Binder1 tuesday march25

Sanctity of Truth Facebook.com/newtelegraph

Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 35

twitter.com/newtelegraph1

www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

N3.1bn jet maintenance scandal

Alison-Madueke not liable –NNPC Adeola Yusuf

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora-

tion (NNPC), yesterday, declared that it should be held responsible for engaging third parties for

the provision of private jet services on which N3.120 billion has allegedly been spent in two years for

maintenance.

The House of Representatives has instituted a probe of the Minister

of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke in the alleged CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Malaysian Airliner crashed into Indian Ocean –PM Page } 50

Confab: Delegates in rowdy session over voting process

lDebate pits North against South lBuhari: Exercise, waste of resources Louis Achi and Onwuka Nzeshi

T

he National Conference witnessed a

rowdy plenary session yesterday as delegates disagreed over the right approach to reaching decisions at the confer-

ence.

The disagreement came as the delegates resumed from their one-week recess to consider the Draft Rules

Delegates to the National Conference queue to enter the venue of the conference...yesterday

CONFLICT

Inter-ethnic clash claims more lives in Benue as residents flee troubled zone

INSIDE

News. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Metro . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Politics . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opinions. . . . . . . . . . .

Investigation . . . . . . .

Business . . . . . . . . . . .

Entrepreneur . . . . . . .

Sport. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 11 13 20 21 25 41 51

of Proceedings, the document that would guide deliberations and other activities of the conference.

The consideration of

the rules saw the delegates debating various sections and clauses of the document and making amendments where necessary. It

however turned chaotic as delegates took turns to state their positions which CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

More stories on page 5

Photo: Timothy Ikuomenisan

21 refugees drown in bid to escape herdsmen lIGP deploys Mobile policemen to Benue Emmanuel Onani and Cephas Iorhemen Lagos

Rainy Storm O O

17 |10

For subscription, advert and story tips, please call +234 (1)221 9496, 08033392655, 08023010222

A

t least 21 persons who survived the attack by Fulani herds-

NEWS Senate begins probe of Immigration test tragedy today Page 4

men from Gbajimba, the traditional heartbeat of Guma Local Government

Area of Benue State got drowned in River Benue yesterday.

New Telegraph learnt that the drowned included

AT A GLANCE

women and children most of whom were of school age.

Armed Fulani herdsCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

POLITICS

BUSINESS

SPORT

Will Fayose deliver Ekiti to PDP amidst crisis?

Page 14

FG chides indigenous oil firms over local content Page 26

Eagles have no depth -Chukwu Page 51

2

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Confab: Delegates in rowdy session over voting process CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

were often in conflict.

The debate also took a regional dimension as delegates from the North appeared to be on one side while delegates from the South were on the other.

The most contentious of the rules were Order 6, Rule 4 and Order 11 Rule 1 both dealing with how delegates would vote to arrive at any decision during the conference.

Another contentious issue was what number of delegates would be ideal to form a quorum at the conference sittings.

Human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had, in the course of the proceedings, expressed reservations about the aspect of the rule that stipulates that delegates must endeavour to reach consensus on every issue or go into voting and ensure that 75 per cent majority of delegates endorse a matter or that matter would be thrown out.

Ozekhome argued that achieving consensus on many issues would be difficult just as getting 75 per cent majority or three quar-

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST PORT HARCOURT

34 23 o

o

Thunder Storm

ABUJA

36 25 o

40o 20o Partially cloudy

ENUGU

35o 24o Partially cloudy

IBADAN

7o -1o Rain Storm

CALABAR

33o 24o Storm

MAIDUGURI

42o 24o Partially cloudy

ONITSHA

17o 10o Rainy Storm

must be supported by three quarters or 75 per cent majority, it means that on every issue, 369 out of 492 delegates must endorse for us to pass it. That number is humongous.

“As we go into these contentious issues, it would be very emotive. When issues that are very controversial and emotive come up, it would be very difficult to reach a consensus,” he said.

Ozekhome warned that

this stringent condition could make it difficult for the conference to achieve anything because there could arise a situation where issues would be thrown out even when a good number of delegates support it, and a small fraction, say about 25 per cent, is opposed to it. He said that would be “tyranny of the minority”.

He proposed that rather than stick to the proposed rule of consensus and 75

per cent majority, the conference should adopt the simple two-thirds majority of delegates which is the standard practice in most parliaments across the world.

Chairman of the conference, Justice Legbo Kutigi, ruled that the issue of how the delegates would arrive at decisions had already been prescribed by the government at the formative stage of the conference.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3

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

L-R: Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi; Minister for Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi; and Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during the Housing Stakeholders Implementation Summit on Enabling Broader Access to Housing Finance for All Nigerians held in Abuja. PHOTO TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

47.5%

The percentage of men that smoke to the total male population worldwide.

Source: Globalissues.org

62.6

The number of households with internet access per 100 inhabitants of developed nations in 2009.

Source: Itu.int

N3.42bn

The total IGR of Taraba State in 2012.

Source: National bureau of statistics

Alison-Madueke not liable–NNPC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

o

Mostly Sunny

KANO

ters of the entire delegates to support every issue would be almost an impossibility .

He said that when issues such as resource control, fiscal federalism, devolution of powers and state creation come up for discussion it would be very difficult to achieve the consensus envisaged by the authors of the draft rules of proceedings.

“We have 492 delegates and if you say that an issue

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

scandal. The NNPC said it engaged the private jets in consonance with the legal instrument which establishes the corporation as a commercial entity.

The NNPC, in a statement maintained that “in the course of discharging its statutory and commercial functions, it engages third parties for the provision of services outside of its core business.”

The Acting General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said the corporation did not charter any aircraft for the exclusive use of the Minister of Petroleum Resources or any particular official of the corporation.

“Management of the NNPC has reacted to media reports on the pur-

ported charter of aircraft by the Corporation for the personal use of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who is also the Chairperson of its Board of Directors.

NNPC also noted that contrary to the information being peddled in some quarters, Mrs. Alison-Madueke had not chartered any aircraft for her personal use or the use of her family.

The corporation noted that the practice of chatering aircraft for operational use is common and acceptable in the local and international business environment in which it operates.

“There is nothing prohibiting NNPC from owning or chartering an aircraft. On the contrary, by the enabling legislation, NNPC is empowered to

‘hold, manage and alienate moveable and immovable property and enter into contracts or partnerships with any company, form or persons which in the opinion of the Corporation will facilitate the discharge of the said duties under this Act’.

(Please refer to Section 6 of the NNPC Act, Cap. N123, LFN 2004).

“Operations in the oil and gas sector are time sensitive and often require prompt attention, which cannot be achieved using regular scheduled flights.

“It is standard practice for large oil and gas corporations such as the NNPC to make use of the most efficient means of transportation to ensure effective and efficient coverage of the vast scope of critical oil and gas assets under their purview.

“NNPC has always availed itself of the use of owned or chartered aircraft for the purpose of its business, which includes the transportation of its top functionaries.”

The corporation noted that “the international oil companies operating in joint ventures with NNPC, regularly charter aircraft as dictated by the exigencies of their business.

“Indeed, some have moved from owning their own aircraft to using the charter option. Other national oil companies, such as Sonangol of Angola, have also chosen the charter option.

“The advantages of the charter option include zero capital and maintenance costs resulting in a lower financial outlay and thus an improved cash flow.”

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

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

3

SWF: FG, states talks stalled again Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he Federal Government yesterday told a full panel of the Supreme Court that the out-of-court settlement with the 36 states of the Federation over the dispute arising from the maintenance of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and the transfer of $1 billion from the account to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) has collapsed for the second time.

The Supreme Court consequently fixed September 23 for hearing of the application brought by the defendant seeking to amend its statement of defence.

The 36 states of the Federation had dragged the Federal Government to the apex court, praying it to decide whether the states

have share in the SWF. The Supreme Court had earlier granted a request by the parties to settle the matter out of court and to explore an amicable resolution of the disagreement.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to the Federal Government, Austin Alegeh (SAN) told the court that the settlement between parties had collapsed. In view of that, he brought an application praying the court to amend his statement of defence.

Alegeh further prayed the court to order the plaintiffs to furnish him with their amended statement of claims in order to amend his statement of defence.

Arguing on behalf of counsel to the 36 state governors, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN) did not oppose the application.

He, however, noted that

the information which the defendant was asking had been included in the papers they (plaintiffs) filed before the court.

He added that the last

meeting with the Federal Government was in 2011 which yielded no result and the defendant was just coming in 2014 to amend its defence.

Gbagyi women protesting FCT relocation policy in Abuja …yesterday.

Ali submitted that the defendant’s application was just to delay hearing in the suit.

He further submitted that the application was an

abuse of court of process.

Responding, Alegeh stated that it was the office of the Vice President that was co-ordinating the C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Confab: Delegates in rowdy session over voting process CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

According to him, it was President Goodluck Jonathan who prescribed the consensus rule or 75 per cent majority ahead of the inauguration of the conference. Kutigi said the delegates were not in a position to change it as the matter had been foreclosed.

In spite of this ruling, another delegate, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), rose to second the motion moved

by Ozekhome. Akintola expressed dismay at the response of Kutigi on the issue and insisted that the 75 per cent consensus was not achievable on any issue and wanted it to be either simple majority or twothirds majority.

Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ahmadu Ali also said that the idea of 75 per cent majority would not work for the conference.

But emotions began to rise as a former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta, took to his feet to condemn and warn those he accused of trying to impose their will on others at the conference.

He said he was in support of Kutigi’s ruling on the

matter.

“We have to be very careful. This national conference or whatever you call it is born out of so many conceptions or misconception of many people in Nigeria. The most dangerous thing that will happen again is for us to come here in groups trying to force our will on the outcome of this conference. We should by now have learnt that that would not take us anywhere. It is only going to worsen our situation. I thought we have come here to find a solution to the numerous problems facing us and to bring development in our country in line with what is happening in the developing world.

“I think that our problem is that we want to get everything perfect here. It is not possible. We should be very careful. I think the organisers of this conference have done very well.

The only thing we have to do is to know that every delegate here is important and should be recognised. I want to warn some groups here; there are some groups that are shouting and banging their fists on the desk to intimidate others. That would not work,” he said.

This contribution triggered shouts of “objection!” “objection!!” from delegates who were uncomfortable with the position canvassed by the retired police chief.

Otunba Ganiyu Adams, a delegate from the SouthWest was the next to speak and he canvassed support for Ozekhome.

“We believe that this conference is very important to us. That is one of the reasons we have been agitating for it for the past 20 years. We are here to make changes that will bring positive results to our country. We must not sit down here and be thinking that people from different geo-political zones will give room to this 75 per cent majority votes. We are here to make history for our nation and not to cause confusion,” he said.

According to Adams, the purpose of the conference was to address critical issues that have been confronting Nigeria for a long time. He suggested that the conference should adopt the standard principle of two-thirds majority in arriving at decisions.

In a separate contribution, a former Minister of

Industries, Dr. Hassan Adamu counselled that delegates need not lose their tempers over the issue.

Adamu said that the rule was meant to encourage delegates to work together to achieve consensus and where that is not achievable to seek the endorsement of 75 per cent of the delegates.

“If we cannot arrive at consensus, then 75 per cent or three quarters of the delegates is the nearest. We have all come here to work together as Nigerians to work for the future of our country. We are all distinguished ladies and gentlemen. Anybody who is here for reasons other than the unity of the country should think again,” Adamu warned.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, delegate from the SouthWest likened the 75 per cent and consensus rule to a judge who does not want to grant bail to an accused brought before his court.

According to Adebanjo, the rule is like granting bail on very stringent conditions in order to prevent the accused from getting his freedom.

“When you don’t want to grant bail to somebody,

you give him impossible conditions. I disagree with Gambo that anybody has come here to cause confusion. Where in the world have we ever had a decision agreed to by 75 per cent majority? Let us go along with the world. Don’t let us play into the hands of those who do not want the conference.

“Those of us who support this conference will not be happy if it is left at 75 per cent. My suggestion is that we leave it at twothirds,” he said.

Another delegate, Mr. Bisi Adegbuyi, said that none of the delegates was interested in the disintegration of Nigeria. Adegbuyi said that much as delegates wanted Nigeria to remain one, they must embrace international best practices.

He argued that even though the President had the right to give guidelines to the conference, delegates also have been given the opportunity to debate the draft rules and decide on the best way to go.

The conference went on break without resolving the matter.

The delegates further had a hot debate on the duration of the plenary,

following a proposal by Chief Segun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State.

Osoba, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had proposed an amendment to the provision of the rules of proceedings, saying that the conference should not be rigid about it.

The current rule being debated stipulates that plenary begins at 10a.m. and last till to 2p.m. to give way for a lunch break that lasts till 4p.m. when plenary resumes to closes at 6p.m.

Some of the delegates canvassed that the plenary holds between 9a.m. and 4p.m. without break, while others suggested the reduction of the break time to one hour, to enable them to close at 5p.m.

However, the chairman ruled for the retention of the current provision.

Some delegates had earlier expressed displeasure over the difficulties they went through before gaining entrance into the venue.

They called on the secretariat to ensure that they were not made to have such experience again throughout the conference’s duration.

4

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Senate begins probe of Immigration test tragedy today Chukwu David Abuja

T

he Senate Committee on Interior will today begin a twoday investigative hearing on the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment tragedy which occurred at different examination centres across the country on Saturday,

March 15.

No fewer than 16 people died in the stampede that ensued as a result of congestion witnessed at the examination centres.

Thus, the Senate at its plenary on Tuesday, March 18, directed its Committee on Interior to investigate the matter and report back to it in one week.

The Upper Chamber

also urged the executive arm of government to fashion out a marshal plan on how to tackle the persistent and worsening unemployment problem in the country.

The senators made the resolutions sequel to a motion of urgent public importance brought to the floor of the Senate by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Sena-

tor Atiku Bagudu with 10 other legislators.

Bagudu had recalled in the motion that as far back as 2011, the office of the Head of Service of the Federation granted approval for the recruitment of a total of 4,556 personnel of various cadres for the NIS ranging from Assistant Superintendent 1&2 to Immigration Assistant III.

He noted in the motion that Drexel Technical Global Services assigned by the NIS to carry out the recruitment exercise, collected N1,000 from each of the 700,772 applicants that filled the recruitment form on-line.

The legislator said this was contrary to the usual practice of not collecting money from any applicant

by Customs Immigration

and Prisons Board, the statutory recruitment body of the paramilitary outfit.

New Telegraph learnt that the committee had invited the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, and the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mr. David Parradang, to appear before it and explain their various roles in the tragic exercise.

SWF: FG, states talks stalled again CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Former President Shehu Shagari (left) and Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lt-General Muhammad Ashrat Saleem during the reception to mark the country’s 75th National Day in Abuja…at the weekend PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

42,311,877

The total population of the region of Caribbean in 2010 (representing 0.61% of the world’s population).

Source: Blatantworld.com

306,058,159 The total population of West Africa region in 2010 (representing 3.08% of the world’s population).

Source: Blatantworld.com

66.3%

The percentage of households with internet access at home in 2010 in developed countries.

Source: Itu.int

settlement meeting and that the office just briefed him that the settlement does not yield any desired result.

According to him, “I have not been part of that meeting, when the settlement talk was ongoing, we did not amend our statement of defence. The need to amend it has arisen due to the collapse of settlement talk.”

Ruling on the application, Justice Walter Onnoghen who presided over the matter granted the defendant’s application.

He ordered the plaintiffs to supply further particulars required to the defendant within seven days

and that the defendant should within 21 days file his amended statement of defence.

The plaintiffs in the suit were seeking an order of court compelling the Government of the Federation to pay into the Federation Account N5.51 trillion being the balance of the money that accrued to the central purse between 2004 and 2007 from the proceeds of crude oil sales, petroleum profits tax and oil royalties.

The Federal Government had classified such earnings as “excess crude proceeds” and “excess PPT and royalties” which were paid into an account termed the “Excess Crude Account”.

21 refugees drown in bid to escape herdsmen CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

men at the weekend, attacked Gbajimba, the village of the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Chief Samuel Ortom, where they killed no fewer than 55 Tiv peasant farmers while thousands others were rendered homeless.

The attack on the minister’s village came barely two weeks after herdsmen unleashed terror on Agasha and Udei communities in Guma Local Government Areas of Benue State where scores of people were reported killed.

Gbajimba, dominated by fishermen and farmers, is located at the confluence of the Rivers Buruku and Gbajimba which are tributaries of the River Benue.

Narrating his ordeal to journalists at Daudu town, a survivor, Mr. Justine Upev, said the

invaders, armed with sophisticated weapons mounted barricades at the Gbajimba-TseAkenyiDaudu road and along the Gbajimba-Federal University of Makurdi Road thus blocking all escape routes. According to him, he escaped by abandoning his motorbike and jumping into a river.

“There was no other escape route. So, myself and other women and children had to run through Tse Adorogo road which leads to the river and we dived into it,” he said.

He lamented that many of the escapees, especially women and children, who could not swim got drowned, while many others are still missing.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ezeala, said he was yet to officially receive the

report, but added that 13 bodies had so far been recovered from the bushes at Gbajimba town following the attack.

As part of measures to arrest the incessant bloody clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Benue state, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has deployed four units of mobile policemen to troubled communities in the North-Central state.

The mobile policemen, who were drawn from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, are being led in the operation by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of operations, as well as Commissioner of Police (Mobile unit).

This disclosure was made yesterday in Abuja, by the IGP, during a quarterly briefing by Assistant

Inspectors General of Police.

Abubakar, who was reacting to the frequent attacks on farmers in local Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen, regretted that most of the villages where these mindless attacks occur, lack access to police posts as well communication facilities.

The police boss also identified the nomadic lifestyle of the Fulanis, who he said often move from Nigeria to Cameroun, Chad, Niger and other places.

He, however, assured that the police will do everything to restore peace and security to Benue, Kaduna, Taraba and other states, where these clashes are commonplace.

His words: “We have the issue of communal clashes; Fulani herdsmen

and farmers in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna and parts of Zamfara State.

These attacks most times are right inside the bush, and most of the people attacked are in the villages and most times some of the difficulties encountered is the terrain of the place.

“Secondly, information comes to the police very late, because of network situation or network problem in this country.

In all of these attacks, as I’m talking to you now... I have four units of mobile policemen, right from the headquarters here, which was led by the DIG Operations and CP mobile right inside the bush, guarding those innocent souls with there round huts and thatch houses.

“Remember most of these places if you check there are no existence of

police stations or police post, so the commissioners of police in the respective commands have to grapple with the manner they will take police men to such places and they will remain there permanently.

“And equally remember the Fulani herdsmen you are talking about, they are not domesticated in one place, they move from one place to another, from here to Cameroun to Niger to Chad,” Abubakar said.

Besides, the IGP identified absence of grazing reserves as another possible cause of conflicts.

“One of the challenges we have is that years back there were grazing places, there were routes for the Fulani to follow. Today, the story is different, no grazing places, no routes to follow,” he added.

NEWS

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

5

FROM THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Confab, a waste of national resources, says Buhari Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

F

ORMER Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has carpeted the Federal Government for what he called indefensible waste of national resources on the funding of the national conference.

Buhari, who was the

presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), in the 2011 general elections, spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the 1st Progressive Governors-LegislativeCivil Society Roundtable, with the theme:, “Improving Governance through transparent budgeting, accountability and effective

public financial management”.

According to the former Head of State, instead of wasting the nation’s scarce resources on the conference, the government ought to have worked with the National Assembly to review the relevant sections of the constitution.

He reasoned that the

various issues being tabled at the on-going national conference are issues that should have been taken up effectively by the National Assembly.

He said, "What I express about the confab is a personal view, that it is the duty of the National Assembly. The elite would have gotten themselves together and ask the Nation-

al Assembly to sponsor a bill for some amendments to the constitution.

“I do not think that at this time when govern-

Delegates decry poor conference arrangement Louis ACHI and Onwuka NZESHI

D

elegates to the national conference yesterday condemned what they described as the poor arrangement in respect of daily registration and entry into the conference hall.

It was observed that delegates including elder statesmen were made to stand on a long queue in the heat of the morning sun for about almost two hours as they made their way into the conference hall.

The delay was due to rigorous security checks

R-L: Former Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu; Former Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Sam Egwu and other delegates...yesterday.

S

ome women delegates at the ongoing National Conference have objected to the use of masculine pronouns to refer to them in the rule of procedure in the conference.

The bone of contention has been the use of ``he”, ``his” and ``her” during the plenary.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja during deliberations on the drafted procedure for the conference, they said that the rule should be amended to read ``she” or ``he/she” or ``his/her” during plenary.

Mrs Abiola Afolabi,

Women delegates object to masculine pronouns who is the Executive Director, Women Advocates’ Research and Documentation Centre, Lagos, said that the amendment became necessary to ensure that women delegates were not marginalised. ``Mr Chairman, the rule referred to me as ``his” and I feel that I am not included in this proceeding. I am propos-

ing that the rule should be amended to either be ``she” or we should use ``his/her”.

She described the use of masculine pronouns in reference to women delegates at the conference as ``offensive”.

Order XIV Rule 1 provides that: ``in these rules unless the context otherwise requires: (a) ``he”

includes ``she”.

But the women protested that ``he” could not have included ``she” but rather ``she” should include ``he”.

When Order III Rule 1 was being debated, the women described the phrase ``every delegate shall enter his name” as excluding the women and demanded for inclusion.

ment is finding difficult to pay salaries of workers, it can afford to waste billions of Naira on the conference, " he said.

and the fact that there was only one entrance for delegates and journalists covering the event.

Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu who raised the complaint at the commencement of proceedings said it was appalling that the conference secretariat could not devise a better method of admitting delegates into the hall and saving time.

Nwanyanwu said that in spite of the delay outside the hall, the secretariat still wasted time inside while trying to distribute working documents for the day.

... curtail Kutigi 's powers T he powers of the Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi to make additional rules for the smooth running of the conference was challenged yesterday as one of the delegates, Mr. Adeniyi Akintola asked the conference to amend the rules to subject such additional rules to the endorsement of the conference delegates.

Akintola said that order 1 Rule 2 on page six of the document should be amended to allow the delegates ratify such rules

made by the Chairman through a simple majority endorsement.

In another development, National President, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Osahon Enabulele raised a motion on Order 2, Item 2 which has to do with the replacement of principal officers of the conference. He observed that though the rule allows replacements in the event that the officer involved is indisposed and unable to perform his duties, there was no time frame.

‘No sitting arrangement’ Ex-NUJ president kicks against plot to gag journalists T

Lateef Ibrahim Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

F

ORMER President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and delegate to the on-going national conference in Abuja, Malam Sani Zoro has vowed to mobilize other progressive-minded delegates to thwart any plan to gag journalists covering

the conference.

Mallam Zoro stated this yesterday in reaction to the planned rule of proceedings aimed at gagging the media and withdrawing the accreditation of journalists who may be considered as being too critical in their reportage of the activities of the conference.

The former NUJ President pointed out that the mere fact that anybody

could propose such a rule against the media clearly shows that they have targeted the media, stressing that such was unfortunate and unacceptable.

According to him, journalists must be allowed free access as well as full coverage of all the proceedings of the conference on behalf of the Nigerian public, because, “This is a Nigerian conference and therefore

they cannot afford to restrict the media from commenting on all the issues that would arise”.

Mallam Zoro, in an interview with the New Telegraph at the National Judicial Institute venue of the conference said, “Let me say straight away that the fact that they can propose such a rule against the media... is very unfortunate and unacceptable.

he issue of proper sitting positions for delegates came to the fore again yesterday as some delegates complained that some elder statesmen were not sitting in their appropriate positions. But Yerima Abdullahi, a Federal Government delegate dismissed it as a non-issue.

According to Abdulahi, the idea of giving elders front row seats was a storm in a tea cup, adding that unless a delegate had

a medical condition, the conference need not bother about where he or she sits.

Secretary of the conference, Dr Valerie Azinge urged delegates to avoid bothering the conference with trivial issues that would not advance the project for which the conference was convened. Azinge also frowned upon the practice of some delegates repeating what others had said in the course of proceedings.

6

NEWS

ELECTION

As Fayose emerges guber candidate, group forsees violence in Ekiti Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

T

he Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan should be held responsible for any violent act by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Hold Jonathan responsible for Fayose's misconduct – Group State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

In a statement in AdoEkiti by the spokesman of the group, Mr. Dimeji Daniels, the campaign organisation said its position was premised on the alleged imposition by the President of Fayose as the PDP candidate in the June 21 election on the platform of the party.

The Fayemi group also

alleged that the emergence of Fayose showed that President Jonathan has no other plan to win the election but by violent means.

“By master-minding impeached former Governor Ayo Fayose to emerge as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, shows clearly that the Jonathan presidency has

no strategy other than violence for the June 21 governorship election in the state,” the group said.

In his reaction, the spokesman for the 2014 PDP Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, said it was not true that the President foisted Fayose on the PDP as its candidate in the coming poll.

“It is not true that Mr. President imposed Ayo Fayose on Ekiti, I don't want anybody to bring Mr. President into this issue. PDP members in Ekiti have decided for a candidate of their choice, which the party's constitution and Electoral Act recognised as the procedure for nominating a candidate of a political

party.

“What Ekiti PDP has done is legal and is in compliance with the Electoral Act and the party's constitution.

Mr. President and the National Chairman, including the National Working Committee had advocated a constitutional arrangement and stood by it.

Okorocha not leaving APC, can’t join other parties - Aide Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

F

L-R: Co-coordinators of Next Generation Nigeria Summit, Austin Mbamah; Haruna Sambo; Chairperson; Commonwealth Youth Council, Ahmed Adamu and the Principal of FCT School for the Blind, Mrs Regina Dung, during the presentation of special recognition award to the school principal in Abuja…at the weekend.

PHOTO ELIJAH OLALUYI

N219.2bn

The internally generated revenue of Lagos State in 2012.

Source: National bureau of Statistics

115m

The number of immigrants that live in developed countries.

Source: Globalissues.org

16.4m

The total population of Cairo, Egypt (Africa’s most populous metro area).

Source: Blatantworld.com

FIRS gets N4.21trn 2014 revenue target REVENUE

FIRS moves to grow non-oil tax component Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

T

he Federal Government has given the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) a N4.21 trillion revenue target for 2014, the Acting Executive Chairman of the Service, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, has said.

He also said the Service had taken the initiative towards growing non-oil tax component with the takeoff of the Capacity En-

l To grow non-oil revenue tax by $500m hancement Programmne (CEP) aimed at delivering an additional $500 million non-oil taxes in 2014 fiscal year.

Mashi disclosed these yesterday in Abuja at a maiden retreat and enlarged management meeting organised for top management of FIRS. He said that the FIRS was expected to collect N1.79 trillion from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), N1.03 trillion from Companies Income Tax (CIT) and N96 billion from gas component of CIT. Other sources, he said, include N861 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT),

N10.21 billion from Capital Gains Tax, and N8.46 billion from Stamp Duties.

Mashi said the Service was also expected to collect N156 billion, N59 billion and N10.6 billion from Education Tax, Personal Income Tax and Technology Levy, respectively during the period.

He said that FIRS surpassed its 2013 revenue target by N337 billion or 7.56 per cent, adding that it collected N4.805 trillion as against the targeted N4.468 trillion.

He, however, stated that the actual collection from non-oil revenue in 2013

fell short of government’s target of N2.188 trillion by three per cent, but assured that it would be improved on in 2014.

Earlier in her welcome address, Mrs Queen Seghosime, FIRS’ Coordinating Director, Direct Report Group, said that the meeting was an annual forum where important strategic decisions of the Service were taken.

She added that the retreat would provide the management team the opportunity to brainstorm on the organisation’s corporate plan to meet its revenue forecast and corporate aspirations.

ollowing media reports that Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, was again planning to switch parties, the Media Aide to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemodo, has dismissed the report as untrue, saying that the governor was in no way contemplating leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for any other party.

According to the governor’s spokesman, the report did not cite any source from either the government circle or elsewhere, but entirely relied on indications.

The statement partly reads: “Governor Okorocha is now standing like a colossus in Imo politics with what he has achieved as gov-

ernor and his opponents in the state have resorted to sniping at him through such false reports in the fruitless hope of salvaging their political misfortune.”

Onwuemodo further asserted that neither the PDP nor the PPA or APGA, as mentioned in the report, hold any form of attraction to any progressive politician, and as such, there was no justification for Okorocha to abandon a strong and vibrant political party like the APC to join any of them.

According the media aide, Okorocha cannot just leave the APC for any reason, having been one of the leading lights in the formation of the party and presently enjoying wide support from Nigerians across geopolitical zones, who look up to him in the APC.

LG polls: Nasarawa Assembly summons electoral commission Cheke Emmanauel Lafia

T

he Nasarawa State House of Assembly has summoned the Chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC), Dr. Abdullahi Modibo and the commissioners of the body to appear before it today by 10.00am to explain the controversies that trialed Saturday’s local government election in the state.

Moving the motion under urgent public im-

portance at yesterday's sitting, House Majority Leader, Hon. Godiya Akwashiki, representing Nasarawa Eggon South Constituency, said Saturday’s local government election was characterised by irregularities in some polling units and wards in the state.

He lamented that the state’selectoralbody,NASIEC, announced results in some polling units and wards where irregularities were noticed, urging the House to summon the chairman and commissioners to appear before it to offer explanations.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

7

Attack on Mark: Orji may know more than he’s telling, says Imo Govt SUSPICION

Imo Govt's suspicion heightens over conflicting report on attack on Senate President Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

T

he Imo State Government has described the purported attack on the convoy of Sen-

ate President David Mark in Imo State as unfounded, while describing utterances credited to Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State as ‘shocking,’coming from the Chairman of the South-east Governors’ Forum.

According to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo; conflicting news reports, reaction of the Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore

Orji and the reaction of the Imo State Police Command, which alluded that the Senate President was not attacked in Imo, have all heightened the suspicion of the Imo State Government over the alleged attack.

“The reaction of the Abia State Governor, Chief Orji, like we earlier stated, was surprising and shocking. He spoke as if he knew those who carried out the alleged attack.

He condemned the purported attack, and said it was ‘aimed at eliminating the senate president’, and urged the senate president not to ‘be deterred’”, the statement read.

In such purported attack as claimed, Onwuemeodo stated that the Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji should have called on the police to investigate the incident, where the attack truly took place, to know

whether those behind the attack were after the Senate President or if it was mere coincidence, and whether it was politically motivated or purely a criminal operation.

Onwuemeodo, who queried inconsistencies in the attack claims, said the scenario, “justified our suspicion as a government, that the claim could be aimed at blackmailing the Imo State Government and puncturing the state’s existing re-

cord, as the most peaceful state in the country ,with the lowest crime rate.”

The Imo State Government however called on the Inspector-General of Police to conduct a full-scale investigation into the claimed attack on the convoy of the Senate President to ascertain whether it really happened or not, or whether it was designed as an instrument of blackmail against the peaceful state of Imo and its government.

Three killed as robbers raid Delta market Dominic Adewole Asaba

G

unmen yesterday invaded the popular Benue Market in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta state. They killed two persons after condemning the two legs of a woman with bullets.

The woman, the New Telegraph gathered, raised alarm when they wanted to dispossess her of her money and belongings. The hoodlums were said to have laid ambush near the market place, waiting for the traders to retire to their sleeping mats before they pounced on them. A victim said, “We have retired to the place we usually sleep after the day’s trade when they appeared from nowhere and robbed us one after the other. On get-

ting to the last person who happened to be a woman one of the victims out of fear, she raised the alarm, ‘thief o, thief o’, and immediately one of the bandits fired her two legs.” The woman has been rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the locality. The bandits were said to have escaped unhurt with millions of naira belonging to the trades, many of whom came from the North to sell their agricultural produce, especially yam and onions.

The victim further explained that as the bandits were escaping through Egwari lane, they stumbled on one Mr. Batreme Medi and killed him before they moved to Almona lane where they rained heavy bullets on another victim, simply identified as Friday Okoro, a.k.a Osmond, killing him also on the spot.

Arik Air operates 1st Nigerian registered aircraft to US

A

rik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest commercial airline, has achieved yet another milestone in Nigerian aviation, operating the first Nigerian registered commercial aircraft to the United States of America in two decades.

On Monday night, the airline operated its scheduled Lagos-New York flight using an

A330-200 aircraft with registration 5N-JID. The feat by Arik Air is made more outstanding, given that the operation of the flight was staffed by Nigerian crew.

The airline’s latest milestone was the result of almost three years of preparation, during which time the airline received the Part 129 approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

L-R: Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Lagos , Chief Henry Ajomale; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Wale Raji; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affiars & Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Riskat Akiode and a graduant, Mr. Adedotun Mayne during the presentation of equipment and cash to graduates of Youth Empowerment Programme in Lagos West Senatorial District by Senator Ganiyu Solmon in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Youth Development held in Lagos. ..yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

We'll stamp out kidnapping PAN partners St. Saviour’s in Anambra – Obiano School on Fun Day 2014 Uwakwe Abugu Awka

T

he Anambra State Government is already lining out programmes and measures to engage the youth and take them away from crime. This is in line with the declaration by the new governor of Anambra State, Mr. Willy Obiano, that tackling insecurity formed one of his two major immediate areas of stress, according to his SeniorSpecial Assistant on Youth Mobilisation, Mr Chinedu Obidigwe, in a statement yesterday.

He assured that kidnapping and other social

vices would be tackled with vigour with mapped out programmes to engage youths for self-reliance and to think positively in engaging their useful youthful energies.

According to him, part of the programmes included massive sensitization of youths to join emerging forces against kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices. He spoke further: “In line with the philosophy of Obiano, the youths are being mobilised in all the communities to fight criminality and we hope to see them refrain from smoking cannabis and indulging in frivolous activities that are capable of ruining their lives.

P

AN Nigeria Limited, will continue to support educational activities in the country in its bid to build a vibrant human capacity that can be absolved in the Nigerian auto industry, said the Managing Director, Ibrahim Boyi.

He said this during the 2014 St. Saviour's Fun Day which took place at the school's premises located at Alexander Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. The Managing Director who was represented by the Head of Corporate Communication of the company, Musa Bashir Usman, stated that the company was always open

to supporting institutions that add value to the society.

“St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi is one of such institutions and PAN Nigeria Limited will always be available to assist institutions, whether government or private, in achieving their aims for the progress of the society at large.”

Speaking at the event, the PTA Chairman, Mr. Tolu Osinibi, stated that the Fun Day is “about the celebration of our Children and their total development as it should hopefully, help them in building social skills that will stand them in good stead as they grow into adults we can be proud of.”

8

NEWS

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

NASARAWA

EKITI

LAFIA

ADO-EKITI

Al-Makura vows to deal with corrupt LG officials Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, has vowed to deal with any of the newly elected local government chairmen in the state caught in corrupt dealings.

Al-Makura said this during the swearing-in of newly elected chairmen at the Government House, Lafia, the state capital.

The governor, who

swore in 10 local government chairmen that won last Saturday’s local government council election, said his administration has zero-tolerance for corruption.

“My administration has zero-tolerance for corruption and will never spare anyone involved in it.”

He directed the officials to emphasise accountability, transparency and good governance.

ADAMAWA YOLA

Muslim council asked to sustain prayers for peace Adamawa State chapter of the Muslim Council of Nigeria, has urged the Muslim community in the state to sustain special prayers for an end to the current security challenges in the North-East and the nation in general.

Spokesman of the council, Mallam Sali Ibra-

him, made the call in Yola at a special meeting of the council officials from the 21 local governments of the state.

Ibrahim said peace was very essential for any meaningful development; hence individuals and groups must contribute in their own way to promote and ensure peace and peaceful coexistence.

Ekiti varsity gets N2bn federal grant, graduates 5,895 Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has been given N2billion through the Federal Government's intervention in the funding of universities in the country.

Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Patrick Aina, said this in AdoEkiti on Monday while

briefing the press on the forthcoming 19th convocation ceremony of the university.

He said the fund was part of the promise made by the Federal Government to intervene in the funding of the nation's universities in the aftermath of the recent nationwide strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

FCT ABUJA

NASS Sergeant-At-Arms dies, Senate President mourns The Chief Security Officer to the National Assembly and Sergeant-atArms, Col. Emeka Okere (rtd), is dead. He died in Abuja after a protracted illness, following a motor accident he was involved in February 2012.

As a mark of honour to the dead, the Senate President, David Mark,

while mourning Okere, described him as a very hard working and passionate officer, who believed in the unity of the country.

Senator Mark recalled his days with late Okere at the Nigeria Military School, Zaria and later in their working career, describing him as an intelligent officer, who served the nation meritoriously in different capacities.

EBONYI

KANO

ABAKALIKI

KANO

2015: Group urges political parties to kick against discrimination, electoral fraud A non-governmental organisation under the auspices of Raising African Youths for Excellent Initiatives (RAYI Foundation) has called on political parties in the country to wage war against tribal discrimination and the use of youths to perpetrate electoral fraud in the 2015 general elections.

The group lamented that most elections in Nigeria are marred by violence through ill-will by politicians, who are out to takeover power by all means.

100m

The number of immigrants worldwide.

Source: Globalissues.org

14

The total number of possible transcontinental nations.

Source: Blatantworld.com

44.8

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of developed countries in 2007.

Source: Itu.int

OGUN ABEOKUTA

Ogun secretariat gutted by fire

Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda (left) and the Minister of Health, Prof. Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu, shortly after signing a Memorandium of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the Federal Fistula Centre in Ningi, Bauchi State.

lagos

FCT

lagos

ABUJA

Senator empowers 382 Lagos West youths The senator representing Lagos West senatorial district, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, has empowered 382 youths of the district. In a ceremony yesterday in Lagos, the senator handed over trade and empowerment tools to them after a successful completion of their entrepreneurial training.

The beneficiaries,

who were independently selected for the scheme, got trained in 10 different vocations, including tailoring, shoe making, dish installation, pastry, make-up, beads making and others.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Solomon said the initiative is to complement the effort of the state government in reducing unemployment and poverty.

National confab: Nigeria’s unity sacrosanct, Rep tells delegates Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), yesterday declared that Nigeria's unity is sacrosanct and should be considered as a “nogo-area” at the national conference.

Chinda, who spoke in

Abuja at the House of Representatives Press Corps interview series “Hot seat”, also said that he has sponsored a bill, which is proposing death penalty for corrupt officials in the country.

The lawmaker, who represents Obio-Akpor federal constituency, stressed that since Nigerians have all along clamoured for a sovereign national conference that was not feasible,

An electricity spark from an air conditioner in one of the rooms in the Economic Planning Office yesterday led to a fire incident at the Ogun State Secretariat, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

The fire damaged the affected air conditioner and a desktop computer before men of the state fire service rapidly intervened and prevented it from spreading to other offices in the complex.

Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, while leading Governor Ibikunle Amosun to inspect the affected office said the officials using the office reacted very quickly after noticing smoke coming from the air conditioner.

Kano constructs 230 health centres to treat tuberculosis Determined to tackle the spread of tuberculosis in Kano State, the state government in collaboration with Family Health International (FHI), has constructed over 230 health facilities for the treatment of the disease free in the state, this was just as the state government announced the treatment of over 6000 patients in 2013.

Speaking while marking the 2014 Tuberculosis Day in Kano, state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, in company with the Manager, FHI 360, Dr Shuaibu Hamza, hinted that the spread of tuberculosis is really something to worry about and that it has attracted the attention of the government, making it to evolve various strategies in tackling it.

BAUCHI BAUCHI

1,400 Under-5 died of diarrhoea everyday –UNICEF Diarrhoeal diseases due to lack of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene has been described as the bane behind the cause of the death of 1,400 globally under-five children every day.

Representative of United Nation's International Children Emergency Fund, Jean Gough has revealed.

Gough, in a report, disclosed that in almost four years after the world met the global target set in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

BAYELSA YENAGOA

Bayelsa film village to gulp N20bn Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, at the weekend in Lagos said the proposed film village in the state would gulp N20 billion, calling for the organised private sector partnership in the promotion of local talents in the creative industry and sponsorship of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

CONTENTION opponent says Fayose's selection was fraught with irregularities

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

A

governorship aspirant in the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, has described last Saturday's party primary that produced former Governor Ayodele Fayose as a fraud that could not stand.

In a statement in AdoEkiti yesterday and made available to our corre-

Ekiti PDP guber primary fraudulent - Adeyeye

l …You're fallacious - Oluwawole, PDP spokesman spondent, he hinged his condemnation of the exercise on a number of issues. First, Adeyeye said the eligibility of Fayose was under contention.

He also faulted the manner in which the exercise was conducted, saying it was fraught with irregularities.

However, in a swift reaction, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, described Adeyeye's allegation as fallacious.

"What Adeyeye is saying is a complete ruse and fallacy. All the aspirants were there in Abuja at a

meeting with members of the National Working Committee of the party when the directive was given for the conduct of party primary.

"The national leadership of the party also set up necessary committees to conduct ward delegates congress and the special state congress and everything was done in accordance with the laid down rules of the party. What Adeyeye is saying is also an affront on the national leadership of the party.

Is he saying the national leaders of the PDP don't know what they are do-

ing?," Oluwawole asked.

Still on the exercise, Adeyeye said the primary was not only boycotted by other aspirants, but by many delegates, including many prominent leaders of the party. Ekiti PDP had 14 aspirants screened and cleared for the governorship contest.

But on Saturday, only Mr Ayo Fayose contested the so-called primary election, obviously against himself, while 13 other aspirants boycotted it!

"To even demonstrate that the purported primary election was programmed to be contested

by Fayose alone, when the

L-R: Project Promoter, Ndudi Elumelu Foundation, Sen. Francis Nwajei; Coordinator, Chief Eboh Emma; Director General, Barr. Odibo Moses; Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and Deputy Director General, South, Mr. Justin Ruwane, at a press conference on the Delta State governorship ambition of Hon. Ndudi Elumelu held in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO:SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Akpabio plans memorial Nigeria proposes BASA service for slain heroes agreement with Cuba Tony Anichebe UYO

A

kwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has announced a decision of his administration to honour eminent sons of the state who were killed during the Nigerian civil war.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said the Governor directed the organization of a memorial service to pray for the repose of the souls of the slain personalities, who became victims of the 30-month war.

According to the Com-

9

missioner, an organizing committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, with renowned clergymen and other top government functionaries as members have been set up.

The commissioner who noted that the memorial service will hold on Sunday April 6, at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo, said the event will feature the unveiling of memorial plaques by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, CON, and special intercessory prayers for peace, unity and progress of the State by senior clergies.

A

buja, March 24, 2014 (NAN) Nigeria has proposed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Cuba to boost economic relations between both countries.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cuba, Ms Laraba Bhutto, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the agreement, when established, would also boost economic ties with other Caribbean countries.

She said the issue of the agreement was discussed on March 17 when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali received the visiting Cuban counterpart, Mr Bruno Parilla.

She added that the minis-

ters also discussed plans to establish a pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria, given Cuba’s remarkable progress in the fields of science, medicine and biotechnology.

Bhutto, who holds a concurrent accreditation to Barbados, Nicaragua and Honduras,expressedsatisfaction with the state of bilateral relationsbetweenNigeriaand Cuba.

"We have very good relations in many sectors of bilateral relations, cultural relations, sporting relations and political relations.

"The only weak aspect of our bilateral relations is the economic sector; we do not have a vibrant economic relation with Cuba.

13 other aspirants went to the venue, they were teargassed by the police and prevented from entering the venue. This they did with instruction from the

organisers of the sham primary election, not even minding whether or not the aspirants were there to participate in the exercise,"he said.

Rumpus in Ebonyi APC over N1 million party fund Leo Sobechi

T

he Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) was yesterday thrown into another round of crisis over the attempt by a national officer of the party from the state to convert N1 million out of the money sent by the national headquarters for the last registration exercise.

Investigations by New Telegraph revealed that the national officer, (names with held) submitted his account number instead of the chairman as requested by the party headquarters.

Sources confided in New Telegraph that matters came to a head during the stakeholders meeting when the officer declared the amount received from the party headquarters that was short of the actual amount by one million naira.

“This attempt to short-

change the party provided the opportunity for members to vent their anger on the officer, handling party affairs especially his penchant to cause disaffection and disunity in the state chapter,” the source explained.

Another source at the stakeholders meeting revealed that confusion that broke out when he announced the dissolution of the state interim management of the party stressing that that was a clever ploy by the national offficer to take charge of the party structure and cover up his ‘clever’ financial dealings until the conclusion of the congresses.

The source added: “It was in attempt to move a motion for his suspension by a member of the party in Ogboji ward of Ishielu local government council, that visibly enraged members stormed the meeting and disrupted the motion with placards.”

Court restrains Uromi monarch from trespassing on church land Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

A

High Court sitting in Uromi, Esan North East local government area of Edo state has restrained the Onogie of Uromi, His Royal Highness, Zaiki Anslem Eidenogie from further trespass on a land alleged to belong to Anglican Church in the area.

Justice V. O. A. Oviawe issued the order after listening to the arguments of counsel to both parties on an ex-parte application filed on behalf of the church by G. O. Giwa-Amu Esq. The court also restrained servants, agents

or privies of the defendant from entering and or in any away trespassing on the said parcel of land, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

It would be recalled that the Diocese of Esan, Anglican Communion, had recently dragged the monarch to the court for alleged trespass on its land.

Counsel to the church, Giwa-Amu in suit number HCU/1/2014, had prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the monarch, his servants, agents or privies from entering and/or in anyway trespassing and interfering with the claimant's entire land in dispute.

10

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

NASS budget office urgently needed, say APC governors, civil society Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

G

overnors of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of the civil society organizations in the country have blamed the poor implementation of budget in the country on the absence of a National Assembly budget office.

They argued that there is an urgent need to set up a budget office similar to the Congressional budget office in the United States of America for the country’s budget implementation to be effective.

This position of the governors and civil society groups was contained in a communiqué issue

yesterday in Abuja, after a one-day roundtable of Progressive Governors, Legislators and Civil Society organizations, entitled “Improving governance through transparency in budgeting, accountability and effective public financial management.”

They noted in the communique that budgeting process must be designed based on sector plans as against the current arrangement where budget is executed at the whims and caprices of the civil service.

The forum added that “the National assembly’s oversight function must be reinvigorated to ensure strict compliance with budget provisions."

PDP, APC, others raise concern over Ondo bye-election Babatope Okeowo Akure

P

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) All Progressive Congress (APC) and Citizens Popular Party (CPP) in Ondo State, yesterday, expressed fears over the conduct of security agencies and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in the Ilaje/Eseodo federal constituency bye-election fixed for April 5, 2014.

In a meeting held with Commissioner of Police,

Mr Isaac C Eke and INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Akin Orebiyi , the political parties said the conduct of the electoral umpire and security agents during and after the election might mar the election.

But the Commissioner of Police and REC assured the political parties that the bye-election would be free, fair and devoid of any electoral violence and manipulations, soliciting the cooperation of the political parties in ensuring the success of the election.

Two to die by hanging for murder Ewa Nnanna Abakaliki

T

wo persons, Chukwuma Nweke and Chibuike Ucha, accused of killing one Friday Njoku in a forest located at Ugwuachara, Ebonyi Local Government Area, Ebonyi state on the allegation that he stole a handset have been sentenced to death by hanging.

The duo and others at large were said to have suspected the late Friday of being behind the missing cell phone belonging

to Chukwuma Nweke and forced him into the forest where they tortured him to death. Consequently, they were apprehended and arraigned before Abakaliki Magistrate court which remanded them in prison custody for lack of jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The suspects had since been awaiting trial until Wednesday when they were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging by state high court presided over by justice Alloy Nwankwo,the state Chief Judge.

60.9%

The percentage of male internet users in Italy in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

N3.89bn

The internally generated revenue of Sokoto State in 2010.

Source: National bureau of Statistics

11

38m

The number of immigrants living in the United States of America.

Source: Globalissues.org

WHAT A DANGERIOUS TRIP…Passengers hanging on a moving train at Ikeja-Along, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO:SULEIMAN HUSAINI

N47bn theft charge: Akingbola files fresh objection FRAUD

The ex-bank MD argues that his arraignment in the State High Court amounts to abuse of court process Joseph Jibueze

T

he former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr Erastus Akingbola, has filed a fresh preliminary objection against the N47 billion theft charge brought against him by the Economic and Finan-

cial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Akingbola and Mr Bayo Dada were charged on May 4, 2011 with 18-count charges of conversion and stealing of monies belonging to Intercontinental Bank when Akingbola was the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The two defendants filed notices of preliminary objection, which the judge said would be consolidated and heard on the same day. They are challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case because they had also been charged at the Feder-

al High Court on similar proof of evidence.

They said the defendants had lodged appeals against ruling of the Federal High Court, which were pending at the Court of Appeal, therefore, subjecting them to another trial at the state High Court on the basis of alleged offences that should be tried by the Federal High Court amounts to abuse of court process.

EFCC’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Yesterday, said that the prosecution was served with the two motions, to which they had filed a counter affidavit and a written ad-

dress. He urged the court to keep the applications in abeyance, praying that they should not be allowed to delay the prosecution’s case.

He explained that “the rules do not allow for any delay in a criminal trial. Section 260 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), makes it clear that an objection shall not be raised before the close of the prosecution’s case.

“It appears that the motion is premature, especially in view of the new judicial policy that requires that matters are prosecuted within the shortest possible time.

Group flays media attack on Shettima A

group in Borno state under the aegis if Biu League of Professionals, has described the recent media attacks against Gover nor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, by the group which goes by Borno Concerned Citizens as political hatchet job that deserves no response from the Governor.

Concerned Citizens, led

by Tukur Mishelia, had in

a series of publication, criticised Governor Kashim Shettima over what it termed the governor's insensitivity to insurgency in Borno State.

Condemning the criticism as a pure display of 'dirty politics' at work, the group through its national coordinator, Engr. Bitrus Mshelia Dogo, emplored Governor Shettima not to down

grade his office by join issues with Mishelia, as Borno citizens, as well as, all Nigerians knew the concerted efforts and sacrifices we had made to bring peace to the state.

He said that despite the insurgency in the state, the governor's developmental strides remained unprecedented, just as his resolve to bring back peace in Borno had never been in

doubt or compromised.

"Tukur is our own, we know him very well. He wants to contest elections in 2015 after failing in previous attempts to win at the primaries, he is hoping Governor Kashim calls him and settle him with cash or to help him winelectionsin2015nowthat itispublicknowledgethatitis the Governor and his associates that will call the shots.," Dogo said in a statement.

metr

NEW TELEGRAPH

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

0802 393 8212

Tuesday,March 25, 2014

Adebayo

Adekunle

Ajayi

Okanlawom

We were going for N14m operation – Robbery suspects tough luck Members of a robbery gang were taking one last drink before attacking their victim when policemen rounded them up Juliana Francis

E

ight suspects, now in police custody, have disclosed that they were about to rob a man of N14 million before they were rounded up.

But to burst the eight-man robbery gang, a policeman had to risk everything, including his life, to go into the underworld.

The robbers had already marked their target and were about embarking on the operation, which would fetch them. A 14 million, but they needed transport and a driver. The policeman, simply identified as Azeez, who posed as a robber, offered to drive the robbers to their destination in Lagos from Ogun State.

But instead of driving them to their destination, he took them to a joint, after convincing them to have one last

drink before the operation.

They were drinking and mapping out their final plans, when armed policemen swooped on them.

The police recovered three guns and ammunition from the suspects. The suspects are identified as Gbenga Ajayi, Saheed Adekunle, Gbenga Saka, Joseph Sunday, Oladipupo Odetayo, Olabamidele Sanusi, Ismaila Adebayo and Adenekan Okanlawon.

The suspects said one Alfa Sule contracted them for the robbery operation.

But Sule has since been on the run. He was neither in the car nor at the joint the day they were going for the operation.

It was gathered that the police got a tip-off about the planned robbery and the police team, led by Inspector Toyin Omosebi, sent Azeez to join the gang.

Ajayi, who claimed he was selling land and sand at Mowe, was the first person Sule contacted about the robbery operation. Thereafter, Ajayi notified Odetayo, who got other members of the gang. He said: “I know Sule as my elder brother’s friend.

He said the job would fetch

Tuesday, Ma

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

us N14 million. He even said he would go to the victim’s home with us. Sule scheduled a meeting but I couldn’t attend, so I told Bamidele to represent me.”

On his part, Odetayo said he used to work with Gbenga on building sites.

According to him, it was Gbenga, who told him someone brought a job of N14 million.

He said: “When I met Sule, he told me that the driver of the owner of the house was part of the operation. He said that it was the driver who would open the gate of the building and direct us to where the money was.”

Odetayo added that a few days after meeting with Sule, he called him on phone, telling him that they would strike that Saturday at Alagbado area of Lagos.

He said: “This would have been my first robbery operation. I used to pick pocket and snatch phones, but I was never involved in robbery. I decided to join because I needed money for my graduation. I have just finished my apprenticeship in plumbing and the graduation would cost me N120,000.”

Sanusi, who said that he

also joined the gang because he needed money for his graduation ceremony after his apprenticeship in aluminium works, said he used to work with land speculators as one of their thugs before the lure of N14 million led to his downfall.

Sanusi said he initially did not want to go for the operation until his friend, Odetayo, told that Sule, who brought the deal, would be going with them. He said: “I told Sule that I didn’t have a gun, he promised to provide guns we needed. I told him that I knew a guy who would give us a gun. He said it was okay. Sule said that some members would hold down the two guards at the gate of the house, while he would go inside the house and get the money.”

Sanusi said he remembered that Adebayo had a gun. So, he went to Adebayo who agreed to hire out the gun to him for N15,000.

He said: “When Alfa later called me, I told him that we needed transport and a driver. On the night of the operation, about five of us gathered on Lagos - Ibadan Expressway, where the driver came to pick us.

“We decided to go to a beer parlour to drink before heading for the operation. We had not even started drinking before the police came and arrested us. They later went to arrest others.”

Saka, another member of the gang, said he also went to get a gun. According to him, he rented the gun from an Indian hemp seller.

He, however, urged the police to be lenient with him because the gun couldn’t shoot.

He said: “I tried it, it wasn’t working.”

Odetayo said he brought the third gun, which he got it from a friend, Corrador, who he met in prison.

According to him, when he told Corrador about the operation and that he needed a gun, he directed him to an uncompleted building at Mowe, where he found the gun. Police said that Okanlawon was a commercial motorcyclist, who used to take Adebayo to different gangs to supply guns for robbery operations. But Okanlawon said that he was a victim of circumstance and was not a robber.

He, however, accepted that he conveyed Adebayo to some places.

Recovered guns and bullets

How we wer

zOne z says she is A NOT INSANE

Some of those rescued from the evil forest, now receiving treatment at the hospital, say they are not mad but victims o attempted ritual killing

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

S

ome of the people rescued from ritual killing site in Soka are Ibadan, have refuted claims that were homeless.

One of them, Mrs Titi Adeniyi Dokpesi), said yesterday that she abducted two months ago.

The woman, who said she is a rela

Shittu, on his hospital bed, yesterday

Osun: Aregbesola, Omisore in a battle of wits / PAGE 15 | Ondo: PDP in dilemma over Mimiko / PAGE 17

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/politics

ayodele Ojo

Deputy Editor, politics

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Will Fayose deliver Ekiti to PDP amidst crisis?

p-14

ayodeleojo@yahoo.com

TUESday, MARCH 25, 2014

South-West as APC, PDP battleground The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) engage in a serious battle over the control of South-West in the forthcoming elections, writes AYODELE OJO

I

f there is any potent aspiration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, it is the quest for the reclamation of the six Western states beginning from the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2014 and the 2015 general elections.

President Goodluck Jonathan and party leaders have expressed determination to reclaim the South-West from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

For the APC, this is a tall order. Both Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) have even described the PDP’s desperation as wishful thinking, saying the ruling party would have to march on blood to take over South-West.

The APC controls Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti while the Labour Party (LP) holds forth in Ondo State. The PDP, which controlled five states except Lagos between 2003 and 2010, has been relegated to the background controlling nothing except pockets of legislative seats.

Governorship elections hold in Ekiti on June 21 while that of Osun is scheduled for August 9.

Governorship elections would hold in Lagos, Oyo and Ogun on February 28, 2015, while Ondo’s would take place in 2016.

Aregbesola in an interview with New Telegraph stated that the PDP would have to march on blood to reclaim South-West.

“I tell people that the only way the PDP can win is to kill a lot of people. They have to march on the blood of the people to displace us. Again, God is a God of justice not injustice. You cannot reward good with bad and vice

versa,” he declared.

The governor waxed philosophically, using the lyrics of Jimmy Cliff: “The harder they come, the harder they fall, one and all.”

On his part, Governor Fayemi declared that the people of South-West cannot go back to PDP’s slavery. He said: “They have the people to confront.

And the people will never subject themselves to slavery. I’m

not given to boastful and empty rhetoric, but anyone who loves Nigeria and has seen the kind of development that the SouthWest has witnessed in the last four years, will definitely want this to be protected and deepened.”

Also, the Interim National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told New Telegraph that the PDP is not in existence in the zone.

“The PDP no longer exists in the consciousness of the people of the South-West. The pro-people projects and people friendly policies of the APC governors in the South-West have finally buried PDP in that zone,” Mohammed said.

But former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George confirmed the readiness of the PDP to take over the control of governance from the APC. In an interview with New Telegraph, he said the PDP is tired of misgovernance under APC in the South-West. “It was

CROSSFIRE It was an act of injustice that took government from us in Ekiti and Osun states.

Now, we are ready to take what rightly belongs to us. The people are now ready.

They have seen the difference between light and darkness - Chief Bode George

I tell people that the only way the PDP can win is to kill a lot of people. They have to march on the blood of the people to displace us. God is a God of justice not injustice -Governor Rauf Aregbesola

Justice Ayo Salami that took government from us in Ekiti and Osun states. Now we are ready to take what rightly belongs to us. The people are now ready. They have seen the difference between light and darkness. Come this time, the people are not just going to allow them to run away with power. We are going to plan and we are going to fight like we had done before.

We would not take them for granted,” George said.

The scramble for the SouthWest between PDP and APC is as a result of the fact that the zone holds the ace to who emerges president in 2015. There are about 10 million registered voters in the zone. The non-committal of the APC leadership to Nuhu Ribadu’s presidential ambition, and non-support of Muhammadu Buhari’s ambition in 2011, gave President Jonathan a clear lead in the election. And with the readiness of the two rival parties to win the presidency in 2015, the South-West states have become battlegrounds.

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF South-West

Will Fayose deliver Ekiti to PDP amidst crisis?

ADESINA WAHAB x-rays the possibility of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reclaiming Ekiti State

T

he June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State is going to be a major test case for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Labour Party (LP) is the underdog in the election.

Governor Kayode Fayemi of the APC is going to slug it out with a former governor of the state and PDP candidate, Ayo Fayose and a member of the House of Representatives and LP anointed candidate, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele.

Fayemi is confident of winning the election. His performance in the last three years have earned him accolades.

With the PDP seeing itself as the biggest party in the state and still licking its wound over the October 15, 2010 Court of Appeal judgement that threw its own, Engr. Segun Oni, out of office as the governor of the state, it wants to prove that it is still the party to beat. That probably accounted for the avalanche of aspirants in the party. The number was only pruned down to 18 after the mandatory payment of fees for the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms. The number was further reduced to 14 after the aspirants met with the screening committee in Abuja.

Among the factors that the PDP candidate is expected to possess include his personality. It is important to field a candidate that is acceptable to most party members and the voting public.

The charisma of the person is also important, as the incumbent governor, Dr. Fayemi, is cerebral and a strategist.

Some people are also saying a strong personality, with an independent mind is needed in the state going by the nature of the people.

The issue of where the candidate hails from came to the fore courtesy the demand by some people that Ekiti South Senatorial District, which has not produced the governor of the state since its creation in 1996, should be given the chance this time around. That also led to the zone producing the highest number of aspirants in the PDP. Ekiti North Senatorial District has produced Oni and Fayemi as the governor of the state, while Ekiti Central Senatorial District has produced Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Mr. Ayo Fayose.

Since the creation of the state, no governor has served two consecutive terms in office. Some people in the state are apostles of the ‘order’, saying the incumbent, Fayemi, may not break the jinx.

The governor’s supporters are saying the said jinx is meant to be broken one day and that he will be the one to do that.

They readily point to states like Ondo and Kano where that was a tradition at a time, but got broken by Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and Dr Segun Mimiko.

The current administration last

Fayemi

Fayose

HOW THE PARTIES STAND APC PDP LP Governor

1

nil

nil

Senate

3

nil

nil

House of Reps

5

nil

1

2

nil

House of Assembly 24

year had issues with teachers in public schools over assessment test as well as with local government workers over the need to overhaul the workforce. Though there are moves by the state government to mend fences with the affected unions, recent developments in some APC-controlled states like Edo is making some union leaders sceptical of assurances from government circles.

Emergence of Fayose as PDP candidate Despite the clamour by some aspirants for consensus in selecting the

Will the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) realise its long term ambition of governing Lagos in 2015? This is a major poser for the party, writes WALE ELEGBEDE

F

rom all intents and purposes, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has never hidden its desire to govern the commercial capital of Nigeria. For the party, the only mountain to subdue is getting the needed votes from Lagosians, and expecting that the votes would count to ensure they move to the Alausa Lagos House.

Lagos is the only state in the South-

HOW THE PARTIES STAND APC

PDP

Governor

1

nil

Senate

3

nil

House of Reps

24

nil

House of Assembly 40

nil

His on-going trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the poultry project executed during his tenure is a major albatross PDP candidate, Fayose still emerged as the party’s candidate in a primary conducted on Saturday. The process, as expected, drew flak from some aspirants and party leaders who felt the process was not fair enough and skewed from the outset to favour the former governor.

The remaining 13 aspirants are protesting the conduct of the exercise and only time will tell what becomes of their

Bamidele

protest.

It is an understatement to say the issue of picking the party’s candidate has polarised the party.

The issue of consensus and holding party primaries is almost tearing it apart.

Also, the handling of the fallout from the selection exercise is crucial to the PDP’s success or otherwise in the election.

Strong points He is a grassroots politician who is seen as identifying with the local people.

When he was declared the winner of the PDP primaries, he rode accompanied by a tumultuous crowd through the heart of Ado-Ekiti to his hometown, Afao-Ekiti.

He is also seen as bold and courageous, a political strategist and one who is a goal getter.

As for his acceptance by the various CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

For Lagos PDP, it’s still a West the PDP has not governed.

Since 1999, it has been a tall order for the PDP to dislodge the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the Action Congress (AC) which later transmuted to the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Whether the party would give the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) a fruitful chase at the 2015 elections, is a question that only time and cohesive action can answer.

The party has had series of bleeding periods especially before and during elections. For example, a fortnight to the 2011 general elections, strong and vociferous brigades of the party dumped the PDP, declaring for the now defunct ACN. Though the dividing lines between the two major groups in the party, the Establishment led by Chief Olabode George and the Union group which has Senator

Tinubu

Adeseye Ogunlewe as its arrowhead, seems to be merging with their paths crossing each other without any altercation yet before the public.

However, a leader of the party told New Telegraph in confidence that both

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

15

BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF South-West

Osun: Aregbesola, Omisore in a battle of wits In Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola engages Senator Iyiola Omisore in the battle for the governorship come August 9, writes ADEOLU ADEYEMO

T

he second leg of the battle for the control of South-West will ultimately take place in Osun State on August 9 when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) test their strength in the governorship election.

While Governor Rauf Aregbesola is sure of picking the APC ticket Senators Iyiola Omisore, Isiaka Adeleke and Olasunkanmi and Hon. Wole Oke are contenders for the PDP ticket.

Given the influence of Omisore in the party, as he controls the party structure in the state, he is most likely to pick the PDP ticket. Former Secretary to the State Government during Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, is sure of picking the Labour Party (LP) ticket.

A lot of factors will ultimately shape the outcome of the Osun poll. One is the incumbency factor. Governor Aregbesola is at advantage here. He has dominated the political space in the state such that it was evident in the 2011 elections when he ensured that the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) swept all the elective positions in the state, defeating two former governors of the state – Oyinlola and Adeleke – and Omisore in the senatorial election. Aregbesola also ensured that all the seats in the state and National Assembly were won by his party, the ACN now APC. Even in the presidential election, the governor ensured that President Goodluck Jonathan did not win in the state.

Of all the six states in the South-West, it

Aregbesola

Omisore

HOW THE PARTIES STAND was only in Osun that Jonathan barely secured 25 per cent of votes cast. Nuhu Ribadu won the state.

The PDP may have to rely on the federal might. This is why the APC has been shouting that the PDP intends to use the military and police to rig the August 9 governorship poll. They cited the appointment of Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, an ally of Omisore, as Minister of Police Affairs.

The senatorial district where the candidate emerges from will to a large extent affect the outcome of the election. As it is, both APC and PDP will also likely produce its candidates from the same senatorial district – Osun East. This is the largest district that determines the fate of any contender in any election in the state. The implication is that Aregbesola and Omisore have to scramble for votes from the senatorial zone.

One thing that may also go well for

APC

PDP

Governor

1

nil

Senate

3

nil

House of Reps

9

nil

House of Assembly 26

nil

Aregbesola is that the outcome of the August 9 election will determine the political future of all the public office holders, particularly the state and federal lawmakers. A win for Aregbesola may guarantee a win for the APC lawmakers in 2015.

Hence, they are bound to throw their hats into the governorship poll to secure their own re-election in 2015.

Another issue that may affect the outcome of the election is the sincerity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially that of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju. Opposition parties in the state have called for the re-

long dream to Government House

Fashola

Obanikoro

groups reduced their brawl and started accommodating each other owing to the emergence and influence of Prince Buruji Kashamu, who, according to him, is capable of displacing both groups and taking over the structure of the party es-

pecially during the tenure of Bamanga Tukur as PDP national chairman.

“It was the fear that Kashamu might sweep all of them off especially with the type of money he is willing to spend and start to control the party in the state.

That was why both of them, even with the Finnih group, decided to stop the bickering.

“But you can see that immediately Tukur left, they have started pulling strings again. Atona (George) recently organised a reception for new appointees from the South-West, but you will notice that Ogunlewe and some others were not there. I think with time the issues that were not settled before might come up again between both groups,” the source said.

As the party returns to the campaign trenches in a few months’ time for the 2015 elections, some names are already being dropped as the probable candidate of the party, chief of whom is Jimi Agbaje.

Though some members of the party are already gauging their resentment for his choice if selected as the flag bearer, others see him as a Lagos boy that would overall be an asset to the party, owing to his goodwill and personality seen during the 2007 gubernatorial election that he

deployment of the REC alleging that he is on the basis that he was alleged to be a card-carrying member of the APC. The performance of Governor Aregbesola may be his biggest selling point.

Even his critics adjudged that he has done well in terms of delivering dividends of democracy.

Despite his performance, the governor still has lots of issues to contend with to scale the hurdles of his re-election. His administration has been dogged with controversies over policies and programmes.

The perception that the governor is religiously inclined is another factor the PDP is playing up. Aregbesola is more or less seen a religious fundamentalist. But he has denied this, stating that there are even more Christians in his administration than Moslems.

The re-classification of schools has put the administration on edge with the Baptist community in the state. The policy has been so politicised that painted the picture of an administration who want to Islamise the state. The perceived rejection of his government by the leaders of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over schools’ re-classification and merger could as well affect his chances. The PDP has capitalised so much on this.

It is not all that rosy for the PDP as acrimony is bound to creep in among its leaders. The outcome of the party’s primaries will determine its unity of purpose as whether other aspirants will team up with the flag bearer will be a major issue.

The circumstances surrounding the death of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, may affect the candidacy of Omisore, although he had been cleared by the court of any involvement in the murder.

lost to the incumbent, Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Whether in PDP or LP, Agbaje will certainly take a shot at the Lagos governorship.

Also, the Acting National Vice-Chairman (South-West) of the party, Engr. Adedeji Doherty, seems to be positioning himself for the plum ticket of the party.

Speaking with New Telegraph, Ogunlewe said the party is now formidable in the state and that there is no division again.

“If you know the history of PDP in the state, you will know that there is no rancour because you can see me with them.

I am the faction in Lagos PDP and when I say there is no faction or groups again, then believe it. We are more united to dislodge Tinubu and his people from Alausa come 2015. There is no crisis again in Lagos PDP,” he said.

Corroborating Ogunlewe’s stance, the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Taofik Gani, said the party is one and united for the challenges ahead.

Clearly, the appointment of Senator CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

16 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF South-West

Ogun: APC, PDP, LP square up for epic contest KUNLE OLAYENI writes that the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the performance of Governor Ibikunle Amosun will shape the political control of the state in 2015

T

he 2015 governorship race in Ogun State may be less than a year away but there are serious preparations for the epic contest among various interests. Though the state’s political climate is currently filled with an air of uncertainty going by the emerging realignment of forces, what seems certain is that the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun will seek re-election.

While the governor is yet to formally declare for a second term, several aspirants across the three leading political parties – All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) - are rearing to unseat him. The governorship hopefuls include former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole; former governorship candidate in 2011, Gboyega Isiaka, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Sarafa Isola, and a House of Representatives member, Abiodun Akinlade.

Others interested in Amosun’s job are a former House of Representatives member, Kayode Amusan; former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Sina Kawonise, former state House of Assembly member, Sikirulai Ogundele; and former governorship aspirant, Remi Bakare.

Incidentally, the three major parties have one common denominator in internal crisis. From the ruling APC to the opposition PDP and LP, party members have been at each other’s throat as a result of group struggles and factional supremacy.

In the APC, for instance, the infighting stemmed from the seeming irreconcilable differences between Amosun and a former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba. Many party stalwarts, who regarded themselves as the original members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which merged with other parties to form APC, felt the governor short-changed them in the scheme of things.

Some aggrieved members often accused the governor of favouring his loyalists, especially those who defected with him in 2007 from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), with most of the political appointments in utter disregard for Osoba’s group.

In the nomination of the state’s 20 local government chairmen as well as

Amosun

Obasanjo

Bankole

Daniel

HOW THE PARTIES STAND APC

PPN

PDP

LP

Governor

1

nil

nil

nil

Senate

3

nil

nil

nil

House of Reps

7

1

nil

1(Product of defection)

House of Assembly

20

3

3

nil

commissioners, special advisers and other political appointees, Osoba was not allowed to make any input. Amosun was said to have taken this stance apparently to get back at the former governor, whose loyalists emerged as the three senators and eight House of Representatives members representing the state at the National Assembly.

The ninth House of Representatives member from the state, Rasaq Adewusi, belonged to the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).

Incidentally, the three major parties have one common denominator in internal crisis... Party members have been at each other’s throat as a result of group struggles and factional supremacy

The crisis also took its toll on the state House of Assembly. Despite having 20 seats comfortably, the APC-led administration in the state has been unable to muster its way through as some of its lawmakers have teamed up with opposition members to check the governor’s inroad in the legislature. In the House, the PDP and PPN have three lawmakers each. However, indications are rife that some of them may defect to the LP. Before the recent APC membership registration exercise, the composition of harmonisation committee of the party ruffled feathers and degenerated into violent confrontation between the warring camps.

It, however, took the intervention of traditional rulers and notable political leaders to prevent the violence from further escalating.

Similar scenario is also playing out in the state chapter of PDP. From all indications, the party has not recovered from the factionalisation that destroyed its chances in 2011. Although

the PDP has a legally constituted state executive headed by Chief Adebayo Dayo and backed by Prince Buruji Kashamu, all is still not well with it.

Members that belonged to the factions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel and two-time minister, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, are spoiling for a fight over the control of party structure. They have even resorted to peddling influence at the national level to retrieve the party from Kashamu’s grips.

Consequently, Kashamu, who is the chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of South-West PDP, is strategising to retain his hold on the party executive and threatening to crush anybody that stands in his way.

While PDP members are striving to put their house in order, the Labour Party is also trying to gain the ground. Initially, the entry of former Governor Daniel, and his loyalists appeared to have boosted the chances of the party. But with the incessant brickbats between the Comrade Olabode Simeon-led state executive of the party and Daniel’s camp, LP’s future, to some analysts, appears bleak in the political configuration of the state.

Daniel has, however, dismissed speculations that the crisis would consume the LP. To the immediate past governor, fifth columnists who regarded the LP as a major political force were bent on destabilising the party to retain the current political arrangement in the state.

In all of this, Amosun seems unperturbed about the 2015 governorship.

In the last three years, the governor has pursued his “mission to rebuild agenda” to transform the state and enhance its socio-economic development.

In May 2011, when he assumed the mantle of leadership, Amosun outlined the five cardinal programmes of his administration to include affordable qualitative education, efficient health care delivery, agricultural production/industrialisation, affordable housing and urban renewal, rural and infrastructural development/employment generation.

Though opinions are divided whether or not he has performed to expectation, Amosun’s supporters believe his administration’s infrastructural revolution in the area of roads and flyovers’ construction, improved security, model schools and educational reforms, environmental renaissance and employment generation stand him in good stead for another term of office. Analysts however observe that beyond the acclaimed performance, the resolution of the wrangling within the APC would ultimately determine if the governor would win in 2015 or not.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF South-West BABATOPE OKEOWO writes on the permutations in Ondo State ahead of the 2015 general elections

Ondo: PDP in dilemma over Mimiko

T

he Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is putting its house in order preparatory to the 2015 general elections in the state.

Already, the PDP-Gbasibe led by Prof. Olu Agbi and sympathetic to the governorship aspiration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Labour Party (LP) ahead of the October 2012 governorship election in the state has reconciled with the mainstream of the party led by Hon. Ebenezer Alabi.

Apart from harmonising all its various factions of the party in the state, it also directed all suspended or expelled members to go back to their respective positions. Besides, it set up a seven-man committee headed by Hon. Ajibola Owoeye to woo back into the fold all those that defected to other political parties during the crisis. The leaders also decided not to dissolve the existing structures of the party to avoid creating another round of crisis in the party.

Before now, the immediate past governor of the state, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu was the defacto leader of the party in the state, the position he assumed in 1999 when he was the candidate of the party in that election. He lost to Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, but was made the minister representing the state in the Federal Executive Council headed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

When he became the governor in 2003, all party leaders revered him as the leader of the party and the governor of the state. But all that changed when he was ousted via judicial pronouncement on February 23, 2009. Several leaders of the party challenged his leadership style while in the saddle and his continuous leadership after he left office.

Despite series of meetings held to sort out the leadership dispute and the resignation of the state executive council headed by Dr. Tayo Dairo, the crisis persisted until the death of Agagu.

Although several meetings had been held to proffer solution to the crisis, the

Mimiko

Olusola

HOW THE PARTIES STAND LP Governor

1

Senate

2

House of Reps

7

House of Assembly 25

PDP

APC 1(Product of defection)

1

1 (product of defection)

1

nil

death of Agagu hastened the reconciliation processes. The party agreed on a collegiate leadership instead of the sole leadership that had pitched the late governor with other leaders of the party.

At one of the meetings held in Akure, the state capital, to harmonise the factions, the party resolved the pre-governorship election crisis that led to the defeat of the party by the ruling Labour Party (LP).

Addressing the gathering, Agbi said the PDP is the only party with structures across the state and the country, saying the party had withstood all its previous disputes. He advised all the warring factions to sheath their swords and work towards the victory of the party at future elections.

Agbi said all the meetings of the factions should cease henceforth as party meetings would now hold at the party secretariat.

Although the factions have been meeting to resolve the crisis, the battle ahead in the state is really not with the All Progressives Congress (APC) but with the LP. The APC has not come second in any

election held in the state. In several elections held in the state including the last governorship election, the APC came a distant third. The LP’s candidate came first with PDP’s candidate, Chief Olusola Oke coming second while Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the legacy parties of APC, came third.

The major crisis in the state PDP is the perceived closeness of Governor Mimiko to President Goodluck Jonathan. Some members of the party were divided on whether the support given by Mimiko to the re-election bid of President Jonathan would not rob them of necessary dividends of being the members of the party after the 2015 elections.

Some members of the party who were not ready to work with Mimiko have moved to APC. They included former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Duerinmi Isaacs Kekemeke; former Finance Commissioner, Chief Tayo Alasoa-

dura and former Chairman of Ile-Oliji/ Okeigbo Local Government, Mrs Yejide Ogundipe amongst others.

The timetable for the 2015 elections is another headache to members of the LP and PDP in the state. Since the Presidential and National Assembly elections hold the same day, how to convince the electorate on the voting pattern would be a herculean task for both leaders of the party.

But Agbi said the leadership of both parties would have to meet in order to shift ground in the election in order not to give the APC any edge in the forthcoming elections.

In the 2011 elections in Ondo State, the ruling LP won the three senatorial seats, eight out of nine federal constituency seats and 25 out of 26 state constituencies elections.

In the House of Representative election, LP won eight out of nine seats while PDP won the Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency election. The candidate of LP in Akure South and North federal constituency, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde has since defected to the APC. Save for the Eseodo state constituency won by Mr. Ebi Lubi of PDP, the ruling LP won all the rest 25 seats in the State House of Assembly.

Although the APC has not won any election in the state, it has been a beneficiary of political realignment as more politicians have joined its ranks from LP and PDP. With governorship election not holding in Ondo in 2015 until 2016, the parties will only scramble for the presidential and legislative polls. While it is unlikely that the LP will present candidate for the presidential election, it is almost certain that Governor Mimiko will throw its weight behind President Jonathan. The governor will also have to deliver the state for the LP. So, the electoral contest is strictly among LP, PDP and APC. The conflict of interest may likely affect the chances of LP and PDP while the APC may try to win some legislative seats in 2015.

As it is, Ondo is likely to be the toughest state for the APC.

For Lagos PDP, it’s still a long dream to Government House CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 5

Musiliu Obanikoro as Minister of State for Defence may have altered some calculations, but if managed properly, it may be an advantage for the party in the state.

Though some of the members of the party believe that with his appointment, Obanikoro is out of the gubernatorial race in Lagos, others profoundly believe that the appointment is to wet the ground for him, as he is the only candidate that can give the APC a good run in 2015.

The performance of the Babatunde Fashola-led administration has been applauded and seen as a major boost to the dominance of APC in Lagos. The party is in control of virtually all the political of-

fices in the state and has lots of resources to prosecute the elections in 2015.

The PDP, as usual, may try in the 2015 elections to win the state but the party is not cohesive enough to defeat the ruling APC. Although, the PDP poses threat to the dominance of the APC in Lagos given the outcome of the 2012 local government election. The party fared well in some local governments. But the intrigues that trailed the election denied it victory in about five council areas.

One factor that will ultimately affect the chances of APC in the state is the process that leads to the emergence of the governorship candidate. If the choice is not carefully handled, many of its chieftains might shift support to other

parties. Unlike in the past when former Governor Bola Tinubu imposed his choice on the party, the APC primaries must be transparent enough and provide a level playing ground for aspirants. The involvement of Governor Fashola in the choice of his successor is a critical factor that will determine the success or otherwise of the APC in that election.

Any attempt to sideline Fashola will be a major undoing for the party.

Already, several stalwarts have shown interest in being APC governorship candidate. They include, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, serving and past commissioners, and many others.

George

The issue of religion will also be a factor in the election as Christians in the state are agitating for a Christian governor.

Provided that the choice of APC flagbearer is acceptable to all, the party may still retain the state in 2015 elections but not without a strong fight from the PDP.

18 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF South-West

Polarisation, Ajimobi’s performance dim PDP’s chances SOLA ADEYEMO writes that the factionalisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and inordinate ambition of governorship aspirants may mar the party’s quest to reclaim Oyo State

O

ne of the battlegrounds in the 2015 elections would be Oyo State. The state was ruled by the Peoples Democratic Party between 2003 and 2011, but owing to internal wrangling, it lost the state to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2011 election.

Before then, the PDP had controlled the three senatorial districts in the state, viz: Oyo Central, Oyo South and Oke Ogun, while similar benefit was enjoyed in the House of Representatives.

The tempo, however, changed when the House of Assembly which was dominated

by PDP lawmakers was later polarised owing to the political intrigues between the former governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and his deputy, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, who later enjoyed the benefit of the 2006 impeachment of his boss by becoming governor of the state in 2007.

Since losing the grip of the state to the opposition APC, things have continued to go awry for the PDP as some of the lawmakers defected to the then ACN. In the 2011 elections, PDP managed to retain only Oke Ogun among the three senatorial districts, losing Oyo South and Oyo Central to ACN now APC. Hosea Agboola is the only PDP senator from the state.

At the House of Representatives, there are 14 APC members, while PDP has five members and Accord clinching four seats.

The state House of Assembly initially had 12 members with Accord having seven and APC garnering 13. The PDP later lost one of its members to the APC through the court, while another one, Hon. Adeyemo from Ibarapa defected to the APC, soaring the number of members in APC to 15.

Due to defection, the ruling party was able to snatch two other members of Accord, Temitope Olatoye and Ibrahim Bolomope, making APC to control the majority in the 32-member House with 17 members.

With the PDP having only 10 members in the House and Accord only five, the APC which has 17 members has the possibility of holding the forth for the Abiola Ajimobi-led administration to control the state beyond 2015.

As at today, the chance of the PDP winning the 2015 elections in the state is capable of being marred with the manner of agitation to run for governorship by many of the chieftains of the party. Former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, even though he has not declared his intention, is one of the governorship contenders.

While the former governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is still hell bent on coming back on the banner of the PDP, his political associate and co-accused in the N11.5 billion fraud case hung on them

Ajimobi

by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Femi Babalola has also declared his ambition to occupy the Agodi Government House in 2015.

The former deputy governor in the 11-month interregnum that saw Ladoja illegally impeached, Alhaji Hazim Gbolarumi, as well as former chairman of State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Prof. Soji Adejumo, have also indicated interest within the same party.

Not left out of the race is also AlaoAkala’s deputy, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja (now Ambassador to Jordan). Their posters and those of some others, who have not yet openly declared have flooded the streets of many parts of the state.

Worse still, Ladoja has not given up on his struggle to contest the governorship race. However, feelers are rife that he had on many occasions been baited by the leadership of the PDP to return to his initial party.

If Ladoja sticks to his gun to vie on the platform of Accord, and refuse to return

Ladoja

Alao-Akala

HOW THE PARTIES STAND APC PDP Accord Governor

1

Senate

2

1

House of Reps

14

5

4

10

5

House of Assembly 17

to the PDP, the chance of PDP winning the election dims further as it would rub negatively on its followers who had been disenchanted with the manner Ladoja was edged out and frustrated in his second term ambition in 2006.

For PDP to reclaim Oyo from the ruling APC, ego syndrome, power play and intra-party wrangling need to be eschewed. Genuine reconciliation among the warring camps must be intensified.

The lost constituency and senatorial seats must be won back from the APC,

while the myriads of gubernatorial aspirants already parading themselves ahead of the 2015 elections must harmonise for a united front to be presented against other opposition parties.

The polarisation of the party, with two secretariats being run at parallel levels is another snag to the formidability of the PDP. There are camps: Alao-Akala, Jumoke Akinjide with Arapaja, Teslim Folarin and Senator Lekan Balogun.

While Yinka Taiwo is believed to be the authentic state chairman of the party, the Jumoke Akinjide group believes Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha is their chairman. So long as these groups continue to work at cross purposes, the chance of winning the next election is hazy.

One major hindrance to PDP’s quest for reclaiming the state is the unprecedented infrastructural development under the Ajimobi administration. Ajimobi has been adjudged the best governor so far in terms of urban renewal and institutional renovations in the 28-year-old state.

Will Fayose deliver Ekiti to PDP? CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 4

sectors in the state, Fayose is seen as a friend of public servants and artisans.

He practically took over the celebration of Teachers’ Day when he was in office. He introduced the promotion of teachers to the level of permanent secretary as Tutor-General.

Fayose also has the record of allowing workers in the Local Government Service Commission get promoted to the level of PS as well.

On service delivery while in office, Fayose opened up several roads across the state. It was to his credit that all major roads leading to the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, were dualised during his tenure. He can also point to a number of physical structures.

Weak points Critics of the former governor are quick to describe him as violent in nature. They will readily point out to the way he handled some issues while in government. This is despite the fact that a police report compiled by former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro exonerated him.

His on-going trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the poultry project executed during his tenure is a major albatross. How the matter would be resolved without much damage to his political ambition is a great task.

Boycott by other aspirants Fourteen aspirants were given the nod to contest the PDP primaries, but 13 boycotted the exercise. Among those who stayed away are former Police Affairs Minister, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Hon. Wale Aribisala, Chief Abiodun Aluko, Erelu Dupe Ogundipe, Ambassador Dare Bejide, Chief Ropo Ogunbolude, Dr. Peter Obafemi, Alhaja Habibat Adubiaro, Mr. Deji Ajayi, Chief Bodunde Adeyanju and Chief Bisi Omoyeni.

Apart from rejecting the results of the ward delegate congress that propped up the delegates that voted during the special state congress, they are also querying the eligibility of Fayose to take part in the congress.

Also, the absence of the state chairman of the party, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe at

the venue of the congress spoke volume of the crisis in the party. Ogundipe and a number of members of the State Working Committee stayed away.

Handling the fallout Perhaps one major factor that may decide what the performance of the PDP would be in the June 21 election may be the way it handles the fallout and bad blood created by the congress. The other 13 aspirants are saying they will accept any other person but Fayose. If the congress is upturned and Fayose is no longer the party’s choice, it will only be back to square one. Also, if the aggrieved aspirants are not pacified to accept the situation, it is dangerous for the party.

Already, some of the aggrieved party members and leaders are thinking of joining other parties and such could lead to the Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) benefiting from PDP’s loss.

However, one thing is certain that the PDP in Ekiti needs the support of as many members and leaders as possible to excel in the coming poll because it may not be able to fly with one wing.

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

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

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

T

Sanctity of Truth w w w.new telegraphonli ne.com

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

TUESday, MARCH 25, 2014

NIMET’s flood forecast worth heeding

he flood forecast for 2014 by the Nigerian Metrological Agency(NIMET) which indicates that a disaster could be in the offing, has been further highlighted, The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Coordinator of Niger and Kwara States zone, Mr. Lugard Bijimi issued the reminder last week.

His reminder is timely given that some parts of the country are on the verge of the raining season.

NIMET’s forecasts have attained a degree of reliability that cannot be taken for granted, especially against the background of the devastating flood disaster of 2012.

The Agency had made its forecast quite early and repeatedly of an impending flood of large magnitude that year, and the warnings which should have been a spur to action at various levels seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. Unfortunately, between July and November of that year, floods ravaged many states. Consequently, there were 363 fatalities, seven million people were affected directly or indirectly, 2.3 million were displaced, 597,476 houses were submerged and material losses were valued at $16.9 billion.

Although the 2012 flood was recorded as the country’s worst flood disaster in 40 years, early and concerted response to the forecast would have greatly reduced the eventual losses. Even without

the controversial climate change phenomenon, Nigeria is prone to seasonal flash floods which are sometimes lethal, particularly in the rural areas and overcrowded slums in towns and cities.

Fortunately, the 2012 flood disaster provided a silver lining in the sense that it encouraged a closer assessment of the country’s general attitude to planning for floods. A bit of pro-activeness has started to manifest as witnessed in 2013. The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency set up a Technical Committee to assess the country’s Flood Outlook for 2013. Going forward and given the subsisting forecast for this year by NIMET, we expect a sustained multi-sector collaboration, not only to address the consequences of flooding, and the establishment of a standard programme to drastically reduce the vulnerability of the populace.

We believe that it is imperative to take early warnings seriously since they provide an invaluable starting point for every proposed action.

The time has come for state governments to accept the responsibility of providing adequate funding and essential logistics for state emergency agencies. It is no secret that a lot of these agencies have organisational challenges which have challenged their effectiveness, as was dismally evident in 2012. There should be provision of adequately stocked anticipatory relief camps. The idea behind this approach is to move away from

the practice of using established public infrastructure such a schools, churches and mosques for internally displaced persons. The pre-planned relief camps would make it possible for less stress on existing facilities, and enable affected citizens to adjust to the prevailing situation without much discomfort.

We call for a Floodplain Management Approach which will be based on flood-frequency curve arrived at through historical records. This may be a tough ask knowing that in general there is a lackadaisical attitude to data keeping. But it is not impossible to find ways of getting some of these essential records from the past if enough effort is made. The Floodplain Management Approach will go a long way in prohibiting unsuitable buildings and activities in high risk zones, and encourage the development of floodways in communities where there are minimal drainages.

There will also be the need to have a standing taskforce solely responsible for dealing with the problem of floods in every part of the country.

Such taskforces have been known to play critical roles in developed countries during snow storms. Part of the responsibility of this taskforce should be monitoring the situation of dams in the country, so that potential overflows are planned for in advance or even the health of the dams are periodically noted.

There are a variety of dams in the country and a few of them have been known to collapse during flooding.

As recently as August 2013, the Kankia dam in Katsina State collapsed destroying crops worth millions of naira, and exacerbated food shortage, unemployment and rural-urban drift in the area. The most dramatic dam collapse however was that of the Bagauda dam in Kano State in 1998 and the resultant flood killed over 146 people, destroyed 18,000 houses, and caused immense loss of other property. Despite its rehabilitation, there are fears that this same dam and its counterpart located at Tiga are in an unhealthy state. Even dams in neighbouring countries are a threat during flooding as happened with those located in Cameroon in 2012 whose overflow contributed immensely to the flood disaster. Lake Nyos poses a potential danger and ought to be closely monitored. It has been predicted that this crater lake in the Northwest Region of Cameroon could collapse at anytime, posing a threat to all downstream villages right down to Nigeria.

The taskforce would also ensure that a proper regime of garbage disposal is established in the country as part of an overall environmental management strategy, including freeing of blocked drainages. The construction of roads with adequate drainages should become an established standard. The mitigation of the consequences of floods can be managed with conscientious preparations based on early warnings such as those provided by NIMET. BOLAJI TUNJI Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALA Managing Editor, North GABRIEL AKINADEWO 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 BIODUN DUROJAIYE News Editor PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

20

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

OPINION Charting a way forward for education Adewale Kupoluyi

T

he just-concluded 20th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja offered practical solutions on how the nation’s ailing education sector can be revamped and better repositioned to bring about the much-desired development. It was, no doubt, a rich platform for brainstorming, frank talk, exchange of ideas and passing of resolution to really make a difference in the polity.

While unfolding the agenda for the summit, the Chairman of the Board of NESG, Folusho Phillips stated that the summit on education was designed to achieve three things: draw the attention of stakeholders to problems in the education sector, consider the capacity of the government in addressing the sector and device institutional mechanisms to address the problems. Phillips underscored the relevance of the summit in fast-tracking the formulation of national policies and called on stakeholders to participate in the change process towards redeeming the education sector for future economic growth.

On why education was chosen this time around, the Director-General of NESG, Frank Nweke (Jnr), disclosed that the decision was taken to redress the decline in the sector, being critical to economic development. “The Nigerian education sector is in dire straits and requires the intervention of both public and private stakeholders, if it is to fulfil its function of preparing Nigeria to compete in the global economy,” he said.

Declaring the summit open, President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by the Vice-President, Architect Mohammed Sambo challenged NESG, to review the policy foundation of Nigeria’s education sector developed in 1969 to meet current realities. The President said: “More than forty years after, this policy foundation is ripe for review, to determine its relevance and fine tune its adaptability to national objectives, in this 21st Century”. He also decried the dearth of data on the education sector, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels. He said availability of reliable data had become a major challenge as government tried to navigate solutions to present decadence in the nation’s education sector.

President Jonathan stressed that his administration was determined to transform the education sector, being a key factor to the aspiration of Nigeria to be among the 20 strongest economies by the year 2020, saying “several policy initiatives are being implemented to facilitate and improve adult literacy and school enrolment at all levels of our educational institutions. Government is forging partnerships with other stakeholders in order to invigorate the education sector and also encourage intra-sectoral partnership with the private sector, voluntary organisations and development partners,” he stated.

Speaking in the same vein, the Supervising Minister of the National Planning Commission, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, said the summit would set agenda for ‘presidential dialogue’ on national issues and would go a long way in transforming the nation’s educational system. On his part, the Supervising Minister of Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, while reeling out statistics, told the audience that the Federal Government had invested N144.7 billion in basic education between 2009 and 2013; given as grants to states to assist them in funding basic education. The minister also said that through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund alone, the sum of N268.484bn was allocated to the Universities, of which N233.33billion had been accessed, while the balance of N35.154billion had not been accessed.

In addition to the funds released through TETFund, the minister said a total of N94.129billion had been released to Federal Universities, through the National Universities Commission for capital, direct teaching and laboratory cost, as well as teaching and research equipment.

The former World Bank Vice-President for Africa, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, took participants on another voyage when she said focusing on early child education would help the development of young generation in Nigeria, as she called for permanent structural change that would enhance the quality of education and develop skills in Nigerian children, stressing that Nigeria had a lot to do to catch up with global trend. Ezekwesili, who is now the Economic Advisor of the Open Society Foundation, said that the best time of formation of a child was between the age of three and five when the neurons could stimulate well. She said

both the public and private sectors should work together in core area of vocational, innovational and institutional building, as this would help to bring the private sector in building skills and capacity of the young ones.

Ezekwesili, therefore, canvassed need for good governance in the education sector as well as the need to intensify effort in training and re-training of teachers.

She called on the government and stakeholders to ensure the employment of qualified hands into the education system. On achieving Millennium Development Goals on education, she said it was unfortunate that Nigeria was not among the countries that would achieve the goal by 2015 but urged the government to focus seriously on basic education to help build a better society.

The 3-day summit with the main theme, Transforming Education Through Partnerships for Global Competiveness, was structured into nine plenary sessions, eight design workshops that touched on all aspects of the Nigerian education sector, was attended by major players, experienced panelists and resource persons such as Professor Pai Obayan, Chairman, Board of the West African Examinations Council; Mrs. Maryam Katagum, Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori, Osun State Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education; Professor Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman, Human Rights Commission; Professor Femi Bamiro, a former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan; Mr. Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor, Country Manager, International Finance Corporation; Mr. Nicholas Verveide, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Dr. Enase Okonedo, Dean, Lagos Business School, Dr. Aliyu Naiya, Acting Executive Secretary of TETFund, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works and Professor Olusola Oyewole, President, Association of African Universities (AAU) and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

• Kupoluyi writes from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, vide, adewalekupoluyi@yahoo.co.uk, Twitter, @AdewaleKupoluyi

Lessons from insurgent parties (2) Rev Chris Okotie

T

he Boko Haram Islamists, despite two years of mindless blood-letting, may soon realize that the Sharia enclave they are seeking to create in the North-east is an illusion. We have had enough of bloodshed in Nigeria after a 30-month civil war, coups and counter-coups, sectarian violence and ethnic unrest.

Aggrieved groups of diverse ideological colorations have the option to set up political parties to canvass their views. If their target public accepts them, they win elections and then go ahead to implement their agenda within their sphere of the political control as guaranteed by the constitution.

Not long ago, APGA and AD were political parties with strong ethnic base in their respective regions in the South-east and South-west. The AD has since transformed into Action Congress, ACN and lately, by virtue

It is cowardly to go on killing students and other defenceless citizens for whatever reason of its alliance with other regional parties, APC. In the same vein, I set up the FRESH Party under a hail of criticisms by my Pastor-colleagues in the Body of Christ, who queried the rationale behind a gospel preacher stepping out of his ecclesiastical duties to run for public office. But after more than a decade of political education, most Christians have come to accept the fact that anyone so inclined could engage in competitive politics, regardless of his beliefs, sex, philosophy or calling.

Every politician or indeed, political party is a rebel of sort because such

organization or individual is seeking to seize power from an incumbent, or win it from an opponent. However, according to democratic norms, the charge of insurgency cannot be laid against them if they seek such power via the ballot box. Therefore, Nigerians, including Boko Haram and all the disparate armed groups across the country, should lay down their arms and constitute themselves into pressure groups or political parties, like the Eurosceptic parties and sell their agenda to the mainstream polity.

Sponsors of Boko Haram and other violent gangs should reconsider their stance. It is cowardly to go on killing students and other defenceless citizens for whatever reason. If anyone wants power, he should come out and win an election. To hide under religion and perpetuate a reign of terror against your own people is bizarre, evil and unprecedented anywhere.

Evil regimes like the Nazis of Germa-

ny launched genocide against others; not their own people. Most people forget that even an insurgent party like Hitler’s Nazi party came to power by winning an election. Sadly, though he became an evil ruler.

My message to fellow Nigerians is that, serious, smaller parties need time to incubate. Growth is a gradual process which takes time. The hope for Nigeria lies in our ability to discern the good from the bad. We need to align with the right groups, not the behemoths who throw peanuts at the voters during elections to get to power.

Dynamite comes in small packs.

If Nelson Mandela had compromised with his loathed ANC party, South Africa would not have been liberated and the Rainbow country would still have remained in bondage like Nigeria.

• Chris Okotie, a Presidential aspirant wrote from Lagos (Okotie@revchrisokotie.com, follow on Twitter @ Revchrisokotie, 08078421451 (sms only)

OPINION 21

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

That North East governors may join Boko Haram fray Ejike Anyaduba

N

igeria is bleeding and convulsing in pain throes. She is gradually sliding into the impotence of error. Her efforts at steadying the tottering steps – even if on the slimy blood of the innocent victims quartered in death by the Boko Haram suicides – appears vacuumed of effect.

Since the emergence of the terrorist group, Nigeria has lost innocent thousands of her population. Among those wasted by the unsparing bombs of the suicides are youths of productive age.

The blood spillers – who have variously made asinine demands – believe that inflicting maximum carnage on the nation would compel her to acquiescence. And they have carried on with defiance, and spoken with supercilious condescension.

Every day presages some bizarre occurrence. The resurgence of violence in the last couple of days shows that an end to the carnage may not be in sight yet. After the trail of blood from Buni Yadi, through Maiduguri to Mainok, the number of recorded dead stood at about 300. It was a dark day for Nigeria and a doomsday for the families of the violently dispatched.

Life has lost its meaning as death is adrift, seizing men in their hundreds. It could not be worse. Vanguard newspaper in its comment on Thursday, March 6, 2014 observed that, “It is tiresome keeping track of the

killings in the North East”.

The killing fields of the North East now overflow with the blood of innocent Nigerians. Nigerians have reason to be angry. But to do so upon indictment of the Jonathan administration will be a great disservice to the government, and an absolution of the political leadership of the area under siege. Truth is that the terrorists have exploited both the elements of surprise and suicide to cheat detection and prolong the orgy of bloodletting. But more than that, the political leadership as well as the people of the area have not demonstrated enough will to nip the crime in the bud. It is true that the surprises of the attacks and morbid interests in suicide bombings have conspired to stultify every effort, but active support from the people would have made much difference. In a conflict of this nature – with all the trappings of guerilla warfare of hit-and-run – information is crucial. No effort channeled inappropriately should be expected to achieve positive results. And if nothing is done on this score of heightening intelligence, the security forces will face more daunting challenges.

The Jonathan administration has stood condemned in the court of virulent opposition. The recent slaughtering of some 43 students of Federal Government College Buni Yadi, in Yobi State has provoked emotive condemnation of the government. Those who criticize it cite non-cancelation of the centenary celebra-

Truth is that terrorism is not an easy-peasy crime to overcome, and no one-off solution has successfully nipped it in the bud anywhere in the world tions in the wake of the tragedy as insensitive. A more sensitive country like the US – they argue – would have done so pronto.

This argument is puerile. How much of such cancelations will suffice in an orgy of unrestricted violence? Couldn’t it profit Nigerians more if the governors of the areas affected are encouraged to put aside partisan politics and support the efforts of the federal government in checkmating the menace?

Truth is that terrorism is not an easypeasy crime to overcome, and no one-off solution has successfully nipped it in the bud anywhere in the world. Not even the US can claim to have a joy ride on this score. No matter the effort of the Jonathan government in trying to contain the terrorists, the death of any Nigerian in the hands of the suicides will blunt the sharpness of such effort. The effort of the administration in trying to extricate the North East, and indeed Nigeria, from the menace of suicides, may take a longer

time for the opposition to appreciate. After all, a cockroach, it is said, cannot to be innocent at the gathering of fowls.

Following the recent carnage Governors Isa Yaguda, Ibrahim Dankwambo and Garba Umar of Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe respectively have resolved to invite the sect members to a discussion. However late their action may be, it must be applauded since no time is too late to destroy evil.

Only a fool chases a rat while his house is up in flame. There is a limit to politics.

The efforts of the Jonathan administration to end the orgy of violence, evident in the investigation of the extra-judicial killing of the Boko Haram leader; deploying of troops and declaring partial state of emergency in three most affected states and seeking co-operation with Nigeria’s neighbours on counterterrorism, are public knowledge. All the efforts – be they negotiation or military action – can only work when the indigenes themselves are decided on cooperating with government. Ditto for the political leadership of the areas, a section of which is alleged to have propped up the sect for selfish political reasons! It is not enough to mouth the condemnation. The time is now to walk the talk.

Now that the governors of the affected zone have come to realize the need to salvage the area from the carnage, a better result can be expected.

Anyaduba wrote in from E-mail: dumdile@yahoo.com

NTA: When a national TV flaunts ethno-religious value system Polycarp Onwubiko

A

rticulate and starry-eyed Nigerians from the Southern part of the country might have observed and noted the orchestrated and subtle campaign to foist Moslem religious value system on the rest of Nigerians through the news casters and bureau chiefs of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). The naïve manipulation has its source and spring during the military regimes headed by the Northerners. It was apparently a taboo for Southerners and Christians who had wanted one favour or the other from Aso Rock Villa during the Abacha regime had to put on Hausa-Fulani dress code of either Caftan or babaringa with cap.

In other to intimidate other ethnic groups and Christians and leave the children with the impression that Caftan and Babaringa with cap is the recognized national dress code, the leadership of NTA was covertly directed to compel news casters to be putting on the so-called cultural attire with cap to reflect Moslem religious rule on wearing cap, females ‘hijab’ while Christian spinsters dress like married women with head-gear. In the NTA news casters employment, preference had been given to Moslems and over three women or ladies read news with the Moslem dress code for female called “Hijab”, like their men counterpart, they are so proud to be flaunting their religiosity. In the reckoning of the covert directive, only Northern Moslem women are qualified to be news casters while Northern Christians from Kaduna South, Plateau and Benue States are adjudged not fit to be news casters in the NTA. In the surreptitious move to suppress Christian religious and ethnic groups from the South values on dressing, spinsters are compelled to dress like married women with head-gear. Male news casters are

also compelled to put on cap and barred from putting on fashion designers dresses without cap and world recognized attire of shirt with tie and suit. In the frantic bid to cover up the Moslem religious instigation for the quixotic dressings, the NTA leadership believed that it is show-casing the supposed rich cultural attire of Nigerians. Consequently news casters of Igbo race put up all kinds of rubbish, uninspiring and old fashioned dresses with disgusting cap all in the name of show-casing the so-called rich Igbo dress code. The leadership of the NTA has crafted the perpetration of Moslem/Hausa dress code to the extent that zonal bureau Chiefs are made to put on caftan and babaringa with cap.

It is curious to observe that the former Lagos zone bureau Chief, Mr. Adeoye Ademola who put on Yoruba dress code to reflect Yoruba dressing to reflect the cultural zone has been replaced with Hausa/Moslem news caster dress with their peculiar dress code. Of course the NTA would justify the cultural suppression that staff are transferred irrespective of ethnic origin. If this is the case, where is the supposed promotion of “rich cultural dresses of the respective ethnic groups in the country? Let the new Lagos Bureau Chief be wearing Yoruba dress since it is not inferior to caftan and babaringa. Who is fooling who in the covert ethnoreligious colonialism? The insincerity of the dress code gimmick is ostensibly to impose Northern Moslem value system of females wearing “hijab” with no difference between married and unmarried females; while the males always wear caftan and babaringa with cap.

Must every Nigeria be putting on cap? All other ethnic groups/Christians maintain a remarkable distinction in the dress code of married and unmarried females while many ethnic groups like the Igbos do not value wearing cap. Again, Christian religion according to the Bible enjoins men not to put on cap and also in the

worship centres. In Igbo land, spinsters do not put on married women attire with headgear, and this cultural/ religious prescription and values must be respected by the NTA. Some thoughtless leadership of state televisions have sheepishly copied the naïve NTA style having been deceived that it is to promote the so-called cultural dress code. The impact of this write-up is to warn the leadership of the NTA to stop dancing to the age-long covert tune of ethno-religious jingoists, who think about no other thing progressive in Nigeria other than foisting their voluptuous dress code, decadent and uninspiring value system.

If Nigeria really belongs to all the ethnic/religious groups, the NTA should allow Christian spinsters who are news casters to dress like spinster while male newscasters from Igbo, Edo, Benue, Rivers etc should be allowed to appear in suit or shirt with tie and modern fashion dressings without cap. It is naïve and silly to perceive shirt with tie and suit as white man’s dress while over 95 percent of the electronic and engineering equipment in the television stations is white man’s ingenuity and resourcefulness. Television stations all over the world do not prescribe religious/ethnic dress codes. Even in Moslem countries, media personnel like in Al Jazeera put on suit and females do not put hijab while reporting news and in the news room. There is no text book in Mass Communication that prescribes a dress code. It is only a fool that will not recognize suit as the best dress code in the world, the impressionable minds of children should not be dogged with ethnoreligious bias in dress code. This brazen ethno-religious imperialism and terrorism must be checked by the progressive forces and Christians in the southern part of the country.

•Mr. Onwubiko is an author and commentator on national issues and wrote from Awka, Anambra State.

22

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

ARTS TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

23 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

Movies are all about plot.

Theatre, even if it's story heavy, it's about ideas. Theatre has to resonate in your heart in a way that movies don't. " ― Harvey Fierstein

THEATRE

Ajai-Lycett, Akintola, confront Sotimirin, Ukeje in Belong

Tony Okuyeme

V

eteran actress Taiwo Ajai-Lycett leads a team of notable stage and screen actors in the performance of Belong, a play written by UK based Nigerian playwright and winner of the 2008 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliated theatre, Bola Agbaje.

Described as “the ideal Easter treat for theatre lovers”, Belong will be presented on stage for three days, from April 18-20, 2014, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island at 2pm, 5pm and 7pm respectively.

Announcing the staging of Belong for the maiden edition of her Easter Showcase presentations, Mr. Adenugba Oluwanishola producer of Live Theatre on Sunday said audiences will surely be treated to the diverse an-

tics of a rich dramatic presentation featuring some of Nigeria’s finest thespians and celebrities including Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Bimbo Akintola, Tunji Sotimirin, Toyin Oshinnaike, OC Ukeje, Dolapo Oni, Opeyemi Dada and Emeka Nwachukwu.

Directed by Tosan Ugbeye, Belong is “a light comedy about identity, stations in life and politics”.

The drama starts out in the London with Kayode (Toyin Oshinnaike) and Rita (Dolapo Oni). The couple is at a low point after moody Kayode fails in his attempts to win election to Parliament after an embarrassing Twitter episode. As if the depression isn't enough for a man who has sacrificed his career to misguided allegations about the racism of his equally Black political opponent, along comes Fola (Bimbo Akintola) the first of a pair of

Agozino Agozino

T

hroughout history, the role and contribution of the artist in uplifting mankind has been unparalleled.

One of the artists who epitomize this role with passion is Biodun Omolayo, a Lagos-based studio artist.

As the painter marks his golden jubilee of life this year as a studio artist, he looks back with gratitude to God that he has succeeded in the duty he owes humanity and in making a good story of his life as a professional artist.

Part of the activities marking his 50th birthday is an art exhibition entitled “African Essence” which opens on Saturday March 29, and run till April 11, at Biodun Omolay Art Gallery, City Hall, Onikan, Lagos. It will feature the works of award winning Ghanaian water colour artist Jonathan Kwegyir Aggrey.

The exhibiting artist is a graduate of the University College of Education, Winneba, Ghana. He has been involved in local and international exhibitions and series of workshops in Western and Eastern Europe.

“African Essence” will showcase

Sotimirin

Ajai-Lycett

Akintola

Ukeje

truly overpowering Nigerian women. Her job is to sell the country to émigrés and persuade them to come back "home". And she carries it out with the

kind of fearsome relish that makes refusal almost impossible.

Against his wife's wishes, Kayode decides to take a reflective break to visit

his Mama, portrayed by Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett. Mama has semi-adopted a former "area boy" Kunle played

by OC Ukeje , and is trying to turn him into a local politician with a brief to modernize and remove corruption. The African curse is embodied in the wolfish person of Chief Olowolaye played by Tunji Sotimirin, looking uncannily like Eddie Murphy in Coming to America but behaving more like a Nigerian relative of The Godfather. Directed by Tosan Ugbeye, the 75 minute-long piece tells of the challenges of being a diasporian, deals with love, and explores the theme of gained and missed opportunities. Furthermore, it questions the notions of identity as many people go through life questioning where they truly Belong.

Live Theatre on Sunday, Oluwanishola ex-

plained, is an avant-garde theatre project inspired by the resurgence in the appreciation of the theatre arts and started in 2008. “The objective of the project is to present spectacular stage play performances on topical issues, thus contributing significantly to the revival of this art form in our society. The series has featured notable talents in the Nigerian entertainment industry such as Yinka Davies, Gabriel Afolayan, Matse Uwatse, Igos, Omonor Somolu, Ego etc in many productions including J.P. Clark's 'Song of a Goat', 'The Wives' Revolt', Ola Rotimi's 'Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again', 'Grip Am', Man Talk Woman Talk', and most recently, Zulu Sofola's ‘The Wizard of Law', Wole Soyinka’s ‘The Trials of Brother Jero’ and Adebola Ogunshina’s ‘Konkortion’.”

African Essence for Omolayo at 50 works that highlights some of the creative engagements of the Aggrey. The outing is the artist's first in Nigeria; and in the cause of the exhibition, the artist will interact with other Nigerian artists, art enthusiasts, journalists, art historians gallery managers and others.

This will give everybody involved an opportunity for a cultural exchange between Ghana and Nigeria and foster friendship between the two West African countries. In addition, the exhibition will promote bilateral cultural relationship between Ghana and Nigeria.

The Ondo State born Omolayo, who is hosting the show in his new gallery as a part of what the gallery can offer artists, is a well-known art promoter of art and member of several art associations.

African Essence is not the only major event of the birthday as the Banker turned artist informed that there will be a visit to the old people's home, orphanages in Lagos and art workshops for the less privileged. He will also give out some gifts to people deemed to have inspired his career, including art jour-

Omolayo and some of the participants in his yearly Young@Arts workshop

nalists who toiled day and night to promote art in Lagos.

“I am a believer in the saying that the height that men reach in this world is not attained by sudden flight, but by God’s grace. That is why I am using the opportunity to thank God for the

way he guided my life over the years.

Omolayo Gallery, yearly organises a long vacation art workshop tagged, Young at Art. The Young at Art is aimed at impacting participants especially youngsters with creative thinking techniques.

24 ARTS

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Serendipity: Six artists showcase works, make case for women

Whose responsibility by Nyemike

Eko sikwalu ike by Edozie

Tony Okuyeme

S

erendipity, an exhibition of artworks by Gerald Chukwuma, Jefferson Jonah, Dominique Zinkpe, Tolu Aliki, Nyemike Onwuka, George Edozie opens this Saturday at Alexies Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Thirty artworks, five from each of the six artists, will be on display. But beyond having a joint show, the six artists who are well known in Africa art scene, are also using Serendipity to announce their presence as a group committed to the projection and propagation of the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and indeed, Africa.

“We are trying to paint African culture as best as possible.

We plan to hold group show every year to make strong statement about Nigeria and Africa.

The group is looking at working together for a while; members of this group almost share the same ideology. We want the society to know that we are here and we are creating works, that we are doing something; we want to give back to the society,” said Edozie at a press conference held last week art Alexies Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos, to announce the exhibition.

On the theme for the exhibition, Edozie said: “We share the same ideology. We are not just doing African art; we are looking at the society that we live in. So the works are not going to be farfetched from things happening around us. The group is meant to show what happens around us.”

He further said the group is also making a case for the emergence of women as lead-

We are trying to paint African culture as best as possible.

We plan to hold group show every year to make strong statement about Nigeria and Africa ers. “Most of the time I talk about having women as leaders in Africa. But in African culture, women are not being recognized. African leaders should try and look inwards; give the women a chance.

Some of the works on display include “Private Dorman”, 70 naira since morning” and others, which address various socio-cultural issues in the country.

A professional artist and a trained Mass Communicator, Aliki works in several media, but with a flair for Acrylic and Oil Pastel. Most of his works have found its greatest expression when addressing the concept of passion; Love, music, family and everyday social interactions. His works exhibit a high standard of understanding and application of colours, depth of content and aesthetic beauty. He lives in Lagos where he continues to paint in his private studio.

Edozie studied Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Benin where he majored in Painting. He has had four solo and over 70 group exhibitions within and outside Nigeria.

He is also the co-author of the book 101 Contemporary Artist, A Celebration of Modern

Nigerian Art. The first recent document on Nigerian Contemporary Art published in 2010.

Edozie’s works are widely collected within and outside the country. He was one of the Cofounders of the Art group Artzero and also an Art consultant at the Alexis Gallery in Lagos.

Jonah had his training as an artist from the prestigious Auchi polytechnic in Edo State, and has been a full time studio artist for twenty years. He has participated in over thirty group exhibitions locally and internationally and has two solo exhibitions to his credit in 2002 and 2011 respectively.

His works are widely collected.

As an artist, Jonah believes, “Anything beautiful is beautiful and cannot be redefined.

Make it a habit of creating good works”.

Trained at the Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi Nigeria and University of Wittswatersrand, South Africa, the work of Onwuka is influenced by notions of both beauty and environmental decomposition as conflicting phenomena. His choice of mixed media–oil and latex combined with cosmetics; lip liner and eye pencils express his belief in the relationship between art and the alchemy of materials. As the works brought together for this exhibition clearly demonstrate, women are a prominent subject-matter in Onwuka’s paintings. His works have been consistently featured at the Auctions of Bonhams New York since the inception in 2010 till date. He’s done several local and international exhibitions like “Elegant Urban Decay,” arc Gallery, London and “Moods” Alexis Gallery, Lagos Nigeria.

Zinkpe gained early recognition through the prix jeune Talent African awarded to him at the Grapholie in Abidjan in 1993. In 2002 he won the Prix Umeoa at the 2002 Dakar Biennale. Zinkpe’s oeuvre is complex and wide ranging, spanning installations, drawings, painting, sculptor and video.

There is relentlessness within him that prevents him from confining his creative processes to one medium, but his paintings and drawings represent his most intimate work. Significantly they are produced at the private studio in his house

as opposed to his hectic sculpture and installation studio in the center of Cotonou. The paintings and drawings follow tortuous journeys where figures hover in between human and animal, recalling power games, masquerade or sex, all with a strong satirical flavor.

The works play out the mystical, philosophical, and cultural conundrums throw up by the merging of Catholicism and Animism and traditional and contemporary culture. His distinctive brilliance reveals itself on the canvas; intimate, powerful and coquettish.

Chukwuma studied Fine Art and Applied at the University of Nigeria Nsukka where he majored in painting, with BA (Hons Fine and Applied Arts, First Class). He has four solo exhibitions and several group exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad. Chukwuma was part of the exhibition ‘Heden Daagse Afrikaanse Kunst’ Galerie 23 Amsterdam; ‘Music Lesson’ an exhibition of wood panels Alexis Galleries Lagos. Gerald has won several awards and is a full time studio Artist The exhibition Serendipity is co-curated by George Edozie and Patty Chidiac Masttrogiannis, and sponsored by Veuve Clicquot, The homestores, Chocolate Royal, Arra Vineyards, Avenue suits, Cool FM, Wajobiar FM, Nigera Info, Internets solution Nigeria Ltd, Lostinlagos, Litho - Chrome Ltd, Tolaram Group (Indomie).

It will run till April 5.

AAF invites entries for New Contemporaries in Design, Photography A frican Artist's Foundation (AAF) has announced call for submissions for 2014’s The Maker: New Contemporaries in Design and Photography.

Entries, according to statement from AAF states, should explore the following areas of design: furniture, product, fashion, graphic, and architecture; as well as photographs that push the boundaries of contemporary African photography.

The Maker: New Contemporaries, is a platform for budding artists to present their portfolios via projections to a wide audience of galleries, curators, collectors, patrons, art critics, academics and the press. Each selected artist will be a recent graduate (up to 5 years) or final year student of Art, Design, Archi-

tecture, or any related or relevant course of study. Participants will have a maximum of 10 minutes to present their portfolios via projections.

"Following last year's successful number of entries and portfolio presentations, we are placing an emphasis on this year's call on the subgenres of design: furniture, product, graphic, fashion and architecture; as well as seeking photographers that expand the notions and practices of contemporary photography being produced in Africa today.”

Applicants without an academic background who show strong conceptual depth will also be considered. There will be seven participants per session.

Submission deadline is April 30, 2014

BUSINESS TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS Local content: FG chides indigenous oil firms The Federal Government, at the weekend, came down hard on indigenous oil companies for flagrant disregard for Local Content Act.

}p-26

IOCs to rake-in $10bn from assets' sale in 2014 IOCs operating in Nigeria’s multibillion dollars oil and gas industry have penciled down assets worth $10 billion for sale in Nigeria, Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, has said.

}p-27

Fire ice gas threatens Nigeria’s 2m barrels oil exports Oil production and exports from Nigeria is under threat posed by the on-going aggressive exploration for hydrocarbon in fire ice in Asia.

}p-30

Lack of MRO facilities, bane of African airlines It is a forum that helps African airlines to know where the shoe pinches. It was at the 23rd Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) conference which ended in Johannesburg, South Africa last week. It ended with tales of woes for the continent’s airlines but proffered solution to the myriads of problems confronting them.

}p-37

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) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor

NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter

ayodele.aminu@newtelegraphonline.com ayodeleaminu@yahoo.com

R

efining activities at the Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company (PHRC) have been grounded, investigation

by New Telegraph revealed at the weekend.

The 210,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd) capacity facility is starved of crude, a situation that had already made it to, in just 82 days, beginning from last year, lose a cumulative of 17.22 million barrels.

Although the Federal Government had been hiding information on the state of the refinery, Managing Director, Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Prince Haruna Momoh, unwittingly confirmed the ugly state of the installations. He, however, blamed it on the pipeline vandals.

It was also gathered that the management of the refinery is mulling an alternative option to get feedstock to the plant.

The plan is to supply crude to the plant with vessels

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr; Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza ; Minister of Education, Mr. Nelson Nyesom Wike; and President NESG, Mr Foluso Phillips at the 20th Nigerian Economic Summit held in Abuja.

Port Harcourt refinery grounded 17.2m barrels shut in through coastal marine from where it would be taken to the plant for refining.

“By June, 2014, this arrangement would be operational and whatever quantity that comes through the pipe would only be complementary,” a source

Shell to spend N1.96tr on Bonga S’ West drilling TOUGH TIME Shell lamented oil theft and other challenges facing oil investments in Nigeria

Adeola Yusuf

T

he Royal Dutch Shell will spend about N1.96 trillion ($12.35 billion) in investment for drilling, servicing and implementing the Final

at the refinery said.

Momoh said that his company spent over N12.4 billion on repairs of vandalised pipelines and in securing them between 2008 and last year.

Due to the incessant pipeline vandalism, the PPMC boss Investment Decision (FID) for the Bonga South West field offshore Nigeria, New telegraph gathered at the weekend.

The Vice President Nigeria and Gabon Shell Upstream International, Mr. Markus Droll, had earlier disclosed at the just concluded Nigerian oil and gas conference in Abuja, that his company would secure a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Bonga South West field on or before December, 2014.

Although Droll deliberately CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

said that activities at the Port Harcourt refinery were almost grounded last year as the plant was starved of crude.

He disclosed that last year, the refinery did not run for 82 days because it couldn’t get crude from Bonny as a result of pipeline breakage, adding that they recorded 3567 line breaks, a drop from the 5518 line breaks recorded in the past.

Momoh explained that it was not that the refinery was not technically in order, but there was no crude to feed it.

The PHRC Limited is made up of two refineries. The old refinery was commissioned in 1965 with current nameplate capacity of 60,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd) while the new refinery was comCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Rates Dashboard

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor

CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

Adeola Yusuf

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor

ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

INVESTMENTS The PPMC needs $23 billion to lay 5,106 kilometres of pipeline .

ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

HOME OWNERSHIP: HOW TO AVOID FAKE ESTATE DEVELOPERS }p-33

INFLATION RATE February 2014......................7.70% January 2014 .......................8.00% December 2013....................8.00%

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.75% Prime Lending Rate. . . . . . 17.01% Maximum Lending Rate..24.90%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Mar. 21)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N171 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N239

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Mar. 21)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N157.74 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N260.47 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N244.47

26 BUSINESS | NEWS LOSS Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) said Nigeria lost N61 trillion to oil firms' non-compliance.

Adeola Yusuf

T

he Federal Government, at the weekend, came down hard on indigenous oil companies for flagrant disregard for the Local Content Act. Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Ernest Nwapa, said that the performance level of the local companies in terms of manufacturing is just 10 per cent.

"The current performance level of indigenous operators, in the area of engineering is 90 per cent; fabrication – 60 per cent, while manufacturing is 10 per cent.

"If the manufacturing capac-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Local Content: FG chides indigenous oil firms ity of the indigenous players is not raised, we will not get the much needed growth of Nigerian content," he said on the sideline of a conference in Abuja.

Nwapa noted that henceforth, operators will be expected to comply fully with the Nigerian Content Act, adding that NCDMB will not pardon any offender and neither will it bend the rules to favour any individual or organisation.

He disclosed that since the introduction of the Nigerian Content Initiative, over $5 billion (N800 billion) has been invested in the development of new yards and upgrade of existing facilities.

Nwapa said that the solution to growing indigenous capacity through local content lies in going back, taking and also keeping value.

"Nigeria should henceforth focus on developing indigenous capacity instead of looking for assistance," he admonished.

According to Nwapa, the unfortunate situation of the Nigerian Immigration Service's employment exercise has underpinned the need for job creation through support of indigenous companies. He noted that manufacturing is key to long-term job creation.

The NCDMB boss had earlier disclosed that Nigeria lost N61 trillion ($380 billion) in capital flight over the years to failure of oil companies to develop local capacity.

Nwapa, however, noted that the major challenge is not in the amount lost, but the continued lack of opportunity to develop the capacity of individual

L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Managing Director/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya; Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri A. R. Ghanshyam and foremost British Economist and honorary Professor of Economics, Terence James, during the launch of Airtel Premier at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Port Harcourt refinery grounded C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

missioned in 1989 with an installed capacity of 150,000 bpsd. This brings the combined crude processing capacity of the Port Harcourt Refinery to 210,000 bpsd. It has five process areas - Areas 1-5, while the new refinery is made up of Areas 1-4.

To show the extent of the damage, Momoh said that the PPMC spent over N12.4 billion on repairs of vandalised pipelines and in securing them between 2008 and last year.

Speaking on the sidelines of the recently concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas conference in Abuja, the PPMC boss said that between 2008 and 2010, the

company recorded over N377 billion losses due to crude theft.

“The spate of vandalism had risen in recent times far above what obtained in the past. We have recorded 5518 line breaks, but as at last year, it dropped to 3567. The impact of this in monetary terms is that between 2008 and last year, we have spent over N12.4 billion on repairs and securing our pipeline.

“In terms of crude oil and product losses, between 2008 and 2010, we are talking of over N377 billion. Now we have adopted the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), another kind of technology to protect the pipeline from thieves ac-

cessing them. We are already implementing it in Arepo, Ogun State and Ije-Ododo in Lagos.

“But this is at enormous cost. Imagine laying a pipeline of about seven metres below sea level, and you take it up 40 to 50 kilometres, and we are talking about an average of $4.5 million per kilometre, multiply this by the 5,106 kilometres of pipeline that we operate in the country, we will be talking of $23 billion. Where do we get this from?

“As we have started, in a couple of years, we will be able to achieve a reasonable number of points that are HDD compliant,” he said.

players.

The slow pace of development of the manufacturing capacity of indigenous players, he said, has also been caused by this loss.

The NCDMB boss maintained that if the manufacturing capacity of the companies is not developed, all the achievements recorded in the area of Local Content will fizzle out.

Shell to spend N1.96tr on Bonga S’ West drilling C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

left the cost of implantation for the FID out of his presentation, checks by this newspaper showed that the company would spend $12.35 billion (about N1.96 trillion) on drilling of wells on the deepwater oil field.

The Bonga field has 19 wells. Shell subsidiary in Nigeria, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, had earlier hinted that it awaited the FID before the amount would be spent on the fields.

A deep water oil well project, it was learnt, would cost $150 million (N23.7 billion), with further appraisal cost put at $500 million (N79 billion).

Bonga was Nigeria’s first deep water oil discovery in 2005 and has the capacity to produce over 250,000 barrels of oil a day and 150 million cubic feet of gas a day. At the end of 2012, Bonga had produced about 450 million barrels of oil.

The Commercial Integration and Business Value Manager, Shell Nigeria, Mr. Taaj Shobayo, also confirmed that about $650 million (N102.8 billion) was required for each deep water exploration and production.

He said: “Deep water exploration and production is expensive, complex and risky with long cycle times. Current offshore projects take 10 years to 20 years from licence award to production. A typical well in a deep water cost about $150 million (N23.7 billion) and you will be spending another $500 million (N23.7 billion) for further appraisal.”

With 19 oil exploration wells planned for the Bonga deep water oil fields extension, he explained that an average of $12.35 billion (N1.96 trillion) would be spent on the drilling of 19 oil wells.

Bonga is located in oil prospecting licence 212 and SNEP-

CO operates the field on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation under a production sharing contract, in partnership with Esso (20 per cent), Nigeria Agip (12.5 per cent) and Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited (12.5 per cent).

The discovery well is located in oil prospecting license (OPL) 212, which was awarded during Nigeria’s first round of deepwater frontier acreage awards in 1993. Crude oil production from the field started in November 2005 and the first shipment from the field was made in February 2006. Production was stopped temporarily due to a militant attack in June 2008 and was resumed later in the same month.

Shell is also embarking on a number of large gas projects to keep liquefied natural gas supplied to Nigeria to make sure the country maintains its strategic position in the global LNG market, Mr. Droll said in an address at the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja.

Other projects embarked upon by the company to expand Nigeria’s gas supply and processing capacity include the Assa North/Ohaji South project work, one of the largest ever gas projects in Nigeria.

Lamenting the challenges faced by the company in Nigeria, Mr. Droll said that oil theft impacted on production in 2013.

“In SPDC alone, we removed around 300 such connections on oil infrastructure. Removing such connections often requires production systems to be shut down, so there is a compound effect between what is stolen and what can’t be produced due to facilities outages.”

Mr. Droll further said that though the industry has learned and adapted to some of these threats, it has not done so without a cost. “Clearly, both development and operating costs are substantially higher than in many other operating environments.”

BUSINESS 27

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Oil rig

ON-YOUR-MARK Indigenous companies in Nigeria are in a race to outsmart one another over the purchase of assets from international oil companies (IOCs).

Stories by Adeola Yusuf

I

OCs operating in Nigeria’s multi-billion dollars oil and gas industry have penciled down assets worth $10 billion for sale in Nigeria, Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, has said.

He said this while addressing a session at the just concluded oil and gas conference in Abuja.

Expressing the readiness of local companies to take over these assets, Tinubu called for financial support-base for the indigenous firms.

“We have the expertise; we are improving geometrically on our skills, but many of us lack commercial structures to tap into this,” he said.

“This is militating against the local content achievements and like other speakers have said, this and many others need to be addressed.

“I recommend that rather than turning this conference into a talk-shop, we can single out just three issues, get into various clusters to discuss this and come up with specific solutions.”

For instance, crude oil theft, according to Tinubu, “is a manmade problem and it requires a man-made solution. The local companies should be involved in the overall efforts to end this menace.”

IOCs to rake-in $10bn from assets' sale in 2014 Local and IOCs have stepped up race to purchase the Shell’s stakes in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 and the troubled Nembe Creek Pipeline.

The Royal Dutch Shell, as exclusively reported by this newspaper penultimate Thursday, secretly placed these assets worth N480 billion ($3 billion) in Nigeria for sale.”

Check however revealed that Glencore and six other members of consortium are to submit final bids for the assets.

“The race is becoming hot now and I can tell you that Shell is

now receiving final bids on the assets,” a source close to the deal had told this newspaper.

The assets include the stakes in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 where Shell’s subsidiary in Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) operates the gas plant at Alakiri Creek as well as the troubled 97-kilometre Nembe Creek oil pipeline.

“The oil giant is selling its 30 per cent stake in four oil blocs, owned jointly with France’s Total and Italy’s Agip,” according to a source familiar with

the deal. Shell spokesperson, Precious Okolobo, confirmed the process but declined to give details of the divestment plan.

“The process for any potential divestment is fair and transparent and doesn’t confer preferential status on any party.

We do not wish to go into details as divestment processes are ongoing and confidential,” he said.

The source, however, said that Shell has already shortlisted Glencore and six other members of consortium to submit final bids for its assets

Power failure grounds businesses in Nigeria –Minister COLLAPSE 41 manufacturing firms folded up in Nnewi industrial cluster due to epileptic supply.

Adeola Yusuf

N

igeria is still grappling with power insufficiency, which is killing businesses in the country, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu

Nebo has admitted.

Nebo disclosed this at the 'Power investors summit Nigeria' in Lagos.

He disclosed that in 1996, there were about 47 industries at Nnewi industrial cluster, but by 2013 they had come down to only six industries due to this power failure.

The power minister, however, reiterated government's efforts at revolutionising the nation's industrial sector through advancing the power sector.

He said: "The industrial cluster in Nnewi, in 1996, were about 47 but by 2013 they have come down to only six. The others died because of power problems.

"One of these industries was spending a minimum of one tanker load of diesel every day to power its plant, one tanker load is equal to 33,000 litres and when you multiply this, it translates into billions of Naira just to power the industries using diesel.

worth around $3 billion. The OML 18 asset, where Shell operates the gas plant at Alakiri Creek, produces 80 mmscf/da.

The gas production is slated to increase to 120 mmscf/d, and Nembe Creek pipeline, which transports 150,000 oil barrels per day.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, had lost about $76 million to the eight days’ shutdown of Nembe Creek pipeline by Shell. Shell said it spent $1.1 billion in 2010 to replace the 95,000 barrels per day capacity facility.

Four fuel-laden ships berth in Lagos

F

our vessels carrying petroleum products arrived at the ports in Lagos, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said at the weekend.

This was contained in the NPA’s daily publication, the “Shipping Position.”

According to NPA’s reports, the vessels will discharge their products at the Single Buoy Mooring; the Petroleum Wharf Apapa; Fishery Wharf and the New Oil Jetty.

NPA also disclosed that it was expecting the arrival of 51 vessels from March 21 to April 15.

28 BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

REDUCTION The Federal Government cuts holding period for new power investors .

Adeola Yusuf

I

ndication emerged at the weekend that the Federal Government and investors in privatised power companies are planning to alter the power privatisation time table.

Government, it was gathered, wants the investors to raise the $18 billion in two and half years instead of the five year-holding periods.

The duo are discussing the possibility of reducing the five-year holding period for the owners of the new power companies to about three years, to enable them sell their shares to the investing public.

Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Nebo came to discuss ways that the capital market can support the realisation of the objectives of the power reforms.

He said that the hindrance to the public sale and possible listing of shares of the privatised power generation companies (gencos) and distribution companies (discos) is a clause in the sale agreement, which stipulates that the new owners must hold on to the companies for five years before they can sell the shares.

He said government, through the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and the power companies are already reviewing the possibility of reviewing the five-year timeline to about three years.

“I don’t see why five years was put in other than the government did not want people to strip these companies and then sell the scrap to the general

Gas Turbine at Omotosho Power Plants.

FG alters privatisation roadmap  Wants new power investors to raise $18bn in 30 months public. Be that as it may, with the things that are afoot today, we are encouraging a dialogue between the successor companies, privatised from PHCN and government of Nigeria, especially the National Council on Privatisation, to see if these five years can be negotiated downward so that within the next two-and-a-half years, we will be able to see them go to the stock market because we believe that the most veritable way of getting the financing they need to expand their facilities and give much better services to our people will be by going to the stock market,” Nebo said.

According to him, the delay in approaching the capital market was both legal and operational as the NSE also expects at least three years of due diligence, paperwork and

BG Group targets job cuts to rein in costs

O

il and gas producer, BG Group, has begun offering voluntary redundancy to staff at its British headquarters, the company said, as it seeks to reduce headcount and trim costs.

BG Group has been hit by lower than expected production rates, having downgraded output forecasts several times over the past two years, and is now focusing on streamlining its operations.

PHOTO: ADEOLA YUSUF

"We have invited UK contracted employees based at our head office in Reading to express their interest in a voluntary redundancy package," a company spokesman said last Friday.

BG Group employs 1,100 staff at its head office in Reading, England, and has a total workforce of 5,200 worldwide.

"There is no target for the number of applications (to the voluntary redundancy scheme)," the spokesman said.

submission of annual reports before a company is listed.

He said government was already working at removing the impediments in the power supply system, especially the issue of finance.

“Government is already addressing some of the issues, the major issue, actually, is

financing for expansion and consolidation and that is where the stock market is very critical. Government has even organised a global financing summit that attracted more than 350 non-Nigerians, just about a month ago. So, government is working on that.

“Other constraints have to

do with generating of more power because the more power you generate, the more power is sold, the more money is made by the generation companies, the transmission company and the distribution companies. So, we need to generate more power and the challenge there is the issue of gas.

Govt processing N110bn subsidy claims, say marketers DIVISION IPMAN has condemned alleged new attempts to factionalise union.

Adeola Yusuf

T

he Federal Government is currently processing outstanding N110 billion owed marketers of petroleum products as claims for subsidy on imported products into the country, Independent Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said at the weekend.

The marketers also condemned an alleged attempt by one of its suspended officials, Chief Obasi Lawson, to create disharmony within its members following his recent declaration as the authentic president of the association.

Giving an update on the outstanding subsidy claims owed marketers by the government, the president said: “Efforts from

the ministry of finance have seen that about N41 billion has been released and I believe that the ministry is doing everything to pay up the balance.

He put the total subsidy arrears at N151 billion of which government had paid N41billion. He said that the government is “processing all our documents to be able to pay the outstanding balance, which cuts across board.”

The ministry of finance had recently said that 27 oil marketers who benefitted from the payment included A-Z Petroleum Products Limited, Acorn Petroleum Plc, Aiteo Energy Resource Limited, Ascon Oil Gas Company Limited, Avidor Oil & Gas Company, Conoil Plc and Dee Jones Petroleum & Gas Ltd. Others are Dozzy Oil And Gas Limited, Folawiyo Energy Ltd, Gulf Treasures Limited, Hudson Petroleum Limited, Hyde Energy (Nig) Limited and Ibafon Oil Ltd. Meanwhile, IPMAN noted that its suspended member,

Lawson had obtained a court injunction from a federal high court in Port Harcourt to support his claims.

IPMAN stated that Obasi, who was its South-eastern regional head, was suspended in December 2013 for anti-union activities but he recently got a court declaration of himself as the association’s national president, which IPMAN has equally challenged.

President of IPMAN, Aminu Abdulkadir told reporters at a press briefing in Abuja that all of the national officers of the association have unanimously condemned Lawson’s allegedly recent anti-union activities.

Abdulkadir also said that the recent development was costing the association its earned business integrity with the government and others stakeholders in the oil and gas industry. He added that the association had initially suspended Lawson following his refusal to submit himself to its national disciplinary panel.

BUSINESS | ENERGY 29

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Before Nigeria runs out of crude oil this means is that it is the National Assembly that could make such announcement,” the source said. Mrs. Alison-Madueke had, in 2010, boasted in front of the international oil and gas experts and investors in London that the PIB would be passed “without doubt, before December, 2010.

The estimated $125 billion loss was occasioned by the inability of Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, to attain her annual crude production capacity of about 3.6 million barrels per day due to investment draught in her multi-billion dollars oil and gas industry since five years ago.

Experts have, after assessing the growth prospects of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, raised the alarm over the declining investment in exploration and production since 2009, when PIB became controversial.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has raised the red flag on dwindling oil reserves in Nigeria. ENERGY EDITOR, ADEOLA YUSUF, who examines the depletion of two billion barrels from the reserves without corresponding exploration in two years, reports that with the on-going lukewarm attitude to exploration, oil dry up is imminent in Nigeria by 2049.

G

eorge Osahon, the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), did not mention the exact figure of barrels in Nigeria’s oil reserves throughout the 40 minutes he used to present a paper at the just concluded Nigeria Oil and gas (NOG) conference in Abuja. Osahon, the immediate past President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum exploration (NAPE), a geologist, knew the figure for sure and this was later proved upon an enquiry by New Telegraph during the question and answer session.

“We now have 35 billion barrels in our reserves,” he declared to the chagrin of delegates at the conference.

With this declaration, it shows that Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, has depleted over 2 billion barrels of oil in its reserves in two years without corresponding exploration.

The country, which depends largely on proceeds from crude to service over 85 per cent of its budget, had earlier set a target of 40 billion barrels reserves by 2020 but Osahon disclosed the Niger Delta region is finally showing signs of maturity.

"Particularly what we now have in our reserves is now 35 billion barrels. Niger Delta is finally showing signs of maturity as its reserves are beginning to drop and I think everybody must be worried about this."

He said the country needs to boost exploration to augment the dwindling reserves.

Worries "Oil reserves are dropping, our output is dropping too. What are we supposed to do to correct this? Exploration, exploration, exploration. We started with 2D seismic, now we are at the 3D seismic.

Already, 1,300 exploration wells have been drilled so far.

"We need to do more in this regard to have more reserves. We have reached the plateau of production in the Niger Delta and we are already going down.”

The Niger Delta, according to Osahon, is finally showing signs of maturity as its reserves are beginning to drop and I think

President Goodluck Jonathan

Minister of Petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke

everybody must be worried about this.

"We have come up with strategies to boost our reserves and in due course, we would make this known."

pipeline sabotage, which have disrupted operations, have also been major hindrances to new investments.

Federal Government officials, however, insist the country’s bid to raise its oil reserves and production capacity remained firmly on track despite the tough challenges of declining investment and security issues, the report noted.

40bn reserves’ target Like Osahon, Vice President of ExxonMobil Production Company, Elijah White, said that Nigeria risks missing its target of substantially increasing its crude oil reserves to 40 billion barrels of oil, by 2020, unless the country puts together more investor-friendly fiscal terms in its proposed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) currently before the National Assembly.

Speaking at the just concludede NAPE conference in Lagos, Vice President of ExxonMobil Production Company, Elijah White, said: “Nigeria needs to create a stable and attractive investment climate, competitive fiscal terms to attract capital and develop clear regulatory and competitive policies that would enable her to realise the full potential of the industry.”

Nigeria wants to raise its oil reserves to 40 billion barrels by 2020, from the current 35 billion barrels, but industry officials have said the delay in the passing into law of the PIB, which has been in the works for more than five years, remains a stumbling block, according to Platts report.

“Nigeria is uniquely challenged by reduced exploration activities, decreasing resource size, tightening of fiscals and uncertain gas terms,” Platts quoted White as saying.

Noting that Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, was fast losing ground in terms of an investment destination to fellow African nation Angola, White said:“Nigeria would need to quickly address fundamental issues such as funding limitations and operations inefficiencies.”

Investments in new oil projects have been put on hold following the prolonged delay in the passing of PIB into law, industry executives have said. In addition, upsurges in bunkering, crude theft and

PIB connection Bouyed by the embarrassment caused by the foot-dragging on the passage of the Petroleum industry Bill (PIB), the Presidency has directed the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, and other top functionaries not to make ‘any further’ public announcement of a likely date for the passage of the bill.

The prohibition came just as the Federal Government’s loss to the non-passage of the 14-year old PIB from February 2009 to February 2014, hit $125 billion.

A source at the Presidency said in a telephone chat: “The reckless announcement of date by government functionaries has caused serious embarrassment to the government and portrayed the country in bad light before the international community. “The government’s decision to stop members of the executive from making further announcement of passage date is justifiable.

There is separation of power and what

The Niger Delta, according to Osahon, is finally showing signs of maturity as its reserves are beginning to drop and I think everybody must be worried about this.

Benin Republic wades in This came as Benin republic joined the league of other West African countries, which is independent of Nigeria in crude production and consumption.

The United States (US), which was hitherto the biggest consumer of Nigeria’s oil had slashed importation and consumption of Nigeria’s oil due to the production of shale, while China and Chad Republic have also resolved dispute, which had been holding back the production from some fields in Chad.

Explorationists in Nigeria however, declared that bad times are ahead of the country if something urgent is not done to revive its declining exploration activities.

Rising under the aegis of the Nigerian association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), the experts said exploration successes in Ghana, Angola and other African countries will invariably put pressure on Nigeria as a competing destination for oil and gas investments.

Last line In a paper sent to conference delegates, George Osahon, head of the country’s Department of Petroleum Resources, said even without the new law in place, Nigeria has in the last five years carried out sweeping changes in the oil sector, and was on course to meet the country’s 40 billion barrel reserves target and four million barrels per day crude oil production target by 2020.

"A lot of money has to be spent to increase our reserves at the old fields, for instance, exploration in the Chad basin.

Because we have not found anything at the Chad basin as at today do not mean that oil is not in the basin. We are optimistic about this. We are sure it would help us boost our reserves," he said.

He added: "These are what to do to increase our reserves: More seismic data coverage and drilling of exploration wells. Drilling for deeper plays, enhanced recovery methods, utilisation of non-straddled reservoirs, bitumen exploration and exploitation among others."

30

BUSINESS | ENERGY

DANGER The discovery of Methane hydrates (fire ice) oil in Asia now threatens Nigeria’s over one million barrels daily exports to the continent.

Stories by Adeola Yusuf

O

il production and exports from Nigeria is under threat posed by the on-going aggressive exploration for hydrocarbon in fire ice in Asia.

Countries such as China and Indian have recently became major importer of Nigeria’s oil after the United States shunned over one million barrels oil imports from the country due to discovery of oil from shale; another unconventional means.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Fire ice gas threatens Nigeria’s 2m barrels oil exports

US, Nigeria’s hitherto biggest crude importer, is also planning to end imports from Nigeria by 2025, according to Energy Information Agency (EIA).

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude producer, depends largely on proceeds from crude to service over 85 per cent of its budget.

The country now depends largely on Asia as market for its 2.3 million daily crude production.

Managing Director, Nigeria Liquified natural gas (NLNG), Mr. Babs Omotowa, confirmed

this threat to New Telegraph.

He said that this may be a bad news for Nigeria and other oil proceed-dependent nations.

Japan and others, he said, have already made huge investment for exploration of fire ice.

Methane hydrates also known as fire ice is methane trapped in water, deep under sediments on ocean floor.

“Japan has already invested in exploration for this gas and the bad news is that when they find this hydrocarbon it would make the whole of Asia to be self-dependent on gas,” Omotowa said.

Omotowa, however, stated at this company, notwithstanding this threat, commercialised over four trillion cubic feet (4.0 TCF) of natural gas to lead Nigeria’s aspiration for flare reduction at oil production sites in the country.

He could however, not provide details of the company’s financial remittances to the federation account, citing requirements of declaring financial reports. He said that over 70 per cent of the company’s total revenues flow into the federation account to provide funding support to government’s annual budgets.

According to him, the company is to spend N340 million or two million dollars in each of the six universities on the construction of modern engineering laboratories and other equipment needed to drive cutting edge advances in science and technology.

The universities adopted for the programme include, University of Ibadan, University

of Ilorin, University of Port Harcourt, University of Maidugri, Ahmadu Bello University and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He said the NLNG University Support Programme (USP) naturally aligned with the company’s running intervention in promotion of advances in science and literature.

He said the USP followed observation that no Nigerian university ranked among the world’s first 500 or made it into the list of elite universities in peer African countries.

Mr Omotowa said NLNG adopted the universities following a compelling need to rescue the standard of education in the country.

He stated that Nigeria’s aspiration to become a developed nation could only be realised when the country’s education system is firmly fixed. He added that well meaning stakeholders in the country’s future must assist in salvaging the standard of education in the country.

‘South Sudan’s 160, 000 barrels oil output steady’

S

Gas plant

Ikeja power firm plans N600m investments INSTALLATION The IKEDC plans to install 115 transformers within one month.

Adeola Yusuf

I

keja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), at the weekend, promised to inject about N600 million into the system to improve electricity supply through the ongoing projects within its network.

The MD/CEO, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, according to a statement, said this, during the zone's customer’s forum in Lagos.

“The board has approved about N600 million for quick intervention on transformers installations and pre-paid meter

installation,” he was quoted to have said. ``Our board under the quick 'win win' intervention approved about N600 million for us to do all projects including metering, commissioning of transformer projects that are ongoing, installation of vandalised transformers, re-metering and also to do some over head line clearance, which often cause network disability,’ he noted.

The IKEDC boss said that about 30 transformers had been installed to incarese electricity supply, while about 115 pending transformers projects have been ongoing in various site for completion within the next one month.

The essence of the forum, he said, was to create mutual customers interaction between IKEDC and customers towards customers satisfaction.

“We are doing what we call customers’ forum; we conducted customers’ forum in our eight business units so that we can use the opportunities in meeting with them and tell them what we doing and our plan for the future.

He assured customers of IKEDC continuous customers’ forum exercise to update them on company’s new products and future plans. ``We also want to create more mutual interaction on way to improve and serve our customers better.

He said that about 30 transformers were bad while about 42 others had been vandalised before the new management took over in November.1, 2013. But as at today, he said all the bad transformers had been restored under the new management

outh Sudan's oil production is holding steady at about 160,000 barrels per day (bpd), based on output from fields in Upper Nile state, an oil ministry official said.

Production from the country's other main producing area, Unity state, is not expected to resume soon, the official - who asked not to be named - told Reuters.

Production on Monday was 162,000 bpd, the official said, around the same level reported since the start of the year but down a third from the 245,000 bpd recorded before a conflict flared in mid-December.

During more than a month of fighting that pitted supporters of President Salva Kiir against defectors who backed his sacked deputy Riek Machar, output from fields in Unity state was halted. It has remained shut since then.

"They set the facility ablaze; it will take long to restart. The budget for the companies (to restart production) is very big," the official said, referring to Unity production.

Sporadic battles have been fought since a ceasefire deal was reached on Jan. 23, with some of the fiercest fighting in Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile state. But production from the Upper Nile fields has held steady.

Upper Nile state fields produce Dar blend crude, which is a heavy and sour blend. The lighter and sweeter Nile blend produced from the Unity fields tends to sell at a premium to Dar. The two blends usually go to Chinese and Indian refiners, which can process a variety of crudes. Some Nile blend is also shipped to Japan where it is burned by utilities.

Any variation in production level of South Sudan's crudes can impact the price of some other grades of crude, such as Indonesian, Angolan and some Australian grades.

Oil firms in South Sudan, a country roughly the size of France, include China National Petroleum Corp, India's ONGC Videsh and Malaysia's Petronas

BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

31

Atlantic Energy investments' portfolio hits $600m in 30 months LOAN Atlantic Energy raised $400 million from banks in Nigeria .

Stories by Adeola Yusuf

A

tlantic Energy, a Nigerian Independent Exploration and Production Company, at the weekend declared that its investment

portfolio in Nigeria has hit $600 million in two and half years.

Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Dayo Okusami who said this at a meeting with newsmen maintained that the company also committed an early entry fee of $135 million to show its level of commitment to the development of exploration and production in Nigeria.

This level of engagement and seriousness according to

Okusami was a result of the Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA), which the company had with the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

Stating that the SAA, which generated controversy lately, has come to stay, the Attorney stressed that the agreement has been in place far before the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The SAA was signed even before this administration and

Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe (right); Chief Executive Officer, Midwestern Oil and Gas, Mr. Adams Okoene; Vice President Televeras Petroleum, Jeffrey Hartman; Chief executive Officer, Oildata Energy, Mr. Emeka Ene; Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Victor Briggs and Co-CEO, Atlantic Energy, Scott Aitken at the 2014 Nigeia Oil and Gas (NOG) conference in Abuja recently.

Nigeria’s local content devt shocks Venezuela ex-oil minister SETBACK Non-passage of PIB alters the level of achievements of the Nigerian Content Act.

F

ormer minister of oil in Venezuela, Dr. Alirio Parra, expressed shocks at the level of achievements Nigeria has made in its local contenet drive.

Parra, who doubles as the board member, CWC Group Limited made this known at the just concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas conference in Abuja.

“When we started the NOG fourteen years ago, the percentage of Nigerian firms was less than five but as at today, the percentage is about 70,” he said.

There have been the domestication of gas use through the

Gas master plan, the Nigerian Content helped the development of the Nigeria's oil and gas industry.

“These achievements however have setbacks caused by oil theft, pipeline vandalism and the uncertainty over the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). On two occasions, I have heard at this forum that the PIB would be passed but uptill now the bill has not been passed,” maintained.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Content implementation framework has continued to firmly pitch Nigeria as an evolving energy market and a continental economic power block as African countries are imbibing the local content philosophy into their national economic agenda. The latest being the Republic of Congo, recently held a regional conference on the promotion and

development of its national private sector in Brazzaville.

In a presentation on the Nigerian Content model, the Executive Secretary, Engr.

Ernest Nwapa appraised Nigeria as one of the countries that are best projecting the benefits of Local Content and dropped the hint that the Board’s invitation to the conference was a validation of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s commitment to African collaboration as Nigeria has been on the forefront of this integration.

The presentation which gave an overview of the Nigerian economy with special focus on the oil and gas industry had Engr. Nwapa enumerate provisions of the NOGICD Act 2010 giving a philosophical basis of what the law tried to achieve over the past few years.

you can confirm it anywhere that the agreement on the Oil Mining Leases, which was not for public bidding was prepared in 2005. Indeed the process predated this administration.

“In May 2011, Atlantic Energy signed the SAA with the NPDC, that provides an alternative funding arrangement for NPDC t meet its cash call obligation whilst developing technical competence. The company is responsile for managing existing production and development of oil and strategic domestic supply gas fuleds, using robust international standard operations.

“Atlantic Energy has, with the payment of a signature bonus and capital and operating costs, invested over $600 million in these assets in two and half years. In return for taking the risk in fnding 100 per cent of NPDC’s operating and capital activity costs, we receive remuneration on a sliding scale depending on performance 20-70 per cent (30-35 per cent weighted average) of profits which is

based upon precedent in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and globally.

“On the impact of the Strategic Aliance agreement, he said, “now we have increased indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry and generation of direct and indirect jobs. The arrested production decline in the underdeveloped fields, thereby increasing production year-to-year.

“The SAA has also made the NPDC the 5th largest oil producer in Nigeria and the major gas supplier to the domestic market, whilst positioning NNPC on track to meet its production target of 250, 000 barrels per day.

“The proven and probable oil reserves for the blocks under AE’s strategic alliance have been more than doubled from 775 million barrels to 1.678 million barrels as a result of detailed reservoir simulation studies and new filed development plans, led by Atlantic Energy,” he concluded.

Chevron augments CSR with $1.7m funding

C

hevron Corporation at the weekend announced plans to augment its corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria.

The company’s subsidiary in Nigeria, Chevron Nigeria Limited, operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, which made this announcement maintained that it had also committed additional $1.7 million in its funding support for the community-based Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) project known as the PROMOT project, in Bayelsa State.

This additional commitment raises Chevron’s 5-year investment for the PROMOT Project to $5.3 million.

The PROMOT project is sponsored by Chevron and implemented by Pact Nigeria in partnership with community based organizations (CBOs), to achieve the primary goal of educating and mobilizing the population in targeted communities to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV in

Bayelsa state.

The project, which began in September 2012 with a funding of $3.6 million over three years, had in the first year, reached more than 6,500 individuals in Sagbama and Yenagoa Local Government Areas with critical HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention information, tested more than 7,000 women during prenatal care, and arranged for HIV counseling for nearly 700 people.

In addition, 147 community health workers were trained to carry out community PMTCT activities.

The additional support will facilitate the expansion of the reach of the PROMOT project to all Local Government Areas in the State with a target of reaching at least 120,000 men and women of reproductive age. Also, the PROMOT project will train an additional 300 community health workers on community PMTCT approaches to enable them continue in creating demand for PMTCT services in existing health facilities across the state.

32 BUSINESS | ENERGY AUTHENTICATION IPMAN has confirmed the distribution of 197 trucks oil fuel to western zone by NNPC.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Fuel hoarding: IPMAN reads riot act to erring members

Stories by Adeola Yusuf

T

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), western zone, at the weekend, threatened to sanction any member hoarding Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol.

Chairman of the western zone, IPMAN, Mr. Olumide Ogunmade, who disclosed this during a media briefing on the updates on fuel distribution within the southern part of the country, added that a joint task force between the Nigerian National petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and IPMAN had been set up to monitor filling stations and sanction accordingly.

Lauding the NNPC for addressing the fuel scarcity in the western part of the country, the IPMAN Chairman confirmed that sufficient products have been injected into the zone.

Ogunmade said: “The quantity of petrol pumped into the depots and distributed to stations in the western zone by the NNPC have indicated serious commitment to ensure effective product in the areas. “l want to confirm to Nigerians and marketers that with the level of petrol injected into the western zone by NNPC, there is no cause for panic buying or

Fuel tankers

hoarding petrol. We will not hesitate to sanction any marketer caught hoarding product. A joint Task force between NNPC and IPMAN had been set up to monitor filling stations and sanction accordingly.”

The litres of petrol in the market as part of efforts to restore normalcy to the fuel situation in the western part of the country, according to Ogunmade, was enough to address fuel challenges in the zone.

“We have been assured by

NNPC that supply would be sustained in the zone and I enjoin marketers to join hands with NNPC to wet the market with product and shun hoarding.

“Government in that regard was worth commending due to the fact that the country experienced scarcity of the products some weeks ago. ``This achievement has unequivocally mark the end of petroleum scarcity in Nigeria.

This administration deserves kudos for that,” he said.

Ogunmade commended the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, for the effort, urging her to concentrate on her laudable achievements by sanitising the downstream oil sector of the economy.

He said that the association was not out to promote anybody but to appreciate those that did well in making Nigeria better.

He said the achievements in the downstream sector were

Nigerian content Act boosts capital retention in-country –Nwapa FUND POOL Why ExxonMobil Nigeria launched Contractors’ Finance Scheme?

G

iving his remarks before formally launching the Contractors' Finance Scheme, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Ernest Nwapa, acknowledged the joint effort of the industry to accommodate the changes that the Board has been pushing following the inauguration of the Nigerian Content Act 2010

by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. He described it as a major plan of Mr. President’s vision to build

an economy that can take care of the welfare of Nigerians.

This, the Executive Secretary disclosed, is no mean task owing to Nigeria’s uniqueness as one of the most populous and vibrant, demanding nations in the world.

He stated that, “it is now popularly known that the law we have makes more Nigerians participate in the oil and gas value chain than a few years ago. Today, we are getting more work done in Nigeria with Nigerians working in the industry either on their own or in partnership with foreigners”.

Engr. Nwapa, who noted that one of the key things to this venture is access to capital, which has made several opportunities available through the scheme.

He added that banks would traditionally shore up funds with high interest rates, dissuading Nigerian contractors from accessing capital but an initiative like the finance scheme will surmount the hurdles contractors face in the execution of their contracts.

He mentioned the contribution of 1% of all contract sums to the NCDF by operators and contractors in the upstream oil and gas sector of which 30% of the fund is used for direct intervention by the Board while 70% is for Nigerian contractors to access that will add value to the industry and create jobs.

While lauding the proactive support for contractors, Engr.

Nwapa reiterated that funding to build facilities and acquire

assets is key to providing manufacturing capacity and training. He also stated that the Nigerian Content Act seems to put more capital in the hands of Nigerians and to retain a certain percentage of their income in Nigerian banks.

“It is expedient on contractors to begin to know the requirements of banks and to ensure that payment plans are properly structured to suit their investments”, he asserted.

The Nigerian Content helmsman specially congratulated the Managing Director, Mark Ward and his team for continuously improving ExxonMobil’s response to the requirements of the law and the aspirations of government.

According to him, by embarking on this journey with the

noticeable, adding that without the laudable programmes of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), an arm of the NNPC, the sanity in the downstream oil sector would not be possible.

He added that the Managing Director of the PPMC, Prince Haruna Momoh, has initiated different types of programmes, which allowed marketers to receive, distribute and market petroleum products with ease.

Board, the company is again demonstrating that they understand the importance of carrying Nigerians along in the business. He hoped that ExxonMobil having started this program will support the growth of the business and modify the process as the need arises.

In his introductory remarks, the Managing Director and Country Chair, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mr. Mark Ward said the scheme is an initiative that seeks to support various national content aspirations, part of which is to afford ExxonMobil contractors better funding options to fulfill contracts awarded to them. This, according to him, also underscores the company’s three tier of national content development whose elements consist of workforce development, strategic community investments and local supplier development which he mentioned is a key foundational problem.

PROPERTY&ENVIRONMENT PAGE 33, Tuesday, March 25, 2014

W

hile many people have been able to achieve their dreams of homeownership, no thanks to different housing schemes initiated by estate developers, others have not been so lucky after three to four years of contributing money to have a roof over their heads.

Some of them have fallen prey to fraudsters parading as estate developers.

Very rampant in Lagos, especially bus stops, inside commercial public transport buses, beer parlour, club houses and offices, are desperate marketing agents with adorning handbills of models of prototype buildings, wooing passers-by to their proposed estates.

The inscription in some of the handbills read: “You can be a landlord within six months; Sack your landlord within one year; pay N20,000 for two years and become a landlord; buy three plots of land and get one free; buy two plots and get half free; pay as little as N100,000 and become a landlord; be a landlord while paying your rent.”

Through these marketing agents, some lucky people have become homeowners, while many are regretting their decision as they are yet to be allocated land three to five years after subscription.

One of the victims of these con developers is Mr. Sesan Oluyemi, 35, who resides in Ipaja, a Lagos suburb.

He narrated his ordeal to New Telegraph recently: “I came across some of the posters five years ago, which showed the models of the proposed estates in locations such as Ikorodu, Badagry in Lagos and Mowe, Ibafo, Ofada axis of Ogun State.”

Determined to sack his landlord, Oluyemi said he subscribed to one of the estates at Ibafo, Ogun State.

According to him, he did what was expected of him as he visited the office of the developer, the proposed estate’s site and its proposed facilities before parting with his money.

He said: “I did what was expected of me by visiting the developer’s office at Isheri, inspected the estate’s site and checked all necessary documents such as survey plan and estate layout before parting with a whooping N450,000.

“I was to pay the balance in three instalments, which I later

Home ownership: How to avoid fake estate developers Many unsuspecting members of the pubic have got their fingers burnt in their drive to become homeowners. This is largely due to fraudsters parading as estate developers. Dayo Ayeyemi writes

One of the UPDC properties in Abuja

did.”

But to Sesan’s surprise, he is yet to be allocated the plot of land three years down the line.

Narrating his experience, Sesan lamented that efforts to get the plot of land or his money back have been futile as the developer is yet to fulfil his part of the deal.

He revealed that he was not alone in this situation, saying that other people who deposited money on monthly basis for over two years have not been able to get their plots of land.

When New Telegraph visited the office of the alleged developer at Isheri in Ogun State to find out what went wrong, the lady at the reception, who refused to mention her name said that her boss was not around and that the issue concerning the estate would be resolved soon.

Another contributor, Mr. Tope Abiodun, said that he had completed his payment for the land at Mowe, but the developer has not been able to commence the building of the house one year after.

According to him, the developer had been blaming inadequate fund for the delay.

But for Mr. George Okon, he was fortunate in his dealings with another developer as he was allocated a plot of land at Shimawa, another village in Ogun State, after two years of down payment of N400,000.

The only problem George is having now is that he has not been able to move to site because the estate is located in a remote area.

Speaking about the way developers demand instalment payment for land, Vice President, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Mr. Akintoye Adeoye, said that the idea was not peculiar to Nigeria, saying it was one of the ways to fund estate development.

He cited Lekki toll road sce-

People must ask developer about the document on the land title, conveyance, Certificate of Occupancy...

nario, saying that the concessionaire was yet to complete the project but has started collecting fee, adding that part of the money realised from the toll is being used to fund the project.

Before any developer calls for money, Adeoye said, he must have acquired land, done the preliminary works and might want to leverage on other people’s money to see the project through.

He said: “I want to believe that any developer that calls for project must have acquired land, done the preliminary and might want to leverage on other people’s money. This practice is popular all over the world instead of relying fully on bank for funding.”

He explained that in a situation where developers collected money for what they do not have, such case has become a criminal matter and a crime against the state.

Adeoye disclosed that REDAN has a way of dealing with such developer if the matter is brought before the association.

“Our association is a pressure group and where people inform us, we have ethic and

disciplinary committee that looks into a matter like that and if found guilty, such member can be suspended,” he said.

The REDAN vice president decried the scenario where a developer would collect money from members of the public for land and refuse to deliver as promised on land acquisition process in the country, which he described as ‘problematic.’

He advised on steps to be followed before parting with money to buy land, saying such fellow must be sure of what he want to buy by conducting site inspection.

“People must ask developer about the document on the land title, conveyance, certificate of occupancy, deed of assignment or irrevocable power of attorney. They should be interested in whatever title the developer has,” he said.

In addition, he said that people should be prepared for due diligent search by engaging the service of a lawyer to assist them, pointing out that the result of the search would help in determining whether to C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

34

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Ogun ready for partnership on Agbara Estate

O L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr. Olusegun Oniru; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Governor Babatunde Fashola and Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, at the 6th Climate Change summit held in Lagos recently.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Climate change: Experts canvass skyscrapers for Lagos DEVELOPMENT Specialists say incorporation of high-rise buildings as part of policy will curb urban sprawl.

Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

I

n order to prevent future danger that climate change may pose to Lagos, being a coastal city, the state government has been tasked on the need to incorporate strong urban containment policy that would discourage urban sprawl and promote vertical growth such as sky scrapers and the greening on urban buildings in the metropolis.

Skyscrapers are high rise buildings of more than 15 floors.

This policy, according to both local and international experts who brainstormed during the 6th climate change summit organised by Lagos State government, is important in order to arrest the rate and pattern of urban growth of Lagos.

The experts expressed the fear that if the present rate and pattern of urban growth continues, the state may not be able to make land available for Lagosians in the next two decades, and may force developments in areas that are vulnerable to climate change.

Cities with high concentrations of people and buildings, particularly those along the coast, including Lagos, they argued, would be more adversely affected by climate change in the future, hence the need to adapt to the impacts of climate.

The theme of the summit, which brought together for

three days about 750 stakeholders, comprising national and international experts in climate change, non-governmental organisations, environmentalists and a host of others is: “Exploring business opportunities in climate change mitigation and adaptation: Lagos State in focus.”

As part of recommendations contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the summit, the experts said that “the state government should incorporate strong urban containment policy to discourage urban sprawl and promote vertical growth such as sky scrapers and the greening on urban buildings (e.g. green belt policies).”

They observed that the design and use of the built environment was a critical arena for climate change mitigation because human settlements and activities within and between them account for over 40 per cent of co2 emission.

In partnership with the Federal Government, the experts advised the state to reframe climate change issues and seek new kinds of solutions to help affected communities and people deal with negative effects of climate change, so as to be eligible to benefit from the Warsaw

The state government should incorporate strong urban containment policy to discourage urban sprawl and promote vertical growth

international mechanism on loss and damage.

By the virtue of Lagos’ geographical location along the coastal environment, the experts observed that transport system of the state was highly vulnerable to changing climate.

As a result, they want the state government to introduce controlled parking zones to deter the use of private vehicles and consider the introduction of tax incentives for owners of non-polluting vehicles to reduce GHG emissions in the transport sector.

The communiqué read: “Lagos State government should upgrade its current good efforts in the transportation sector to: (a) develop an effective climate smart traffic system management that will promote non-motorised, non-fossil transportation (including electric motors, gas driven cars, walkways/bicycle tracks); and (b) sustain the redesigning and reconstruction of its roads for climate resilience.”

“The state government should partner with investors in using renewable sources for energy generation and adopt strong renewable energy standard and policies, as well as expand existing ones. These may include extending tax advantages and establishing other financial benefits towards the development of renewable energy projects.”

The experts urged that support should be given to interested investors to conduct technology needs assessment (TNA) and market analysis/barrier to trade in agriculture and other sectors to enable these sectors appreciate and explore business

opportunities in climate change mitigation and adaptation in the state.

“Lagos State should share experiences of resilient cities programmes such as those of Kenya and Rwanda and kick start a process, including (a) public consultation on short, medium and long term targets (b) review of all existing urban plans and existing physical law with an increased focus on mitigating climate change impacts and (c) progress on the Lagos building codes initiative, that will promote climate resilient and eco-friendly compact housing to green and climate proof residences in its main urban centres,” the communiqué further read.

The experts want the state government to support business opportunity through feasibility studies in green entrepreneurship in the energy sector, recycling and waste management, water management, transportation sector, urban agriculture and urban food systems, ecotourism and climate change monitoring to encourage potential investors.

Besides, they said the state authority should develop and implement strategies for publicprivate partnership in climate entrepreneurship to translate marketable opportunities for climate technology ventures into reality.

They also advised the state to conduct a detailed air quality assessment for the Lagos metropolitan area and set in motion the process to review regulatory framework for enforcing air quality standards, as well as establish an integrated air quality monitoring system for the state.

gun State government has reassured of its readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, particularly the private sector, to attract investors and improve industrial presence in the state.

Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Chief Bimbo Ashiru, made this declaration at the weekend in Abeokuta while briefing journalists shortly after a tripartite meeting between the ministry, Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Agbara Estate Limited on a memorandum of understanding on the provision of infrastructure.

Ashiru maintained that the state has the largest number of industries, adding that government would want to maintain this feat by providing adequate infrastructure and conducive environment for private investors to thrive.

He revealed that the state government and Agbara Estate Limited have a good working relationship and that both are working as a team to put necessary infrastructure in place within the estate to make it a world class industrial hub.

He said: “Improving Agbara Estate would attract more investors to the axis to establish more industries and this would create employment opportunities for unemployed graduates.”

On the issue of alleged multiple taxation, the commissioner clarified that the state government has introduced a uniformed tax payment system, affirming that “multiple taxation would not be allowed in Ogun State.

“We know that the people are not happy with this and government is already taking necessary step to address the issue,” he said.

Amosun

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Do-it-yourself: Enhance your home with paved walkways Installing pavers for a walkway, patio or driveway isn't an easy job, but it is something that an ambitious diyer can take on, according to Murray Anderso at www.doityourself.com.

He said it’s heavy work, but the end result is something that looks gorgeous, provides a real enhancement to any home, and will last for years.

Getting ready Figure out where you want your walkway to run. a relatively level area is the easiest area to work with, but you will want your finished walkway to have a slight slope away from your house to direct rainwater away (1/4" should be enough). it’s a good idea to decide what size paver you are going to use before determining the final dimensions of your walkway. Pavers do vary in size so chose a paver size (and a pattern) that will be easy to work with and accommodate your design.

Preparing the base Now the hard work begins. You’ll need to dig out the area you've marked for your walkway. If you're just building a walkway, you should excavate about 6 or 7 inches, but if you are going to be running equipment like a lawn tractor over the walkway, you should go a little deeper -- 8 to 9 inches would be good. You want your excavation to be deep enough to accommodate the compacted gravel, a 1 1/2 inch layer of compacted sand or stone dust, and the height of the pavers themselves. Once you are down deep enough, remove any loose rocks and roots and roughly level the bottom of your excavation.

Pour in 3 to 4 inches of small aggregate gravel or crushed rock and pack it down using a rented compactor. If you are building your walkway to accommodate the lawn tractor, add the gravel in two stages. Compact the first 4 inches and then add the next layer and compact it. Use a screed board to level your gravel layers before compacting them.

Laying pavers for a walkway Once the edging is in place, add the sand or stone dust, and then compact and level it. Make one side of your screed board 1/4" higher than the other and you will be able to smooth the sand surface while leaving the necessary slope.

Installing the walkway Finally, start setting the pavers in, following your pattern. just lay the pavers onto the surface of the area with the edges touching - don't press them down or they won't be level. Use strings crisscrossed over the pathway to help you align the pavers. Once all the pavers have been laid in, spread sand or stone dust over the surface and sweep it into the seams. Run the compactor over the entire surface to firm up the walkway, and then add some more sand to totally fill the seams. That’s it.

35

36 property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Lagos installs special foundation for LASU’s Senate building, central library INFRASTRUCTURE The projects are to enhance academic learning in the university Dayo ayeyemi

T

o ensure stability of structures, Lagos State government has deployed special foundation for the construction of new Senate Build-

ing and the expansive Central Library project of the state university at Ojo. The on-going projects are sitting on pile foundation, consisting 384 and 840m piles respectively to enhance their durability.

The Senate building and the central library projects, which construction started in February 2012, and being handled by Messrs CCECC, are to be completed in June, this year and

February 2015 respectively.

Speaking during the inspection tour of all on-going infrastructural projects in the institution by a team led by the Commissioners of Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Hamzat Obafemi and his information counterpart, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, it was revealed by the former that the pilling works were necessary due to the nature of soil in the university which is waterlogged, and to ensure that

LASU Senate building under construction

…Goes tough on buildings under high tension cables, pipelines ENFORCEMENT It is illegal to build on walkways, road setbacks and under high tension Muritala Ayinla

H

ard times await owners of buildings located on petroleum pipelines and under high tension cables as Lagos State government has said that it would begin enforcement of laws on building.

Government also warned other property owners, car dealers, developers, vulcanizers, iron sellers, mongers and petty traders to vacate the right of way (ROW) or road set back, saying their present location amounts to infringement of the right of pedestrians to use the walkways.

Hence, the state government said it would not hesitate to pull down such structures and tow away obstructing vehicles found on the right of way.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoyin Ayinde, told New Telegraph that govern-

ment would be left with no option than to commence immediate enforcement of the law, having warned the property owners repeatedly.

He said that the state had begun another round of sensitisation campaigns in the media to inform residents on the danger of locating their buildings on pipelines and under high tension cables.

Ayinde said that those who have their houses on pipelines and under high tension cables are endangering their lives, adding that they stand the

risk of being electrocuted or consumed by fire. He lamented that Nigerians are fond of living on the probability of prayers.

He said: “For those who sited their buildings on the pipelines or under high tension cables, they are not only obstructing the right of ways, they are also endangering their lives. For high tension, they run the risk of being electrocuted because different waves are being transmitted at different times. If cable drops, residents are at risk.

Water board decries clustering of pipes in drains Appolonia Adeyemi

L

agos State Water Corporation has observed with dismay, the unhygenic practices by some residents who illegally connect long service pipes through drains to its water mains.

This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the corporation, Ronke Famakinwa.

While stressing the zero toler-

ance for illegal long service connection in drains, group managing director of LWC, Shayo Holloway, advised Lagosians who wish to connect to the water mains to call the toll free line on 0800-lagoswater for assistance.

Holloway said that illegal connection of long service pipes through drains to the corporation water mains is worrisome and totally unacceptable to the corporation.

the buildings stand the test of time.

He said that the state government was the sole financier of the projects, and, as such, would like to ensure the quality of various infrastructures being put in place in the university to enhance learning.

Already, the construction of the second floor slab of the 6-floor of the senate building with mezzanine is on-going, while its second phase comprised the construction of fourth, fifth and sixth floors up to the roof level are yet to commence.

Also, the first phase of the library project is near completion with a change in the floor height specification in order to accommodate the mechanical/ A.C pipes installations within the soffit of the slab.

The cost implication for the increase of floor height from 3600mm to 4900mm is being appraised at the ministry.

Obafemi disclosed that the 4-storey central library, on completion, would accommodate over 800 students at a time.

It has green area, open court-

yard and its total height is 23.6 metres.

He stated that the government has priotised various projects in the university, and as such wholly funding them.

Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor John Obafunwa, said that the completion of various projects in the institution would enhance learning.

Other projects visited included the Faculty of Management Sciences Building which the construction of its pre-cast piles was in progress; School of Transport building which has been completed; classroom block for International School within the university which has also been handed over; and construction of student union arcade, which its finishing works was steady in progress.

The visiting team also inspected the Law lecture theatre being constructed by Basnaz Construction Limited and site for the construction of Lagos HOMs; building for LASU Radio, which hand over is due next month and other rehabilitation project in the Faculty of Education.

How to avoid fake estate developers C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

part with money.

Speaking also, editor of Prime Property magazine, Mr. Fuhad Faheed, said some of the developers did not have the wherewithal to jumpstart an estate and, as such, collect money from interested individuals to pay for the land and to develop basic facilities in the estate.

He maintained that subscribers should be blamed for developers’ inability to keep to their promise as they fail to keep to the term of agreement.

According to him, most subscribers, when they bought lands from developers, abandoned their plots for years with the intention of selling them at higher prices later.

This attitude, he said, always push developers against omo-oniles as the later would go behind to sell the land to another person.

He explained that the omooniles are looking for quick money and are interested in people that want to develop their land immediately rather than leaving such land for

speculating purposes.

According to him, for fear of encroachment by omo oniles, developers want to sell immediately and settle the omo oniles who often demand for money.

He said: “When developers buy land from omo oniles and sell to individuals, they expect development immediately. They don’t want a situation where you will leave the land you bought from them at N100,000 for almost ten years and begin to sell N10 million later. So because of this, they would encroach on such land and cause developers nightmares.”

He narrated the ordeal of a developer who he said spent N500,000 quarterly to secure his estate from encroachment by omo oniles due to the fact that people that bought into the estate refused to develop the land.

However, to buy a stress-free land, the Managing Director of Edgefield Limited, a real estate development firm, Mr. Wale Adedara, maintained that people should buy from genuine developers.

BUSINESS 37

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Lack of MRO facilities, bane of African airlines WOLE SHADARE, who was at the just-concluded 23rd MRO Africa conference and exhibition held in Johannesburg, South Africa, writes that African airlines are bogged down by many problems.

I

t is a forum that helps African airlines to know where the shoe pinches. It was at the 23rd Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) conference which ended in Johannesburg, South Africa last week.

It ended with tales of woes for the continent’s airlines but proffered solution to the myriads of problems confronting them.

The summit which brought together experts from different parts of the world gave a verdict that the aviation sector on the continent was deteriorating fast, despite the humongous potentials that abound for the industry to flourish.

In attendance were South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Dipou Peters, former Secretary General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Nick Fadugba, Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways, Monwabisi Kalawe, Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Noggie Meggison, representatives of airplane makers, Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, global airline chiefs, among other dignitaries.

It was, however, not all gloom and doom for the continent’s aviation industry. The positive from the conference was the fact that Africa remained the next destination in aviation development, with Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania already saturated.

Current forecast has it that between 2012 and 2031, Africa would receive 900 aircraft deliveries from Boeing; 957 from Airbus and 550 from Bombadier.

And because Africa remains the next destination of aviation exploits, all segments of airlines’ business were very well represented, including the four major aircraft manufacturers in the world, namely U.S. Boeing Corporation, Europe’s Airbus, Canadian Bombadier and Brazil’s Embraer. Similarly, aircraft engine makers such as Pratt and Whittney and General Electric, were also present, while MRO centres from different continents of the world had their voices heard. Airlines and aircraft lessors also attended in their large numbers.

Organiser of the event and former Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Nick Fadugba, disclosed that virtually all the carriers in Africa are distressed, adding that of the $59 billion to be spent globally on MRO this year, Africa’s share of the market was only 3 per cent because of inad-

An aircraft maintenance facility

equate MRO centres on the continent.

Aside South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Air Maroc, Egypt Air and Ethiopian Airlines, no other African airline has an MRO centre, making majority of the carriers to do their maintenance in Europe, Asia and United States which takes greater chunk of their revenue.

Fadugba, in his opening address, lamented that 80 per cent of all intercontinental flights into and out of Africa were operated by non-African airlines, adding that the situation had not improved markedly as non-African airlines still carry over 50 per cent of traffic into and out of the continent.

The international aviation consultant who had been in the forefront of campaign for integration of airlines on the continent, said that for African airlines to survive and prosper, they must get into alliances with a view to fusing into strong and mega carriers.

The expert also flayed government’s interference with developments in the aviation sector and warned against such intrusions.

He, however, said, “aviation growth in Africa will depend on several factors, key among them but which is often overlooked, is the necessary infrastructure, development of African MROs and coherent cooperation with foreign partners and suppliers for aviation spares and components.”

According to him, “current African aircraft maintenance and repair sector is valued at approximately $1.2 billion and, according to experts, this figure is expected to increase by 40 per cent in the next decade based on global tendencies.

Although Africa is becoming increasingly attractive to investors, several factors still stand in the way of major developments. The market is still restricted by lack of poor infrastructure.

Furthermore, such problems as airspace restrictions, geriatric fleet, brain drain, bureaucratic interference, high operating costs, stiff prices and lack of coopera-

tion prevent Africa from realising its full aviation expansion potentials.”

Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways, Monwabisi Kalawe, noted that by 2050, Africa would contribute 12 per cent of global GDP, which currently stands at 4 per cent, saying this could only be possible if necessary infrastructure was put in place, especially in the aviation sector, which he considered as economic driver and engine of growth.

He based his prediction on the fact that investors in all corners of the world were struggling to play on the continent. He, however, lamented that the aviation sector that should drive the investment flow was not doing well.

The newly appointed airline chief lamented that the combined capacity of Africa’s biggest airlines, namely Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways, was just a third of Emirates Airlines.

He blamed the development on the refusal of African carriers to merge and form a strong, competitive force against their foreign counterparts who, according to him, dominate close to 80 per cent of Africa’s commercial airlines’ business.

“The way to go for African airlines is to merge and become a strong force.

The airlines as they are currently cannot compete because they are weak. If two of America’s biggest airlines, American Airlines and U.S. Airways could merge, why are African airlines not merging?

He implored airline operators on the

Nigeria today has only one MRO for light jets and over 150 private jets operating in the country begging for a functional MRO facility to do their maintenance

continent to downplay ownership and collaborate to fuse into mega carriers.

He also frowned at inadequate MRO centres in Africa, arguing that a situation where airlines take their planes overseas for maintenance and pay in hard currencies not only raised their cost of operation but also limited their ability to run safe and profitable operations.

For instance, African airlines without an MRO centre spend as much as $3 million on C-Check on every aircraft within 18 months in Europe and America.

Said he: “With an ever increasing middle class and fast-growing economy, we are truly seeing the African Renaissance with immense economic growth. And one of the drivers of economic development and growth is mobility and air connectivity. However, air services for passengers and cargo in Africa cannot sustain and flourish without the presence of strong providers of aviation related services within the continent.”

Also, chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Nogie Meggison, regretted that in Nigeria, Aero Contractors is about the only MRO facility with third party approval and capability for conducting A and B checks on the B737 classics and C-checks on the Dash 8.

His words: “Nigeria today has only one MRO for light jets and over 150 private jets operating in the country begging for a functional MRO facility to do their maintenance.”

MRO centres’ representatives and aircraft lessors, who came in from all corners of the world, highlighted the frustrations they go through dealing with African airlines who patronised them for aircraft leasing and maintenance, accusing them of violating MRO and lease agreements, which often lead to seizure of their planes after repair.

At the end of the brainstorming sessions, it was agreed that for African airC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 8

BUSINESS | AVIATION

British Airways to train six Nigerian students

Wole Shadare

I

n a move aimed at further deepening its contribution to the development of the Nigerian aviation industry, British Airways has announced the launch of a capacity building initiative tagged Leaders of Tomorrow.

The programme will see the leading international airline fund the training of six students to be drawn from the two aviation colleges. The lucky students will emerge through a competition.

To qualify for this proramme, candidates are to send a 500 words essay on the topic: Building a more robust aviation industry and travel luxury - benefits of international airlines to www.baleadersoftomorrow.com Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to formally launch the initiative, Country Commercial Manager (West Africa), British Airways and Iberia, Mr. Kola Olayinka, disclosed that the idea was part of a larger plan the company was deploying to contribute to the development of the country’s aviation sector.

“This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the actual work environment. We believe in supporting talents by providing them a veritable platform where they can learn and gain experience in their chosen

fields. We are not only concerned with the business of providing excellent service delivery; we are also passionate about investing in the lives of our people. We hope to achieve that with this project,” he said.

The competition is currently open to students of two major aviation colleges: Aviation Technology College (NCAT), Zaria, and International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, Kwara State.

Olayinka further said that “the eventual six students will undergo two weeks internship at British Airways head office in Nigeria and one week visit to the company’s global office at Heathrow, London.

The internship module include understudying Keith Williams, Chief Executive Office of British Airways in London as well as visiting other strategic places to get firsthand experience of the workings of a global airline.

All the interns will receive a British Airways accredited certification from the CEO to mark their graduation from the Leaders of Tomorrow academy.

Entries for the programme opened on Wednesday, March 13, 2014 and closes on April 10. All entries will be vetted and scrutinised by a panel of three preselected judges. These judges will work together to select the top six students who will participate in the programme.

L-R: Legal Adviser, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Afolake St. Matthew Daniel; General Manager, West Africa, British Airways, Mr. Kola Olayinka and Manager, Trade Sales, British Airways, Mr. Ademola Sanya, at the press conference to announce the launch of the British Airways Leaders of Tomorrow, held at Ikoyi recently.

Bane of African airlines C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 7

lines to grow and prosper and for the continent to be prepared for the surge of foreign investments into the aviation sector, there must be massive infrastructure development; absence of government interference and intrusion into aviation matters;

need for airline mergers and alliances; establishment of more MRO centres in Africa; need for strong corporate governance in African airlines and capacity building by way of training and retraining of personnel through establishment of more aviation academies.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

AIR RAGE

WITH

38

Wole Shadare

How best to rescue Nigeria’s aviation sector

T

he past three years have been tough for Nigeria’s aviation industry. Not for dearth of ideas or shortage of intelligent people to oversee the affairs of the sector, but it is becoming a swan song or cliché to say that the sector is in the doldrums. But that is the truth.

An aviation expert recently summarised the whole sector as one with lots of activities but very little impact. Not a few would agree less with Mr. Amos Apkan in his expose of an industry that is money-spinning but has been shortchanged for decades.

For obvious reasons, this is the better time to appraise objectively, the over three years stewardship of former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah and see where we got it right and where we failed abysmally.

The remodeling exercise of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, is one that makes one to cry. Aside the expansion that was carried out, every other thing is cosmetic. The airport terminal stinks as travellers are daily assaulted with stench that comes out of the toilet, office corridors of airlines, the elevators that have broken down, the suffocating heat that makes breathing difficult, the disorderliness and thick darkness that pervade the entire vicinity of the airport.

What we see and what we get is very different from what our aviation managers say and display. Could it be more of propaganda than real work?

Our PR agents and media consultants should do well to help the aviation chiefs reduce expenses on image making and propaganda wars. It is ironic that these huge expenses did not stop them from leaving with bad image or negative public opinion. The struggle to launder their image can be seen in the way they are influencing succession and their continued appearances in television and print media discussions to advance their positions.

One begins to wonder if the remodeling exercise was not a ruse afterall, considering the enormous funds sunk into the projects, especially that of Lagos.

Next week, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will commence audit of Nigeria’s aviation sector to ascertain its safety status.

Nigeria got her category one rating under the hard working former Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Olusegun Demuren.

Four years down the line, the sector had degenerated with three Directors-General in less than one year. This clearly shows instability and one that the FAA frowns at. NCAA’s autonomy seems to be only on paper as the position of the Director-General is no longer tenured, coupled with high level interference in the aviation regulatory body by the Ministry of Aviation.

Many analysts told New Telegraph that they would be pleasantly surprised if the country retains America’s category one status because of the high power play of who should be NCAA DG. Most of the gaps noticed a few years ago

are yet to be closed. The NCAA, with the recent removal of Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, is in disarray.

As at today, President Goodluck Jonathan has not sorted out the occupant of the office of the minister of aviation nor settled the office of the director general of Nigerian Civil aviation authority. If Nigeria fails to retain the category one status, Arik Air, Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, will be the greatest loser while American carriers like Delta and United Airlines will have a field day to consolidate on their position on the US-Lagos route. Arik could be forced to withdraw its operations on the Lagos-New York route because of the huge cost of renting airplane from a category one nation.

It is quite pathetic and wicked that Arik Air is not backed by government to compete with Delta, Continental, North American, British Airways, Air France and Emirates.

In Akpan’s opinion, “our government should create maintenance facilities; reduce the cost of jet A1; train skilled man power; encourage operators to align and codeshare; and make our airports user friendly. If these are available, our operators would have the right environment to compete with others.

Some have lauded the aerotropolis as one of the beautiful concepts of the immediate past minister, Oduah, while some alleged that it was a conduit pipe by people in authority.

Whichever way one sees it, Akpan urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) which appeared to have slumbered for too long to create train service for passengers and cargo linking the cargo terminal, the international terminal, the general aviation terminal and the Ikeja central district. Ditto for Abuja and Kano airports What is the state of the multi-billion naira Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON)?

Air traffic controllers and many pilots have called the equipment a sham and one that still have so many challenges.

Up till now, the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have continued to insist that the equipment functions optimally.

According to Akpan in his lengthy article made available to the media recently said: “My journalist friend who covered the total radar coverage mentioned about the fabrication of some components with the iron and zinc welders in Agege/Mushin. This made me very proud considering all the news of foreign procurement and installation by expatriates. At least our technicians got some crumbs. Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja has almost taken a permanent transition posture. Domestic and international movement mix very well in the only functional terminal in the Abuja airport. The domestic terminal is now a private property. Some say it is concessioned but the process is yet to complete as terms like proceeds payments are inconclusive. Others say it is still under remodelling.

The mode of movement between the different communities in Abuja airport is unspecified.

We either take the luxury of car hire or do the nomadic style.”

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

39

South African Airways takes delivery of fourth A320 aircraft Wole Shadare

business class offering on narrow body aircraft, giving our competitors in the domestic market a run for their money.”

A class divider between economy and business class is a curtain material with a basket weave print reflects on the South African theme.

Mood lights in light blue (on the hand rails) add the final touch to the superb interior ambience of these aircraft. A magazine rack which complements a ‘wrap around’ design will be installed by SAA.

S

outh African Airways (SAA) has taken delivery of a further two new A320 aircraft, bringing the total number of narrowbodied aircraft to have joined the SAA fleet this year to six.

The latest two A320s arrived earlier this month, with another A320 (number five) expected in June this year. Aircraft six and seven are expected to arrive Airbus A320 in the third quarter and aircraft eight in the fourth quarter. efficient aircraft and thus part Two of the A320s entered of the airline’s commitment to service last year. Fleet re- being an environmentally renewal forms part of the three sponsible airline.” key pillars of the successful In keeping with SAA’s iniimplementation of SAA’s new tiatives towards weight reducstrategy, Gaining Altitude. The tion, products and material on fleet replacement programme the new A320’s are made of for SAA’s narrow-bodied fleet lightweight materials.

“We have put a lot of work includes the acquisition of twenty A320 aircraft, which into making the Business will replace all the Boeing Class on these aircraft attrac737-800 aircraft and increase tive and super comfortable for the fleet to support SAA route customers. These aircraft furexpansion plans into Africa. ther offer a refreshed on-board Acting General Manager, experience through a number (Commercial) for the airline, of special features,” says MyrKendy Phohleli said: “We are iam Bracke, Manager Product. very excited about the latest Interior design of the cabin new arrivals in our fleet, which The interior design of the brings our customers the add- cabin reflects on SAA’s truly ed pleasure of flying on brand South African nature with new aircraft. Besides the im- earthy touches of African proved on board offering, cus- colours and ‘elements of surtomers can enjoy their flying prise,’ often seen in South Afexperience knowing that they rican designs. Materials used are travelling with a more fuel are durable leather for the

Interior section of Airbus A320.

seats and a mix of nylon and wool for the carpets, offering lighter and stronger fixtures.

Wood look finished floors and the SAA logo in the welcoming area are more special touches.

Configuration Aircraft are configured with 24 Business Class and 114 Economy Class seats.

…Celebrates 80 years of operations

S

outh African Airways, the leading carrier on the African continent, celebrates its 80th year of gracing the global skies.

SAA which was founded in 1934 celebrated its 80th anniversary this month.

SAA has faced many challenges over its illustrious history and has experienced many highlights and some turbulent times. Through the years, SAA and its employees have shown extraordinary resilience and capacity for change.

Today, SAA is a modern, technologically advanced airline that flies millions of people every year. SAA has been an award winning airline over the years and recently received, for the 12th consecutive year in a row, the 4-Star

airline ranking, from Skytrax, the independent global airline rating organisation. SAA also remains the only carrier on the African continent to achieve this high level 4-Star Airline rating.

The airline’s safety record and its outstanding on-time performance remain key drivers as to why customers choose to fly with SAA. Apart from SAA celebrating its 80 years of existence, the SAA Group celebrates more achievements this year.

SAA’s frequent flyer programme, Voyager, who was one of the first ever frequent flyer programmes in Africa, also celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. SAA’s low cost operator, Mango, will also be celebrating turning 8 later in the year.

The airline is set for a return to profitability with its Long-Term Turnaround Strategy, Gaining Altitude, in place, which sets a long-term view for returning the airline to profitability. The strategy sets five strategic objectives which are: Support for South Africa’s national developmental agenda; to achieve and maintain commercial sustainability; provide excellent customer service; achieve consistent, efficient and effective operations and foster performance excellence.

The Gaining Altitude strategy is well into its implementation phase and specific milestones have been reached.

Loss making routes such as Bujumbura and Kigali, have been closed, with the route to Buenos Aires to be closed at the end of March, 2014.

Economy Class Seating in economy class offers a pitch of 31 inches, with shared USB and PC power points and an adjustable headrest. Customers can enjoy a greater sense of living space these slim-line seats offer, which have been upholstered in easy to maintain leather throughout the cabin. Colours used are dark beige and anthracite grey with touches of red and blue corporate colours.

Business Class Business class offers ample leg room with a pitch of 39 inches, and seats are arranged with two seats on either side of the aisle (four abreast) offering more seat width. The A320s are the first narrow body aircraft in the SAA fleet to offer four seats abreast, offering more space and comfort, in comparison to the five seats abreast on the B737s and A319s.

Every seat has a leg rest, and an adjustable headrest, with a recline of about 7 inches allowing the seat to fold out into a cradle position offering super comfort for up to four hour long regional trips. Seats have loads of stowage on the sides, which gives extra width.

“Business class seating offer a 10 per cent improvement on pitch compared to our current

Stow your tablet All the seats (except for the first row) have an innovative special feature: the back shell has space to stow a PC tablet, with a USB power point that keeps a tablet powered during the flight and PC power points in the centre console for additional laptop computer power.

“These Business Class seats are a customised design for SAA and we are truly proud of offering our customers this initiative. It is an airline first,” says Myriam Bracke.

In the pipeline are Samsung tablets, with in-flight entertainment content already loaded, which will be offered to business class travellers on longer African flights.

In-flight entertainment Customers can watch the in-flight entertainment on the classic drop down overhead screens and can look forward to improved quality of flight entertainment experience as well as Airshow’s moving map experience, new on these narrow bodies. As a future innovation. SAA is testing new IFE technology where content will be streamed on board to customers’ own devices.

Fuel efficiency In a market environment where jet fuel has become the single biggest cost factor for any airline, the A320 has become the aircraft of choice for airlines looking to reduce their fuel bills. Newer aircraft embody the latest technologies are also more reliable, more productive and require less down-time for maintenance and repairs.

Lower fuel burn means fewer carbon emissions and with the A320’s low noise footprint, it’s a good neighbour too.

40

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Emirates connects Nigeria to A380 network W ith the growing number of opportunities to connect to the world through its expanding fleet of A380 airplanes, Nigerians can now enjoy connections with Emirates jumbo aircraft. The airline operates two services from Lagos to Dubai It now has 45 of the world’s largest passenger planes, which have 517 seats: 14 seats in First Class, 76 seats in Business Class and 427 seats in Economy Class.This means that passengers from Nigeria can connect through Emirates’ dedicated A380 terminal in Dubai to 25 destinations from Auckland to Zurich that is served by the A380.

Emirates’ Country Manager for Nigeria, Mr. Manoj Nair said: “The A380 is a truly remarkable aircraft and is a travel experience in its own right. Since Emirates began flying to Nigeria ten years ago, customers here have been able to link into a growing network of cities served by the A380, while making overseas trips as exciting and fun as the final destinations.

“Our customers love the A380 - from the quieter cabins and spacious layout on the main deck, to the on-board lounge and shower spas in our premium cabins. It is a beau-

tiful aircraft which we have packed full of the best inflight comforts and products. From an operator standpoint, the A380 is still one of the most fuel efficient aircraft per seat,” he added.

Once in Dubai, passengers transit to Concourse A, the dedicated home of Emirates A380 fleet, and the world’s first purpose built facility for the aircraft at Dubai International Airport. The concourse, part of Terminal 3, comprises 20 A380 capable contact gates, as well as Emirates’ flagship First Class and Business Class lounges, among the largest in the world.

Emirates operates the world’s largest fleet of A380s, flying one in three of these modern jets in the skies today.

Emirates was the first airline to order the aircraft back in 2000, and it ordered another 50 more at the Dubai Air Show in November.

In 2013, Emirates received 13 A380 aircraft and it expects to receive another 13 in 2014.

The airline still has 96 more A380s worth US$43 billion on order, of which 71 are expected to be delivered over the next five years, before the end of 2018.

From its Dubai hub and dedicated A380 terminal,

Emirates’ A380s crisscross the globe flying to 25 destinations spanning Los Angeles to Auckland. Emirates’ current A380 destinations are: Amsterdam, Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Manchester, Mauritius, Melbourne, Moscow, Munich, New York JFK, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto and Brisbane. Zurich

became the newest destination for the Emirates A380 when it was launched on January 8 this year.

It was August 1, 2008 when Emirates operated its first scheduled Airbus A380 flight to New York. Now, the airline flies to 25 A380 destinations including London Heathrow, Rome, Moscow, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore.

There have been over 7,000 cabin crew to support a world-

renowned fleet of A380s, along with nearly 670 flight deck crew.

Over the first five years of operation – celebrated in August last year – more than 35 million meals have been served during 20,000 trips, spanning 265 kilometres. In all, 37 airports have been visited, either for scheduled flights, one-off special appearances or because of diversions.

Managing Director, Dees Travels, Olotu Oluwadaisi (left); Regional Manager, Emirates Airline Manoj Nair; Senior Sales Executives Ms Grace Babalola and Managing Director, Wakanow.com, Ekezie Obinna shortly before their departure for the Emirates Airline sponsored familiarisation tour to Dubai and Singapore for 10 Outstanding travel agents in Nigeria.

Etihad Airways to improve guest sleep experience luxury Exclusive multi-layered sleep system mattress for Etihad Airways’ Diamond First Class.

E

tihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend, launched an exciting new program to improve sleep quality on its long-haul flights.

Since July 2012, Etihad Airways has been working closely with a panel of sleep experts from the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN) in Abu Dhabi to research ways to enhance sleep in-flight. The Centre is staffed

by American Board-certified aviation psychiatrists and neurologists and is renowned for its work in the field of aviation health.

Etihad Airways has received expert guidance from the ACPN on sleep hygiene

and on-board wellbeing, and has developed comprehensive guidelines for sleep in-flight, created for the airline’s guests as a result of clinical studies carried out by the ACPN on patients experiencing effects related to long-haul flying.

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways said: “A good night’s sleep is scientifically proven to benefit one’s health and nowhere is this more important than on a long-haul flight.

“We understand that sleep is an important requirement for our guests, many of whom fly multiple journeys with us each year. For this reason, we will continue ensuring greater levels of comfort and wellbeing on our flights. The research we have carried out in collaboration with the experts at the ACPN will allow us to significantly improve the cabin environment for our guests and to provide targeted investment in our on-board ex-

perience for tangible customer benefit.”

Dr. Yousef Abou Allaban, Managing Director of the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, said: “What is encouraging is that there is an airline placing tremendous importance and resources into the study of sleep on long distance flights. Etihad Airways approached us with the clear understanding that sleep is not just a luxury, but a physical necessity which affects every traveller on every level. We have worked closely with them to offer expert advice aimed at providing an optimum environment for sleep while flying, taking into consideration the challenges of modern travel.”

A core part of Etihad Airways’ sleep initiative is the introduction of luxury all-natural bedding by COCO-MAT in Diamond First Class. Athensbased COCO-MAT, widely considered the world’s leading manufacturer of sustainably

sourced sleep products, has designed an exclusive multilayered sleep system mattress for Etihad Airways’ Diamond First Class suites.

The unique mattress is made from extracts of the Hevea tree, a healthier alternative to standard petroleumbased foams. This natural rubber is known for its elasticity and is perforated with tiny holes to create a perfect ventilation system, enabling the material to breathe and regulate body temperature.

The new bedding set features a 100 per cent cotton fitted sheet and a large down feather duvet and pillow. Etihad Airways is the only airline in the world to provide this bespoke product.

The airline aims to enhance the sleep experience by focusing on the senses of touch, sight, sound, aroma and taste. Fine cotton Heather Grey sleep suits, unique pillow mist, pulse point oil and a selection of Bergamote 22

toiletries by New York brand, Le Labo, now feature as part of its First Class sleep amenities.

High quality comforters, blankets, pillows are provided in Pearl Business Class and Coral Economy Class respectively, along with unique Sougha amenity kits, inspired by traditional Emirati artisanal designs in all classes.

To minimise the effects of ambient cabin sounds, Etihad Airways provides noise cancellation headphones in all three classes. Furthermore, to counteract harsh light, all cabins feature advanced moodlighting systems.

Home comforts such as a sleep-time beverage service including hot chocolate and herbal teas are to be offered in all three classes. In Diamond First Class, sleep-inducing chamomile tea and a range of malt drinks will be added to the airline’s already extensive drinks selection as part of the sleep experience.

MUM&PARENTING

NEW TELEGRAPH

41

www.newtelegraphonline.com/mum&parenting

appolonia adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com appoloniaadeyemi@gmail.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

- Culled feom BCK website

Crying baby shows symptoms of colic

Infantile colic: A guide to family care Caring for inconsolable, constantly irritable and crying babies is a challenge for parents, especially mothers who face much of the burden, but medical experts rule out indiscriminate use of medicines as a solution, writes APPOLONIA ADEYEMI and SOLA ADEYEMO

T

he safe delivery of new born in African countries including Nigeria is usually welcome with joy and the expected celebrations that follow is normal, especially when one considers that childbirth in sub Saharan Africa is not a mean task. In actual fact, it is a matter of life and death and that is why those who sail through go the whole hog to rejoice.

Sadly, caring for some new born can pose huge challenge to parents to the extent of leaving affected moms and dads confused as to what exactly the problem could be.

Imagine a new baby that cries for over three hours in a day and every action taken to console him throughout fails to pacify the infant. Rather, than abate, the crying episodes extend into days, weeks and up to months. If you are an affected parent, what do you do?

“When my two-month-old baby girl, Damilola had crying episodes for over four weeks, it was traumatic for me

and her father,” said Emmanuela Olulana, Damilola’s mother.

“Fortunately, my mother in-law had visited us, to assist me and her son care for the baby.

“Based on the Yoruba cultural belief that the baby’s persistent cries had spiritual implication, my husband and I always resorted to prayers to tackle the problem, yet, there was no relief.

Sometimes, my husband and I would watch helplessly as Damilola with a flushed face, clenched hands, and a wrinkled brow, would pull her legs up to the stomach and cry in a high pitched piercing tune. For me, it was as if the end had come. Sometimes, when tears ran down my face, grandma would quickly carry my daughter and apply ‘anointing oil’ on her hairs and her eyes¸ while rocking her endlessly, to no avail.”

According to grandma, on impact of the oil on the baby’s eyes, she would no longer see ‘evil spirits’ that were

tormenting her. “Those spirits were visible to the baby only,” granma had claimed. Mrs Olulana and her husband are not alone. Some babies experience this condition, known as colic during their first few months in life and for their parents, caring for colicky babies is a harrowing experience. This is because no matter what most affected parents do, such babies remain inconsolable.

Quoting a medical personnel, extract from Web MD Website states, If your baby is showing colic symptoms, you are not alone. “Up to a third of infants have colic,” said Jennifer Shu, MD, co-author of “Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality” and a pediatrician with Children’s Medical Group in Atlanta. And while colic may get worse before it gets better, symptoms usually last only a few months.

To provide relevant information

If a baby has repeated episodes of inconsolable crying, but appears to be healthy and well, he/she may have colic

based on scientific evidence to empower professionals with better skills to manage the condition and for parents, majority of whom are ignorant of colic, Nestle Nigeria Plc organised a nutrition symposium in Lagos and Ibadan last week, to explain the condition.

Infantile colic is characterised by inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy infant between the ages of two and four months. It is usually accompanied by painful expression, flushing, distended abdomen and flatulence.

Colic, a common condition estimated to affect at least 20 per cent of babies during their first few months is an attack of crying and what appears to be abdominal pain in early infancy (babies).

All babies cry for various reasons including hunger, cold, tiredness, heat, or because the diaper (nappy) needs changing. However, a baby may cry even after being well fed, cleaned, nicely wrapped up and well cared for.

If a baby has repeated episodes of inconsolable crying, but appears to be healthy and well, he/she may have colic.

According to Consultant Paediatrics/Gastroentrologist, UniverCONTINUED ON PAGE 42

42

MUM&PARENTING

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Why is your baby in tears?

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

sity College Hospital University of Ibadan (UCH/UI), Ibadan, Dr. Adepoju Akinlolu, “crying in colicky babies lasts at least three hours a day and occurs at least three days per week over the course of, at least three weeks in a month.”

In his lecture delivered at the Genesis Events Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, he advised parents against administering different kinds of drugs, including herbal medications on their babies when they engage in crying that is inconsolable within the first three months of their lifetime. “Administering different kinds of drugs on the baby could cause more harm than provide solution,” he said.

Considered as a self-limiting and benign affliction, which is often a stressful problem for parents and a frequent and wrongly undervalued cause for paediatric consultation, the paediatrician observed that the usual management of colic condition through the use of substances like paracetamol, ‘gbomoro’, teething powder, salt water, buscopan, gripe water etc are often unnecessary and harmful”.

Instead of such common management methods, Akinlolu suggested that, “a complete physical examination should be performed. It is important to evaluate if the infant is correctly fed or gaining weight.

Examine if there are signs and symptoms such as eczema or diarrhea and gastro-esophageal reflux or more uncommon, but life-threatening causes such as bowel intussusceptions.”

Most importantly, before looking to treat your baby’s “colic,” make sure he or she is thoroughly examined by her pediatrician to check for a medical reason for the crying and fussiness, said the medical expert.

While dissuading parents from administering series of drugs to treat colic as many parents do on infants who are usually healthy, Akinlolu said, medical assessment should rather be directed at causes of “burping, need to eat, difficulty with passing stools, arching the back, flushing, abdominal distension and leg contracture”.

As a way out of the stressful condition for both parents and the infants, he therefore recommended some pharmacological treatments including “use of simethicone to reduce gas production, and anticholinergic agents that could reduce crying during colic episodes in breast-fed infants”.

Mothers were advised, “to exclude trigger foods including cow’s milk products from infants’ diet; and not to discontinue breast feeding while switching to the hypoallergenic maternal diet, use of sucrose solutions because glucose solutions have positive effects in relieving symptoms”.

A newborn crying

Mothers were advised, to exclude trigger foods including cow’s milk products from infants’ diet; and not to discontinue breast feeding Delivering a lecture, “Infantile Colic: Causes and Consequencies – Nigerian Perspective” a Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Dr. O. Funmi Adeniyi said: •Colic is present in five to 25 per cent of infants; some studies report up to 40 per cent infants can actually have colic.

•Is common in both breast fed and spoon fed infants.

•Normally infants cry an average of just over two hours a day, with the duration peaking at six weeks.

•With colic, periods of crying most commonly happens in the evenings.

•Colic can begin as early as two weeks of age and it often disappears when the baby is three to four months old, but can last up to one

Clinical features • Flatulence • Regurgitation • Constipation • Abdominal cramps • Painful facial expression • Flexed legs • Clinched Fists • Flushing • Distended Abdomen • Symptoms usually peak at 5-6 weeks.

• Disruption of evening and night time sleep.

Makinen

year. There are no long term problems associated with the condition.

•The cause of the colic is generally unknown. Less than five per cent of infants with excess crying have an underlying organic disease.

•Adeniyi listed some of the causes as immaturity of the gut, hypertonicity of the gut, inadequate maternalinfant interaction, maternal anxiety and difficult infant temperament, dietary factors and birth complications, which may have a direct impact on the infant. “It appears that there is a correlation between childbirth complications and amount of infant crying,” she averred.

Explaining the motive of Nestle, the company’s Category Business Manager, Nutrition, Dr. Mazhar Qureshi said Nestle always tries to improve knowledge of both medical practitioners and patients as a strategy to empower the various groups and ensure quality care for patients. Nestle is committed to advancement in scientific methods, hence, it always wants to bring scientific advancement to its various publics. “We remain committed to the Improvement of child

PHOTO: INTERNET

health and development. As a result, we are organising five symposia in the major cities and 25 mini-symposia.”

Nigeria.Nestlé will continue to collaborate with the health care community, policy makers and all stakeholders in ensuring the health, nutrition and wellness of the Nigerian child,” he said.

When parents learn the intricacies of colic as well as how to manage it effectively, Qureshi said application of the knowledge and best practices of managing colic, gained will help pave way for happiness to return to the family, which is the theme of the two symposia: “Happiness is back in the Family.” Dr. Kimmo Makinen of the Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland, also confirmed this.

In his presentation tagged: “Gut Comfort in Infants: Role of Lactobacillus reuteri in Colic Management”, Makinen said although, 10 per cent of mothers suffer from depression in the first months after birth, mothers of babies with colic had higher Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) than mothers of babies without colic.

“Even when colic stopped at two months after birth, mothers had a still increased risk for depression six months after birth. Besides, when babies cried excessively up to six months after birth, more than a third of mothers had high EPDS scores.”

There is no doubt that colic has a significant negative impact on infants and quality of life for members of affected families. However, implementing the plans highlighted above can lead to improved quality of life for both colicky babies and their parents. Similarly, it can remove tension and stress, which the condition pose to parents as well as debunk the myth of the spirit link believed to be associated with the condition in Nigeria.

FEATURES

43

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NIS tragedy: Creating employment with blood Many of the victims of the Nigeria Immigration Service’s (NIS) botched test are still crying for assistance at the hospitals, writes CAJETAN MMUTA

S

oon the hullabaloo over the death of some applicants during the recruitment of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) would be forgotten.

Life would, in the usual Nigerian fashion, return to normal.

But life may never return to normal for some families, whose hopes of a better tomorrow have been dashed with the culpable killing of their loved ones.

Although President Goodluck Jonathan has announced automatic jobs in the NIS for three members of the deceased applicant, among who must be a female, could this be equated with human life?

The President also extended the automatic jobs to the injured. But the buck passing game is still on between the Interior Minister, Abba Moro and the NIS leadership, led by its Comptroller-General, David Paraddang, over who was responsible for the unfortunate incident.

Many of those who were injured in the ill-fated recruitment exercise on Saturday March 15 are still crying for assistance in hospitals across the country.

Some of those people include a couple, who miraculously survived the stampede at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Edo State.

Mr. Timothy Omuagbon and his wife, Grace who suffered a broken rib and scapula, are still at the emergency unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

The Omuagbons, like the other over 28,000 applicants that jostled for only 100 spaces allotted to the state, went to the stadium with high hopes.

Most of the applicants had arrived the venue as early as 6:15am and ready for the epic battle of survival of the fittest. All the applicants wore white shorts, vests and canvass to match. A reasonable number of them had looked up to the fateful Saturday with expectations, thinking that the pains of joblessness of several years might come to an end.

As at 10:30am, the 10,000-seater stadium was filled to capacity while thousands of applicants could not access the stadium.

The crowd struggled for air and space, coupled with hunger and thirst, compounded by the intense heat from the scourging sun.

The tedious process of accreditation lasted till 3:30pm.

But, suddenly confusion set in from all fronts. The crowd became uncontrol-

Applicants at the Stadium before the stampede. Inset: Parradang

Omuagbon assisting his wife on her hospital bed

lable. It was beyond the capability of the NIS officials and hordes of security operatives deployed to forestall breach of peace within and outside the premises.

It was indeed a herculean task for the over 1,000 personnel of the police, Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the State Security Service (SSS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The presence of the applicants and their wards that accompanied them as well as their vehicles halted vehicular movement on Akenzua, Plymoth, Stadium, Airport and GRA roads as well as adjoining streets and lanes.

Things came to a head when security operatives, in an attempt to check the surging crowd, fired several gunshots into the air.

But, this proved to be an unwise decision. The gunshots led to a stampede, as everybody was running in different directions. In the ensuing melee, applicants fell on top of one another, creating heaps of immobile and near dead victims.

Cries of help rent the air. But help was nowhere in sight.

At the last count, a pregnant woman, nursing mother who was delivered of her

baby three days earlier and two others died in the stampede while more than 20 sustained various degrees of injury.

Three of the victims had fractured legs and hands.

About 20 of the applicants among those who collapsed were rushed to the Central Hospital Benin City.

One of the applicants, who gave his name simply as Moses, said he and others arrived the venue of the examination about 6:30am and that the test started at 4pm.

Another, who gave his name as Isaac, said he came from Owan East.

Isaac described the handling of the test as condemnable.

He said: “Can you imagine, as at 2:10pm, we were still loitering around with no concrete information from the recruiting officers?

“People should ask the Immigration officials why the shooting? To organise the applicants is easy. Now, the shooting has caused a big problem. Three pregnant women died, over 20 persons are being hospitalised. Now, the exercise is on hold.”

Reacting to the ugly development, a

pressure group, South-South Mandate (SSM), Edo State chapter, described the incident as a national scandal. The body urged the Federal Government to prosecute all those found culpable.

In a statement signed its President and Secretary-General, Comrade Curtis Ehgosa Ugbo and Mr Mathew Edaghese, in Benin, the SSM said the deceased were victims of “official murder”.

But writting on her hospital bed, Mrs Omuagbon is fixed with oxygen and being assisted with an empty can to drain blood oozing from the broken rib.

The Economics graduate of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, and mother of three told journalists that on the fateful Saturday morning, she and her husband were entering the venue of the examination when she suddenly fell down as people struggled through a tight entrance door.

She said: “As we were going in, people were struggling to get in but the door that was opened was not wide enough. I fell down and was revived. It was the Immigration people that took us to the Central Hospital. I could not talk and I was coughing out blood.

“My husband took me to one private hospital from where I was referred here.

I had broken ribs and shoulder. We were many that Immigration officers took to the hospital but one died. It was my husband that paid the hospital bill.”

Her husband, who studied Accountancy at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, said he had worked at a company before he left to drive taxi to take care of his family.

He said: “At the stadium, the crowd was much. Only one gate was opened for the thousands of people that came for the test. We were at the front. I held my wife so that we could be together.

“Both of us fell down as they pushed us and many people fell on us. I had bruises all over my body. It was Immigration officers that helped me out. My wife was still under and I had to call for help to get her up.

“She had lost consciousness but people poured water on her to revive her. It was after one hour before Immigration officials brought their van and took us to the hospital. They left us there. I saw my wife condition and I took her away.

I have spent over N100,000.”

The Liaison Officer of Save Accident Victims of Nigeria (SAVAN), Ms Cynthia Ogbo, said the organisation had contacted the officials of the NIS but nothing positive had been achieved.

She said: “They have not come here to see the victims. We have sent message to them but they have not come.

It is unacceptable for this country to pay militants and thugs huge salaries but allow graduates to suffer and even exploit them by asking for N1,000. This thing should not happen again.”

44 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Abuja and the challenges of restoring order The Federal Capital Territory Administration faces a Herculean task of bringing back the lost glory of Abuja, writes YEKEEN NURUDEEN

W

hen Senator Bala Mohammed took over the reigns of leadership in 2010 as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, he left no one in doubt about his determination to rid the nation’s capital of all vices.

Perhaps to give bite to his word, the minister unveiled war against commercial sex workers who were hitherto having a field day within and around Abuja, plying their trade.

When the fight against prostitutes gained steam, Muhammed did not only receive accolades from far and near, the city, for which he mounted the war, also wore a decent look.

Though there were hues and cries about violation of fundamental human rights of the sex workers, the fact remains that the FCT Secretary for Social Development, Blessing Onuh, who championed the cause for the minister, also became the most performing Mandate Secretary in the FCT. While prostitutes were being chased away, beggars, street hawkers and others were also apprehended and returned to their respective states.

The renewed vigour to sanitise Abuja led to the rehabilitation of Kuchiko Rehabilitation Centre constructed by the former FCT Minister, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, but which was abandoned.

When it was fully given a face lift, it became a training centre for the physicallychallenged, arrested street hawkers and even members of the public in all forms of technical and vocational fields.

A rehabilitation centre was also constructed for repentant commercial sex workers where they were also trained in vocational skills.

The two centres have graduated many trainees. And it was indeed a huge success and reference point for Muhammed’s administration.

However, four years down the lane, not only did the war against these vices has been silenced, the city has also become worse than it was before the arrival of the minister.

Girls of easy virtue have returned to the street. They are everywhere now in Abuja plying their trade and satisfying their customers unmolested.

Kids, who are street hawkers, have taken over all the major roads; beggars have also multiplied.

Once banned commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada riders, have found their way back to the city. And above all, the city seems not to have an environmental sanitation agency. It is obviously dirty now.

This explained why the FCT minister came under attacks from a member of Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Abate-

A motley crowd at Wuse market

A beggar on a major road in Abuja

mi Nurudeen-Usman, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, who accused him of condoning indiscipline in the city.

Mohammed had appeared before the committee to defend the 2014 budget estimates for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) but Abatemi cashed in on the occasion to tell the minister that the dip the nation’s capital had slipped to was a mark of absence of leadership in the FCT. Rising from his weekly executive meeting held at his official residence, Life Camp, the minister, with the retinue of all his mandate secretaries, directors and other principal officers, toured the length and breadth of Abuja.

At the end of the over two hours driving round the city, Mohammed could not but admit that the city had indeed degenerated to what it was years ago.

While briefing journalists after the tour, the minister confessed that all he

was told by his directors about the state of the city were lies.

Also in response to a verbal query from President Goodluck Jonathan, Mohammed announced a Task Force headed by the new FCT Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu. He said: “I have seen that all the information the directors have been given to me in the files are lies. They told me the city is clean; it is not true. We have gone round with you. They told me there are no street traders, there are street traders everywhere. They told me there are no beggars but we saw them everywhere today. They told me there are no okada riders; in fact okadas are more than vehicles.

“Definitely you can see what they have told me and you is not true. It is good to go for inspection, supervision is not just sitting in the office but making sure that you go on the spot assessment and find out for yourself.”

The minister also said that all the departmental heads had been placed on strict notice to perform or be shown the way out.

He said: “They are under strict notice that anyone who does not comply and work hard would be shown the way out.

Our officers are becoming nonchalant; we have read the riot act to them.

“They have improved but the improvement is not at the level that we wish. That is why I called for this meeting. There have been some measurable achievements since the riot act was read and the issue of sustainability now comes to fore.

“We said we are going to organise the environmental and road departments so that we can delineate and give responsibilities squarely to district officers and regional officers so that if enforcements are not done they would be held responsible.

“But most importantly, the commissioner of police here, Operational Department and Traffic Control, are ready to work together; not in the manner of task force in a casual manner and go away.

“Sometime people believe unless you bite, persecute and do what is unusual to the people, they would not listen. It is not that we cannot rusticate officers, I have read riot act but today I didn’t mention it. Anybody who feels he cannot capture our vision and our passion should humbly resign, otherwise my patience and that of Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, is getting exhausted. We are ready because we know what has been done.”

METRO 45

arch 25, 2014

Road crash kills one, injures seven Camillus Nnaji

A

baby was killed yesterday, while seven people were seriously injured when a commercial bus, popularly called Danfo, collided with two tricycles at Allen Avenue roundabout Lagos.

One of the tricycles otherwise called Keke Marwa, belonging to one Mrs Biola Laja, was said to have just been purchased and started work shortly before the accident.

A witness, who identified himself

as Mr Azeez Isaah, blamed the accident on impatience and breach of traffic light rules by the bus driver.

He said: “I am just coming from the Lagos State Accident Management at Toll Gate where the victims are receiving treatment. What happened was breach of traffic light rules by the Danfo driver.”

Laja told our correspondent that she was at home when she got a call that her tricycle was involved in an accident.

She said: “I just met everybody

here; I was at home when they called me. My driver broke his legs and was bleeding through the nose. But I don’t know where they took the other victims to.”

The head of Zone 34 of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr B. S. Berkeley, said he did not witness the accident.

He said: “I met the accident and none of my staff was present then.

But, I know the police from MAN Division, Wemabord Estate, have towed the Danfo and the tricycles.

One of the tricycles involved in the accident

Pastor faces trial over N2.4m theft

A

pastor, Matthew Akinola, was arraigned yesterday before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged theft of N2.4 million belonging to the Redeemed Christian Church of

God (RCCG).

The 50-year-old suspect was the parish treasurer of the church located at No. 33, Market Street, Somolu, Lagos.

The accused, who lives at No. 16a

Church Street, Pedro, Somolu, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a two countcharge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP Akinlabi Adegoke, told the court that the accused

re abducted by Ibadan ritualists – Victims

Awo’s relation

y of

m the ea of they (nee was

ation lowo,

disclosed that her abductors said she was under arrest.

But, according to her, instead of taking her to the police station, they drove her to an unknown destination.

The 45-year Adeniyi, who appeared very gaunt and emaciated, told NT Metro that she was sitting in front of their Oke Bola, Ibadan house when some people rushed at her, ‘arrested’ her and rushed her into a vehicle.

The woman spoke on her hospital bed at the Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, where she and others were receiving medical attention.

She said: “I am from the compound of the late Baba Awolowo of Oke Bola in Ibadan. Some people came and rushed at me while I was sitting in front of our house. Nobody was around then. My people were in Lagos.

“They said I was wanted somewhere

and that they came to arrest me. They then took me away in their vehicle. Later, I found myself in that forest.”

Adeniyi and three other victims, who spoke with our correspondent, said that they were not mendicants.

Adeniyi also said she was not aware of killings in the forest.

She said: “I don’t know whether people were being killed or women giving birth. Where they kept us was where I used to be. Once I covered my head with my cloth, I would just sleep off.”

Asked whether her relatives are aware she had been rescued, she said “my people have known. They are in Lagos.”

Other victims including Nofiu Shittu from Ibadan, Michael Ola from Odeda in Ogun State and Wale Atoyebi from Ada in Osun State, said that they were on different occasions, picked up or forced out of a vehicle andlaterfoundthemselves intheevilforest.

Ola said he left Osogbo sometime last year to see his parents in Igboho in the Oke Ogun areaof Oyo State.

On his way back, he found himself in the forest.

He said: “If anybody calls me a mad person, I will be angry with him.”

Shittu, who was a dealer in ‘agbo jedi’ (pile herb), said he was living at Foko and Olodo areas before he was abducted.

He said: “I was sitting somewhere at the Agodi Gate area of Ibadan when some people just swooped on me and rushed me into a vehicle. I had been in that place since four months ago. In the forest, we might not be given food for a whole week. People were dying.”

On his part, Atoyebi, who was so in-

coherent and stammering that he just succeeded in muttering few words, said he was not a madman.

Many people have continued to throng the hospital from different states to behold the victims.

As at yesterday, nobody had been able to identify any of the rescued persons as relations.

Housed in the General Out-Patient Ward of the hospital, nurses told our correspondent that they had improved tremendously since they were brought there.

“When they arrived here, they were smelling awfully. Some of us had to bathe and wash them while some Good Samaritans donated clothes to them,” one of the nurses said.

While the three of them were just lying down on their beds, without speaking to anyone, some of the victims were walking in and out under the watch of the hospital staff.

“They were eating well,” a nurse said.

Another said that one of the victims had told them that she had been in the forest for about 15 years and had given birth to babies three times.

The babies, investigation revealed, were being sold.

One of the five women in the ward was confirmed to have given birth to twins on the day they were rescued, but that the babies had been sold before some youths invaded the place in search of three missing cyclists, which eventually led to the rescue of about 20 victims and discovery of one dead woman.

had, in December 2013 embezzled N2.4 million belonging to the church.

Adegoke, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the fraud was discovered following an audit of the church’s financial records.

He said: “Akinola was in charge of the treasury of the Redeemed Christian Church of God coordinated by the pastor-in-charge, one Pastor James Ojo. “After the 2013 year-end audit, it was discovered that N2,490,982 was unaccounted for in the church’s account records.”

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The magistrate, Bola Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until April 4 for trial.

Iluyomade for burial

T

he rites of passage will begin on Thursday, March 27 for Elder Festus Olorunlambe Iluyomade, who died on February 16.

Service of Songs will hold for the deceased on March 27 at the Ire Akari Estate Playground, Adagunodo Street, Isolo, Lagos. It begins at 5pm.

Also, the funeral service will hold the following day from 11am at St. Paul’s Angelical Church, 3/5 Baale Street, Ishagatedo, Isolo, Lagos.

The body will be laid to rest the same day at the Ikoyi Cemetery, Obalende, Lagos, while entertainment of guests will be held at Ire Akari Estate Playground, Adagunodo Street, Isolo.

Elder Iluyomade, aged 73, is survived by wives, children, grandchildren, etc.

Pa Iluyomoade

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

46 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET

Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014

Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005

Symbol

No. of Deals 3

Current Price

Quantity Traded 658,000

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 103 9 620 33 5 17 74 861

Current Price 2.89 2.00 12.00 3.41 0.62 20.35 2.50

Quantity Traded 3,901,972 2,860,679 22,346,674 979,732 284,084 Tuesday, 106,766 9,537,620 40,017,527

Value Traded 329,000.00 Value Traded 11,160,630.21 5,720,686.97 269,676,073.81 3,342,146.10 Sanctity of Truth 167,671.71 March 25, 2014 2,179,442.53 23,651,188.06 315,897,839.39

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at March 24, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 Pharmaceuticals Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

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

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 6 21 27

Current Price 42.00 40.72

No. of Deals 34 34

Current Price 3.39

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries Daily Summary asLEVENTIS of 24/03/2014 A.G. NIGERIA PLC. Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005 JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

61 Symbol No. of Deals AGLEVENT 29 JOHNHOLT 1 TRANSCORP 117 UACN 39 Daily Summary (Equities) 186

CONGLOMERATES Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other (WStock A) PLC. Published by COSTAIN The Nigerian Exchange © Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Current Price 1.34 1.21 3.81 59.99

186

Quantity Traded 27,394 341,387 368,781

Value Traded 1,093,020.60 13,888,273.18 14,981,293.78

Quantity Traded 1,581,003 1,581,003

Value Traded 5,214,483.43 5,214,483.43

1,949,784

20,195,777.21

Quantity Traded 166,796 446 6,948,355 146,718 7,262,315

Value Traded 226,908.12 512.90 26,735,384.54 8,725,380.13 35,688,185.69

7,262,315

35,688,185.69

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.27

Quantity Traded 15,000 Page 15,000

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 71.25

Quantity Traded 353,945 353,945

Value Traded 25,218,581.25 25,218,581.25

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 19.10

Quantity Traded 100,837 100,837

Value Traded 1,929,716.70 1,929,716.70

469,782

27,167,797.95

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 Food Products--Diversified Totals

Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.EQTY Activity Summary on Board

CONSUMER GOODS Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Personal/Household Products Personal/Household Products Totals

30 No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 28,558 28,558

Value Traded 14,279.00 14,279.00

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 1 69 18 131 219

Current Price 14.51 169.00 23.14 151.00

Quantity Traded 9,600 476,289 40,603 2,105,375 2,631,867

Value Traded 132,384.00 80,105,041.77 976,500.62 317,710,312.27 398,924,238.66

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 35 35

Current Price 91.00

Quantity Traded Page 73,021 73,021

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 28 110 70 33 1 16 3 261

Current Price 8.99 9.68 67.25 3.71 0.50 12.00 0.56

Quantity Traded 231,107 3,244,369 225,801 1,274,470 300 171,300 1,870 5,149,217

Value Traded 2,055,043.61 29,858,359.61 14,651,976.75 4,786,219.61 150.00 2,062,864.50 1,054.35 53,415,668.43

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 46 63 109

Current Price 78.00 973.00

Quantity Traded 187,387 96,439 283,826

Value Traded 14,145,748.41 94,298,532.54 108,444,280.95

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 24 24

Current Price 4.11

Quantity Traded 190,732 190,732

Value Traded 753,003.74 753,003.74

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 29 77

Current Price 30.69 45.50

Quantity Traded 76,017 1,487,527

Value Traded 2,344,169.61 68,197,336.72

Symbol

No. of Deals 106

Current Price

Quantity Traded 1,563,544

Daily Summary (Equities)

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 Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 STERLING BANK PLC. Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services

Activity Summary on Board AIICO INSURANCE PLC. EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. © INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. 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 Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005

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

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

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

760 Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Totals

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

of

9,920,765

638,605,887.22

Quantity Traded 114,241

Value Traded 92,422.80

Symbol CONTINSURE CORNERST EQUITYASUR INTENEGINS LASACO MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS OASISINS PRESTIGE SOVRENINS UNIC UNITYKAP UNIVINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 12 7 1 9 1 16 1 19 1 4 5 1 1 1 1 19 108

Current Price 0.93 0.50 0.50 0.54 0.50 2.00 0.50 0.73 0.50 0.58 0.56 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.74

Quantity Traded 3,010,377 270,500 Page 32,000 1,382,466 500,000 1,456,950 300 1,601,000 450 80,700 131,586 300 15,000 20,000 412,000 207,153 9,235,023

Value Traded 2,816,329.00 135,250.00 4 of 11 16,000.00 753,949.73 250,000.00 2,917,392.00 150.00 1,172,780.00 225.00 45,792.00 73,721.04 150.00 7,500.00 10,000.00 206,000.00 151,870.36 8,649,531.93

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.76

Quantity Traded 212,238 212,238

Value Traded 161,300.88 161,300.88

Symbol ASOSAVINGS

No. of Deals 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 658,000

Value Traded 329,000.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 3

Current Price

Quantity Traded 658,000

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 103 9 620 33 5 17 74 861

Current Price 2.89 2.00 12.00 3.41 0.62 20.35 2.50

Quantity Traded 3,901,972 2,860,679 22,346,674 979,732 284,084 106,766 9,537,620 40,017,527

Value Traded 11,160,630.21 5,720,686.97 269,676,073.81 3,342,146.10 167,671.71 2,179,442.53 23,651,188.06 315,897,839.39

202,757,309

2,098,297,380.73

2,311

of

Symbol MORISON

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.91

Quantity Traded 400 400

Value Traded 728.00 728.00

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 3 18 26 8 8

Current Price 2.22 2.84 70.00 1.94 1.52

Quantity Traded 19,008 367,960 114,826 66,314 215,070

Value Traded 41,766.88 1,033,417.20 8,050,821.00 126,625.05 326,906.40

Page

6

of

Value Traded 41,766.88 1,033,417.20 8,050,821.00 126,625.05 326,906.40

Symbol

No. of Deals 63

Current Price

64

6

of

Value Traded 9,579,536.53

783,578

9,580,264.53

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.70

Quantity Traded 17,000 17,000

Value Traded 11,390.00 11,390.00

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 0.50 2.32

Quantity Traded 1,000 10,000 11,000

Value Traded 500.00 22,100.00 22,600.00

28,000

33,990.00

Quantity Traded 910,002 329,452 654,991 54,018 118,525 9,525

Value Traded 12,991,065.54 3,032,752.23 28,000,887.00 472,692.60 26,952,717.42 11,620.50

6 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP Daily Summary CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER

No. of Deals 52 18 27 (Equities) 9 36 2

Current Price 14.49 9.30 45.00 9.15 228.00 1.28

11

No. of Deals 5 1 6

Current Price 1.91 0.50

Quantity Traded 595,422 300 595,722

Value Traded 1,066,866.94 150.00 1,067,016.94

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 2 1 3

Current Price 1.55 18.25

Quantity Traded 6,624 372 6,996

Value Traded 10,267.20 6,621.60 16,888.80

3,191,931

116,976,522.97

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS

Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 Energy Equipment and Services Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 Advertising Totals

231

Value Traded of 11 2,900.00 1,810.00 427,594.00 43,998,577.94 115,892,617.23 7

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,470,000 1,470,000

Value Traded 735,000.00 735,000.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 401

Current Price 17.68

Quantity Traded 13,617,119

Value Traded 239,620,631.13

OANDO Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

8

of

11

Symbol

No. of Deals 401

Current Price

Quantity Traded 13,617,119

Value Traded 239,620,631.13

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 20 11 213 23 5 22 294

Current Price 51.90 3.83 90.50 123.00 54.44 153.00

Quantity Traded 16,156 160,081 1,493,303 125,522 13,810 40,224 1,849,096

Value Traded 757,068.42 589,789.36 132,177,253.84 15,382,368.45 714,253.20 6,188,378.18 155,809,111.45

16,936,215

396,164,742.58

708 Symbol AFROMEDIA

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,100 1,100

Value Traded 550.00 550.00

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 8 2 10

Current Price 4.47 2.49

Quantity Traded 61,400 10,350 71,750

Value Traded 261,450.00 24,529.50 285,979.50

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 8,200

Value Traded 4,100.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Quantity Traded 8,200

Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

No. of Deals 2 14 3 19

Current Price 4.55 0.60 4.08

Quantity Traded 60 1,073,600 210 1,073,870

Value Traded 286.20 648,040.63 814.80 649,141.63

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,500.00

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 4 1 6

Current Price 1.80 1.50 3.50

Quantity Traded 250 7,014,689 50,000 7,064,939

Value Traded 427.50 10,522,933.50 175,000.00 10,698,361.00

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 0.89

Quantity Traded 685,485 685,485

Value Traded 614,581.65 614,581.65

Current Price 2.66 5.10

Quantity Traded 745,734 383,837

Value Traded 1,985,082.44 1,946,580.65

Employment Solutions C &Summary I LEASINGon PLC. Activity Board EQTY

SERVICES Employment Solutions Employment Solutions Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 Printing/Publishing Totals

Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SERVICES

Transport-Related Services Transport-Related Services Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

DailySymbol Summary (Equities) No. of Deals AIRSERVICE NAHCO

18 35

Page

9

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 53 1,129,571

of

Value Traded 4,100.00

Page

Symbol

SERVICES Totals

11

Page

Quantity Traded 783,178

Symbol CUTIX NIWICABLE

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

Current Price 0.84

Value Traded 329,000.00

Quantity Traded 19,008 367,960 114,826 66,314 215,070

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005

No. of Deals 9

5

Current Price 2.22 2.84 70.00 1.94 1.52

OIL AND GAS Totals

Symbol AIICO

Page

Symbol No. of Deals EVANSMED 3 FIDSON 18 GLAXOSMITH 26 Daily Summary (Equities) MAYBAKER 8 NEIMETH 8

Quantity Traded Page 5,000 1,000 102,890 403,810 2,589,213

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

Value Traded 165,259,816.38 4,794,922.78 887,023,297.77 9,544,828.84 143,189,036.13 15,698,164.82 4,654,310.81 187,462,237.97 6,018,362.24 3,898,646.25 345,716,084.54 1,773,259,708.53

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded 728.00 728.00

Current Price 0.61 1.90 4.19 109.10

OIL AND GAS Integrated Oil and Gas Services Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Quantity Traded 21,797,320 728,861 65,774,465 4,414,408 5,574,035 4,317,190 2,100,365 26,344,940 582,752 3,889,863 17,110,322 152,634,521

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Quantity Traded 400 400

Published

by TheSummary Nigerian Stock Exchange © Activity on Board EQTY

Current Price 7.60 6.46 13.40 2.20 25.70 3.64 2.25 7.10 10.44 0.98 20.15

Daily Summary

Current Price 1.91

No. of Deals 1 1 8 68 222

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC

11

2,098,297,380.73

Symbol IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Value Traded of 11 6,512,910.11 6,512,910.11

Value Traded 70,541,506.33

Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DNSummary MEYER PLC. Activity on Board EQTY

202,757,309

No. of Deals 1 1

ICT Totals

Daily Summary as of 24/03/2014 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Printed 24/03/2014 15:17:05.005

2

3

Symbol MORISON

HEALTHCARE Totals

No. of Deals 169 44 67 98 236 106 18 272 41 36 251 (Equities) 1,338

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

Page

Activity Summary on Board EQTY HEALTHCARE Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Value Traded 19,500.00 1 of 11 19,500.00

Symbol DUNLOP

Daily Summary (Equities)

EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

2,311

10

of

11

11

Value Traded 3,931,663.09

102

10,039,915

16,186,876.87

EQTY Board Totals

4,459

253,339,594

3,358,897,425.75

Equity Activity Totals

4,459

253,339,594

3,358,897,425.75

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

11

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 1 2,108.00 100 2 16.90 55,000 3 55,100

Value Traded 210,800.00 929,750.00 1,140,550.00

ETF Board Totals

3

55,100

1,140,550.00

ETP Activity Totals

3

55,100

1,140,550.00

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

11

of

11

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 47

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

24-Mar-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

Price

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

31-Mar-07 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

10.75 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

35.00 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

31-Mar-14 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

0.02 0.27 0.52 1.08 2.40 3.09 3.34 3.44 4.18 5.27 5.58 7.85 9.97 14.68 15.16 15.66 16.33

13.58 13.76 14.39 14.45 14.38 14.42 14.26 14.25 14.17 14.13 14.07 14.06 13.88 13.60 13.57 13.54 13.56

6.15 13.18 14.07 14.29 14.30 14.30 14.14 14.13 14.07 14.06 13.97 14.00 13.82 13.55 13.52 13.48 13.50

99.93 98.75 97.55 89.85 97.35 101.60 88.53 87.02 89.26 106.70 73.27 110.80 101.71 108.75 93.08 67.52 76.80

100.08 98.90 97.70 90.00 97.50 101.90 88.83 87.32 89.56 107.00 73.57 111.10 102.01 109.05 93.38 67.82 77.10

10.75 31-MAR-2014 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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,167.04

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***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

0.61 1.17 1.53 2.71 3.07 3.29

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00

15.45 17.27 16.76 16.30 15.78 15.27

91.43 82.40 100.71 89.01 85.95 84.44

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 06-Jan-21

0.37 0.56 1.44 0.81 1.34 1.35 3.07 1.90 3.77 2.55 4.53 2.75 2.75 3.33 3.21 5.67 3.36 4.07 6.68 4.08 4.12

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 1.44 1.95

19.01 20.41 18.97 17.81 19.03 18.05 19.88 21.94 16.01 16.10 15.14 15.30 15.51 15.27 16.74 16.00 17.00 16.93 15.03 15.63 16.13

98.15 96.72 92.16 95.79 94.48 97.39 78.03 88.08 94.41 95.70 96.35 98.46 104.99 98.14 97.07 94.47 94.61 93.96 93.63 102.17 101.84

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 A-/GCR

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS *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 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 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 14.50 15.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

567.90

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

Aa/Agusto Nil

GTB µ NGC

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

*UPDC *FLOURMILLS

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

*CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING # *DANA *TOWER# *TOWER

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

#

UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

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

NAHCO

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

07-Oct-11 18-Dec-09

11.50 13.50

11.80 13.17

07-Oct-14 18-Dec-14

0.54 0.74

1.00 5.21

15.41 19.75

98.04 95.83

01-Apr-10 17-Aug-10

17.00 10.00

2.00 15.00

31-Dec-14 17-Aug-15

0.77 0.92

8.71 4.88

23.27 19.54

95.68 92.44

09-Dec-10 06-Jan-11 29-Sep-11

12.00 14.00 13.00

37.50 1.50 15.00

09-Dec-15 06-Jan-16 29-Sep-16

1.00 1.08 2.52

1.00 2.63 1.00

15.71 17.31 15.30

96.82 97.18 95.34 97.09

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.59

1.34

15.64

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.52

4.52

18.77

85.61

30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11

18.00 16.00 18.00

0.94 8.01 3.63

30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18

2.14 2.04 2.46

1.88 3.48 5.20

16.18 17.78 19.50

104.29 97.04 97.40

09-Sep-11

16.00

1.00

09-Sep-18

2.46

5.06

19.36

101.82

22-Sep-11 18-Oct-13

14.00 15.75

35.00 3.00

22-Sep-18 18-Oct-18

4.50 2.32

3.06 2.29

17.20 16.59

90.25 98.54

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.54

17-Feb-19

2.65

6.11

20.41

93.75

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.64

2.76

16.79

93.90

11-Feb-18

3.89

1.00

15.21

85.67

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

175.67

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

11-Feb-13

10.20

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00

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

5.71

5.55

105.84

106.74

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.81

4.60

101.20

102.03

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.06

5.93

102.18

103.16

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

3.87

3.27

113.45

114.60

GTBank PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.41

4.73

104.18

105.58

GTBank PLC II

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.40

6.14

98.40

99.46

B+/S&P

Access Bank PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.30

6.80

99.83

101.31

B/S&P; B/Fitch

Fidelity Bank PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.37

8.07

94.88

95.88

B/Fitch

Afren PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.24

4.68

114.15

115.34

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

NA

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

NA

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

48 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

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

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

Description

Issuer

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

AMCON FMBN

NA

***LCRM

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 Sub-National Bonds

FOREIGN INVESTORS

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 A-/GCR

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

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

Equity prices are falling at the NSE because foreign investors are exiting and there is low confidence in the market.

T

he Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) yesterday attributed the fall in the price of equities at the nation's TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE bourse to the sell pressure by local and Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; investors.

AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO foreign

Mr Emeka Madubuike, the 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 ASHON President, told the 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 in13.00 Lagos that the sell pressure 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50due IMO 30-JUN-2016 was to exit of foreign inves10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 tors low confidence in the 13.75and BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 market.

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 HeNIGER saidII 4-OCT-2018 that the exit of for14.00 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 eign investors had led to capi14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 tal outflow with many investors 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 seeking safer havens.

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 12-DEC-2019 HeOSUN also said that investors’ 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 anticipation of tighter mon13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 etary policy from the Monetary 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on March 25 contributed WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 in the to11.50 theLAFARGE downward trend 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

14.42 14.26 14.25 14.17 14.13 14.07 14.06 13.88 13.60 13.57 13.54 13.56

BB+/GCR

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

A-/Agusto Chris Ugwu A/GCR

BBB-/GCR

I

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

*UPDC

*FLOURMILLS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

*CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA

*C & I LEASING # *DANA

n orderBB-/GCR to create a*TOWER world class A-/DataPro†; AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER capital market, the Nigerian A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterBbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS day inaugurated an online A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO portal through which informaTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE tion could be disclosed to the Supranational Bond AAA/S&P Exchange.

IFC TOTAL VALUE tagged TheOUTSTANDING online platform ‘X-whistle will also permit the Rating/Agency Issuer whistleblowers to perform a staFGN Eurobonds tus check on matters they have BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P reported on X-whistle. # #

#

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

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 Speaking at the launch, 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 General Manager, Legal and 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 Regulation Division/Head of MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWERSurveillance, 9-SEP-2018 Department Mrs. MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 Tinu Awe, said the Exchange is 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 encouraging whistle blowing MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 because it provides a mecha15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 nism for providing information which is not available to 10.20Exchange IFC 11-FEB-2018so that it could the take requisite action.

“If the Exchange is not aware Description that violations have occurred, are occurring or about to oc6.75 JAN 28, 2021 cur, it cannot take appropriate

FGN

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

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

101.90 88.83 87.32 89.56 107.00 73.57 111.10 102.01 109.05 93.38 67.82 77.10

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

0.61 1.17 1.53 2.71 3.07 3.29

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

15.45 17.27 16.76 16.30 15.78 15.27

91.43 82.40 100.71 89.01 85.95 84.44

NSE All-Share Index dips by 0.49%

market.

Madubuike said that banks, as 05-Aug-09 14.00 the major players in the market, 15-Oct-09 14.00 12.50 were31-Aug-10 ready for upward review of 30-Sep-10 13.00 the Cash Reserve Requirement 30-Jun-11 14.00 30-Jun-09 (CRR) on public sector15.50 fund to 100 19-Apr-10 10.00 per cent from 75 per cent.

30-Jun-10 13.75 30-Dec-10 14.00 He, however, expressed op30-Sep-11 14.00 04-Oct-11 14.00 would timism that the market 14.50 pick09-Dec-11 up in the next few days be12-Dec-13 14.00 14-Feb-12 15.50 cause of improved results and 02-Oct-12 15.50 dividends declared by some 22-Nov-12 14.50 12-Dec-12 14.75 companies.

30-Sep-13 14.75 ASHON boss said that the 27-Nov-13 13.50 14.50 sell 31-Dec-13 pressure would soon be 06-Jan-14 15.00 over because most equities were trading below their actual 07-Oct-11 11.50 value.

1,304.32

MARKET CAP

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

05-Aug-14

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 06-Jan-21

0.37 0.56 1.44 0.81 1.34 1.35 3.07 1.90 3.77 2.55 4.53 2.75 2.75 3.33 3.21 5.67 3.36 4.07 6.68 4.08 4.12

Market capitalisation 15-Oct-14 dropped by31-Aug-15 N58bn 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 yesterday.30-Jun-16

W

eekly transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened yesterday on downward trend with the All-Share Index depreciating marginally by 0.49 per cent.

The Index lost 188.59 points to close at 37,601.53 from the 567.90 37,790.12 recorded on Friday.

11.80Similarly, the 07-Oct-14 0.54 market capitali18-Dec-09 13.50 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.74 sation, which opened at N12.136 01-Apr-10 17.00 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.77 17-Aug-10 10.00 15.00 17-Aug-15 0.92 to trillion, dropped N58 billion 09-Dec-10 12.00 37.50 09-Dec-15 1.00 close at N12.078 trillion.

06-Jan-11 14.00 1.50 06-Jan-16 1.08 29-Sep-11 13.00 29-Sep-16according 2.52to action.

Action taken on such 15.00Julius Berger, 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.59 the News Agency of Nigeria information leads to the pro30-Sep-10 13.00 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.52 30-Nov-12 18.00 0.94 30-Nov-17 (NAN), led the losers' chart 2.14 with motion of investor confidence 09-Apr-11 16.00 8.01 09-Apr-18 2.04 a loss of N3.75 to close at N71.25 in the09-Sep-11 capital market,” Awe said.

18.00 3.63 09-Sep-18 2.46 09-Sep-11 16.00 1.00 09-Sep-18 2.46 per share.

Speaking why whistle blow22-Sep-11 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.50 Forte Oil trailed with a loss ing happen rarely in the mar18-Oct-13 15.75 3.00 18-Oct-18 2.32of 17-Feb-12 17.00 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.65 N3.36 to close at N90.50, while Niket, Awe said the main reason 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.64 gerian Breweries depreciated by was because individuals with 175.67 requisite information might N1.89 to close at N151 per share.

11-Feb-13 11-Feb-18 3.89to N1.86 not feel sufficiently10.20 protected 12.00Mobile dropped close at N123, while Standbic to provide such information 12.00 IBTC BankMaturity lost 65kobo to close as they fear reprisals from Issue Date Coupon (%) Issue Value ($'mm) Date Bid Yield (%) those actively involved in the at N20.35 per share.

Conversely, Guinness topped matters about which they have 07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 5.71 the gainers' table with N5.15 to knowledge.

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.81

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.06

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

101.60 88.53 87.02 89.26 106.70 73.27 110.80 101.71 108.75 93.08 67.52 76.80

Sanctity of Truth

#

Risk Premium (%)

NSE launches X-whistle portal Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

14.30 14.14 14.13 14.07 14.06 13.97 14.00 13.82 13.55 13.52 13.48 13.50

4,167.04

Brokers link bearish trend to sell pressure Agency Bonds

3.09 3.34 3.44 4.18 5.27 5.58 7.85 9.97 14.68 15.16 15.66 16.33

close at N169 per share.

Presco followed with a gain of 4.88 98.15 N1.92 to close at19.01 N40.72, while Oan5.99 20.41 96.72 4.44 by N1.64 18.97 do rose to close at92.16 N17.68 3.23 17.81 95.79 per4.46 share.

19.03 94.48 3.48 18.05 97.39 Dangote Sugar appreciated 5.59 19.88 78.03 by 87kobo to close at N9.68, while 7.60 21.94 88.08 1.79 16.01 94.41 Berger gained 74kobo to close at 1.80 16.10 95.70 1.00per share.

15.14 96.35 N9.30 1.00 15.30 98.46 The volume of shares104.99 traded 1.21 15.51 1.00 15.27per cent 98.14 dropped by 18.20 as a to2.46 16.74 97.07 tal of shares94.47 worth 1.94253.339 million 16.00 2.74 billion were 17.00 traded 94.61 N3.36 in 4,459 2.74 16.93 93.96 deals.

1.00 15.03 93.63 1.44 15.63 102.17 This was against the 309.713 1.95 16.13 101.84 million shares valued at N5.06 billion achieved in 4,363 deals last 1.00 .

15.41 98.04 Friday 5.21 19.75 95.83 Ecobank Transnational 8.71 23.27 95.68 In4.88 19.54was the toast 92.44 of corporated (ETI) 1.00 15.71 96.82 investors, accounting for 65.77 2.63 17.31 97.18 mil15.30 N887.02 95.34 lion1.00 shares worth million 1.34 15.64 97.09 in 67 deals.

4.52 18.77 85.61 1.88 16.18 104.29 United Bank for Africa Plc 3.48 17.78 97.04 came second on the activity chart 5.20 19.50 97.40 5.06 19.36 101.82 with 26.34 million shares valued at 3.06 17.20 90.25 N187.46 million traded in 272 deals, 2.29 16.59 98.54 6.11 20.41 93.75 while FBN Holdings sold 22.35 mil2.76 16.79 93.90 lion shares worth N269.67 million in 620 deals.

1.00 15.21 85.67milAccess Bank traded 21.79 lion shares worth N165.26 million in 169 deals, while Zenith Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price Bank sold 17.11 million shares Prices & Yields valued at N345.72 million in 251 5.55 105.84 106.74 deals.

4.60

101.20

102.03

5.93

102.18

103.16

1,500.00

24-Mar-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.

11.50 FEB 01, 2016 01-Feb-11 11.50 450.00 01-Feb-16

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

Afren PLC I

3.87

3.27

113.45

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.41

4.73

104.18

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.40

6.14

98.40

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.30

6.80

99.83

09-May-13

6.88 Value Outstanding 10.25 (N'bn)

Maturity Date 300.00

TTM (Yrs) 08-Apr-19

Bid Yield (%) 5.24

8.37

Bid Price 114.15

Offer Price

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.30

Offer8.07 Yield 4.68 (%)

103.48

105.16

GTBank PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

GTBank PLC II

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

B+/S&P

Access Bank PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

B/S&P; B/Fitch

Fidelity Bank PLC

B/Fitch

Afren PLC II

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

First Bank PLC

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

Afren PLC III

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

FGN Bonds

Rating/Agency

Issuer

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE **Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 NA 31 45 52 59 66 73 87 94 101 108 115 136 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 143 164 255 290 Rating/Agency 304 318 332 Agency Bonds 346

Maturity 3-Apr-14 10-Apr-14 17-Apr-14 NA 24-Apr-14 8-May-14 15-May-14 22-May-14 29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 VALUE 7-Aug-14 14-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 4-Dec-14 8-Jan-15 Issuer 22-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 5-Mar-15

AMCON

Description

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

Issue 10.25 APR 08, 2019

Date

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

10.75 31-MAR-2014 31-Mar-07 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 9.20 29-JUN-2014 29-Jun-07 9.25 28-SEP-2014 28-Sep-07 4.00 23-APR-2015 23-Apr-10 13.05 16-AUG-2016 16-Aug-13 Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) 15.10 27-APR-2017 27-Apr-12 12.20 11.95 9.85 27-JUL-2017 27-Jul-07 12.95 12.70 9.35 31-AUG-2017 31-Aug-07 12.85 12.60 10.70 30-MAY-2018 30-May-08 13.10 12.85 12.85 12.60 16.00 29-JUN-2019 29-Jun-12 12.80 12.55 7.00 23-OCT-2019 23-Oct-09 12.75 12.50 16.39 27-JAN-2022 27-Jan-12 12.65 12.40 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14-Mar-14 13.00 12.75 12.70 12.45 15.00 28-NOV-2028 28-Nov-08 13.05 12.80 12.49 22-MAY-2029 22-May-09 13.30 13.05 8.50 20-NOV-2029 20-Nov-09 12.95 12.70 10.00 23-JUL-2030 23-Jul-10 13.30 13.05 13.30 13.05 13.15 12.90 13.40 13.15 13.00 12.75 13.35 Description 13.10 13.30 13.05 13.25 13.00 13.30 13.05 13.50 0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1)13.25

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 NA 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 *from the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 # Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 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 A-/GCR

KWARA NIGER KADUNA Modified Duration *EBONYIBuckets *BENUE *IMO <3 LAGOS 3<5 *BAYELSA >5 EDO Market *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS *EKITI *NASARAWA

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50Porfolio KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 Total Outstanding Market 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 1,259.54 1,315.27 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 1,039.64 951.30 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 454.32 591.57 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 2,753.50 2,858.14 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 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

Bonds

Coupon (%) 08-Apr-12 07-Aug-13

300.00

8.25

10.75 9.20 9.25 4.00 13.05 Bid 15.10 Yield (%) 12.24 9.85 13.03 9.35 12.96 10.70 13.25 13.06 16.00 13.04 7.00 13.02 16.39 12.95 14.20 13.35 13.10 15.00 13.50 12.49 13.81 8.50 13.47 10.00 13.88

35.00 31-Mar-14 6.63 360.00 45.00 29-Jun-14 2,960.00 100.00 28-Sep-14 535.00 23-Apr-15 FIXINGS 327.47 16-Aug-16 NIBOR 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 CALL 10.7500 31-Aug-17 7100.00 DAYS 11.0000 300.00 30-May-18 30 DAYS 11.3750 60 DAYS 11.7083 351.30 29-Jun-19 90 DAYS 11.9583 233.90 23-Oct-19 180 DAYS 12.2083 600.00 27-Jan-22 365 DAYS 12.5417 50.00 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 NITTY 22-May-29 150.00 Tenor Rate (%) 200.00 20-Nov-29 1M 12.7301 591.57 23-Jul-30 2M 12.9360

09-Dec-13

3M 4,167.04

13.99 13.86 14.26 14.30 14.93 Issue Date 14.96 14.98 15.13 15.48

13.2316 14.2344 14.5575 16.0654

6M 9M 12M

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn) NIFEX

Current Price ($/N) 978.35 164.8750 24.56 164.9750

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

0.00 BID($/N) 0.00 OFFER ($/N) 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

02-May-18

0.02 13.58 6.50 0.27 13.76 0.52 14.39 1.08 14.45 Money Market 2.40 14.38 Tenor Rate (%) 3.09 14.42 OBB 10.25 3.34 14.26 3.44 14.25 O/N 10.50 4.18 14.17 REPO 5.27 14.13 Tenor Rate (%) 5.58 14.07 Call 10.25 7.85 14.06 1M 11.25 9.97 13.88 3M 11.92 6M 12.17 14.68 13.60 15.16 13.57 NOTE: 15.66 13.54 16.33 13.56 :Benchmarks 09-Dec-20

6.86

105.58 99.46

Price

94.88

101.31 95.88

115.34

6.15 99.93 100.08 6.25 100.51 101.51 13.18 98.75 98.90 14.07 97.55 97.70 14.29 89.85 90.00 Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) 14.30 97.35 97.50 14.30 101.60 101.90 Tenor Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) 14.14 88.53 88.83 14.13 87.02 87.32 Spot 164.88 164.98 14.07 89.26 89.56 7D 165.10 165.38 14D 165.36 165.75 14.06 106.70 107.00 1M 165.97 166.71 13.97 73.27 73.57 2M 166.84 168.49 14.00 110.80 111.10 3M 168.22 171.47 13.82 101.71 102.01 6M 171.85 176.49 1Y 178.88 188.57 13.55 108.75 109.05 13.52 93.08 93.38 13.48 67.52 67.82 13.50 76.80 77.10 NA :Not Applicable

* :Amortising Bond µ :Convertible Bond AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria # FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria Risk Avg. Life/TTM FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Premium Maturity Date (Yrs) IFC: International Finance Corporation (%) LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company NGC: Nigeria-German Company 31-Oct-14 0.61 1.00 UBA: United Bank for Africa 1.17 Company 2.63 UPDC:24-May-15 UAC Property Development 03-Apr-17 2.27 WAPCO:West Africa Portland1.53 Cement Company

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

114.60

2.71 3.07 3.29

2.00 1.49 1.00

0.37 0.56 1.44 Implied 0.81Yield 1.34 1.35 13.46 3.07 14.08 1.90 13.56 3.77 13.74 2.55 4.53 2.75 2.75 3.33 3.21 5.67 3.36 4.07 6.68 4.08 4.12

4.88 5.99 4.44 Implied 3.23 Price Portfolio 4.46 3.48 100.5177 5.59 117.5034 7.60 83.5279 1.79 102.6547 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 2.46 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.44 1.95

# :Floating Rate Bond ***: Deferred coupon bonds †: Bond rating expired

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

15.45 17.27 16.76 16.30 15.78 15.27

91.43 82.40 100.71 89.01 85.95 84.44

1,304.32

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX 14.00 17.00

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 Weighting by 30-Sep-10Vol Outstanding 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 46.02 19-Apr-10 33.28 30-Jun-10 20.70 30-Dec-10 100.00 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 06-Jan-14

14.00 12.50 Weighting by Mkt 13.00 Value 14.00 15.50 45.74 10.00 37.76 13.75 16.50 14.00100.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 14.50 15.00

6.00 8.50 Bucket16.50 Weighting 13.00 18.50 0.46 57.00 0.33 50.00 0.21 25.00 1.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00 5.00 5.00

05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 % Exposure_ 30-Sep-15 Mod_Duration 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-1622.29 19-Apr-1738.34 30-Jun-1739.37 31-Dec-17 100.00 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 06-Jan-21

19.01 20.41 18.97 INDEX 17.81 19.03 18.05 1,016.78 19.88 994.97 21.94 1,011.17 16.01 998.97 16.10 15.14 15.30 15.51 15.27 16.74 16.00 17.00 16.93 15.03 15.63 16.13

98.15 96.72 92.16 YTD Return 95.79 (%) 94.48 97.39 1.6784 - 78.03 0.5026 88.08 1.1173 94.41 0.1028 95.70 96.35 98.46 104.99 98.14 97.07 94.47 94.61 93.96 93.63 102.17 101.84

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 49

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

‘Nigerian banks are best buys in Sub-Saharan Africa’ “We strongly believe that now is the time to have a strong bias toward Nigerian banks,” Kato Mukuru, an analyst at Exotix Frontier Equities, said according to reports by Bloomberg.

“Nigeria also offers something that few sub-Saharan African banking systems can hope to offer -- scale.”

Relying on figures by the Central Bank of Nigeria that says that almost half of Nigeria’s more than 170 million people do not have access to finance, the report noted that the opportunity for asset growth is higher in Nigeria than all other

ROI Nigeria still offers the best returns on investment.

Jonah Iboma

WITH AGENCY REPORT

Z

enith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc are among five Nigerian lenders that Exotix Limited recommends buying because of their valuations and growth potential. Exotix is a Londonbased investment bank which has been focusing on African operations in recent times.

African countries.

“With loan penetration in the West African nation increasing by only 5 percentage points over the past 10 years, the potential for asset growth in Nigeria is probably much larger than in other parts of the continent,” Exotix said.

Zenith may improve its return on equity to 22.4 percent by 2017 from the 19.6 percent that Nigeria’s third-largest bank by market value reported last year, Exotix said.

Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Ltd. and Ghana Commercial Bank Ltd. are Exotix’s top

Civil society groups flay tax incentives from one country to another.

The call coincides the seventh joint annual meeting of the African Union-Economic Commission for Africa conference taking place today in Abuja.

The Representatives of the African CSOs consultative forum, Mr Kola Banwo, said evidence had shown that tax incentives are not required to attract foreign investment in most African countries.

Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

A

frican Civil Societies Organisations have kicked against tax incentives as bait by African government to woo investors.

The CSOs canvassed the position yesterday in Abuja at a media briefing. They said that tax incentives provided by countries to investors could trigger the illicit movement of money

“Estimates from studies conducted by one of us, ActionAid, shows that $138billion is given away by governments in developing countries every year just in statutory income tax exemptions. We urge African countries to demand an inclusive and multilateral globe tax reform process in which effective participation of all stakeholders including civil society is guaranteed in shaping the new international tax rules."

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

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

Offer 163.38

IFC to invest $1.5bn yearly in power, others Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

T

he International Finance Corporation {IFC}, financial lending arm of the World Bank yesterday announced fresh investment initiatives totaling $1.5 billion to be invested in key sectors of the Nigerian economy on yearly basis.

The investments, which will cut across sectors like power generation and distribution, natural gas and housing and infrastructure, would be sustained on yearly basis.

IFC Executive Vice President / Chief Executive Officer for Africa, Mr Jin-yong Cai disclosed these to journalists after a meeting with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo –Iweala in her office.

Cai said the corporation was

ACCOLADE Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

rates, Mukuru said. The Bank of Ghana raised its key lending rate to a four-year high of 18 percent in April.

Meanwhile, Exotix has started building its African team and will focus on financial services, consumer stocks, telecommunications and industrial companies

willing to invest $1.5 billion on a yearly basis, adding that the first tranche of investment would focus on housing and infrastructure, particularly power generation, distribution and natural gas.

He said that the proposed investment in key sectors was different from the normal World Bank loans, which attract tenure and interest rate.

He noted that IFC would be working in partnership with privates sector in carrying out the investments while federal government is only required to guarantee the fund.

In her response, OkonjoIweala said she was very elated with discussion with IFC, which she said signifies yield of good dividend.

She said that the yearly investment if sustained would contribute in expanding the scope of Nigeria economy.

‘Three UBA subsidiaries are world’s best’

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

sell recommendations, Mukuru said. The Zimbabwean bank runs the “risk of an acute deterioration in domestic liquidity and a rapid deterioration in its asset quality” amid macroeconomic turbulence, he said.

The Ghanaian lenders face asset quality and operating cost risks due to increasing interest

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

Three of UBA subsidiaries have been honoured by Global Finance magazine.

T

hree subsidiaries of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, have emerged as World’s Best Emerging Market Banks in Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Senegal respectively.

A statement from UBA said these subsidiaries “were considered the best in their various countries of operations

by Global Finance magazine in an exclusive survey on the ‘World’s Best Emerging Markets Banks in Africa 2014’ in the region and in 31 countries, by the Magazine’s editors, with input from industry analysts, corporate executives and banking consultants.”

Global Finance reports on

the international finance sector, covering such topics as corporate finance, joint ventures and Mergers and Acquisitions, country profiles, capital market and investor relations. It also reports currencies, banking, risk management, custody, direct investment, and money management. The magazine also holds several awards ceremonies throughout the year to recognise the winning financial institutions and companies. The largest of these ceremonies is held contemporary to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank annual meetings.

The Global Finance World’s Best Banks 2014 Awards Ceremony will be held during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, on the morning of Saturday, October 11, 2014, at The Washington National Press Club.

50 WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tueesday, March 25, 2014

Missing Malaysian plane crashed in Indian Ocean –PM Sylva Okereke

with Agency Report

T

he missing Malaysian plane crashed into a remote corner of the Indian Ocean, the nation’s Prime Minister said yesterday night, citing a new analysis of satellite data.

The statement was the first major step toward resolving a two-week-old mystery that has consumed the world.

He said the data indicated that the Boeing 777, which took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing on March 8 with 239 passengers and crew, flew “to a remote location, far from any possible landing sites.”

“It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, Flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.”, he said.

In Beijing, relatives sobbed uncontrollably and men and women held up their loved ones, when they heard the news.

Their grief came pouring out after days of waiting for definitive word on the fate of their relatives aboard the missing plane.

The family members in Beijing had been called to a hotel near the airport to hear the announcement. Afterward, they filed out of a conference room in heart-wrenching grief. One

woman collapsed and fell on her knees, crying “My son! My son!”

In Kuala Lumpur, Selamat Omar, the father of a 29-year-old aviation engineer who was on the flight, said some members of families of other passengers broke down in tears at the news.

“We accept the news of the tragedy. It is fate,” Selamat told The Associated Press.

Selamat said the airline hasn’t told the families yet whether they will be taken to Australia, which is coordinating the search for the plane. He said they expect more details today. A relative of a Chinese passenger aboard the Malaysia plane said. Search teams from 26 nations have pored over ra-

dar data and scoured a wide swath of Asia for weeks with advanced aircraft and ships in a deeply frustrating attempt to find the plane.

Malaysia Airlines said in a statement to the families that “our prayers go out to all the loved ones of the 226 passengers and of our 13 friends and colleagues at this enormously painful time.”

“We know, there are no words that we or anyone else can say which can ease your pain,” the airline said. “The ongoing multinational search operation will continue, as we seek answers to the questions which remain.”

A Malaysia Airlines official, who declined to be named cit-

ing company policy, said there are no plans to fly the families to the Australian city of Perth until wreckage is found.

The plane’s disappearance shortly after take off from Kuala Lumpur on a routine flight to Beijing has baffled investigators, who are yet to rule out mechanical or electrical failure, hijacking, sabotage, terrorism or issues related to the mental health of the pilots or someone else on board.

Officials have said that the plane automatically sent a brief signal, a “ping” every hour to a satellite belonging to Inmarsat, a British company, even after other communication systems on the jetliner shut down.

Ukraine admits defeat, pulls troops from Crimea

U

Relatives of passengers on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 waiting for news at a hotel in Beijing.

I’m scared of you sometimes, Reva told Pistorius

O

scar Pistorius’s girlfriend told him “I’m scared of you sometimes,” less than three weeks before he shot and killed her at his home, a court heard yesterday.

Reeva Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, complained to the Olympic and Paralympic sprinter that they were in “a double standard relationship” plagued by his jealous tantrums, according to intimate messages extracted from her phone.

The high court in Pretoria, South Africa, sat in rapt silence as Steenkamp’s words were heard in the case for the first time. Pistorius, who is accused of murdering the 29-year-old on Valentine’s day last year, sobbed in the dock as the couple’s tempestuous romance was exposed in unsparing detail to his family and Steenkamp’s mother and friends.

“You have picked on me excessively. I do everything to make you happy and you do everything to throw tantrums,” said a WhatsApp message sent

by Steenkamp to Pistorius on 27 January 2013. “I’m scared of you sometimes and how you snap at me and of how you will react to me.

“You make me happy 90% of the time and I think we are amazing together, but I am not some other bitch, trying to kill your vibe. I’m the girl who fell in love with you but I’m also the girl who gets side-stepped when you are in a shit mood. I get snapped at and told my accent and voices are annoying.”

The messages were read out to court by police mobile phone expert Francois Moller on day 14 of the high-profile trial. Pistorius denies murder, claiming he shot four times through a locked toilet door because he thought he heard an intruder.

The exchanges revealed Steenkamp disliked Pistorius’s jealousy: “We are living in a double standard relationship.

Every five seconds I hear about how you dated another chick.

You really have dated a lot of people yet you get upset if I

mention one funny story with a long-term boyfriend.”

In one incident, Steenkamp was upset about being forced to leave a friend’s engagement party prematurely. “I was not flirting with anyone today. I feel sick that you suggested it .I am terribly disappointed how the day ended.”

Pistorius wrote back: “I want to talk to you. I want to sort this out. I don’t want to have anything less than amazing for you and I’m sorry for the things I saw without thinking and for taking offence to some of your actions.”

He said that his illness that day was not “an excuse”, adding : “I was upset that you just left me after we got food to go talk to a guy and I was standing right behind you watching you touch his arm and ignore me, and when I spoke up you introduced me which you could’ve done but when I left you just kept on chatting to him when clearly I was upset.”

krainian troops and their families began evacuating from Crimea yesterday as Kiev effectively acknowledged defeat by Russian forces, who stormed one of the last of their remaining bases on the peninsula.

Thousands of Ukrainian troops have been besieged on bases in Crimea, offering no armed resistance, but refusing to surrender since President Vladimir Putin declared Moscow’s right to intervene at the start of the month.

Bowing to the reality on the ground, Kiev’s leadership yesterday announced Ukrainian forces were being pulled out to spare them and their families further Russian threats. A few hours later many were already on their way out.

Scores of troops from a marine

base seized earlier in the morning gathered, some with their families, at an assembly point about 1000 metres (yards) away.

Most were in combat uniform, wearing trademark black berets with Ukrainian cockades depicting a winged anchor and sword.

Some were in civilian clothes.

“Yesterday we had an agreement: we would lower our flag and the Russians would raise theirs.

And this morning the Russians attacked, firing live ammunition.

We had no weapons. We did not fire a round,” said one marine, Ruslan, who was with his wife Katya and 9-month-old son.

Troops hugged each other in farewell. Some chanted “Hurra!

Hurra!” in defiance. One marine in full uniform, who declined to identify himself wept and blamed the government in Kiev for the chaotic end to the standoff.

Police attack: Egypt sentences 529 to death A n Egyptian court yesterday sentenced to death 529 people, said to be supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, involved in an attack on a police station that killed a senior police officer, in a mass trial that lasted only two sessions and raised an outcry from rights activists.

The verdicts are subject to appeal and would likely be overturned, rights lawyers said.

But they said the swiftness and harshness of the rulings on such a large scale deepened concerns that Egypt’s courts have been deeply politicized and that due process is being swept away amid the crackdown on Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood that fol-

lowed his July overthrow.

Amnesty International said it was the largest single batch of simultaneous death sentences they had seen in recent years anywhere in the world.

In response, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country’s judiciary is “entirely independent and is not influenced in any way by the executive branch of government.”

Egyptian authorities are holding a series of mass trials of alleged Morsi supporters, with anywhere from dozens to hundreds of defendants at a time.

Monday’s verdicts by a court in the city of Minya, south of Cairo, were the first such mass trial to issue death sentences.

Nobody can force players on me -Keshi N igeria’s coach Stephen Keshi has declared that he is not bothered by criticism of his playing methods, selection and general decisions regarding the national

team.

Keshi told the BBC Sport that as long as he continues to do his job, he will remain unconcerned by criticism, as he does not expect everybody

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

to like him.

“This is life and not everybody is going to like you,” Keshi told BBC Sport.

“So who am I to worry about everybody loving or not liking

51

Stephen Keshi? I don’t care as long as my family loves me, as long as I am doing my job and I have good health - the rest is nothing.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

Did you know?

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com adekunles@yahoo.com

In the year 1998, April Heinrichs became the first woman to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame

TUESday, MARCH 25, 2014

Eagles have no A depth -Chukwu

Ajibade Olusesan

Chukwu

Osaze in action for Nigeria

Flamingoes good for World Cup trophy –Chiejine

Kanu, a living Arsenal legend –Parlour

}p-54

}p-55

former coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu, believes that the national team lacks the depth to compete well at the World Cup. The coach acknowledged that the team has quality in the starting line-up but there are no substitutes of equal standard with the regular players on the pitch.

He advised Coach Stephen Keshi to concentrate on improving the depth of the squad ahead of the tournament if Nigeria is to make a meaningful impact in Brazil.

“My candid opinion is that the current Eagles have a good balance from defence to the attack. Keshi has done a marvellous job especially with the first eleven. The team may not play the best of entertaining football but they are focussed and are getting results.

“My concern is the substitute bench. I have noticed that up till now, the team does not have so many options in some key areas. I don’t know what we are going to do if any of the key players is as we approach the World Cup.” Though he acknowledged that Keshi has the final say on selection of players he urged the coach to infuse some experienced players into his squad for the competition.

“We did well at the Nations Cup, we won it but World Cup is a different ball game because that is where the best in the world converge. So there is need to have our best legs selected for the tournament. We know that the coach has some issues with some of the players but we have to put sentiments apart in the interest of the nation,” he said.

Nigeria will be competing for honours in the Group F of the competition along with Iran, Bosnia Herzegovina and Argentina. Nigeria’s first match is against Iran on June 16.

Oshonaike, Quadri allay fears over Italy, Czech threats }p-55

52 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Countdown to Fifa World Cup Italy can go all the way –Donadoni A midfielder with AC Milan during the glory days of the late 1980s and early ‘90s, Roberto Donadoni, called time on his 18-season playing career in 2001. Still only 50, Donadoni is passionate about the task of passing on his vast experience to the young players under him. FIFA.com spoke to him about that exciting prospect and more in an exclusive interview Let’s talk about Roberto Donadoni the player first of all, of whom Michel Platini once said: ‘He is the greatest Italian player of the 1990s’. Is that an exaggeration?

I was obviously very happy to hear that, but it’s always been very simple for me: I was always a team player. I tried to help my team-mates while playing to the best of my potential.

You were born in Lombardy and you spent most of your playing career at AC Milan. Is the club an important part of what you have become today?

No question. I’ve been a Rossoneri fan for as long as I can remember, and even when I played for Atalanta later in my career I was still supporting AC Milan. The years I spent with Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello were essential to my career as a player. Both of them taught me so much. I try to play the same role today, passing on the same messages to the players I coach.

You won virtually everything there was to win with AC Milan. What is your happiest memory of those prosperous times?

The first European Cup win in 1989 is what comes to mind straightaway. That was my first major title, the first big adventure of my career.

It wasn’t just the trophies, though. What stands out most of all are the memories and the rapport I had with my team-mates at the time. In those days Milan dominated Italian football and their best players played for Italy too, as you might expect.

The understanding was already there. It’s a little like Spain today with the Barcelona players.

You hung up your boots at the end of the 1999/2000 season and made your debut in the dugout with Lecco in 2001. Why did you make the move into coaching, and why so quickly?

It was my wife who talked me into it. When I decided to stop playing, all I wanted to do was have a bit of time to myself and just relax. But after a while my wife asked me, ‘Why don’t you try and get your coaching certificate?’ I took her advice and the opportunity to coach Lecco came up when I was about to finish my course. The club’s directors offered me the job and I accepted it straightaway, even though Lecco were in Serie C at the time. I said to myself that it was the best way to find out if I was cut out for coaching and I enjoyed it right from the start. It was nice to be involved again, and it was a pleasure to work with youngsters who were keen to learn things from me.

A lot of your former team-mates have gone on to become successful coaches themselves. How would you explain that?

It definitely helps when you know the ins and outs of the sport and you’ve got an international career under your belt. If you ask me, all of my ex-team-mates have a little bit more than most coaches: they’ve got experience, they automatically inspire respect and they get their message across more quickly. I think that’s the key to the success they’ve had.

You took on the Italy job in July 2006, just after Marcello Lippi had led the team to the world title. Do you think you were ready for the task or did it come too soon?

It certainly came about quickly, but I didn’t become head coach of the national team just like that. I’d already worked for a few clubs. It really was a great privilege, and the start of a great adventure that means an awful lot in my career. We qualified for EURO 2008 before being beaten on penalties by Spain in the quarter-finals. It was an important and positive phase in my career for me, and when I left La Nazionale they were still second in the FIFA Ranking, which shows that it was a job done well. I get quite emotional when I think about that whole period. I’m very proud to have had that opportunity.

What is your view of the changes taking place in Italian football, with several clubs and the national team itself playing a more attacking type of game?

I think it’s really great to see. I know Cesare Prandelli well, having played alongside him at Atalanta. He has a huge amount of experience and I share his vision of football. It’s a vision that’s helped him get good results. Obviously it’s not easy to create a positive mindset. It takes time. I don’t think every club has taken it on board yet, but I’m sure it’s going to happen.

Can you see Italy reaching the Final of Brazil 2014?

It could happen. Obviously it won’t be easy, but I think it’s possible. Italy have definitely got the potential and technical ability to go all the way.

It’s all going to depend on the form the players are in at the end of a long season.

Action between Man City and Man Utd

Toure: Man City must not drop points again

Y

aya Toure says City cannot afford to drop any points if the Blues are to win a second Premier League title in three years.

Saturday’s hat-trick hero believes there is no room for error with Chelsea and Liverpool continuing to set the pace at the top and so the target is 33 points from the games that remain.

“Our mentality is to win all 11 remaining games that we have – it’s a big ask but we

Ronaldo, Xavi in war of words

C

ristiano Ronaldo and Xavi Harnandez have engaged in war of words over the performance of the referee during the Classico contest between Real Madrid Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Sunday..

With the hosts seemingly in control at 3-2, referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco sent off Sergio Ramos and awarded two penalties that Lionel Messi converted.

It was a result that Ronaldo conspiratori-

Tiger unsure of Masters

W

o r l d number one Tiger Woods says he remains uncertain if he will be able to play in t h e Masters despite two weeks of rest and treatment for back spasms.

“For Augusta, it’s actually still a little too soon. That’s the frustrating thing about this.

Donadoni

know it is possible with the players we have at this club,” said Yaya.

“We know difficult it is to win the Premier League and this season, it’s maybe harder than ever before.

“We have to beat United and just keep going – we showed against Fulham that we are focused and ready for the challenge ahead and know our focus is on the derby.

Yaya

ally suggested will please “a lot of people”.

It is difficult because a lot of people did not want us to win and Barcelona would have been out of it.

“Maybe they don’t want Real Madrid to win this Liga.We are sad because we knew we deserved more, but the fight goes on,” Ronaldo said.

Pistorius murder trial extended to mid-May

T

he murder trial of Oscar Pistorius will now run until mid-May after all parties agreed to an exten- sion.

The court in Guateng province confirmed the trial, which is entering its fourth week tomorrow, will be in recess for the week beginning April 7, and then resume from April 14 until May 16.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

United, City ignite Old Trafford Tuesday, March 25, 2014

M

an City manager Manuel Pellegrini on the touchline against Viktoria Plzen during his team’s Champions League group match on November 27, 2013 Two of English football’s bitterest rivals go head to head at Old Trafford on Tuesday night as Manchester United entertain Manchester City in the Premier League.

United have endured a difficult season under new manager David Moyes, but three wins from their last four games suggests that they have turned a corner.

Meanwhile, City come into the match looking to close the gap on Chelsea. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are currently six points behind the leaders with three games in hand.

United will be keen to avenge their 4-1 defeat away to the Blues back in September when goals from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri, combined with a Sergio Aguero brace, saw the former champions thrash their neighbours.

Robin van Persie is missing for the hosts with an ankle injury, though Nemanja Vidic is expected to return to the starting XI having served a one-game ban. Antonio Valencia is likely to face a late fitness test after suffering an eye Ronaldo problem against Olympiacos last week.

Sergio Aguero is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury for the visitors, while Matija Nastasic is also unavailable. Vincent Kompany returns after completing a suspension.

Mikel not leaving Chelsea, Shittu insists

Emmanuel Tobi

J

ohn Shittu, agent of Super Eagles and Chelsea of England midfielder, Mikel Obi, has maintained that his player is not leaving the club irrespective of the speculation linking the 26-year-old with Italian side, Inter Milan.

Mikel has become a bit part player at Chelsea since the arrival of Nemanja Matic from Benfica and as a result, he has been linked with a number of clubs for a summer move away from Stamford Bridge.

However, the player’s repre-

sentative has publicly come out to dispel these reports which he states are simply untrue. “Mikel has never said he wanted to leave Chelsea. He still has a three-year contract with Chelsea, and intends to honour the commitment,” John Shittu told Sport Mediaset.

Shittu has been Mikel’s agent since the beginning of his career when he so very nearly joined Manchester United in 2005.

Mikel ended up signing for Chelsea in 2006 for £16million from Norwegian side Lyn and has gone on to make over 200 appearances for the Blues.

53

Roma seek revenge in Torino

C

oach Rudi Garcia remembers all too well where Roma’s title challenge began to unravel and getting revenge on Torino would certainly help his side fix some of the damage.

The Giallorossi made a sensational and unexpected start to the current Serie A season, blazing a trail with 10-straight wins while reigning champions Juventus struggled to keep up.

The tide turned on November 3, however, when Alessio Cerci’s goal earned Torino a 1-1 draw with Roma at Turin’s Stadio Olimpico to inadvertently let their city rivals Juve take control of the table.

Roma are now 14 daunting points off the lead with only 10

Pjanic

games remaining, but Garcia’s men are currently in good form and eyeing a third-straight victory from Tuesday’s clash in the capital.

Garcia told a pre-match press conference: “Unfortunately in the first game against the Granata our streak of 10 straight wins was interrupted due to some refereeing mistakes.

“I remember there was a foul on (Mehdi) Benatia before their goal and (Miralem) Pjanic should have won a penalty.

“However, these things can happen. Now that game is behind us and only tomorrow matters, we want to keep progressing.”

Ranieri set to punish Abidal Inter rubbish Sagna rumours

M

onaco coach Claudio Ranieri has asked defender Eric Abidal to explain his absence from Monday’s (AEDT) match against Lille after the player left the stadium without permission.

The former Barcelona player was not named in the squad for the fixture, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and left the Stade Louis II before kick-off - much to the annoyance of Ranieri.

Abidal has not played for Monaco since the 9 February match against Paris St Germain, largely due to illness.

However, Ranieri confirmed the player is back to full fitness and now wants to know why Abidal went home.

“He came with us (to the stadium) and then he left,” the Italian told L’Equipe.

“He was not on the bench. He had trained all day on Saturday but I preferred to choose another player.

senal right-back Bacary Sagna.

Rumours have been rife that the Italian giants are poised to make a move for Sagna, whose contract with the Gunners expires at the end of the season.

Ausilio has dismissed the rumours, asserting that any Sagna travelling he has done recently nter Milan director Piero Ausilio has had nothing to do with Sahas rubbished rumours that the gna nor Manchester City striker club are closing in on a deal for Ar- Edin Dzeko.

I Bayern fined for offensive banner U EFA have fined Bayern Munich 10,000 euros (US$13,774) for an offensive banner and ordered part of the Allianz Arena to be closed for their Champions League home quarter-final against Manchester United.

European football’s governing body punished holders Bayern after their fans displayed a banner carrying the text “Gay Gunners”, aimed at opponents Arsenal during the Champions League last 16 second leg 1-1 draw in Munich on March 11.

Boateng expects ‘hot’ derby as Schalke visit Dortmund

S

chalke 04 playmaker Kevin-Prince Boateng is predicting fireworks in Tuesday’s derby against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal-Iduna-Park.

The Ghana midfielder is expecting high quality football against his former side.

Dortmund lie above Schalke on the Bundesliga table with just one-point and victory for the visitors would see them

topple them over.

“I hope that it will be a great festival of football, have all the fun and the fans cheer for their teams. Mutual chants and songs are part of the football to, but it should not go further,” Boateng said.

Boateng played half a year for Dortmund in 2009 and he says returning to the club is special feeling.

Boateng

Other sports Khan to face Collazo

A

mir Khan is set to make his welterweight debut on the undercard for Floyd Mayweather’s showdown with Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas, after being denied a bout with the undefeated American.

Mayweather backed out of a proposed meeting with Khan, opting to face Maidana instead, with the angered Brit telling talkSPORT the American bottled out and “wanted an easier fight”.

This is my toughest season- James

M

Hamilton chase first win to Malaysia

L

iami Heats player, LeBron James, admits that this is the most challenging season he’s endured in South Beach since joining the

ewis Hamilton has admitted that it would be great to break his Malaysian Grand Prix duck by standing on the top step of the Sepang podium this

Heat in 2011.

“It’s the toughest season we’ve had since Year 1 just because of everything that comes with it,” said LeBron James, who fought through back spasms to put together 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

weekend.

“I finished second on my F1 debut [at Sepang] in 2007 and have been on the podium at the last two Malaysian grands prix, but I’ve yet to win here,” Hamilton confirmed, “It would be amazing to stand on the top step at one of our home races.”

Federer, Murray cruise in Miami

T

wo-time winner Roger Federer and defending champion Andy Murray eased into the fourth round of the ATP and WTA Miami Masters, producing efficient wins in heat and humidity Sunday.

Fifth-ranked Federer pounded Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour while British sixth seed Murray downed practice partner Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-1.

54

Sport

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

BUSINESS

FOCUS ON CORPRATE SPONSORSHIP

Ifeanyi Ibeh

with Emmanuel Tobi emmanuel.tobi@newtelegraphonline.com

0805 400 5669

Heineken ‘Share the sofa’ campaign reaches 101m fans

A

record 101 million people were reached globally in the recently concluded Heineken ‘share the sofa’ digital campaign held in Lagos. The organizers announced that about 14.2 million people were reached in Nigeria alone.

The exciting and engaging digital activation is part of the activities lined up to create memorable experience for consumers and soccer fans globally during the ‘Meet The Trophy’ campaign.

Heineken, the world’s leading International premium larger beer, undertook the digital campaign where football fans across the globe ‘share the sofa’ with Ruud Gullit, a winner of the UEFA European Championship and

Super Cup as well as Ballon d’Or winner.

Guillit was twitting live with football fans globally from the comfort of the upscale Heineken House in Lagos while the knockout matches between Manchester City vs Barcelona and Paris St Germaine and Bayern Leverkusen. Barcelona and PSG won their matches with the same goal margin of 2-1. Guillit was running commentary and giving insight about the matches while answering questions on the direction given the fact that he is also a coach.

Speaking on the activation, Senior Brand Manager Heineken, Ngozi Nkwoji, said, “Heineken strives to ignite fans conversations.”

Jude Opara Abuja

M

inister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission Dr. Tamuno Danagogo has applauded the Nigeria Basketball Federation and Zenith Bank for their initiative in organizing and sponsoring the Female Basketball League.

The minister who was visibly happy

Airtel host Arsenal legend in Lagos

O

ne of Nigeria’s leading telecom providers, Airtel, on Sunday hosted former Arsenal midfielder, Ray Parlour, as part of events heralding the company’s latest product, Airtel Premier.

Parlour, who was part of the legendary Arsenal side that went through the 2004/05 Premier League season unbeaten, breezed into the country on Sunday and expressed his delight at setting foot in the country of birth of his former Gunners teammate, Nwankwo Kanu.

“It is great to be here. It has been a dream of mine to come to Nigeria,” said Parlour, in an interview with New Telegraph at the Protea Hotel, Victoria Island. “I’ve heard so many beautiful things about Nigeria from Kanu and a few others that have been here, and I want to thank Airtel for making it

out there who doesn’t know about the laudable project we have been running for a few years now – the Airtel Rising Stars – which we run across Africa. It’s grown now to be the biggest U-17 grassroots tournament that is open to both boys and girls, so we are very proud to have this partnership with Arsenal, which is one of the greatest clubs in the world,” said Aniche.

He added; “What we get

from Arsenal is the technical capability where we have UEFA certified coaches from the club who come around to our countries of operation to organise soccer clinics.

And in the next couple of weeks some of the kids who emerged from last year’s Airtel Rising Stars tournament will be going to Rwanda for the soccer clinic which Arsenal will be organising.”

(L-R) Director, Brands and Marketing, Airtel Nigeria, Obinna Aniche, Arsenal Legend, Ray Parlour, Arsenal FC’s Partner Services Executive, Luke Wilson and Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah, at a media session with Sports Journalists in Lagos on Sunday

Danagogo hails Zenith female basketball league after watching Sunshine Angels and Delta Force clash in the first game of the 2013/2014 Women’s Basketball League at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Abuja National Stadium on Friday praised the federation for the proper way the championship was organized.

While declaring the new season open, the minister said, “I have already told

Flamingoes good for World Cup trophy –Chiejine

F

lamingoes assistant coach Ann Chiejine has assured Nigerians they would not get distracted by the 100 percent success recorded and finishing top of its group after progressing into the quarterfinals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Nigeria defeated Mexico with a deserved 3-0 scoreline with goals from Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Aminat Yakubu helping the African giants to leapfrog their opponents at the top of Group D and set up a quartefinal showdown with Spain.

Chiejine insisted that the Nigeria U-17 women would not get overwhelmed by the victories recorded at the group stage as they are focused on approaching all their subsequent matches like they were finals.

“We won’t leave any stone unturned with the three games we have played and we will continue from there. We won’t say because we have won the three games we are the best,” Chiejine said.

possible for me to be here.”

Reacting, Airtel’s Director (Brands and Marketing), Obinna Aniche, expressed his and his organisation’s gratitude to the former Arsenal player for honouring their invitation and playing a part in the Airtel Premier launch.

Aniche also spoke on the partnership arrangement between Airtel and the English Premier League side.

“There is hardly anyone

both the NBBF president and the general manager of Zenith Bank that we need to do more to encourage our young sports men and women to engage in sporting activities instead of some unwholesome activities.

The General Manager of Zenith Bank Louis Udom revealed that, “We also have plans to make it bigger than this because

we see it as a great platform for League and female empowerment which is a key ingredient of our corporate social responsibility”.

He announced a N90 million naira three year sponsorship package for the league.

The sponsorship plan covers a period of 2014 to 2016 with N25 million earmarked for 2014, N30 million for 2015 and N35 million for year 2016.

Mexico win, a boost for Spain clash, says Nkiyu

F

lamingoes Head coach Bala Nkiyu has described Nigeria’s victory over Mexico on Monday morning as a huge motivation for his team ahead of the quarterfinal showdown with Spain.

Nigeria hammered Mexico 3-0 to finish ahead their North American opponents at the top of Group D with goals from Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Aminat Yakubu .

“We put in a very good performance, and we’re extremely happy to have beaten a strong Mexican side. The result enables us to finish top of the group and to move on to the next stage full of confidence,” Nkiyu said.

Meanwhile, Head coach of Mexico,

Leonardo Cuellar, has admitted his side could not match the Flamingoes in the last group D top of the table clash on Monday.

“It was a tough match because our opponents took a very physical approach. It didn’t work out for us as we tried to match Nigeria physically instead of performing as a team. We need to look at why we didn’t manage to play our usual game, and aim to do better against Japan,” he said.

Nigeria battles Group C second placed Spain while Mexico will take on free-scoring Group C toppers, Japan, in the quarterfinal respectively on Friday morning.

We were no match to Nigeria -Mexico coach

H

ead coach of Mexico, Leonardo Cuellar, has admitted his side could not match the Flamingoes in the last Group D clash on Monday.

“It was a tough match because our opponents took a very physical ap-

proach. It didn’t work out for us as we tried to match Nigeria physically instead of performing as a team.

“We need to look at why we didn’t manage to play our usual game, and aim to do better against Japan,” he

assured.

Nigeria battles Group C second placed, Spain while Mexico will take on free-scoring Group C toppers, Japan in the quarterfinal respectively on Friday morning.

SPORT 55

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

World T/Tennis Championships

Oshonaike, Quadri allay fears over Italy, Czech threats

T

he pair of Funke Oshonaike and Aruna Quadri believes the world rating of Italy and Czech Republic cannot intimidate Nigeria when they confront these European sides at the 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championship in Tokyo, Japan next month.

With Nigeria’s female team to be anchored by Germany-based Oshonaike has been pitched against Italy, India, Turkey, Portugal and Bulgaria, while the male team to be spearheaded by one of Africa’s most decorated table tennis player, Segun Toriola will tackle European giants like of Czech Republic and Belgium as well as Indonesia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada in Group E. But Oshonaike is optimistic that with quality preparation on the part of his teammates would make it easy for the team in Tokyo.

“I know that there is minnow in the game again as every country is eager to be the best in the world. For us, we managed to remain in division two after a poor outing at the last edition in Dortmund, Germany. All the teams in our group are familiar to us because in Germany, we narrowly lose to Italy because of their

Oshonaike

experienced Chinese player, who gave us a tough time. India and Turkey are also very good. But India will surely be using the tournament to shape up for the Commonwealth Games, so we will both be looking out for each other. So I am sure that with good preparation from my teammates, we will surmount the hurdle in Japan,” she said.

In his reaction, Portugal-based Quadri admitted that it was a tough challenge for the male team.

“I can say the group is very difficult and

F

ormer Arsenal midfielder, Ray Parlour, has described former Super Eagles skipper, Nwankwo Kanu, as not only a Nigerian legend but also a true icon of the London-based English Premier League side.

Kanu, who spent six seasons with the Gunners, racking up 119 appearances and scoring 30 goals, is Nigeria’s most decorated footballer of all-time, having won numerous national, club and personal honours during a glorious 20-year career.

At Arsenal, he won the Double in 2002, an FA Cup in 2003 and the Premier League title in 2004. In 2008, he was voted 13th in the “Gunners’ Greatest 50 Players” poll, and Parlour, who was voted 19th in the poll conducted on the English club’s website, insists Kanu was, without mincing words, magical.

“Kanu has always been a special player,” said Parlour. “Back when he was at Arsenal, he was one of our leaders, in the dressing room and on the pitch. He was magical, and can in a moment of magic, and there were lots of them, produce something incredible out of absolutely nothing.

“I always knew he was a big figure in Nigeria but I didn’t realize how big he was until now. This is my first time to Nigeria

and it’s amazing to see the reaction of people; guys telling me about how important he was for Arsenal and Nigeria.”

Kanu recently underwent heart surgery in the United States, and Parlour is quick to wish his former teammate all the best as he continues with his recuperation.

“It was sad to hear that he had heart surgery again but hopefully he will get fit again and get back to doing all the good things he has been doing, especially for the children through the Kanu Heart Foundation, which is fantastic,” said the former England international.

Sport Trending

Peter Odemwingie Thanks for the congratulations guys. Hope you all have a week ahead like our past weekend. @OdemwingieP Elderson Echiejile Not a bad start....Thanks for the messages. #HaveANiceWeek. @EldersonEch Alade Aminu Seeing my bro with a low key cameo in Kevin Durant’s thunder struck movie was hilarious lol!! lNigerian basketball star, Alade Aminu, tweets about Al-Farouq Aminu’s appearance in the basketball-inspired movie, Thunderstruck. @Aminu_34 Ruggedman End of the game and it’s Real 3 Barca 4. @RuggedyBaba

Parlour

Nobody can force players on me -Keshi C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 1

“As long as I can put smile on somebody’s face every day, make them happy, that is all because I can say thank God.” When questioned on his job security, which became an issue after the NFF were rumoured to be hunting for a foreign technical assistant, the former coach of Togo declared that he is unafraid of getting sacked, as it comes with the nature of the job.”

It happened in 2012 when Amodu Shaibu and I qualified the country

F

or its consistency in the last few years coupled with the performance of its athletes at most international competititions, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has given Nigeria wildcard to compete at the 2014 World Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

At the WTF qualifiers concluded at the weekend in Taipei City, 39 countries including two African nations -Egypt and Morocco secured their places at the global championship holding later in the year in China.

Despite the inability of Nigerian athletes to secure a place from the qualifiers, the world ruling taekwondo body considered Nigeria’s pedigree at global stage coupled with the performance of the Team Nigeria nine-man contingent, decided to award one of the 20 wildcards available to Nigeria in the male event of the Olympics.

Meanwhile, out of the 74 qualification places up for grabs at the two-day qualification tournament, which was held at the Taipei Arena, host - Chinese Taipei clinched five tickets, showing its supremacy in taekwondo.

at the same time it is very good for us to prepare adequately for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. The group will bring out the best in us, which means to be the best we must win against the best. Canada is a familiar foe for many years and I see us winning against Canada again just like we did at the last edition in Germany.

Indonesia and Bosnia-Herzegovina is not as tough as Canada but we must be at our best to win against these teams.

TWITTER |@NTelegraphSport We will not underrate any of these kenneth omeruo teams,” he said.

Am so happy with the form am in right now. Coming to Boro was the best decision. Thanks to Chelsea fc and thanks to my Boro fans. @omeruo22

Kanu, a living Arsenal legend –Parlour Ifeanyi Ibeh

Nigeria gets WTF wildcard for Youth Olympics

for the World Cup. It also happened in Togo. So if that’s it, so be it,” Keshi said on the possibility of being sacked before the World Cup.” If people want to talk, I can’t stop it. I don’t worry about speculation about my job, I don’t worry about anything,” he added.

The Nigeria Football Federation has on several occasions denied reports of its purported plans to hire a ‘foreign technical assistant’, attributing the reports to handiwork of mischief makers.

David Alaba El Clasico, what a game! @David_Alaba Daniel Sturridge Mans itching to watch El Classico tonight !!! Who you cheering for Real or Barca? I’m going Real win but if Messi is on it you never know... lLiverpool striker, Daniel Sturridge, prior to Sunday night’s El Clasico. And was he right about Lionel Messi. @D_Sturridge Bimbo Adeola That was a Clasico! But do referees favour Barca against Real Madrid? @bimbolovesmusic Mark Cavendish My 1st words this morning: “Oh, FUCK OFF rain.” I’m normally not too bothered but, after yesterday’s race, I’m tired of tasting road water. @MarkCavendish Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Grand respect for my big brother Samuel Eto’o @setoo9 @Aubameyang7

On Marble Ignorant people see life as either existence or non-existence, but wise men see it beyond both existence and non-existence to something that transcends both

– Lucius Annaeus Seneca

World Record

Sanctity of Truth

w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha TUESday, MARCH 25, 2014

At age 11, Emily Rosa of Loveland, Colorado, USA, became the youngest person to have research published in a scientific or medical journal.

N150

The battle for hearts and minds in Maiduguri

T

hese days, dust rarely has the time to settle in Maiduguri, once entitled Nigeria’s ‘Home of Peace’.

Therefore, the latest news that all of its schools must now be shut, yet another detriment to the liberty free men and women yearn for, is of no surprise or unfortunate of immediate consequence to the perpetrators, who have forced the unfortunate hand of an apparent ‘Police State’.

The ever-urbanizing, northeastern Borno and Yobe States (as but examples) have been under literal siege over the course of the last few years, with the nation’s youth serving as not simply casualties, but targets during a campaign of violence that has intensified week on week.

As the international community has witnessed Boko Haram ramp-up their operations, uninformed and informed audiences alike have put forward the question of ‘what is really being done’ to check this near-systemic pattern of terrorism in the name of nation building.

The answer will likely not surprise you. The ‘stick and carrot’ approach of amnesty was perhaps ‘too little, too late’ when offered, and was categorically rejected by the terrorist sect. The world heard the collective response from Boko Haram forces that it is the government that should seek reprieve and the massacres thusly continued.

That stated, the installation of a ‘State of Emergency’ rightfully received high praise; the strategy to potentially shift the base of Nigeria’s military command to Borno State itself has been lauded as an innovative (if not somewhat retroactive) approach to countering the insurgency.

However, in their actioning, the ramifications of these multifaceted solutions might indeed raise eyebrows.

For as we must together commend the efforts of the Federal Government, the military, the State Security Police (SSS) and the Joint Task Force (JTF) in attempting to quell and outright check Boko Haram operatives laying waste to the massive potential in Nigeria’s north, we realize that in our efforts of retaliation, we may be slowly losing the message and worse, may be pushing friends and family of the fallen towards the seemingly open arms of the guerilla cabal.

Perhaps framing the sheer duration of this history of ferocity, Salil Shetty (pictured at right), Secretary

World View SAM AMSTERDAM

Human rights must ultimately be guaranteed and only then can the battle for Maiduguri’s hearts and minds be definitively settled

Everybody, including innocent motorcyclists live in fear in Maiduguri

Shetty

General of Amnesty International, stated in 2012 that the cycle of attack and counter-attack “has been marked by unlawful violence on both sides, with devastating consequences for the human rights of those trapped in the middle”.

“People are living in a climate of fear and insecurity”, Shetty continued. “[They are] vulnerable to attack from Boko Haram and facing human rights violations at the hands of the very state security forces, which should be protecting them”.

Indeed, although we understand that measures must be taken to instill fear in those who look to spread it themselves, to impede the spread of the terrorist mantra and clarify that Boko Haram is, at its base level, on a mission of hatred and not of freedom fighting,

this strategy has seen its shortfalls.

Another highly accredited, nongovernmental organization, Human Rights Watch, has recorded allegations of violations against Nigerian security forces including “indiscriminate and arbitrary arrests, detention without trial, mistreatment of detainees, the forced disappearance of scores of suspects and even extra-judicial killings”, this according to Human Rights Watch Nigeria researcher, Mausi Segun.

Many citizens have remained in detention for prolonged periods without charge or trial and without proper notification of family members. These tactics far exceed the terms of ‘abuse’ and cause many to question their loyalty when they fear the retaliation from those they must trust more than they yearn for justice to be put to those that have wronged them.

Although, the interruption of school teaching is likely to bolster the sense of isolation throughout the northeast, there must be an underlying dread as well that after the right to a proper education, rule of law may be the next casualty to fall by the wayside. The consequences of this may be far direr than we know today.

We must therefore fortify the message that while continuously commending those who seek to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and that

of its citizenry, we must ensure fire is not met with blind counter-fire. Only by “establishing accountability for abuses and bringing to justice those responsible”, as Salil Shetty eloquently accounted, “can confidence in the justice system be restored”.

Human rights must ultimately be guaranteed and only then can the battle for Maiduguri’s hearts and minds be definitively settled.

OmoBaba NNPC MD SACKED - News

- Will that make fuel available?

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos.

Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: GABRIEL Akinadewo.