Binder1 thursday april 17, 2014

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Thursday, April 17, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 58

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

Nigerians to pay more for electricity by July Some abducted Adeola Yusuf

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lectricity consumers, especially low-income earners in Nigeria, will by July begin to pay

more for electricity, investigation by New Telegraph has revealed.

The N100 billion stabilisation fund, which the Federal Government

disbursed on June 1, 2012, will finish by end of June this year.

The fund was disbursed in batches of N50 billion in 2012 and N50 billion in

2013 to subsidise the tariff for low-income consumers who are mainly rural dwellers and the poor in semi-urban centres.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

students freed –DHQ

• Gov offers N50m for information • NLC tasks security agents on professional dignity Page } 4

Boko Haram: Monarch, 18 others killed in Borno

lJonathan, ex-Heads of State, governors, service chiefs meet today over insecurity Anule Emmanuel and Ahmed Miringa

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or the third consecutive day, suspected Boko Haram insurgents struck again

yesterday, killing no fewer than 19 persons, including a district head.

The insurgents launched separate attacks in Wala and Sabon Kasuwa of Gwoza and Hawul

local government areas of Borno State.

A resident of Wala, who craves anonymity, told our correspondent on phone that the terrorists, who were dressed in military

uniforms, attacked vehicles plying the GwozaMaiduguri highway at Wala, a distance of about 130 kilometres from Maiduguri.

He said: “The gunmen

APGA members fight over party secretariat... page 11

stopped motorists and asked where they are from.

If they found out that you are from Maiduguri, they slaughter the person, saying that since you send us out of Maiduguri, we would not spare you.”

A Taxi driver, Mallam Atiku Idi Yola, who narrowly escaped, said: “We were even lucky because

we told them we were from Bauchi, that was why they spared us, but they seized our Peugeot 406 car...”

In another separate attack in Sabon Kasuwa village of Hawul Local Government, another group of terrorists invaded the Palace of the District Head and shot him dead.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

2015: Nobody can stop my presidential ambition – Tinubu Temitope Ogunbanke

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Members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the party headquarters in Abuja…yesterday

National confab

lConfab: Complaints galore over committee membership lNasir appeals to Jonathan, govs to stop fighting

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METRO DPO rapes detainee in Lagos

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ormer Governor of Lagos State and a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has declared that nobody can stop his ambition in 2015 if he declares for the presidency or any public office.

Tinubu said he has the right to be the President of Nigeria regardless of his religion and state of ori-

NEWS Gas explosion kills three, injures two in Imo }10

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gin, telling those mounting opposition against his political aspiration to find something else to do.

His words: “We must choose the right person to lead the battle. And nobody, no one under the sun, under the United Nations Human Rights Charter can stop a Bola Tinubu’s ambition. If I want to be the President, I have that right, regardless of which C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

LAGOS

Storm

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Thursday, April 17, 2014

Boko Haram: Monarch, 18 others killed in Borno CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

A resident of Yirmirshika, near Hawul, Mr. John Balami, told our correspondent on phone that the incident happened at 7:30p.m. on Tuesday when the gunmen trailed the District Head who just came back from evening prayer (Ishai) and opened fire on him.

Efforts to get the spokesman of the Borno State Police Command, Mr. Gideon Jibrin, for confirmation was not successful as his phones were not reachable.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has summoned members of the National Security Council to an emergency meeting today at the Presidential Villa.

The meeting is coming against the background of increasing insecurity in the country, particularly bomb attacks, that have claimed several lives.

On Monday, suspected members of the Islamic Boko Haram sect detonated a bomb in a motor park in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja killing over 100 persons.

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr Reuben Abati, in a statement, said the meeting which will be presided over by President Jonathan is scheduled for 11am.

“Those expected at the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Services and the Director-

General of National Intelligence Agency.

“The meeting of the National Security Council will be followed at 1300 Hours by an enlarged meeting on security developments in the country to which President Jonathan has invited state governors.”

Abati said President Jonathan, members of the National Security Council and the state governors will review the security situation in the country as well as ongoing national security measures and operations with a view to determining the best way forward.

The presidential spokesman said President Jonathan has reassured all Nigerians and persons living in the country that the Federal Government remains very mindful of its responsibility for the safety of their lives and properties in all parts of Nigeria and will continue to do everything possible to protect them from the scourge of terrorism and insecurity.

“The President is particularly concerned about the plight of the young Senior Secondary School girls who were reportedly abducted from their school in Borno State on Monday

night and has ordered the military and national security agencies to deploy maximum efforts towards rescuing all of the girls and returning them safely to their parents.”

President Jonathan has welcomed reports that the military and security agencies have already rescued some of the girls.

“President Jonathan deeply regrets the pain, sorrow and anguish brought upon many Nigerian families in recent days as a consequence of recurring security challenges which the nation is contending with.”

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34o 23o

36o 25o Storm

KANO

41 24 o

o

Partially cloudy

ENUGU

36o 24o Partially cloudy

IBADAN

34o 24o Thunder storm

CALABAR

34o 24o Thunder storm

MAIDUGURI

42o 29o Partially cloudy

ONITSHA

34o 24o Storm

AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30

OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00

Partially cloudy

ABUJA

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

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

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST PORT HARCOURT

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu (left), being received by the governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Minna…yesterday

‘Nobody can stop my presidential ambition’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

zone, religion and which state.”

Already, there are permutations in the APC of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which will feature Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu in the 2015 presidential election.

Speaking yesterday at the APC secretariat in Lagos, the former governor said APC will feature the best candidate in 2015 election, whether the person is a Christian or Muslim.

Tinubu later told the party members, who asked him about his decision on the 2015 presidency, “I will let you know my decision.”

Tinubu also took a

swipe at the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the state of the nation, saying that President Goodluck Jonathanled PDP government has failed Nigerians in terms of security of lives and properties, youth employment and delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

His words: “The solution to the suffering of the masses is not about the prayer of a pastor or about the Islamic cleric.

What we are talking about is not an election of a vicar or bishop not of a Muslim Imam or cleric; it is about individual with the character and the brain and the

capacity to govern.

“If you are a Christian and you are good, you will win our support. If you are a Muslim and you are good, you will win our support. At the time of need, we must choose right leaders to face the battle and confront the challenge facing the country.”

Also speaking on whether Governor Babatunde Fashola’s successor should be a Muslim or Christian, Tinubu urged the party’s faithful to shun those promoting Muslim or Christian agenda in Lagos. He also advised Lagosians to use their votes wisely.

“We are not going to listen to them; we are

going to do our best. If a Christian is competent and qualified in Lagos, we would vote massively for him or her. Don’t listen to their campaign; listen to your leaders. We will give you the best support,” the APC national leader disclosed.

Ahead of the April 23 state congress in Lagos State, Tinubu advised the party members to vote for credible people as the state party executives. He also disclosed the party decision to zone 30 per cent position to women and 30 per cent to youths, while the remaining 40 per cent is allocated for elders in the party.

ARIK AIR LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

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Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Some abducted students freed –DHQ

Gov offers N50m for information NLC tasks security agents on professional dignity Emmanuel Onani, Yekeen Nurudeen and Ahmed Miringa

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he Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said yesterday that some of the students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, who were abducted on Tuesday by suspected

Boko Haram fighters, have been freed.

The freed students, according to a statement by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), are among a total of “129 students” earlier abducted. The number of students freed was however not specified.

This is even as troops deployed to Taraba State,

in the wake of Tuesday’s violent clashes, have apprehended 14 armed men said to have been involved in the disturbance.

The statement read: “More of the abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State have this afternoon been freed as troops pursuing the terror-

ists close in on the den of those believed to have carried out the attack. A total of 129 students had earlier been abducted by a group of terrorists.

“In another development, troops deployed to restore law and order in Wukari, Taraba State, have apprehended 14 armed men who were involved in

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Nyeson Wike; Minister of Lands and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

8,126m

The peak height of Nanga Parkat, Pakistan.

Source: Blatantworld.com

67.3%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in developed countries in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

13.205m

The total population of inhabitants of Karachi, Pakistan in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Nigerians to pay more for electricity by July CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Further checks by New Telegraph showed that government did not include an extension of this stabilisation funds in the 2014 budget.

Spokesperson for Nigerian Electricity Regulating Commission (NERC), Dr. Usman Abba-Arabi, did not pick calls put across to him, but a source at the commission told New Telegraph that the commission might not be able to stop distribution companies from going ahead to collect full tariff on electricity by July, when the stabilization funds must have been exhausted.

“There is no budgetary provision for the stabilisation funds in the 2014 Budget and you know the implication of this on the electricity tariff by July,” he said, adding, “The implication is that the gov-

ernment has tactically left consumers to their fate.”

NERC’s Commissioner in charge of Government and Consumer Affairs, Dr. Abba Ibrahim, had earlier said that the commission was undertaking the third review of Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2 based on demands for tariff hike by power investors.

Ibrahim, who revealed this in an interview with New Telegraph in February, maintained that this review was subject to the outcome of the ongoing collation of statistics based on the complaints by the new investors.

The new investors, who plan an injection of about $1.8 billion, had called for a hike in electricity tariff, which they considered as non-visible to the global reality of electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

But Ibrahim disclosed that the review might be a reduction or an increase in tariff, “depending on the outcome of the ongoing findings and an examination of interest rates, exchange rates, inflation rates and available generation capacity during the preceding six months.”

“The MYTO,” Ibrahim said, “Involves an examination of interest rates, exchange rates, inflation rates and available generation capacity during the preceding six months and if these report a change of plus or minus five per cent individually, such change will be applied to the tariff published for each distribution company.

“The two reviews earlier done did not result in any increase of tariff because the indices and fundamentals of the MYTO have not significantly

changed.

“The changes that some customers have belatedly noticed in their bills were announced by the commission on June 1, 2012.”

Meanwhile, consumers grouped as R3 and R4 who, according to MYTO2 paid N23.71/ kwh with fixed meter charges of N21,256.30 and N118,830.56 respectively are to, based on demands by investors, pay N25/ kwh, New Telegraph gathered.

The N100 billion stabilisation fund disbursed in 2012 by the Federal Government, which only accommodated the cost to be borne by consumers rated below the N24/Kwh cost of production at the rate of N50 billion for 2012 and 2013 respectively, will end

by June 30. Middle income consumers who paid between N11 and N12/ Kwh would now pay N13.5/kwh.

the fighting during the civil disturbances in the town early in the week. The fighting resulted in the burning of no fewer than 25 houses and displacement of over 200 persons.

“Meanwhile, security forces have been directed to continue with the tempo of offensive on all the terrorists’ enclaves anywhere in the country.”

Governor Kashim Shettima has in the meantime offered N50 million to anybody with information on the whereabouts of the abducted female students.

Shetima made the offer yesterday while briefing journalists in Maiduguri on the update of the incident.

He said: “So far, 14 of the abducted female students have been rescued and reunited with their families. The government and security agencies are now having sleepless nights to ensure that the remaining ones are rescued.

“On behalf of government and the people of Bor-

no State, we have pledged N50 million to anyone who gives information that will lead to the tracking/rescuing of our innocent daughters.

Irked by the abduction, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has tasked security forces in the country to restore their honour and dignity by rescuing the abducted girls.

Acting General Secretary of NLC, Chris Uyot, said the country stood to pay a higher price in future, particularly in the North East, except there is a fundamental change of security strategy that involves the people and reflects basic security initiatives.

Uyot in the statement issued in Abuja said, “It is disgusting, repugnant, nauseating, chilling and totally unacceptable. This is a heinous crime against our children, our women, the Nigerian nation and against humanity, and must not be allowed to stand.

Abuja bomb blast: Police claim clue to masterminds Emmanuel Onani

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he Police may have got some “links” in connection with the deadly Monday bomb attack.

The hint was dropped by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, Suleiman Abba.

Fielding reporters questions on whether the police have arrested any of the perpetrators of the dastardly act, Abba said: “I

am not aware of any arrest yet, but links, yes. There are links that we hope will link us to those responsible for the crime. We will not disclose those links because the whole purpose is for those links to achieve the purpose for which we have gotten them.”

The AIG disclosed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has assembled a crack team of investigators to arrest masterminds of the incident.

Boko Haram: Monarch, 18 others killed in Borno CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“The President remains convinced that with the patriotic commitment and support of all Nigerians, the country will ultimately overcome its present challenges and move forward in unity and strength.

“In this regard, President Jonathan will be

pleased to see all politicians in the country exhibiting greater responsibility and patriotism by doing more to support his administration’s sincere efforts to enhance national security rather than trying to build political capital out of the pain and misery of their compatriots.”

NEWS

Thursday, April 17, 2014

APC, group chide Jonathan for campaigning day after Abuja blast ALLEGATION Party thumbs down Jonathan, accusing him of insensitivity over Kano trip

Yekeen Nurudeen, Abuja, Anule Emmanuel and Wale Elegbede

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he APC yesterday chided President Goodluck Jonathan for embarking on a campaign in Kano State a day after the explosions.

By his action, the party said, the president exhib-

4.88m

ited “traits of an insensitive and utterly hardhearted leader, returning to his illegal campaign trail, barely 24 hours after 75 of his compatriots died in a bomb blast in Abuja.”

However, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, has dismissed APC’s allegation, insisting that the President's participation at the rally was to send a strong signal to terrorists that their atrocities would not bring governance to a halt.

The total population of people living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

The APC said the security situation was made worse by the news of the 200 school girls abducted

by Boko Haram in Borno State.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC also renewed its call on the president to urgently convene a stakeholders’ summit and pursue a non-partisan approach towards ending the insurgency.

“The message Presi-

290,000

The number of internet users in DR Congo in 2008.

Source: Blatantworld.com

dent Jonathan is sending to Nigerians is that keeping his plum job, at all costs, is more important to him than the security and welfare of the same people who voted him into office.”

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has also flayed over the rally.

But Maku rose to the president’s defence declaring that, “going to Kano, was a loud statement that terrorists will not stop this country from moving and from working."

1.27m

The total area (in sq. km) of Niger Republic.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

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FG faults media coverage of blast ...says rescue operation for 100 kidnapped female students on

Anule Emmanuel

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lleging the publication of pictures it considers “obscene’ the Federal Government yesterday faulted the media over the coverage in both print and electronic media of Monday’s explosion and rescue efforts.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed state house correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting said both print and electronic reports from the Nigerian media displayed lack of professionalism, ethical values, respect for the dead and the living in the coverage.

According to Maku, the EFCC devoted time to condoling with families who lost loved ones and commiserated with the injured.

"Let me also say that we observe with regret that in spite of the great job the media has continued to do, we saw that the way this incident was reported in the last two days has been very insensitive.

"The council noted, and this is very unprofessional, that the papers and most of the television stations just unleashed on Nigerians gory details of pictures that should never have been published on the basis of humanity, on the basis of professional ethics, and the basis of feelings for the sensibilities of our people.

"We saw on some pages of newspapers the remains of shredded dead bodies … this doesn't happen anywhere in the world because journalism has responsibility to the sensibility of people."

APC Governors to establish trust fund for victims Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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L-R: Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al Makura ; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Kwara State Governor, Fatai Ahmed and others, during their visit to victims of Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

he governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday promised to establish a trust fund to bring succor to families of the victims of last Monday’s bomb blast.

The governors also joined other Nigerians to express outrage and sympathy over the incident which left over 70 people dead and many more others seriously injured.

The governors of Imo, Lagos, Sokoto, Kwara, Adamawa, Nasarawa and

Ogun states, who visited the Asokoro General Hospital and the National Hospital to commiserate with victims condemned the bombing and the abduction of over 100 school girls in Chibok, Borno State 24 hours later.

Addressing journalists who accompanied them to the National Hospital, the Chairman of the APC Governors Forum and the Imo state Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, said every Nigerian must resolve to join hands with government to fight and defeat terrorism in the country.

NMA seeks standard procedure Ekhomu canvasses national Northern gov's wives forum to identify victims of blast bomb prevention programme Appolonia Adeyemi

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he Nigerian Medic a l A s s o c i at i o n ( N M A ) h a s d ecried the lack of standard operational procedures in handling bodies of bomb blast victims.

R at h e r, i t a dvo cated that machinery should be put in place to discover the identity of the bodies through DNA analysis.

In a statement issued yesterday by the

National President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, who is also the Vice President, Commonwealth Medical Association, the association insisted that globally accepted modalities of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and documentation which would aid further ballistic investigation, national population statistics, kin property inheritance as well as insurance compensation issues, be immediately put in place.

Isioma Madike

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he President of the Association of Industrial and Safety Security Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has called on the Federal Government to urgently design and implement the National Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Prevention Initiative in order to save Nigerian lives from incessant Boko Haram bombings.

Ekhomu, who is also the Chairman of TransWorld Security, said the

condemn Abuja bombing

security awareness programme on IEDs would enable citizens identify suspicious objects, which may be bombs and also identify suspicious vehicles bearing improvised explosive devices.

“Another core component of the programme is reporting channels or how to alert the authorities about suspicious objects or persons.

“Citizens must be given short code telephone numbers to call and report suspicious objects,” the security expert said.

Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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he Northern Governors' Wives Forum (NGWF) yesterday rose from their emergency meeting held in Minna, Niger state to condemn the Monday bombing of the Nyanya park in Abuja.

The emergency meeting, presided over by its chairperson and wife of Benue tate Governor, Mrs. Dooshima Yemisi Suswam, appreciated

the Federal Government's efforts at tackling the security challenges across the country and the provision of relief materials but implored the Federal Government to seek assistance from other countries on the armed insurgency in the country.

The forum also urged the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to step up efforts to check the influx of foreigners and goods into the country.

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CONTEMPT

Court reserves ruling on contempt charge in Anambra

Leo Sobechi

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he issue of who is the authentic legal representative of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) dominated hearing yesterday as an Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice A. R. Mohammed, adjourned

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Obiano’s inauguration: Court adjourns ruling in contempt case for hearing and ruling in a case of contempt before it.

Obidigbo had filed a suit against Chief Willie Obiano and four others, including APGA leader, Chief Maxi Okwu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Chief Judge of Anambra State, pleading that the 1st defendant should

N10bn jet scam: Reps allege plot to blackmail Tambuwal, others Philip Nyam Abuja

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he House of Representatives yesterday raised the alarm over plans to blackmail the Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and other principal officers, over its planned investigation of the N10 billion jet scam involving the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

This was just as the Public Accounts Committee concluded arrangements to hire a high profile consultant to assist the House in its investigation.

New Telegraph gathered that part of the plot

was to sponsor sustained street protests in Abuja to the National Assembly on April 28, calling for the cancellation of the public hearing.

Also, a media war against the Speaker, principal officers of the House and members of the Public Accounts Committee was to be embarked upon.

The media war will be in form of advertorial in both print and electronic media, printing of leaflets to catalogue series of fake trips allegedly made by the Speaker through private jets, despite the fact that he had access to the use of presidential jets any time as the number four citizen and a host of others.

not be sworn in pending the determination of the substantive suit.

In the writ of summons filed by Barrister Tairu Adebayo, on behalf of the plaintiff, the court granted Obidigbo an order of mandatory injunction, restraining the 5th defendant, the Chief Judge of Anambra State

or any other judge in the Anambra State judiciary from swearing in Obiano on March 17, 2014 or any other date as governor of the state.

At the resumed sitting yesterday, counsel to Obidigbo reminded the court that the issue of representation cropped up between the counsels to APGA re-

126.99m

The total population of Japan (representing 1.84% of the world’s population) in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

calling that as a result, parties have not been served despite the fact that they have been filed with the court even as he referred to motion dated and filed on March 21, 2014.

“The motion seeks to set aside the oath of office and allegiance administered on the 1st respondent by the 5th respondent.

7

The number of fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants worldwide in 2009.

Source: Itu.int

“I submit with all due respect, my Lord that this application is of overriding importance to the honour of this court; every contempt of court is within the disciplinary jurisdiction of the court. I urge the court to settle down and hear the matter,” Adebayo pleaded.

N1.7bn

The IGR realized from direct assessment sources of Kebbi State in 2012.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

L-R: Assistant Manager, Marketing, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Alake Peter; Sunday Editor, New Telegraph, Mr. Emeka Madunagu; Public Relations and Advert Manager, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Bukunola Ogunnusi and Deputy Manager, Research and Statistics, Mr. Gerald Nze, during a courtesy visit by the management team of New Telegraph to the head office of Toyota Nigeria Limited in Lekki, Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

South-South pensioners may boycott May Day celebration

2015: Battle to succeed Akpabio hots up

We’ll bring back our stolen mandate – Sambo

Charles Onyekwere

TONY ANICHEBE

Onyekachi Eze

PORT HARCOURT

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he South-South zone of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has called on the six chapters in the region to boycott the forthcoming 2014 May Day celebration, if the neglect by their state governors continues.

This was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of its zonal meeting held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The communiqué, which took cognisance of the reports presented by the six states of the zone, include Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers,

Edo and Delta States, said the treatment meted out to Cross River State pensioners by Governor Liyel Imoke is encouraging.

The pensioners lauded the governor for improving the condition of their members in the state without recourse to the Federal Government, describing the situation in Rivers State as sad.

The communiqué urged Governor Rotimi Amaechi to borrow a leaf from his Cross Rivers State counterpart, condemning the statement credited to the state governor, that pensioners in the state are “idle men” in their respective villages.

UYO

S

ome elders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State have vowed to stop Governor Godswill Akpabio from imposing a governorship candidate on the people in 2015.

At a town hall meeting held yesterday in Uyo, the state capital, the elders and stakeholders cautioned the national leadership of the PDP to call the governor to order, saying governorship election in the state has always been an open contest.

Three issues topped the agenda at the meeting, that President Goodluck Jona-

than should contest the 2015 Presidential poll; that 2015 governorship contest in Akwa Ibom state should be open to all aspirants and that the PDP state executives in the state should be re-structured, thereby giving power back to the electorate.

The senator representing Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, Senator Aloysius Etok, told leaders of the party that the PDP national leadership would not deny the people the power to choose their leaders, adding that the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mua’zu, on assumption of office, promised that primaries across the state would be free and fair.

ABUJA

V

ice-President Namadi Sambo, yesterday assured that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would recover the two states in the South-West, where governorship elections will be conducted this year from the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Sambo, who is the Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Committee for Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections, said the party will defeat the APC in the two states.

“By inaugurating us today, we will go to the war front and bring back our

stolen mandate. Everybody knows Ekiti belongs to PDP, but people used different instruments to take it from us.

Osun is PDP, but it was stolen from us. The end of stealing has come. There will be free and fair election. We will deliver Osun and Ekiti to PDP. There is no doubt that the party will succeed.”

He described the primaries, where the party’s candidates emerged as most transparent, saying that it was the beginning of the change to be witnessed in the PDP, commending the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu for providing a conducive environment for such free and fair primary.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Kalu blames declining economy on insecurity INSURGENCY Former Abia governor says insecurity issue should not be handled with levity.

Dan Atori MINNA

F

ormer governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday lamented the negative impact the current security challenges in the country is having on the economy of the nation.

He said capacity utilisation is currently down on account of the insurgency in parts of the country.

The former governor said the problem of insecurity is a serious issue that should not be handled with levity, adding that the citizens of the

country must not keep mum and allow the country to burn.

Orji, who spoke when he visited the Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, in his office yesterday said; “I have been going round to tell people that this country belongs to us all.”

According to him; “I have come to reaffirm the process of bringing peace back to the country, we must not stay and watch our country burn. We must find solutions to the problems of the country.

“I’m very disturbed with the way events are going, because the security challenges facing the country are posing problems for businessmen.

“We are at a crossroad, but people are seeing it as a laughing matter, it is not a laughing matter.

It is affecting everyone, especially those of us in

the private sector. What we are seeing is indices capacity utilisation going down.

“Although, the GDP may be growing, but soon, it will reflect. This is a very serious problem. We should not fold our hands and see our country go down, we must come together and proffer solution,” Kalu said.

He added that; “To find a solution to the problems, there should be an in-house consultation between political leaders, business leaders, civil servants and the populace. We need to resolve differences, disagreements and a lot of irreconcilable issues.”

The former governor also called for a two party system, saying that it is good to have a strong, vibrant opposition as a one party system does not agree with the tenets of democratic process.

Nigerians must unite to fight Boko Haram –Okonkwo Temitope Ogunbanke

D

eputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Annie Okonkwo, has advised Nigerians irrespective of their political, religious and ethnic differences, to unite if an end must be brought to the Boko Haram menace in the country.

Okonkwo said the insurgency being witnessed in the country is an embarrassment, charging the citizenry to rise up to the occasion and put an end to the problem once and for all.

His words: “The consequence of Boko Haram in Nigeria affects everybody, whether you are APC or PDP, nobody will want to see continuity in this Boko Haram menace.

“You don’t know who is next. Boko Haram doesn’t spare people, whether they are Muslims or Christians.

It is like a war and it is a total war. So, as a country, we must unite to fight it

once and for all, unless the government has another agenda to the contrary.

“Everybody knows that Boko Haram is the worst thing that has happened to this country and we must

do something about it. It is even worse than the civil war and, sometimes, I get baffled why we can’t, as a nation, go in there and smoke them out once and for all.

Anambra MDAs to render quarterly reports Uwakwe Abugu AWKA

A

nambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on Governor Willie Obiano to direct Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to submit quarterly reports of how they execute their budgets to the House.

Speaker of the House, Hon. Chinwe Nwaebili, announced the resolution after the House debated on a motion sponsored by nine members, calling on Governor Obiano to direct MDAs to submit quarterly reports of their budgets execution

to the House of Assembly.

Those who sponsored the motion include Ohazulike Modestus Tokas; Chugbo Enwezor; Gabriel Onyenweife; Victor Jideofor Okoye and Kenechukwu Chukwuemeka.

Others are Ebele Obi, Beverly Ikpeazu Nkemdiche, Obinna Emeneka and Pauly Onyeka.

The motion reads in part: “Whereas Section 129 (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) gives the state House of Assembly powers to summon any person or produce any document or any other thing in his possession or under his control.

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NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

DELTA

BENUE

ASABA

MAKURDI

Crude oil theft worry Uduaghan, others Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry are now worried by the spate of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

To that effect, governments at all levels, multinational oil companies, security agencies and host communities have been urged to play more

active role in stopping the menace.

At the second Delta State Oil and Gas Industry Stakeholders' Conference in Effurun ,Tuesday, it was observed that crude oil theft has dire consequences not only on the revenue of the nation but the environmental degradation occasioned by the act has far reaching future implications.

NEXIM Bank partners Benue The Nigerian Export Import (NEXIM) Bank is collaborating with the Benue State government to support local entrepreneurs and boost processing of locally manufactured goods through the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

At least 90 per cent of local entrepreneurs in the state have already

been facilitated through the Agro Processing Scheme (APS) towards achieving the initiative.

Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr. Robert Orya, who disclosed this to New Telegraph in an interview in Makurdi yesterday lamented the neglect of the preservation of the available raw materials by successive governments.

EDO

OSUN

BENIN

OSOGBO

Youth leader tasks APC members on unity Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State has appealed to all aggrieved members of the party in the state to sheathe their swords and work for the interest of the party.

The youth leader of the party in the council, Comrade Frank Ogundezi, made

theappealwhenheaddressed newsmen on the various issues during the congresses held at Urhokpota hall, venue of the Local Government Area Congress election.

Ogundezi, who is also the Chairman of Uzebu Community Development Association stated that both all candidates that won or lose in the congresses were important to the growth of the party and the state.

PDP can’t rig in Osun Aregbesola Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said that one thousand and one of the state Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Police Affairs Minister, Mr. Jelili Adesiyan and the party’s candidate on the August 9 governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, have no capac-

ity to rig the election.

Are gbesola, who made the observation before the commissioning of some road projects in Ilesha, warned those who are planning to use federal might to rig Osun election to desist from such, saying such group or individuals will face the wrath of the Osun people.

L-R: Assistant Director, Project and Structured Finance, FBN Bank, UK, Mr. Maxime Senecaut; Managing Director, FBN Capital, Kayode Akinkugbe; Chief Finance Officer, Seven Energy International Limited, Bruce Burrows and Managing Director, Accugas Limited, Stephen Tierney, during the Accugas US$170 million acquisition finance facility signing ceremony in Lagos…yesterday

FCT abuja

External reserves rise to $37.9bn The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that the nation’s external reserves stood at $37.91b as at April 15.

This was posted on the apex banks’ Website on Wednesday.

According to the apex bank, $36.87 b of the reserves is in ‘liquid’ form, while $1.048 b is in ‘blocked’ form.

The new figure repre-

sents an increase of $60m or 2.77 per cent over the $37.85b recorded on April 1.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reserves has been fluctuating from $43.51b in January to $37.91b in April.

NAN recalls that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, had said that there was the need for Nigeria to shore up its external reserves.

LAGOS

FCT

IKEJA

ABUJA

LCCI rewards excellence The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said that it will continue to recognise people who have excelled in businesses in the country. The Chamber , which said it has been in the forefront of policy advocacy and trade promotion since 1888, said that it will continue to create a conducive business environment in Nigeria.

At a recent award Commerce and Industry recently, Mr. Muda Yusuf, the Director General of LCCI said the objective of the awards was to recognize, celebrate and promote private and public institutions who have exhibited the core values of best business practices, growth through inno-

Abuja Disco targets over 400,000 meter rollout As part of its efforts to solve the electricity metering problem in the nation's capital city, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (Abuja Disco) yesterday disclosed its plans to rollout more than 400,000 meters in the next five years.

Chief Executive Officer/MD, Abuja Disco, Neil Croucher, dropped the hint at the monthly CEO's meeting with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, he hinted that the target was to achieve a monthly rollout of 8,000 meters, so as to bridge the existing metering gap.

RIVERS

kogi

PORT HACOURT

lokoja

APC congresses, a shamRivers PDP

Wada sacks commissioners

The recently conducted wards and local government congresses of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been described by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State chapter, as an undemocratic exercise laden with confusion.

In a statement signed

by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser on media to the Rivers PDP chairman, Felix Obuah, the party noted that apart from the reported clashes and assaults witnessed during the exercise, there were complaints, condemnations and rejection of the manner the APC conducted the congresses.

The Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada has dissolved the State's Executive Council.

A statement signed by the Governor's Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, said the dissolution took effect shortly after the end of the weekly executive meeting in Lokoja yesterday.

The governor, in the statement thanked the former commissioners for their unflinching and meritorious services to the state. He further enjoined them to be ready for further services to their fatherland as may be required.

Insecurity: IBB, Kalu in closed-door meeting Dan Atori MINNA

F

ormer military president, General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida (rtd) and former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, were yesterday locked in a closed-door meeting over the security situation in the country.

According to Kalu, issues about 2015 and the

future of Nigeria were also discussed during the closed-door meeting.

The duo had their meeting at the luxurious mansion of the former Nigerian leader. Emerging from the meeting which lasted for over two hours, Dr Kalu told anxious journalists who waited all through the duration of the meeting that he was in Minna to have a heart-to-heart talk

with General Babangida on how to end the nationwide bloodshed.

The former Abia governor dispelled insinuations that the killings in the North-East were targeted at the Igbo. He said it was a Nigerian problem and therefore needed the support of everyone in order to find lasting solutions.

Dr Kalu also dispelled rumours that his visit

to the former president had nothing to do with 2015 general elections.

He said everything was laid on the table during the meeting with Babangida.

He added that he hopes the former military leader will table some of the issues they raised during their private meeting with leaders at various levels for onward execution.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

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Ikuforiji harps on safety rules Etaghene Edirin

S

peaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji has advised Lagosians to adhere strictly to various rules and regulations as contained in the laws of the State.

The Speaker made the call at the plenary of the house while listening to the submissions of transport officials, who were summoned by the Assembly over the recent boat mishap in Ikorodu area of the state, in which about 12 lives were lost.

Thirteen other passengers were rescued.

The officials summoned included the state Commisssioner for Transport, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Agency, Yinka Marinho and the Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services Ltd., Mr. Babatunde Williams.

The summon of the offials had been prompted

by Hon. Sanai Agunbiade's, (representing Ikorodu Constituency II), position at the last plenary that the officials be invited to give clarification on the mishap, so as to forestall a reccurrence, among other issues.

Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Yero (left), presenting a starter pack to a beneficiary of 2012 Sure-P programme, during the flag-off of distribution of starter packs to youths and women… yesterday.

44.6

Fayose takes campaign to Ekiti communities Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

F

ormer Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, yesterday took his campaign to communities in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state with a promise to improve the living standard of the people in the state.

Fayose, who is also the PDP governorship candidate in the June 21, election, while addressing PDP members in IlaweEkiti, Igbaraodo-Ekiti and Ogotun-Ekiti said he would surpass the mark he

set when he was the governor of the state some years ago.

He told the people not to be deceived by the propaganda of some politicians who go about flaunting non-existing records.

The former governor said the administration he led then and the subsequent one as well as that of Chief Olusegun Oni made landmark achievements without putting the state into debts.

"People can see the records we set in office without borrowing a kobo. The structures we put in place are there for all to see."

Lagos Assembly investigates imposition of traditional ruler

T

he Lagos State House of Assembly has waded into the allegation of unlawful imposition of one Mr. Sikiru Aregbesola John as Baale of Oloti village in Ikeja area of the State.

Consequently, Speaker of the House Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has mandated the House committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs to investigate the allegation.

The call followed a petition forwarded to the House by Opekete Chieftaincy family and other community members of the Oloti village.

According to the petitioners, Mr. Sikiru John was never considered or nominated by members

of the Opekete family or the Oloti community as the Baale of the area.

They said that a meeting was held October 30, 2013, where a letter of consent was issued to Mr. Segun Kogbodoku as the acting Baale and a final approval of his Baaleship by the Ologba of Ogba land.

“Mr. Sikiru Aregbesola John has constituted a big nuisance to the community with thugs and children that go about threatening the lives of innocent members of the community. Many members of the community have been seriously dealt with by these hoodlums that now parade the community on a daily basis “ the petition stated.

The number of journalists per 1m of Nigeria in 2004.

Source: Blatantworld.com

N7.398bn

The internally generated revenue of Osun State in 2011.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

38.9%

The percentage of male internet users of Peru in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

FG, Lagos disagree over N59b road rehabilitation cost lWe don't need FG's permission to build bridge, Lagos insists DISCARD

Abuja and Ikeja offer different contractual figures for work done Muritala Ayinla

T

he Lagos State Government yesterday accused the Federal Government of denying owing it N59 billion purportedly expended on the rehabilitation of federal roads

within the state, saying it is unfortunate that the Federal government is yet to refund the money despite reducing the amount to N51bn.

It also said that instead of refunding the money to enable it execute other projects, the Federal Government sent a team of auditors to look into its claim of N59 billion on the rehabilitation of roads and bridges, including lighting and maintenance of the roads and came up to N51

billion, which is yet to be paid.

The state Commissioner forWorksandInfrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who made the disclosure during the 2014 ministerial press briefing held at the state secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, said it is unfortunate that the Federal Government is yet to refund the money, even after agreeing to pay N51 billion, which its auditors claimed Lagos truly spent on the roads.

On whether the state

government would seek federal govt's permission to construct bridges in the state, Hamzat insisted that the state government does not need any permission to construct any bridges or road within the state.

He added that Lagos State government might only compensate the Federal Government like any other citizen, if it demolishes properties belonging to the Federal Government in the course of building the bridge.

Funsho Williams was strangulated, says witness Joseph Onyekwere

A

prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of six suspected killers of a Lagos governorship aspirant, Funsho Williams, yesterday told a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, that his death resulted from lack of air intake due to manual strangulation.

Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, the Chief Forensic Pathologist of Lagos State, told Justice Adeniyi Adebajo dwing cross-examination that

post-mortem findings revealed Williams' cause of death by the prosecuting counsel, Mrs. O.A. Akin-Adesomojo.

He said that he visited the scene of the crime on July 27, 2006 at Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi by 5:30 pm following a call which informed him about the death.

Obafunwa told the court that he waited for policemen to arrive before he later saw the corpse at 10.00 pm.

"I saw the body of a middle aged man, identified by the family, having his hands tied and lying face down in a pool of blood on a dagger wrapped with a newspaper.

"I covered the hands and taped it with a paper to prevent a foreign DNA which may occur during the movement of the body so as not to affect forensic investigations.

"I noticed that the room was scattered along with two other rooms which I checked before the body

was moved to Creek Military Hospital and I left at midnight.

"During the Post-mortem examination, myself and two other pathologists at Creek Hospital discovered a cut on the deceased forehead and bruises around his neck," he said.

Obafunwa, while revealing his findings, said there were deep bruises on the arms and legs of the deceased, which suggested that he tried to restrain somebody before his death.

10 NEWS

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Osun 2014:APC warns Obanikoro POWER

...Don't bring soldiers to our state

Ruling party in Osun cautions on Federal presence in form of soldiers

tion in the state.

In a statement by the party's spokesman, Kunle Oyatomi, in Osogbo, APC maintained that any attempt to use military men, police or armed youths to corrupt the electoral process will meet stiff resistance from the party.

APC alleged that the Ondo State by-election incident was a test-run of what Obanikoro and his counterparts plan to do in Osun and warned that

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

O

sun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday warned the Minister of State for Defence, Musliu Obanikoro, against gangsterism during the governorship elec-

there will be problems if such is introduced in the state.

Oyatomi stressed "However, as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo said of that event, those who tried to influence and corrupt the electoral process including the Minister 'soiled their hands'. In Osun though, 'they will burn their fingers', the APC said."

"The APC is drawing the attention of the public

and security agencies to the confusion and destabilization being hatched by the PDP members in the country and they must be warned to desist from such so as not to meet their waterloo at the end of the day."

The party therefore, urged" the Federal Government to reign in individuals who are bent on breaking the law by unlawfully using federal institutions for criminal purposes."

Gas explosion kills three, maims two in Imo Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

A

gas explosion on Tuesday ravaged a section of a vegetable oil and bottled water production company in the Orlu area of Imo State, killing three persons and injuring two others.

Eyewitness said the victims of the early morning explosion are staff of the company, Sea Master Industries Limited located at Amaifeke.

Though the exact cause of the explosion had not been ascertained at the time of filing the report, sources

at the company said the gas tank of the company mysteriously exploded while production was ongoing.

The explosion, according to company sources, shattered glasses and panes in the surrounding buildings.

Contacted, the Managing Director of the Company, Chief Geoffrey Ohajimadu, described the incident as sad and unfortunate, explaining that the three members of his staff who died in the blast were on routine maintenance services on top of the gas tank when the explosion occurred.

Kogi warns residents on predicted low rainfall, drought Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

T L-R: Doyen, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Sam Ndata; Chairman, Leadcapital Plc, Mr. Ayo Ajayi; Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; and Chairman, Lead Securities & Investment Plc, Mr. Abimbola Olashore, at the Official/ Media Launch of Leadtrader, at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lagos…

8,188m

The peak height of Cho Oyu, China/Nepal.

Source: Blatantworld.com

154m

The number of fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions of Europe region in 2011.

Source: Itu.int

2.4m

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in India in 2008.

Source: Itu.int

he Kogi State Government, has advised residents of the state to be mindful of the prediction that Kogi would experience low rainfall this year.

According to the state government, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted that the total length of rainy season for 2014 in Kogi State would be 210 days.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Environment and Physical Development, Ladi Ahmed Jato, in a statement said NIMET had also predicted that Lokoja, the state

capital would experience a brief period of drought between July and August.

Jato therefore advised farmers in the state to plant drought-resistant crops and take advantage of the early rainfall to plant early-maturing crops which will be ready for harvest within the short rainy season predicted.

He also reminded people of the state of the "warmer than normal" temperature predicted for some parts of the country, Kogi State inclusive, adding that residents should ensure adequate ventilation in their various dwellings to prevent heat- related diseases like meningitis.

Egypt: SERAP asks African Commission to order unconditional release of Al-Jazeera journalists Emir of Agaie receives letter of appointment

S

ocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned the African Commission on Human

change of name

Omuni

I formerly known Okolo Stella Ndubuisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Omuni Stella Ndubuisi, all former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Onyemekara

I formerly known Miss Nkeiruka Blessing Ezumotu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nkeiruka Blessing Onyemekara, all former documents remain valid. General public take note.

and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambia requesting the commission “to urgently intervene to prevail on the Egyptian authorities to end the continuing imprisonment of all Al Jazeera journalists and human rights defenders facing unfair trial and persecution for simply carrying out their lawful duties.”

The petition dated 15 April 2014 and sent to Ms Pansy Tlakula, Commissioner and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, was signed by Solicitor to

SERAP, Femi Falana.

According to SERAP, “prosecutors on January 29, 2014, referred three Al Jazeera English journalists to trial on politicized charges such as disseminating “false information” and belonging to a “terrorist organization,” some of which carry prison sentences ranging from five to 15 years. The three detained Al Jazeera journalists are: Egyptian nationals Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed and an Australian, Peter Greste.”

The petition reads in part: “SERAP believes

that their continuing detention and persecution amounts to a violation of their right to freedom of expression and press freedom, guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Egypt is a state party.”

“SERAP is concerned that their continuing imprisonment and persecution is also a fundamental breach of their right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

Dan Atori MINNA

T

he Niger State Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday presented the official letter of appointment to the Emir of Agaie, Alhaji Yussuf Nuhu, insisting that due process was followed in the selection and the government did not interfere in the process.

It should be noted that 13 princes and district heads from Agaie emirate vied for the seat vacated almost a month ago by Alhaji Mohammadu Attahiru

Nkochi, but the seven kingmakers were unanimous in their choice of Alhaji Yussuf Nuhu, a former Deputy Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria and one time Commissioner for Information in Niger state.

According to Governor Aliyu, "Whenever there is vacancy, many people will be interested and a lot of lobbying will take place, I even received a call from Toronto Canada suggesting the type of person that should be appointed. But I am happy the king-makers have done their job well."

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

11

APGA members fight over party headquarters Leo Sobechi

B

ut for insistence of Chief Maxi Okwu that brute force should not be applied in the attempt

by National Executive Committee, (NEC) of All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) to reclaim the party’s headquarters’ secretariat at Librevile Street, Wuse, Abuja; the situation would have degenerated into a free for all.

Chief Okwu, alongside the party’s governorship candidate in the Anambra 2013 election, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, other members of the party’s NEC and bailiffs arrived the premises of APGA headquarters yesterday, only to meet resistance from former Secretary of the party Alhaji Sani Shinkafi and few of the personal aides of the former National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh.

Piqued by Shinkafi’s defiance of the exercise of the lawful order of court by the bailiffs, some APGA faithful decided to take possession of the premises, wondering why Alhaji Shinkafi should be behaving as if the party’s facility was his personal property.

As the verbal altercation between Shinkafi and APGA supporters

receded into physical confrontation, National Chairman, Okwu; intervened, warning that anybody that engaged in fights stand the risk of prosecution adding that as a disciplined political party, APGA should not be seen as behaving as hooligans.

Speaking to journalists when the melee subsided, Okwu explained that “We are here to serve form 48 on Chief Victor Umeh and Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, which is the first proceeding in contempt of court. They have evading service and we decided to come and paste at the premises of the APGA headquarters”.

On what he intends to do since the two persons were not there, Okwu said we would occupy; there are processes in law and when you exhaust all avenues at personal service, you take to substituted means and in the full view of the public we have come to serve”.

The national chairman explained that the resistance by Umeh’s aides was their way of obeying last orders pointing out that “we are not here to fight, that is what I have made those with us to understand, this is a peaceful party; they are obeying last orders."

PDP defends Obanikoro on Ondo bye-election Babatope Okeowo Akure

T

he leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday rose in defence of the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who was said to have used the military during the inconclusive bye-election in Ilaje/Eseodo federal constituency in the state.

The governorship candidate of the PDP in the last election in the state, Chief Olusegun Oke, who spoke on behalf of the party’s leadership, also asked the state Resi-

dentElectoralCommissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, to substantiate the allegation that Obanikoro used the military during the state’s inconclusive bye-election.

Orebiyi at a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, alleged thatObanikorousedthemilitary and other security agencies during the bye-election.

But Oke, in a statement, said Orebiyi’s allegation and that of the leaders of the rival Labour Party (LP) against Obanikoro was because the Presidency did not allow the manipulation of the election as was the case in the past.

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu (left), addressing teachers at the interactive meeting with head teachers of public primary schools, at Olaoluwa Muslim Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti...yesterday.

8,167m

7m

The peak height of Dhaulagiri I, Nepal.

Source: Blatantworld.com

The number of fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions of Arab States region in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

1.1m

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Zambia in 2008.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Insecurity: Police mount surveillance at worship centres, banks, malls SECURITY

Lagos beefs up security to forestall insurgents' attack

Juliana Francis

L

agos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, yesterday ordered his men to beef up security at worship centres, banks, shopping malls, markets and other strategic places in the state.

Security watchers believe that the special

instruction was to forestall any sort of terrorists’ attack in the state, following the bloodletting at Nyanya, Abuja on Monday.

Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, however, explained that the order was due to the forthcoming Easter Festival and the ongoing Lagos State Black Heritage Carnival.

According to her, the security measures were to forestall hoodlums from perpetrating any sinister act during the period.

She said: “A contingent of strike forces and spe-

cialised units of the force, which includes Police Mobile Force (PMF) Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Explosive Ordinance Division (EOD) and conventional men, have been positioned in all points to monitor vehicles and individuals coming into the state and conduct stop and search.

“The State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) operatives have also been deployed to all the nooks and crannies for covert operation.”

Braide further said that Manko had since directed

all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to supervise and monitor this intensive surveillance, which would also pay serious attention to strategic places such as worship centres, shopping malls, financial institutions, business plaza, markets, government installations, recreation centres and motor parks, among others.

Meanwhile, Manko, on behalf of the officers and men of the command wishes Christians and Lagosians a happy Easter and Black Heritage Carnival celebration.

Fayemi's aides accuse police of bias Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

T

hree of the four supporters and aides of Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, arraigned by the police on a four-count charge of malicious damage to property, attempted murder, among others, have accused the police of bias.

They also accused a top police officer in the state of threatening their lives.

Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Richard Apolola, Owoju Ayodele and Adeniyi Adedipe, said they were only invited by the police over a case of malicious damage to property, only for them to be charged to court for attempted murder, among others.

The fourth person charged with them, Deji Adesokan, was not at the press briefing. Apolola, Owoju and Adesokan are

special assistants to Fayemi, while Adedipe, the leader of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), is a strong supporter of the governor.

Apolola, who spoke for the three the police top shot others, accused a top police officer in the state command of threatening their lives while in detention.

He said the riot police officer claimed to have been sent to the state to get rid of people like him.

His views were cor-

roborated by Adedipe and Owoju, who said their plight was as a result of their refusal to work with a particular governorship candidate.

In his reaction, Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Felix Uyanna, denied any wrong doing on the part of his men. He said his men conducted their jobs professionally.

He urged any aggrieved person to report to appropriate authorities.

metr

NEW TELEGRAPH

FEAR OF PR ABIODUN BELLO

A senior police officer, described as a serial rapist, has been accused of having forceful carnal knowledge of a female detainee Juliana Francis

A

31-year-old lady, who was detained at a divisional police station on Lagos Island, has accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station of raping her.

The lady, identified simply as Miss Akinwunmi, alleged that the DPO, a Superintendent of Police (SP), instructed one Inspector Ajiduwe to bring her to his office for debriefing of her case.

The DPO (names withheld) allegedly pounced on the lady and raped her after Ajiduwe left the office.

Akinwunmi, who claimed she was arrested on April 15, about 1am, added that she was reported to the police by her ‘madam,’ identified as Mrs Pelumi, who runs a local cafeteria at number 11, Keffi Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

“I was detained in the cell and about 10pm, one Inspector Ajiduwe brought me out and took me to the DPO’s office, where he raped me in his office without protection. He threatened to send me to prison if I tell anyone. I later paid N10,000 to the policemen at the station for my bail,” the lady said.

Akinwunmi, who gave the name of her Investigating Police Officer (IPO) as

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

0802 393 8212

Umar Manko, CP Lagos

after the IPO, one Inspector Taiwo, extorted the sum of N10,000 from her.

“Now, she complains of severe stomach pains following the said sexual abuse by the DPO. “NOPRINI has inquired from the DPO. Although he naturally denied the allegation, but his shaky voice and incoherent speech betrays a sense of guilt. He also said the victim could come back and collect the N10,000 bribe they extorted from her after raping her.

“NOPRIN commends ACP Edgal Imohimid, Area Commander, Lion Building, for ensuring that the victim gets a police report to enable her to go for medical examination and report. This was initially denied her by the officers she met at the station before NOPRIN called on the area commander to intervene.”

Partial closure of Lagos –Abeokuta Expressway begins today Camillus Nnaji

L

agos State Government has announced the partial closure of the Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway to allow for the construction of pedestrian bridge.

The closure, according to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa, is on April 17 (today), April 22 and 24.

The partial closure at Ijaye Bus Stop today is to allow the launch of longitudinal beam inward while that of April 22 at Ile-Epo Bus Stop is for the

inbound Lagos.

Also on April 24, there will be partial closure of the expressway at Ijaiye Bus Stop for inward Lagos.

“Motorists as well as pedestrians are enjoined to be cautious, cooperate with traffic officers who will be on the ground to ensure free movement of vehicles and enforce obedience to traffic instructions,” Opeifa added.

The commissioner also said that the repair works on Oke-Afa - Egbe Bridge would start today.

According to him, the road will be partially closed in continuation of the

A robbery susp in police custo is praying not prison

FEATURES Editor

Randy DPO rapes female detainee one Inspector Taiwo, complained that since the rape incident, she had been experiencing stomach pains.

A police source said the DPO was fond of raping female detainees in his custody.

“This is the fourth time he has been accused of raping detainees in his care,” the source added.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Briade, said it was a grievous allegation.

She added that the police hierarchy was still investigating allegation.

But the Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN Foundation), a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), which has taken up the matter, said that the girl and her boyfriend yesterday were trying to get police report that would enable them go to a general hospital for a medical examination.

NOPRIN’s spokesman, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said he had spoken with the girl and she confirmed the story.

He said: “The boyfriend said that they are both ready to fight and seek justice.

The DPO and I spoke. Although he denied the allegation as expected, his voice was trembling and he was panicking. I have asked the girl to go for a medical examination.

“NOPRIN is shocked at the information it received today from Miss Akinwunmi that a DPO raped her in his office on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

“She said that the DPO forcefully had carnal knowledge of her without protection in his office after he had threatened to send her to prison. She was released

I ret

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

thursday, april 17, 2014

Serial Rape

Sanctity

Thursday, A

maintenance work which will last 12 days from today to April 28.

“The bridge will not be closed to traffic but vehicular movement will be restricted to one carriageway in alternate sessions.

“Traffic re-routing will also be carried out to facilitate seamless flow of traffic while motorists are advised to take alternate routes to avoid delays, watch out for diversion traffic signs and obey traffic rules and regulations.

“All relevant agencies have been directed to ensure free flow of traffic as the maintenance work lasts,” he said.

Robbers take over Bauchi –Maiduguri Road, kill one Muhammed Sani Bauchi

S

ome armed robbers, who have taken over Maiduguri Road in Bauchi State, are now terrorising Soro town and its environs.

They also killed one man in the town on Monday.

The robbers are said to specialise in snatching Hilux vehicles.

According to investigation, they have snatched about five vehicles.

The state Police Public relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Muhammad Haruna, said that the robbers, numbering about 20, invaded Soro town in Ganjuwa Local Government Area and snatched three vehicles.

One of the vehicles is a white Hilux car with registration number 206 UN 139, belonging to the United Nations and another one belonging to the state-owned television station (BATV) with registration number 04C-04 BA. The robbers, Haruna added, fired sporadically into the air while trying to escape but in the process a stray bullet hit a man identified as Bose Bappa Kari.

The victim, a resident of Tudun Wada area of Soro town, later died at the hospital.

The PPRO said that the entire area and adjourning towns had been cordoned off by security agents.

Juliana Francis

A

robbery su Saka, seem learnt any previous enco law.

Barely three ye out of the Kirikir probably on his w The suspect, n of the Special An (SARS), Ikeja, La was arrested for a building at Ala state.

591 m in La

Muritala Ayinla

I

n the last one y stolen about 5 ers on major h Lagos metropoli The Commiss and Infrastructu Hamzat, who dis the governmen huge resources manhole covers Hamzat add sources spent on could have been provision of oth The commiss why some peop the manhole c

Bash Ali, others preach pe Tony Okuyeme

B

ashiru Ali, aka Bash Ali, is noted worldwide as a fighter whose fame accrued from inflicting ‘deadly’ punches on his opponents.

He is also currently angling to emerge in the World Guinness Book of Records as the oldest man to engage in an organised professional boxing event.

But at a recent event in Warri, Delta State, Bash Ali, the World Boxing Federation cruiser weight title holder, left behind his gloves and instead, turned, even if momentarily, to preaching peace, brotherliness and unconditional love.

The occasion was the launch

of the book “Broth written by Ulisan gho, a pastor and m ter which focused o friendship as a pan cial disintegration.

The event, which Spring Trust Church ters in Warri, attrac people from across m in the society.

“If we must see la in Nigeria, we must spirit of genuine fri gardless of our tri ligious orientations The boxer said t meeting the author for the first time an phone communica him prior to comi

‘Ajimobi lacks clear vision to govern Oyo’ / PAGE 17 | WHY Imoke sacked me –ONOR / PAGE 16

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/politics

A’Ibom governorship open to all –Umanah

ayodele Ojo

Deputy Editor, politics

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

ayodeleojo@yahoo.com

p-14

THURSday, April 17, 2014

Chief Willy Ezugwu is the General Secretary of the Conference of the Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP). He speaks on the on-going National Conference and national issues in this interview with ONYEKACHI EZE. Excerpts: Since the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), we have not heard much about the Conference of the Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP). Does CNPP still exist?

Well, I don’t know what you mean whether CNPP is still existing because of the APC. The APC is one of the parties under CNPP and I have said it times without number the CNPP is not an opposition; it is the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is involved. Before we hold meetings in PDP office, at times we hold meetings in Labour Party office. I can tell you that CNPP today, of which Alhaji Balarabe Musa is the National Chairman, myself as the Secretary General is one of the authentic organisations that is existing in this country today. So, when people ask this kind of question I start wondering.

This is an organization that is not being funded from any angle but they still exist and still do service to the nation.

And how do you do service to the nation; by enlightening the voiceless, by making government know these are political parties, this is their right and their left. So, the CNPP still exists as much as we are there.

There seems to be lull in the activities of CNPP in recent time, which made people wonder if anything has really gone wrong somewhere.

I said there is no problem in CNPP; what made CNPP slowdown in its activities was when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered some political parties. Majority of the parties were deregistered but fortunately they have gone to court. Even at that Fresh Democratic Party won its case at the Federal High Court but still INEC has not started dealing with them, which means the electoral commission is selective with the judgements they obey and the ones they disobey.

What is your take on the sequence of the 2015 elections and the suggestion that all elections should hold same day?

If you decide to hold the elections the same day, it won’t be possible. Frankly speaking, even a state election is difficult

2015: Jonathan remains the best for presidency –Ezugwu me, the confab has no meaning.

You talked about National Conference, and so far people are seeing it as a step that may shape the nation. In your view, what impact do you think the confab could make in the polity?

The confab is one of the best things President Goodluck Jonathan has done so far but the unfortunate thing is the calibre of people there. Are they sincere to know that this is one Nigeria, that this is the right time for us to get it right? Now you can hear some people saying the confab has taken over from the National Assembly, that we are now running a parallel assembly or legislative organ. In Nigeria, there is no trust among people, that is why no matter how you do it, no matter where you go people will still accuse you, they will still doubt you because they still look at it that you have a different agenda. But as far as I am concerned, the confab is the only way we can see if Nigeria can still exist. So it is a very welcome development that Mr. President has put in place.

Ezugwu

for INEC to organise, how much more when you load the whole elections same day. No matter how you look at it, if you like conduct the presidential election first, followed by the National Assembly election and then the governorship and House of Assembly, no matter how you turn it there will still be that kind of band wagon effect. But because the INEC seems not to be trusted that is why some people are beginning to have different views about the time table.

If it were when people who were appointed into government agencies were sincere, there is nothing wrong with the

INEC timetable. Look at the National Assembly and all the probes here and there; have you seen anyone that has seen the light of the day? No. 90 per cent of the people in the National Assembly are not supposed to be there, that is why we are having these problems. That is why they don’t even have that humility and sincerity in them. Every person is going there just to make money. Just like when you talk about the ongoing National Conference, so many people are just there to make money. So, many of them have no business being at the confab; they are just there because of the allowance. So, for

CROSSFIRE These attacks are politically motivated by unpatriotic persons, especially those in the APC, who have been making utterances, promoting violence and blood-letting as a means of achieving political control -Olisa Metuh

Trying to blame the opposition for the attack, as the harebrained PDP has irresponsibly done even when the bodies of the victims are still lying in the morgue, cannot advance a genuine push to end the insurgency -Lai Mohammed

In 2005, the Olusegun Obasanjo administration conducted a political conference with non-implementation of the report.

What do you think will happen to the report of this confab?

During Obasanjo’s time, I have not seen anything good that government did, but this particular government, you can see one or two things you can point to that has succeeded. Obasanjo decided to kill the report of the confab because he wanted third term after when he was supposed to be the Mandela of Nigeria. He was almost a dead man if Abacha were alive and luckily for him he survived. He had ruled this country as a military Head of State and then he came back to be a civilian president for eight years, but he failed to direct this country in the right direction.

Obasanjo kept on manipulating the system. He has done his own and has gone.

Jonathan has set up another one and we pray that it succeeds. From every indication, most of the things he has come out with, he succeeded. So, we still believe that this one he will succeed. They are two parallel lines; you don’t compare Obasanjo with Jonathan. It is just like comparing CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

14

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

Thursday, April 17, 2014

A’Ibom governorship open to all –Umanah Aniekan Umanah is the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications. In this interview with TONY ANICHEBE, he clarifies some issues he says are misrepresentations by a section of the public about government actions. Excerpts: The town hall meeting put together by the state government has been criticised for leaving the issue of emergence of a particular aspirant as governor in 2015. How true is this?

That assumption is incorrect. The idea of the town hall meetings put together by the governor was to enhance participatory democracy. The governor goes there to present his scorecard and he also listens to the people, their problems and needs and he gets feedback from the people. They have been very revealing.

The governor gets to hear the minds of notable citizens from every federal constituency. So far, he has concluded the meetings in all the federal constituencies and it has been good. We didn’t go there to sell any candidate; the people of Akwa Ibom spoke on the projects and on their political future. The people spoke their mind on many issues. Don’t forget that before now the governor had made clear that anybody can contest any election in any office he so desired and that everybody is prevented by the constitution to aspire to any office. Don’t forget that when the governor contested his election in 2007, they were 58 aspirants from every part of the state.

But for the sake of justice, equity and fair play, the thinking is that since the state is sitting on the tripod of three Senatorial Districts, since the Uyo Senatorial District had the shot from the time of Obong Akpan Isemin to the era of Obong Victor Attah, and since Ikot Ekpene District is having its own slot presently with Governor Godswill Akpabio, I think the right thing to do is to encourage the people of Eket Senatorial District to produce the next governor so that the three Senatorial Districts will be fully represented.

Why is the race limited to Eket Senatorial District when past governorship contest was open to all?

That is why I said earlier that the race is an open one. Of course when Akpabio contested in 2007 people from Oron, Uyo contested. After all, when you look at the outcome of the 2007 primaries, Akpabio came first and other persons were from different parts of the state. Chief Udoma Ekarika came second, Larry Esin from Oro Nation was third, Bassey Inuayen from Ikono/Ini axis contested same election, Ubong Nsima Ekere from Ikot Abasi contested. Even people from Uyo Senatorial District contested so it is not restricted at all.

Your colleagues in the cabinet recently adopted three of the council members and presented them to the governor as their choice for 2015 governorship. Why this?

It is all participatory democracy; the

cabinet members have the right to say yes, we have three of us capable of contesting the governorship race. I don’t see anything wrong with our action; people are canvassing support for different people. Are cabinet members no longer Akwa Ibom people? Don’t we have the right to say we are looking at this direction; we took that action because it was our own thinking. Don’t forget it is not binding on anybody because it is the electorate that will decide; the electorate will vote and exco members have their own votes at the end of the day. The election will be won by the most preferred candidates by the electorate.

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the state recently petitioned the party’s national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu calling for the removal of the state’s party exco, alleging that they were imposed on the people. What is your take on this?

Those are renegades. The architects of this message thought they could confuse the people; they have forgotten that the election was conducted, contested and was shown live on television. Some of the people behind the so-called petition spoke at the congress and they are alive. I think their action is tantamount to idleness.

The E-library, one of the main projects executed by the governor, appears to be malfunctioning presently. What is the problem?

It will grow into optimal performance.

Yes, there is an interim management there but the larger and enduring management system will soon be in place. It is a beautiful project and when you go there you will see library users and mostly children making use of the facilities.

Soonest some of the present technical problems will be permanently resolved.

Ibaka Deep Sea Port when completed was expected to address the unemployment problem in the state, but it appears the project is stalled. What is the situation now?

A deep seaport project is not like building a family house or building an office block. We have to do the preparatory work before the actual take-off of the project like the geophysical and maritime requisites needed for such a gigantic project. Don’t forget that government has acquired a massive land for this project and set aside some funds too.

We have had the ground breaking ceremony and did all the geological survey, and a steering committee for investors has also come and indicated interest in some areas. So, all that is needed to help kick start the project to see the light of day has been put in place. And the proj-

Umanah

ect is rearing to go on. This is a very significant project for our state.

people of Abak federal constituency have told the governor that for the good job he has done for our people, for wiping our tears and opening up several forgotten areas, if it is the only thing we can do for him to go to Abuja and attract more developmental projects to us, then let it be. You have to look at a man’s legs before sending him to dig trenches; because you have to be sure his legs will be able to turn the mud. We have sized the governor and the people of Abak Federal constituency are very pleased with the governor and will always stand by him. There are some politicians who may be sponsoring people to make unnecessary noise.

The part of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District known as Abak axis, where you come from, appears to be working against the desire of Akpabio to go to the Senate. Why so?

You see people like to twist facts. First, the governor is one big stakeholder in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. He can contest any election if he desires. The Senate thing is not even his desire but the major stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene held a meeting and in a public communiqué called on the governor to contest and represent the area in the Senate. The decision was taken by stakeholders from the entire federal constituencies in Ikot Ekpene.

Now let’s go back to history. Ikot Ekpene senatorial slot has been rotating between Abak five axis and Ikot Ekpene axis, but you discover too that one federal constituency of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam has produced three senators in the past from Abak axis alone. That is Senators Donald Etiebet, Akanniyene Ukpana and Itak Bob Ekarika. In Ikot Ekpene axis, we have had Nsima Akpabio, Emmanuel Ibok Essien and Aloysious Etuk. But the

The industries the governor promised the people during his second term campaign are yet to be actualised. Has he changed his mind?

That is not correct. The governor made it clear that industries will be built in the 31 local government areas working on the PPP model. As I speak to you, more than 83 expressions of interest have been received, up to 21 industries have been shortlisted for the development of industrial concern in different local government areas. As I speak to you, about five firms have commenced actual industrial development.

The industrial programme is on course. Not that government will build factory and handover to people as gifts; that will not happen. Businessmen will have to join hands with government and access the Bank of Industry for the first N5 billion counterpart funding provided for people to access and develop industries using the PPP model. Industrial development is a serious business and not a jamboree and people must understand that.

Are cabinet members no longer Akwa Ibom people?... we took that action because it was our own thinking. Don’t forget it is not binding on anybody because it is the electorate that will decide

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW 15

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Your resignation as Speaker of the Benue Assembly was linked to your alleged highhandedness using the influence of the governor. Today, you are in the race for the 2015 governorship. What actually led to your resignation?

You see, leading an Assembly is quite difficult because you don’t have an edge over anybody. You are just merely given an opportunity to lead and you are the custodian of that legislative arm of government. That is exactly what applies to me here too. And so I was given an opportunity to lead the honourable members in the House. I am a very principled person, and for me to have left the leadership of the Assembly does not in any way hinder me from aspiring to lead the state.

When I was Speaker of the Assembly, most people looked at me as having an edge over every other member and so pressure started coming in from outside and filtered into members. And I thank God for giving me that opportunity to have resigned otherwise if I had stayed longer maybe something else would have happened or may be I would have received an embarrassment by being impeached.

There was a strong feeling in the House that Governor Gabriel Suswam was giving me many assignments to go and represent him and so I was becoming larger than the House itself. So, when the pressure came, as a principled person I quietly resigned and today I am pursuing my ambition to be the governor of Benue State.

I am happy today because there has been no allegation of any fraud, dishonesty or anything against me in the House.

So, I left as a very clean person and today I thank God that comparison can be made. I am not castigating my successor, but you can compare my leadership with the present Speaker, Barr. Terhile Ayua. Anybody can look into records and see whether my resignation was based on the fact that I was not able to carry members along. No! It was based on my principles.

So, I want to assure Benue people that my resignation was not linked with anything fraud; it was based on my principles.

If I had wanted I would have stayed on despite the pressure but I wanted peace to prevail.

How prepared are you for the 2015 election because it appears your posters are not seen anywhere in the state?

Each one of us (aspirants) has different approaches to election. I am an old timer in election, so my approaches and strategies are different from that of these new comers who have just resigned from the civil service to contest with me. I know where the votes are, I know who I am targeting; I am targeting delegates now. I am an old horse and so for those who are just beginners, they would want people to be clapping hands for them. I have done the widest of consultations, I have met major stakeholders in the state who will deliver, I am not playing to the gallery. I need no introduction into the political landscape of the state.

People that are coming to contest for the governorship, what is their pedigree?

Where are they coming from? Have they been able to impact positively on the lives of the people of the state? I have done much as far as I know. I have secured admission for many students in the tertiary

I resigned as Benue Speaker to avoid embarrassment –Iorhemba Immediate past Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Barrister David Iorhemba says he resigned as speaker of the House to avoid being embarrassed through an impeachment process. In this interview with CEPHAS IORHEMEN, the Guma representative also bares his mind on the incessant attacks on Tiv farmers by Fulani herdsmen, his gubernatorial ambition and the crisis rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among other issues. Excerpts:

Iorhemba

institutions in the state, given scholarship to many students, built primary schools, sunk boreholes and above all my relationship with my constituents is very cordial.

These new comers who have resigned to contest, I pity them. In the next three months, they will emaciate because of pressure from people to give them money. I can’t be reduced to the same level with them.

The rate of unemployment in Benue State, like every other state, is assuming a worrisome level. How do you intend to solve this situation if elected governor in 2015?

I agree with you that the issue of unemployment in the state is very disturbing and alarming. If you look at statistics, Benue turns out at least 6000 graduates every year from Benue State University, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi which dominates Benue indigenes, College of Education, Katsina Ala as well as the Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture in Yandev, Benue Polytechnic Ugbokolo, Fidei Polytechnic, School of Health Technology and other institutions and so it’s becoming disturbing that a parent is taking care of a 40-year-old son who is a graduate.

So, what I intend to do to reduce unemployment if elected governor is to use public private partnership approach.

I will invite investors to revive most of our moribund industries and also lease out some of them. My administration will

not be able to run them; we tried it before but failed.

If you look at Benue Breweries, it has been taken over by Consolidated Breweries and that has reduced unemployment in a way. I will get Golden Penny Company that produces oil to take over Taraku Mills. I will get any of the plastic companies to take over Benue Plastic Industry.

This I think can reduce unemployment to a great extent. The Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) will also be leased out to help tackle the unemployment problem in the state.

Also, I will strengthen the state civil service to give hope to the civil servants.

I will make the civil service attractive to all retired workers.

These new comers who have resigned to contest, I pity them. In the next three months, they will emaciate because of pressure from people to give them money. I can’t be reduced to the same level with them

With the defection of some elected officials from PDP to APC, is your party not threatened by this development?

This is not the first time that opposition parties are forming alliance against the PDP and so it will continue to be, yet nothing can threaten the party. There are crises in the PDP; I agree. Even between husband and wife, there is always crisis, but when there is crisis you come out more stronger. The PDP has come to stay.

So, the PDP is never threatened by the actions of the defecting members, in fact some have started coming back already.

You saw what happened in the National Assembly. So, especially now that there are threats of declaring their seats vacant, others are regretting and others will merely say it but will not leave PDP because you know the powers of a ruling party and the constitution is there.

Here in Benue State, there are no threats to PDP because Governor Suswam has been able to put the party and people of the state on the right track, even those crying wolf are just making noise. You cannot even notice the presence of opposition parties in the state. I went round to see where they are doing registration of APC members but observed that nothing happened.

I wonder if they did it in their houses How do you see the invasion of Benue by Fulani herdsmen?

We have taken motions and resolutions on the floor of the House in respect to the issue of Fulani herdsmen invasion to Benue. The invasion has affected four local government areas of the state namely: Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West and Agatu. I have made submissions and contributions on this matter and said the Federal Government has not been able to curtail the Boko Haram insurgency in the northern part of the country, and so I wonder how government can again be able to adequately address the security challenges in Benue between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers.

The only way out is for us to fall back on the vigilante law which is in place.

If elected governor, I will cash on that; I will make sure that each desk officer in each local government has a vigilante group. My administration will strengthen the vigilante group to safeguard our people. The Federal Government is not concerned with the security of lives and property of the citizens of this country, so we must sit up.

Again, we will address the problem of bad roads in the rural areas so that we can have access to some of the interior villages. As I speak to you, I wonder if there is an emergency in my village, Yogbo, I can’t go because there are no roads.

A place of less than 14 kilometres takes you more than four hours to go because the road is not motorable. You can’t ply on that road; so how do you expect security operatives to do their routine work effectively? I believe if I do that I might have addressed the security challenges confronting the people.

16

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Why Imoke sacked me –Onor Dr. Sandy Onor, a former university teacher, is a major political actor in Cross River State. He is a former local government chairman, one-time chairman, Cross River State Local Government Service Commission and Governor Liyel Imoke’s campaign manager in 2011. The immediate past Commissioner for Environment is currently the campaign manager of Mr. Goddy Jeddy-Agba, a governorship aspirant in the state. He spoke with CLEMENT JAMES in Calabar on why he has switched camp. Excerpts:

of the state; he will have to work with other party members who have shared in this vision. That vision, with due respect, is not rocket science. It’s very mundane. It’s very available and it’s very easy to follow. It’s not too complicated at all and cannot be mystified.

What led to your removal as commissioner by Governor Liyel Imoke?

I don’t know how to put it, but I wasn’t called back after the governor suspended some of us in December 2013. That’s the reality. Within the context of our politics, if you are a serving member of the State Executive Council and you hold views that appear to run contrary to the views of the leadership, it is considered a crime.

It’s not a good democratic practice but I think that was the logic behind all of it. You know I am one of those championing the invitation of Goddy JeddyAgba to run for the governorship of Cross River. Maybe, it doesn’t go down well with the hierarchy. But I believed he has all it takes and, in the interest of Cross River State, he should be the man.

With the party structure firmly in the hands of the governor, do you have a plan B in case Jeddy-Agba is not given a chance in PDP? A good politician should be bound by his conviction. He should know that the platform he wants to contest is a strong platform. I concede that the governor is very strong. In fact, he is the strongest man, politically, in the state today. But we are talking about democracy where the will of the majority prevails, or should be seen to prevail. When the people make a unanimous choice, even the strongest person should concede the outcome to them because the people are the kernel of democracy. But I know that God reigns in the affairs of men. We have faith in God.

What’s the motivation for supporting Jeddy-Agba?

The motivation is the good of Cross River State and the fact that I, as an individual, and those who think like me, are entitled, democratically to dream dreams for the good of our people.

It is alleged that the governor is not welldisposed to Jeddy-Agba’s candidature.

What’s your take on that?

The party draws its strength and legitimacy from the people. We believe that the overwhelming majority of Cross River people and the overwhelming majority of card carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) want Jeddy-Agba to be the party’s candidate and so shall it be by the grace of God. Recently, the governor was quoted as saying that he does not know who will take over from him, but he knows who will not. How do you interpret this statement?

I don’t want to interpret statements that are proverbial because it would avail me no advantage. Only the governor knows who will not take over from him. He should do the interpretation. I don’t need to bother about it.

Many say Jeddy-Agba is a civil servant and should not be a party member.

Is that what the constitution says?

The constitution says if you are a civil servant, you cannot stand an election.

So, let’s wait and see how it goes.

Onor

hand over to someone who understands his vision for the state.

Jeddy-Agba has been out of the state for a long time. Will this not affect his chances?

The truth of the matter is that it doesn’t take a millennium for anybody with the right education and exposure to understand the workings of the state. It doesn’t take even a decade for somebody with the right education to understand the vision of the state.

At the end of the day, whoever will be elected as governor will work with Cross Riverians who have been here.

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

light with darkness.

Is this parallel position not showing a split in PDP in Cross River State?

Not at all. The PDP is only reflecting the proper mood of democracy which is that it allows you the liberty to think, differ and then agree later based on the legitimacy of the ballot and the credibility of the party which prides itself, understandably and truly, as the bastion of democracy.

So, where would you like the confab report to be sent to after they might have completed their assignment?

For me, this is a very difficult question to answer. Are you sending the report back to the National Assembly that is quarrelling with the confab? Or are you sending it to the Presidency? So, where is it going now that Nigerians will say yes, the actual thing will come out from what they discussed? I don’t believe in sending it to the National Assembly. Let the bulk of the whole thing go back to the man who set it up, that is Mr. President.

If he is sincere to set it up, he will still be sincere to make sure he doesn’t remove whatever they must have agreed on.

Imoke has consistently said he will

How do you think 2015 will go, considering

if you are a serving member of the State Executive Council and you hold views that appear to run contrary to the views of the leadership, it is considered a crime He will have to work with the civil servants who understand the workings

Any message to the people?

Yes. We must know that if God places you in a position of authority, He does that for you to use it for the good of the society and not to spread hate. Cross River has always been a peaceful state and nothing should be done to truncate that peace. If we say we are serving the public and with a clear conscience, we should not go about it with desperation. Today, it is one person. Another person could be there tomorrow. Politics is a game of number and we should learn to agree with the majority.

Jonathan remains the best for that we now have two major parties – PDP and APC? As a far as I am concerned, the APC is not even the saviour because when you look at the people who are leading and directing APC, you will start wondering are these people getting it right. You know the bulk of APC are people from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Every Nigerian knows that PDP has not gotten it right, but as far as I am concerned I don’t see APC today as the messiah. Most of the people in APC are what I call political prostitutes, jumping from one party to another. And they are not going there because they are thinking of Nigeria; they are only thinking of how to get the power at the top. What happens to Nigeria they don’t want to know. That is why today when people are talking of APC, it doesn’t

concern people like me. Look at the formation of APC; look at those involved in APC, a party that told its members not to pass the budget. Is that budget for President Jonathan? Is it not for the whole country? If you don’t pass budget, that is a coup against the masses whom you are thinking you are going to empower and help. So, as far as I am concerned, they make so much noise. As far as I am concerned, APC is not the alternative to PDP. Do you think President Jonathan has done enough to re-contest the 2015 presidential election?

If you don’t elect him who will you elect? That is why I said let everybody present themselves to the electorate. If every party comes up with its presidential candidate, we will look at them. If

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW 17

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Kehinde Olaosebikan is a former Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor Lamidi Adesina and one-time local government chairman in Oyo State. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain speaks on the Abiola Ajimobi administration and the polarisation of PDP in Oyo State. SOLA ADEYEMO reports

Ajimobi lacks clear vision to govern Oyo –Olaosebikan

What is the state of PDP in Oyo State? Are the two parallel party executives and secretariats still existing?

The state of PDP in Oyo State is good and we are creating great opportunities for improvement. The party is waxing stronger by the day. As far as PDP is concerned, there is only one executive under the chairmanship of Hon. Yinka Taiwo.

It is the only executive we know. If there is any other executive or any group of people parading themselves as executive members of PDP in the state, those people are mere impostors.

But members of the other group claim they are the PDP authentic executives. In fact, they were presented to President Goodluck Jonathan by the FCT Minister of State, Ms Jumoke Akinjide when the president came to Oyo State recently.

If that actually happened, I think it is carrying the joke, the political exuberance too far. It is a misnomer for the minister to present fake executive members to the President and Commanderin-Chief of the number one black nation in the world. It calls for serious actions.

It is unbelievable that a minister would deceive the president, even openly. That is very serious.

Are you saying that the Kunmi Mustaphaled executive is fake?

Ask the so-called chairman or any of the group how many times they have been invited to the national headquarters of the party for meetings. I don’t really know why some politicians like to deceive themselves. To achieve what?

The case of the present governor in Oyo State is very pathetic... It is a shame for a governor of the Pacesetter State to be proud of a one lane overhead bridge as his biggest feat in three years

Olaosebikan

What is the real problem with PDP that cohesion and unity have continued to elude it in the state since 2009?

It is not correct to say that cohesion and unity have eluded the party. The fact is: PDP is the biggest party in Oyo State. It is the only party with noticeable, tangible presence in all the wards in the state. What people mean by lack of cohesion is the absence of an overall leader which I am happy to inform you that we don’t have and we will never have again in PDP. To the glory of God and the founding fathers of the party, PDP has fully evolved having gone through its medieval periods. The era of gofatherism, one man show, ‘baba so pe’ (father said) and the rest is gone. It is no longer a party that will be remotely- controlled by an individual. The party is now being run, using the legally- recognised

presidency –Ezugwu I don’t see APC today as the messiah. Most of the people in APC are what I call political prostitutes, jumping from one party to another there is any person that we see that might be better than President Jonathan then people will vote for him. But just like I said, if you look at the whole masquerades today he is still the best.

Most of those who want to be president are people who made their money from pen robbery. Tell me where most of the people coming out for the presidency

of this country got their money from.

Where have they made all their business empires, if not the same corruption?

Today, as far as I am concerned, I am still asking this question; if Jonathan does not run who will run? To me, he is still the best we are seeing. For those people parading themselves, we know them and their antecedents. That is why people like me are now saying as at today, Jonathan still remains the best among them.

You are the traditional ruler of your town and you are a politician. How do you marry the two?

In Enugu State, we have the Igwes; we don’t have Ezes. Even in my autonomous community we have Igwe appointed by the government. These Igwes were given certificates; those Igwes have salaries and cars from government. Then when

structures across board. The era of one man or woman sitting somewhere and dishing directives above the chairman of the party is gone.

The party in Oyo State now operates under the leadership of the chairman.

We only have elders who are respected based on their worth and contributions in their localities. All you need to do is go to your ward and show your worth.

Thank God, the era of violence is gone.

All the people need to judge you, is your contributions at meetings. In PDP today in Oyo, your destiny is in your hands not in the hands of any godfather.

There are moves by the party’s top hierarchy to reclaim the South-West states, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

How prepared are the political gladiators in the party, considering the series of cosmetic reconciliation meetings that have been held you go to Ezes, they have a different role.

I am the Eze of my town. My own Eze is hereditary in the sense that my grandfather was the Eze of my town, and my father took over from him in 1964; my father died just last year. When my father died, the kingmakers elected me as his successor; that is the tradition.

So, my own is a traditional institution, not government messengers like the Igwes who cannot say what they feel like of their people; who dance to any government that gives them certificate or pays them salary.

I am totally neutral, that is why I can do what I like; that is why I say my traditional stool does not stop my activism because no one gave me certificate or can say they want to take the certificate from me. And even my people, except something happens, they cannot dethrone me easily. This is a traditional institution; it has nothing to do with political appointment or government certificate, car loan or salary.

which have yielded no positive result?

Cosmetics? Yes! I want to agree with you to some extent. I have seen a few of that too. But, let me tell you, serious political meetings are not done in the public glare. I can tell you authoritatively that serious efforts have been made towards rejuvenating the party. We are making steady progress. But as expected, ambitions, particularly at this point in time, would cause disaffection here and there, but at the end of the day, you will see a better PDP refocused and ready for Agodi Government House. Oyo State is very sure for PDP. Don’t you think the large number of governorship aspirants in PDP would affect the party’s chances in 2015?

The PDP will present the best candidate that will make victory easy for the party. It will be victory for the state, victory for the oppressed market men and women, victory for the demoralised youths and students.

What is your assessment of the Abiola Ajimobi administration since 2011?

The case of the present governor in Oyo State is very pathetic and it makes one sad. Pathetic, in the sense that this is a man each time he talks, always brag of schooling outside Nigeria and reaching the top in a multinational company. Ask me, in any way, has he shown all of these?

Tell me a single spectacular thing this governor has done in the past three years. I passed through the secretariat road everyday, the picture of his best achievement in the last three years is still left there standing. It is a shame for a governor of the Pacesetter State to be proud of a one lane overhead bridge as his biggest feat in three years. Even, if overhead bridges have become the new criterion required to pass a governor, he is a complete failure.

While he did only a single lane (only one in Mokola, his colleague in the neighbouring state of Ogun has constructed four dual lane overhead bridges.

This government till today does not have a clear vision of what to do three years in government. The only thing they do is when they hear something is being done either in Lagos, Osun or anywhere at all, they rush to copy it. He lacks originality and when he copies, he does it woefully.

When he copied the flyover project, he did less and at the same time charged the state almost double of what they used in building half of what he gave us here. What is the government policy on education, health, housing, agriculture and so on?

It is only when you even have a direction, policy or vision that you know what to do.

From the way he has been ruling Oyo, he has left no one in doubt as to his inability to combine these three values to better the lots of the people. We can speak on this till tomorrow. He is purely an enemy of the people.

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POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

Alhaji Woru Mohammed, the Magaji Nda of Ilorin and spokesman of the Emirate Council, in this interview with BIODUN OYELEYE speaks on the politics of the state

Kwara PDP chieftains are billboard politicians –Mohammed Who is Gbemisola, you know, she is my daughter, but she has gone to the wrong place. She didn’t consult people like us. I laboured for her, there is nowhere I did not follow her to campaign in 2011

What is the position of the Ilorin Emirate on the recent sack of the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi by the President?

It’s very unfortunate, very irrational, and very unreasonable. Here is a person who I can grade as the most efficient minister. I don’t know why we introduced politics into everything here.

The action is unfortunate and condemnable; it shows that perhaps the government doesn’t want the best. They want sycophants, people who cannot perform.

There is no good reason for sacking him, and it’s bad. My heart bleeds.

Is that your personal position or that of the Ilorin Emirate?

That is the position of the Ilorin Emirate Magajis/Alanaguas Forum. We are the first to declare for Bukola Saraki, we are a force to reckon with. It’s unfortunate that the President sacked Abdullahi because of politics; you don’t need to be a politician before the President can appoint you as a minister.

The feeling is that he was sacked because of Jonathan’s 2015 ambition, do you see any correlation with that?

I don’t speculate. The sack is bad, it’s very unfortunate. I don’t know whether it has to do with 2015 or not. Who knows who will live up to 2015 among us? So, it’s jungle politics. I have never met the minister, I have nothing with him, but he is very efficient, I have never been to his house, I don’t know where he lives, but he is a true son of Ilorin Emirate and he had been a very good ambassador, there is no justification for his sack.

What is your advice for President Jonathan in this kind of situation?

Thursday, April 17, 2014

cent of the people there are supporters of Lawal.

Mohammed

I don’t need to advise him; he is a matured person. Why should I advise him. does the President seek for advice? Nigerians won’t suffer for his wrong decision or actions. It’s just nine months, for politics to start and we are going to open a can of worms. Like here in Kwara now, do you think the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win here? The All Progressives Congress (APC) will win. The type of people we are seeing in Kwara politics now are billboard politicians and they make noise. Nobody is going to remove the billboards; we are going to decide at the appropriate time because if PDP wins here that means we are going back to Mohammed Lawal era.

You know, that was a dark era in the history of politics here. It was a period of sleepless nights, a period of insecurity, a period when our tradition both Islam and traditional institution were bastardised. You know Lawal tried effortlessly to depose the Emir by putting his own king. So, we are now trying to go back there through the PDP. I am saying this because Lawal’s son is there, 50 per

But the daughter of the late Olusola Saraki, Gbemisola is also with the PDP. How do we reconcile this?

You are talking of the daughter of the late Waziri; my advice for her is to quit that party, she doesn’t fit there, they want to use her to destroy the dynasty.

What can they give her? The best they can give her is a minister; she will spend nine months and she is going to leave that place. PDP cannot win in Kwara.

The daughter of Waziri, who is Gbemisola, you know, she is my daughter, but she has gone to the wrong place. She didn’t consult people like us. I laboured for her, there is nowhere I did not follow her to campaign in 2011. Did she seek for advice?

So, I think the best thing for Gbemi is to quit PDP and come to her brother, settle the differences if there is any because I don’t think there is any difference to be settled. Abraham Lincoln tried in the US politics more than eight times, at the end of the day he became the President of America. If you don’t win one election, it doesn’t mean you should despise everybody, even Awolowo, tried, severally to be president.

My message to Gbemi is that she should not allow anybody to destroy Saraki dynasty because if anybody tries to destroy Saraki dynasty, I will fight that person. I don’t know of any politician in Kwara that is like the late Waziri.

He was the one who took care of us for over 40 years. You criticise him but you don’t do like him. Tell me one politician in Kwara who has ever built six kilometres of road? It was Saraki that started poverty alleviation; he had respect for constituted authorities, for traditional rulers, for widows, for women folk.

So, my advice for Gbemisola is for her to quit the PDP quickly, go back to her brother and settle whatever is believed to be the problem. You don’t allow somebody to use you. If they succeed in destroying the Saraki dynasty, they will now face her. But they cannot even destroy the Saraki dynasty; they are only making noise. They are billboard politicians.

In 2011, you were behind Gbemisola. How much effort have you made in reconciling her with Bukola Saraki?

I am angry with her because she didn’t contact me. She ought to have done that.

What position does she want? There is no place I didn’t follow her to during the campaigns. I was with her father throughout. She didn’t seek for my advice. What is the offence of Bukola to her? He has not committed any offence.

She has never contacted me. How can I make effort when somebody doesn’t seek my opinion? But my own words for her is to leave that place, she is not in the right place. All the people she is now associating herself with are the enemies of her father. So, it’s just like a lion opening her mouth, and you are just there, by the time the lion closes the mouth you are gone.

‘Kano not borrowing to finance projects’ Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf is the Commissioner of Works, Housing and Transport in Kano State. In this interview with MUHAMMAD KABIR, he speaks on why the state government has not borrowed to finance ongoing projects. Excerpts: What is the motive behind the creation of metro rail system in Kano?

Since the assumption of office of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the government has been trying to ensure the provision of basic infrastructure for the state. Part of this is the light rail system, which is an initiative of Kwankwaso.

Worldwide, light rail system is what is being practiced globally. In Nigeria, we only have one light rail system that is being created by the Federal Government,

which has taking a lot of time and it is still under construction. In Kano, the government decided that people deserve to have a befitting light rail system and Kwankwaso invited the interested companies, especially the reputable ones like CCECC that are currently handling the Federal Government projects, and in Kano already a Memorandum of Understanding has since been signed between the government and the company. All these are aimed at decongesting our roads. Don’t forget that the state is the most populated in Nigeria and the most commercially viable.

What delayed the take-off of the projects is the issue of funding as CCECC is interested in executing the project through Kano State funding. The governor does not intend not to borrow a single kobo throughout his tenure. Now, another reputable Asian company has come forward and indicated interest in executing the project. We had to invite them to Nigeria and we had a very fruitful discussion with

them. The difference between our MoU with CCECC and this present one is that the Asian company is ready to execute the project at no cost to the state government; all they want is for the government to provide enabling environment and to provide land for the take-off of the project.

In fact, there are several other mega projects going on. Don’t forget the three fly-overs going on. There is also Jakara, Konar Gogwa River Dualisation project at a cost of N5.5 billion.

We are working on an independent power project. We are eager to see that the people of Kano start enjoying constant power supply. With the population in Kano, we cannot rely on the Federal Government for power.

Would these projected be completed before the expiration of this administration?

With the determination and commitment of the governor, the projects will be completed.

Yusuf

What is the wisdom behind the creation of toll gate in Kano even when the Federal Government has stopped the idea?

Don’t forget that we have three tiers of government, all with full independent of the other. The only thing is the need for cohesion and cooperation between them. Even though some of the roads are federal, but states have every right to compliment federal efforts in everything, specifically on security.

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EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

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

THURSday, APRIL 17, 2014

The problematic Lagos-Ibadan expressway

T

he Lagos-Ibadan expressway which is perhaps the busiest in the country, given its strategic location to Nigeria’s major sea-port, remains in a deplorable state of disrepair. Most portions of the road constructed in the era of the 70’s oil boom are in a terrible condition despite the annual cosmetic repairs, thus making it accident prone for commuters. This national eyesore is much talked about by government officials but with no affirmative remedial action.

When President Goodluck Jonathan announced what was taken for a new beginning on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project on July 5, 2013, it seemed a closure on the endless controversy on the 105 Kilometre Highway had come. Jonathan said: “We have made adequate funding arrangements to see the project all the way through to completion and by the special grace of God, we are certain to deliver on our promise and pledge, on schedule.” However, Julius Berger and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), have failed to deliver on the project, thereby raising fears that once again we are faced with a mirage, while the woes of commuters will continue.

Initially, Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited (BHSL) was to reconstruct and upgrade the highway before the concession agreement was terminated by the Federal Government (FG). The contract included a

flyover at the Redemption Camp to ease the occasional congestion in that axis, provide dawn lightening powered by a gas fired plant, improved and new interchanges, new drainage system, recessed service areas, lay-by emergency parking areas, trailer parks, footbridges in heavy pedestrian areas, weighbridges, electronic traffic control and road signs. But the new arrangement appears to have dumped all these amenities, indicating that the contractors would only repair the existing road rather than build a completely new world class interstate highway.

In its present condition, there are just four lanes on both sides of the highway, which is just too limited and narrow for the quantum volume of traffic. At least without sounding immodest and outrageous, there should be a minimum of 12 lanes on both sides of the expressway. It bears repeating that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway leads to the commercialcum-financial capital of Nigeria.

When there used to be toll gates on highways, the Lagos-Ibadan route easily generated the largest revenue for the government. Yet, it was never properly repaired and maintained, save for the periodic promises when elections are around the corner.

In addition to the expressway’s dilapidated condition, the indiscriminate parking of trucks and trailers constitutes a major hazard on both sides of the expressway. They have

narrowed the highway to just two lanes, thereby causing undue traffic hold-up and in several instances, needless road mishaps. This ugly trend has become an unfortunate recurring decimal, and these vehicles in question belong to organizations and establishments that have the capacity and capability to provide ultramodern parks instead of leaving them to litter the expressway and causing unnecessary havoc to the public.

The third plank of the obvious problem on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway has to do with the uncontrollable vehicular movement and crowd whenever some religious bodies are having activities, as most of them have mega buildings and property for worship on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Whenever they have their programmes, the expressway at that time becomes a nightmarish experience for commuters, especially those who are not involved in the religious events because they spend several hours in an unending traffic jam. On some occasions, hapless commuters have been forced by the gridlock to spend the night on the road with its attendant danger. This scenario has played out several times that it has more or less become a regular routine. People have complained bitterly so many times about this very frustrating and nauseating development, but the situation remains essentially the same.

Besides, most of the bridges along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have

lost their railings, kerbs and reinforcement rods, with carcasses of accident and burnt vehicles and other nondescript objects lining the roads, thereby impeding the free flow of human and vehicular traffic. With these obvious problems that people plying the route go through on a daily basis, it was a welcome news when the Federal Government recently awarded the reconstruction, expansion and modernization to the construction companies, but alas, from what is going on presently there is no reason to celebrate at all.

We call on the Federal Government to expedite action on reconstructing this very important highway, and ensure that all the above highlighted problems will be taken into cognizance, particularly to have as many lanes as possible on each side of the lane. It is on record that the Lagos State Government is presently expanding, modernizing and reconstructing the Lagos-Badagry Expressway with 10 lanes on both lanes. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway should not be less in terms of quality, and should be built in compliance with international standards so that it can truly stand the test of time, Nigerians are waiting anxiously to see what will become of the road, and this gesture by the Federal Government should be extended to all other federal roads across the country that are presently in a very terrible state. A stitch in time is good for all.

GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALLA Managing Editor, North AYODELE OJO Acting Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

20

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

OPINION JAMB, FRSC, Oransaye Report and skewed federalism Polycarp Onwubiko

I

t is intriguing to observe that the PDP-led federal government has no qualis against the skewed and pseudo federal system of government being imposed on Nigeria by the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon buttressed by the northern-led ultra conservative forces. In spite of the age long agitation and bitter complaints against the repulsive consequences of quasi federal practice like inequitable structures gross violation of the sacred and sacrosanct principles of the concept of federalism which has occasioned snail speed socio-economic and political growth and development and over centralization of MDAs, the federal government has deftly continued to enunciate policies and programmes as if all Nigerians are satisfied with the grossly dysfunctional state of affairs. The federal cum unitary contraption mischievously clamped by the military regimes respectively headed by the northern Moslems has been brazenly sustained by the unrepentant and sycophantic apologists in the remotely controlled civilian governments of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The robust kicks against gross violations of the principles of federalism as obtained and religiously applied in all the countries that embrace federal system of government as a clear cut option ostensibly due to peculiar environmental factors and multi-ethnic cum cultural diversities and realities, the immediate past and present federal government had played lip service to assuage the deep yearnings and aspirations of the southerners and progressive minded ethnic groups. The Olusegun Obasanjo administration in response to the recurrent agitation for restructuring the country constituted National Political Reform Conference (NPRC). Sadly due to covert self serving agenda, it was discovered to be a ruse

to emulate his debased counterparts in some African countries who were afflicted with sit-tight megalomania and syndrome. In other words, the NPRC was schemed to enable him perpetuate himself in power via the amoral and ear-shattering “Third Term Project”.

The Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua three years presidency never regarded the deep yearnings and the principled agitation for the restructuring of governance in the country to berth true federalism as worthwhile and necessity. In other words, it was anathema to mention true federalism and (sovereign) national conference of ethnic nationalities championed by the Yoruba political elite’ sequel to the murder of Chief MKO Abiola the acclaimed winner of presidential election. The strident clamour was ostensibly to tackle the recurring fundamental problems of socio-political and economic instability to assuage the persistence marginalization in state and local government creations, appointment into sensitive public position and sundry ill feelings born out of gross injustice and lopsided structures in governance and public service which had originated from the ill advised 1914 Amalgamation of northern and southern protectorates.

The hope of the people for reinventing the agitation for the equitable restructuring of the polity to release the suppressed innate potentialities of the progressive minded ethnic groups in the southern part of the country for accelerated socio-economic growth and development in real terms was met by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. After initial hesitation due to excessive veneration of the political and traditional leadership establishment in the northern part of the country; the supposed owners of Nigeria, he mustered the courage due to curious political developments in the country to establish the National Conference/Dialogue to resolve issues that agitate the minds of patriotic Nigerians. The master stroke was like

a bolt from the blue from the sky and negative reactions naturally cascaded from the northern socio-cultural and political establishments who cynically denounce the national conference in strong terms contending that what the country needed was the so called “good governance” which none of the military and political leaders from the north was able to put in place. The stark reality is that good governance can never be divorced from observing all the principles of Federalism. A situation where the disproportional federating units are prevented by selfishly enacted laws from exploring and exploiting the resource endowments and carry begging bowls to Abuja on monthly basis for capital and recurrent expenditures and welfare of their people, in addition to deficit security infrastructure due to centralization of the security agencies can never make for good governance.

It is against this sordid scenario that the federal government’s White Paper on the wildly applauded Oronsaye Report by rationally minded Nigerians is roundly denounced by perceptive Nigerians. The marvelous work done by the astounding bureaucrat and former head of the federal service who took due cognizance of the quasi federal system of governance in Nigeria has been rubbished by the so-called “white paper” covertly engineered by the ever active ultra conservative and anti-federalism forces hell bent on maintaining the repulsive status quo in the public service and governance. For example, the recommendation in the White Paper to retain the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is totally unacceptable to federalists; it is hogwash and utter rubbish. What is then the essence of the National Conference? Is it not to drive the apparently God forsaken country at the brink of a failed state due to skewed federalism back to sanity of True Federalism?

• Mr. Onwubiko is a public affair analyst and author, Awka Anambra State.

Daddy’s hands Akpo Daniyan

I

get my love for writing from my father.

And my sweet tooth. And my looks. He’s responsible for my quick wit (which I have always loved), my vertically challenged height (which I have never minded) and my pudgy hands (which I have always hated). No, not true. I started to love my pudgy hands a few weeks back. Because, these hands, along with my seven siblings and a million incredible memories, are all I have left of my dad. On February 20, 2014, my father, Chief Gordon Emanyan Umukoro left this side of eternity.

My dad was in my life for over forty years and I always assumed I would have him in my life for much, much longer.

It didn’t matter that when I was five or younger, he almost lost his life in a random car accident; it didn’t matter that, when I became an adult, he had a medical condition that had been a death sentence for others before him or that Benjamin Franklin had warned eons ago that nothing was sure but death and taxes. I never thought there would be a day when I wouldn’t be able to say “ Daddy” to my father and that there would be a day that he wouldn’t be around to call me “ Akpomikpokpo” (his pet name for me, which,

by the way, is more lyrical in sound than letter). That of course doesn’t make sense but it explains why, more than a month after his death, I’m still hoping I’d wake up and find it would all be a sad, mad dream.

Daddy was Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris, where I was born. By virtue of his position, he was one of the few African who attended the UNESCO reception for the three astronauts on the moon when they donated the Moon Rock to UNESCO. He returned to Nigeria, distraught, when he lost his father suddenly.

Married for 53 years, my parents were blessed with eight children. The sixth child and last girl, I grew up in a home where it was normal to have a full house of guests and relations, where I danced all day to daddy’s eclectic music collection that ranged from Omokomoko (a popular urhobo folk singer) to international stars singing in French and English, where at three or four, I was reciting Shakespeare as it played on the Stereo. And of course, we were surrounded by books, books, and more books.

Every school term, we younger kids went on more road trips than the fictitious Mr. Giwa went road Nigeria with his family in the primary school Reader, traveling

on the Old Benin-Ibadan highway with my parents to visit our siblings at Ilorin (secondary school) or Ibadan (University). For us, the trips were long but never boring .We had enormous fun eating Sagamu Suya and my father kept us entertainment with stories and games while we urged him to go faster so we could be “ Kings of the Road” (ahead of all cars). He often obliged us while mum shrieked in fear.

I recall my father taking over the kitchen on the occasional weekend to cook some delicacy or the other. “Daddy’s specials,” we called them, the preparations as much fun as the meal itself. Once the meal du jour was pigeon and while we squeaked in alarm at the thought of eating pigeon, it tasted delightful when it was cooked.

One of the (highly infrequent) times mum was out of town, I being the oldest and only female at home attempted to cook bitter leaf soup. Big mistake. It was beyond bad. My younger brothers spat out the meal and declared I was attempting to poison them; and I eight, or nine-year-old Miss Cook, couldn’t stomach it. But daddy didn’t just eat it; he made sure he left nothing on his plate.

Neither mum nor dad believed in sparring the rod and spoiling the child. Mum was the family disciplinarian but it was dad-

dy’s “ koboko” we feared. His punishments were infrequent but somehow hurt more.

We learnt from him early on that truth was not to be compromised. I recall at age four or five, dad lining us all up and spanking us one after the other because an Nku cream jar had been broken and the culprit refused to own up.

There was a time when my grades were abysmal and I spent the time waiting to be picked up from school in terrified thought of the spanking that was sure to come.

Daddy looked at my results in silence, took a look at my face and told me to get into the car. Even though as an Educationist, he must have been appalled, I did not get the spanking or scolding I so richly deserved.

That was the last time I failed at school.

When I gained admission to the university at fifteen, my parents were reluctant to let me go all the way to Ibadan. I was too young, I had never been away from home, and I wouldn’t be able to handle the academic workload were several valid arguments that made no difference to a sulking teenager. But my parents brought us up to voice our opinions. And often we not only had our say but our way too.

• Akpo Daniyan is Lead Consultant, SYGYZY CONSULTING

LAW THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/law

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY Editor

foluso.ogunmodede@newtelegraphonline.com bunfolchester@yahoo.com

incorruptible judiciary’ll end security challenge - Alegeh }p-26

21

Discordant tunes over PDP’s right to Ekiti stadium

L

AWYERS are unanimous Can Ekiti state government deny the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) the right to that there is no known law access public facilities in its domain? Lawyers say yes, no. TUNDE OYESINA writes under which a state government can prevent the Federal Government,poltical parties, persons or group of persons from the use of any of its public facilities especially when a formal request has been made to that effect.

Although they agreed that the state government was empowered to regulate and manage public facility through a body, no laws empower it to prevent any person or group of persons from making use of the facilities especially when such use would not result in unsafe situations.

J.B. Daudu, SAN Gov. Fayemi Ozekhome, SAN They told New Telegraph yesterday that no state government could bar the Federal ties inaccessible to people under activist lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, condemned”.

Government under whatever whatever pretence. who simply described the Ekiti Ajulo was corroborated by guise from exercising its powers Ozekhome said: "State facil- state’s alleged refusal to allow its a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, within the confines of the 1999 ity should be made available for rival PDP the use of its facility as Ahmed Raji, who said no state Constitution over any facilities all citizens to make use of, even ‘uncharitable’. had the requisite power to stop domicile within the Nigerian na- non-citizens of that state and if Although Ajulo believes that the Federal Government from tion as allegedly demonstrated by a government shut the stadium both the Federal and the state using any facility within its dothe Ekiti State Government last so that it cannot be used, that is governments are sovereign, gov- main. week when it barred the People’s political intolerance. Such act ernment was nothing but for the Although Raji queried the Democratic Party(PDP) in the should not be tolerated as elec- people as there was no law em- powers by the Ekiti government state from using the state’s sta- tions are coming. powering the state barring the to stop the use of its facility when "What if on the other hand, a federal government from using it had no such powers, certain dium as a venue to kick-start its campaign ahead of the June 21 state government wants to use its facility under any guise. criteria under which public fagovernorship election. a facility in Abuja and the FedHe said: "It is uncharitable cilities were to be used must alPresident Goodluck Jona- eral Government uses its mighty for any state government to dis- ways be met. than’s visit to Ekiti State to kick- Federal government power to use allow the federal government or Besides, he said that even start the People’s Democratic the police to stop them, then we any legal group or association though the issue was not between Party’s(PDP) planned campaign will now know that the federal to make use of a public facility. the state and the Federal Governahead of June 21 governorship government has power. What is It should be condemned as it is ment but between the state and election was last week, put on good for the goose is also good for an infringement on the right of the PDP, the party must comply association which was provided with the criteria before it could hold following the alleged refusal the gander.

"It is wrong for the state gov- for by the Constitution. Any state be allowed to access the facility by the Governor Kayode Fayemi –led government to allow the use ernment to have done that, they that gets to the point of stopping as laid down by a management of the state’s stadium for the should show political tolerance, any legal organization from us- saddled with such responsibility. planned rally. maturity, they should allow a lev- ing any public facility in its doThis, according to him should Specifically , the state gov- el playing ground for all parties main on any grounds that does not spark of unnecessary controernment allegedly refused to to participate in our democracy not have to do with the security versy especially if the regulating approve the state's stadium for and the process of democratiza- of the people of the state, is ac- body had a valid reason for dethe scheduled visit of President tion". tually over-reaching its bounds nying the PDP or anyone from Ozekhome was echoed by an and such government should be accessing the contentious faciliGoodluck Jonathan to the state as its refusal ostensibly made the indefinite postponement of the President’s visit to the state inevitable.

Apparently miffed, lawyers When you have an Although the governor described it as unlawful and an appointment to of a state has been abuse of power as no laws emthe office of a Chief vested with the power any state governments to Judge of a state, it power to appoint the prevent access to public facilities has to go to the State Chief Judge of his as the facilities were put in place House of Assembly own state, the power with tax payers money. for confirmation. The is not absolute as A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ultimate power of the governor has to Chief Mike Ozekhome described appointment belongs share the power with it as bizarre and naked abuse of to the governor of the the National Judicial power as no state governments state.

Council (NJC) Awa Kalu, SAN Mukhtar, CJN had powers to make public facili-

LEGAL FIREWORKS

ties rather than castigating the Kayode Fayemi-led government.

He said: "For instance, if the NBC regulates the media to ensure that no media take a particular party's advert and reject others, then all other bodies which can directly be in charge of releasing any facility to any group should be sanctioned if they erred.

"Another thing we must consider is whether there are regulations for using the stadium which were not fulfilled by the party. If there are none, then one can say that such act is fair and just".

Aligning with the Raji’s submission is a senior lawyer and rights activist, Chief Akpan Nkwerewuem.

According to Nkweewuem, a public facility which was meant for the public and for public use, "although it appears that for one to use a public facility, one must fulfill a certain condition; may be a fee or a token or some form of clearance or pre-conditions attached to the usage of such facility.

"There is no other reason for a state government to disallow anybody from using a public facility other than the inability to meet the condition for such usage by the controlling authority.

"If it is a stadium, there is a board managing it, which can be approached to seek approval from, pay a fee or get some sort of clearance. It seems to me that the blanket ban is illegal, unconstitutional and amount to lawlessness and to that effect should be condemned.

"If the conditions are met, then there is no other genuine reason that the state government would have to deny the federal government or any other group or organizations the use of a public facility" But the immediate president of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Mr. Joseph Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria differ.

He said: “The fact that a property is owned by the state government does not allow every one or group to its use at will as government may have a specific purpose allocated to the use of the property. In that wise, the owner of such property has a right to regulate its use."

22 LAW | NEWS

ALARM

Worried by the influx of quacks foremost female SAN tasks colleagues

F

oremost female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) has expressed concern at the rate in which other professionals and non-lawyers encroach on services exclusively reserved for lawyers, describing it as worrisome.

Adekoya, in a chat with New Telegraph at the weekend, insisted that unless the trend was tackled , the spectre of unemployment especially among

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Adekoya raises alarm over take-over of lawyers’ services by quacks

young lawyers would persist and escalate.

However, the Senior Advocate and former first Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Vice President, championed the Stamp and Seal project which would have protected against incursion of nonlawyers into the legal sector.

She said: "We are worried at the rate of increasing unemployment and underemployment in the profession, with other professionals brazenly encroaching on the areas

Adekoya, SAN

of activity normally reserved for lawyers."

For instance, Adekoya observed that estate agents now provide legal services through readymade tenancy agreements not drafted by lawyers

while probate staff had become the main interface between beneficiaries and their lawyers.

Specifically, Adekoya urged lawyers to take up the gauntlet in the fight against this menace, saying: "I urge you to engage with your Nigerian Bar Association branches, Section and the national body as to how we can confront those professionals who are encroaching on the work of lawyers and reclaim our space."

Adekoya , whose tenure as a two-time NBA Nation-

al Treasurer remains a reference point on probity and stellar performance, added that newly qualified lawyers "often do not possess either the soft skills which make them employable or the ability to attract clients and briefs for themselves."

She went on: "We are only as strong as our weakest link. An unemployed or underpaid lawyer does not enhance the dignity of the profession."

Apparently canvassing that the profession should

re-institute a compulsory pupillage period for new entrants "during which they would fully imbibe the ethics of the profession in a work environment," the former NBA Chair on National Human Rights Committee urged lawyers to engineer advocacy to redress these challenges as lawyers "need more robust interaction on the Council of Legal Education and an upgraded skills training process," adding that avenues must be created by the association.

Tribunal awards NEMA $6.9m against Israeli firm Foluso Ogunmodede

B

L-R: Executive Director, Crime Victims' Foundation, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji; Mr. Charles Adeosun and Mrs. Charlene Bartolo (Justice Research Institute).

PHOTO: GODWIN IREHE

NBA, Ali, Nwobike, eulogise Jegede Tunde Oyesina

T

HE Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has described the death of a former DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Law School, Mr. Kayode Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria as a big lacuna in the legal practice and a depletion of the clan of Senior Advocates of Nigeria of his class.

Jegede, who spent 24 years at the Law School, nine of them as its Director-General died last Wednesday in Abuja at 77.

Until his death, Jegede was the Chancellor of the Diocese of Kubwa, Abuja, Anglican Communion.

A release by the association’s president, Mr Okey Wali, SAN said, Jegede would be missed by friends and associates.

It said: “I have just received with shock the news about the death of Mr. Kayode Jegede, SAN. This is really sad.

“Mr. Kayode Jegede, (SAN) was a very good man, gentle, humble, softspoken and very unassuming. He taught Law of Evidence at the Nigerian Law School as a lecturer/ secretary of the Council of Legal Education. I also had the privilege of working closely with him as a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association during his tenure as the Director General of the Nigerian Law School.

“He was a quintessential administrator and the history of the Nigerian Law School and indeed the legal profession in Nigeria can never be com-

plete without the name of Mr. Kayode Jegede, (SAN).

I give the condolences of the Nigerian Bar Association to his family and may his gentle soul rest in peace”.

Also prominent lawyers have described the death of Jegede as a huge loss to the legal profession.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Taiwo Osipitan said the late law teacher was a focused and noble man who was passionate about the profession.

“He was a teacher of teachers, a lawyer of lawyers. May his soul rest in peace,” Osipitan said.

Another SAN, Malam Yusuf Ali, said Jegede, who was the Secretary of the Law School when he was a student, became

a SAN when he left the school and was a gentleman par excellence. He was someone we all respected. He carried himself well. Nigeria will miss him greatly because he served the country well".

Another of his student, Rickey Tarfa (SAN) said the late Jegede was more than a teacher to him.

“I acknowledge him more as an uncle to my close friend, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), the present Ondo State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice. We were in Akure less than a month ago to bury Pa Jegede, Eyitayo’s father, who was Prof Jegede’s elder brother.

His contribution to legal education and development is immeasurable.

arely three years after an arbitral proceeding was initiated against his client by an Israeli company, LGC Co. Ltd. at the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Sweden, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has secured judgement in favour of his client, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Alegeh, who represented NEMA at the tribunal, secured the judgement as the tribunal which applied the UNIDROIT Principles 2010 ordered the Israeli company to pay $6,897,725 (about N1, 082,942,825) in damages over a breach of contract.

Besides, the Arbitral Tribunal, chaired by Mr. Claes Lundblad with Dr. Ziya Akinci and Mrs. Olabisi Soyebo (SAN) as coarbitrators, ordered the LGC Ltd. to pay NEMA interest on the sum at the rate of four per cent until payment of the amount was finally liquidated.

LGC Co. Ltd as claimant in the arbitral proceeding was represented by Mr. Benjamin Leventhal, Ms. Daphna Fisher and Ms. Inbal Livne of Gideon Fischer & Co. Tel-Aviv, Israel, while NEMA was represented by Alegeh, SAN of Alegeh & Co. Lagos.

The proceedings were commenced by LGC which filed a request for arbitration to the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce on July 28, 2011.

However, when the parties failed to reach an agreement on the issue of applicable law or rules, the tribunal decided that the UNIDROIT Principles 2010 be applied in the proceedings with a view to bringing the matter to an end.

The dispute arose from a contract between LGC and NEMA on November 23, 2009 for the supply of Mi-17 helicopters for search and rescue operations with equipment and spare parts.

By Clause 6 in the contract, the parties agreed that in the event of a dispute arising from the contract, parties will submit to arbitration at the International Arbitration Court of Stockholm, Sweden.

Dispute however arose when LGC failed to supply the helicopters within 90 working days after the purchase price was negotiated, agreed and full payment made as stipulated in Clause 2.1 of the contract.

After the award of $6,897,725, the tribunal further ordered LGC to pay NEMA the additional sum of $211,765.84 and N3, 385,460.67 being 1/3 of the cost of the arbitral proceedings.

LAW | REPORT

SC. 281/2010 Hon.Justice Raliat Elelu-Habeeb (Chief Judge Kwara state ,Planitiff).v.

NJC, Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation, Hon. Attorney-General of Kwara state and House of Assembly Kwara state (Defendants).

Before their Lordships; Justices Mahmmud Mohammed (JSC), Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen (JSC),Christopher Mit chell Chukwuma-Eneh (JSC),Muhammad Saifullah MuntakaCoomassie(JSC), Olufunlola Oyelola Adekeye(JSC),Mary Ukaego PeterOdili (JSC) and Olukayode Ariwoola (JSC).

CO N T I N U E D F R O M L A S T W E E K

H

enceforth, in this judgment, the parties shall be referred to according to their respective designations specified above.

Before proceeding to deal with the issues arising for determination in the appeals and the cross-appeals respectively, I shall first tackle the two separate notices of preliminary objection raised by the 2nd and 3rd respondents/ cross-appellants to the appeal filed by the 2nd appellant, on the grounds that the appeal of the 2nd appellant as a whole is incompetent, irregular and misconceived and that the same ought to be struck-out because: i. The appellant is not an aggrieved person within the context of the judgment appealed against, j. The decision appealed against is not in any way prejudicial to any interest of the appellant. iii. The decision appealed against has not deprived the appellant of any right For the 3rd respondent/cross-appellant, it was urged by its learned senior counsel that the appeal by the 2nd appellant is incompetent and ought to be dismissed or struck-out on the grounds among others, that: i. The appellant had no claim or counterclaim before the trial court. ii. No relief was also sought against the appellant by any of the parties before the trial court. iii. The Court of Appeal, in allowing the appeal of the 2nd and 3rd respondents/cross-appellants did not also make any order against the appellant. iv. The grievances arising from the decision of the Court of Appeal were/ are referable only to the 1st appellant whose case before the trial court was held incompetent on the ground of want of jurisdiction of the trial Federal High Court. v. The appellant does not fall within the meaning of an aggrieved person in law to justify its filing an appeal to this honourable court against the decision of the Court of Appeal.

Justice Aloma Mukhtar, CJN

Adoke, SAN

Vi. The appellant has not suffered any legal grievance to justify its filing an appeal, Vii. The appeal by the appellant is unsupportable in law and it is therefore an abuse of court process. viii. It is in the interest of justice to dismiss or strike-out the appellant’s appeal.

For the 2nd respondent/cross-appellant, it was argued by his learned counsel that the notice of appeal as well as the appellant's brief of argument filed by the appellant, are misconceived and incompetent, the appellant not being a person aggrieved by the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the eyes of the law if the definition of the term - 'person aggrieved', given by this court in Ngige v. Obi (2006) All FWLR (Pt. 330) 1041 at 1088; Societe Generale Bank (Nig.) Ltd .v. Afekoro (1999) 11 NWLR (Pt. 628) 521 at 537 - 538 and Sun Insurance Office Ltd .v. Ojemuyiwa (1965) NMLR 45, is taken into consideration that with the appeal of the 1st appellant/ cross-respondent firmly on the ground against the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the issue of jurisdiction, the appeal by the appellant on the same issue is an abuse of judicial process even on the fact of the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal that the appellant must also have an input in the removal of the plaintiff ’s appellant/cross-respondent.

Learned senior counsel, in further reliance on the case of Omotosho. v.

Abdullahi (2008 i - 544.All FWLR (Pt. 402), asserted that the appellant as a defendant before trial court below, not having been deprived of something nor wrongfully refused anything to justify its complaint, had no business to appeal against the decision of the Court of Ap-

peal and therefore urged this court to sustain the preliminary objection and strike out the appeal.

The learned senior counsel for the 3rd respondent/cross-appellant also raised similar preliminary objection to the 2nd appellant's appeal virtually on the same grounds as raised by the learned senior counsel to the 2nd respondent/cross-appellant in the matter, having regard to the decisions in Akinbiyi v. Adelabu ( 1956) SCNLR 109 at 111: Mobil Producing (Nig.) Unlimited v. Monokpo (2003) 1 8 NWLR (Pt. 852) 346 at 398 - 399, (2004) All FWLR (Pi, 195 ; 575, the appellant is not qualified as a person aggrieved to exercise any right of appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal and therefore urged this court to sustain the preliminary objection.

What has to be determined in these preliminary objections is whether the learned senior counsel to the preliminary objections is correct in law in holding out or portraying the 2nd appellant as a party, which is not aggrieved or in any way affected adversely by the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the issue of jurisdiction in that the trial Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear and determine the claims of the plaintiff/1st appellant/cross-respondent in the originating summons filed in that court. In the case of Akinbiyi v. Adelabu (1956) SCNLR 1 09, FosterSutton, F.C.J. of the then Federal Supreme Court had this to say on a person entitled to appeal at page 111: "The only person entitled to appeal is a person aggrieved. In ex-parte Sidebotham 14 CH. D465. James L.J., said a person aggrieved must be a man who has suffered a legal grievance. "The

A party to the proceedings cannot appeal a decision arrived there at which does not wrongfully deprive him of an entitlement or something which he had a right to demand

decision was cited and applied by this court in a number of cases including Mobil Producing (Nig.) Unlimited v.

Monokpo (2003) 18 NWLR (Ptr852) 346 at 398 - 399, (2004) All FWLR (Pt. 195) 575, where Uwaifo JSC put the position of the law thus: "It is true that the judgment of the trial court which was affirmed by the court below was given against only the 2nd defendant. In effect, the first defendant is not an aggrieved party that can appeal against the judgment of the court below to this court simply on the basis that it was a party to the proceedings in which judgment was given in reliance on the provision of Section 233(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which says that: Any right of appeal to the Supreme Court from the decision of the Court of Appeal conferred by "this section shall be exercisable in the case of civil proceedings at the instance of a party thereto." That provision must be understood to apply to an aggrieved person or party.

A party to the proceedings cannot appeal a decision arrived there at which does not wrongfully deprive him of an entitlement or something which he had a right to demand. Unless there is such a grievance he cannot appeal against a judgment which has not affected him since the whole exercise may turn out to be academic. Under no circumstance can it be argued that a party to proceedings who has not been affected by a decision may nevertheless appeal against it merely as a party. Applying this decision to the present case, it is not at all in dispute that the 2nd appellant, the National Judicial Council was a party in the case at the trial court as the 1st defendant or 1st respondent as the case was began by originating summons. It is also undisputed from the record of this appeal that the subject matter of the case brought before the trial court, included the interpretation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 in Sections 153, 292 and paragraphs 20, and 21 of the 3rd Schedule, Part I thereof.

Although the preliminary objections in their notices of appeal against the judgment of the trial court to the Court of Appeal attempted to exclude the 2nd appellant from the list of parties in the Court of Appeal, the Court of Appeal, on an application, joined the 2nd appellant as a necessary party in the appeal before it as the 1st respondent. As the decision of the Court of Appeal now being challenged in the appeal by the appellant relates only to the aspect of the decision on the issue of jurisdiction, the appellant as a party against whom the decision was given, has a right to appeal against it by virtue of Section 233(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

TO B E CO N T I N U E D

24 JURIST

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Governor, not NJC can appoint judges,

H

E is not only a legal icon but a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s legal profession. For years, he taught law at both the prestigious University of Lagos and the Imo State University.

Besides , he became the first lawyer to serve two Justice Ministers at the different times following his rare law dexterity.

Dr. Awa Kalu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Abia Justice Commissioner and Attorney-General, no doubt, has carved a niche for himself in the nation’s legal practice.

Kalu, a member of the prestigious class of ‘78 has managed to create ‘a domestic legal situation’ in the country since he was called to Bar about 36 years ago. The Senior Advocate, who is an alumnus of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife in Osun State, told New Telegraph how his marriage from a family of lawyers tremendously impacted his practice of law.

Kalu said: “Academically, I am a product of the Nigerian education system, the totality of my primary, secondary and tertiary education was in Nigeria apart from conferences and so on. I am a product of two educationists and I have managed to create a domestic legal situation.

My wife is a lawyer, I have a daughter who is a lawyer, my first son is also a lawyer. My father-in-law is a retired judge and on his own, he has six children who are lawyers.

“My first degree was from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I had a post graduate qualification from the University of Lagos and then the Nigerian Law School which was in Lagos but now spread across six campuses. I think, I can say clearly that my class, the 1978 class is the most celebrated class in Nigeria in terms of history of legal education.

Besides, Kalu told New Telegraphy that he read law by happenstance although he was inspired by a neighbour who was a lawyer.

He said: “It is a story I have told many times; I had in my youth a lawyer, who lived next to us but that was not the ultimate decision. I was doing my Higher School Certificate in a school that was supposed to be boy’s school, but then we had girls in the eligible classes. Then, there was this lady, that I liked at the time but I was a shy person, I wrote a poem instead although I was in sciences.

I went through some interrogations on who wrote the poem for me. And then I answered that I did, she now asked me what I was doing in the sciences? I had no answer and it was the girl that decided that I was better in the liberal arts than humanities. That was how I found myself reading law.

Pupilage However, the Senior Advocate had his pupilage at Sokoto State Ministry of Justice where he cut his legal teeth.

His words: “After we were called to the Nigerian Bar, the next phase was the NYSC. I served in the Ministry of Justice in the old Sokoto state. It was highly intensive because I was in the office of

HE is a member of the 1978 set of 'able generation of lawyers'. Dr. Awa Kalu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), and former Abia State Justice Commissioner and Attorney General speaks on his background, choice of career, experience, pupilage, governors’ power to appoint judges, the ongoing National Confab and sundry issues. TUNDE OYESINA met him.

Awa Kalu, SAN

the Director of Public Prosecutions and there I had the opportunity to appear in virtually all the courts in the state.

I think that was where I cut my teeth.

Thereafter, I went to dazzle with the late Nwazurike and from there I went back to the University of Lagos. Also, I went into academic after my post graduate training and I became a lecturer at the University of Lagos and from there, I went to the Imo state University.

Thereafter, I was appointed by the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola as Special Assistant.

I served Prince Ajibola as special assistant and his successor, the late Clement Akpamgbo, SAN. Those were years gone by. After Clement Akpamgbo, I went back to practice and subsequently I was appointed as the Attorney-General of Abia state. And after leaving that office, I have been into private practice.

Role model Yes, every young lawyer must have a role model. It may not be a particular role model but it could be many. For instance, when you are reading the law report, you will see so many arguments and you see the judges weighing in, one way or the other . As you can see, I was just reading

Technology has narrowed legal and judiciary boundaries. It has narrowed the boundaries of research. Present circumstances cannot be compared to the past

a judgement, you will be surprised that it is the case of Nafiu Rabiu versus the State which I have read several times .

But there is something that took me to that judgement and I was again happy to see that the case was fought by Chief Kehinde Sofola and Chief Rotimi Williams.

Those were definitely serious role models for our generation of lawyers. As a matter of fact, even last night. I saw from the Internet the death of late Chief G.O.K Ajayi. So, those were giants when we were coming up and you cannot forget such people. There are several of them, particularly those persons who were legal giants in every sense of the world. For those who were in academics, you cannot forget people like Prof Ben Nwabueze. He made very robust contributions to the growth and development of Nigerian law.

So, that is the way it.

Law practice yesterday, today What I think, maybe, because when we’re young at the Bar, my impression at that time was that senior lawyers were very dedicated, very dexterous and they rise to the challenges of the law particularly as warranted by legal practice. When you look at the gadget we have around us now, one would no doubt conclude that lawyers who practiced like thirty, forty years ago were wonderful people, no internet, computers, everything was totally manual. So, if you take that, you will see how far they went. Now, if you send a junior on an assignment, they would just press their iPhone and things begin to happen. That was not the case a few years ago. I remember even when I was the Attorney -General, for the first year or so, we were still using

manual typewriters. When you use manual typewriters, you will understand the advances that have been made in terms of technology.

Technology has narrowed legal and judiciary boundaries. It has narrowed the boundaries of research. Present circumstances cannot be compared to the past. No way. Technology has a positive impact on legal profession in the sense that, everything has been made easier; virtually everything has been made easier. There's nobody that will deny the impact of technology; you don't need to crack your head thinking about this or that case as the only thing you have to do, is the articulation. The material is there, but the articulation is still for the diligent practitioners because the thing is if you have plenty of water, there still have to be somebody who will drink it. If you leave the water, it remains where it is.

So, I can say without any fear of contradiction that the law is based on logic but the inference must be drawn by lawyers.

What you make out of the abundant of material is what we refer to as quality.

The intellectual make-up is what determines quality.

Legal education now and yesterday It is the quality we still are talking about. The collapse, in quality is not the fault of legal education at the higher level but the lower level- primary and secondary. Those are places in dire need of quality of education. When a person leaves primary school and heads to university, somehow you are already introduced to a level of education that will equip you.

So, there are too many universities as far as I am concerned at the moment. Too

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Chief Judge - Awa Kalu The ultimate power of appointment belongs to the governor of the state many, in the sense that we are not looking at numbers, we are not looking at the demand, we are looking at what you get out of the university system. The staffing is very difficult area now. When you have like thirty law faculties, drawing from the same pool of teachers, it is very difficult to improve on quality. When we’re in the university, we’re only four with very seasoned lecturers and professors, who were dedicated; who thought that teachers’ reward was in heaven. There is no teacher who now thinks that his reward is in heaven. Now, they think that you must be comfortable on earth before you think of comfort in heaven. I met one of my teachers in a court in Lagos, only a few days ago, and you could see how delighted he was. He told me by himself that he was very delighted to see one of his former students trying to compete with others in a very tight environment.

That is what the reward of a teacher should be. It is like between a child and the father or the mother. When parents have produced a brilliant and stable child, they are happy.

Challenges It is a very difficult question to answer as you can see my table, we deal with difficult questions and what you see is that over the years, there are many cases that call for different level of exertions but at the end of the day, what gives you satisfaction is that you have worked hard, especially if you are in litigation. There are so many people who have not realized that what we do in a law court is not like a football match. In a football match, you can have a draw, no victor, no vanquished. It is very difficult to do that in court. One pray for ‘must win’ while the other ‘must loose’. But you are trained to believe that whether you win your case or you lose, what matters most is the search for the truth. It is the truth that vindicates the judgement. If the judge is satisfied one way or the other, that is where the judgement lies.

National conference We are not pessimistic as lawyers, we believe in ultimate good. When you assemble 492 Nigerians, who presumably are knowledgeable, you cannot dismiss their collective ideas as worthless and for that reason, I believe the national conference is worth the while as discussion is better than destruction. So, when they spend three or more months as we expect, we feel that something reasonable should be the outcome. So, I am optimistic that Nigeria will be more better after the conference. At least the ideas that will be generated will lead to a better Nigeria.

2015 There are so many indices that determine the fairness of an election, freedom of those who participate in the election.

Awa Kalu, SAN

AWA KALU AT A GLANCE • He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria • He hails from Ohafia Community • An Alumnus of UNIFE, now OAU • Holds LL.M from UNILAG • He's a titled Chief - Onoche I of Ania Ohafia • He belongs to 1978 set of 'able generation of lawyers' • Recipient of Justice Olu Ayoola Prize, Justice Charles Macmillan Prize, Bonner Scholarship • Ex-UNILAG, IMO Varsity law teacher • Former special assistant to two ex-Attorneys-General of the federation • Member, Council of Legal Education • Member, Body of Benchers • Author of numerous law books, journals Having said that , I don't dwell on pessimism, I believe that the experience we have gathered since 1999 in terms of transition from one electoral process to another, should prepare INEC for the battle ahead. It is not going to be easy, that is for sure. But if politicians would learn that each office created by the constitution can only be occupied by a person at a time, then that would make for free and fair election. But if we embark on a do or die, 2015 will be calamitous.

Nigeria’s security challenge Good sense, good judgement, and dialogue. I don't think the military alone can solve the insurgency. Well, we have to look at the cause and see if there are grievances because there are a lot of people who think that grievances are not genuine. When a group of people say that

they don't like western education, does that sufficiently not give cause for violence? I would say that when somebody is acting in a particular manner, the African tradition obliges us to ask you, 'Na wetin dey vex you', that is my take on it.

Appointment of state Chief Judge There is an interplay, if you look at the way it plays out. What the constitution provides for the appointment of judicial officers at federal level is replicated at the state level. Of course, a few days ago, the Senate confirms the appointment of the President of the Court of Appeal. It is the same thing at the state level. When you have an appointment to the office of a Chief Judge of a state, it has to go to the State House of Assembly for confirmation. The ultimate power of appointment belongs to the governor of the state, just like the President appoints judicial officers for the government of the federation. So, to that extent, if it is simply appointment, you have to bear in mind that the appointment is the convergence of organs of government. If the Senate does not confirm, you cannot appoint the President of Court of Appeal or the Chief Justice of the Federation. It is the same at the state level.

Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa as President , Court of Appeal

When you assemble 492 Nigerians, who presumably are knowledgeable, you cannot dismiss their collective ideas as worthless

JURIST 25 The appointment of a substantive president is not by seniority, there is nothing in the constitution known to me that says it is the most senior justice of the court of appeal, that must at any time emerge as the President of the court.

Otherwise, you make the NJC a rubber stamp. The NJC is supposed to use some criteria, some indices to arrive at the conclusion of who becomes the president of the court. There are intermediary bodies; you have the Federal Judicial Service Commission, you also have the NJC , there must be a recommendation from somewhere to the NJC. The NJC then looks at one or two things and then make a recommendation to the President and not being a member of NJC, I cannot say the circumstances that ultimately led to a judge being overlooked, so to say.

Frivolous petitions If NJC finds a petition frivolous, it simply strikes it out, you don't punish a person for complaining, even in a domestic situation, in your house, one child against the other, they report each other, you look at it, you pacify one or the other, or you deal with a situation that is proven. So , I personally don't believe that if somebody has written a frivolous petition so to speak, because before you determine that petition is frivolous, you have to look at the substance of the complaint. If the complaint is unsubstantiated to a degree that actually does not make sense, that is when you can say, it is frivolous. And all you do is to exonerate the person to whom it is written against.

The truth is that in our present circumstance, where suspicion reigns supreme, there are many people who don't believe that they can lose in court and when they lose, out of bitterness they can write a petition. And that is why you see the NJC is made up of persons with the knowledge of our society and they know how to sift the wheat from the chaff. So, if you have looked through a petition and you discovered that it is baseless, groundless, based on unfounded allegations, then, you dismiss it. That would be sufficient vindication for the person against whom it is written.

Funding of judiciary There are three arms of government, we have the executive, we have the legislature and we have the judiciary. Each one of them has its role to play in the development of our democracy. Whether or not the judiciary is underfunded is a question of fact. You have to look at what the judiciary needs in term of quantum of money. For instance, and in terms of time, where do we want our judiciary to be? How far have we come since 1999 when the current constitution was introduced? My believe is that, the judiciary is better-of now than it was under our previous experience. So, whether there is sufficiency, of funding is a different kettle of fish. So, I always fall on making adequate provision for the welfare of judges, salaries and allowances, the work place, that is the court room, judge's chambers, residence of a judge, vehicular movement, the quality and capacity of the judges appointed, quality and capacity of support staff. We need to think in terms of advancement from the level CONTINUED ON PAGE27

26 LAW | INTERVIEW

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Incorruptible judiciary’ll end security challenge - Alegeh

Augustine O. Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and strong contender for the Nigeria Bar Association’s(NBA) presidency, is an alumnus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). Alegeh in this interview with Judiciary Editor, FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE speaks on legal profession, litigation lawyers, Sovereign National Conference, northeast, 2015 elections, security challenge and sundry issues.

Aderemi

Alegeh, SAN

How would you compare law practice in your early days at the Bar with what obtains in practice now?

The law profession was highly revered and its practice was a lot tougher in our early days. Back then, the information-technology revolution and awareness we now experience was virtually non-existent and one had to manually research for legal authorities.

Moreso, the fewer number of Judicial Officers in our courts and their lack of specialization constituted a clog in the speedy dispensation of justice in those days.

However, the advent of e-libraries and various online portals that promote e-reporting of decided cases have boosted the modern practice of law in our society. These recent innovations have improved legal research as Judges often resort to them to cite cases while delivering Judgments.

Even though Nigerians are talking at the ongoing national conference, many still prefer a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), what type of government would you recommend for Nigeria?

The recent clamour by well-meaning Nigerians for a platform upon which salient issues affecting our collective interests as a nation should be discussed, is highly commendable. The recent inauguration of a National Dialogue Advisory Committee by the Presidency is a confirmation that issues affecting the unity and progress of the Nigerian nation should be a top priority of any government in power.

Nigeria needs a government whose top priority should be the welfare and interest of its citizenry; a government whose policies are people-oriented and where the principle of ‘Rule of Law’ is not merely touted in the mass media, but is implemented; a gov-

ernment where the twin pillars of justice: Audi alteram partem and nemo judex in causa sua form the fulcrum of its policy administration.

How would you look at Nigeria’s security challenge which has remained one of the greatest problems facing the Nigerian State, how do you think President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan can resolve this before the end of his tenure?

It is apposite to state that security challenges if unchecked have the capacity of stifling the socio-economic growth of a country. Nigeria as nation, has witnessed an increase in organized crime – Kidnappings and Internal terrorism. While the former has heightened tension in the Southern region, the latter which is firmly in religious and economic propaganda has succeeded in crippling economic activities in the Northern region.

The solution to the myriad of security incidents affecting the Nigerian State lies in the birth of a robust and pragmatic justice system comprising of an incorruptible Judiciary, promulgation of specialized legislation and well equipped law enforcement agencies.

As a Senior Advocate with over two decades experience in the practice of law, what would you consider to be the greatest problems facing litigation lawyers in the country?

The greatest problem facing litigation lawyers in Nigeria is the influx of quacks into the system thereby occasioning the hijack of briefs meant for the average litigation lawyer and a corresponding shortfall in our collective kitty.

How can this be addressed?

To address this issue, the Nigeria Bar Association should rise to the challenge by spearheading the passage and implementation of stringent policies which dissuade quacks from our legal system as well as creating a conducive environment for the average litigation lawyer to practice law as well as reap the fruits of his work.

The solution to the myriad of security incidents affecting the Nigerian state lies in the birth of a robust and pragmatic justice system comprising of an incorruptible Judiciary, promulgation of specialized legislation and well-equipped law enforcement agencies

Globalisation of legal services is one of the topmost issues on international political agenda, how do you think this will affect local practice, especially when foreign lawyers are allowed to open shops in Nigeria?

The practice of law is constantly evolving and the issue of ‘Globalisation’ has always been in the front burner.

However, the extant law in Nigeria in respect of legal practice is exclusively restricted to persons called to the Nigerian Bar. The Legal Practitioners Act Cap L11, LFN 2004 vide its provisions in Section 2 equally provides for the exception to this general rule wherein a person, upon an application to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, is permitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor in Nigeria in respect of a specific proceeding.

Flowing from the foregoing, foreign lawyers can only be allowed to practice in Nigeria when they have been duly called to the Nigerian Bar. Furthermore, the Nigeria Bar Association should take proactive steps to discourage all forms of incursions into our legal system by foreign lawyers who do not have any license to practice law in Nigeria.

Some people advocate for specialization in practice, what is your reaction to this?

There’s no gainsaying that specialization in practice improves the quality of legal services and facilitates the development of the law. However, the issue of specialization in practice is more or less a function of the market. In Nigeria for instance where the legal practice is still evolving, it is rare to find law firms that are deeply specialized. This is because as a developing country, the legal market is not deep enough to encourage the sort of deep specialization that often characterizes Europe and America.

Consequently, specialization in practice here in Nigeria is only feasible if we can encourage indigenous lawyers to grow their practices by increasing the value of the legal market.

As chairman of the NBA Database Committee, what would you say are the achievements of that committee?

Under my leadership, we were able to create a viable database of all lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar. We were also able to create Enrolment Numbers for all lawyers. We also took it a notch higher by the creation of an interactive website for the Nigeria Bar Association where one can access all the details about the Nigeria Bar Association.

How would the work of the committee improve the lot of Nigerian lawyers?

Using the website, lawyers all over Nigeria can pay their practicing fees as well as be able to register for Annual Bar Conferences and other NBA programmes.

Which university did you attend and when were you called to the Nigerian Bar? I attended the University of Benin, Edo State where I graduated in 1985. Thereafter, I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986.

JURIST 27

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Ex-pension director sues EFCC, seeks N3b damages

‘NJC has no power to appoint judges'

Tunde Oyesina

where we are now. I have already stated that I believe that some progress have been made since 1999. It is a matter of improving on the gains that we have made since then. I don't think that the judiciary is impoverished for instance. I don't think any judge is being owed in arrears of salary, and like other sectors. So , it has to be contextual when we talk about underfunding. I will certainly make a case for improved funding.

Review of criminal laws I think what we need is enforcement, because there is no statute known to me at this time that does not have criminal provisions. Every new law contains offences, including offences that are still in existence in other statutes. Occasionally, you discover confusion over which law to follow. We are not talking about poverty of statutes, criminalizing one kind of conduct or behavior. The difficulty lies in ensuring that the offences that were created are being prosecuted.

When you find the overheating of the society, by rise in criminal activities, it is simply because there is no effective prosecution of offenders. In abroad for instance , if you run across the traffic light, it is a very serious offence which can resolve in multiple embarrassment; if your vehicle licence is expired, the moment you beat the traffic, and they subject your number plate to examination, that makes it a serious problem for you, even your criminal background can be exposed. Do we have that kind of capacity in Nigeria? Nobody arrests anybody who beats traffic.

So, all offences created by law have to be enforced, otherwise the offence will be as good as this paper I am holding. That is the only problem I have, that of enforcement, the equilibrium of society depends on enforcement of law.

Advise to young lawyers As a lawyer, you need plenty of patience. Rome was not built in a day. There are some of our younger colleagues who want to see a Rome that was built yesterday. There is no way you can come into the profession today and become a success story, whether you are a professor of law or a company secretary in a corporate body, a judicial officer, so many positions available in the legal profession. But the truth is that nine of them is achievable by speed , you must enter a go slow and when you come out of it, you will see people applauding you in recognition of your steadfastness, industry, your reputation and so on and so forth. There are so many things that make a person in the legal profession. Young lawyers should find the way within the mansion that exists within the legal profession.

My regrets No regrets, I have enjoyed this profession, and I have enjoyed the opportunities that have presented themselves for me to have a say on how the law is shaped in my country and so I cannot say that I have any regrets. All we do is to pray for more opportuni-

T

HE detained former director of the Pension Accounts in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation [OHCSF], Dr. Sani Teidi Shaibu, has asked an Abuja Federal High Court to halt his criminal trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged stealing of N5billion pension funds.

Shaibu who sued the nation’s Attorney-General, EFCC and its Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, is asking the court to compel the EFCC to pay him N3billion in damages over an alleged wrongful detention.

Specifically, he asked the court to stop his prosecution by the anti-graft agency, describing his detention and prosecution as illegal, null and void and of no effect.

EFCC had in 2012 initiated a 22-count charge on Shaibu and a former manager with the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc., Mr. Udusegbe Omoefe Eric for allegedly diverting to private use about N5 billion meant for pensioners.

The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola had admitted the accused persons to bail but yet to consider papers submitted in fulfillment of his bail ap-

Lamorde, EFCC Chairman

plication while the court adjourned the matter sine dine and the accused person remains indefinitely in Kuje prison.

Miffed by his indefinite incarceration, Shuaibu through his lawyer, Mr. Jubrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria approached another court, challenging the EFCC’s requisite powers to investigate, probe and prosecute him over the alleged criminal offence.

He is asking the court to declare that the Act which established the EFCC was in conflict with the provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution which had made the Act null and void.

Besides, Shuaibu asked the court to declare that his arrest, detention, investigation and prosecution by the EFCC was unlawful and ultra vires as it was unlawful for the

anti-graft to perform the duties of the Nigeria Police Force.

Shuaibu further asked the court to declare that it was only the Police Force that had the constitutional competence to investigate the alleged offence arising from the performance of his duties as a former director of the Pension board.

However, the former director wants the court to declare that by virtue of the Senate’s report of the joint committee on Establishment and Public Service and States and Local Governments on the investigation of the payment of pensioners and management/administration of pension funds in Nigeria, dated June 2012, Lamorde as EFCC’s chairman was not a fit and proper person to head the commission.

He particularly asked

the court for an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the EFCC from further investigating, arresting, detaining or seizing his assets or properties in any manner.

He also wants an order of mandatory injunction to compel the EFCC to withdraw all the charges preferred against him before the Federal High Court and to the same extent, return all his properties and assets seized and detained.

He however prayed the court for an order of N3 billion damages against the defendants jointly and severally for his illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional arrest, detention, seizure and prosecution.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, counsel to AGF had told the court that he had not been served with the process.

In view of this, the presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned till May 13 for hearing.

In a 16 paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Fatima Shaibu, the applicant averred that the anti-graft agent preferred a charge against him before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court but the charge was dismissed by the court due to the inability of the anti-graft agency to produce witnesses that will testify against him.

Court strikes out suit against ALGON leaders Tunde Oyesina

A

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit initiated against the leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), being led by Akuso Damjuma on the grounds of lack of locus standi.

Justice Abdul Kafarati, in a judgement, declined jurisdiction over the case by a faction of the association led by Nwanbueze Okafor because it had no requisite power to initiate the suit as the duo of Okafor and Ibrahim Dik-

ko, who sued on behalf of ALGON’s Registered Trustees, were not members of the association’s Incorporated Trustees.

Justice Kafarati said: "Having come to conclusion, I hold that the 2nd and 3rdplaintiffs (Okafor and Dikko) have no locus standi to bring this action on behalf of the first plaintiff (Registered Trustees). Secondly, they do not have the locus standi to authorize the institution of this action on behalf of the 1st plaintiff and in its name.

“On the whole, I hold that this court has no ju-

risdiction to entertain this suit. This suit is an abuse of court process and same is hereby dismissed.”

The judge also dismissed the plaintiffs’ motion for interlocutory injunction and a motion on notice, dated February 11, 2014 and filed by the defendants.

The court’s decision was on the interlocutory application by the plaintiffs and objection by the defendants.

The judge upheld the defendants’ objection and dismissed the suit.

The plaintiffs had, in their interlocutory appli-

cation, prayed the court for an order restraining 1st to 7th defendants and their agents from acting as and/or parading themselves as the appointed / constituted members of the National Management Committee of ALGON pending the final determination of the suit.

They also sought an order restraining the 8th to 12th defendants/ respondents from parading themselves and/or acting as the trustees of the plaintiff pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

Awa Kalu, SAN

28 LAW | REPORT

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Building bridges of opportunity: 2015 elections and beyond The electoral system in Nigeria has been a source of concern to many legal minds and other informed Nigerians. This, however, raised agitation for a transparent electoral system that would accommodate genuine electoral aspirations, irrespective of gender, party affiliation and financial strength. In this piece, Wole Olanipekun, (SAN) situates electoral justice within the ambits of laws.

Olanipekun, SAN

U

nlike other civil proceedings, the parties to an election petition and the grounds of the petition itself are statutorily confined. The parties to an election petition under the present dispensation are either both of the candidate or candidates who lost election and/ or their political parties. The Respondents to the petition are the returned candidates, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and/or any of its Resident Electoral Officers. There are only four grounds under which an election can be questioned, that is, the non-qualification of the returned candidate, the invalidity of the election by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Act, that the respondent was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes or that the petitioner or its candidate was validly nominated but was unlawfully excluded. The House Leader’s letter of 10th February, 2014 inviting me to deliver this paper made reference to the technicalities of the Electoral Act, as well as the Electoral Justice System. I must admit that election petition procedures are very technical in nature and a Petitioner qua his counsel is expected to be very careful, diligent, thorough and painstaking, not only in the presentation of the petition, but also in its prosecution. Mistakes that are generally and casually pardoned and overlooked in other civil proceedings are not just frowned at in election petition proceedings, but totally prohibited. No court of law has the power or jurisdiction to change or modify the procedure stipulated by the Electoral Act for presenting and prosecuting election petitions in order to indulge any Petitioner who breaches the law. The first three grounds of presenting election petition under Section 138 (1) (a), (b) and (c) are clearly separated from the fourth ground in sub-section (d) by the use of the word ‘or’. In law, there is a world of difference between the words ‘and’ and ‘or’,

when used by the Legislature. While the word ‘and’ connotes a conjunctive reading, the word ‘or’ demands a disjunctive interpretation or construction. Therefore, a petitioner who complains that an election be annulled by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Act and/or that the respondent was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast, cannot within the same election petition complain that he was unlawfully excluded.

It is the Constitution that provides for the composition of the courts and tribunals to adjudicate on election petitions challenging elections into the offices of President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives and House of Assembly of a State. It is only these courts , established by the Constitution that can adjudicate on the petitions arising from elections into the offices concerned. Not only that, the Constitution stipulates that election petition shall be filed within 21 days after the declaration of the results in issue. Unlike other civil proceedings where a court can extend the time within which an action can be filed, no tribunal or court has the power to extend either the time within which to file a petition or within which to take and complete it. The Supreme Court has described these provisions as solid as the rock of Gibraltar which cannot be moved.

Considering the justice of the Electoral Act within the context of justice as earlier defined in the course of this presentation, it is my candid opinion that the provision of Section 285(6) of the Constitution to

If we are to avoid or do away with technical justice in election petition proceedings, Section 77 (1) should be amended

the effect that “an Election Tribunal shall deliver its judgment in writing within 180 days from the date of the filing of the petition” should be amended to give sufficient latitude to a petitioner by increasing the number of days from 180 to 220 days in the case of each of Governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly petitions; and 240 days in the Presidential Election Petitions, where the Petitioner has to traverse the entire country in his pleadings.

In practical terms, if a petitioner is expected to challenge a Presidential or Governorship Election fairly well, he cannot do so while the Constitution limits him to 180 days. It should be noted that by the interpretation placed by the Supreme Court to the 180 day limit, a petitioner whose interlocutory appeal has been allowed by the Supreme Court, with an order by the apex court directing that the petition be heard de novo, is also expected to restrict himself to the said 180 days within which to navigate, for a second time, from the Tribunal, to the Court of Appeal and to the Supreme Court, all in search of electoral justice.

Again, another section of the Constitution on which technical justice has been placed, in my humble view is Section 285 (8) which provides thus: “The court, in all final appeals from an election tribunal or court may adopt the practice of first giving its decision and reserving the reasons therefore to a later date.”

Going by the decision of the Supreme Court on this sub-section, the Court of Appeal cannot adopt the practice of giving its decision and reserving its reasons to a later date, it is only the Supreme Court that can so do. Further, the reasons for the Court of Appeal decisions must be given within 60 days after the said decision.

To my mind, the Court of Appeal, sitting as an appellate court, falls within the context of the words ‘the court’ used in Section 285 (8) of the Constitution. In practical terms, there is no way the Court of Appeal can always continue to perform the magic of hearing and taking the avalanche of appeals coming before it from Election Petition Tribunals within 60 days. The Supreme Court has not till date departed from its judgment in Cardoso v. Daniel, where it summarily dismissed an appeal on 28th April, 1975, but did not give its reason for the decision until 12th December, 1975.

When the decision was challenged, the court insisted that the effective date of its judgment was 28th April, 1975. In Amaechi v INEC, the apex court, by a bench decision on 25th October, 2007 declared that Amaechi was the Governor of Rivers State

and that Omehia should vacate the seat of Governor.

The judgment became effective that very day, as Ameachi was duly sworn in as the Governor of the State, whereas, reasons for the decision were not given until 18th January, 2008. Ditto for Inakoju v Adeleke, where in its bench decision of 7th December, 2006, Governor Ladoja’s impeachment by a tiny cabal of the Oyo State House of Assembly was set aside, but reasons for judgment were not given until 12th January, 2007, whereas Governor Ladoja was immediately reinstated as the Governor of Oyo state after the apex court’s bench ruling.

It has been suggested in some quarters that it is only the Supreme Court that has the power to give a bench ruling allowing or dismissing an appeal, and give its reasons later.

With respect, I beg to differ, as there is no law which confers such exclusive jurisdiction on the Supreme Court on this procedure. In Lagos State, Magistrates are now empowered to give Bench decisions and deliver their reasons at a later date.

Having said all this by way of critique, and bearing in mind that the House Leader is anchoring this conference, it is also suggested that the National Assembly should amend the Constitution by making Section 285 (8) clearer by using the words “all courts exercising appellate jurisdiction in an appeal from an election tribunal …”, instead of using the vague term “the court”, so that the power of the Court of Appeal to give a bench ruling and give its reasons later in an election matter will no longer be in doubt.

Section 77(1) of the Electoral Act, provides that: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner in a State where an election is conducted, shall, within 7 days after an application is made to him by any of the parties to an election petition, cause such documents or the certified true copy thereof to be issued to the said party.”

If we are to avoid or do away with technical justice in election petition proceedings, Section 77 (1) should be amended to make it compulsory for the Resident Electoral Commissioner at the State level (for the relevant political offices like Governor and State Assembly members), and the Independent National Electoral Commission at the Federal level (for the office of President e.t.c.) to make available to all parties and candidates to the election, certified true copies of all documents used at the election, contemporaneously with the announcement of results.

TO BE CONTINUED

BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS FG plans new payment scheme for agric sector The Federal Government is to launch a new payment scheme designed to benefit farmers and all those involved in the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) of the Minstry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD.

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Insecurity hits manufacturers’ bottom line The recent appraisal of the economy, for the first quarter of 2014 by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) brings to view once again the worrisome impact of security threats in the country - the northern part of the country in particular.

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Investing in bread baking Bread is a stable food in the country today. According to a publication made by the Nigeria bakers association, prices of bread, a major staple food, have risen in the last three years by an average of about 25 per cent from between N80 and N120 per family size loaf to between N200 and N250 amid increase in the prices of baking materials.

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Nigeria records 29m new Internet subscribers The number of new Internet subscriptions in Nigeria grew by 29million between March 2013 and February 2014, according to figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) SIMEON OGOEGBULEM, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) SIAKA MOMOH, Asst. Editor (Industry/Agric) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter

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AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

TRACKING Corporation moves to foil major fuel scarcity during Easter period Adeola Yusuf

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is tracking 95, 000 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also know as petrol in a major move to foil major fuel scarcity during the Easter period.

The corporation, which coordinates importation of about 40 million litres daily fuel consumption in Nigeria, investigations by New Telegraph showed, had earlier released 95, 000 metric tons of the product for the festive period.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, has witnessed a number of fuel scarcity due to insufficient refining capacity.

A petroleum product's marketer, who craved anonymity, told New Telegraph on Tuesday the NNPC, which had severally blamed the fuel scarcity on marketers, has up tracking of product to avoid hoarding by

Bayo Akomolafe

N

igeria Customs Service (NCS) has lost over N3billion from three ports in two days following the breakdown of server in Lagos.

The affected commands are Apapa Area 1, Tincan Command and Kirikiri Lighter Terminal.

It was learnt that heavy storm damaged its masts erected in the three commands on Monday.

L-R: Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Chairman, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Dr. ABC Orjiakor; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema; Chief Executive Officer, Seplat, Austin Avuru, and Chief Lulu Briggs, during the ringing of the bell ceremony at the Stock Exchange in Lagos.

marketers.

"They want to use the products they released for Easter period as a bait to track diversion and hoarding of product," he said.

Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), another stakeholder in the fuel importation business, confirmed that the NNPC had released 95, 000 metric tons of the product.

The product, Executive Sec-

retary of MOMAN, Thomas Olawore, said, has been released to depots to ease flow of products within the nooks and crannies of the country during the Easter period.

MOMAN, on its own, Olawore continued, is planning to add about 77,000 metric tons (33 trucks of 33,000 litres) of petrol, which would be discharged in Lagos and other cities during the Easter period next week.

rently causing a heavy backlog of containers at the ports.

However, the Customs spokesman at Tincan Port Command, Mr Chris Osunkwo, explained that the management of the service was working to provide solution to the prob-

He maintained that the association had sufficient petroleum products in stock to go around during the Easter period and beyond.

According to him, ``Between now till weekend, we will have over 75,000 metric tons which represents about 32 trucks of 33,000 litres of petrol to be discharged at Apapa jetty to ensure effective flow of petrol during the Easter festive. ``We want to implore Nigerians not to engage in panic buying during the festive period as we have enough petrol in stock to take care of the country. ``We have instructed all major oil marketers’ stations to operate 24-hour service during the festive period to enable everybody have access to petrol.’’

Olawore said that additional petrol of 77,500 metric tons, which represents about 35 truck of 33,000 litre of petrol, had been scheduled to be discharged next

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Customs loses N3bn in two days at Lagos ports Already, business activities have been crippled at the Lagos Port Complex, Tin Can Port and Kirikiri Lighter Terminal as importers and customs agents were angry over the losses they incurred to demurage.

The server breakdown, which is currently affecting the respective stakeholders, is cur-

Rates Dashboard

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

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Fuel scarcity: NNPC tracks 95,000 metric tons of petrol

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

DEALING WITH ELECTRONIC WASTE SCOURGE

INFLATION RATE February 2014......................7.70% January 2014 .......................8.00% December 2013....................8.00%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Maximum Lending Rate..25.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at April 11)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N170 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N282 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N235

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at April 11)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.74 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N260.56 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N216.15 Source: CBN

30 BUSINESS | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

FG plans new payment scheme for agric sector ECONOMY New initiative aims at deepening participation in agriculture Jonah Iboma

wallet infrastructure, which consists of GES wallet and BOA wallet.

According to a document obtained exclusively by New Telegraph, the system will ensure a seamless flow of payments within, across, and among all the various partici-

pants of the GES which include farmers, agro-dealers, out-grower scheme operators, agriculture input suppliers, agricultural output aggregators, agriculture financial and insurance services providers and agriculture information service providers.

The payment initiative follows several calls by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, that all farmers in the national farmer database who already had e-wallets, should also be holders of a Bank of Agricul-

T

he Federal Government is to launch a new payment scheme designed to benefit farmers and all those involved in the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) of the Minstry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD. Called the Nigeria Agricultural Payment Initiative (NAPI), the system will provide an end-to-end payment system for the agriculture sector of the Nigerian economy and ensure that players in the GES scheme are all part of an easy payment arrangement.

NAPI is designed to leverage on the existing agriculture

Fuel scarcity: NNPC tracks 95,000 metric tons of fuel CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

week.

He said that about 95,000 metric tonnes of petrol was also expected at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation depots to ease flow of products within the nooks and crannies of the country. ``It is obvious that with the huge number of petrol expected and currently discharging in the jetty, Nigerians don’t need to engage in any form of panic. ``We appeal to all major marketers stations to avoid hoarding of petrol in their own interest, because we will not hesitate to sanction any erring marketers. ``Some MOMAN vessels will also discharge petrol at the Eastern part of the country through Owerri refinery,’’ Olawore assured.

The Executive Secretary said that MOMAN members promised to bring more vessels into the country to wet the nation with products.

He said that MOMAN had reassured Nigerians that they would do everything possible to eradicate queues from filling stations across the country.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, PRM Africa, Mr. Mike Dada; Acting Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju, and Director, Brands Communication and Sponsorship, All African Music Awards, Ms Matlou Tsotetsi, after a meeting between BOI and All African Music Award Committee in Lagos.

INVESTMENTS Company gets funding to boost Nigeria’s power generation by 20 per cent Adeola Yusuf

I

ndegenous oil and gas firm, Seven Energy International Limited, has announced that it had secured US$255 million of new equity capital.

The company, which said this in a statement, maintained that this would enable the group to further develop gas supply opportunities in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.

Seven Energy is also planning to boost Nigeria’s power generation by 20 per cent through investments in two plants.

“The two power stations, which will have a combined

Dayo Ayeyemi

AND AGENCY NEWS

K

enya’s transition to a green economy could produce major economic benefits – equivalent to an estimated $45 billion by 2030 – as well as greater food security, a cleaner environment and higher productivity of natural resources, according to a new study launched Tuesday by the Government of Kenya and the United Nations Environment

Seven Energy secures $255m capital, plans 750 MW plants installed capacity of approximately 750 MW when fully commissioned, will add an additional 20 per cent of capacity to Nigeria’s current operating electricity generation capacity,” the statment added.

Temasek, the Singapore investment company, has committed $150 million, the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), a member of the World Bank Group, has committed $75 million, and the IFC African, Latin American and Caribbean Fund (“IFC ALAC Fund”) has committed $30 million.

The investments will be in two tranches, the timing of which is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the investment agreements.

The institutions are investing in Seven Energy’s irredeemable convertible loan notes which bear no coupon and are akin to equity capital.

On a converted and fully diluted basis, on full satisfaction of the investment agreements, the new investors would account for approximately 26 per cent of the equity capital of the Group.

This new equity capital will assist Seven Energy in the development of its growing portfolio of assets in Nigeria, where the Group is focusing on the development of upstream reserves and resources and gas infrastructure to provide gas to the domestic market for power generation and industrial consumption.

Kenya’s shift to green economy to generate $45bn by 2030 –Study Programme.

Kenya finds that the transition to an inclusive, low emission, resource efficient green economy will result in stronger economic growth and increased wealth creation opportunities by 2021.

Under a green economy scenario, with an investment of two per cent of GDP, national GDP would exceed a business-as-usu-

al scenario by about 12 per cent, or KES 3.6 trillion (equivalent to $45 billion), by 2030. Per capita national income would nearly double from KES 39,897 ($498.70) to KES 69,702 ($871.30). Under a business-as-usual investment scenario and a two per cent investment, GDP would only increase to KES 53,146 ($664.30) over the same period of time.

ture (BOA) accounts to enable BOA launch a farmer financial product that leverages on mobile money or wallet technology.

Meanwhile, BOA is also proposing a special Green Cash solution that provides e-wallet services, savings, agric-credit, and smart card to enroll farmers or customers. The idea is to make Green Cash Services available across all ATMs, POS devices and merchants across Nigeria.

By this, farmers would be able to redeem their inputs or access financial/ agricultural services from any accredited agro-dealers in the country, which has been a long time desire of the minister of agriculture.

NAPI is planning to help validate the identity of farmers and other actors within the agriculture sector and also help in completing their profiles, through registration and enumeration exercises.

The identity validation scheme is also to help in linking and organising every farmer into a formal and functional farmer group or cluster.

Customs loses N3bn in two days at Lagos ports CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

lems.

It was learnt that customs rakes in over N700million daily from Tincan Port while Apapa Command and Kirikiri Lighter Terminal generate over N600 million and 450million respectively.

Since the beginning of the year, one of the teething problems hindering the success of Pre- Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) scheme is the constant break down of the server.

Agents who spoke on the issue explained that the network was so bad one could hardly work twice in a week.

They said the six hours clearance assurance declared

by Customs would not succeed without the system working.

According to the Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Apapa Chapter, Fred Ajuzie, the failure of the server was largely due to the volume of documents processed during the day.

BUSINESS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

31

Fact File

Terrorists

Insecurity hits manufacturers’ bottom line Many firms, especially in the consumer goods sector, have lost up to 30 per cent of their sales as they can no longer access most part of the Northern market; manufacturing firms sourcing raw materials from the North are now experiencing qualms, reports SIAKA MOMOH

T

he recent appraisal of the economy, for the first quarter of 2014 by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), brings to view once again, the worrisome impact of security threats in the country - the northern part of the country in particular.

According to the Chamber’s President, Alhaji Remi Bello, the security situation has become a major factor affecting the confidence of investors.

He stated that it has affected investors in the following ways: The economies of many of the affected states have suffered major setbacks in investments and job losses; Many investors, especially Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs), are relocating while others have actually left the country.

Inventory and stocks of many companies have been trapped in some locations in the affected states; Many firms, especially in the consumer goods sector, have lost up to 30 per cent of their sales as they can no longer access most part of the northern market; Manufacturing firms sourc-

ing raw materials from the north are now facing serious challenges; Projects funded by banks in the affected states are now at risk; Negative perception has been created for the country, making it more difficult to attract investors; Many bank branches have been closed, while the working hours for others have been drastically reduced; Sales representatives of many companies have fled the affected states; Many projects under construction in the north have been abandoned; Security budgets have been scaled up by many firms.

Bello said: “We are aware that government is doing its best, but evidently a great deal still needs to be done to restore normalcy and investors’ confidence. There is the need to strengthen intelligence as this is critical to any strategy in tackling terrorism and insurgency.”

The LCCI is right. Nigeria’s fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector has become the whipping horse of Boko Haram, the Islamic militant group that has for some time now, had the north in its grip.

Past reports have shown that the sector, which has witnessed spectacular growth since 2008, faces prospects of much lower earnings performance, following increasing security threats from the militant group. The FMCG sector recorded growth from $884 million in 2008 to a 2011 estimate of $1 billion.

Reacting to this issue of insecurity in the north, recently retired Executive Vice Chairman of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Folaranmi Babatunde Odunayo, said: “In Nigeria, we are more concerned with the instability in the north. There are underlining things that are suffering.

Trade is suffering. How are we coping? We are redirecting our efforts in other markets to see whether we can have some edge above competition. What we cannot achieve in certain areas we achieve in others. In

The economies of many of the affected states have suffered major setbacks in investments and job losses

the meantime, the bottom line is that for any business to survive, you need stability and for any nation to survive in the long run, you need stability. If there is no stability in a nation, the nation won’t progress.”

Kachi Onubogu, Marketing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, said: “Wait until the companies start declaring their first quarter results and see how companies’ earnings have plummeted.”

Investigation has revealed that escalating costs of sales and operating costs eroded profit margins of consumer goods (foods) companies like Flour Mills, Nestle, Cadbury and Dangote. According to findings, input costs in Nestle rose by 30 per cent of sales year-onyear from N43.9 billion in 2010 to N57.2 billion while marketing and distribution expenses increased by 10 per cent.

Also cost of sales rose in Flour Mills of Nigeria from N103.0 billion in third quarter of 2010 to N123.22 billion in the corresponding period of 2011.

For Dangote Sugar, cost of sales increased from N50.70 billion in 2010 to N68.90 billion.

This rise in sales costs cannot be disassociated from the state C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 5

Independent research puts Informal sector in Nigeria at 65 per cent/70 per cent of GNP Labour source 2008 says 90 per cent of new jobs accounted for by informal sector; sector responsible for 80 per cent of all non-agric employment and 60 per cent of urban jobs European Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Sciences ISSN 1450-2273 Issue 11 2008 in an article written by Ishola Akintoye of the Department of Economic, University of Ibadan, says 70 per cent of total industrial employment accounted for by the informal sector With 53 per cent of new employment, Nigeria’s informal sector, constituted by over 17 million businesses and enterprises, led the growth in total jobs reflecting the significant contribution of that segment to the labour market and the overall economy.

The formal sector with 41 per cent takes the second place, while the public sector is a distant third position holder with 6% of new addition to the jobs market.

Growth in the informal labour market is dominated by sole proprietorships driven by male ownership of businesses and enterprises, which accounted for 90 per cent of establishments while the balance of 10 per cent is owned and managed by the female segment.

Africa’s working-age population is estimated to have reached over 490 million in 2012, representing a quantum leap of 259 per cent since 2000 at an annual compound growth rate of 2.8 per cent.

The EU-Africa Cooperation says investments in science, technology and innovation (STI) are vital to promote growth and employment, improve competitiveness and identify and address pressing global societal challenges such as climate change, affordable renewable energy and energy efficiency, infectious diseases or food and nutrition security.

EU-Africa cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation is cross-cutting in nature, contributing to the attainment of all other socio-economic development objectives.

The Cooperation says it will work towards reinforcing cooperation between research communities and the creation of joint academic research programmes, with a special focus on innovation and the productive sector including research infrastructures.

32

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

EPA: What Brussels has to offer The Brussels summit agreed that the European Union (EU) and the African (AU) should continue negotiations on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) by exploiting all possibilities to reach a satisfactory conclusion of development-oriented and World Trade Organisation (WTO)-compatible EPAs Siaka Momoh

T

he Roadmap 2014-2017 of the EU-Africa Summit, which held in Brussels, Belgium between April 2 and 3 2014, said EU-AU will continue working on outstanding EPAs with the aim of fostering intra-African trade, Africa’s regional integration efforts and the planned Continental Free Trade Area.

“In this regard, both parties should continue negotiations on EPAs by exploiting all possibilities to reach a satisfactory conclusion of developmentoriented and WTO-compatible EPAs that promote African integration, economic transformation and industrialisation and ensure the prosperity of nations to the benefit of both continents,” the roadmap stated.

It said that it was important that Africa and Europe

CONTINUED from PAGE 31

of insecurity up north, which came with high cost of transporting products to the region - a large market for consumer products.

Commenting on the impact of the Boko Haram crisis on his company, Keith Richards, Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, said in a report: “You know with the borders closed a lot of formal and informal exports are not happening. People are not coming from Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Mali. So you see a downturn in demand. The North is important to us. A lot of our brands

Paper converting plant

develop globally competitive industries that can succeed in today’s global markets and contribute to sustainable development and that EPAs should be structured to ensure that Nigeria trade expands and that it supports growth of intra-regional trade in Africa.

It promises to explore modalities to exchange information on the implementation of trade agreements and their implications for Africa’s regional integration and industrial development agenda.

“We will promote continental integration and trade as well as the engagement of the private sector as a key partner in development. This will include strengthening the capacity of stakeholders to develop public-private partnerships. To fast-track the establishment of a Continental Free Trade Area in Africa, the EU offers to draw on its expe-

rience of building the Single Market to provide capacity support to this initiative,” the roadmap said.

It also added that the summit will strengthen “our coop-

eration to support initiatives such as Boosting Intra- African Trade and the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area. We are committed to dialogue on regional and continental economic integration policies. We will work together to foster trade liberalisation and facilitation in a fair manner. The EU will provide support to African countries in the World Trade Organisa-

tion (WTO) accession process as well as the implementation of the WTO trade facilitation agreement.”

This, it said, will include the harmonisation of appropriate policies, reducing technical barriers to trade by building capacity to improve, certify and assure the quality and standards of goods.”

Next week: An analysis on EPA.

Insecurity hits manufacturers’ bottom line are doing very well there.

“But now there is a big impact from the Boko Haram crisis. And I know all the businesses in the FMCG are affected too, especially with products like beer, soft drinks, tobacco. There is a major impact on the economy. We are probably losing 5 to 10 per cent of the sales that we would normally have in that region.”

Cedric Bra, analyst at Euromonitor International, a consumer market research organisation, warned that the

growing modern retail market in Nigeria risks being compromised due to security concerns in northern parts of the country.

Boko Haram is an Islamist insurgent group, which frowns on western education and has been unleashing armed onslaughts on police stations, churches and recreational places in some northern states.

British soap maker, PZ Cussons, once warned it was likely to report disappointing full year profits, pointing to political upheaval in Nigeria, chal-

lenging trading conditions in Australia and high raw materials costs. PZ Cussons said it was monitoring social and economic tensions in Nigeria closely, after gun and bomb attacks by Boko Haram in Kano killed at least 186 people.

Analysts say the consequence of the upheavals in Nigeria on PZ Cussons is an indication that other FMCGs may be in for bigger challenges, adding that their bottom lines would be adversely affected and by extension, that job losses are likely, if things do not change for the better.

Investment analysts say that the impact of the sectarian violence, political instability and ripple effects of the Euro economic crises have brought manufacturing and investors’ confidence to their lowest points in recent years.

The World Investment Report (WIR) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said that the Nigeria’s domestic economy lost N1.33 trillion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the Boko Haram crisis.

According to the report, FDI

flows to Nigeria fell to $6.1 billion (N933.3 billion) in 2010, a decline of about 29 per cent, from the $8.65 billion (N1.33 trillion) realised in 2009 fiscal year.

Similarly, the 2010 annual report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the total foreign capital inflow into the Nigerian economy in 2010 was $5.99 billion. The records show that FDI represented an about 78.1 per cent drop from $3.31 billion in 2009.

Closely related to the FMCG issue, is the impact of the crisis on food supplies from the North to the South. Nigerians in the southern part of the country may need to brace up for an impending food supply problem and accompanying higher prices for a long time as food supplies from the North, which account for over 70 per cent of national consumption, are dwindling by the day, on account of the Boko Haram crisis.

The Boko Haram crisis, which is the cause of insecurity in the country, has taken the lives of many business people and displaced others, ruining many businesses and revenue sources to the nation.

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Enterprise Strokes

33

with

Siaka Momoh

siakamomoh@yahoo.com

Trouble in fish market F

Containers in port

Cargo clearance delays worry industrialists CLOG Slow speed of cargo clearance at the ports still remains an issue.

Siaka Momoh

P

ersistent delays in the clearance of cargo at the Lagos ports have become a major cause for worry for Nigeria’s businessmen, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry said last week in Lagos.

This development, according to LCCI, has the following implications: Delays arising from the late issuance of Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR); high demurrage arising from delays in clearing of cargo; distruption of production schedules of manufacturers as raw materials are not delivered in good time to factories; risk of exacerbation of

EMPLOYMENT UNIDO believes that youth employment should be reflected in the post-2015 development agenda

Y

outh employment is urgent matter that should be adequately reflected in the post2015 development agenda process, Li Yong, the Director General of the UNIDO, and Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Youth Affairs

inflation as goods are not quickly cleared from the port to meet relevant needs in the economy; and high cost of fund on borrowed funds by importers.

According to the President of the Chamber, Alhaji Remi Bello, “The 48 hour target set by government is far from being achieved.

Major problem areas are delays in the positioning of cargo at the port terminals; inadequate equipment for cargo handling; high incidence of cargo blockstacking; poor access roads to the ports; poor network and quality of roads within the ports; delays in cargo releases from Shipping Lines.

“Above all the rail system designed to evacuate cargo from the Lagos Ports needs to be resuscitated as a matter of utmost urgency. The menace of trucks, trailers and tankers on Lagos roads in particular, and the national road network in general

has assumed an unbearable dimension.”

He listed some of the consequences of the rail system collapse for the economy and the citizens as including: High transportation cost which takes its toll on the operating cost in the economy.

Low productivity in the economy.

High rate of road accidents with attendant loss of lives and other fatalities.

Proliferation of articulated trucks and trailers with attendant risk to other road users.

Inflationary pressures resulting from uneconomic and inefficient haulage process.

Road and traffic congestion in both intercity and intra city transportation with attendant loss of man hours.

Rapid deterioration of roads as a result of the high tonnage of vehicles plying the roads.

UNIDO stresses importance of youth employment and Skills Development of Sri Lanka, have said.

Speaking at the G77 Plenary Discussion on mainstreaming youth in the post-2015 development agenda and promoting youth entrepreneurship for industrial development, Li said: “We at UNIDO are committed to support

developing countries in the ambitious endeavor towards a peoplecentred development agenda – an agenda that builds new and more inclusive development pathways with the aim of providing equal employment opportunities for all CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

ood business is good business. No one invests in food and regrets doing so. The only caveat is if you do not do it well.

The reason is clear: Food is one of the three essential needs of life. The other two are shelter and clothing. Aliko Aliko is into flour milling business; and pasta too, a spinoff of flour milling. He is also involved in sugar, salt business and fruit juice business. This is food too. He recently made in-roads into agriculture – the super-structure for food production, to grow tomatoes and palm trees.

For shelter, he is robustly into cement manufacturing – has plants across the country and has gone continental.

The Dangote Group has an African strategy for the production of cement. Dangote cement is a frontline maker of the built business in Nigeria. His involvement in clothing – textile manufacturing - is not pronounced for now. It is, at best, marginal. But as you can glean from the discourse here, food business for the Dangote conglomerate is serious business.

Ask also the restaurant runners, the bukataria operators, or the akara sellers, they will tell you, if they are sincere, how comfortable they are with their business. I do not know if you are familiar with the Akara Osu entrepreneur, who is reported to own houses and trained his children with money made from the Akara business. Osu is a village between Ile-Ife and Ilesha. Caterers who provide meals and drinks at parties are smiling to their banks.

So when you see fish importers rolling in trucks of frozen fish from the ports to their cold rooms in Lagos and other cities across the country, you will know that they are into serious business.

However, no matter how lucrative a business is, business people like playing smart. They are always in love with outrageous profit. They like it ‘big and fast’ like Dr Ogho Okiti, erstwhile Chief Economist at BusinessDay will say. This is why fish importers in Nigeria, most of them of Indian origin, will never be satisfied with the high demand, the high sales volume and rosy profit in fish business and will import large tonnage of fish into the country to beat an anticipated ban on import. This is why fish importers will under-declare their imports and by so doing, ask to be allowed to bring in more.

But there is now trouble in the fish sector. According to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural development, Akinwunmi Adesina, in July 2012, the ministry placed a temporary hold on fish importation to allow for stakeholders’ participation in determining the quantity of fish imported into the country. Stakeholders’ interactions were held and it was agreed to use the figure of imports (2010 – 2012) as the baseline. However, there were huge discrepancies in the volumes of imports submitted by the importers and actual import figures from the Nigerian Customs. Fish importers declared they imported 1.6 million metric tons of fish between 2010-2012 but the Nigerian Customs figure officially submitted to the minister, showed they imported 15 million metric tons of fish. ‘Where are the cold rooms to hold that amount of fish?’ Adesina asked.

The almost 10 times difference in actual imported values, as correctly reported by Customs, made it clear that the fish importers have deliberately under-reported imported volume, because they presumed the figures were to be used to calculate penalties to be paid for importing fish without import licenses, said Adesina. “Where does the foreign exchange for ‘importing’ this level of fish go?” he queried.

Fish business is good business. This is why civil servants who have benefited from this fraud while in service would not let go and would still continue to conspire with foreigners who engage in dirty business in the fishery sector.

34 BUSINESS | INDUSTRY Bread-making business is no longer an all comers' affair. The quality, size, packaging and operational/ marketing strategies should be given a thorough consideration for one to remain in the business.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Investing in bread baking

Godwin Uba

B

read is a stable food in the country today. According to a publication made by the Nigeria bakers association, prices of bread, a major staple food, have risen in the last three years by an average of about 25 per cent from between N80 and N120 per family size loaf to between N200 and N250 amid increase in the prices of baking materials.

In January 2011, the prices of all sizes of bread increased by 10 per cent. Although the rise in the prices of bread had been associated with sundry baking materials such as sugar, butter, flour and fat, consumers are willing to pay any amount to get the essential commodity for the family up keep.

In 2012/2013, the prices rose again by about 10 per cent.

Now bread sells for between N200 ansd N250.

Modern trends Bread making business is no longer an all comers affair.

The quality, size, packaging and operational/marketing strategies should be given a

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

people, and especially women and youth.”

He added: “The views of young people, their concerns, their energies, and their courage are critical to the post-2015 development agenda process”.

Alahapperuma said: “Our young people today are the world’s foundation for a successful tomorrow. Many of them possess the inherent abilities that can be developed and supplemented with skills and capital, enabling them to become entrepreneurs. They need to be equipped with the knowhow to rise above the hardships and difficulties. In Sri Lanka, we promote our youth to possess good social skills as much as we focus on commercial and technical skills. Possessing of such skills will support mental

Loaves of bread

thorough consideration for one to remain in the business.

There is need to address the level of technology application to ensure that standard is maintained. Professional hands both as consultants and operational staff is very essential for any investor to make profits in the industry.

Advertisement has become very necessary to thrive in the industry. There is need to use professionals in the management and marketing of the project.

Starting the project For any prospective investor to be successful, consideration should be given to the location. This is very important because this will determine the type/categories of customers to service. Usually it is ad-

visable to locate the project in the areas where there are large populations.

To start the business, there is need to consider the type of technology to apply in the project, the types of machines to use, the capacity of the machines and other basic infrastructure such as distribution vehicles, power generators and other such related issues.

The operational environment is very important. For easy approval by National Agency for Food Drugs, Administration and and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), there is need to site the project in a very clean environment.

Plants & machinery The following plants, machinery and equipment are

essential for setting up an ultra-modern bakery; electric oven (3 deck/4deck are available depending on the capacity), industrial burner, electric milling machines, mixer, bowl or dough mixer (of various capacities ranging from3-10 bags of 50kg flour at a time), automatic slicing machine, plaster roller, standard scale/measure.

There is also need to procure various sizes of baking pans.

Raw materials applications, sources All the required raw materials for commercial bread production are locally available and include the following: flour, sugar, salt, yeast and edible or baking fat. There is need to get a professional food technologist that will mix the inputs properly to achieve a unique taste.

Financial implications The estimated cost of setting up an ultra modern bread baking business is N27, 891, 000. The breakdown of this cost is as follows:Accommodation N 2,500,000 Plants, machinery & equipment/other assets N 9, 407, 000 Working capital (3 months) N13,336,000 Other operating expenses

N2,298,000 Preliminary expenses (including feasibility studies)

N350,000 Total N27,891,000 Based on our projections, a turnover of N121 million would be made in the first year of operation as total income. The expected gross profit in the first year is about N39 million, which will increase to N96 million within the first five years of operation. The payback period is within one year of operation if the project is well managed.

The rate of return on investment is about 76 per cent within the first three years of operation.

Implementation To handle the implementation of this project professionally, prospective investors should embark upon a detailed and bankable feasibility studies. The writer is readily available for the feasibility studies and packaging of a bankable feasibility studies reports/ business plans.

Uba can be reached at ubagodwin@yahoo.com

UNIDO stresses importance of youth employment stamina to endure the journey towards being successful in their chosen industry.”

In 2013, close to 73 million young people are estimated to have been unemployed, a figure that amounts to around 40 per cent of the world’s unemployed.

“UNIDO works towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development that promotes economic empowerment and the creation of decent jobs for youth in industry and industryrelated services. Devising solutions for youth unemployment starts with a good primary education. It also requires a sound and comprehensive approach that leads to more competitive and stable economies, with ris-

ing productivity and increased trade flows,” said Li. UNIDO has a number of projects throughout the world specifically designed to promote employment and income opportunities for young people and provide them with the skills and competencies they require to be able to take advantage of these opportunities.

The Director General thanked Minister Alahapperuma and the Government of Sri Lanka for taking the lead in creating a valuable and inclusive platform for an intergenerational dialogue through the forthcoming World Conference on Youth, which will take place from 6 to 10 May in Colombo.

This year marks a significant

step forward for UNIDO in its engagement with youth issues, not only as the incoming cochair of the Inter-Agency Net-

A cross section of job-seekers

work but also as a leading entity in the sub-working group on youth employment and entrepreneurship.

business

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

35

W it h

TECHTalk Jonah Iboma 08050498516

Task before new NITDA DG T

An electronic waste dump site

Dealing with electronic waste scourge Electronic waste has been growing globally in recent years with the Third World, especially African countries, bearing the brunt as they are often targeted as dumping ground for these potentially dangerous disused appliances.

JONAH IBOMA examines issues involved in the matter and how Nigeria can overcome the increasing danger posed by the development.

O

ne of the fallouts of the global electronics and technology revolution is the amount of waste generated after the use of such equipment. As a result, various efforts have been made to tackle the issue and recently international efforts have seen experts from various countries coming together to find a way out.

One of the ways that this has been done was the setting up of an initiative called Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP), a body that constitutes of experts from various countries with a global mandate to tackle e-waste.

The group, after some initial work came up with a report in 2013 in which it forecast that the amount of electronic waste produced globally is set to

grow by a third between 2012 and 2017.

It also launched an interactive, online world map depicting the amount of electronic waste produced in different countries across the globe and a report showing the amount of e-waste shipped from the United States to developing countries.

The report found that on the average, each person on the planet produced seven kilograms of e-waste in 2012, that is 48.9 million tons in total, and based on this, StEP estimated that such waste will rise to 65.4 million tons in 2017.

But the real issue about the electronic waste is that a lot of it consists of potentially materials that often ends up in developing countries, where governments still do not pay enough attention to the rising problem, which also offers business opportunities, according to Ruediger Kuehr, Executive Secretary of StEP. The map is based on 2012 data from 184 nations. As well as the amount of e-waste generated in each country, it shows how much electrical and electronic equipment was put on the market and contains national regulations regarding e-waste's management.

In the report, Kuehr said that the aim of the online map and the report was to allow governments, industry and other organisations to plan e-

Almost all electrical devices contain toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury

waste management and recycling of discarded mobile phones, laptops, televisions and computer monitors.

In Nigeria, as in many African countries, the issue of management of electronic waste has been one that government has not paid proper attention to.

One of the major reasons why electronic waste keeps growing in many African countries including Nigeria is the uncontrolled entry of obsolete equipment from the developed world.

Mobile phones, televisions and computer monitors are the most common type of e-waste shipped from the United States, it said.

In fact, in places like Ikeja and OjoAlaba in Lagos, disused electrical products litter electronics markets and their surroundings.

Almost all electrical devices contain toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury. This makes the need for them to be properly recycled or discarded very important.

But because recycling these electrical equipment can sometimes be very expensive, many of them end up being illegally dumped in countries such as Nigeria and Ghana among others.

The case of Agbogbloshie, a former wetland in Accra, Ghana, comes to mind. The place is now regarded as the world's largest e-waste and dangerous toxic site, because of the huge importation of fairly used computers, phones and other electronic devices.

Investigations about the site found out that boys and young men smash devices to get to the metals, especially copper. It said people working there often have injuries, such as burns, CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

he biggest story in the information technology industry in the past week is the appointment Mr. Peter Jack as the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA).

This has come nearly one year after the previous DG, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, completed his two-term tenure and had to bow out of office. The appointment of Jack is consistent with the previous appointments of individuals from the southern part of Nigeria as head of the agency. Prof. Gabriel Ajayi, the pioneer DG of the agency, was also from the south. However, Jack’s appointment is also the first time that someone who does not have qualification of the level of a professor will be heading this development agency.

For anyone that knows the technology sector in Nigeria very well, however, the issue of this appointment goes much more beyond whether an academician, a southerner or northerner is now heading the agency.

ICT development in Nigeria, obviously, needs some urgent overhaul if the country is to make the proper headway in this sector.

It is generally known that the global IT industry has been one that gives higher income levels than most other sectors. However, Nigeria is not pulling her weight as expected.

The setting up of NITDA in 2001 was for the obvious need to fast-track IT development in Nigeria. The country had an IT policy then and an agency was needed to implement it, hence the establishment of NITDA. However, after the initial euphoria that greeted the establishment of NITDA, the agency seemed to have done very little to justify its formation.

The agency has over the years come up with a few draft standards to promote the growth of IT in Nigeria, but the sector needs things beyond draft standards.

One would have loved to see NITDA facilitating collaborations in software development in such a manner that locallydeveloped software will find proper acceptance globally.

Aside this, NITDA has been known to have embarked on some controversial project such as building mobile Internet units.

It is known that this project did not work.

NITDA needs to partner local universities more to fast track ICT development in the country. Although, NITDA has a scholarship programme today, more effort must be geared towards promoting the software and hardware industries.

There are many applications being developed by young Nigerians today that are making waves and it is clear that NITDA is not involved in many of the achievements by these young citizens. This has to change.

So, while the appointment of Jack is welcomed, it must be stated that there is a lot of work for him to do.

36

business | ICT

CONNECTIVITY Nigeria sets pace in African Internet use Jonah Iboma

T

he number of new Internet subscriptions in Nigeria grew by 29million between March 2013 and February 2014, according to figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

New Telegraph analysis of the figures released by the telecommunications regulatory body showed that as at March 2013, Nigeria had about 34,624,390 internet subscribers comprising 34,471,520 GSM subscribers and 152,870 CDMA

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Nigeria records 29m new Internet subscribers

subscribers.

However, by February 2014, the figure had risen to 63,474,364, showing an addition of 29,002,884 subscribers.

The development represented about 85per cent growth in the number of subscriptions compared to the previous year’s figures.

The figure puts Nigeria as the clear leader in terms of internet subscriptions in Africa with Egypt coming second with about 40million subscribers.

Industry experts noted that the development showed the increasing importance of internet use in Nigeria, adding that the recent move by the Nigerian Communications Commission to license 2.3GHz frequency would further increase internet penetration in the country.

Chief Executive Officer, Balancing Act, Russel Southwood, said he expected Nigeria to witness better and more stable internet access with the emergence of Bitflux as

2.3GHz frequency auction.

Meanwhile, the number of internet users in the country has dropped by close to a million subscribers in three months from December 2013.

From a figure of 64,229,097 in December 2013, internet users reduced to 63,474,364 by February 2014, according to the NCC figures.

The December 2013 figures represents and all-time high in the number of subscriptions

FG gives 400 youths ICT training

T

L-R: Analyst, Events and Sponsorship Etisalat Nigeria, Martina Ogbebor; 100Level Student of Abia State University, Uturu, Destini Ugo and Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel during a raffle draw prize presentation at Etisalat Cliqfest, at Abia State Polytechnic, Uturu Campus recently

Dealing with e-waste scourge CONTINUED from PAGE 35

untreated wounds, eye damage, lung and back problems, as well as chronic nausea, anorexia, debilitating headaches and respiratory problems and that most workers die from cancer in their 20s.

Based on this reality, Kuehr said he hoped the e-waste map will raise awareness of the scale of the problem of poor e-waste management, particularly in developing countries that lack regulations about the dismantling of these products.

A notable point in the report is that the United States produced the largest total amount of e-waste in 2012 - nearly 9.4 million tonnes - followed by China, which generated almost 7.3 million tonnes.

Jeremy Gregory, a co-author of the report, said that part of

the problem is that electronic rubbish travels illegally to developing countries, where it is dismantled "in conditions that could be hazardous to the workers, their health or the environment."

It is generally known that most e-waste arrive at landfills in the developing world without clear rules for dealing with this type of waste, as it is treated as general refuse, and so heavy metals, dioxins and other polluting and even carcinogenic compounds are released during its processing.

Gregory believes improved transparency and government controls are needed to combat the illegal shipping of e-waste.

He said, "Governments should start investigating a bit more about this type of trade," he said. "You basically have to either ask the exporters for

more confirmation of what is the exact format of the products that they are shipping or open their containers to verify what is inside. There has to be some enforcement of regular shipping laws that they already have in place."

However, used electronics that are still in good condition can provide opportunities for citizens and small business owners in the developing world, Gregory adds.

"If there is a way in which we can make sure that used electronics can have a second life for people who very much need them at an affordable cost that would be a win-win," Gregory says. "We need to make sure that the products that are going to the developing world are actually functioning and operational products and not just trash."

in the country.

The fall in subscription represented the first time that internet connections figures would go down substantially in Nigeria in recent times.

However, the number of internet subscribers could have grown more had the CDMA operators not almost stopped activities. Aside Visafone, which had been keeping its subscribers, most of the other operators had ceased operations.

he Federal Government said it will train 400 youths in the Niger Delta region on the Identify, Train and Engage Scheme (ITRENS).

The Supervising Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Darius Ishaku, said this in Abuja on Monday.

Ishaku said the training would be a shift from other programmes which had little or no engagement, noting that financial assistance would be given to successful participants.

He said a delegation of the ministry visited Ireland sometime in 2013 over the programme.

The minister said the delegation, which was led by the immediate past minister, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, had the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator James Manager.

He said the team witnessed a demonstration of Tablet PCs and Smartphones assembled by kids within the ages of 15

and 17years.

He recalled that the visit was a follow up to an earlier presentation made by Swift and Just Nigeria Limited and Gel Technology of Republic of the Ireland.

Ishaku said that the ICTbased youth empowerment programme was developed by his ministry in collaboration with Swift and Just Nigeria Limited.

He said the initiative was focused on unemployed nonmilitant youths in the region.

“This initiative places emphasis on vocational training tailored toward providing the identified trainees with essential skills and competences they need to become economically active players in their chosen sector of Nigeria’s economy.’’

According to him, information technology remains one of the biggest sectors in Nigeria alone that can engage our youths.

eWorld’s forum focuses on broadband

T

he annual eWorld Forum, which, since 2013 has also been used to celebrate the World Telecommunications Day, will this year focus on the recent efforts at growing broadband service in Nigeria.

Organisers of the event, eWorld Magazine and Ajomedia Limited, said that this year’s event had adopted the World Telecom and Information Society Day (WTISD) theme which is Broadband for Sustainable Development.

The World Telecommunication Day has been held worldwide by industry stakeholders and the public to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication

Union on May 17, 1865. Nigeria had joined other nations in the early 1980s to celebrate the day. eWorld collaborated with the Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency ( NITDA) to hold the 2013 edition which had as its theme: ICTs and Improving Road Safety.

Chief Executive of Ajomedia and Publisher of eWorld Magazine, Aaron Ukodie, said in a statement that the eWorld forum keyed into the current focus of the Federal Government and its agencies, the National Broadband Council in their bid to create awareness on the benefits of broadband.

business | ICT 37

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

33 % of cyber-attacks linked to theft INTERNET Online scams aim at stealing money Stories by Jonah Iboma

I

nternet fraudsters are trying harder than ever to acquire confidential user information and steal money from bank accounts by creating fake sites mimicking financial organisations, according to data collected for Kaspersky Lab’s study ‘Financial cyber threats in 2013.’

The report stated that 31.45 per cent of phishing attacks in 2013 were trading on the names of leading banks, online stores and e-payment systems, an increase of 8.5 percentage points from the previous year.

Phishing is a fraudulent scheme used by cybercriminals to obtain confidential user data with the help of fake

web pages imitating Internet resources. Unlike malicious software created for particular operating systems, phishing attacks threaten all devices which can access web pages.

That is why they are so popular with scammers – in 2013 alone Kaspersky Lab products protected about 39.6 million users from this cyber threat.

The firm said that phishing sites aimed at harvesting users’ financial details mainly used the brand names of popular online stores, e-payment systems and online banking systems. In 2013, the most attractive targets were banks, which were used in 70.6 per cent of all financial phishing.

That was a sharp increase from 2012 when bank phishing represented just 52 per cent. Overall, fake bank websites were involved in twice as many (22.2 per cent) phishing attacks in 2013.

Fraudsters use the brand

names of major companies with large client databases in search of a big criminal profit.

For example, about 60 per cent of all phishing attacks using fake bank pages exploited the names of just 25 organisations. Among e-payment systems the phishers’ “favourites” are even more clearly-defined: 88.3 per cent of phishing attacks in this category involved one of four international brands: PayPal, American Express, Master Card and Visa.

The report added that for several years in a row, Amazon.com has been the most popular cover for phishing attacks exploiting the names of online stores. Over the reported period, its name was used in 61 per cent of online trade-related phishing attacks.

The top three also included Apple and eBay, but both of them lagged well behind Amazon.

“Phishing attacks are so popular because they are simple to deploy and extremely effective. It is often not easy for even advanced Internet users to distinguish a well-designed fraudulent site from a legitimate page, which makes it even more important to install a specialised protection solution. In addition, phishing causes reputational and financial damage to organisations that see their brands exploited in phishing attacks,” said Sergey Lozhkin, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab. The company said further that phishers don’t just imitate the websites of financial insti-

tutions – they also frequently attack via social networking sites. In 2013, the number of attacks using fake pages of Facebook and other social networking sites grew by 6.8 percentage points and accounted for 35.4 per cent of the total.

The ‘Financial cyber threats in 2013’ report used data obtained voluntarily from Kaspersky Security Network participants. Kaspersky Security Network is a globally distributed cloud-based infrastructure designed to quickly process depersonalised data about threats which users of Kaspersky Lab’s products encounter. Statistics about phishing attacks were obtained based on Kaspersky Lab web anti-phishing detections.

Intel advocates technology education at ARTE show

A

s part of its commitment to provide quality educative solutions to Africa and Nigerians in particular, Intel and HP have collaborated to sponsor African Resources and Technology for Education Show 2014 that holds in Abuja and Lagos.

The show, which is in its third year, was declared opened by Benue State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Elizabeth Ugo, in Abuja.

Speaking on the topic, ‘How Technology can Challenge Convention, Encourage Change and Improve Education in Africa’, Lead, Public Sector & Education; HP; Emmanuel Eze, stated that classroom, ICT was improving technology and technology was a central part of in the 21st education and had enhanced the way of learning.

He urged government and teachers to adopt policies that encouraged the use of technology tools in classrooms, stating that using such equipment allowed all students to learn at their own pace and acquire needed knowledge. He emphasised that student-centred learning should be adopted in all classrooms as it shifts focus from the teacher to the students and allows students to be active and responsible participants in their own learning.

According to him, this stu-

dent centered learning can be achieved using technology tools such as the Intel Explore and Learn initiative, a special application designed for students learning.

Also speaking at the event, Business Development Manager, Intel, Omoboyade Abe, said, “The Intel Explore and Learn is an education solution that provides access to a vast repository of free and low cost digital text books and interactive learning resources.”

At Intel education, the focus is on creating education solutions that aids learning and it is not profit focused. While urging participants to visit the Intel and HP stand to experience the Intel explore and Learn, he added that Intel Teach was an opportunity for Intel to Train teachers who in turn trained others.

Participants at the sessions, during the rounds at the exhibition booths, attested to the relevance of the contents on the Intel Explore and Learn to education in Nigeria.

The ARTE show is an annual event that aims to bring together manufacturers and suppliers of educational technology and learning resources from all over the globe to forge a new path of growth and development in Africa, the world’s fastest growing education sector.

Participants at the Airtel-sponsored free eye test in Lagos last week

Business Connexion expands its African footprint

A

few weeks after it took control of Panabiz Nigeria Limited, South African-based IT group, Business Connexion, has accelerated its African expansion with the acquisition of Ultimate Solutions Botswana.

The deal will see the Johannesburg Stock Exchangelisted entity gain access to a retail customer base of more than 800 stores in that country. In Nigeria, the firm will be involved in managed print services, the specialisation of Panabiz in West Africa.

Panabiz employs 8,000 people globally and has existing managed print service and annual maintenance service contracts.

Business Connexion said Ultimate Solutions Botswana was the market leader in pointof-sale solutions with branch-

es in many towns in Botswana, and is also a distributor of brands such as HP, Lenovo and Mecer in Botswana.

The Chief Executive Officer, Business Connexion, Mr. Benjamin Mophatlane, said, “We’re excited about our increasing African footprint and the talent joining Business Connexion that allows us to better service our client base who, too, are expanding into Africa. Our recent acquisitions allow us to provide solutions and services that are aligned to customer needs."

The company had earlier said that it had been looking to further expand its global footprint.

Business Connexion’s international business, which spans Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and the UK, grew revenue 13.9 per cent in the last

financial year.

In an interview recently, a senior executive of the firm, Ian McAlpine, said Business Connexion was focused on organic growth, African expansion and strategic acquisitions for long-term sustainability.

The company’s IT services’ ambitions had been focused on Kenya and Nigeria. Last year Business Connexion launched data centre services in Nigeria and said it was a "major milestone,” in its continental expansion.

In its most recent financial results commentary, Business Connexion said it aimed to grow its footprint in Africa.

Organic growth in Nigeria was to be supported by niche acquisitions. "The group remains confident in unlocking significant future potential in Africa," the report read.

38

Thursday, April 17, 2014

FEATURES

NEW TELEGRAPH

39

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014

Participants at the just concluded Lagos Economic Summit list criteria for the sustainable development of the Centre of Excellence, reports OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI

E

f f i c i e n t a n d s t abl e p owe r g e n e r at i o n w a s t h e m a i n focus of Ehingbeti 2014, the s eve n t h L a g o s E c o n o m i c Summit.

The summit focused on strategies for accelerating sustained g rowth in the economy of Lagos State, especially through the creation of a vibrant and cost ef fective power sector.

T his is because an ef fective and ef ficient power sector is very strate gic to the g rowth of other sectors, including moder n ag riculture, for food processing.

T h e b i a n nu a l s u m m i t w i t h the theme: “Real Oppor tunities, Endless Possibilities,” created a n ave nu e f o r o r g a n i s at i o n s, bu s i n e s s e s, re g u l at o r y b o d i e s and gover nment to generate and exchange ideas that will ensure s u s t a i n a b l e e c o n o m i c g r ow t h wh i l e p ro f f e r i n g s o l u t i o n s t o possible problems that can arise within the economy with the aim of attracting potential investors into the state.

At the summit, Gover nor Babatunde Fashola advocated a synerg y between the state gover nment, private sector and the citizenry to achieve adequate and ef ficient electricity for the state.

He said the only way to achieve the dream of uninter rupted power supply for both industrial and domestic use was for the three se gments to work to g ether and play their roles ef fectively and ef ficiently.

Fashola designated the generation and distribution of power as the sole responsibilities of the private sector, while the role of gover nment ends in providi n g t h e e n abl i n g e nv i ro n m e n t t h ro u g h p o l i cy i n i t i at i o n a n d implementation to facilitate the work of the private sector.

He said: “If anybody is still in doubt, let me say very clearly here that the generation and distribution of power is now a private sector af fair. So, let nobody be in doubt. It is no longer gover nment af fair; it is now private sector-driven.”

To function ef ficiently and in a most desirable way for La go-

L-R: Former President of Georgia, Mr. Mikhail Saakashvili, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and his Lagos State counterpart, Babatunde Fashola at the opening ceremony of the summit.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Ehingbeti 2014: Ensuring a sustainable power supply sians, the gover nor emphasised that power is required for in dustries, transpor tation, housing and a g riculture, while the private sector requires funding, tax and safety of its assets, adding that the citizens equally have roles to play.

According to him, already, the state gover nment sees a par tnership g rowing in the process with the new owners of distribution and power assets through the sharing of data, gover nment’s power audit and feedback of the residents re gistration exercise.

“Citiz ens have a role to play here; if we want power, we must show up now that we are consuming power because if power is consumed they need to know who is using the power so that they can plan how to release the power”, the gover nor said, adding that gover nment would make laws and re gulations to protect

the assets of the power companies.

Fashola added that consumers of electricity must be ready to pay their le gitimate bills.

He said: “We must stand up as a people ag ainst ille g al connections; we must see every ille g al connection as a threat to our own le gal use of power. Therefore, we must not wait for gover nment, we must not wait for the private owners; there must be a community action ag ainst this kind of

Acceleration does not translate to generation of electricity within few months, because certain structures must be put in place

connection.”

The gover nor advised ag ainst buying of second-hand electrical materials. He explained that second-hand cables, second-hand transfor mers, second-hand metres and second-hand equipment used in the distribution of electricity suggested that it was stolen from the public g rid and therefore all those markets must cease now.

“We must also resist the temptation to cut cost. There must be no ille g al connections and we must re por t any such case,” he urged.

While appreciating the participants at the summit, both local and inter national f acilitators, whom he said par ticipated “very enthusiastically and robustly,” Fashola pledged the commitment of his administration to work CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40 40 FEATURES

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Thursday, April 17, 2014

Economic growth hinged on efficient power CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

hard to achieve the recommendations of the summit.

He said: “I thank you once again for participating and I think that our work is cut out for us. And for my part, between now and the next summit, my team and I have one more year and a few months of hard work before we hand over to the next team. But I assure you we are ready to work.”

Stakeholders at the summit challenged both the Federal and state gover nments to increase efforts at eliminating the activities of vandals, who burst gas pipelines and other power transmission equipment, saying the menace was a major stumbling block to the availability of power in the country.

The for mer Power Minister, Prof. Bath Nnaji, who was the lead speaker at the session, said that there was a need to conduct an audit into the power demand of the entire country, to achieve efficient electricity supply, just as Lagos State had done.

He said: “We cannot know the amount of power we need unless we do an audit. So, Lagos was right when it said it requires 10,000 megawatts (MW). If Lagos with a population of 20 million needs 10,000MW, you can imagine what Nigeria with about 160 million people needs. So, that means something has to be done.”

The for mer minister added that the country would not be able to accelerate its socio-economic g rowth unless it overcame the power challenge.

Nnaji suggested that proper alignment of the entire value chain of power generation, transmission and distribution be done, the development of emergency power system, increased partnership with Independent Power Plant (IPP), producers, the creation of necessary institutional frameworks and facilitation of an enabling environment to accelerate power delivery to the state.

The Chair man, Falcon Petro-

Group of panelist at the summit

leum Limited, Chima Ibeneche, who chaired the session on “how can electricity delivery to Lagos be accelerated,” said that the security of investment, right pricing and ef ficient usage of availabl e e l e c t r i c i t y we re c r i t i c a l considerations to accelerating the delivery of power to the state.

“There should be ef ficiency in power generation and distribution in order to sustain the delivery of power to Lagos.

“The pricing must also be r ight, otherwise power can be priced out of the reach of many consumers because if the price is not efficient, it can make downstream use of power uneconomic.

“Again, we will also need to ensure that regulatory and law enforcement agencies work together so that those who are making efforts and investment to bring power to Lagos can ensure revenue is delivered.”

Commissioner, Rates and Market Competition (NERC), Eyo Ekpo, spoke on how electricity can be accelerated in Lagos with efficient and powerful power delivery since the Federal Gover nment has no hand in it any more.

He said: “Our fates are now in our hands.”

Ekpo added that to accelerate power delivery, there was the need to remove all the impediments identified by various speakers.

He also urged the state gover nment to also consider tax incentives and other institutional refor ms that could encourage the private sector to invest in power opportunities in the state.

But Ekpo dropped a bomb shell that Lagosians should not expect re gular and stable power supply yet, not even in the next six months or one year.

“Acceleration does not translate to generation of electricity within few months, because certain structures must be put in place,” he said.

Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), David Ige, disclosed that supply has agg ressively g rown but vandal-

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, former President of Cape Verde/Guest Speaker, Pedro Pires, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, former Governor, Lateef Jakande and Morin Desalu, at the closing ceremony of the summit.

ism remained the main obstacle.

He said: “For each act of vandalism, there is 30 per cent cut in power supply.”

This, he noted, was why they have been unable to utilise their full g as supply to the pipeline.

Gover nments, according to him, need to complete their infrastr ucture to allow flow of connectivity.

“Gas to power is a national priority,” he added.

Ige said that the Federal Gover nment had increased the availability of gas “astronomically” to ensure power sector of Lagos economy.

On his part, the General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board, Damilola Ogunbiyi, said there was need to synchronise plans between distribution companies (DISCOs) and Lagos State Gover nment for efficient and stable power supply.

While pledging the readiness of the private sector to support the state gover nment for efficient power supply, the Chair man, West Power and Gas, Charles Momoh, called for a value re-orientation among the citizens generally.

“Unless, we go back to our values, there is very little we can achieve in ter ms of power generation and distribution,” he said.

Momoh pointed out that infrastructure decay is one major reason for poor power generation.

He explained that the DISCOs are responsible for distribution of power and that de pends on what they get to distribute.

Momoh added that improving

The off and on power supply is to protect total collapse of power distribution system

electricity in Lagos is not easy.

According to his analysis, there is a capability to generate 700MW me g awatts but the of fice only gets 400MW which is distributed among commercial, industries and homes.

The meagre megawatts, he explained, are responsible for the incessant power cuts.

“The off and on power supply is to protect total collapse of power distribution system,” he said.

Momoh added that the two distribution companies in Lagos – EKO Disco and Ikeja Disco – had the capacity to increase their daily average distribution if power generation and the supply of gas could be increased.

The Managing Director, Sahara Power, Kola Adesina, corroborated Ige’s views that the activities of vandals not only amounted to an economic crime, but a disservice to humanity.

This, according to him, is because once the supply of electricity is impaired due to their nefarious activities millions of lives suffer the adverse consequences.

Director of UK Trade and Investment, Mike Purves, gave assurances of his support in the development of Lagos.

He said that part of the reasons he was at the summit was to see how the United Kingdom could help in partnering and developing Lagos State in terms of investments.

According to Purves, investment can only develop when there is a strong partnership between the two countries.

He noted that, already, there had been a high increase of UK companies coming to Lagos to invest, assuring that when he gets back to his country, talks would begin between both countries on how to further expand the relationship.

Ehingbeti ended with a promise that the state gover nment will implement all ag reed upon to generate power supply to Lagos State.

HEALTH THURSday, April 17, 2014

spinach: Keep obesity at bay

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/health

}p-42

appolonia adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com appoloniaadeyemi@gmail.com

Environmental control: Tool to fight vector-borne diseases Infections transmitted to humans and other animals by blood-feeding anthropods is on the rise, but both governments and individuals have roles to check the vectors, their contact with humans and unnecessary deaths resulting from the diseases, writes APPOLONIA ADEYEMI

H

igh incidence of vector-borne diseases which are preventable but ravaging the nation's population is now a public health concern. As part of efforts to create awareness about them, the 2014 World Health Day focused on them.

During an event to commemorate the last World Health Day in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu regretted that vector-borne diseases "exert the biggest impact on our population, impoverishing, disabling and even killing people”.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) does not want anyone to die from a mosquito or tick bite in the 21st century, hence, the world body has "declared war" on so-called vector-borne illnesses including malaria.

Based on this premise, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Rui Gama Vaz a said factors contributing to the burden of vector-borne diseases in Africa include environmental, poor living conditions and climate changes.

Vector-borne disease results from an infection transmitted to humans and other animals by blood-feeding anthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Examples of vector-borne diseases include dengue fever, viral encephalitis, Lyme disease, and malaria.

According to Vaz, the aim of 2014 World Health Day commemoration is to “raise public awareness about the threat posed by a group of diseases that are spread by insects and other vectors such as mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and freshwater snails that spread malaria, sleeping sickness (Human African Trypanosomiasis), onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, elephantiasis, lymphatis filariasis, leishmaniasis, yellow fever and dengue fever, among other diseases”.

It is part of its efforts to use the indoor residual spray to check some vectors transmitting diseases that the Lagos State Government embarked on Indoor Residual Spraying exercise since 2010 during which there were two rounds of six-monthly cyclical sprayings in six LGAs in Lagos. A total of 49,003 households have been sprayed with by far the majority of the targeted wards recording coverage of 85 percent and above. In terms of effectiveness, an estimated population of 3,570,113

Stagnant water a breeding ground for vectors

has been protected, the Commissioner for Health in Lagos, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed.

According to him, prior to the commencement of the 40-day spraying exercise this year, various pre-implementation activities were planned and implemented with a view to ensuring maximum cooperation, acceptance and effectiveness of the exercise.

During his on-site inspection of the exercise last Friday, in Kosofe Local Government Area (LGA) and Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Idris said the on-going exercise which started a month ago and billed to end in 10 days time, is aimed at combating malaria.

IRS is the application of long lasting chemical insecticides on the walls and ceilings of all houses and domestic animal shelters in a given area, in order to kill adult vector mosquitoes that land and rest on surfaces of walls and ceilings.

The aim of the exercise is to curtail malaria transmission by reducing the life span of vector mosquitoes and reduce the density of indoor resting and indoor feeding anopheles mosquitoes which are the major means of vector transmission in Nigeria.

In some cases, IRS can lead to the elimination of locally important malaria vectors. Some insecticides also repel mosquitoes and by so doing, reduce the number of mosquitoes entering the sprayed room, and thus human-vector contact.

In stable-endemic malaria areas with moderately intense but seasonal transmis-

Idris

sion, IRS can prevent seasonal increase in transmission and reduce levels of infection prevalence and high seasonal morbidity and mortality.

Idris said, ‘For IRS to be determined as being effective, the minimum threshold level is 85 percent of coverage of targeted areas/

Government is taking proactive steps in the areas of urban renewals, water drainage system and environmental upgrade as ways to combat the scourge of malaria

population.

The commissioner noted that the exercise which commenced on Saturday, March 15, 2014 in six LGAs of Ojo, Ikorodu, Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Kosofe, Ibeju Lekki and their corresponding LCDAs is being run concurrently.

He noted that State government is also taking the issue of public enlightenment seriously in the fight against malaria especially in the area of sanitation and stressed that government is taking proactive steps in the areas of urban renewals, water drainage system and environmental upgrade as ways to combat the scourge of malaria.

Apart from the IRS, Idris also enjoined the populace to ensure that they keep their environment free from blocked roof gutters, dis-used tyres, poorly drained flat roofs, plant hollows and cavities and abandoned well, storage tanks, disused utensils, among others.

Others are flower pot clay liners, uncovered septic tanks, uncovered water and stagnant water as well as open refuse dumps.

Similarly, public health experts have canvassed the abandonment of “some traditional practices that promote the spread of vector-borne diseases. For instance, the minister of health said individuals must assume responsibility for their personal hygiene and the management of the environment in such a manner that would reduce man-vector contacts.

According to him, some traditional practices should be done away with.

Practices that should be done away with include staying late in the open or sleeping outside without clothes, sleeping without insecticide treated nets, poor handling of dogs to clean-up faeces from children’s bodies, consumption of unwholesome food and water and wading through water infested with water snails.

Others are blocking of drainage channels with refuse and co-habiting with animals and livestock.

Furthermore, other simple measures to protect citizens from vector-borne diseases are sleeping inside insecticidal treated nets, wearing a long-sleeved shirts and trousers where possible and using insect repellents to avoid exposure to some of these vectors such as flies and bugs, and maintaining best sanitation and hygiene practices.

42 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Female sexual dysfunction: What every woman should know TIPS Women are entitled to sexual satisfaction, Not only does it help to relax them, it can considerably reduce stress

S

exuality is a process with the combined activity of the neurons, blood vessels and hormones incorporating religious, social, family beliefs, interpersonal relationships, with each partner bringing in a unique response, need and attitude. Any incompatibility with any of these, between the partners, will result in sexual dysfunction.

Female sexual complaints are many and more than 50 percent of women have sexual concerns. About 10 percent of women have never had an orgasm in their lifetime and approximately two percent of these fake orgasms to please their partners.

Sexual dysfunction in women is under treated because most women are not likely to discuss it and there is reluctance to initiate conversations about sex with their doctors. Although, it affects women of all ages,

is more troubling for aging women.

Sexual dysfunction in women should be defined in terms of onset, duration, severity and can be partner specific. It happens more in post menopausal women due to decrease or absence of needed sexual hormones but there has been rise in younger women.

CAUSES OF FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION HORMONAL dysfunction can arise from ageing, and chronic use of oral contraceptive and can manifest in form of decreased libido/ desire, lack of arousal and vaginal dryness.

MUSCULOGENIC: Over/ under contraction of pelvic floor muscles manifesting in form of painful sex and urinary incontinence.

NEUROGENIC: Diseases that affect the nerves like diabetes, and spinal cord injury might lead to lack of orgasms.

PSYCHOGENIC: Include relationship issues, poor self esteem arising from body image and impact of some medications, among others.

VA S C U L O G E N I C : Reduced blood flow to the genital area might result from plaques blocking the blood vessels, injury,

with Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe

ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

disruption of body image by medical conditions like gynaecologic cancer, hysterectomy, radiation therapy, mastectomy, etc.

TYPES 1. THE DESIRE PHASE which is the most common complaints is described as diminished or absent feelings of sexual desire or interest, and lack of sexual thoughts and fantasies.

This increases with ageing and in very long relationships when partners are no longer making efforts to keep the spark in their sexual life, going. Decreased desire can be secondary to boredom but sexual routines, changing positions, or venues and addition of erotic materials might be helpful.

In pre-menopausal women, problems with desire might be due to lifestyle changes that come with career moves and taking care of children, while in

women getting very close to menopause and in those already with menopause, the decrease in desire might be a conflict in relationship between hormones and sexuality,w with the decrease or absence of estrogen hormone having a significant effect on sexual activity, enjoyment and fantasies. There are two subtypes: hypoactive sexual desire (low sex drive) and sexual avulsion (active revulsion from stimulation).

2. IMPAIRED FEMALE SEXUAL AROUSAL: In failure to achieve or maintain vaginal lubrication, swelling of the genitalia, absent or diminished feelings of arousal from any type of sexual stimulation, especially in older women, adequate foreplay or taking a warm bath might be helpful. Genital atrophy is the most common reason in post menopausal women, while anxiety/panic attack affects

younger women 3. ORGASMIC PHASE problems may be physiologic (involuntary inhibition) or caused by medications or chronic disease. This may also be caused by inexperience or lack of stimulation.

In many subtle types of dysfunction, some women respond to kissing only, fantasy, breast or genital stimulations only and some completely lack the response.

(Anorgasmy or anorgasmia) is the inability to achieve normal orgasm. Some of these might be handled with kegel exercises (alternating contracting and relaxations of pelvic muscles) fantasising, listening to love songs, watching videos and minimising inhibitions. It must be noted that women can have physical satisfaction

Feel free to use as much lubricants as possible, be open to sex toys to help diversify sexual activity and excitement will help tremendously

without experiencing an orgasm. A positive physical experience promotes future motivation and receptiveness.

4. SEX (COITAL) PAIN PROBLEMS-- can be in the form of pain with physical penetration (may be due to anatomic problems), and friction from dryness or with thrusting often associated with pelvic disease or non relaxation.

Another type is VAGNISMUS, (involuntary contraction of the muscles of the outer 1/3 of the vagina), can be as a result of abuse, trauma or phobia. This can be treated with psychotherapy and pain can be minimised by topical lubricants, warm baths before sex, and biofeedback.

BASIC TREATMENT STRATEGIES: Enhance stimulation, provide distractive techniques, encourage non-coital behaviors and allow more time for sexual arousal. Feel free to use as much lubricants as possible, be open to sex toys to help diversify sexual activity and excitement will help tremendously. A visit to a doctor for those post menopausal women for hormonal therapy will help ease the pain and dryness.

‘Spinach helps weight control' Oluwatosin Omoniyi

A

lthough, it abounds among Nigerian staple foods and many do consume it, but little do they know its core value in the body system.

The news is that a natural compound hidden away in spinach, a green-leafy vegetable known as ‘tete’ in Yoruba Language, has been shown to reduce food cravings between meals and could help prevent obesity.

Charlotte Erlanson-Albertsson, a professor of appetite regulation at Lund University, Sweden found the compound, known as thylakoid, while looking for ways to slow digestion and alleviate hunger pangs.

Spinach vegetables

He said this compound prevents key hormones that make one feel full from being released to the brain.

The compound functions

differently for processed foods, which tend to be digested only in the upper intestine. “A test group of 15 people who took the compound every morning

reported that it had become easier to resist the temptation to eat between meals.”

Thylakoids, is a compound in green leaves believed to slow down fat digestion, meaning the whole intestine has time to get involved, the research team said.

But eating spinach itself is not enough. It has to be crushed, filtrated and passed through a centrifuge, freeing the thylakoids from the plant's cells."Our bodies can't break it down from fresh spinach directly," the research stated.

A Dietician with the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ife, Mr. Obinna Ogbonna also corroborated that spinach is an agent of satiety. What this

means is that when one takes lots of it, it has the ability to fill up the empty spaces in the stomach because of its high fibre level and prevents hunger.

Although, there are two types of fibre, soluble and insoluble fibre, what is found in spinach is the insoluble fibre, he said.

So, when you intend to reduce weight, you can take small carbohydrate and plenty of spinach, said Ogbonna, adding that it now serves as a succour and a form of satiety agent so that the fellow’s hunger pangs can be reduced.

That fibre inside the vegetable has the ability to fill the stomach and the person will not fill hungry on time.

HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

OPTIMISM Science paves way for child bearing in women with vaginal agenesis

43

Study raises hope for women without vagina

One out of 5,000 to 7,000 female infant has vaginal agenesis, meaning is born without a vagina. But a major scientific breakthrough recorded recently shows that doctors can use the pioneering technology to build vaginas for affected women, reports OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI

T

all, bright chocolate in complexion, neat set of shinning white teeth that has a gap in front, long dark coloured hair. These qualities describe Oluremi Apena (not real name). By every standard, she is a very beautiful girl. Oluremi has the curves where necessary. She is what men will refer to as figure eight. Oluremi was born a beauty and growing up a beautiful girl. To sum it up, she is a girl men compete to have for companion.

Oluremi enjoyed attention from the opposite sex; she had her ways with ease.

She only needs to gesture or point, she would have her way. Unfortunately and disappointingly, Oluremi has no vagina. It sounds unbelievable but this came to reality when she was sent home from school due to abdominal pains.

She was 17 when the doctors diagnosed her at the General Hospital, Ikeja, of what is medically known as Mayer-von Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser's Syndrome (MRKH), meaning congenital absence of vagina.

She could not pass her monthly menstrual flow nor was she able to have sexual intercourse. “My life completely changed when I was 17 and sent home from my boarding school, with abdominal pain.

When I was examined they discovered an imperforate hymen prohibiting the flow of menstrual fluid.”

She explained that she had her first surgery. Her hymen was opened so that she could bleed. “But they found that nothing was there. I had no vagina, except a dimple, and they could not detect uterus. Even my ovaries were not seen.

Of course, Oluremi’s life was never the same since the revelation of her status.

The once active girl, bustling with life became a recluse. She feels ashamed of herself, no longer willing to associate with her friends because she feels incomplete.

The most shameful aspect of her predicament was that “there were no women doctors involved in any of my medical consultations. "I was subjected to being probed by various doctors and interns with multiple instruments in multiple holes at multiple times,” she said. Tearfully, she added that her breasts, labia, clitoris, and dimple were examined mostly in ridiculous manners by medical practitioners. When doctors suggested to her parents for vagina reconstruction so as to have a normal sex life, she was pessimistic. “I don’t believe in it because I don’t see the real difference in a constructed vagina and vagina agenesis; what is going to be normal sex life in such,” she asked.

MRKH, also known as Vagina agenesis has been in existence since 1833! It is a

congenital anomaly of the reproductive tract that affects a young woman’s sexuality, ability to have sex, body image and/or her future fertility. She will not be able to conceive naturally, and they may not be able to carry a baby.

Experts said women with MRKH are normal. They have normal hormones, normal chromosomes and are normal woman.

Dr. Marc Laufer, MD, Chief Obstetrician-Gynecologist in Boston, MA, said the condition occurs during pregnancy, when a baby’s reproductive system has not finished developing in the mother’s uterus. “She may be born without a vagina and may have other absent reproductive organs. This condition is called vaginal agenesis.”

Vaginal agenesis According to experts, Vaginal agenesis affects one out of 5,000 to 7,000 female infants. Sometimes vaginal agenesis is recognised at birth. Most times, the condition isn't diagnosed until puberty, when the teen notices she hasn't started her period and seeks medical advice. About 90 percent of patients are born with MRKH. The symptoms include an absent uterus and cervix, kidney, hearing loss, and a possible spinal abnormality such as curvature of the spine.

Medical experts said that young women with vaginal agenesis have normal ovaries and normal external genitalia and thus go through puberty and develop breasts, under arm pubic hair, but they will not have menstrual period. He stated that 30 percent of patients with vaginal agenesis have kidney abnormalities. Usually, one kidney is absent or one or both kidneys are dislocated. The kidneys could also be fused together.

Approximately 12 percent of girls with vaginal agenesis have skeletal abnormalities. Two thirds of those patients experience minor problems with the spine, ribs or limbs.

Recently, there is a major breakthrough with MRKH. Doctors at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre in North

Experts said women with MRKH are normal. They have normal hormones, normal chromosomes and are normal women

Laboratory constructed vagina

tioning vagina was a very important thing for these women's lives and witnessing the difference it made to them "was very rewarding to see".

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu

Carolina used pioneering technology to build vaginas for four women who were all in their teenage years at the time.

Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest explained that scans of the pelvic region were used to design a tube-like 3D-scaffold for each patient. He added that a small tissue biopsy was taken from the poorly developed vulva and grown to create a large batch of cells in the laboratory. “The vaginas were carefully grown in a bioreactor until they were suitable to be surgically implanted into the patients,” he said.

The four women have had new vaginas grown in the laboratory and implanted by doctors in the United States (U.S). A tissue sample and a biodegradable scaffold were used to grow vaginas in the right size and shape for each woman as well as being a tissue match.

Atala said each of the woman reported normal levels of "desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction" and painless intercourse. “In each woman, the vagina did not form properly while they were still inside their mother's womb, a condition known as vaginal aplasia.”

He however assured that the current treatments can involve surgically creating a cavity, which is then lined with skin grafts or parts of the intestine.

According to him, all the women reported normal sexual function. “A func-

Diagnoses Kolawole Omoyele, consultant gynecologist with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), explained at length that the external genitalia appears normal, vaginal agenesis is typically not diagnosed until puberty (around age 15); when a young girl notices that she has not had her menstrual period and seeks medical attention.

While most vaginal agenesis sufferers are not aware of their condition until their teen years, a subgroup of these patients will be diagnosed during infancy.

In this case, the abnormality is usually detected during an examination or test for unrelated problems.

Treatment He suggested self-dilation: Some women can have their vagina reconstructed without having an operation.

Pressure is applied over the area where the vagina should be with a very small tube called a dilator. The dilator is held against the skin and pressure is applied for about 15 to 20 minutes a day. Usually, this is more comfortable after the patient has taken a bath because the skin is soft and stretches more easily.

Vaginoplasty Most young women, however, will require surgical reconstruction.

Techniques vary widely, but the vagina can be constructed using a graft either of skin or a buccal mucosa (inner lining of the cheek) or using a segment of large bowel.

Unfortunately, Omoyele said the treatment or corrective surgery cannot be done in Nigeria because it involves a lot of thorough process and multidisciplinary approach which includes the plastic surgery specialist, psychologists for thorough counseling, among others.

44 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Swiss Pharma certification will boost confidence in local drugs ENDORSEMENT Global patronage for locally-produced drugs is assured Appolonia Adeyemi

T

he profile of Nigeria in local drug manufacture has been raised with the emergence of Swiss

Pharma Nigeria Limited as the first pharmaceutical company in West African Sub- Region to become World Health Organisation (WHO)-certified in Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP),.

To this end, Dr. Paul Orhii, the director general, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said the development would boost consumer’s confidence in the efficacy of drugs

manufactured in the country and also boost patronage from international community.

Reacting to the development, WHO representative, Ms. Seun Omobo said the success of Swiss Pharma to clinch WHO cGMP was several months of efforts and huge resources in terms of facility upgrades, capacity buildings and lots of seminars.

"We appreciate the commitments of NAFDAC, Pharmceutical Manufacturers Group of

Ochepe takes free medical outreach to Plateau

L-R: A member of the House of Representatives, Emmanuel Goar, Ochekpe, Provost, Federal College of Education, Parkshin, Professor David L. Wonang and the traditional ruler of Parkshin, Chief Nde Joshua Dimlong at the opening ceremony of Ochekpe Free Medical Out-reach in Parkshin LGA, Plateau State.

I

n an effort to make health care accessible for Nigerians, the federal government has taken free medical care to the doorstep of the people in the grass root.

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe who took her pet project, the “Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) Free Medical Outreach” to the people of Plateau Central for easy accessibility to free medical care, said despite federal government efforts at improving Nigerians’ access to good quality health care, many people in the rural areas do not have access to good medical care. Besides, they are not able to access it due to lack of finance or the inability to go to places to access needed care.

This is contained in a statement by the deputy director (DD), Press at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Attari Hope Monday.

Declaring the ceremony open at the Federal College of Education, Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau, the minister said in line with federal government directive to provide potable water for every citizen in the country and plans to rehabilitate 1000 dysfunctional boreholes

all over the country this year, the federal government is determined to provide drinking water to the Federal College of Education in Panshin, Plateau State.

According to her, the government is rehabilitating and converting the existing borehole in the college of over 15,000 students in particular and the Panshin Local Government in general, to a solar-powered industrial borehole at the cost of N30 million.

The minister said that the free medical outreach in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State which is being sponsored by her in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, Soteria Afrique, Urban Frontiers Mission International, Association of Resident Doctors –Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Afri Foundation, is dedicated to President Goodluck Jonathan for his efforts that is geared towards improving the health care of the people of Nigeria.

Earlier in his address, Provost of the Federal College of Education, Professor David L. Wonang described Mrs. Ochekpe as a developer and expressed

her immense contribution to the educational development of the region ever before she became a minister.

“Her passion for the down trodden no wonder has made her to be involved in education, especially basic education as well as bringing something that is very critical to the college and the zone”, he stated.

He added that such gestures would make the people of the college and Pankshin to regain, preserve and promote their health status, adding that the minister is providing water supply to the college which is the major challenge in the institute.

While praying for the success of the programme at the Central Zone of the State, Mrs. Ochekpe said that the programme which started from 2012 to 2013 in Barkin Ladi Local Government had a large turnout of about 5,000 patients. This inspired her to extend the gestures to Plateau Central comprising Pankshin and five other local government areas with about 5,000 patients to be attended to by over sixtyseven medical doctors and fifty non-medical professionals volunteered for the job.

the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) and Swipha.

Orhii said,“While it used to be thought that Nigerian products are of lower category in the market, this endorsement by the WHO has revealed rather the contrary, which is that the industries in Nigeria can compete with the best in the world.

Orhii said the WHO cGMP is only given to pharmaceutical companies considered to be operating at an acceptable level of compliance with WHO good manufacturing practice guidelines globally.

Before now, no pharmaceutical company had met the criteria needed for the certification.

Orhii stated that to reverse this trend, NAFDAC in collaboration with 11 pharmaceutical companies piloted the Organisation of GMP inspections in 2012.

He noted that apart from Swiss pharma, four other companies are being considered for WHO pre-qualification in the

country.

Speaking,Chairman, Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, Mr Colin cummings during the visit, described the certification as a historic milestone in the history of the Swiss pharma,Nigeria, and the whole of west Africa sub- region.

He noted that the feat would not have been achieved without fervent support of NAFDAC, adding that the agency has placed Nigeria on the global map of countries that can provide finished pharmaceutical products comparable in quality standard to other developed economies.

Represented by the deputy managing director, Abas Sanni Sambo, he traced the journey of WHO prequalification to 2006 when the board of directors approved that they pursue it after being named first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria to attain NIS0 ISO 9001:2008 certification.

Stigma against down syndrome children impacts society – UN Appolonia Adeyemi

O

n the occasion of the 2014 World Down Syndrome Day, the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon has lamented the stigma and discrimination facing people living with down syndrome.

According to Ki-Moon ,too often persons with disabilities – including those with down syndrome face exclusion. The lack of full participation of those with down syndrome affects not only individuals and their families, but society at large.

The Secretary general made the call when the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos hosted children living with down syndrome, to mark the World Down Syndrome Day. Ki-Moon who was represented

by Envera Celimovic, UNIC senior Public Information Officer said, for children and adults with down syndrome, equal access to health services is critical to their empowerment and participation in line with the UN Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities.

Ki-Moon’s message further read: “The emerging posts 2015 global development agenda offers a vital opportunity to build a life of dignity for all. Let us take

concrete action now towards the inclusion of all persons with disability, including those with down syndrome.

Through the message of the Secretary General, "he says to parents and to those children, “you are not alone.”

He called for more collaboration and understanding from all. “It is good to have the government and non-government sector, along with the UN, and of course, within the community, each person should not look down on the neighbor with children with down syndrome or any other disabilities that these people are not worth mingling or being friends with.

“On the contrary, these people are just challenged and we are here to back them up. So, for that reason, we are here today to say to the world, include the children”.

On her part, Mrs. Rose Mordi, president of Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria (DSFN) called on governments at all levels and relevant stakeholders to ensure access to health, education and social services for the special needs kids.

According to her, the health need of these children is paramount. “Why we are addressing the health issue is that if they are not alive, they cannot access any other thing."

METRO 45

of Truth

April 17, 2014

turned to robbery after leaving prison –Suspect

RISON

pect, now ody, says he to return to

s

uspect, Gbenga ms not to have lesson from his ounter with the

years after walking ri Prisons, Saka is way back. now in the custody nti-Robbery Squad agos State, said he attempting to rob agbado area of the

Saka and members of his gang were arrested by SARS team led

by Inspector Toyin Omosebi, which also recovered three guns from them.

The suspect, who said he was not praying to return to prison, blamed his friend, Joseph, for initiating him into robbery.

Recalling his sojourn in prison, Saka explained that he became a guest at Kirikiri Prisons after police arrested and recovered a stolen Honda City car from him in the Ikorodu area of the metropolis in 2011.

He said he was a commercial bus driver before becoming motorcycle rider.

According to him, he raised money from driving commercial bus to buy the motorcycle.

Saka added that he and two other drivers used to take turn

to drive the bus.

Whenever it was not his turn, he would make do with the commercial motorcycle.

Saka said he was comfortable and satisfied, making enough money to keep body and soul together, until Joseph, like the biblical serpent, lured him to robbery.

He said: “There was this particular day in June. The day was a public holiday. I was very sure that there would be many passengers on the road, but unfortunately, it was not my turn to drive the bus that day. However, I knew that if I could get another bus to drive, I would make good money.

“I thought hard and remembered that Joseph, my friend, had a commercial bus. I called and asked him if his bus was available, so that I can drive it. It was night by then. He said I should

manhole covers stolen agos –Commissioner

a

year, thieves have 591 manhole covhighways across lis. ssioner for Works ture, Dr Obafemi isclosed this, said nt was spending s to replace the s. ded that the ren the replacement n expended on the her amenities. sioner wondered ple should steal covers meant to

Gov. Babatunde Fashola

cover underground cables and drains.

He said: “A total of 591 manhole covers had been stolen and replaced. But it is important to

eace at book launch

herly Love” nmi Edukumusic minison enduring nacea to so. h held at the h headquarcted several many fields

asting peace t imbibe the iendship reibes and res,” Ali said. that he was r in person nd had only ations with ing for the

launch from his Abuja base.

Betty Abah, Lagos-based writer-activist and a friend of the writer, said the book was most timely.

“Our nation, indeed, our world, is teetering on the brink of enmity-induced collapse and only a return back to love as advocated by this book can be the panacea,” she said.

Abah described Edukugho, who was her post-graduate course mate at the University of Lagos, as the personification of friendliness and most qualified to write such a book.

Hon. Lawrence Ukubeyinye, former secretary of the Warri South council, praised the author’s initiative.

know that people steal the manhole covers and those who stole them are not ghosts but human beings.

“People ask questions about bad road, but I ask why will somebody steal 591 manholes? We are using money to replace it, that money could have been used to build the roads.”

Hamzat also disclosed plans to build pedestrian bridge at Berger bus stop on Lagos - Ibadan Expressway.

According to him, construction work will commence as soon as the arrangement is concluded.

The commissioner explained that construction of pedestrian bridge at Secretariat Bus Stop in the same axis was halted following mistake made in the course of developing the plan.

It was learnt that the removal of the manhole covers has led to major accidents on Lagos roads.

It has also led to the hospitalisation of innocent Lagos resident who fell into these manholes.

Meanwhile, Hamzat said the government had completed over 161 roads measuring about 347 kilometres from 2011 till date, while 211 roads were under construction.

He said: “The choice of roads to undertake is a function of possible network connectivity, traffic improvement, necessity, traffic volume, road capacity, flood control and management.”

Hamzat added that in the process of developing infrastructure, the ministry created over 92,339 jobs.

Saka

come immediately.

“I rushed down to meet him where he said I should come. I was surprised to see him with three other men. I later discovered that they were planning a robbery operation.”

Saka said that Joseph took time to explain to him that the gang was going to rob a house and needed him with them if he wanted.

Joseph, according to him, promised him part of the loot by, but the other three were worried over the sharing formula.

He said: “Joseph told me that the targeted house was just behind where he lives. He convinced me I would make more money from the robbery than from driving a commercial bus for that day.

“When we got to the place, Joseph and I stayed outside, while those with guns entered the house.

We went with three guns that day. The time was about 2am.

“But before that, one of our members had to climb the fence of the building, gained access into the compound and opened the gate for us. There was no security guard in the house.

“Joseph and I stayed outside for two reasons.

We didn’t have guns and Joseph didn’t want to be recognised by the owner of the house because it was his neighbourhood.

“Those that went in came out with items like phones, laptops, money and other things. They took two cars, including a Honda City. Joseph was the only person I knew in the gang. Others didn’t have time for me. They grudgingly gave me N5,000 from the operation that day.”

A few days after the successful robbery operation, the gang met and in the presence of Saka, they called a buyer living at Ikorodu and told him that they had a Honda City car for sale.

He said: “They asked me to go and deliver the car to the buyer at Ikorodu. As I prepared to go and deliver the car, I decided to take a friend along with me. I was on my way to the place when police stopped me.

“I was in police custody when Joseph called.

One of the police pretended to be the buyer, asking Joseph to come and collect the money himself.

When Joseph came to the venue, he was arrested.

That was how we found our way to Kirikiri prisons.”

Saka may be heading back to prison if found guilty by the court for robbery.

Four-year-old boy needs N150,000 for surgery to sit, walk Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

W

hen Taiwo and Kehinde Yusuff were born about four and a half years ago their parents (Mr and Mrs Isiaka Adewale Yusuff) were full of joy as the twins were hale and hearty.

However, a few months later, specifically in March 2011, Kehinde had high body temperature and his 49-year-old Osun State-born father and his Ado Awaye-born mother took the child to the General Hospital, Ado Awaye, in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State for treatment.

There the doctor passed a drip through a vein in Kehinde’s head because a vein could not be located in his hands or any other parts of his body.

After two weeks of the treatment, the temperature subsided but Kehinde’s head started showing sign of enlargement.

When the doctor was contacted, according to his father, he was told that there was nothing that could be done, more so since doctors were on strike then.

But Yusuff said Dr Olabode, the medical director of Holyland Hospital, Peller Road, Iseyin, nev-

Kehinde

ertheless recommended multivitamin tablets to be administered on the kid in the hope that the enlargement would stop.

The medication was, however, ineffective and so the parents had to take Kehinde to about 10 different hospitals before Dr Awojobi of the popular Trado-Medical Hospital in Eruwa referred them to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

“At the UCH in 2011, Kehinde was diagnosed with a hydrocephalus ailment which made his head to be growing bigger. We had to pay N100,000 for surgery aside some other sundry expenses, aside over N100,000 we had spent in the various hospitals earlier attended,” Yusuff said.

According to him, the surgical operation carried out on Ke-

hinde’s head was successful as it stopped growing bigger.

He said that he was assured by the medical personnel that the head would no longer grow bigger, but it could not be made smaller to be proportional with the body.

“We were assured that as he grows older, the body would develop to match the head later in life. But the major problem now is that he can’t sit or walk by himself,” the distraught father told NT Metro.

Confused and drained of financial strength, Yusuff, a self-employed man with an unemployed auxiliary nurse wife, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to assist in seeing that Kehinde survives to be able to live a meaningful life.

He said: “Taiwo, his twin brother, who is hale and hearty, has started schooling. Our problem now is that the UCH management has again demanded N150,000 for another surgical operation to enable my son to walk. We are helpless. I am now calling on public-spirited Nigerians to assist us in raising N150,000 as Kehinde is due for the second surgery.”

Kehinde can be reached on 08039210888.

46 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

16-Apr-14

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

Bonds

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

NA

NA

Description 9.20 29-JUN-2014 9.25 28-SEP-2014 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

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

9.20 9.25 4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

45.00 100.00 535.00 327.47 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 50.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.20 0.45 1.02 2.33 3.03 3.28 3.38 4.12 5.20 5.52 7.78 9.91 14.62 15.10 15.60 16.27

11.58 12.43 13.42 13.33 13.36 13.26 13.26 13.29 13.42 13.34 13.46 13.43 13.44 13.45 13.46 13.52

10.84 12.07 13.25 13.26 13.24 13.13 13.14 13.19 13.34 13.25 13.40 13.38 13.40 13.40 13.40 13.47

99.46 98.62 91.29 99.40 104.20 91.13 89.61 91.94 109.40 75.76 113.80 104.10 109.80 93.82 67.97 77.00

99.61 98.77 91.44 99.55 104.50 91.43 89.91 92.24 109.70 76.06 114.10 104.40 110.10 94.12 68.27 77.30

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

4,132.04 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

Price

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

***LCRM

Description

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.54 1.10 1.59 2.65 3.01 3.22

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00

13.73 16.04 15.62 15.26 14.73 14.25

93.10 84.33 102.26 92.02 89.18 87.70

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

0.30 0.50 1.38 0.98 1.27 1.28 3.01 1.84 3.71 2.68 4.47 2.68 2.68 3.26 3.33 5.60 3.30 4.01 6.62 6.71 4.02 4.05

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

17.15 18.65 17.82 16.62 17.85 16.87 18.83 20.92 15.06 15.06 14.31 14.26 14.47 14.26 15.72 15.29 16.00 16.03 14.37 15.32 14.73 15.24

98.95 97.88 93.72 97.02 95.91 98.81 80.38 89.62 97.00 97.86 99.00 100.68 109.21 100.66 99.52 97.07 97.02 96.44 96.31 98.64 106.26 105.91

07-Oct-14 18-Dec-14 31-Dec-14 17-Aug-15 09-Dec-15 06-Jan-16 29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 22-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 14-Nov-20

0.48 0.67 0.71 0.86 0.93 1.02 2.46 2.53 3.46 2.07 2.23 2.40 2.40 4.44 2.26 2.59 6.58

1.00 5.21 8.71 4.88 1.00 2.63 1.00 1.34 4.52 1.88 3.48 5.20 5.06 3.06 2.29 6.11 2.76

13.62 18.14 21.69 18.09 14.32 16.05 14.27 14.61 17.78 15.17 16.77 18.48 18.34 16.37 15.57 19.38 16.13

99.04 97.11 96.96 93.95 98.14 98.48 97.42 99.25 88.01 106.03 98.72 99.35 101.90 92.71 100.35 95.74 96.46

11-Feb-18

3.83

1.00

14.28

88.25

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

1,304.32

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

572.90

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

NAHCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

LAFARGE WAPCO GTB µ NGC *UPDC *FLOURMILLS *CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING # *DANA # *TOWER *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

07-Oct-11 18-Dec-09 01-Apr-10 17-Aug-10 09-Dec-10 06-Jan-11 29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 14-Nov-13

11.50 13.50 17.00 10.00 12.00 14.00 13.00 14.25 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 17.00 15.25

11.80 13.17 2.00 15.00 37.50 1.50 15.00 5.53 20.00 0.94 8.01 3.63 1.00 35.00 3.00 0.54 2.05

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

175.67

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.37

5.22

107.77

108.64

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.50

4.31

102.36

103.10

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.84

5.70

103.77

104.75

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

Corporate Eurobonds Afren PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.86

3.40

112.97

113.83

GTBank PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.30

4.53

104.27

105.81

GTBank PLC II

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.12

5.85

99.54

100.61

B+/S&P

Access Bank PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.99

6.49

100.74

102.19

B/S&P; B/Fitch

Fidelity Bank PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.41

7.88

94.83

96.59

B/Fitch

Afren PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.05

4.65

114.23

115.06

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

First Bank PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.13

6.68

104.07

105.76

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

Afren PLC III

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.24

6.00

101.50

102.50

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

2,960.00

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 22 29 36 43 50 64

FIXINGS Maturity 24-Apr-14 8-May-14 15-May-14 22-May-14 29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14

Bid Discount (%) 11.50 11.50 11.45 11.40 11.90 12.00 12.00

Offer Discount (%) 11.25 11.25 11.20 11.15 11.65 11.75 11.75

Bid Yield (%) 11.53 11.58 11.56 11.53 12.07 12.20 12.26

Tenor CALL 7 DAYS 30 DAYS 60 DAYS 90 DAYS 180 DAYS

NIBOR

Money Market Rate (%) 10.9167 11.2500 11.5000 11.8333 12.1250 12.4167

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.33

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

O/N

10.58

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.20 162.42 162.68 163.26 164.43

162.30 162.70 163.06 163.98 165.76

Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 10.25

FMBN

NA

***LCRM

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

1.59 2.65 3.01 3.22

2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00

15.62 15.26 14.73 14.25

102.26 92.02 89.18 87.70

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto KWARA A-/GCR NIGER A+/Agusto KADUNA A/Agusto *EBONYI Thursday, April 17, 2014 Nil *BENUE A+/Agusto *IMO A+/Agusto; A+/GCR LAGOS A-/Agusto *BAYELSA A/Agusto EDO A+/Agusto; A+/GCR *DELTA A-/Agusto; A-/GCR NIGER A/Agusto; A-/GCR† *EKITI A-/Agusto *NIGER A/Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO A/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS A/Agusto; A-/GCR *OSUN A/Agusto *OSUN Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI A/Agusto *EKITI A-/GCR *NASARAWA Sanctity of Truth

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 dual listing on Monday.

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 The key benchmark indices 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 maintained northwards to close 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 in the green, taking supports 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN IIfrom 30-SEP-2020 majorly large capitalised 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 stock which was particularly 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI IIby 31-DEC-2020 driven Seplat Petroleum 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

05-Aug-09 14.00 15-Oct-09 14.00 31-Aug-10 12.50 30-Sep-10 13.00 30-Jun-11 14.00 30-Jun-09 15.50 19-Apr-10 10.00 30-Jun-10 13.75 30-Dec-10 14.00 30-Sep-11 14.00 04-Oct-11 14.00 09-Dec-11 14.50 talisation 12-Dec-13 appreciated 14.00 by N27 14-Feb-12 billion to close at 15.50 N12,937 tril02-Oct-12 15.50 lion22-Nov-12 as against N12,910 trillion 14.50 12-Dec-12 in preceding 14.75 session. recorded 30-Sep-13 14.75 The number of gainers at the 27-Nov-13 13.50 close of trading session closed 31-Dec-13 15.00 31-Dec-13 14.50 at 23 as against 26 that shed 06-Jan-14 15.00

17.00 05-Aug-14 0.30 6.00 15-Oct-14 0.50 8.50 31-Aug-15 1.38 16.50 30-Sep-15 0.98 13.00 30-Jun-16 1.27 18.50 30-Jun-16 1.28 57.00 19-Apr-17 3.01 50.00 30-Jun-17 1.84 25.00 31-Dec-17 3.71 50.00 30-Sep-18 2.68 9.00 04-Oct-18 4.47 20.00 09-Dec-18 2.68 Flour Mills12-Dec-18 dropped by 2.68 N1.14 12.00 27.00 14-Feb-19 3.26 to close at N67.35.

20.00 02-Oct-19 3.33 The banking sub sector of 80.00 22-Nov-19 5.60 30.00 12-Dec-19 3.30 the financial services sector 11.40 30-Sep-20 4.01 led the market transaction 87.00 27-Nov-20 6.62 volume with 135.9 million 5.00 31-Dec-20 6.71 5.00 31-Dec-20 4.02 5.00 06-Jan-21 4.05

4.88 17.15 98.95 5.99 18.65 97.88 4.44 17.82 93.72 3.23 16.62 97.02 4.46 17.85 95.91 3.48 16.87 98.81 5.59 18.83 80.38 7.60 20.92 89.62 1.79 15.06 97.00 1.80 15.06 97.86 1.00 14.31 99.00 1.00 14.26 100.68 units valued billion 1.21 14.47 at N1.8 109.21 1.00 14.26 exchanged in 1,858. 100.66 2.46 15.72 99.52 The volume recorded in the 1.94 15.29 97.07 2.74 sector was 16.00 driven by 97.02 transac2.74 16.03 96.44 tion in the shares of GTB and 1.00 14.37 96.31 Zenith Bank.

1.94 15.32 98.64 1.44 14.73 106.26 1.95 15.24 105.91

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

47

Seplat leads other gainers to lifts NSE index GREEN

Stock market sustained northward movement

Stories by Chris Ugwu LAGOS

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

T

Corporate Bonds

rading activities on the A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO floor of theGTBNigerian Aa/Agusto µ Stock Exchange yesterday NGC Nil Bbb-/Agusto continued on*UPDC the upbeat A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS as transaction in the shares of BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS A+/Agusto;Petroleum A-/GCR NAHCO Seplat Development A-/Agusto FSDH Company Plc market led other A/GCR UBA gainers for the second day to lift BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING # BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA market indicators.

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER# The petroleum company has # AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER continued to excite bargain A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR CASERA hunters since its*LAsuccessful # BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

*CHELLARAMS NAHCO

while medium capitalisation stocks also contributed to the outlook recorded.

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 Specifically , the market capi13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 talisation of equities appreci10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 ated

by N27 billion as market 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 sentiments remained 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 positive.

13.00 AtNAHCO the29-SEP-2016 close of trading ses14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 sion, the NSE All-Share Index 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 inches up by30-NOV-2017 0.24 per cent to 18.00 C&I LEASING MPR+7.00 9-APR-2018index points close atDANA 39,298.97 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 as against 39,203.27 points reMPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA IIon 22-SEP-2018 corded Tuesday.

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Consequently, market capiMPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

weight.

572.90 Oil exploration and producing company, Seplat Petro07-Oct-11 11.50 11.80 07-Oct-14 0.48 Nigeria 0.67 Plc, a leum, rose by N31.75 18-Dec-09 13.50 to close 13.17 Z Cussons 18-Dec-14 01-Apr-10 to lead 17.00 31-Dec-14 0.71 comat N666.79 the gainers’ 2.00 soap manufacturing 17-Aug-10 10.00 17-Aug-15 0.86 on the floor of chart.

Cap Plc followed with a 15.00 pany quoted 09-Dec-10 12.00 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.93 the Nigeria Stock, has recordgain of N1.85 to close at N39.60 06-Jan-11 14.00 1.50 06-Jan-16 1.02 29-Sep-11 13.00 N1.50 to 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.46 in ed a growth of 32 per cent while Mobil gained 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.53 its third quarter report for the close at N122.00.

30-Sep-10 13.00 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.46 period ended February , 2014.

On the flip side, Okomu Oil 30-Nov-12 18.00 0.94 30-Nov-17 2.07 16.00 N2.10 to 8.01 In a Q3 financial 09-Apr-18 2.23 statement led 09-Apr-11 the losers with 09-Sep-11 18.00 3.63 09-Sep-18 2.40 of the company released to close at N39.90.

Guinness Nige09-Sep-11 16.00 1.00 09-Sep-18 2.40 the Nigerian Stock Exchange ria 22-Sep-11 Plc followed with a loss of 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.44 18-Oct-13 15.75 2.26 bil(NSE), PBT18-Oct-18 rose to N5.174 N2.00 to close at N188.00 while 3.00 17-Feb-12 17.00 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.59 lion from N3.909 billion in the 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.58 previous year representing an 175.67 increase of 32 per cent.

Similarly, profit after tax 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.83 aged lubricants and aggres- 12.00 (PAT) grew 33 per cent as the sive consumer engagement company reported N3.866 Issue Date Coupon (%)market Issue Value ($'mm) for Maturity Bid Yield (%) activities to boost billion theDate period under share and has continued ex- review compared to N2.901 pansion in the company’s billion recorded during a com07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 5.37 retail network at strategic parable period.

18-Dec-09 to improve 5.13 market 500.00 Revenue12-Jul-18 4.50 locations increased slightly dominance.

2.04 per cent PZ Cussons record01-Apr-10 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.84 It also undertook aggres- ed N52.594 billion in the review 1,500.00 sive growth and expansion period compared to N51.543 bilof its industrial/commercial lion in the previous year.

01-Feb-11 11.50 3.86 becustomer base which led to a 450.00 Analysts01-Feb-16 at FBN Capital 19-May-11 7.50 500.00 19-May-16 5.30 strong performance from Ge- lieved Q3 earnings growth is 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.12 regu Power Plant despite opmore reflective of the compa25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 6.99 09-May-13 challenges.

6.88 300.00 02-May-18 erational ny’s true underlying position.

8.41

PZ Cussons Q3 profit rises by 32%

P

Forte Oil grows profits by 108 per cent in Q1 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Supranational Bond

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

1.00

13.62

99.04

“Typically, a much 5.21 18.14 H2 is 97.11 8.71 21.69 compared 96.96 with stronger period 4.88 18.09 93.95 H1 and these numbers repre1.00 14.32 98.14

sent start to the second 2.63 a good16.05 98.48 1.00 of the 14.27 97.42 half year. Although the 1.34 14.61 99.25 top-line was down slightly y/y , 4.52 17.78 88.01 a1.88 gross margin expansion of 15.17 106.03 3.48 16.77 98.72 sup218bps y/y to 27.2 per cent 5.20 18.48 99.35 ported the y/y improvement in 5.06 18.34 101.90 PZ’s Q3 PBT. Similar to Q2 2013, 3.06 16.37 92.71 2.29 15.57 100.35 flattish opex proved to be sup6.11 19.38 95.74 portive, but to a lesser extent.

2.76 16.13 96.46 They noted that PZ’s cost management focus had proved vital to the firm’s earnings 1.00 14.28 88.25 improvement during the year which according to them, PAT Offer (%) Bidgrew Price Pricecent ofYieldN1.4bn 15Offer per y/y compared with N1.2bn in Prices & Yields Q3 2013.

5.22 107.77 108.64 “Although there were no 4.31 102.36 major negatives in 103.10 the P&L numbers on a y/y basis, the 103.77 5.70 104.75 sales decline of 2 per cent y/y limited earnings growth somewhat. Sequentially, sales were 3.4015.8 per cent 112.97 q/q (up 113.83 up 15.4 per 4.53 105.81 cent q/q in104.27 Q2 2013). However, 5.85 99.54 100.61 this is attributable to102.19 the sea6.49 100.74 sonally stronger Q3.

7.88 94.83 96.59

AAA/S&P

IFC

B/Fitch

Afren PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.05

4.65

114.23

115.06

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

First Bank PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.13

6.68

104.07

105.76

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

Afren PLC III

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.24

6.00

101.50

F

orte Oil Plc (formerly TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

AP Plc) one of Nigeria’s foreRating/Agency Issueranmost energy groups, has nounced its unaudited earnings FGN Eurobonds for the three months period endBB-/Fitch; B+/S&P ed March 31, 2014 with 108 per BB-/Fitch; FGN cent BB-/S&Pincrease in net earnings.

BB-/Fitch; The unaudited results of BB-/S&P the company during the period TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE under review showed that the Corporateafter Eurobonds profit income tax rose B-/S&P; PLCbillion I by 108B/Fitch per cent to Afren N1.1 GTBank PLC I B+/S&P; B+/Fitch N530 million same compared GTBank PLC II periods in 2013. Access Bank PLC B+/S&P Revenue grew 31Fidelity perBank cent B/S&P; B/Fitch PLCto

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

N34.8 billion as against N26.6 billion recorded in the compaDescription rable period of 2013 while gross margin increased by 72 per cent to N4.6 billion compared to 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 N2.7 billion in the same pe5.13 JUL 12, 2018 riod in 2013.

On operational highlights, 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 the company achieved a year to date growth of 37.67per cent in share price from 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 N92.87 to N148.99.

7.50 MAY 19, 2016 The company, during the 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 period under 7.25 review, JUL 25, 2017 success6.88 MAY 09, 2018 repackfully launched new

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

2,960.00

102.50 16-Apr-14

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

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) DTM 8 22 FGN Bonds 29 36 Rating/Agency 43 50 64 71 78 85 92 99 106 113 NA 120 127 141 176 232 267 281 295 309 323 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 358

Maturity 24-Apr-14 8-May-14 15-May-14 22-May-14 Issuer 29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14 7-Aug-14 NA 14-Aug-14 21-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 9-Oct-14 4-Dec-14 8-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 VALUE 9-Apr-15

Bid Discount (%) 11.50 11.50 11.45 11.40 Description 11.90 12.00 9.20 29-JUN-2014 12.00 9.25 28-SEP-2014 11.90 4.00 23-APR-2015 12.05 11.05 13.05 16-AUG-2016 11.00 15.10 27-APR-2017 11.65 9.85 27-JUL-2017 11.60 9.35 31-AUG-2017 11.60 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.05 16.00 29-JUN-2019 12.05 7.00 23-OCT-2019 11.80 16.39 27-JAN-2022 11.90 14.20 14-MAR-2024 11.55 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.20 12.49 22-MAY-2029 12.10 8.50 20-NOV-2029 12.25 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.30 12.10 12.20

Offer Discount (%) 11.25 11.25 11.20 11.15 Issue 11.65Date 11.75 29-Jun-07 11.75 28-Sep-07 11.65 23-Apr-10 11.80 10.80 16-Aug-13 10.75 27-Apr-12 11.40 27-Jul-07 11.35 31-Aug-07 11.35 30-May-08 11.80 29-Jun-12 11.80 23-Oct-09 11.55 27-Jan-12 11.65 14-Mar-14 11.30 28-Nov-08 11.95 22-May-09 11.85 20-Nov-09 12.00 23-Jul-10 12.05 11.85 11.95

*from the Amortising bonds, the average Issuer life is calculated and not the durationDescription Rating/Agency Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills Agency Bonds

NA

FMBN ***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Modified Duration Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR

Buckets

KWARA <3 NIGER 3<5 KADUNA >5 *EBONYI *BENUEMarket *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN

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

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

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 797.32 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 1,067.12 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 455.51 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE2,319.95 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

BondsTenor

780.27 951.30 591.57 2,323.14

NIBOR

Rate (%) CALL 10.9167 7 DAYS 11.2500 30 DAYS Value 11.5000 Outstanding Maturity 60 (N'bn) DAYS 11.8333 Date 90 DAYS 12.1250 45.00 29-Jun-14 180 DAYS 12.4167 28-Sep-14 365 100.00 DAYS 12.7083 535.00 23-Apr-15 327.47 16-Aug-16 NITTY 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 11.3163 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 12.0703 300.00 30-May-18 3M 12.3982 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 12.5692 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 13.1934 600.00 27-Jan-22 12M 13.9110 50.00 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 NIFEX 20-Nov-29 591.57 Current Price ($/N)23-Jul-30 BID($/N)4,132.04 162.0225 OFFER ($/N) 162.1225

Issue Date

#

AMCON

Bid Yield (%) 11.53 11.58 11.56 11.53 Coupon 12.07 (%) 12.20 9.20 12.26 9.25 12.18 4.00 12.37 11.34 13.05 11.31 15.10 12.03 9.85 12.00 9.35 12.03 10.70 12.55 16.00 12.58 7.00 12.36 16.39 12.62 14.20 12.47 15.00 13.40 12.49 13.34 8.50 13.60 10.00 13.73 13.55 13.86

Weighting by Outstanding Vol

05-Aug-09 33.59 15-Oct-09 40.95 31-Aug-10 25.46 30-Sep-10 100.00 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13

14.00 34.37 14.00 46.00 12.50 19.63 13.00 100.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75

10.33

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Price

(%)

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 FGN BOND 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

Weighting by Mkt Value

Rate (%)

OBB

Spot 162.20 162.30 O/N 10.58 7D Yield 162.42 162.70 Offer Offer TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) Bid Price REPO 14D 162.68 163.06Price (%) Tenor Rate (%) 1M 163.26 163.98 0.20 11.58 10.84 99.46 99.61 Call 10.25 2M 164.43 165.76 12.43 12.07 98.62 98.77 1M0.45 11.08 3M 165.70 167.66 13.42 13.25 91.29 91.44 3M1.02 12.17 6M 169.34 173.56 6M2.33 12.50 1Y 176.35 185.44 13.33 13.26 99.40 99.55 3.03 13.36 13.24 104.20 104.50 3.28 13.26 13.13 91.13 91.43 NOTE: 3.38 13.26 13.14 89.61 89.91 :Benchmarks NA :Not Applicable 4.12 13.29 13.19 91.94 92.24 * :Amortising Bond # :Floating Rate Bond 5.20 13.42 13.34 109.40 109.70 µ :Convertible Bond ***: Deferred coupon bonds 5.52 13.34 13.25 75.76 76.06 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 7.78 13.46 13.40 113.80 114.10 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria †: Bond rating expired 9.91 13.43 13.38 104.10 104.40 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 14.62 Finance Corporation 13.44 13.40 109.80 110.10 IFC: International 15.10 13.45 Management 13.40 93.82 94.12 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables 15.60 Aviation Handling 13.46 Company 13.40 67.97 68.27 NAHCO: Nigerian 16.27 13.52 13.47 77.00 77.30 NGC: Nigeria-German Company UBA: United Bank for Africa UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company# Risk Valuation Indicative Avg. Life/TTM Issue Value (N'bn) Maturity Date Premium (Yrs) Yield (%) Price

Coupon (%)

FMDQ

Tenor

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 INDEX 116.70 66.49

1,304.32

Bucket Weighting

17.00 0.34 6.00 0.41 8.50 16.500.25 13.001.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40

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

05-Aug-14 17.41 15-Oct-14 40.83 31-Aug-15 41.76 30-Sep-15 100.00 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20

0.54 1.10 1.59 2.65 3.01 3.22 Implied Yield

0.30 13.35 0.50 13.45 1.38 13.52 0.98 13.46 1.27 1.28 3.01 1.84 3.71 2.68 4.47 2.68 2.68 3.26 3.33 5.60 3.30 4.01

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00 Implied Portfolio Price

13.73 16.04 15.62 15.26 14.73 14.25 INDEX

93.10 84.33 102.26 92.02 89.18 87.70 YTD Return (%)

4.88

1,044.51 18.65 1,028.39 17.82 1,021.60 16.62 1,026.27 17.85

17.15

4.4507 97.88 2.8388 93.72 2.1599 97.02 2.6273 95.91

3.48 5.59 7.60 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 2.46 1.94 2.74 2.74

16.87 18.83 20.92 15.06 15.06 14.31 14.26 14.47 14.26 15.72 15.29 16.00 16.03

98.81 80.38 89.62 97.00 97.86 99.00 100.68 109.21 100.66 99.52 97.07 97.02 96.44

109.9717 5.99 121.4495 4.44 84.3892 3.23 108.1574 4.46

98.95

48 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Inflation may hit 10%

by August – CBN The staff outlook partly explains the acceleration in inflation in terms of currency weakness in the bureau de change segment of the foreign exchange market.

Headline inflation in March rose marginally from 7.7 per cent to 7.8 per cent y/y.

The report says: “Our expectation was 7.5 per cent y/y. Food inflation increased slightly from 9.2 per cent to 9.3 per cent y/y while the core measure fell from 7.2 per cent the previous month to 6.8 per cent y/y.”

The National Bureau of Statistics commentary on the core measure, while noting an easing of pressures generally,

HARDTIMES Costs of goods likelyy to rise soon with double digits inflation Sunday Ojeme

T

he Monetary Policy Committee has set an inflation target for 2014 at between six and nine per cent.

However, the Central Bank of Nigeria in its latest published in-house forecasts from late March, have the headline rate as high as 10.0 per cent in August.

NEXIM Bank partners Benue to boost products for export Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

observed price increases for carpets and other floor coverings, repairs for household appliances, and fuels and lubricants for personal transport.

The strengthening of the naira on the interbank market and the stability of official reserves over the past three weeks, however, gives some confidence that the CBN will be able to hold the line on the exchange rate. On this basis, the headline rate would not reach double digits.

At its last meeting, the MPC restated its commitment to sustaining the price stability objective and stressed the need to maintain the current tight monetary stance.

FG to issue N50bn in 10-year bonds Sunday Ojeme

ment Office The debt office said it would issue N25 billion each in the debt notes due for maturity in August 2016 and March 2014.

The bonds are a re-opening of previously issued paper.

The Federal Government Bond 10y decreased to 14.11 per cent in April from 14.12 per cent

T

he Federal Government has concluded plans to issue N60 billion ($371 million) of three-year and 10-year sovereign bonds on April 23.

This will be its forth monthly auction this year, according to a report by the Debt Manage-

in March of 2014. The Bond 10y averaged 11.55 from 2007 until 2014, reaching an all-time high of 16.46 in February of 2012 and a record low of 5.92 in March of 2010.

Generally, a government bond is issued by a national government and is denominated in the country’s own currency.

Economic Indicators

AfDB President to deliver keynote address at 2014 AR-CSR

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

ROUNDTABLE Experts to brainstorm on financial inclusiveness.

Sunday Ojeme Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

I

n a bid to encourage export of domestic manufactured products, the Nigerian Export Import (NEXIM) Bank is collaborating with the Benue State government to support local entrepreneurs to boost processing of locally manufactured goods through Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) for export.

At least 90 per cent of local entrepreneurs in the state have already been facilitated through Agro Processing Scheme (APS) towards achieving the initiative.

Managing Director, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Robert Orya, who disclosed this to New Telegraph in an interview in Makurdi on Wednesday, lamented the neglect in the tapping and preservation of available raw materials by successive governments, saying NEXIM Bank was poised to finance local entrepreneurs to bring in processing plants that can process raw materials that are wasting away.

He said: “We have the raw commodities in Benue State.

What are we doing with them?

They have not been preserved

and are wasting away. So what we need do is, how do we finance people to bring in processing plants that can process it? So we are giving a lot of facilities to entrepreneurs in Benue and 90 per cent of those we have given are targeted towards agro processing because that is where the money is.”

Orya stated that on assumption of duty as NEXIM bank helmsman, he discovered huge potentials within the ECOWAS sub-region and that Nigerians were struggling to export their goods to Europe where Nigeria does not have a comparative or competitive advantage.

He said:, “So I said let me find a way of pulling Nigerians to come back to the West African sub-region to encourage trade among ourselves.

“And like I keep saying, the financial crisis that was experienced between 2008 and 2009, it was mainly Africa and some parts of Asia that dominated the demand for world economy to recover. You know there is no demand in Europe or even America, and so as we speak now, the average investment return in Nigeria is still between 30-35 per cent and you cannot find that anywhere.”

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

T

he President, Africa Development Bank Group, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, will headline the 2014Africa CEO Round-table and Conference on Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (AR-CSR™) as keynote speaker.

A statement on Wednesday said that the event, the fourth in its series, is scheduled to take place in June in Calabar.

The statement said that ARCSR 2014 would focus on Financial Inclusion with the theme: “The Intersection: Financial inclusion, economic sustainability and social benefit.”

It added that the AR-CSR platform remained relevant in discussing issues of sustainable corporate and economic development, sustainability, corporate social responsibility,

as well as the enhancement of a public-private synergy for the attainment of a credible business environment in Africa.

According to the conveners, ThistlePraxis Consulting, the correlation between financial inclusion and economic growth has long been widely recognised.

However, despite broad consensus on the importance of access to finance as a powerful poverty alleviation tool and substantial financial sector reforms in Africa, it is estimated that nearly half the continents households continue to be excluded from the formal financial sector.

The statement noted that financial inclusion, which advances universal access to appropriate and affordable financial services, was crucial to inclusive growth, adding at the basic level, financial inclusion is effectively a measure of the extent to which economic agents in an economy utilised the financial services apparatus.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 2014 Daily Summary as of17, 16/04/2014

Daily Summary as of 16/04/2014 Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016

Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016

BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET 49

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at April 16, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Debt Trading Activity

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities)

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 1 10 31 42

Current Price 0.50 39.90 42.00

Quantity Traded 12,000 143,501 327,214 482,715

Value Traded 6,000.00 5,725,689.90 13,753,401.27 19,485,091.17

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 3.16

Quantity Traded 1,103,938 1,103,938

Value Traded 3,451,280.06 3,451,280.06

1,586,653

22,936,371.23

Quantity Traded 3,000 20,628,202 250,162 20,881,364

Value Traded 4,530.00 78,473,724.89 14,800,363.00 93,278,617.89

20,881,364

93,278,617.89

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries

Daily Summary as LEVENTIS of 16/04/2014 A.G. NIGERIA PLC. Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016 CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL

U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

CONGLOMERATES Totals

65 Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 1 279 40 320 Daily Summary (Equities) 320

Current Price 1.44 3.86 59.21

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE

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

Current Price 69.90

Quantity Traded 5,916 5,916

Value Traded 402,372.00 402,372.00

Current Price 25.00

Quantity Traded 474,354 474,354

Value Traded 11,913,937.00 11,913,937.00

903,942

12,820,890.08

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 5,000.00 5,000.00

Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB

No. of Deals 70 21 1 105 197

Current Price 188.00 26.50 3.59 149.99

Quantity Traded 364,327 338,460 315,000 2,114,677 3,132,464

Value Traded 69,017,437.20 8,905,775.30 1,130,850.00 317,093,716.22 396,147,778.72

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 90.00

Quantity Traded 4,148 4,148

Value Traded 354,654.00 354,654.00

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 41 65 46 33 22 5 212

Current Price 8.13 9.63 67.35 3.81 11.71 0.53

Quantity Traded 218,970 955,662 261,784 776,463 287,936 25,146 2,525,961

Value Traded 1,787,073.45 9,240,234.06 17,650,375.22 2,957,380.99 3,379,080.46 13,749.38 35,027,893.56

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

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 33 44 77

Current Price 79.00 1,185.00

Quantity Traded 75,877 47,249 123,126

Value Traded 5,732,955.65 54,038,010.56 59,770,966.21

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 29 29

Current Price 4.20

Quantity Traded 814,157 814,157

Value Traded 3,306,778.29 3,306,778.29

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 41 43 84

Current Price 33.45 44.75

Quantity Traded 193,707 106,811 300,518

Value Traded 6,618,369.24 4,913,677.51 11,532,046.75

Current Price 1.19

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 4 4

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 44 44

Symbol DUNLOP

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Daily Summary as of 16/04/2014 Automobiles/Auto Parts Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016 DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

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

61

Daily Summary (Equities)

504,581.08 504,581.08

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

Page

Daily Summary as of 16/04/2014 Personal/Household Products Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Published

by TheSummary Nigerian Stock Exchange © Activity on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH BANK PLC Daily Summary as of INTERNATIONAL 16/04/2014 Banking14:34:16.016 Totals Printed 16/04/2014 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

610

2

3

of

of

CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. OASIS INSURANCE PLC PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks

FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Daily Summary asMICROFINANCE of 16/04/2014 BANK PLC NPF Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016 Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 5.56 1.97

Quantity Traded 2,397 1,700 4,097

Value Traded 12,680.13 3,196.00 15,876.13

Processing Systems

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200,300 200,300

Value Traded 100,150.00 100,150.00

443,397

283,356.13

Current Price 17.00 8.90

Quantity Traded 406,368 75,134

Value Traded 6,837,496.85 670,449.64

7Value Traded of 12

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Page Quantity Traded 145,828 22,400 202,685 760 22,000 900 198,482 1,074,557

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

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 1.90

Quantity Traded 20,833 20,833

Value Traded 39,637.74 39,637.74

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 5 2 7

Current Price 1.47 18.97

Quantity Traded 186,500 101,000 287,500

Value Traded 274,240.00 1,915,960.00 2,190,200.00

1,382,890

85,202,984.02

Quantity Traded 8,000 8,000

Value Traded 54,000.00 54,000.00

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC

Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Daily Summary as of 16/04/2014 Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors

506,145,117.53 Value Traded 149,613,198.84 69,735,142.84 94,349,700.01 42,698,722.16 770,446,712.37 19,462,828.09 3,445,089.38 77,136,902.30 8,361,411.32 408,750.00 2,570,488.61 617,303,564.90 1,855,532,510.82

Symbol AIICO

No. of Deals 41

Current Price 0.79

Quantity Traded 2,187,973

Value Traded 1,722,455.97

CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC.

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

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

Current Price 0.95 0.50 0.50 0.62 0.50 0.50 2.25 0.50 0.76 0.59 0.58 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.70

Page Quantity Traded 4,000 133,480 1,600,000 318,888 1,000,070 2,000,000 1,250 23,514 1,616,134 15,000 171,541 400 50,000 600 26,540 2,896,876 12,046,266

4Value Traded of 12

Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 2 11 13

Current Price 6.27 0.84

Quantity Traded 600 412,685 413,285

Value Traded 3,576.00 348,455.40 352,031.40

Symbol ASOSAVINGS

No. of Deals 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,534,655

3,800.00 66,740.00 800,000.00 197,710.56 500,035.00 1,000,000.00 2,725.00 11,757.00 1,220,132.50 8,550.00 99,603.78 200.00 25,000.00 300.00 13,270.00 2,026,965.39 7,699,245.20

Daily Summary as of 16/04/2014 Employment Solutions Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016

C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC

Value Traded 57,490.00 300,000.00 1,624,817.50

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 68 24 519 80 2 36 156 885

Current Price 3.00 2.20 12.25 3.40 0.62 20.45 2.60

Quantity Traded 1,787,069 9,497,536 41,819,467 7,618,956 5,000 559,016 15,512,759 76,799,803

Value Traded 5,348,570.82 20,888,066.43 516,469,784.75 26,019,956.05 2,950.00 11,394,568.80 40,263,019.53 620,386,916.38

228,383,266

2,485,595,521.30

Quantity Traded 53,360 324,810 17,275 508,992 77,900 500

Value Traded 107,787.20 942,448.90 1,204,353.49 867,566.08 98,154.00 785.00

2,914 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 4 15 16 14 4 1

Current Price 2.12 2.90 70.00 1.72 1.26 1.57

Page

6

of

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 25,000 25,000

Symbol THOMASWY

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.79

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 3,800.00 3,800.00

38,000

70,300.00

4 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 28 28

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,154,035 2,154,035

Value Traded 1,077,017.50 1,077,017.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 303 303

Current Price 16.00

Quantity Traded 9,569,440 9,569,440

Value Traded 153,400,522.81 153,400,522.81

No. of Deals 73 16 11 17 (Equities) 2 35

Current Price 49.20 3.61 148.99 122.00 54.44 171.50

Quantity Traded 487,350 264,071 35,885 47,272 30 90,158

Value Traded 23,411,652.46 953,296.31 5,013,027.30 5,756,311.43 1,551.60 15,355,781.01

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL Daily Summary MRS TOTAL

Page

9

of

12

Symbol

No. of Deals 154

Current Price

Quantity Traded 924,766

Value Traded 50,491,620.11

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 62 62

Current Price 666.79

Quantity Traded 272,455 272,455

Value Traded 181,650,331.40 181,650,331.40

12,920,696

386,619,491.82

547 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 1.15

Quantity Traded 561,704 561,704

Value Traded 645,959.60 645,959.60

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 2 4 6

Current Price 4.21 2.24

Quantity Traded 50,500 151,000 201,500

Value Traded 212,750.00 338,240.00 550,990.00

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 172,000 172,000

Value Traded 86,000.00 86,000.00

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 13,500 13,500

Value Traded 6,750.00 6,750.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.61

Page Quantity Traded 104,315 104,315

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 59,000 59,000

Value Traded 29,500.00 29,500.00

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

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 16 2 19

Current Price 1.80 1.77 4.05

Quantity Traded 1 283,122 8,000 291,123

Value Traded 1.71 484,716.18 33,250.00 517,967.89

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.90

Quantity Traded 407,000 407,000

Value Traded 363,930.00 363,930.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 7 31 38

Current Price 2.46 4.93

Quantity Traded 27,250 458,783 486,033

Value Traded 63,765.00 2,280,427.53 2,344,192.53

108

2,296,175

4,608,677.15

4,857

276,729,594

3,600,782,421.82

SERVICES

Hotels/Lodging Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

12

Value Traded of 12 12,500.00 12,500.00

8

1 1

Transport-Related Services Daily Summary as of 16/04/2014 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES Totals

Quantity Traded 37,000 600,000 3,171,655

No. of Deals 1 1

TANTALIZER

Hospitality Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 1,267,327.50

Current Price 1.61 0.50

Current Price 6.47

5,748,826.46 203,522.00 47,575,593.67 896.80 11,000.00 3,690.00 21,921,670.86 82,973,146.28

Symbol MULTIVERSE

OIL AND GAS Totals

No. of Deals 2 3 1 1 2 1 2 3 27 2 7 2 1 3 1 51 150

No. of Deals 4 2 8

No. of Deals 1 1

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol CONTINSURE CORNERST GUINEAINS INTENEGINS LASACO LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM OASISINS PRESTIGE SOVRENINS UNIC UNITYKAP UNIVINSURE WAPIC

Symbol INFINITY RESORTSAL

Symbol

Daily Summary (Equities) BOCGAS

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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

of

158

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

6,910,374

5

31 12

Current Price 39.60 9.00 234.77 1.16 0.50 4.10 106.00

Paper/Forest Products THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. Paper/Forest Products Totals

Quantity Traded 18,587,091 11,316,324 7,176,758 20,908,733 28,096,609 5,541,130 1,503,994 11,003,482 825,428 817,500 2,793,059 27,382,149 135,952,257

Page

ASHAKACEM BERGER

No. of Deals 23 5 33 1 1 2 37 145

Mining Services Totals

Current Price 8.22 6.20 13.15 2.00 27.41 3.50 2.29 7.00 10.00 0.50 0.95 22.42

Daily Summary (Equities)

16

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals

Symbol CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER FIRSTALUM PORTPAINT WAPCO

NATURAL RESOURCES Mining Services

No. of Deals 219 71 59 104 484 122 43 218 75 14 44 405 1,858

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

No. of Deals 7 1 8

Published by The Nigerian Stock MULTIVERSE PLCExchange ©

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES

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

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

Insurance Carriers, and Published by The Nigerian StockBrokers Exchange © Services

Value Traded 167,330.00 167,330.00

INDUSTRIAL Totals Daily Summary as ofGOODS 16/04/2014 Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

3,221,094.67

Quantity Traded 239,000 239,000

CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

12

982,837 Current Price 0.70

INDUSTRIAL GOODS

12

Value Traded 3,221,094.67

No. of Deals 6 6

Building Materials Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 982,837

54

ICT Totals

1Value Traded of 12

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price

Symbol COURTVILLE

Daily Summary as of PLC 16/04/2014 CHAMS Printed 16/04/2014 14:34:16.016 Processing Systems Totals

Page Quantity Traded 423,672 423,672

Symbol COSTAIN

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

No. of Deals 54

HEALTHCARE Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Published Building

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Structure/Completion/Other

Symbol

Daily Summary (Equities)

EQTY Board Totals Activity Summary on Board ASeM Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © OIL AND GAS

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CAPITAL OIL PLC Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Page

Symbol CAPOIL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 8,000 8,000

10 of 12 Value Traded 63,387.13 63,387.13

11

of

12

Value Traded 4,000.00 4,000.00

OIL AND GAS Totals

2

8,000

4,000.00

ASeM Board Totals

2

8,000

4,000.00

Equity Activity Totals

4,859

276,737,594

3,600,786,421.82

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 2,048.00 17.68

Quantity Traded 25 1,010 1,035

Value Traded 51,200.00 17,856.80 69,056.80

ETF Board Totals

3

1,035

69,056.80

ETP Activity Totals

3

1,035

69,056.80

12

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

12

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50 WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Pistorius’ trial enters new phase after blistering cross-examination

A

fter five days of relentless cross-examination that left Oscar Pistorius quivering, sobbing and fumbling, the athlete’s defence team now has a chance to discredit the prosecution by presenting its witnesses.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused the athlete of inconsistencies and contradictions in his testimony.

His aim is to prove that Pistorius intentionally shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, after a heated argument on Valentine’s Day last year.

The defence team now gets its chance to cast doubt on that account and prove that the star sprinter shot his girlfriend through a closed bathroom door after mistaking her for an

intruder. Pistorius crossexamination h i g h lights yesterday, defence attorney Barry Roux called forensics expert Roger Dixon, who disputed a conclusion by a pathologist on the cause of Steenkamp’s back wounds.

The patholo gist said they were made by a bullet ricochet. Dixon said they were made by a magazine rack. The autopsy said they were made by a blunt, hard object. Nel took every opportunity to discredit Dixon, including questioning his ballistics evidence when he said none of the bullets missed Steenkamp while the state expert had said one did. At one point, Judge Thokozile Masipa ordered the state prosecutor to be less aggressive in his questioning.

Sydney welcomes Will and Kate with sunshine and cheers

Nearly 300 missing after South Korean ferry capsizes –Coastguard

B

ritain’s Prince William and wife Kate charmed a welcoming crowd at the Sydney Opera House yesterday as they began the Australian leg of a tour Down Under with baby Prince George.

The couple touched down in Sydney after a 10-day visit to New Zealand in which the royal infant, George was the star attraction, and were taken by motorcade to the iconic harbourside building.

Addressing a reception inside the Opera House, Prince William praised Australia’s efforts in leading the search to find the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the remote Indian Ocean.

“Your contribution to the ongoing search for MH370 has earned respect in every quarter of the globe,” he said.

And he spoke of the affection for the former British penal colony held by members of his family including his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, his father Prince Charles and his late mother Diana.

“My mother’s deep affection for Australia -- which you were so kind to reciprocate -needs no reminder,” said the second-in-line to the British throne, who first visited Australia with his parents in the 1980s.

A

lmost 300 people were missing after a ferry capsized off South Korea yesterday, despite frantic rescue efforts involving coastguard vessels, fishing boats and helicopters, in what could be the country’s biggest maritime disaster in over 20 years. The ferry was carrying 459 people, of whom 164 have been rescued, coastguard officials said.

It was not immediately clear why the Sewol ferry tilted heavily on to its side and capsized in apparently calm conditions off South Korea’s southwest coast, but some survivors spoke of what appeared to be an impact prior to the accident.

“It was fine. Then the ship went ‘boom’ and there was a noise of cargo falling,” said Cha Eun-ok, who said she was on the deck of the ferry taking photographs at the time. “The on-board announcement told people to stay put ... people who stayed are trapped,” she said in Jindo, the nearest town to the scene of the accident.

Survivors there huddled on the floor of a gymnasium, wrapped in blankets and receiving medical aid. One woman lay on a bed shaking uncontrollably. A man across the room wailed loudly as he spoke on his mobile phone. Furious relatives of the missing threw water at journalists trying to speak to survivors and at a local politician who had arrived

A day earlier, Pistorius maintained his story that he was terrified when he heard the sound of the toilet door opening, and pulled the trigger without thinking.

And in an apparent bid

to show their romance was not as rocky as portrayed by the prosecution, Pistorius on Tuesday read a card that Steenkamp had planned to give him on Valentine’s Day, “Roses are red, violets are

blue, I think today is a good day to tell you that I love you,” the message read.

The trial will be postponed until May 5. Prosecutor has accused the athlete of inconsistencies and contradictions.

South Korea rescue helicopter and fishing boats trying to rescue passengers from a ferry in water off the southern coast in South Korea, yesterday

at the makeshift clinic.

Most of the passengers on board the ferry appeared to have been teenagers and their teachers from a high school in Seoul who were on a field trip to Jeju island, about 100 km (60 miles) south of the Korean peninsula.

An official from the Danwon High School in Ansan, a Seoul suburb, had earlier said all of its 338 students and teachers had

been rescued. But that could not be confirmed by the coastguard or other officials involved in the rescue. The Ministry of Security and Public Administration earlier reported that 368 people had been rescued and that about 100 were missing.

But it later described those figures as a miscalculation, turning what had, at first, appeared to be a largely successful rescue

operation into potentially a major disaster. There was also confusion about the total number of passengers on board, as authorities revised the figure down from 477, saying some had been double counted. It added to growing frustration and anger among families of the passengers. Witnesses said many people were likely to be trapped inside the vessel.

Separatists fly Russian flag over Ukrainian armored vehicles

P

ro-Russian separatists hoisted the Russian flag on Ukrainian army armored vehicles in eastern Ukraine yesterday, mocking the pro-Western Kiev government’s attempt to reassert control on the eve of crucial talks in Geneva on the country’s future.

Amid escalating rhetoric between Moscow and Kiev, the incident highlighted defiance by pro-Russian separatists, undermining central government efforts to push armed rebels out of captured buildings in 10 eastern towns without bloodshed.

Government troops had driven armored personnel carriers flying the Ukrainian flag into the town of Kramatorsk in the early morning after securing control of a nearby airfield from the rebels on Tuesday, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to warn of the risk

of civil war.

Severalof thesamevehicleslater rumbled into Slaviansk, just 15 km (9 miles) away, with Russian and separatist flags and armed men in motleycombatfatiguesontop.They stoppedoutsidethetownhall,which is occupied by separatists. A soldier guarding one of six troop carriers now under the control of the rebels told Reuters he was a member of Ukraine’s25thparatrooperdivision from Dnipropetrovsk.

“All the soldiers and the officers are here. We are all boys who won’t shoot our own people,” he said, adding that his men had had no food for four days until local residents fed them. A spokesman for the separatists and a witness in Kramatorsk saidtheUkrainiantroopshadgiven up their vehicles to the rebels after talks.

Overhead,aUkrainianjetfighter carriedoutseveralminutes of aerobatics abovethetown’smainsquare

in a show of strength by Kiev’s forces. A government official said the Ukrainian Defence Minister was travelling to Kramatorsk to try to clarify the situation. The muscleflexing and inflamed rhetoric heightened fears of violence after Moscow-backed gunmen occupied public buildings in 10 eastern towns and cities last week.

The Kiev government is seeking to reassert control slowly and without bloodshed before Thursday’s Geneva meeting at which the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers are due to meet for the first time in the presence of the United States and the European Union. Russia, which has refused to recognize Ukraine’s pro-Western government since Moscow-backed President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted by mass protests in February, sought to dramatize instability in its neighbor ahead of those talks.

L

‘Lewis Hamilton back to his best’

ewis Hamilton is driving as well as ever, according to Mercedes co-team boss Paddy Lowe.

The Briton, who won his only World Championship with

McLaren in 2008, is targeting a third successive Grand Prix win in China this weekend.

“We have seen Lewis arrive this season on top of his game,” Lowe told BBC Radio 5 live. “He

is fit physically. His mental state is brilliant.

“That gives us great promise for the rest of the year.”

After winning the world title in only his second season

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

in Formula 1, Hamilton never finished higher than fourth in his four subsequent campaigns at McLaren.

He chose to leave the team CONTINUED ON PAGE 53

NEW TELEGRAPH

Did you know?

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

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

thursday, aPRIL 17, 2014

That the first player to be expelled in a World Cup final was Pedro Monzon of Argentina in 1990, when he was sent off against West Germany in the 65th minute

Beating Iran a must -Echiejile Echiejile

Ajibade Olusesan

S

uper Eagles defender, Elderson Echiejile, has said that the team’s opening game against Iran could determine their progress from the group stage of the FIFA World Cup. He told New Telegraph that it was imporCONTINUED ON PAGE 53

FG urged to honour victorious powerlifters

World Cup: FIFA politics denied Nigeria ref slot – Edibe

Bayern stand no chance against Real - Guardiola

}p.52

}p.53

}p.54

51

52 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

FG urged to honour victorious powerlifters Mercy Jacob

S

ecretary of the Nigeria Paralympics Federation, Dapo Akinyele, has pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to extend the same magnanimity he has shown to footballers to the country’s powerliters.

The powerliters emerged champions at the just concluded Paralympics World Championship in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

“These athletes that took the world by

storm deserve to be honoured,” he said.

“60 countries were in attendance in Dubai and Nigeria finished tops on the medals table with five gold, one silver and a bronze.

“This world championship is like the football World Cup, so I want to appeal to the President to honour these athletes the same way he honoured the Super Eagles when they won the Nations Cup in South Africa.

“If the President could receive Blessing Okagbare after she won bronze at the World Athletics

Championship, I feel these athletes too should be celebrated,” he added. Akinyele, however, charged the athletes to ride on the back of their success in Dubai to do well at Glasgow 2014.

The Nigerian powerlifting team to Dubai consisted of Yakubu Adesokan, Anthony Ulonnam, Abdulazeez Ibrahim, Ikechukwu Obichukwu, Jegede Bambo, Tolulope Taiwo and Nnaiofor Ifeanyi.

Others are Esther Onyema, Ijeoma Iherobiem, Loveline Obiji, Precious Orji and Tasie.

L-R: Mr. Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport; Mrs. Chioma Afe, Marketing Manager, DStv and Mr. Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria during the MultiChoice World Cup Press Conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

SuperSport secures World Cup broadcast rights Emmanuel Tobi

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uperSport, broadcaster of sports programmes on DStv has announced that it has secured the rights to screen all the matches of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup tournament to be held in Brazil, from June 12. Nigeria’s Super Eagles and four other African countries; Ghana, Cameroon, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire will lead the continent with hopes of lifting the prestigious trophy.Speaking at the press conference to launch the campaign titled “We are Brazil”, General Manager, SuperSport, Felix Awogu, said DStv and GOtv subscrib-

ers would get to watch all the matches with the best picture and sound quality available. There is also the added perk of watching live matches on the SuperSport HD channels on DStv. “We have four special shows specifically produced to further showcase the World Cup, Brazil and the fans.”

Furthermore, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Martin Mabutho, pointed out that the,“Walka 7 allows you to watch in traffic, and in the office, while the Explora with its two terabytes memory, would give viewers the opportunity to record all the games into the decoder and keep them for good.

Flying Eagles: NFF reiterates need for more friendly games Ifeanyi Ibeh

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Akosa okays World Cup task force Mercy Jacob

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he recently reported move by the Presidency, to set up a Presidential Task Force for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has attracted attention from a stakeholder.

Former Nigeria Football Association, board member, Austin Akosa, said it is a good omen, but he called for caution.

“The Presidency must have good reasons, before coming up with such idea; they cannot just wake up and want to set up a committee for the sake of setting it up, even though this is not the first time it is happening.

“Before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a presidential task force was introduced to ensure we had a successful World Cup and the impact was felt at the Mundial.

“If the Presidency feels that there is need to set up a task force for Brazil 2014, it is a welcome development.

“It will also show that our president is a sports lover. But I must advice that the task force must not interfere on technical issues rather

they should face their work which is to ensure we have a successful outing.”

Akosa advised the NFF to concentrate on its duty of administering a successful outing.

he Nigeria Football Federation has reiterated the need for more tuneup games for the Flying Eagles ahead of next month’s African Youth Championships qualifier against either Kenya or Tanzania.

The Flying Eagles were recently in Morocco for two friendly matches against the North African nation’s U-20 side at the end of which NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, declared that the football body will look into the possibility of arranging more friendly games for the Flying Eagles.

Amadu’s statement has now been

Heineken UEFA Champions League final winners emerge

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t was excitement galore last Wednesday night at the Heineken House Lagos, as two of the final five lucky consumers who will watch the UEFA Champions League final emerged.

They will enjoy an allexpense paid trip to the Stadium of Light in Lisbon Portugal courtesy of Heineken the international premium lager beer.

It was conducted by the Managing Director CEO Nigerian Breweries Plc,

Mr.Nicolaas A. Vervelde.

There was tension in the arena, after he announced the first of the two winners of the night.

Jayne Nelson Uzuegbu, a banker and Manchester United fan, was the first winner out of the 790 participants of the Heineken ‘Match Your Half Ticket’ promotion in Lagos.

The second winner, Sopuluchukwu Benjamin Ezugorie, a banker and Chelsea fan said,“I still don’t know if I am in dreamland. I count

myself extremely lucky having won an invite to be part of this premium viewing experience at the Heineken House Lagos.

The two, completed the number of five lucky Nigerians. Before them were the trio of Nonye Christie Chalokwu from Port Harcourt, Usurhyel Auta from Abuja and Olufunsho Michael Akintoye who had earlier won from SMS competition during the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour held last month in Lagos.

reiterated by the NFF’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, who is certain that another international friendly will be arranged for the team before the two-legged encounter against the winner of the Kenya-Tanzania tie.

Sanusi made this known after watching the team’s training session on Wednesday at the Abuja National Stadium, where he restated the need for the team to be better prepared.

Meanwhile, Manu Garba’s side will step up their preparations for next month’s AYC qualifier with a test game against Nigeria National League side Supreme Court of Abuja on Thursday.

The match will be played at the Area A sports ground in Abuja and will kick off at 7am.

“Supreme Court will give us a good match as they are very much in the thick of action in the Nigeria National League,” said Flying Eagles coordinator, Sulaiman Abubakar.

Uzoenyi

SPORT 53

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Confed Cup

Bayelsa Utd depart for Abidjan Friday Chimaobi Uchendu

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ayelsa United, the remaining Nigerian team, in a CAF competition this season, are expected to depart for Abidjan on Friday (tomorrow) to lock horns with Ivorians side, Sewe, in the first leg, knock out round, of the CAF Confederations Cup. Bayelsa United players who had been on close camping in Warri, Delta State, have vowed to get a good result in the first leg, thereby making the return leg a formality, next weekend in Oleh.

It promises to be a tight contest as there are some seasoned campaigners in the race that includes eight teams that dropped from the CAF Champions league, including champions Al-Ahly, who will also take on Moroccan side Difaa El-Jadidi this weekend in Cairo .

Nigeria hosts 3rd Nestle Milo U-13 football tourney Charles Ogundiya

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ampos Square mini stadium will play host to the third edition of the Nestle Milo U-13 biennial African football championship.

Nigeria will have the opportunity to reclaim the trophy won by Asegun Primary School, Ibadan, Oyo state during the first edition in 2010 in South Africa.

In 2012, St. Stephen Primary School, Lagos Island failed to defend the trophy in Ghana during the second edition with the onus now lying on St. Barnabas LGEA School ‘A’, Ilorin, who will be representing the country at the tournament.

Speaking during the press conference to herald the 2014 edition of the competition, the Category Business Manager of Nestle, Doja Ekeruche, said the vision of the competition was to unearth talents and inspire them to be the best in life.

World Cup: FIFA politics denied Nigeria ref slot – Edibe Chimaobi Uchendu

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igeria’s top-rated FIFA badged-referee, Peter Edibe, has alleged that FIFA politics robbed Nigeria of a chance to have a referee at the World Cup, insisting that Nigerian referees were good enough for the competition scheduled to start in June.

“It is not true that Nigerian referees are not good enough to officiate at the top level, like the World Cup, but what is happening is that our football authorities are yet to play the politics of the game,” he said.

Edibe added that he was suddenly removed from the list with no explanation. Edibe alleged that god-fatherism is the reason he was dropped

Beating Iran a must -Echiejile CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51

tant to beat the Iranians in the opening match to enable the team move on to the second round of the competition.

“We have to make the first match a must-win. We are going for war out there and we should take the first game seriously. The match is important for our confidence level and Iran is beatable for us if we work hard,” he said.

Argentina and Bosnia Herzegovina are other teams competing for honours with the Eagles in Group F, but the Monaco of France left-back believes beating the Asian country will place the team on a sound footing in the competition.

He reckoned that Argentina remain favourites in the group but it won’t be good to write off other competitors.

Echiejile said winning the first two games before meeting Argentina in their last group game would be a tremendous morale-booster, insisting that they could qualify from the group even before facing the two-time champions.

“Obviously, Argentina will be the team to beat in this group, they are a good team.

But good for us we clashed with them in our opening game at the 2010 tournament, but we will now face them in our last game when we would have gained enough confidence.

“Bosnia, who are making their World Cup debut, and Iran are unknown, but they cannot be discounted as they hold that element of surprise.”

Nigeria, Iran match holds on June 16.

from the referees list for the Mundial.

Edibe further alledged that his colleagues, Alioum Neant and Menkouande Evarist, both from Cameroon made the cut because they had powerful people on their side. ”My exclusion from the World Cup is a political issue because my collegues that we belong to the same group from Cameroon are there, but I was dropped just because I do not have a god-father. I was removed from the list but no one said anything on my behalf; the Cameroonians had Isah Hayatou and no one could touch them. I’m supposed to be at the World Cup too but no one stood for me” Edibe lamented.

Leading the African contin-

gent of referees set for World Cup in Brazil are – Noumandiez Doue (Ivory Coast), Bakary Papa Gassama (Gambia), and Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria).

Other African referees on the shortlist include: Doue Noumandiez Desire (Cote d’ Ivoire), Gassama Bakary Papa (Gambia), Alioum Neant (Cameroun), and Bennett Daniel Frazer (South Africa).

The assistant referees nominated from Africa are Yeo Songuifolo (Cote d’Ivoire), Birumushahu Jean Claude (Burundi), Menkouande Evarist (Cameroon), Kabanda Felicien (Rwanda), Achik Redouane (Morocco), Etchiali Abdelhak (Algeria), Camara Djibril (Senegal), and Range Marwa (Kenya).

‘Lewis Hamilton back to his best’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51

that had nurtured him since the age of 13 at the end of 2012, but could only finish fourth with Mercedes last season, 208 points adrift of Red Bull’s champion Sebastian Vettel.

This season, however, Hamilton has taken advantage of

a revamped car to win in Malaysia and Bahrain, closing to within 11 points of team-mate Nico Rosberg, who leads the standings.

Lowe, who has worked with Hamilton for his whole Formula 1 career, expects the 29-year-old to go from strength to strength.

Amir Khan (left),lands a punch on Lamont Peterson

No Easter break for Falcons

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he senior national women team, Super Falcons will not go on Easter break and the players will not be released for this weekend matches for their respective clubs.

Chief Coach of the Falcons Edwin Okon who stated this said that there was still much to do and that they could risk allowing the players to go on Easter break with an international friendly game coming up on April 29.

He said, “There will be no Easter break for any one of us. This is because we want to focus on the matches ahead of us. No player will be released to their club and none will be allowed to go on any break “We would perhaps only go on break after the friendly match against Cameroon. We hope to use the Easter break to strategise and perfect plans for the matches ahead.”

Amir Khan signs up with Mayweather advisor

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mir Khan appears to have improved his chances of landing a lucrative showdown with Floyd Mayweather by teaming up with boxing adviser Al Haymon.

Haymon has guided Mayweather’s career for years and is widely regarded as one of the most influential men in boxing.

Khan had hoped to make his welterweight debut against Mayweather in May, but he opted to defend his world title against

Marcos Maidana.

“I’m looking forward to building a successful relationship,” Khan said.

The reclusive Haymon, a former music industry mogul who has close links with American television paymasters and promoters, already has potential Mayweather opponents Adrien Broner and Danny Garcia on his books.

Khan’s decision to join up with Haymon comes after Golden Boy Promotions failed to se-

cure the fight with the 37-yearold Mayweather.

Former light-welterweight champion Khan, 27, instead faces Luis Collazo, a former opponent of Ricky Hatton, on Mayweather’s Las Vegas undercard but still hopes to meet the American in the future.

Khan, who has won 28 and lost three of his 31 fights, said: “I am very happy to have signed with Al Haymon, who is extremely knowledgeable of the fight game.”

54 SPORT | EURO FOOTBALL

Sanctity of Truth

Bayern stand no chance against Real - Guardiola

Thursday, April 17, 2014

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Frank Ribery(left) against Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos

Man City players best paid in global sport -survey

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anchester City are the best paid team in sport, according to a new report.

Sportingintelligence’s survey says the Premier League club pays an average annual wage of £5.3m to its first-team players, which works out as £102,653 per week.

Six of the top 10 in the list are football clubs, with baseball (two) and basketball (two) also represented.

Premier League clubs Top 10 clubs paying average wage per player Manchester City (PL) £5.337m NY Yankees (MLB) £5.286m LA Dodgers (MLB) £5.119m Real Madrid (La Liga) £4.993m Barcelona (La Liga) £4.901m Brooklyn Nets (NBA) £4.485m Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) £4.402m Manchester United (PL) £4.322m Chicago Bulls (NBA) £3.985m Chelsea (PL) £3.984m

Manchester United (8), Chelsea (10), Arsenal (11) and Liverpool (20) are all in the top 20.

Manchester City, purchased by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, are reported to pay their players more than Major League Baseball teams New York Yankees and LA Dodgers, who are second and third in the survey.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona take the next two spots. The La Liga clubs both pay their

first-team players an average of more than £4.9m a year.

Premier League champions United have an average wage of £4.3m, while current league leaders Liverpool award £3.4m per man.

Toure

ep Guardiola believes that Bayern Munich do not stand a chance against Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final tie unless they rediscover their old form.

The Bavarians have been struggling to hit their top level in recent weeks and have won only one out of their last five official games, much to the frustration of Guardiola.

“If we play in Ma-

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one Aluko admits to having doubts about his future at Hull City after a lack of firstteam opportunities this season.

The 25-year-old missed a large chunk of the season with an Achilles problem, and has found it difficult to nail down a

League with Tuesday’s victory at the Emirates, where Lukas Podolski’s brace either side of Giroud’s goal saw them comefrom-behind win.

Giroud’s goal was just his sixth in the league this year, taking his tally for the season to a productive 13.

Giroud

with the January arrivals of Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long.

Even with those two unavailable for Sunday’s FA Cup semi final with Sheffield United, Steve Bruce opted to leave the Nigerian on the bench, introducing him at halftime as Hull came from 2-1 down to win 5-3 at Wembley.

And Aluko, who has started just once in the league since returning to fitness in February, admits the lack of playing time had led him to consider his future at the club.

“It was very frustrating to not start (on Sunday),” he told The Hull Daily Mail.

Other sports Tennis stars unite Kipsang: Pace setters let me down to raise money ilson Kipsang said on

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imbledon champion Andy Murray and Martina Navratilova are among a host of tennis stars set to raise money as part of a second ‘rally against cancer’ in June.

With former British number one Elena Baltacha recently diagnosed with liver cancer, British tennishascometogethertoorganisethe‘RallyFor Bally’ - Baltacha’s nickname - on June 15.

It follows a similar event last year which was arranged following the news that British doubles star Ross Hutchins had Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

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League in 2011-12, when the Bundesliga champions beat their Spanish rivals on the away-goals rule before eventually losing the final to Chelsea at the Allianz Arena.

The first leg of this season’s semi final tie is scheduled to take place at Santiago Bernabeu on April 22.

Beckham´s Miami stadium plans face opposition

to David Aluko admits to doubts Opposition Beckham’s plans to a new football over future starting spot, especially build stadium in Miami has

Giroud regaining confidence -Wenger rsenal manager Arsene Wenger hopes Olivier Giroud’s confidence will ‘slowly’ be rebuilt after his goal in their 3-1 win over West Ham. Wenger’s side returned to fourth in the Premier

drid like we have done recently, we have no chance of reaching the final,” Guardiola said at a press conference.

“If we play like we have done in the last three league games, we won’t be reaching any finals.

“We’re in a dangerous situation. When the focus isn’t there, then the head is slow and everything happens a little slower.”

Bayern last met Madrid in the Champions

Tuesday he would have broken his own World record if he had better pace setters at the London Marathon on Sunday.

Kipsang said he decided to hit the front after the three pace setters that included legendary Haile Gebrsellasie failed to keep up with the high pace, falling back with just 15km into the race.

“I was eyeing a course record with the possibility of improving my own World record but the pace setting wasn’t good,” said Kipsang, who also won the race in 2012 in 2:04:44.

reached a new high.

Beckham, who has been given exclusive rights to start a Major League Soccer (MLS) club in Miami, wants to build a 25,000-capacity stadium in the city’s port.

But an alliance of portbased companies and interest groups have come together to oppose the plan and purchased fullpage advertisements in Miami’s daily newspapers on Tuesday claiming the stadium would reduce the port’s productivity.

Italy coach rules Totti, Toni out of World Cup

I ‘Pistorius shot Steenkamp in rapid fire’

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he girlfriend of Oscar Pistorius was shot in quick succession as she fell down, a forensics expert told the South African athlete’s murder trial.

This differs from a police ballistics witness who said there was short break between the first and second shots.

Mr Pistorius denies intentionally killing Ms Steenkamp in early hours of Valentine’s Day last year.

He says he fired rapidly in fear through the toilet door after he mistook Ms Steenkamp for an intruder.

taly coach Cesare Prandelli has confirmed that veteran strikers Francesco Totti and Luca Toni will not be included in his squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

The pair have been in fine form in Serie A this season, yet were not part of a group of 42 players the Italian manager called up this week for fitness tests.

Injuries to regular Italian internationals, Giuseppe Rossi and Stephan El Shaarawy had left the door open for Totti and Toni to make the squad.

NEWS 55

National CONFERENCE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Complaints galore over committees’ membership

Louis Achi, Onwuka Nzeshi and Lateef Ivrahim ABUJA

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arely 24 hours after the secretariat of the National Conference released a list of the 20 standing committees that would drive the work of the conference, delegates have raised sundry complaints about the leadership and composition of the committees.

Apart from a few delegates who seemed to have been placed in their preferred committees, majority of the delegates expressed misgivings and sought one form of alteration or the other.

A university don and former President of the Senate, Dr Iyorchia Ayu complained of the concentration of experts in various fields in committees related to their areas of expertise. He observed that all lawyers were lumped into the committee on judiciary, all traditional rulers in lands tenure and national boundary committee while nearly all labour leaders were placed on the civil society, labour and sports committee.

He said that “the placement of delegates in their comfort zones might not bring out the best in them because the committee work ought to provide a good ground for the cross fertilization of ideas. There are certain individuals who ap-

peared in more than one committee.

“Secondly, it seems to me that whoever drew up the committee list imagined that if you are a lawyer you must be in the judiciary… I think that there are one or two ways of solving this difficult problem and this is to mix people up in committees. This is because if you put only professionals in particular committees they will not benefit from the contribution of non-professionals.

“I am not a retired military person but because of my work in government I have served in the National Security Council of this country for two years. I have a few ideas on security. If I were on security I can surely make some quality non-professional contributions on security,”Ayu said.

Mr Clifford Abu , a youth delegate complained that the youths were not evenly spread across the 20 committees. According to him, most of the 18 youths attending the conference seem to have been placed in one committee and were not thought fit to be represented in the committees dealing with power devolution and national security.

Similarly, Princess Rabi Ibrahim, another delegate complained about the marginalisation of women in the leadership of the committees.

Ibrahim said that out of the twenty committees only five have women as their leaders, a situation, she said

was against the principle of 35 per cent Affirmative Action.

There were also complaints about the placement of politicians at the headship of some sensitive com-

mittees instead of technocrats who were more likely to be unbiased in their reasoning.

Former President of the National Council of Women

Societies (NCWS), Mr s Mariam Bala Usman demanded equal rights and justice in the composition of the committees and the distribution of leadership positions.

committees and Thier chairmen lDevolution of Power Co- Chairmen - Obong Victor Attah - Ibrahim Coomasie lPolitical Restructuring Co-Chairmen -Hon. Mohammed Kumaila - General Ike Nwachukwu lNational Security Chairman- Alhaji Gambo Jimeta lEnvironment Chairman- Senator Florence Ita Giwa Deputy Chairman- Chief Albert Horsfall *Politics and Governance Co-Chairmen -Prof. Jerry Gana -Chief Olu Falae lLaw/ Judiciary ChairmanJustice G.A Oguntade Deputy ChairmanProf. Auwalu Yadudu lSocial Sector ChairmanIyom Josephine Anenih Deputy Chairman-

Prof.Ruqaiyatu Rufai lTransportation Chairman- Senator Musa Adedeh Deputy ChairmanAIG Ralph Osanaiye lScience/Technology and Development Chairman- Dr Daniel Maddo Deputy Chairman- Chief Raymond Dokpesi l Agriculture Chairman- Umaru Hadeija Deputy Chairman- Mrs Ifeoma Idigbe lCivil Society/Labour Chairman- Mrs Bola Ogunrinade Deputy Chairman -Comrade Isa Aremu lPublic Service Chairman- Engr Ebele Okeke Deputy Chairman- Amb. Adamu Aliyu lParties and Electoral Matters Co-Chairman- Dr Iyorchia Ayu lForeign Policy/Diaspora Chairman- Prof. Ibrahim Gam-

bari Deputy Chairman- Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu lLand Tenure Chairman- Gen. AB Mamman Deputy Chairman- Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji lEconomy Trade and Investment Chairman- Hajia Bola Shagaya Deputy Chairman- Chief Fola Adeola lEnergy Chairman- Senator Rashidi Ladoja Deputy Chairman- Engr. Bello Suleiman lReligion Chairmen- Bishop Felix Ajakaye -Alhaji Nurudeen Lemu lPublic Finance/Revenue Chairman- Alh. Adamu Aliero Deputy Chairman- Sen. Azu Agboti lImmigration Chairman- Dr Mohammed Abdullahi Deputy Chairman- Chief (Mrs) Chidinma Uwajumogu

Justice Nasir appeals to Jonathan, Governors to stop fighting Louis Achi, Lateef Ibrahim, Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

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L-R, HRH, Alhaji A.M Askirama, HRH, Dr.Cletus Ilomunnanya, HRH Adedapo Aderemi and Oba Michael Gbadebo, all delegates during the National Conference session... yesterday. Photo: Timothy Ikuomenisan.

Monarch tasks delegates on secession clause Felix Nwaneri

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elegates to the ongoing National Conference have been charged to ensure the inclusion of a secession clause in the Constitution, to protect the interest of the various ethnic nationalities that make up the country.

An Igbo leader in Lagos, Eze Uche Dimgba, who gave the charge in

an interview with New Telegraph in Lagos, while reacting to the recent secession threat by the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, a NorthEast delegate to the conference, said any section of the country that feels aggrieved should be given the opportunity to leave the Nigerian union.

His words: “There is

nothing wrong with secession. In fact, Nigeria should include a secession clause in her constitution. Any section which feels aggrieved should be given the opportunity to go. It is only when we have this that people will stop trampling on the rights of others.”

Dimgba, who is the Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, also backed calls for region-

alism by some of the conference’s delegates, saying such will engender healthy competition among the various geopolitical zones.

“We should go back to the regions with each of them controlling its resources. This will allow the regions to grow at their own pace, as excellence will come to play,” he said.

ormer President of the Court of Appeal and one of the delegates representing the Elder Statesmen at ongoing National Conference in Abuja, Justice Mamman Nasir (rtd) yesterday advised President Goodluck Jonathan and some of the state governors, who have been openly involved in verbal exchange of words, to stop “fighting in the market” in the interest of the nation’s peace.

Justice Nasir, gave the advice while speaking under matter of urgent national importance at the plenary session of the conference sitting at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

The erstwhile President of the Court of Appeal specifically stressed the need for members of the conference to send a powerful delegation to the President to appeal to him to “stop

fighting in the market”, in view of the fact that “he is the head of this country”.

Justice Nasir pointedly declared that the nation has enough problems including bombings, killings, kidnappings and abductions on her hands and can therefore not accommodate quarrels and in-fighting between the President and Governors.

It would be recalled that some of the Governors, like Admiral Murtala Nyako of Adamawa and Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano States have of late been openly abusing the President, calling him all sorts of derogatory names.

On Tuesday in Kano, the President, at a function to formally receive the immediate past Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from his former party, All Progressives Congress, APC, carpeted Governor Kwakwanso describing him as a corrupt Governor.

World Record

On Marble

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.

Sanctity of Truth

– André Gide

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

On August 30, 1991, Mike Powell of the United States of America leapt 8.95 metres to set a world record in the men’s long jump at the World Championships, in Tokyo, Japan.

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha THURSday, APRIL 17, 2014

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The old and new Jonathan

n November 16, 2002 some politics editors of Lagos-based newspapers were guests of then Governor Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State who celebrated his 50th birthday anniversary that day. After the brief birthday bash in Government House, Yenagoa, the golden jubilee celebrant and former air force officer took his guests on a bus ride to visit the country home of his then deputy, little known Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The journey took about 45-minutes and led to a remote riverine village called Otuoke. Close to a river stood a one-storey building owned by the deputy, easily the most conspicuous building in the town. While in Otuoke awaiting fresh fish to be brought straight from the river, the former governor told a story of how his search for who should be his deputy in 1998 took him to Jonathan’s office and how the later declined. According to Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan was emphatic that he did not want to be part of the madness called politics. But, knowing what he wanted, he insisted, deploying various means until Jonathan succumbed. As he told the story, Jonathan was only smiling and never uttered a word. Rather, he intermittently responded ‘yes sir’ to questions thrown to him by his boss. The story of how Jonathan eventually became the boss is for another day.

In December 2006, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates converged at the Eagle Square Abuja with one mission: to pick a presidential flag bearer for the general election coming up in 2007. After the infamous stepping down of frontrunners, former Katsina State Governor Alhaji Umaru Yar Adua was cruising to victory and the contest shifted to who should be his running mate. Former governors of Rivers and Ebonyi States Dr. Peter Odili and Dr. Sam Egwu, respectively, were highly favoured after the first choice, former governor of Cross River State, Chief Donald Duke, had allegedly declined. Drs. Odili and Egwu had engaged their various prayer warriors at their hotel rooms and at the Square hoping to pick the running mate slot.

Then President Olusegun Obasanjo was wielding the proverbial ‘knife and yam’ and all prayers courted his imperial favour. Most other governors who really did not have any stake had returned to their lodges with their delegates hoping to hear the final result on television.

Then Governor Goodluck of Bayelsa

State was among those who had already left the Eagle Square.

Then the Ribadu factor entered the fray. Nuhu Ribadu, the then powerful chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) came at the last hour to ‘establish’ to President Obasanjo why both Odili and Egwu could not pick the ticket. That was how luck fell on Goodluck.

As vice president, Jonathan remained the underdog; timid, naïve and visibly overwhelmed by the position. He had the qualification and experience but lacked the needed exposure for the big job. What his poor exposure deprived him, the now jailed ex-governor of Delta State James Ibori quickly filled as he became the de facto vice president. He brought in all key officers from Niger Delta to the Villa and was the one Yar’ Adua always consulted on Niger Delta issues. The old Jonathan watched all these and rather than react, even further got withdrawn. Technically, it was like the Vice President was on annual leave.

Sources even confirmed that the basic needs of the vice president’s office were not forthcoming. The wife of the vice president, Mrs. Patience Jonathan (not yet Dame then) in her frustration lamented openly to friends that things were even better when her spouse was governor. She wondered if the vice president slot was not a mistake. Reports had it that it needed the threat from Patience that she would address the press to tell the whole world of their predicament before the office of the vice president started receiving their due. While Patience was losing patience, seeing an unelected Ibori take over their job, the old Jonathan simply smiled and told the wife, to be patient.

When providence eventually made Jonathan President his old self continued. In September 2010, while declaring to run for presidency in 2011, in one of his best ever speeches he gave some insight into why he is what he is - seemingly timid and naïve person: “I was not born rich, and in my youth, I never imagined that I would be where I am today. But not once did I ever give up. Not once did I imagine

that a child from Otuoke, a small village in the Niger Delta, will one day rise to the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I was raised by my mother and father with just enough money to meet our daily needs. In my early days in school, I had no shoes; no school bags. I carried my books in my hands but never despaired. I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day but I never despaired. I didn’t have power, generator, studied with lanterns but I never despaired. In spite of these, I finished secondary school, attended the University of Port Harcourt, and now hold a doctorate degree”.

What flows from this compelling revelation clearly is that Nigeria has a president who never despairs. Those who misread his civility for cowardice often describe him as lacking capacity for the job. Some say he is incompetent and not fit for the position of Commander-inChief. This perception has led many to even go further to abuse him and attempt to belittle the office of the president. That was Old Jonathan and since old things pass away, same applies to this man of good luck.

A New Jonathan has since emerged, thanks to former President Olusegun Obasanjo who could easily qualify as his godfather but soiled the relationship with his godson over 2015 presidential election. Obasanjo wanted Jonathan to step down but he would not agree to that.

This development forced the former General to write a controversial letter to the president.

This letter became the tonic that turned Jonathan around apparently because of dearth of options for him. For Obasanjo, you are either obeying or getting ready to be crushed.

Since Jonathan couched a response to Obasanjo’s letter, he has become presidential - both in his utterances and his appearance. Nobody is in doubt now about who is in charge. The governors, who regularly revel in their gang-style intimidation of Jonathan are now the intimidated ones; some even ran away from PDP. Those who planned the Boko Haram as a tool to fright-

en him out are now shocked that he has turned it into a political plus ahead of 2015.

North East elders and governors, including those who predicted that the country would be ungovernable under Jonathan are now busy lobbying the rest of the country to persuade the Commanderin-Chief not to extend the emergency rule in the region. Just last week Friday, the people of the South East through their leaders were begging him to agree to contest for presidency in 2015. In fact, the Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime told the president that the people of the zone have two requests: to ask him to declare to run and appeal to him not to turn the request down.

That is the New Jonathan; the one time shoeless Otuoke boy who is now holding the country’s polity spellbound. On Tuesday in Kano, he lost his cool on Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s continued tirade on him and gave a Presidential upper cut.

That is new Jonathan for you. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher captured it well when she observed that “being powerful is like a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t”. A 17thCentury English poet John Dryden warned that we should “beware of the fury of a patient man”.

Meanwhile as you read this piece, our Lord Jesus Christ is planning the last supper for tonight in preparation for His death tomorrow, the Good Friday. Why ‘good’, you may ask? It is because if they had not killed him on Good Friday, there would not have been an alleluia on Sunday and salvation for mankind. Happy Easter!

OmoBaba

BOMB BLAST POLITICALLY MOTIVATED - PDP

– Political statement!

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