of a recent trend: Brazil captured 24 percent of global investment in 2013 and 42 percent in 2012. In 2014, Peru saw the completion of 11 deals totaling US$8.1 billion. Eight of the 11 deals were in energy, while the largest project - the Lima Metro Line 2, at US$5.3 billion - was in the transport sector. The metro line will stretch 35 kilometers and eventually connect Lima with Callao, including the international airport.

Business | Financial Market News

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

10-Jun-15

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description ^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 15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^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)

16-Aug-13 27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 193.73 600.00 573.14 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 299.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,746.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,413.31

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

1.18 1.88 2.13 2.23 2.97 4.05 4.37 4.68 6.63 8.76 13.47 13.95 14.45 15.12 19.10

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

13.89 13.90 13.94 13.94 13.97 13.98 13.99 13.97 13.87 13.80 16.97 17.48 18.06 15.55 13.99

13.75 13.81 13.85 13.86 13.90 13.88 13.88 13.88 13.80 13.74 16.91 17.40 17.96 15.48 13.94

99.06 101.88 92.65 91.44 92.26 106.07 77.70 105.20 110.65 101.93 89.65 74.20 51.40 68.00 87.82

99.21 102.03 92.80 91.59 92.41 106.37 78.00 105.50 110.95 102.23 89.95 74.50 51.70 68.30 88.12

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.94 1.50 1.86 2.07

2.27 1.00 2.67 2.85

16.01 14.93 16.60 16.79

101.10 101.38 102.12 98.38

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

300.79

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.22

4.44

16.29

99.07

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.31

3.23

15.06

99.33

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.58

4.46

16.93

98.45

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.58

3.48

15.96

99.73

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.86

1.00

14.93

92.21

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.12

1.00

14.95

98.81

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.56

1.79

15.74

96.42

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.94

1.80

15.73

97.23

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.95

1.00

14.93

98.44

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

12.40

09-Dec-18

2.14

1.00

14.94

99.24

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

1.93

4.78

18.71

93.01

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.12

1.00

14.94

100.89

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 25.70

02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19

2.56 4.45 2.52

2.02 1.00 1.00

15.97 14.98 14.95

98.99 98.45 99.60

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.78

10-Oct-20

3.07

1.82

15.79

97.62

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.47

1.00

14.92

94.80

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.56

1.00

14.91

100.29

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.22

1.44

15.42

97.84

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.25

1.00

14.98

100.02

99.41

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

451.56 437.78

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.19

1.00

13.05

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

9.38

09-Dec-15

0.50

1.00

13.19

99.44

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.33

2.63

14.50

99.87

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.31

1.00

14.94

97.72

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.38

1.34

15.28

98.72

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.31

1.00

14.94

96.27

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.56

30-Nov-17

1.54

1.88

15.81

103.59

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.58

3.84

17.77

97.67

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.75

1.00

14.93

104.33 101.46

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.75

1.00

14.93

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

30-Sep-18

3.31

3.00

16.98

92.63

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.86

2.29

16.22

99.21

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

1.94

6.11

20.04

96.98

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.56

2.16

16.11

99.70

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.43

2.76

16.68

94.98

BBB/GCR

FCMB

14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021

20-Nov-14

14.25

26.00

20-Nov-21

6.45

1.80

15.66

94.39

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.56

1.57

15.42

104.12

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

16.29

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.31

1.00

15.03

106.15

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.31

1.00

15.03

91.19

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

178.07

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

172.58

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.67

1.00

14.96

89.79

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

14.96

84.50

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.72

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.03

5.83

103.38

104.36

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.91

4.57

100.61

101.58

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.21

6.06

101.03

102.01

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

1,525.10

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.36

4.44

101.00

102.75

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.99

100.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.33

9.40

91.52

93.70

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.50

7.09

95.57

96.75

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.38

96.25

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.10

9.61

95.69

97.21

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

07-Aug-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

07-Aug-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

9.29 10.33 9.57

9.29 10.20 9.57

95.25 95.64 92.19

95.25 96.18 92.19

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.33

9.89

92.25

94.13

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,499.97

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 15 22 29 36 43 50 57 64

FIXINGS Maturity 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15

Bid Discount (%) 11.24 10.64 12.20 10.65 11.15 11.46 11.15 11.29

Offer Discount (%) 10.99 10.39 11.95 10.40 10.90 11.21 10.90 11.04

Bid Yield (%) 11.29 10.71 12.31 10.77 11.30 11.64 11.35 11.51

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 19.0833 15.7738 17.0239 17.9681

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

16.42

O/N Tenor Call 1M

17.17

REPO

Rate (%) 19.25 19.50

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

198.68 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

198.78 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.94 1.50 1.86 2.07

2.27 1.00 2.67 2.85

16.01 14.93 16.60 16.79

101.10 101.38 102.12 98.38

Agency Bonds 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

FMBN ***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

297.82

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

300.79

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 Sub-National Bonds

A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.22

4.44

16.29

99.07

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.31

3.23

15.06

99.33

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.58

4.46

16.93

98.45

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.58

3.48

15.96

99.73

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

FUNDING

SEC tasks FG, states on bonds 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.86

1.00

14.93

92.21

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.12

1.00

14.95

98.81

31-Dec-17

2.56

1.79

15.74

96.42

30-Sep-18

1.94

1.80

15.73

97.23

Gwarzo urges state*BAYELSA 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 30-Dec-10 14.00 25.00 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 EDO governments to *DELTA 30-Sep-11 14.00 30.81 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 04-Oct-11 14.00 9.00 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR NIGER was represented by Head, Gwarzo said that the use the capital market as capital *EKITI 09-Dec-11 14.50 12.40 ‡embrace /Agusto; A-/GCR† 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 Kano Zonal office of SEC, Commission was attending a channel to raise funds. 12-Dec-13 14.00 10.20 Bb-/Agusto *NIGER 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 market 14-Feb-12 15.50 27.00 ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 the fair in order to manifest Malam Adamu Sambo, States have a lot of poten‡ /Agusto ‡ /Agusto

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

02-Oct-12 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 urged the state govern- one of its broad functions, 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 ment to take advantage en12-Dec-12 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 which is to carry out 10-Oct-13 BBB-/Agusto *OSUN 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020lightenment on the activiof the numerous benefits Abdulwahab Isa 27-Nov-13 Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 inherent in 15.00 theKOGI capital ties in the market. 31-Dec-13 Abuja A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 31-DEC-2020 31-Dec-13 market to bring about “We are here to enlight‡ /Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 igeria’s capital the desired development en the Katsina state06-Jan-14 govTOTAL OUTSTANDING market is VALUE liquid to Nigerians. ernment and its people on TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION enough to provide Gwarzo noted that the need for them to take Corporatelong-term Bonds funds such advantages could be activities in the market 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 *UPDC toBBB+/Agusto handle the infrastructure accessed through equi- as a means for develop12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS challenges confronting the ties, bonds or mortgage ment. We have a new gov14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016ernment in place and nation, Securities and bond securities. we A+/Agusto;the A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH Exchange Commission He said the14.25 capital mar- hope that they will access 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA raise (SEC) has said. ket has the 18.00 capacity to the capital market to30-Nov-12 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING The commission’s Diprovide long-term funds floating funds to meet their MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA MPR+7.00 9-SEP-2018 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER needed to solve rector General, Mounir theTOWER infradevelopment needs. 09-Sep-11 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER Gwarzo, disclosed this “The President has alstructural challenges in 14.00 UBA II 30-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; A/GCR 30-Sep-11 UBA atBBB+/Agusto; the SECBBB+/GCR Day at the*LA onthe country and act as a ready said he is keen on 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 18-Oct-13 CASERA CHELLARAMS IIdevelopment 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 BBB-/DataPro†; *CHELLARAMS going 18th BB/GCR Katsina State springboardMPR+5.00 that would of the coun16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Nil *DANA fast-track development Trade Fair yesterday. try and we therefore,01-Apr-14 urge 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 NAHCO The SEC boss, who of their states. to 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021the state governments 20-Nov-14 BBB/GCR FCMB BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

15.50 15.09 tials and we believe80.00 that 14.50 they can 14.75 use the capital 25.70 14.75as one of10.78 market the 13.50 87.50 means15.00 of achieving 5.00 their 14.50 potentials” he said. 4.55 15.00 Gwazo noted that4.56 both the federal and 451.56 state 437.78 governments in the last dispensation tasted the 10.00 2.50 potential of the market, 12.00 9.38 as over14.00 N500 billion0.42 was raised13.00 from the nation’s 15.00 5.53 by bourse14.25 through bonds 13.00 20.00 various states for infra18.00 0.56 structure development 16.00 5.40 18.00 2.54 between 1999 and 2013. 16.00 0.70 He expressed dismay 14.00 35.00 at the 15.75 attitude of some 2.10 18.00 0.36 state governments, who 16.00 4.50 claim they do not want to 15.25 2.05 borrow14.25 funds for develop26.00

#{r}

A/GCR

UBA

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

A/GCR Chris Ugwu

STANBIC IBTC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

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

30-Sep-14

16.29

0.10

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

B-/S&P

10.20

10-Jul-14

11.25

14-Aug-14

14.95

99.60

1.82

15.79

97.62

27-Nov-20

5.47

1.00

14.92

94.80

31-Dec-20

5.56

1.00

14.91

100.29

31-Dec-20

3.22

1.44

15.42

97.84

06-Jan-21

3.25

1.00

14.98

100.02

172.58 12.00 12.95

24.95 21.72

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.33

9.89

3,650.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1.00

3.07

to product development “We are looking at 17-Aug-15 13.05 99.41 he acting0.19Manag- 1.00our payment system aes09-Dec-15 0.50 1.00 13.19 99.44 ing Director, Vono thetically to make 06-Jan-16 0.33 2.63 14.50 99.87 our Products Plc, Mr. 1.00products 29-Sep-16 1.31 14.94affordable 97.72 by 25-Oct-16 Anjorin, 1.38 15.28 Olatunji has said 1.34different segment98.72 of the 30-Sep-17 2.31 1.00 14.94 96.27 that the company’s plan to society ,” he said. 30-Nov-17 1.54 1.88 15.81 103.59 integrate with Vitafoam Addressing the com09-Apr-18 1.58 3.84 17.77 97.67 09-Sep-18 1.75 1.00pany’s shareholders, 14.93 104.33 the will enhance sharehold1.75 1.00 14.93 101.46 chairman, Mr. Mohamers09-Sep-18 value. 30-Sep-18 3.31 3.00 16.98 92.63 He noted that1.86 the com- 2.29med Yinusa, 18-Oct-18 16.22 expressed 99.21 joy 17-Feb-19 1.94 20.04 the inclement 96.98 pany has embarked on a 6.11that despite 01-Apr-19 2.56 16.11 99.70 number of initiatives to 2.16operating environment, 14-Nov-20 5.43 2.76 16.68 94.98 the company achieved reposition it as a leading 20-Nov-21 6.45 1.80 15.66 94.39 brand in the Nigeria’s 30-Dec-21 6.56 1.57operating 15.42 revenue 104.12 of 30-Sep-24 9.31 1.00N889.7million, 15.03 a 106.15 modest manufacturing sector. 30-Sep-24 15.03 91.19 Speaking with9.31 the jour- 1.00growth of more than 5 per nalists yesterday after cent over the previous year. the company’s Annual “Operating profit imGeneral Meeting (AGM), proved significantly by 11-Feb-18 2.67 14.96 89.79 to N26.4 milAnjorin explained that 1.005 per cent 01-Feb-21 4.75 1.00 14.96 84.50 the company was not just lion in 2014, as against a manufacturer of foams N17.4million posted in as it has series of other 2013. products growth inOffer turnover Maturity Datein its Bidportfolio. Yield (%) Offer Yield (%)TheBid Price Price He said the company particularly reflected the & Yields efforts of the would roll out many in- Prices marketing 28-Jan-21 products 6.03that ap- 5.83growing 103.38 104.36 novative customers’ satispeal to different segment faction with our products. 12-Jul-18 4.91 4.57 100.61 101.58 of the society including “The business continues 12-Jul-23 6.21 6.06 101.03 102.01 rechildren and youth. to gain momentum, Anjorin noted that cording another modas a major brand, Vono est improvement on out Products would continue profit before tax” , he said. to live up to expectation of On the proposed inte6.36 4.44 102.75 its 19-May-16 diverse stakeholders. gration101.00 of Vono Products 25-Jul-17 6.99 6.99 100.50 100.50 “We are sensitive and 9.40with Vitafoam Nigeria 02-May-18 10.33 91.52 93.70 Plc, Anjorin explained innovative. We are taking 08-Nov-18 7.50 7.09 95.57 96.75 22-Apr-19 7.38 social 7.38that professionals 96.25 96.25 had advantage of the 21-May-19 10.10 95.69 media space to ensure 9.61commenced work 97.21 and the 9.29 9.29 95.25 95.25 full07-Aug-20 inclusion of the young outcome would be made 24-Jun-21 10.33 10.20 95.64 96.18 ones in our new approach 23-Jul-21 9.57 9.57public later. 92.19 92.19

178.07

8.75

2.52

10-Oct-20

Chris Ugwu

“We hope to achieve this with the undiminished support of all Outstanding Value our stakeholders and unIssue Date Coupon the (%) ($mm) wavering commitment of our people. With all this in place, 07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 we expect to create sustainable value 12-Jul-13 for you our sharehold5.13 500.00 ers,” he said. 12-Jul-13 6.38 Nguer noted that in further- 500.00 ance of the company’s mission 1,500.00 to the market accessible solar so- 1,525.10 lutions, in 2014 it introduced several solar lamps variations into 19-May-11 the Nigerian market 7.50 including 500.00 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 one that charges mobile phones. 300.00 09-May-13 6.88 He explained that 2014 was a 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 22-Apr-14 the company 6.25 year, which expe- 500.00 21-May-14 8.75 rienced several challenges and 200.00 07-Aug-13 8.25 difficulties that affected her per- 300.00 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 formance and operating results. 23-Jul-14 8.00 450.00

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

11-Feb-13

12-Dec-19

‘Business integration’ll enhance shareholders value’

30.50

Total shareholders get N3.7bn dividend

hareholders of Total Nigeat their 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC 37th Annual General Meet11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB ing (AGM) approved a dividend TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ofTOTAL N3.734 billion for the 2014 fi- ings and is implementing strateMARKET CAPITALISATION nancial year representing N11.00 gies to ensure that it remains a per share. brand of referenceDescription and leading Rating/Agency Issuer The company had earlier dis- energy solutions provider. FGN Eurobonds He said: “We plan to increase tributed the sum of N679 million 28, 2021 powB+/S&P asBB-/Fitch; interim dividends, represent- the number of 6.75 ourJANsolar ing N2.00 per share for the year ered stations this year by eight BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P ended December 31, 2014. They additional stations and will be BB-/Fitch; JUL 12,of 2023solar also got approval from the share- introducing our6.38 offer BB-/S&P holders at the AGM to pay addihome system. The solar home TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE tional billion, amounting to system is a solar power driven TOTALN3.1 MARKET CAPITALISATION N9.00 per share to be distributed energy solution for homes. Eurobonds asCorporate final dividend for the year 2014 “In the course of the year, 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I subject to the deduction of ap- we will be seeking to align our 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC propriate withholding taxes. business and structures with 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC Addressing shareholders the dictates of the 6.00environment NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC at 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC the AGM, Chairman, Total Nigein which we operate. One of our 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P ria, Mr. Momar Nguer,DIAMOND noted BANK thatPLC major objectives8.75 inMay 2015 is to en8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC the company is constantly seek- sure zero fatality because of our 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II ing new ways to expand its offeroperations. 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD Supranational ria Plc Bond yesterday

04-Oct-18 1.95 98.44 ment in order not to leave 1.00 said it is14.93 better to borrow 09-Dec-18 2.14 1.00 14.94 99.24 the12-Dec-18 states with huge debts, to meet infrastructural 1.93 4.78 18.71 93.01 14-Feb-19such attitude 2.12 14.94to be contented 100.89 saying is 1.00needs than 02-Oct-19 2.56 15.97 98.99 counter productive. He 2.02 with just paying salaries. 22-Nov-19 4.45 1.00 14.98 98.45

92.25

94.13

10-Jun-15

3,499.97

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills^ FIXINGS Money Market (Spot & Forwards) professional,DTM financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information isOffer accurate; however, theBid Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE”Tenor basis and mayRate not be accurateForeign or up toExchange date. We do not guarantee Maturity Bid Discount (%) Discount (%) Yield (%) (%) NIBOR the accuracy,15timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for11.24 a particular purpose of10.99 any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. 25-Jun-15 11.29 22 29 36 FGN Bonds 43 50 57 Rating/Agency 64 78 85 92 106 113 127 141 155 176 190 NA 211 218 225 232 239 246 253 260 267 281 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 288

VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 302

2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 Issuer 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 24-Sep-15 1-Oct-15 15-Oct-15 29-Oct-15 12-Nov-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 NA 7-Jan-16 14-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 28-Jan-16 4-Feb-16 11-Feb-16 18-Feb-16 25-Feb-16 3-Mar-16 17-Mar-16 24-Mar-16

10.64 12.20 10.65 11.15 11.46 11.15 Description 11.29 10.89 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 11.32 11.23 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 11.70 9.85 27-JUL-2017 12.72 9.35 31-AUG-2017 13.40 10.70 30-MAY-2018 13.23 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.13 7.00 23-OCT-2019 11.45 11.47 15.54 13-FEB-2020 11.43 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.17 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.05 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.25 12.49 22-MAY-2029 12.71 13.19 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.09 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.03 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 12.97 12.50 12.79

10.39 11.95 10.40 10.90 11.21 10.90 Issue Date 11.04 10.64 16-Aug-13 11.07 10.98 27-Apr-12 11.45 27-Jul-07 12.47 31-Aug-07 13.15 30-May-08 12.98 29-Jun-12 12.88 23-Oct-09 11.20 11.22 13-Feb-15 11.18 27-Jan-12 12.92 14-Mar-14 12.80 28-Nov-08 13.00 22-May-09 12.46 12.94 20-Nov-09 12.84 23-Jul-10 12.78 18-Jul-14 12.72 12.25 12.54

10.71 12.31 10.77 11.30 11.64 11.35 Coupon (%) 11.51 11.15 13.05 11.63 11.55 15.10 12.11 9.85 13.24 9.35 14.06 10.70 13.94 16.00 13.91 7.00 12.11 12.20 15.54 12.24 16.39 14.29 14.20 14.19 15.00 14.46 12.49 13.86 14.47 8.50 14.39 10.00 14.36 12.1493 14.32 13.83 14.22

Bonds

7-Apr-16

12.92

12.67

14.47

316

21-Apr-16

12.90

12.65

14.52

330

5-May-16

12.89

358 Rating/Agency

2-Jun-16 Issuer

12.65

Description

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 19.0833 15.7738 17.0239 17.9681

Outstanding Value (N'bn) 581.39

16-Aug-16

Rate (%) 27-Apr-17 10.4916 27-Jul-17 11.5456 31-Aug-17 11.7935 30-May-18 12.3278 29-Jun-19 13.9247 23-Oct-19 14.0305

193.73 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 NIFEX 573.14 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 22-May-29 BID($/N) 150.00 198.9000 OFFER ($/N) 199.0000 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 299.50 18-Jul-34

16.42

O/N

17.17

REPO

Maturity Date

NITTY

Tenor 476.80 1M 20.00 2M 100.00 3M 300.00 6M 351.30 9M 233.90 12M

OBB

Tenor Call TTM (Yrs) 1M 3M 1.18 6M

Bid19.50 Yield (%)

Rate (%) 19.25 19.75

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D 1M Offer 2MYield 3M (%) 6M 13.75 1Y

13.89 20.00 1.88 13.90 13.81 2.13 13.94 13.85 NOTE: 2.23 13.94 13.86 :Benchmarks 2.97 13.97 13.90 * :Amortising Bond 4.05 Bond 13.98 13.88 µ :Convertible AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.37 Management Corporation 13.99 13.88 FGN: Federal Nigeria 4.68Government of 13.97 13.88 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 6.63 Mortgage Bank 13.87 13.80 IFC: International Finance Corporation 8.76 13.80 13.74 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 13.47 Aviation Handling 16.97 Company 16.91 NAHCO: Nigerian 13.95 17.48 17.40 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development 14.45 18.06 Company 17.96 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 15.12 15.55 15.48 19.10 13.99 13.94

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

198.68 198.78 201.81 201.93 Price 202.28 202.13 202.87 203.37 204.24 205.31 Bid Price Offer Price 205.60 207.21 206.28 213.47 99.06 99.21 220.29 226.27

101.88 102.03 92.65 92.80 91.44 91.59 NA :Not Applicable 92.26 92.41 ^ : Market Prices 106.07 # : Floating Rate Bond 106.37 77.70 coupon bonds 78.00 ***: Deferred 105.20 105.50 ‡ : Bond rating under review 110.65 110.95 †: Bond rating expired 101.93 102.23 N/A :Not Available 89.65 {r} :Issuer in receivership89.95 74.20 74.50 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 51.40 51.70 UBA: United Bank for Africa 68.00 68.30 87.82 88.12

4,746.32 4,413.31

12.64

14.59

12.40

14.44 Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Modelled Price

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

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.94 1.50 1.86 2.07

2.27 1.00 2.67 2.85

16.01 14.93 16.60 16.79

101.10 101.38 102.12 98.38

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

Agency Bonds Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 FMBN #

***LCRM

0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Modified Duration Buckets

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

<3 3<5 >5 Market

Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

12.50 KADUNA 1,434.31 31-AUG-2015 1,248.07 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 665.27 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 3,347.65 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

1,409.48 1,173.14 891.07 3,473.69

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX 297.82

Weighting by Outstanding Vol

40.58 31-Aug-10 33.77 30-Sep-10

25.65 30-Jun-11 100.00 30-Jun-09

Weighting by Mkt Value

12.50 42.85 13.00 37.28 14.00 19.87

15.50100.00

300.79

Bucket Weighting

8.50 0.41 2.16 0.34 4.86 0.26 5.73 1.00

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

Implied Yield

18.24 31-Aug-15 39.54 30-Sep-15

13.93 0.22 13.83 0.31

42.22 30-Jun-16 100.00 30-Jun-16

14.90 0.58 14.30 0.58

Implied Portfolio Price

105.9567 4.44 111.1998 3.23

78.9238 4.46 100.7930 3.48

INDEX

YTD Return (%)

1,187.13 16.29 1,109.56 15.06

7.1566 99.07 9.5787 99.33

1,109.28 16.93 1,138.95 15.96

10.1552 98.45 7.9388 99.73

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.86

1.00

14.93

92.21

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.12

1.00

14.95

98.81

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.56

1.79

15.74

96.42

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.94

1.80

15.73

97.23

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.95

1.00

14.93

98.44

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

12.40

09-Dec-18

2.14

1.00

14.94

99.24

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

1.93

4.78

18.71

93.01

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.12

1.00

14.94

100.89

Business | Capital Market

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004

Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015

Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at June 10, 2015 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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 113.00

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 950 950

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

Value Traded 1,131,997.86 1,131,997.86

950

1,131,997.86

950

1,131,997.86

IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004

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

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 1 37 11 49

Current Price 0.50 30.65 34.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 421,724 35,688 459,412

Value Traded 1,000.00 12,889,647.52 1,174,622.85 14,065,270.37

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 2.37

Quantity Traded 691,320 691,320

Value Traded 1,630,409.10 1,630,409.10

1,150,732

15,695,679.47

Daily Summary (Equities)

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

66 Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 153 65 220

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015

Real Estate15:30:04.004 Development Printed 10/06/2015

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment TrustsEQTY (REITs) Totals Activity Summary on Board

220

Quantity Traded 4,000 21,284,548 682,258 Page 21,970,806

Value Traded 5,670.00 63,440,685.12 28,409,495.18 14 1 of 91,855,850.30

21,970,806

91,855,850.30

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 1.01

Quantity Traded 430,747 430,747

Value Traded 435,054.47 435,054.47

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 52.50

Quantity Traded 41,500 41,500

Value Traded 2,123,930.74 2,123,930.74

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 70,832 70,832

Value Traded 736,966.53 736,966.53

No. of Deals (Equities) 1 1 2

Current Price 100.00 10.00

Quantity Traded 20,000 10 20,010

Value Traded 2,000,000.00 100.00 2,000,100.00

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Current Price 1.54 2.92 41.70

Symbol COSTAIN

Symbol Daily Summary SKYESHELT UPDCREIT

Page 563,089

No. of Deals 8 27 8 1 86 130

Current Price 6.59 160.00 20.01 1.66 147.90

Quantity Traded 28,250 27,469 23,133 973,536 2,230,239 3,282,627

Value Traded 186,773.50 4,455,486.20 442,706.33 1,616,069.76 328,651,402.48 335,352,438.27

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 179.50

Quantity Traded 38,221 38,221

Value Traded 6,996,350.86 6,996,350.86

No. of Deals 29 29 81 24 27 2 (Equities) 192

Current Price 4.20 6.60 35.00 3.90 7.75 18.05

Quantity Traded 158,107 1,323,800 1,109,123 313,946 227,566 748 3,133,290

Value Traded 661,472.17 8,768,427.05 38,768,947.47 1,209,895.42 1,702,775.86 12,828.20 51,124,346.17

Symbol CADBURY

No. of Deals 28

Current Price 39.90

Quantity Traded 34,097

Value Traded 1,314,205.12

Symbol NESTLE

No. of Deals 45 73

Current Price 856.00

Quantity Traded 126,487 160,584

Value Traded 108,238,298.83 109,552,503.95

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

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 57 3 60

Current Price 5.25 1.67

Quantity Traded 3,928,580 544 3,929,124

Value Traded 20,029,595.90 871.96 20,030,467.86

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 51 43 94

Current Price 32.19 45.50

Quantity Traded 8,310,008 151,215 8,461,223

Value Traded 265,661,689.27 6,846,404.22 272,508,093.49

19,005,069

795,564,200.60

Quantity Traded 8,423,665 5,867,506 529,902 2,519,742 28,146,764 7,007,903 578,624 144,802,897

Value Traded 50,827,893.47 25,037,301.72 11,450,027.17 4,416,397.40 751,446,930.92 17,379,869.89 1,163,091.11 750,445,305.99

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified Activity Summary on Board EQTY CADBURY NIGERIA PLC.

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM

Daily Summary

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Printed 10/06/2015 SKYE15:30:04.004 BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. ActivityUNITED Summary onFOR Board EQTY BANK AFRICA PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY UNITY BANK PLC

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004 Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC

574 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 136 DIAMONDBNK 40 ETI 53 FIDELITYBK 72 GUARANTY 478 Daily Summary (Equities) SKYEBANK 95 STERLNBANK 42 UBA 190

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 6.05 4.21 21.70 1.77 26.50 2.50 2.00 5.22

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

HEALTHCARE Totals

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 4,000 4,000

Value Traded 2,000.00 2,000.00

Symbol TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.69

Quantity Traded 1,080 1,080

Value Traded 1,738.80 1,738.80

5,080

3,738.80

Current Price 10.10 2.60

Page Quantity Traded 133,700 401,100

Symbol WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 25 422 1,609

Current Price 1.00 19.20

Quantity Traded 2,060,738 20,269,725 220,742,266

Value Traded 2,061,641.00 393,055,066.61 2,009,637,754.58

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST INTENEGINS LINKASSURE MANSARD NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE STACO WAPIC

No. of Deals 8 9 14 2 3 5 29 1 2 1 30 104

Current Price 0.95 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.91 0.83 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.54

Quantity Traded 251,805 383,500 103,100,850 1,000 112,000 109,000 2,187,482 500,000 600 250 1,114,737 107,761,224

Value Traded 239,214.75 383,351.50 51,550,425.00 500.00 56,000.00 316,832.00 1,804,533.38 250,000.00 300.00 125.00 589,154.26 55,190,435.89

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 1.14

Symbol No. of Deals ASOSAVINGS 1 Daily Summary (Equities) RESORTSAL 1

Current Price 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 405,400 405,400 Page Quantity Traded 24,000 500,000 Page

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER FIRSTALUM IPWA WAPCO

No. of Deals 11 10 20 14 46 3 2 8 85 199

Current Price 21.50 11.36 41.00 10.32 177.98 0.83 0.50 0.50 99.10

Quantity Traded 58,259 231,492 145,586 30,065 925,336 7,117 9,167 54,554,296 4,986,654 60,947,972

Value Traded 1,225,504.95 2,500,113.60 5,811,492.66 298,692.58 164,569,899.54 5,662.15 4,583.50 27,277,148.00 510,746,569.59 712,439,666.57

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 1.75

Quantity Traded 146,547 146,547

Value Traded 253,105.50 253,105.50 8 of 14 Value Traded 1,686.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol CUTIX

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol AVONCROWN

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 1.52

Page Quantity Traded 1,124

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 13 14

Current Price 39.90

Quantity Traded 149,241 150,365

Value Traded 5,957,920.10 5,959,606.10

61,244,884

718,652,378.17

223 Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 5.11

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 4,860.00 4,860.00

Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Metals Totals

Symbol ALEX

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.43

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 991.00 991.00

Mining Services

Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 129,833,229 129,833,229

Value Traded 64,916,614.50 64,916,614.50

129,834,329

64,922,465.50

MULTIVERSE PLC Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 Mining Services Totals Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004 NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OILStock & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Published by The Nigerian Exchange © Activity Summary onand Board EQTYTotals Energy Equipment Services

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 70,037 Page 70,037

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 168 168

Current Price 16.95

Quantity Traded 3,756,893 Page 3,756,893

Value Traded 64,015,094.63 14 10 of 64,015,094.63

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

No. of Deals 2 19 7 49 25 22 124

Current Price 0.50 40.00 2.61 173.23 150.00 155.09

Quantity Traded 37,500 54,355 91,166 98,764 19,015 8,787 309,587

Value Traded 18,750.00 2,118,097.50 241,915.72 16,638,339.80 2,797,137.11 1,371,570.25 23,185,810.38

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

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 339.00

Quantity Traded 338,910 338,910

Value Traded 114,815,188.10 114,815,188.10

4,475,427

202,051,111.61

OIL AND GAS Totals Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 Printed SERVICES 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004

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

310 Current Price 0.73

Quantity Traded 104,016 104,016

Value Traded 75,407.13 75,407.13

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 3

Current Price 5.10

Quantity Traded 11,480

Value Traded 59,650.40

Symbol TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 1 4

Current Price 1.22

Page Quantity Traded 5,500 16,980

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 0.68

Quantity Traded 1,325,411 1,325,411

Value Traded 903,759.16 903,759.16

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 3.61

Quantity Traded 153,800 153,800

Value Traded 554,414.00 554,414.00

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015Totals Media/Entertainment Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004 Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

No. of Deals 6 2 Daily Summary (Equities) 8

Current Price 1.15 6.05

Quantity Traded 28,724 11,000 39,724

Value Traded 32,882.60 63,250.00 96,132.60 Value Traded 179,850.94

Courier/Freight/Delivery

SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Courier/Freight/Delivery TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC

Symbol RTBRISCOE

Value Traded 35,018.50 of 14 35,018.50

No. of Deals 9 9

RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

11 of 14 Value Traded 6,380.00 66,030.40

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 15

Current Price 0.56

Quantity Traded 312,913

Symbol

No. of Deals 15

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 312,913

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

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 15 17 32

Current Price 2.23 5.52

Quantity Traded 117,500 156,589 274,089

Value Traded 250,580.00 864,441.60 1,115,021.60

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

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 3.60

Quantity Traded 28,995 28,995

Value Traded 99,169.40 99,169.40

108

2,258,028

3,090,835.23

3,857

590,653,417

4,125,586,928.77

Quantity Traded 137,500 137,500

Value Traded 206,250.00 206,250.00

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Road Transportation Road Transportation Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol JAPAULOIL

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

Value Traded 449,238.72 449,238.72 14 5 of Value Traded 12,000.00 250,000.00 6

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

14 4 of Value Traded 1,326,986.12 1,027,243.18

No. of Deals 30 26

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004

Daily Summary (Equities)

12 of 14 Value Traded 179,850.94

Activity Summary on Board ASeM

Symbol

No. of Deals 2

Current Price

Quantity Traded 524,000

Value Traded 262,000.00

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 32 14 277 55 2 60 83 523

Current Price 2.85 4.00 8.90 3.06 0.50 27.00 1.48

Quantity Traded 658,951 318,088 5,468,146 4,125,607 238,443 2,810,866 5,215,229 18,835,330

Value Traded 1,886,512.79 1,262,710.50 48,742,567.73 12,301,206.29 119,221.50 75,961,739.11 7,631,429.39 147,905,387.31

348,268,220

2,213,444,816.50

Quantity Traded 1,536,800 219,753 78,150 43,050 1,877,753

Value Traded 4,988,564.00 9,842,814.85 125,040.00 53,382.00 15,009,800.85

1,877,753

15,009,800.85

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Symbol UBN UNITYBNK

Published by The Summary Nigerian Stock © Activity on Exchange Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Page

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN as MEYER PLC. Daily Summary of 10/06/2015 FIRST15:30:04.004 ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC Printed 10/06/2015 IPWA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 Printed 10/06/2015 15:30:04.004 Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Totals Electronic and Electrical Products

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

2 5,296,051.74 of 14

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB

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

No. of Deals 1 1

ICT Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Daily Summary as of 10/06/2015 Crop Production Totals

Symbol COURTVILLE

2,248 Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 15 26 5 6 52 52

Current Price 3.40 44.99 1.60 1.22

Page

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 6 6

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Current Price 1.50

137,500

206,250.00

ASeM Board Totals

137,500

206,250.00

Equity Activity Totals

3,863

590,790,917

Page

4,125,793,178.77

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 3 1 1 5

Current Price 10.76 2,251.00 15.38

Quantity Traded 31 5 100 136

Value Traded 334.70 11,255.00 1,538.00 13,127.70

ETF Board Totals

136

13,127.70

ETP Activity Totals

136

13,127.70

Page

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

Features Dana plane crash: Anguish of victims’ families lingers, three years after

The grief of the relatives of those who died in the June 3, 2012 Dana plane crash is compounded by the inability of the airline and its insurer to compensate the families three years after, writes WOLE SHADARE

File picture of the evacuation of the plane debris after the crash

Family members of the victims at the site of the crash on June 3, 2015

s their disbelief turns to anger and their anger turns to grief, the families of the passengers of Dana Flight 992 will likely return to the law to explore their right to economic compensation for their horrific loss. Three years after losing their loved ones, the pain is still very deep while the scare is still very visible as they lament the neglect by Dana Airlines. Many of them converge on the

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

site of the crash of the ill-fated Dana flight 992 on Wednesday at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State where a cenotaph was built by the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola. The cenotaph was in remembrance of 158 passengers who lost their lives in what is regarded as one of the biggest air disasters in Nigeria. Okusanya Street, which was impacted the most, and adjoining streets such as Popoola and Olaniyi, have been rehabilitated by the state government. Those who lost loved ones and property to the June 3, 2012 crash have spent the last three years agonising. Again, on Wednesday last week they remembered the sad memories of how their loved ones died in the crash. But such memories were the more bitter this year as the compensation due to many of them have been denied them. Dana Airlines’ spokesman, Sam Ogbogoro, said in a statement that compensation matters were being handled by their insurance com-

The cenotaph

Kolawole

pany. Ogbogoro added that all the families that had completed the documentation process had been fully paid. He said: “A fraction of others are yet to receive final settlements as some have claims under litigation before a Federal High Court in Lagos as well as in Florida and Illinois, United States of America. “We are, however, not able to give individual details as we respect the privacy of the affected families and our prayer is for God to console and heal their wounds.” The expansive site of the crash looked unkempt and over grown with weeds. There were signs that the weeds were cut that Wednesday morning to allow families of the deceased to pray for their loved ones amid tears. One of the family members, who spoke with our correspondent under condition of anonymity, carpeted the airline for not living up to its responsibility to compensate victims of the crash. He said: “We were in court in the United States because the insurer refused to pay the statutory $100,000.

They only gave most of us 30 per cent which is $30,000, six months after the crash. The Dana lawyer just spoke with me now, telling us that they are working on paying us the balance.” Mrs Titi Shobowale, who lost her husband, Mr Femi Shobowale, in the accident, decried the attitude of the airline for neglecting them. According to her, the airline and insurance company still owe over 70 per cent of the deceased families 70 per cent of the entire sum. Mr Babasola Kolawole, who lost his wife and daughter in the crash, disclosed that the officials of the carrier were calling and wanted to alleviate their grief but stopped a few weeks after the incident. He said: “I got 30 per cent like many other people. We have got no support from Dana Airlines. The support is basically from friends and other family members. It has been tough for us emotionally and psychologically since the accident happened here three years ago.” The Montreal Convention replaced a system of laws and agreements that had grown out of a 1929 international agreement called the Warsaw Convention, drafted to promote the fledgling business of international air travel by limiting airline liability. The Warsaw Convention originally capped damages for injury or death at just $8,300 per passenger, although later private agreements among the major air carriers stipulated much higher awards. Under the Montreal Convention, which took effect in 2003, airlines in the signatory countries are subject to a two-tiered system of liability. The first tier imposes strict liability for damages up to $175,000. At the second tier, airlines are liable for proven damages beyond the $175,000 unless they can show the crash was not caused by its own negligence or that it was caused by the negligence of a third party.

46 News

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

236 die over unpaid pension, gratuities in Osun Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

sun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners yesterday said that over 236 of its members have died in the last seven months due to the inability of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration to pay their pensions and gratuities in the state. The State Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mr Adesoji Adedire, stated this while speaking to newsmen in Osogbo, during a

peaceful protest carried out by the union members to appeal to the government to pay their accumulated entitlements. Armed with placards with different inscriptions like:” Aregbesola is killing us in hundreds”,, “We can’t suffer anymore, Stop deceiving us, “The God that fights the battle of the fatherless and widows will fight for us against Aregbesola” among others, vowed not to relent until their demands are met. Addressing newsmen on the development, the state Secretary of the Union elder Adedire,

noted that government’s posture on the development only smacks of empty promises and insensitivity to the plight of the pensioners, which has led to the untimely death of many of them He however, called on well meaning Nigerians, stakeholders in the state as well as the Federal Government to intervene in the interest of suffering pensioners. Meanwhile,a human rights group, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), has told governor Aregbesola, to stop blaming anybody for his govern-

ment inability to pay the state workers and retirees in the last eight months. In the statement issued and signed by the Executive Chairman of the group, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, which was made available to Journalists in Osogbo, it noted that the present financial predicament of the state was as a result of Aregbesola’s government mis-appropriation of all the allocations that accrued to the state in recent times. While regretting the untold hardship and pains being experienced

L-R: Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo, during Adeyemo’s visit to the governor after the inauguration of the 8th Assembly in Ibadan …yesterday

Lawyer petitions IGP over SARS’ alleged abuse Babatope Okeowo Akure

human rights lawyer, Mr. Yemi Adetoyinbo, yesterday accused officers and men of the Ondo State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), of dabbling into civil and other matters that are exclusives of the courts or other departments of the Nigeria Police Force. Consequently, the lawyer asked the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to call the policemen attached to SARS to desist from acts capable of denting the image of the police force. Adetoyinbo accused the policemen attached to the SARS of posing in manners that placed them above the law by indiscriminately arresting people over land disputes, union matters as well as turning themselves into debt recovery agency. In his petition to the Inspector General of

Police and copied to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke, the human rights lawyer said policemen attached to the SARS, unlawfully arrested and detained officials of Timber Trade Organization (TTO) over leadership dispute within the union. According to him, matters that are meant for police station on the dispute among officials of TTO, was being elevated by the SARS police unit, saying, this had led to untold hardship of members of the public.

presently by the affected workers and retirees, the group reiterated its advice to Aregbesola to appeal to the immediate past members of his cabinet to dispose all ill-

Lagos raises the alarm over threat of rising water level Muritala Ayinla

agos State Government yesterday raised the alarm over the increasing rise in the water level in the water space within the state, advising residents living in the flood prone areas to immediately relocate to avert flood related disaster. The government attributed the imminent disaster to upsurge in the water level due to the intensity of rainfall, saying flood prone communities might be badly affected, if urgent actions were not taken to avert possible disasters. Government listed areas that may be submerged with flood to include: Ajegunle, Owode-Onirin axis, OwodeElelede, kuramo beach, Alpha beach, Okun-mapo, Okun Ajah, Mende-Maryland, Ijora-Badia, Iwaya and other coastal areas in the state. Speaking at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja,Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services, Engr.Ayodeji Adenekan, who made the disclosure, said the continued heavy downpour recorded in the state since March has led to

Ado-Ekiti

he Peoples Democratic Party, Ekiti State chapter has challenged a former Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Chief Dele Falegan, to name the election contractors he claimed were responsible for the poor financial situation of the

increase in the water level of the lagoons and rivers, resulting in back-flow into adjoining low line areas. This development, Adenekan explained had also led to the inability of the various channels and drains to discharge, resulting into heavy flood in some communities. While allaying fear of the resident, the Permanent Secretary explained that Lagos as a coastal state is susceptible to flash flood anytime it rained with high intensity and residents of low line areas were especially prone to the back flow effect. He stressed that this advice must be re-echoed before the rain begins proper so that the people could always be on the alert. He also emphasised that primary and secondary channels in the state were being maintained and dredged to contain flood related challenges that may occur in the state. He however, assured that the State Government would continue to intensify its mid rain cleaning and maintenance programme and promised not to relent until the zero tolerance target to flooding is attained in the state.

feared dead Adeyemo emerges Oyo speaker, as Ajimobi One as youths, BEDC seeks collaboration officials clash in Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

on. Michael Adeyemo, representing Ibarapa East constituency of the state was yesterday elected as the Speaker of the 8th Oyo State House of Assembly inaugurated by Governor Abiola Ajimobi . The election which held at the hallowed Chamber of the House at the Parliament Building, Agodi, Ibadan was supervised by the Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House,

Deacon Gbola Akinyanju, with Governor Ajimobi, party leaders, party supporters, traditional rulers and top civil and public officers in attendance. Adeyemi succeeded Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, who is now a Senator, representing the Oyo Central senatorial district. Other elected officers include, Hon. Musa Abdulwasiu (a lawyer) from Saki West who was elected as the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kehinde Subair of Ibadan South West 1, emerging as the Majority Leader and Hon. Oya-

tokun Oyeleke Adeyemo from Afijio State Constituency elected as the Deputy Majority Leader. In his remarks, the governor, reminded the lawmakers that the act of governance was a collective responsibility and the vision of making Oyo State great demanded unrelenting effort of both the legislators and the executive. He stressed the need for the executive and the legislature to collaborate without any limitations to take Oyo State to higher heights.

PDP wants Ekiti ‘political contractors’ exposed Adesina Wahab

gotten wealth with the state resources to pay workers’ outstanding salaries, urging the governor to heed the various advice being given by the opposition in the state

tate. In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, in AdoEkiti yesterday, the party said that Falegan, should come out with evidence of the allegations he raised in his statement to the press. The party was reacting to a write up in some national newspapers by Falegan in which he raised some allegations against the

PDP-led state government. “We first thought the octogenarian was quoted out of context but waiting for some days without denial of the statement indicated that the former banker has really thrown caution to the wind; this kind of statement could have been taken as a mistake. “The economic situation in Nigeria, fall in allocations to the states from the Federal

Government and the unreasonable huge debts left behind by the APC led government of Dr Kayode Fayemi are open facts militating against the early payment of salaries in the state as far as we are concerned so we don’t know where Chief Falegan got his own information because the poor allocations and it attending problems is not peculiar to Ekiti State alone.

Osun

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he peace of Ifetedo, the headquarters of Ife South Local Government area of Osun State, was temporarily shattered yesterday as angry youths of the town clashed with some officials of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, leaving one feared dead and several others injured. New Telegraph gathered that problem started at the early hours of the day, when angry youths of the town confronted the BEDC officials who allegedly wanted to disconnect their electricity from the poles. The development was said to have resulted in kicking against the move of the officials of the distribution company, leading to confrontation.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

Umahi sacks boards, parastatals Uchenna Inya ABAKALIKI

bonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi , has relieved General Managers and Heads of Parastatals in the state of their employments, just as he dissolved the eleven boards and parastatals. The boards include; the state broadcasting

corporation (EBBC), Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (EBUBEB), Secondary Education Board (SEB), Capital Territory Development Board and Ebonyi State Water Corporation. Others are the Environmental Protection Agency (EBSEPA), Ebonyi State Road Maintenance agency (EBROMA), Community and Social

Development Board, Christians and Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Land Allocation Committee, Housing Development Corporation Board and the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) among others. In a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government , Prof. Benard Odoh, the government directed the GMs and

Heads of Parastatals, to hand over to the most senior officials in their offices and vacate their seat immediately. The release which commended the ex-appointtees for their service to the state, said the dissolution was in line with the resolutions of the state House of Assembly which recommended the dissolution.

L-R: Chairman, Idemmili North LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Idemobi; Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano; pupil of Awada Primary School-4, Master Emmanuel Ezewulu; Country Manager, CCC Construction Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bassam Kawash; Commissioner for Works, Mr. Law Chinwuba, during the inauguration of the PHCN Road, Awada Layout, Obosi…yesterday.

Don’t frustrate due process, group tells Imo deputy governor Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

ppeals have been made to the Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, to support Governor Rochas Okorocha, to achieve an all-inclusive government and avoid actions capable of creating disharmony in the state House of Assembly, the All Progress Congress (APC) and the state government. According to a group, the Imo State Convergence of Young Professionals, which interacted with reporters in Owerri, the member representing Okigwe local government in the state House Assembly, Hon Acho Ihim, is said to be facing persecution from loyalists to the Deputy Governor, over his bid for the speakership of the House of Assembly. They urged the Deputy Governor to among other things pursue an agenda that would complement the governor’s effort to promote neutrality, stability and respect for the rule of law aimed towards uplifting the living standard of Imo people.

Emeh emerges president of online journalists

ames Anyalekwa Emeh, the DG of Igbere TV, the foremost community TV in Nigeria was yesterday elected as the first President of Association of Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria AMPON (Abia State Chapter). AMPON, is the umbrella body of all online media practitioners in Nigeria, established to regulate the operation of online media organisations in the country and instill sanity to online news reportage. Also elected alongside Emeh, were Iroegbu Emenike of Abia Facts newspaper as Secretary; Lawrence Ehilegbu of The Abia Awakening as Trea-

surer; Promise Uzoma Okoro of Supreme News Nigeria as PRO and Ngozi Blessed Onwukwe of Abacity Blog as Financial Secretary. All the elected Executives were charged to discharge their duties with sincerity, patriotism and commitment. Responding on behalf of the new EXCO, Emeh, who is also a Special Assistant to the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, said he was elated at the level of confidence the members of the association reposed in him by overwhelmingly voting him unopposed to such a high office and assured every member that his team will ensure

a smooth take-off of the State Chapter and will also ensure that the Abia state chapter becomes the envy of all in the nearest future. He further assured members that the era of victimization by the government was over as the body will ensure adequate protection for every member to carry out their legitimate business of unbiased news reportage. “We need to make it clear that we are not in confrontation with the government; rather, we are partners in progress. But in carrying out our duty, we must never allow our integrity to be compromised.”

Imo Poly sacks 389 students over exam, admission frauds Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

o fewer than 389 students of the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo have been expelled by the authority of the institution, following their alleged involvement in examination and admission malpractices. Speaking to newsmen on the issue in his office, the Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu,

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

explained that sacking of the affected students was because most of them gained admission into the polytechnic without the due process. He noted that the withdrawal of another set of the students was because of their failure to abide by the rules and regulations which include among other things belated submission of seminars and necessary fees payable to the institution. The rector maintained that measures have been

put in place to fish out all those who entered into the institution through the backdoor stressing that any student caught will be shown the way out. Fr. Madu who reaffirmed the institution’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice, campus cultism and other vices remarked that the management is poised to reposition the polytechnic so that its graduates can compete favourably in the saturated global labour market.

Ex-police boss denies sharing N400m campaign funds Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

retired police commissioner, Mr. Titus Okolo, who served as the chairman of the security committee of the campaign organization of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Enugu state during the recently concluded general elections yesterday denied receiving N25m for the running of the security affairs of the party during the elections as allegedly claimed by the leadership of the party. He revealed this when the embattled state Vice chairman of the party for the Eastern Zone, Chief Anike Nwoga, who raised the allegation on the N400 million campaign funds fraud and was detained by the police, addressed newsmen in Enugu along with the state deputy chairman, Mr. Adolphus Ude. The APC as well as two principal officers of the party in Enugu state were being accused of mismanaging the campaign funds and aggrieved members are now calling for their prosecution. The party leadership in the state have petitioned the national chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, to send a team of auditors to Enugu state, to audit the finances if sanity was to return to the state APC.

Nwoga, who was detained on Monday by the police, following a petition by the governorship candidate of APC in the state, Chief Okey Ezea, over the allegation that he and other leaders of the party misappropriated N400 million, resulting in the said dismal showing of the party at the polls. The party’s gubernatorial flag bearer denied ever receiving N400m, saying only N133 million was received from the national headquarters of APC and other sources for the running of the elections in the state. However, while briefing newsmen yesterday, Nwoga, spoke on his interrogation by the police, maintaining that as the flag bearer of the party during the election, Ezea received N400m as follows: N50m on January 7, N50m on January 11, N50m as zonal contribution to the campaign funds, N200m on last March 27 and then, N50m just before the elections. He challenged the APC chieftain to deny the details. Asked whether he received N25m meant for the security committee which he headed during the elections, Okolo on his part said, “ I made a report to the national secretariat of APC on this matter. I neither received nor was given any sum of money to disburse for purposes of the work of my committee.

Newly reconstructed road is new standard for Anambra roads, says Obiano

he reconstructed 28.2 kilometer Nkpor-Amawbia Road has been adjudged to set the minimum standard for all road constructions in Anambra State under the administration of Chief Willie Obiano. The governor made the declaration whilst inaugurating the completed road at the Nkpor Round-About end. Similarly, governor Obiano, inaugurated the 1.2 Kilometer PHCN Road at AWADA Layout, Obosi. The inaugurating ceremonies took place in Idemili North Local Government Area. Speaking at the inauguration, Obiano, stated that the Nkpor-Amawbia Road was a quality construction work undertaken in line with the best standards in road construction around the world; hence it is now the reference point for all road projects in the state. According to Obiano, “I have to make it clear that this road was started by my predecessor in 2008 and was done up to

10 kilometers. My administration has completed the road with end-to-end drainage and clear road signs and markings as well as the street-lighting which will soon be completed.” The governor called on the Nkpor community and residents to ensure that the road is preserved. He also informed them that government operatives are working hard to fish-out criminals who disturb the peace of the community, and assured that the security of lives and property remain a cardinal programme of his government. Obiano also commended the quality of work on the PHCN road, saying, “My administration started and completed this road which provides access to an important facility; I want to assure Ndi Anambra that despite paucity of funds, we have not abandoned any road awarded by my predecessor. This is in line with my promise of “3 Cs”: to complete, to commission, and commence new projects.”

News

Kumuyi to leaders: Govern with fear of God Dominic Adewole ASABA

he General Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Ministry, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, yesterday called on religious leaders in the country to always counsel those in authority to enable them govern the people with the fear of God. The cleric, who was in Asaba for a crusade, specifically urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to govern the people of the state with the fear of God. Kumuyi, accompanied

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

by his wife, Esther and a host of other clergymen, disclosed this when he visited the governor in his office, saying that he was in the state for a five-day crusade. He prayed for the governor, his deputy, the government and the people of state, noting that religious leaders have strong roles to play in ensuring good governance, stable polity and a progressive society. The governor, who expressed delight over the visit, urged religious leaders to continue to pray for the nation and counsel those in positions of authority, other-

wise, they will derail. He said: “I thank God for the way Nigeria is progressing, as a nation; we need a lot of prayers and counselling. “Since 1999, we have been able to uphold democracy, transiting from one government to another, during the 2015 general elections, people were apprehensive, but God proved Himself, I thank God for granting us peaceful elections and transition,” he said. The governor also challenged religious leaders to make the youths embrace the gospel of Christ for a better society, observing that there are

a lot of challenges in the country, because people are no longer adhering to the words of God. He continued; “We are glad you are in Delta State to teach the words of God, a lot of people will gain from you, a lot of people are putting Christ behind, especially the youths and it is not good, the more we teach the gospel, the better for the upbringing of the children and the nation.” He assured the people of Delta State that he would govern the state with the fear of God and be accountable to the people, but called for patience and understanding.

Edo judicial workers defy dismissal threat over resumption Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he supremacy battle between the striking workers of the Edo State judiciary and the state government may be far from over as the workers yesterday, for the second time, defied government directive on the state Judicial Service Commission for them to resume normal work at the various courts in the state. The commission had threatened the workers to either return to work or face outright dismissal. But the workers yesterday said they would not be

National Assembly’ll cooperate with Buhari – Lawmaker Clement James Calabar

member of the House of Representatives, Mr Mike Etaba, yesterday said the eighth National Assembly will cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari in his efforts at developing the country. Etaba, who is representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency in Cross River State, said members will ensure that Buhari receives cooperation, especially in the area of socio-economic development. Speaking yesterday after arriving at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, the lawmaker said he would cooperate with President Buhari and the current leadership of the National Assembly to ensure the stability of democracy and the economy. “I want to assure President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly of my total cooperation in the advancement and growth of our country,” he said. According to him, his mission to the National Assembly is to make laws that will positively impact on the common man and to attract development to his people. “My priority is to focus on education, job creation, health and the general welfare of my people,” he added. Etaba commended the immediate past Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, for the role he played in ensuring victory for all the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates during the polls.

L-R: Delta State Deputy Governor, Kingsley Utuaro; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; General Superintendent, Deeper Life Bible Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi and his wife, Esther, during a courtesy visit to the governor

Cross River, Ebonyi to end inter-state border crisis Clement James Calabar

he frequent border crisis between Cross River and Ebonyi States may soon be a thing of the past if efforts being made by the two states are anything to go by.

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu and his Ebony State counterpart, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, during a meeting in Calabar, yesterday resolved to put an end to the age-long boundary dispute between Adadama and Amagwu communities in

Cross River and Ebony States respectively, promising to henceforth live in peace with one another. While welcoming his Ebonyi counterpart to the state, Esu said the meeting was called for them to be properly briefed on the seemingly unending crisis

between the two states in order to find a permanent solution. Esu said the administration of Governor Ben Ayade was poised to reduce, if not completely eradicate, poverty and the difficulties faced by the rural populace, hence the need to ensure

cowed and described the order as ‘laughable.’ Thousands of the judicial workers under the umbrella of the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), it will be recalled, have been on strike for the past five months. The sit-at-home order by the executive of the body followed alleged unwillingness of the state government to implement the ruling of the Federal High Court on June 2014, which granted financial autonomy to the nation’s judiciary. The aggrieved workers are also at war with the state government over the non-payment of their July, 2014 and January, 2015 salaries. The leadership of the commission in a statement signed by its Secretary, Isaac Sanu, had on Tuesday, ordered the employees to report for duty yesterday or be taken as having been ‘dismissed from the service.’ A similar directive had earlier been issued on the striking workers about a month ago. According to the statement, “Any worker who fails to report for duty as has been specified should consider himself/herself as having been dismissed from the service. The commission here guarantees the safety and security of all workers.” It stated that “The Edo State Judicial Service Commission at its meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, decided that all judiciary workers should report for duty on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.” that the people live in peace and harmony with their neighbors at all times. He said the development cannot take place in an environment devoid of peace and pledged the administration’s commitment to do everything possible to engender the necessary peace and harmony for the overall development of the state.

Okowa appoints media aides Nigeria may lose 33, 000 barrels of oil per day Dominic Adewole ASABA

he Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday announced the appointment of a Communications Manager (CM), Press Secretary (PS, Print Media) and Press Secretary (PS, Electronics Media). On the team are Mr. Jackson Ekwugum (CM), Prince Victor Efeizomor (CP, Print) and Mr. Amaechi Udemba (CP, Electronics). He also appointed Mr. Jonathan Onwuka as his

Press Secretary (Indigenous Newspapers) Prior to Victor Efeizomor’s appointment, he was the Correspondent of THIS DAY newspapers in Asaba. He hails from Owa-Oyibu in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state. Ameachi Udemba was formerly the Delta State reporter of Channels Television. He joined the politics of the state shortly after he was relieved of his appointment in 2007. Until his appointment, he served in the media crew of the Governor’s campaign organisation.

Joe Obende Warri

igeria stands to lose at least 33, 000 barrels of oil per day if the brewing crisis between the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and its Ijaw host communities eventually leads to a shutdown of its operations in that part of Delta State. This was made known yesterday through the Chairman of the host communities, Chief Favour Izokumor, while speaking in Warri. He said the potential loss

that may come from such shutdown was the major reason why the host communities have refrained from taking a drastic action, adding that such action may be misconstrued, especially now that ‘we have a new government in place at the national level.’ Izokumor said if not for his efforts and those of elders, youths of the community would have gone on rampage to stop the company from further exploration and exploitation activities in their domain. For instance, he said the re-entry agreement between

the company and its host communities included that 40 per cent of job placements should be reserved for them. This, he said had not been kept by the company as less than 40 per cent of the engaged hands were sourced from the communities. He said Nest Oil, which had been operating on behalf of NDPC carried out its re-entry repairs after sourcing for money without carrying the host communities along. This development and others he pointed out had remained a source of rancour between NPDC and the communities.

NEW TELEGRAPH thursday, june 11, 2015

Nasarawa election tribunal holds inaugural sitting Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

he Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Nasarawa State yesterday held its inaugural sitting in the state. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Halima Mohammed, urged counsel to the parties to desist from the practice of employing technicalities or any act capable of truncating the speedy disposal of the petition brought before the tribunal. The immediate past Minister of Information and Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nasarawa State in the April 28 general elections, Mr. Labaran Maku, is challenging the election of Governor Tanko Al-Makura, praying the tribunal to upturn the election of the governor in his favour, among other prayers. Justice Mohammed in an address at the inaugural sitting in Lafia, urged all the counsel to give their maximum cooperation to the tribunal to achieve its goal. She reminded counsel and parties in the petition that the tribunal has 180 days to deliver judgement from the date of filing the petition as provided in section 285 (6) of the constitution. According to her, “Since it is obvious that we don't have the luxury of time, we shall urge all counsel to give us maximum cooperation to achieve the goal. Counsel should desist from the practice of employing technicalities or any act capable of truncating the speedy disposal of the petition,” she warned.

probity

Ex-Katsina governor may be probed, if handover explanations are not satisfactory Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

atsina State g o v e r n o r, Aminu Bello Masari, has said that his administration would probe the immediate past admin-

Sokoto

he Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has appealed for proper funding of the Centre for Islamic Studies, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, for the centre to fulfil its mandate. Abubakar, who noted with dismay the nonfunding of the activities of the university by the Federal Government, which he said has been in the for front in collect-

Masari: I’ll probe Shema istration of Mr. Ibrahim Shema, if it is not satisfied with the explanations contained in the handover notes made available to him. In a statement made available to New Telegraph yesterday, the governor said the people of the state have the right to know how their commonwealth was appropriated in view of the controversial and opaque manner in which government busi-

ness was conducted under the then governor. Masari, who made the declaration when the national leadership of the old boys’ association of his Alma Mata, Government College Funtua, paid him a courtesy visit said: “Government has no deliberate plan to probe, but will do so if we are not fully satisfied with the explanations we were given.” The governor reiterated his determination

to make the resuscitation of the education sector the first, second and third priority of his administration, insisting that the state has no option other than to frontally attack the causes of what has brought the sector to this sorry situation. He decried that Katsina State has consistently remained among the three worst performing states in WAEC and NECO examinations in

the past decade. “We must not waste time on lamentations on the collapse of the education sector. Our focus should be geared towards addressing the problem. If it means spending all our resources to regain the lost glory of our state, we will do it because the current situation is so pathetic for a state that was home to the first middle school in the northern part of the country,” he said.

Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi State Chapter, Hajia Kaltume Shall (left), presenting a letter conveying Nawoj's Grand Patron award to the wife of Bauchi State Governor, Hajia Hadiza Mohammed, during a courtesy call in Bauchi …yesterday

We’ll revoke last-minute allocations by Yuguda, says APC Sani Muh’d Sani Bauchi

he new administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State yesterday said it will reverse and revoke land and

Sultan calls for funding of Danfodio varsity Umar Abdullahi

News 49

south north - south

ing, editing, translating, publishing and disseminating the works of Sokoto jihad leaders. The Sultan, who was represented by the Uban Doman Sokoto, spoke at the opening ceremony of the first national conference on the Qur'anic recitation competition in Nigeria held at the university yesterday. He said: “The bulk of its activities are not funded by government, it is therefore, in need of assistance to better fulfill its mandate” the Sultan noted.

housing allocation made during the last days of the former administration of Isa Yuguda in the state. The state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Awwal Jalla, said this in Bauchi. He said other areas to be looked into are the last minute appoint-

ments and promotions made in the civil service in the state. Jalla said: “The new administration will look into the activities of the outgoing administration, especially the ones done after the April 11 governorship election, we will

Jigawa inaugurates sixth Assembly Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

he Jigawa State House of Assembly was yesterday inaugurated in Dutse, the state capital. Also yesterday, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House were elected. Hon. Idris Garba of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Jahun Constituency, emerged the speaker while Hon. M. K. Ahmed emerged the Deputy Speaker. In his acceptance

speech, Garba promised to run an open-door policy, stressing that ‘my doors shall remain open for positive advice, correction or amendments to enable us achieve the desired change in law making.’ According to him, as you entrust in me the power to lead you, I shall do that within my constitutional powers with unreserved vigour, unbiased mind and unqualified loyalty to respect the interest, wellbeing and progress of Jigawa citizens.

find out if there is any last minute appointments, lands allocations or contracts and all these may be reversed if due process was not observed.” He added that the former administration of Yuguda paid no attention to the suffering of the state

workers and left without settling their salaries, explaining further that the new administration will do everything possible within the ambit of the law to correct abnormalities of the former administration, especially in the area of workers welfare.

Benue seeks SMEDAN’s partnership to empower citizens Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

he Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has solicited the partnership of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) in the state in his bid to economically empower the citizens. Ortom made this known when the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Alhaji Bature Umar Masari, led other directors to pay him a courtesy visit. He said the times dictat-

ed that leaders must think outside the box to create massive employment, wealth and opportunities. “It's only when the private sector comes in form of micro, small and medium enterprises that we can surmount the challenges of poverty and unemployment, because government at all levels cannot provide the needed jobs,” he noted. “My administration will be working closely with your agency so as to tap the opportunities that we have in SMEDAN to support our people to empower themselves economically.”

WORLD | News

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

2,000 flee Syria as Kurds battle IS

ore than 2,000 refugees crossed from Syria into Turkey yesterday, fleeing clashes pitting Kurdish fighters against the Islamic State (IS) group, a Turkish official said. “Of those displaced, 686 are Iraqi nationals who first

fled their country and then were forced to flee Syria,” a Turkish official told AFP. They left their war-torn country via the Turkish border post of Akcakale, which faces the IS-held Syrian town of Tel Abyad, the official said. Nearly 9,000 refugees have entered

Turkey since last week, the official added. Kurdish forces launched an offensive two weeks ago against the IS, and took over a dozen villages either side of Raqa. They aim to wrest control of Tel Abyad border crossing in order to free up passage from Kobane, on

the Turkish frontier, to Qamishli which is close to the Iraqi border. Formerly an ally of Damascus, Ankara broke off its relationship with Syria’s President Bashar alAssad as a 2011 uprising escalated from peaceful demonstrations to a bloody civil war. More than 1.8 million Syrians

have fled their country for Turkey, making it the country that has taken in the highest number of refugees in the region. The Turkish government said in April it has spent almost 5.5 billion dollars to provide for these refugees, complaining that it received little international support.

Red Cross: Thousands face starvation in South

Syrian refugees crossing into Turkey from the border post of Akcakale, yesterday

African leaders sign free trade bloc deal

frican leaders signed yesterday a 26 nation free trade pact to create a common market that would span half the continent from Cairo to Cape Town. The Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) deal, which must still be finetuned and ratified, caps five years of talks to set up a framework for preferential tariffs to ease the movement of goods in an area home to 625 million people. Analysts say it could have an enormous impact on African economies, which account for only about two percent of global trade despite strong growth. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and President Omar al-Bashir of

Sudan were among those who signed the pact at a summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. But hurdles remain, with the timeline for bringing down trade barriers yet to be worked out and the deal needing ratification in national parliaments within two years. “What we are doing today represents a very important step in the history of the regional integration of Africa,” Sisi said as he opened the summit. He wrapped up the meeting saying: “We have told the word today of our desire to adopt practices that are necessary to increase trade among ourselves. We will do whatever is possible to activate this agreement.” World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said the TFTA would allow Africa

“to make tremendous progress and move the entire continent forward.” “Africa has made it clear that it is open for business.” The deal will integrate three existing trade blocs the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) whose countries have a combined Gross Domestic Product of more than $1 trillion (885 billion euros). “The geographical area covers the Cape (of Good Hope) to Cairo... The agreement paves the way for a continental free trade area that will combine the three biggest regional communities,” Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn told the summit.

US prepares plans for more troops, new base in Iraq

he United States is expected to announce yesterday plans for a new military base in Iraq’s Anbar province and the deployment of around 400 additional U.S. trainers to help Iraqi forces in the fight against Islamic State, a US official said. The plan would expand the 3,100-strong U.S. contingent of trainers and advisers in Iraq and would mark an adjustment in strategy for President Barack Obama, who is facing mounting criticism for not being tougher in combating Islamic State. US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed hope that even a modestly strength-

ened US presence could help Iraqi forces plan and carry out a counter-attack to retake Anbar’s capital Ramadi, which insurgents seized last month. However, Obama was expected to stick to his stance against sending U.S. troops into combat or even close to the front lines, officials said. Obama said Monday the United States did not yet have a complete strategy for training Iraqi security forces to regain land lost to Islamic State fighters, who have seized a third of Iraq over the past year in a campaign marked by mass killings and beheadings. The fall of Ramadi last month drew harsh U.S. criti-

cism of the weak Iraqi military performance and Washington has begun to speed up supplies of weapons to the government forces and examine ways to improve the training program. The expected troop announcement was unlikely to silence Obama’s critics, who say the modest contingent of US forces is far from enough to turn the tide of battle. The US deployment would likely entail around 400 trainers, one U.S. official said, adding an announcement was expected on Wednesday. Two other officials also confirmed an expected troop increase of hundreds of troops.

undreds of thousands of people risk starvation in South Sudan where a resurgence in fighting and deepening food shortages have left some with nothing to eat except water lilies, the International Committee of the Red Cross said yesterday. Violence had intensified in the world’s youngest country in the past few weeks and troubled peace talks are unlikely to restart soon, the aid agency added, appealing for donations. More than 100,000 people have fled the recent clashes between rebels and government forces, the Red Cross said, joining 2 million displaced since the conflict began in December 2013. “Urgent action needs to be taken to save hundreds of thousands of people in South Sudan from starvation,” the ICRC said in a statement. They are among

an estimated 4.6 million South Sudanese facing severe food insecurity, up from 2.5 million at the start of the year, amid rising prices, dwindling stocks and a “disastrous” economy, it added. “Many people in Leer county (in Unity State) have eaten water lilies in the last weeks - their only meal, the only food available,” Franz Rauchenstein, head of the ICRC delegation in South Sudan, told a Geneva news briefing. “Malnutrition rates may further rise in areas that have already reported critical or serious malnutrition levels such as counties in Jonglei, northern Bahr al Ghazal and greater Upper Nile,” he said, speaking by video link from the capital Juba. The ICRC aims to deliver food rations to 330,000 people this year in South Sudan, which declared independence from Sudan in 2011.

Paedophile priests: Pope Francis set up tribunal

ope Francis has approved the creation of a tribunal to hear cases of bishops accused of covering up child abuse by paedophile priests. The unprecedented move followed a recommendation from the Pope’s newly created panel on clerical sex abuse. The tribunal will have the power to punish bishops who failed to protect young victims. Survivors’ groups have long called for the Vatican to do more to make bishops accountable for abuse on their watch. Last year, the UN strongly criticised the Church for failing to stamp out abuse and for allowing cover ups. A statement from the Vatican said the department would come under the auspices

of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Its aim would be “to judge bishops with regard to crimes of the abuse of office when connected to the abuse of minors”, the statement added. Father Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, said bishops could also be judged if they had failed to prevent abuse from taking place. Initially the complaints would be investigated by one of three Vatican departments, depending on whose jurisdiction the bishops were under. They would then be judged by the doctrinal department. Gabrielle Shaw, chief executive of the UK’s National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), said the move was good news for victims.

Germanwings crash: Cortege brings school victims home

cortege carrying the coffins of German schoolchildren killed in the Germanwings plane crash has arrived in their home town of Haltern. Residents holding white roses lined the route as the convoy of white hearses passed the children’s school. Earlier, relatives of 44 of the 150 victims viewed their coffins inside a hangar at Duesseldorf airport. The victims’ remains are the first to be repatriated fol-

lowing delays over errors on the death certificates. Co-pilot Andreas Lubitz is believed to have deliberately crashed the Airbus A320 into the French Alps in March. Eighteen of the victims 16 schoolchildren and two teachers were from the JosephKoenig Gymnasium school in the north western German town of Haltern and had been returning from an exchange trip in Barcelona when the plane crashed.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2015

FIFA U-20 World Cup

International

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Heroic Sy lifts Senegal over Ukraine

Messi tax evasion appeal rejected

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I am not happy with Kaduna as venue – Enyeama

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Emmanuel Tobi Live from

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Did you know? That Copa America is the sport’s oldest continental competition, started 99 years ago (1916) in Argentina and Uruguay are the most successful country of the competition with 15 titles

Australia coach dreads Falcons attack • Says Oshoala, Oparanozie, Ordega biggest headache

Emmanuel Tobi

Winnipeg, Canada

ustralia coach, Alen Stajcic, has expressed concern on strategies to adopt in stopping the rampaging trio of Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie and Francisca Ordega whom he described as his team’s biggest headache. Australia suffered a 3-1 defeat against the USA on Monday. Speaking with New Telegraph, Stajcic said, “We need to regroup and improve for the next game. We have a tough battle against Nigeria and they were exceptional against Sweden “I give them a lot of respect for this game but we have a big problem on how to stop Asisat Oshoala, the big number nine (Desire Oparanozie)

and Francisca Ordega. They are a big threat to my team.” Speaking further, he stressed that the match against Nigeria would be a delight for the fans considering both teams’ attacking flair. “Nigeria has lots of skillful players with speed. We also have good players. It will be a very interesting and intent game to watch. It will be a sell out because these are two attacking teams with a big flair. “Nigeria is dangerous but we hope to display a better performance. We are still a young team and we are going to learn lots of experience. We are still capable of qualifying from the group despite our 3-1 loss to the USA. It will be physically tough but mentally we will be fine,” he said. Nigeria, Australia clash in a crucial Group D encounter 10pm on Friday.

Elin Rubensson of Sweden challeges Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria

Blatter banned me to block London probe, says Adamu The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

Adamu

Dapo Sotuminu

ormer FIFA and CAF Executive Committee member, Nigeria’s Dr. Amos Adamu, has declared in Lagos that he was banned for three years by a Sepp Blatter influenced FIFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee to prevent a possible probe of his corrupt

involvement in the failed London bid for the 2018 World Cup. Adamu who is also a former president of the West Africa Football Union, WAFU, said all through his stay in FIFA he never asked for cash in return for his vote the way the FIFA boss and his other top placed executives had done for years as exposed by the FBI probe and Chuck Blazer’s confessional statements. “It is an accepted norm in FIFA for countries bidding to host the World Cup to make promises to develop football facilities in affiliate countries which lack development. And London voluntarily chose to do that for Nigeria. The opposing bid country also made the same promises. On this I asked London to purchase all the materials for the artificial

turf stadiums and send to me and never asked for money. “Blatter banned me for two things; to pacify the angry London Bid Committee not to investigate him further and also due to a $30million debt owed the FIFA Security Committee by the Nigerian government incurred ahead of the 2009 U-17 World Cup. The surety to pay was signed by late President Umaru Yar’Adua, while former president Goodluck Jonathan refused to pay.” Adamu noted that Blatter’s decision to resign as FIFA president was a tactical move to prevent any possible move to investigate him deeper. “There is a FIFA Regulation under the Swiss Law which says once you resign all investigations against you stops. The Swiss government has also been hav-

ing problems with Blatter on issues of corruption but they are incapacitated, as there is another law that prevents them from investigating any international organisation domiciled in the country.” Adamu whose return to CAF duties was announced recently noted that Blatter’s resignation and decision to leave office in March 2016 are aimed at covering some obvious corruption tracks together with the double standard FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke who shockingly defended the $10million collected from South Africa as money for football development. “I saw Blatter in Cairo during the CAF Elective Congress some weeks back and I told him his time in FIFA would soon be up, he didn’t believe me.”

Sport

THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Throwing stones at FIFA’s glass house (1)

t was at the Morocco prestigious Marriot Hotel, Casablanca, where the Confederation of African Football Executive Committee members stayed ahead of the Congress that preceded the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations in King Hassan’s country. CAF Vice-President, Oyo Orok Oyo of Nigeria, had his spouse, Nma, WAFU President, Jonathan Ogufere, instructor, Austin Akosa, journalists, Paul Bassey and myself, in that suite. Oyo had been the best candidate to take over from Ethiopian Ydnakachew Tessema as the boss of the continental soccer governing body. It was not to be. Oyo had been battling with a cataract that threatened his sight. The continent’s soccer bosses had a divide between the Anglophone speaking countries and their Arab counterparts who not only dominated the Executive Committee but held tightly to the control of the Cairo’s Gabalaya Street Secretariat with Moustapha Fahmy set to succeed his father, General Fahmy, as Secretary-General. Then strolled in a leggy Camerounian gentleman – Issa Hayatou – who was then Secretary-General of the country’s Federation – FECAFOOT. Oyo had nodged Nma to give Hayatou a space in the room where we were for him to give an address which Bassey gave definitive translation as

Muyiwa Daniel on Thursday

md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only) Hayatou spoke in French. After his departure, it was obvious that Oyo, the most influential man in footbal on the continent was throwing his hat into the Hayatou campaign. Two days later at the Casablanca Conference Hall, King Hassan accompanied FIFA President, Brazilian, Joao Havelange and his Seretary-General, Sepp Blatter, to the hall. The monarch spoke softly. Just simply royalty and with the strong urging of Jacques Anouma, Slim Aloulou and Ishmael Bhamji, Hayatou won the CAF Presidency. And has held onto the seat, maybe up until now when the rug is being pulled off the legs of those who control perhaps, one of the biggest economies, since blatter the former Olympics swimming competitor, became FIFA President. On the pitch, Morocco put in place one of the best organised finals on the continent until the quarterfinal where referee Jean Claude Diramba had the whistle as the Mahgreb “war” pitched the hosts against

neighbours Egypt. King Hassan, politically, had supported Israel’s defence of its territory against Palestine – a decision challenged by Hosni Mubarak. That spilled unto the pitch as both teams played less of football but chanted more of political and religious slogans. At the end of the match, the Egyptian players led by former international and coach, Mohammed Ghohary had to be ferried to the Airport with jersies and boots on for the flight home. Then came the final match that pitched Nigeria’s Green Eagles against Hayatou’s country. An interesting match of contrasting skills went on but was soon marred as centre referee, Mali’s Idrissa Sarr, disallowed Henry Nwosu’s strike. It was enough to deflate the spirit of the Nigerians who had to surrender the African Cup Nations to the “Indomitable Lions” just as it did in the event of 1984 in Senegal with FIFA/CAF instructor, Adegboye Onigbinde, in the dug-out. Nigeria protested but Hayatou

had to deploy the diplomatic skills of Oyo to mend fences. Two years later, the Nigerian team achieved the unimaginable at the Nations Cup held by President Aziz Bouteflica’s Algeria. Succumbing to a 5-1 drubbing in the tournament’s opening game , the Nigerian team coached by Dutchman, Clemens Westerhof, went all the way to the final against the hosts and the whole continent was almost set ablaze. Hayatou watched from the Presidential box as the violent Algerian crowd threatened Nigerians in the stadium with slaughter if their team failed to lift the trophy. It took the intervention of Africa’s Pillar of Sports Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola whose wife, Kudirat’s death was celebrated last week and Nigerians will remember June 12 tomorrow as the demise of former ruler, Sanni Abacha, was remembered last Monday, 17 years to the day of the FIFA Congress in Paris, France ’98 where Blatter took over as President with the backing of Havelange. Abiola went to the Eagles dressing room of where he promised the Nigerian players full winning bonus if they just lose the match and allow their countrymen NOT becoming soccer martyrs. Despite that, the Algerians still held the stadium in tension for two hours before

FIFA U-20 World Cup

brahima Sy saved three penalties as Senegal won a dramatic shootout against Ukraine to reach the last eight at New Zealand 2015. This memorable climax came about after the sides were locked at 1-1 by the end of normal and extra time, with Artem Biesiedin’s well-worked opener in Auckland having been cancelled out by a late Sidy Sarr leveller. Ukraine came into the

Heroic Sy lifts Senegal over Ukraine

match having kept clean sheets in all three of their previous encounters, but faced a side intent on tarnishing that unblemished record in Senegal. With no further goals in normal or extra time, that left penalties to settle the outcome - and Sy to steal the spotlight. The Senegal keeper whipped up the crowd on his way to take up his position and rose to the occasion, saving from Yevhen Chumak, Yevhenii Nemtinov

and Valerii Luchevych as each of Senegal’s takers dispatched their kicks with aplomb. Senegal coach, Joseph Koto, said after the game that the victory was a very important victory for all Senegalese people, while also thanking the fans for their support. “We prepared seriously

Serbia through to quarterfinal

ramatic goals late in normal and extra-time saw Serbia scrape through to the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Hungary. Bence Mervo’s secondhalf strike following a Hungarian breakaway saw the Magyars go ahead, and a splendid performance from goalkeeper Gyorgy Szekely looked to have put them through.

But Ivan Saponjic struck right at the death to level the game, which was no more than Serbia deserved, and in the dying embers of extra-time the unfortunate Attila Talaber put through his own net to send Hungary home. Serbia now head to Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium, where they will take on the winners of Colombia-USA in the last eight.

Sy Ibrahima

for this tournament, we did not come here to be only a part of it,” Koto said. “We came here for results. As the game went on, we saw the possibility to reach something. After the match, I told my team we have not reached our goal yet. This competition ends with the final. That’s our goal.”

securitymen intervened and got Nigerians to the Airport. In Senegal 1992, Abiola had his manifestation as Africa’s Pillar of Sports at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Hall where he not only donated one million US dollars($1million) to the development of African football but gave WAFU $200,000(two hundred thousand US dollars) and announced that the Lagos National Stadium will host the unveiling of Roger Milla as African Footballer of the Year for his feat at the Italia ’90 World Cup where the Eagles failed to qualify as the crowd spilled unto the pitch in Yaounde and keeper Alloy Agu lost his teeth in the encounter where the Nigerian delegation had to be airlifted in an Airforce C-130 Aircraft with the then NFA chairman, Group Captain, Tony Ikhazoboh, as leader. Now that Blatter is having his head on the chopping board, I have read, seen and listened to comments by the continent’s soccer chiefs including Dr Amos Adamu who facilitated Hayatou’s doctoral award at my daughter’s Alma Mater, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. Former internationals, Segun Odegbami and Adokiye Amaesimaka have also spoken but can Africa play a Brutus to Blatter? Can all those staying away wash their hands clean?

RESULTS Wednesday June 10

Ghana 0-3 Mali

Wednesday June 10

Serbia 2-1 Hungary

Wednesday June 10

USA 1-0 Colombia

Wednesday June 10

Ukraine 1-1 Senegal (3-1)

ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES Thursday June 11

Austria v Uzbekistan 5am

Thursday June 11

Germany v Nigeria

Thursday June 11

Portugal v N’Zealand 8:30am

Thursday June 11

Brazil v Uruguay

8:30am 8:30am

Mali whip Ghana 3-0

ali are through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup after a shock 3-0 win over 2009 winners of the championship, Ghana at Wellington’s Regional Stadium. Les Aigles deservedly triumphed in this allAfrican encounter, with Diadie Samassekou, Diedonne Gbakle and Aboubabacar Doumbia producing strikes worthy of gracing any stage. Mali now advance to face the winner of the Germany and Nigeria tie in Christchurch. Reacting to the victory, Mali coach, Fanyeri Diarra, said the victory was as a result of proper preparation. “We were extremely well prepared to face Ghana today and did exactly what we set out to

do,” Diarra said. “My team kept things very compact and we delivered a great performance. The players in this squad are able to put my tactical ideas into practice, so I’m very happy about that and delighted that we’ve made the quarter-finals.” In his own words, Ghana coach, Sellas Tetteh, expressed his disappointment on the failure of his team to progress to the next stage of the competition. Tetteh said: “First of all I’d like to congratulate my fellow coach from Mali and his team, who deserved their place in the quarter-finals, but of course I’m also extremely disappointed. “We simply didn’t settle into our game, and in the last third in particular we just lacked ideas and creativity, it is obvious that Mali were the better team.”

Intertional Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2015

Blatter’s successor to emerge Dec 16

indings have revealed that December 16 is the likely date for an emergency meeting in Zurich to decide Sepp Blatter’s successor, bringing to an end his 17 year reign as FIFA president. Representatives from all 209 member associations will be invited to the Swiss city to vote in a new presidential election. The 79-year old FIFA president quit his post of the world football’s governing body just four days after he was re-elected last month.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (right) been challenged by Juventus’ Patrice Evra

The Swiss tendered his resignation amid two corruption probes of his organisation. Seven FIFA officials were arrested on May 27 following a dawn raid on a luxury hotel in Zurich. They were among 14 officials and associates indicted by United States authorities on racketeering and bribery charges. Swiss prosecutors have also begun a criminal investigation into how the rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were awarded.

StarTimes: Bundesliga deal more than 90 mins

Messi tax evasion D appeal rejected

ionel Messi’s appeal against allegations of tax evasion has been thrown out by a Barcelona court and the Argentina star will now stand trial. The Blaugrana forward and his father and agent, Jorge Messi, are accused of defrauding authorities over a tax amount totalling 4.1 million between 2006 and 2009. It is alleged that Messi’s image rights were sold by Jorge - who assumed full responsibility when the case began - using companies in countries like Belize and Uruguay to avoid Spanish tax obligations.

A judge at a court in Gava, near Barcelona, determined in October 2014 that the 27-year-old would have to face trial over the allegations, despite his pleas that he was neither guilty nor fully aware of the suggested impropriety. Messi immediately outlined his intention to appeal in a statement which read: “Through this press release I want to communicate that, after having received the order of the court of Gava and following the professional advice of my solicitors, I have decided to appeal against it.” That appeal, heard by the Court of Barcelona, was rejected on Wednesday, however.

igital pay tv outfit, StarTimes, says its deal with the German Bundesliga as the exclusive broadcast rights holder is more than the match day actions on the pitch. Gary Rathbone, sports director, StarTimes, said that the outfit’s subscribers in Nigeria and all over sub-saharan African were in for a whole new viewing experience. “The five-year broadcast rights deal won’t just be about what happens in 90 minutes on the pitch on match days. In fact it will be what happens in over 540 minutes every match day if every Bundesluga week and much more,” Rathbone said “Apart from having six of the nine match day games of every Bundesliga week live on the screen for our subscribers, we will also have studio presentations of some of the key games every week.”

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

FIFA suspends 2026 World Cup bidding

IFA announced on Wednesday it had suspended the bidding process to host the 2026 World Cup amid the impasse surrounding corruption probes at the organisation. “It was decided to place the administrative process on hold for the 2026 FIFA World Cup bidding due to the current situation,” a FIFA statement said. “Further decisions regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup bidding process will be discussed by the FIFA Executive Committee at a later date.” FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had announced in March that the host country for the 2026 tournament would be decided at a FIFA congress in

Live from

Canada

Snippets from Canada

• Korean food to the rescue After struggling to get a good meal close to our local delicacy in Nigeria, we were fortunate to get Korean Kim Chi rice which is just like the Jollof Rice but spiced with chicken and vegetables. I miss my cooler of food which I take to office daily and our canteen in office (Food Editor)

• Paying tax to breathe? If it’s possible the air we breathe in will be taxed. Everything in Canada is taxed including water, food, drink, taxis which makes the country a very expensive place to live with their minimum wage standing as $11 per hour. We have stopped taking taxis which charge $20 (N4,200) for a trip of Ojuelegba to Maryland and resulted to the BRT bus which is just very slow and can take more than one hour for a 10 minutes trip.

the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur in 2017. But football’s world governing body was then plunged into a crisis at the end of last month when 14 current or former FIFA officials and sports marketing executives were arrested in Zurich, Switzerland as part of an investigation into alleged corruption by US authorities. The fallout led to the resignation last week of FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, but his replacement will not be known until December at the earliest, leaving the organization in limbo in the meantime. “Due to the situation, I think it’s nonsense to start any bidding process for the time being. It will be postponed,” Valcke said.

Wowen’s World Cup England coach applauds team in defeat

Emmanuel Tobi

• Sim cards difficult than passport Getting a sim card in Canada is more difficult then getting new international passport in Nigeria because of the stringent measures but after 5 days in Winipeg, was able to get a mobile line, Chatr for 60 dollars (about N 12, 840) which you can buy a good phone with. • Bump shorts (Shokoto Pempele) en vogue All the women in Canada seem to be in competition to display their legs with their bump shorts wear as they enjoy the summer weather. The grandmas are not left out as I was forced to draw the attention of my colleagues to the trend as we all termed it ‘Shokoto Pempele’.

Blatter

Desire Oparanozie of Nigeria in action against Sweden

Full bonus payment excites Falcons

igeria Football Federation has boosted the confidence of the Super Falcons with the full payment of their match bonus ahead of their match against Australia on Friday. NFF’s head of women football, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, said that the move was to inspire the players and reward their

effort after their 3-3 draw against Sweden on Monday. “The NFF President, Amuju Pinnick said boosted the girl’s morale as he asked that they get full match bonus instead the half of the winning bonus the team gets for a draw,” she informed New Telegraph. “We are poised to ensure the girls get the best

and the Deputy High Commissioner here in Canada has been very wonderful to the team and making sure we get the best,” she added. The head of the Women National League refused to disclose the amount but New Telegraph scooped the players got $3000 each after the match.

ngland Coach Mark Sampson has applauded the performance of his team despite losing 1-0 in their group stage match against France. A stunning first-half strike from Eugenie Le Sommer was the difference as France edged England 1-0 to open Group F play in Moncton. The coach described the game as a top notch while also assuring that his girls will get the needed results to scale through the group stage. “That was a real international-class match,” Sampson said. “Although the result was negative, there are still lots of positives we can take from the game. “I’m most happy about how my defenders held firm against one of the best teams in the world. The players also proved that they’re in great physical condition. “We’re going to dig deep and pull our socks up so we can be ready for our next two matches and qualify for the next round of the competition.” Meanwhile, France coach, Philippe Bergeroo, has said her players were looking forward to their next game after the victory over England.

54 Sport

THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Keshi promises attractive football against Chad

uper Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has assured that his team will play an attacking brand of football in Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Le Sao of Chad. The 53-year-old have often been criticised for his teams’ often ‘lukewarm’ and ‘unattractive’ brand of football, but Keshi disagrees with that and says he has always favored an attacking and exciting brand of football and says it will be the same style when Nigeria face Chad on Saturday. “If you watch our games since I came here (Super Eagles), you will notice I like attacking football,” he told News24. “I like good football

and I like playing attacking football for the fans and also for us too because we have to make things easier for us too. “I can promise you that it won’t be any different when we face Chad because there is no other way I know, other than play attractive football and win the game,” Keshi said. The Super Eagles are currently in Kaduna, venue of the match against Chad, and played a friendly against Nigeria National League side, Kaduna United, in which they won 4-0 on Tuesday. There are no injury worries in the team, with the only concern being Steven Ukoh, who didn’t travel to Kaduna.

Brentford rival Lille, QPR for Omeruo Ajibade Olusesan

hampionship side, Brentford, are keen to sign Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, ahead of French side, Lille, and Queens Park Rangers, New Telegraph has learnt. Lille who also have Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama in their books, are said to be interested in the former Golden Eaglets star and QPR have also been linked with the Nigerian. Chelsea signed Omeruo from Bel-

gium club Standard Liege in 2012 but the Nigerian is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League Champions following loan spells at Ado Haag of Netherlands and Middlesbrough. He is unlikely going to feature in Coach Jose Mourinho’s plan in the coming season and with his current contract approaching its end Chelsea may want to cash in on the player. Although QPR wants another loan deal for the player reports emerged Wednesday that Brentford are ready to buy the 21-year-old.

I am not happy with Kaduna as venue – Enyeama Tosin Obisesan

igeria captain Vincent Enyeama admits he is unhappy with the choice of venue for Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home against Chad due to violent unrest in the state. The two sides are scheduled to clash at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Saturday, but Super Eagles goalkeeper

Enyeama feels the players are being put in unnecessary danger. “I’m not satisfied with the choice of Kaduna and you know I’m a very outspoken person. I don’t like the choice of Kaduna based on what is happening in the country but then the government knows exactly what to do to make us safe,” Enyeama said. “I am concerned because it’s not Kaduna but because

of the security thing. I really don’t care where we play as long as there is going to be security and safety of the players and everyone coming to watch the match.” Enyeama will however be hoping Nigeria are able to keep their focus on the football, with the nation desperate to make up for their previous shortcomings, having failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON finals in Equatorial Guinea.

ITTF Egypt Junior Open

Players’ performance excites NTTF

ith majority of the Nigerian player in the ongoing ITTF World Junior Circuit in Egypt are featuring in their first international competition, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation believes the three bronze medals won by the team so far was satisfactory. According to the President of NTTF, Wahid Oshodi, the players gave a good account of themselves against top-rated players,

while blaming their semifinal loss to inexperience. “So far I am quite impressed with the quality displayed by our players considering that this is the first international outing for a large majority of them. If you also throw into the equation the presence of the more experienced European teams and Africans here I think they are doing quite well. Three bronze medals in the team events are quite good,” Os-

hodi said. Meanwhile, Esther Oribamise lost to Egypt’s Zeina Essam 3-2 in girls singles event. Vivian Oku also fell to Egypt’s Nour Abdelhamid 3-0 in the cadet girls’ singles. But the likes of Olasunkanmi Oginni, Amadi Omeh, Nurudeen Hassan, Alimot Ayinla, Ajoke Ojomu and Abayomi Animasahun were on the winning side in their first group matches on Wednesday.

Germany U-20 skipper FIBA man, Sikabi, to open for Super Eagles run 3x3 Tour, clinic

Omeruo (left) in action

NOC congratulates Ogba, hails UNIPORT

resident of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Habu Gumel, has congratulated the President of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba, on his award of a Doctorate Degree by the University of Port Harcourt for his developmental strides in sports. Gumel who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, also hailed

the University of Port Harcourt for its foresight in bestowing the honour on a man he described as ‘’one of the best brains’’ in sports administration in the country. ‘’I’m gladdened that University of Port Harcourt has taken the lead in giving this award to the man most suited for it,’’ Gumel said. NOC Secretary General, Tunde Popoola, also described the AFN President as a man of many parts who could

go to any length to see to the success of any Nigerian athlete. ‘’Ogba is a blessing to Nigerian athletics. He has an overall knowledge on many sports including football. The board and executive members of the NOC salute him on this historic feat” The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 13 at the Convocation Arena, University Park, University of Port Harcourt.

ermany skipper Kevin Akpoguma will come up against the Flying Eagles of Nigeria in Thursday’s U-20 World Cup Round of 16 clash, but he has said he has not ruled out the possibility of featuring for Nigeria’s full international team. Akpoguma’s father is Kelvin and hails from Benin City in midwest Nigeria. He and his wife, Annett, were in Christchurch, New Zealand, to cheer their 20-year-old son to glory at the U-20 World Cup. The son said he expected his father,

who moved to Germany over 20 years ago, to wave the flags of both countries on Thursday during the signing of the national anthems. But the younger Akpoguma, whose heroes are Jerome Boateng and Yaya Toure, said world champions Germany will be his first choice, but would at the same time not shut the door on the Super Eagles. “As long as I can play for Germany, I will leave this door open,” he told journalist. “If I see the level is too high, maybe, I will look for the other goal (with Nigeria).”

s the countdown for the much anticipated FIBA Africa Zone 3, 3x3 Tour billed for June 18th -21st , 2015 at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos continues, FIBA will be sending a specialist on the discipline of 3x3 to run the Tour . The experts will among other things also organise a Clinic/Seminar for all stakeholders. Information reaching the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Secretariat has it that Richard Sikabi will be arriving Nigeria for the event with his assistant, Kaudio Kevin on 17th June, 2015. Sikabi and Kevin will take coaches and other stakeholders through the technicalities of 3x3 to enable participants have first hand information about the dynamics of the game. In a chat with the Zone secretariat, Sikabi hailed the FIBA Africa Zone 3 executive board for its foresight in hosting the event. He said: “I am glad to be a part of promoting FIBA’s new basketball initiative which will ensure that National Federations get a grip of all that 3 x 3 entails.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

Congratulations!

His Excellency, Umar Ganduje, Executive Governor, Kano State

My family and I wish to congratulate Your Excellency Umar Ganduje on your election as the Executive Governor of Kano State. Your ability to take Kano State to the next level has never been in doubt. We wish you a successful tenure in office. Signed

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, MON Chairman,

Slok Shipping

On Marble

World Record

Sanctity of Truth

Citarum river (Indonesia), now known as one of the dirtiest and most polluted in the world, is unrecognisable as part of the Parahyangan region. Over 200 textile factories line the river banks.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.

– Winston Churchill

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

N150

8th National Assembly, the drama, the challenges

our years ago, former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu was at the driver’s seat as the leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that coalesced into All Progressives Congress (APC) strategizing and dictating the political temperature of the nation from his minority position. Among his far-reaching impact was the use of his ACN structure in the House of Representatives of the 7th Assembly to frustrate then ruling party, PDP’s choice for Speaker, Hon. Mulikat Akande Adeola from Oyo state. Because Tinubu did not want to share his power he chose to stay without number four citizen from his zone. Rather, he settled for the rebelling PDP members led by Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambauwal from Sokoto state. The leadership of PDP who had come to the green chamber to install their choice candidate left the National Assembly dejected and disgraced. As a result of that coup, the House of Representatives for four years operated with Tinubu dictating the show. Among the principal characters he used to execute his agenda for the four years was Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was the minority leader in the House but operated as if he was the majority leader. Four years later, with his party at the helm of affairs at the center following the dethroning of PDP on March 28, 2015, Tinubu had started drawing and redrawing the map of Nigeria. By his own geography, in the next four years South East was not to be part of political Nigeria for daring to vote the way they did. Though he has his boy already as the number two citizen (Vice President), Tinubu insisted on having the number four citizen (Speaker) with his boy in the House Hon Gbajabiamila as the only suitable choice. This is notwithstanding the other juicy cabinet positions expectedly lined up for him in the government. He made the party leadership which he earlier installed to rubber stamp his wish and that was done.  However, on Tuesday 9th June, 2015, the master strategist God was at work using these young PDP leaders, Senators David Mark, Ike Ekeremadu, Prince Uche Secondus and Chief Olisa Metuh among others to do to Tinubu what he did to them four years ago. While Tinubu held sway in the green chamber only in 2011, this time they took the two chambers, Senate and the House of Representatives. Nigerians watched in excitement how Tinubu was made a pupil in a subject he held sway as a professor four years ago. What goes round comes around they say. Those who believe in superstition also attribute this type of development to nemesis. Scholars of politics call it democracy in action. That should form the preamble as we try to set agenda for the 8th National Assembly. On Tuesday, Nigeria witnessed the coming into existence of the 8th National Assembly with the inauguration of the 8th Senate and House of Representatives, the two Chambers that constitute the Assembly.  At the age of 55 years the nation is still at its 8th parliament because of the unfortunate military interventions in our polity.

Political Musings IKE ABONYI

igwebuike2001@yahoo.com 08024024029 (sms only)

Saraki

Tinubu

The current dispensation in Nigeria’s legislature, which is the longest uninterrupted in the nation’s political history began in 1999 with the 4th National Assembly. The First Assembly had come with independence in 1960, the Second in the Second Republic in 1979 and the Third in the stillborn Third Republic in 1994. The current legislature is a bicameral parliament established under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution. It consists of a Senate of 109 members, three from each state and one from the federal capital territory, and a 360-member House of Representatives.  The body, modelled after the federal Congress of the United States, is supposed to guarantee equal representation of the states irrespective of size in the Senate and proportional representation of population in the House. The National Assembly, like many other organs of the Nigerian government, is based in the federal capital Abuja. The first Senate of Nigeria had Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as President, a position he left to become the country’s first President. Since then, we have had for the number three position, Senators, Dennis Osadebay, Nwafor Orizu, Joseph Wayas, Iyorcha Ayu, Ameh Ebute, for First, Second and Third Assembly respectively.  The final return to democracy since 1999, has witnessed a steady but turbulent parliament, a proof really that this arm has been the main victim of military rules in Nigeria. While the other two arms; the executive and judiciary quickly adjusted and operated swiftly, the legislature witnessed a lot of instability in the two chambers especially in the 4th and 5th parliaments when President Olusegun Obasanjo with military background, held sway. From Evan (Evans) Enwerem, through to Chuba Okadigbo, Pius Anyim in the 4th Senate to Adolphus Wabara and

Ken Nnamani in the 5th senate. In the green chamber, the House of Representatives, the story was not different. From Salisu Buhari, Ghali Umar Naaba, to Aminu Bello Masari and Patricia Ette.  Stability came in the 6th and 7th assembly, thanks to the experience and mature leadership quality of Senator David Mark as Chairman of the National Assembly. Mark’s exceptional leadership qualities throw enormous challenges to the new leaders of the 8th assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara. Indeed, the nation expects an even better order in the 8th Assembly than the seventh one because of the anticipated quality opposition expected to be provided by parliamentarians from the dethroned PDP. The change mantra that heralded APC to power would be meaningless if it is not anchored on robust legislative responsibilities. It is hoped that the crisis that trailed the elections of the leaders of the two chambers of the 8th Assembly would be well managed and not allowed to affect the legislative duties. Not even the accident that saw the defeat of ruling party’s candidates should be allowed to affect developments since there already exists precedents in the 7th Assembly when APC as opposition party then refused the then ruling party’s choice yet PDP respected their independence. What are those areas Nigerians are looking forward to witness change in the APC-led parliament? Perhaps the most pressing of the peoples’ expectation is drastic reduction in the cost of running the legislature.  It is clearly unjustifiable and unacceptable, the cost of running the National Assembly climbing from about N10 billion in 1999 to over N150 billion in 2015.  Nigerians are

also aware that the corruption index in the country would not have been at the current frightening level if the parliament had been up and doing in their statutory oversight function. The nation is also aware that rather than carry out its statutory function of acting as a check to the executive, our parliamentarians have instead literarily made themselves appendage of the various ministries and agencies they were supposed to hold accountable.  The truth which is regrettable is that there is practically no report of corruption in a ministry or agencies of federal government that have not got the legislative component for protection in case the bubble bursts. That explains why there has been uncountable number of probes in the two chambers without any logical conclusion. Despite the hullabaloo in the two chambers of National Assembly, on transparency and accountability, not a single thief was caught in the last five years with all the noise about oversight function. When for instance you see a probe abandoned midway or the executive unable to implement punitive legislative recommendations, it is likely because both the executive and legislature have been entangled in it. Aside the huge cost of running the National Assembly, most ministries and agencies spend reasonable chunk of their budget trying to service the insatiable corrupt legislators. If for instance, you hear that probe of purchase of private jet by an agency of government is deadlocked, it is likely because members of the committee of the National Assembly overseeing the agency may have been using the aircraft even more than the ministry officials. The other area that must be seriously tackled by the new parliament is the criminal abuse of the constituency project by members. Records show that unscrupulous legislators have in the past pocketed funds meant for their constituency projects, ditto the salaries and allowances of aides approved to be hired to help them carry out their legislative duties efficiently and effectively.  Also, the padding of budgets conniving with ministry officials as well as inducements from contractors are areas that must be checked if the shout of change is to have impact in the legislative arm. Perhaps the knottiest issue that this 8th Assembly will confront would be the handling of the document from the National Conference now before them.. Even though the PDP government that facilitated the conference was defeated in the general election, cross section of Nigerians are looking forward to its implementation because of the bold attempt of the report in addressing the fundamental structural imbalance in the nation’s polity. Any attempt therefore at ignoring the report possibly because it came from a defeated government would only be wishing away the desire of most Nigerians.  Parliament is the symbol and the engine of democracy and it epitomises the voting rights of the masses who have placed their full faith in the members. At the end of this 8th Assembly, may we not find Walter Bagehot’s saying relevant in our discourse that “A parliament is nothing less than a big meeting of more or less idle people”. God bless the lawmakers.

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotlines: (Lagos 0902 928 1425), (Abuja 0805 5118488) Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: YEMI AJAYI.