Binder1 wednesday, february 18, 2015

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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

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Vol. 2 No. 364

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

Obasanjo’s behaviour, manifestation of old age, says Lamido }5 38 days to go...

Naira depreciation: Aircraft lease, insurance, others rise by 100% Wole Shadare

T

he free fall of the naira has continued to take its toll

on the aviation industry as aircraft lease rental and maintenance have increased by 100 per cent.

Also, Nigerians who

hitherto enjoyed luxury travel have decided to cut their expenses by downgrading their flights.

The naira, which was

hit by fall in the prices of crude at the international market, has lost about 26 per cent of its value this year at the interbank

market where banks buy foreign exchange to meet their immediate needs.

A dollar currently ex-

Nigeria Nigeria s votes vote

2015

2015

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

}14 & 15

US Army joins forces against Boko Haram lCIA, Mossad behind insurgency, Sudanese President alleges

}2

Quick Read Editorial

Tackling use of force by security agencies }19

Senate summons Jega over poll shift }2 FG secures N10.08trn investment }9 Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Saratu Umar (left) and Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both agencies in Abuja...yesterday.

Explosions rock APC rally lPoliceman killed, 50 injured

}6

Travel Advisory Your guide to local and international flights 4

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News

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

US Army joins forces against Boko Haram Emmanuel Onani and Ahmed Miringa

T

he United States has concluded plans to provide communication equipment and intelligence to help in the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East.

The disclosure was made by the Commander of U.S. Special Forces Operations in Africa, Brigadier General James Linder.

Military commanders in the West African sub region have complained that cross-border operations against Islamist groups, from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Mali to Boko Haram in Nigeria, have been obstructed by lack of compatible communications equipment, making it hard to swap information and coordinate operations.

The help is coming at a time the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, alleged that the United States' (US) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Israel's Mossad, are behind the violent sect as well as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Also, multiple explosions rocked Yobe and Borno states yesterday.

Linder said as part of the annual U.S.-backed 'Flintlock' counter-terrorism exercises this year in Chad, it would provide technology, while allowing African partners to communicate between cellphones, radios and computers.

The arrangement will also include a translation function that allows commanders in Francophone countries to communicate by message with Englishspeaking officers in Nigeria.

"The Lake Chad nations are battling Boko Haram and we have a vested interest in that group of nations' collective success.

What Boko Harm is doing is a murderous rampage, about brutality intolerance and subjugation.

"Our national leadership has been very clear that more was going to be done. There is an ongoing discussion on how we will provide additional tools, techniques, and material to partner nations," Linder said in an interview.

At the Flintlock exercises, the U.S. military will also be introducing a "cloud-based" technology to allow African allies to quickly share intelligence across borders, such as mapping information on the location of potential targets, Linder said.

President Goodluck Jonathan had, last week in an interview with USbased Wall Street Journal sought U.S. intervention

against Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

"Are they (the United States) not fighting ISIS? Why can't they come to Nigeria?

"They are our friends.

If Nigeria has a problem, then I expect the US to come and assist us," President Jonathan told Wall Street Journal.

Jonathan told the US newspaper that Nigeria had intelligence reports that Boko Haram was receiving "training and funds" from IS militants.

Jonathan said he has requested combat soldiers and military advisers from Washington since early 2014, according to the

newspaper.

Al-Bashir, who was once wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), over alleged crimes against humanity, accused CIA and Mossad of being behind the insurgency in an interview with euronews.

He blamed CIA and Mossad (intelligence organisations of the US and Israel) for the activities of the outlawed groups, arguing that no Muslim would indulge in such acts. “I said CIA and the Mossad stand behind these organisations. There is no Muslim who would carry out such acts," al-Bashir insisted.

He further warned that the fight against terrorism must be prosecuted at the level of ideology, and not entirely on military action.

He warned that the adoption of force against adherents of terror organisations globally has the tendency of breeding more extremism.

He said: "Our policy has been largely successful, after we arrest these young people, we bring a group of young scholars to engage in dialogue with them about their thoughts, and we succeed to bring a lot of them back from their radical ideas."

Meanwhile, no fewer than nine persons were

killed yesterday after suicide bomber detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a military checkpoint on the outskirt of Biu, the capital of Biu Local Government of Borno State.

A security source from Biu, who does not want his name in print, said three suicide bombers came in Keke NAPEP, backed by a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and when a Civilian JTF lady tried to stop them, the terrorists shot her and started shooting sporadically into the air before the suicide bombers in tri-cycles detonated the IED killing eight people including a suicide bomber

but no casualty on the military side.

The Caretaker Chairman of Biu Local Government, Umar Kadafur, who visited the scene of the blast, confirmed the attack.

Also, four people have been confirmed dead after a suicide bomber attacked a restaurant in Potiskum, Yobe State.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Toyin Gbadegesin, who confirmed the incident, said the bomber blew himself and two others at the Alamin Restaurant along Damaturu road in Potiskum town.

The incident, according to him, occurred at 3:20p.m.

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Bola Tinubu; the party's presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari; Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun and vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the joint leadership meeting in Abuja‌yesterday.

Senate summons Jega over poll shift lAPC Senators kick, allege manipulation by the PDP

Chukwu David Abuja

T

he Senate yesterday summoned the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Attahiru Jega, to appear before it today in plenary and brief the Chamber on the circumstances that led to the postponement of the general elections earlier scheduled for February 14 and 28.

This was as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators kicked against the invitation, arguing that it was the Service Chiefs, who advised INEC to postpone the elections on security grounds, that should be summoned to brief the legislators on the true position of things.

The Senate, which resumed plenary after over one month recess it em-

barked upon to enable its members participate in the electioneering, arrived at the resolution sequel to a motion of urgent public importance brought to the floor of the Chamber by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba.

Prior to moving the motion, the Senate Leader had drawn the attention of the Senators to the fact that the general elections were scheduled to hold in February but later rescheduled for March 28 and April 11 due to reasons ascribed to the state of insecurity in the North-East, distribution of permanent voters' cards (PVCs), deployment of INEC staff and other encumbrances.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, had wanted the Senate to summon the Service Chiefs along with Jega, to come and explain why they could not provide

sufficient security for the smooth conduct of the elections as earlier scheduled.

However, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, who presided over the session, opposed the suggestion, arguing that the Senate should first meet with the head of the electoral umpire, get all the necessary information about the elections, and the mediating factors that compelled the Commission to postpone the polls.

Mark also told the Senate that if there was need to invite the Service Chiefs, that the Chamber would go ahead to do so after meeting with Jega.

The motion was adopted by a unanimous voice vote of the lawmakers.

Following the reservations of the members of the APC on the invitation of the INEC Chairman rather than the Service Chiefs, the opposition law-

makers, addressed a press conference at the National Assembly, accusing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to rig the elections through the postponement.

Akume, who led other APC Senators to address the press while plenary was still on, insisted that the attention should be focused on the security agencies on why they discouraged INEC from holding the elections as scheduled based on security reasons.

The aggrieved lawmakers observed that countries like Egypt, Syria, Kenya, Columbia, Afghanistan, Mali and other nations with more serious incidences of security challenges had organised elections successfully, wondering why Nigerian situation should be different.

Akume, therefore, warned that INEC must hold the rescheduled

elections without further postponement to avoid provoking unpleasant consequences in the polity, stressing that the opposition party would resist any attempt from any quarters to further shift the elections or manipulate the electoral process.

He opined that it was because of the increasing acceptability being received by the APC across the country that prompted the agitation for postponement of the polls by those he considered to have been jolted by the development.

Addressing the press after plenary, Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, clarified that the Senate was convinced that Jega would supply the needed information, stating however, that if the problem boiled down to security, the Upper Chamber would look for means of tackling the situation.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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Travel Advisory

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

Destination Abuja- Paris Paris-Lagos Paris-PHC PHC-Paris Paris –Abuja Lagos –Paris

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

Departure 23.55hrs 10.55hrs 11:00hrs 21:20hrs 11:00hrs 23:55hrs

Arrival 6:05hrs 17:15hrs 19:15hrs 6:05hrs 17:00hrs 6:20hrs

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

W3 101 W3 102 W3 107 (Mon, Wed , Fri) New York-Lagos W3 108 (Tues,Thurs, Fri) Lagos-Johannesburg W3 103 Johannesburg-Lagos W3 104 Lagos-Douala - (Tues, Wed ,Thur) Douala-Lagos - (Tues, Wed, Thur) Lagos-Accra Accra-Lagos

Abuja-Accra Accra-Abuja Lagos-Freetown Freetown-Lagos Lagos-Banjul Banjul-Lagos Lagos-Dakar Dakar-Lagos

-(Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun) -(Mon, Wed, Fri) -(Daily) - (Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri,Sat) -(Tue,Wed, Fri,Sat,Sun)

BRITISH AIRWAYS

London-Lagos Lagos-London Abuja-London Abuja-London

07:00hrs 20:05hrs 20:10hrs 11:45hrs

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

10:45hrs 09:35hrs 11:10hrs 13:25hrs 07:20hrs 17:00hrs 08:05hrs 13:35hrs 18:00hrs

hrs 14:44hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

AWB 201 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) AWB 202 (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun)

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

17:00hrs 06:00hrs 08:00hrs 17:00hrs 08:00hrs 15:20hrs 21:00hrs

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

EK 7821 (Sun-Sat) EK 7822 EK 7831 EK 7811 EK 761

21:30hrs 14:40hrs 07:35hrs 14:20hrs 23:55hrs

07:40hrs 01:05hrs 12:50hrs 19:45hrs 10:30hrs

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

Lagos - Addis Ababa ET900 Addis Ababa - Lagos ET901 Abuja - Addis Ababa ET910 Addis Ababa - Abuja ET911 Enugu - Addis Ababa ET930 Addis Ababa - Enugu ET931 Kano - Addis Ababa ET930 Addis Ababa - Kano ET931

13:15hrs 09:00hrs 13:40hrs 09:40hrs 12:00hrs 09:20hrs 14:05hrs 09:20hrs

20:25hrs 12:15hr 20:10hrs 12:20hrs 20:50hrs 11:15hrs 20:50hrs 13:20hrs

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

20.45hrs 09:50hrs 09.20 hrs 06:30hrs

12:30hrs

Lagos-Dubai Lagos-Dubai Dubai-Lagos Dubai-Lagos Abuja-Dubai

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

EY 0672 (Sunday) (Monday) (Saturday) EY 955

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

11:55hrs 5:50hrs 14:35hrs 06:00hrs

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

17:55hrs 00:00hrs 09:00hrs 22:40hrs

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

18:30hrs 05:15hrs 05:30hrs

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

12:00hrs 21:30hrs 23:50hrs

Middle East Airlines (Two flights weekly (Tues & Friday)

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

HF 851 (Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun) HF 852 (Mon,Wed, Thurs, Sat)

ASKY AIRLINES

Destination Lome to Abuja Abuja-Lome- Kinshasa Kinshasa-Abuja Abuja-Lome Lome-Lagos Lagos-Libreville Libreville-Kinshasa Kinshasa-Libreville Libreville-Lagos Lagos-Lome Lome-Lagos Lagos-Libreville Libreville-Brazaville Brazaville-Libreville Brazzaville-Lagos Lagos-Lome

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

Flight No. KP 032 (Tue-Fri) KP 032 ( Tue-Fri)

Departure Arrival 14:00hrs 15:55hrs 16:30hrs 18:15hrs

KP 033 (Wed-Sat) KP O33 (Wed-Sat) KP O40 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP O44 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP O45 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat)

8:20hrs 10:35hrs 13:00hr 14:40hrs 17:00hrs 7:15hrs 9:35hrs 11:55hrs 13:10hrs 14:50hrs 17:10hrs 07:00hrs 09:20hrs 11:40hrs

10:00hrs 12:20hrs 14:00hrs 16:30hrs 18:45hrs 08:55hrs 11:25hrs 12:45hrs 14:10hrs 16:40hrs 18:50hrs 08:40hrs 11:10hrs 12:30hrs

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE 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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

WEEKLY SCHEDULE Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 12:40pm

Lagos-Abuja/Kano 4:00pm Abuja-Kano 5:45pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kan 10:10am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 12:40pm Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm WEEKEND SCHEDULE SATURDAY Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Sunday Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 10:30am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 1:20pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

(SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50

AEROCONTRACTORS

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

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

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

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

5

Lamido: Obasanjo’s behaviour, manifestation of old age lClark: Ex-President behaves irresponsibly

Emmanuel Anule and Tunde Oyesina

T

he exit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and tearing of his membership card of the ruling party in public has been described as manifestation of old age.

Governor of Jigawa State, Dr. Sule Lamido, stated this yesterday after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking with journalists, Lamido said that Obasanjo remains more than just a party man, but a nationalist figure that should be treated and respected as such.

Lamido said there was

need for the PDP leadership to beg the former president and return him back to its fold.

Obasanjo had on Monday, announced his exit from PDP and tore his membership card publicly noting that he would remain a statesman.

On whether the PDP will go back to the former president for reconciliation, the governor said: "When there is some kind of misunderstanding between a father and a child, you don't go to the media to say you are going to do this.

I mean the bond between us is so strong. I know he is equally pained. I know what he is going through because he is our father, but I will not tell you the strategy because when he was producing us, you

were not there, when he was making us, were you there?

"What I am saying is that all of us are parents.

When we were born, they pet us, gave us their love, gave us everything. By the time they get old, naturally, there is what they call role reversal. We become the parents and they become the children. So, what is wrong if our parents begin to manifest those signs of old age?”

Lamido added: "Baba is our baba no matter what.

He is angry with us, but then, what do we do? He gave us the life at a time when Nigerians were fighting us, he stood for us.

"Baba is more than a party man. He is an icon, a national symbol and a leader and an inventor,

a creator of all the institutions today in Nigeria from the presidency to the governors who are his own sons and creations. And so, when a father is angry with his own children, we will only say we are sorry to him. But then, we cannot be renounced for whatever it is.”

Lamido explained that "If you do any political DNA of our blood, you will find his blood in us.

No matter what we are, we may not be able to live up to his expectations. We might have made some mistakes, but abandoning us is not the solution because the country is first before anything else. So, he is our baba even up to the president.

"Since 2011, in 2007, he stood firm for us. He is our

father. And so, if we made some mistakes, we are only human because we are heading human institutions. And I think by the time he reflects, how could he abandon his own children like that. Wherever we are, we are right in his heart. He feels for us, he cares for us.”

Meanwhile, Ijaw leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday tackled former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying he failed to exhibit decency by tearing in public the PDP membership card, a document that brought him into power and sustained him for eight years.

Clark, who was addressing the executive council of the National Youth Leaders of Nigeria who paid him a courtesy call

L-R: Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr, Abubakar Suleiman; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina; Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele and Executive Director, Leadership Initiative, Mr. Adeboye Abioye, after a meeting of National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, in Abuja …yesterday PHOTO: Timothy Ikuomenisan

Naira depreciation: Aircraft lease, insurance, others rise by 100% CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

changes for N168 at the official market, but traded at the interbank and parallel markets at N194 and N214 respectively at the close of business yesterday.

The battered naira, according to investigations

by New Telegraph, has led to fewer people travelling overseas as both the Federal Government and many companies have cut down on some overseas training for workers, thereby choosing to do such trainings in Nigeria. Resource persons are now invited to the country to train workers, thereby conserving foreign exchange that would have been used for offshore training abroad.

To stem the tide of brokerage and reduce travel costs, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stopped overseas trainings.

A top official of the agency told New Telegraph under condition of anonymity, that the devaluation of naira, coupled with the tough financial situation the agency had found itself, makes it extremely difficult to embark on trainings in the country.

Managing Director of IRS Airlines, Yemi Dada, said the devaluation of the nation’s currency would definitely affect airlines, stressing that it would impact negatively on travels.

Dada said the situation would also have adverse effect on aircraft lease rental and aircraft maintenance, adding that the savings airlines make on fuel reduction in the global aviation industry is inconsequential given the enormous funds that go into aircraft maintenance.

He disclosed that major aircraft leasing firms such

as GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), Cab Tree and Aercap have raised lease on aircraft to Nigerian airlines but failed to disclose percentage increase.

Prior to the Dana accident in 2012, a B737-500, which was leased for $120, 000 attracted $200, 000 monthly. The lease was then raised by 40 per cent as Nigeria was tagged ‘high-risk’ nation for aviation.

For the new generation airplanes that are in high demand and popularly referred to as Next Gen (that is aircraft below 15 years), the lease, according to airline operators, has risen to $280,000 per month from $160,000.

The IRS boss noted that insurance premium for aircraft has also in-

creased, adding that Nigerian airlines have had to pay more because of the development.

Dada stated that the new high cost of lease is expected to affect the whole fiscal operations of the airlines, as they now find it difficult to buy fuel, pay workers’ salaries and still have enough operating cash.

Some frequent travellers, who spoke with our correspondent, said they usually enjoy travelling in business and first class but had to downgrade themselves from First Class to Business class while those who fly Business Class have made Premium Economy class their preference.

New Telegraph had exclusively reported the high cost of air travel last week due to the devaluation of naira.

For instance, the least

fare on booking made for March 15, 2015 to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Ethiopian Airways costs N231, 715. Last year, the same trip cost N128, 000 or less.

This fare is regarded as the minimum as fares are charged based on different parameters.

For Business Class seats, the fare could be as high as N700, 000 and N800, 000. Despite high fares, Nigerians travel in luxury, making the Nigerian route one of the most lucrative in the world.

Fares to Nairobi have equally gone up to N184, 990 for economy class. The same economy class ticket cost less than that last year.

For premium airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, Delta, Emirates and Qatar Airways to Europe and Middle East, fares have also gone up.

in Abuja, said Obasanjo is the cause of every trouble in Nigeria.

He, however, noted that what the country needs is continuity and not change.

"Who are those people clamouring for change?

Obasanjo is one of them, he wants to rule Aso Rock from his Otta farm. He wants to control President Goodluck Jonathan and he failed. That is why he resigned as the chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP. He wants the BoT chairman to be consulted before any action will be taken.

"Two weeks ago I called for his dismissal for antiparty activities. How can somebody who have been a General in the Army, President for eight years and Chairman BoT, will go to the public to tear a document that brought him into power?

"Obasanjo is not a normal person, he appears to be insane going by the utterances that come out of his mouth. He had once said that Tinubu does not go to school but because they want Jonathan out, they have become friends.

"Tinubu's hands are not clean, he is a thief.

The records will soon be out. Some of them have hands in the killing of politicians. We know what Obasanjo said against Buhari when he contested against him. How come has he got something to change Nigeria overnight?

He is not a democrat. Buhari removed Shagari from office without a just cause.

"Buhari has never believed in democracy. His certificate is in doubt.

They are not qualified to make change," Clark stated.

He also noted that Jonathan is not asking for elongation of office like Obasanjo did.

"Obasanjo who is accusing Jonathan, when he was in office wanted third term by all means. He gave members of the House of Representatives N50 million each and N70 million each to senators.

"I challenge Obasanjo to come out and deny this.

When the economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was probing the former governor of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki, he confessed that he gave Obasanjo between N5 and N7 billion to implement the third term agenda.

"For Buhari, he is not the one that will champion change. A leopard will never change its skin. Nigeria will not vote for Buhari," Clark stated.

News

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Explosions rock APC rally Emmanuel Masha, Emmanuel Onani and Anule Emmanuel

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here was chaos in Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday, as gunmen exploded dynamites, shot indiscriminately and disrupted the rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Five explosive devices went off at the Okrika National Field, venue of the rally.

A policeman who was injured in the attack and rushed to Braithwaithe Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt later died.

About 50 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. A journalist was stabbed during the attack.

The APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, members of his Greater Together Campaign Organisation train, and other supporters scampered for safety.

Peterside, his deputy, Hon. Asita O. Asita and others were seated when the attack started.

After the initial disruption of the rally, the organisers mobilised party sup-

porters back to the venue to kick off the campaign.

But as speakers mounted the podium to address the rally, sporadic gunshots rented the air.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the attack.

“At about 14:30 hours, at National School Field, Okrika, the APC gubernatorial rally arena was disrupted with sporadic shootings from a far distance to the arena by unknown and unpatriotic elements.

“It took the instantaneous efforts by policemen massively deployed to secure the arena to repel the assailants and save the situation. Preliminary details indicated a policeman engaged in the operation lost his life and three others got injured from stray bullets and a journalist was also stabbed,” the Command’s spokesman, DSP Ahmad Kidaya Muhammad said.

Governor Rotimi

Amaechi has blamed the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan for the attack.

Amaechi spoke with journalists in Abuja after the enlarged APC leaders' meeting at the Shehu Yar’Adua centre in Abuja.

The governor also condemned the act of violence and expressed disappointment over the law enforcement agents’ failure to ensure a hitch-free campaign for the APC, despite having earlier assured the party of security and gave approval for the campaign to hold.

“Again, as usual, the wife of the president won’t allow the APC hold rally in Okrika. The wife of the president and the governorship candidate of the PDP in Rivers again organised thugs to disrupt APC rally. As usual, the police couldn’t protect us even with over 200 policemen “We had meetings with DSS (Directorate of State

Security) and police and they confirmed we could go ahead. There were 200 policemen and there were over 20 to 30 DSS men who came there and they did nothing,” Amaechi said.

“Clearly, the wife of the president do not want APC to campaign in Okrika, her local government area,” Amaechi said.

But the First Lady has denied any involvement in the attack.

“The First Lady just came back from Bayelsa a few minutes ago where she visited the survivor of the accident involving women leaders in the state.

She met with families of the deceased in Bayelsa.

“It makes no sense for the governor to make that accusation when the First Lady is still mourning the deceased,” Ayo Adewuyi, Special Assistant to the First Lady stated.

The APC chairman in Rivers, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, also blamed the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) for the attack, calling on the security agencies to fish out all those behind this ugly incident.

But the Rivers State PDP has distanced itself from the attack, while condemning it in its entirety.

Speaking through its chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Barr.

Emma Okah, the PDP called on the police and other security agencies to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to book.

"Violence does not end well and it is for that reason that we have continued to encourage our PDP members to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite the recurring cases of provocation by the APC in Rivers State and many parts of the Country," he said The APC headquarters in Okrika was bombed on January 9.

And as part of measures to ensure a violencefree election next month,

the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba, has ordered Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of state commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to embark on immediate recovery of firearms from unauthorised security outfits, some state-owned groups and persons not licenced to bear arms.

A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, an Acting Commissioner of Police, said the directive followed reports of rising cases of pre-election violence, which have resulted in the death of about 58 people, according to a recent report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

While noting that all measures put in place for a peaceful elections will be adhered to, the statement added that the CPs are to ensure that culprits are arrested and prosecuted.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

31oC

26oC

Storms

ABUJA

38oC

25oC

Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

24oC

19oC

Storms

KANO

36oC

17oC

Sunny

ENUGU

36o C 24oC Thunder Storms

IBADAN

30oC

24oC

Storms

CALABAR

29oC

23oC

Storms

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

36oC 18oC Partially Cloudy

36o C 24oC Thunder Storms

Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, speaking on the exit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during his visit to the State House, Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Tambuwal stops move to sack House leadership lAPC consolidates majority, PDP loses six more members Philip Nyam Abuja

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ollowing the defection of six members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday on the floor of the House of Representatives, the All Progressives Congress (APC) now has a clear majority of 181 to PDP's 156 members.

This is just as Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal saved the Majority Leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande-

Adeola and other principal officers of PDP stock from having their status reverted to minority.

Others targeted in the motion were the Chief Whip, Hon. Ishaku Bawa, who could have become Minority Whip; Leo Ogor, the Deputy Majority Leader who would have become Deputy Minority Leader and the Deputy Whip, Hon. Muktar Mohammed, who may have become Minority Whip.

The PDP members who defected were Hon. Tobias Chukwuemeka Okwuria,

(PDP to LP, Ebonyi); Hon. Peter Ali (PDP to LP, Ebonyi); Hon. Chinenye Ike, (PDP to APGA, Abia); Hon. Micah Umoh, (PDP to Accord, A/Ibom), Hon Robinson Uwak (PDP to APC, A/Ibom) and Hon. Ibrahim Garba (PDP to APC Jigawa).

Trouble started shortly after Speaker Tambuwal read the defecting lawmakers’ letters. But Tambuwal cleverly ruled out of order Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Abdulrahman Suleiman Kawu's (APC, Kano) motion seeking to change

the leadership of the House to reflect current numerical standing.

Raising two points of order simultaneously, Kawu informed the House that the APC, of which he is a member, now has majority of lawmakers in the House based on recent defections by some PDP members and those of other parties to the APC. But ruling on the point of order, Tambuwal declared that "the deputy minority leader, your matter of privilege is noted but let me remind you that this

same matter is before a court of law. Therefore we cannot discuss it."

It will be recalled that when the last set of 10 lawmakers defected on January 14 this year, the APC had assumed majority with 179 members while the PDP had depleted to 162 and other parties (LP, APGA, SDP, PDM and Accord Party) were left with 19 members.

However, with yesterday's defection, the APC now has 181 while PDP has 156, and the other parties have 23.

NEW TELEGRAPH Wednesday, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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Telephone subscriber base grew by 8.6% in 2014 ….As active lines reach 139m Kunle Azeez

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he much-awaited complete subscriber base for the 12 months of 2014 was yesterday released by the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The data showed that active telephone subscriptions grew by 11 million last year.

From 127.9 million active mobile subscriptions in January 2014, the figure increased to over 139 million at the end of December, representing an impressive growth of or 8.6 per cent.

However, the 2014 growth in subscriber base was slower compared with the 12.3 per cent growth recorded in the preceding year of 2013, when active sub-

scriptions grew from 113 million in January to 127 million in December of that year.

According to the NCC data, throughout 2014, the nation’s telecommunications sector recorded month-on-month rise in telephone subscriptions, as telephone operators introduced new services and expanded their network coverage, new locations not yet covered by their services.

Giving the monthly details, NCC, in its latest industry report, said from 127.9 million active subscriptions in January 2014, the figure increased to 129 million in February and by the end of first quarter of year ending March, the figure fell slightly to 127 million again.

In April, active subscriptions stood at 129.3 million; 131.1 million in May; 132.7 million in June and by July, the figure fell to 132.1 million.

Also in August, September, October, November and December, active subscriptions on all mobile networks, including Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and fixed lines networks, were 134.5 million; 135.6 million; 136.6 million and 139 million respectively.

GSM companies were major contributors to the growth recorded in 2014, as CDMA networks and fixed lines continued to

lose subscribers on their networks.

For instance, of the total active lines for each of the months in 2014, GSM operators, including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat had 125.1 million in January; 126.2 million in February; 124.8 million in March; 126.9 million in April; 128.8 million in May and in June, the GSM operators controlled 130.5 million of the total 132.7 million mobile subscriptions in all the networks.

FG making borrowing from Nigerian banks hard, says Fashola Muritala Ayinla

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agos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, yesterday accused the Federal Government of scuttling borrowing plans by some Nigerians and state governments, saying such policies make life difficult for many Nigerians and investors.

Speaking before commissioning 100 air-conditioned buses at LASTMA Headquarters, Oshodi, Fashola said the environment which the investors in the mass transit buses started with about nine years ago, had begun to change. He added that when the government started the BRT, the private investors were borrowing at about $1 to N118 and the interest rate at that time was about 10 per cent.

He said:"But the central Government has started interfering in the process. They have instructed banks on who they should lend money to and I don’t know what type of eco-

nomic management policy that is. This is because slowly and gradually, they are squeezing the life out of this economy. They are taking the independence away. Why should a bank need a minister before lending loan to a customer? If the customer credit is good, why should he not lend money? That is what is happening today.

It is becoming difficult to get foreign exchange and transact legitimate deals.

"Right now, we should have remitted the fund for our lite-rail. There is no foreign exchange backing for it. The Naira has been there. The foreign exchange bill we use to take for granted seven years ago, has become a ‘waitfor-your-turn’ process; in order to pay legitimate international obligations and it may get to school fees. That is the reality.

Once there is not enough foreign exchange, everyone has to queue. It will aid the black market while the official market suffers.

FG simplifies access to N220b SME Fund Anule Emmanuel

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he National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has cut down requirements for the disbursement of CBN N220 billion to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises SMEs. The council is under the Chairmanship of Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

Sambo, at the meeting yesterday stressed the importance of the Council to the creation of jobs and wealth for Nigerians, saying "this Council is one of the major organs that government established for the development of this country."

The Vice President directed relevant government agencies, particu-

larly the Central Bank of Nigeria and the lead agency- the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), to immediately commence sensitization of Nigerians on the availability and accessibility of the Funds.

He also directed that the National Planning Commission should lead the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Finance, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, the CBN and SMEDAN among other relevant agencies to prepare a comprehensive disbursement plan of the funds for effective monitoring and evaluation by the Council, which would be on a monthly bases, with also a bi-monthly report on the level of disbursement.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Nigeria Ambassador to Singapore, Nonye Rajis Okpara and Head of Corporate Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Bola Adeeko, at the closing gong ceremony of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Lagos…yesterday

Wole Shadare

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igeria’s Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Mrs Ifeoma Akabogu-Chinwuba, has stressed the need for the country to deepen its relations with countries in East, West and Central Africa, adding that when actualized, the Bi-National Commission with Abidjan would strengthen the pact between both nations.

The Ambassador made the disclosure at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, Abidjan, while briefing the media when Arik Air commenced flight opera-

Nigeria activates bilateral services to Abidjan tions to the French speaking West African Going by 2013 figure, Akabogu-Chinwuba put the figure of trade volume between both nations at CFA 300 billion ($52.1 million), noting, “They import our crude, refine and export back. So, where crude oil is involved, a lot of dollars also enters into the economy”.

She said Arik’s commencement of flight service to the country was part

of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) which was negotiated January 13, 2013, stressing the cooperation would bring closeness to the two nations in terms of people’s movement and movement of goods and services.

She also noted that Air Cote d’Ivoire had activated its own part of BASA by operating to Lagos with four frequencies.

Akabogu-Chinwuba said that the development

would strengthen business interactions among businessmen and companies from the two nations.

According to her, “Air Cote d’Ivoire already goes to Nigeria. Now, we have Arik, ASKY Airlines goes to Nigeria. The implication is that we now have choices. It is good omen.

We have over three million Nigerians living here. They have families and they have lived here for many years”.

Obasanjo misled PDP on guber candidate – Kashamu Kunle Olayeni

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, yesterday said former President Olusegun Obasanjo misled the Yewa-Awori people in Ogun West Senatorial District on the choice of governor in the 2011 general elections.

Kashamu, who spoke during a campaign rally held in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area for the

party's governorship candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, lamented the inability of Ogun West zone to produce governor since the creation of the state.

He, however, declared that the 2015 poll offers the best opportunity for Ogun West to correct the error made by the expresident.

The state PDP chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo, as well as the party's senatorial candidates for Ogun Central and Ogun West, Dr Bisola So-

dipo-Clark and Hon. Waliu Taiwo, among other party chieftains, were in attendance at the rally.

Addressing the rally, Kashamu, who went down the memory lane regarding the travails of Ogun West people in their quest to produce a governor, said Obasanjo "wrongly" nominated former military general, Adetunji Olurin, to contest for governorship in 2011.

He explained that the decision failed because Ogun West produced two

governorship candidates and shared their votes accordingly.

Kashamu, however, said he and other chieftains fought the battle of their lives before Isiaka was picked as the PDP governorship candidate, urging Yewa-Awori people to support him.

He said the zone had got a very rare opportunity to produce governor in the April 11 governorship election, stressing that such an opportunity should not elude them.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okonjo–Iweala to engage N’Assembly on 2015 budget Abdulwahab Issa

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s price of crude oil makes gradual rebounds to $62 per barrel, Coordinating Minister for the Economy CME /Minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonj-Iweala would be engaging members of the National Assembly this week to thrash out grey areas in 2015 budget currently in the custody of the legislative members.

This is as the government disclosed yester-

day that it had saved over N208.7 billion as a result of blocking leakages, through which its scarce resource had been siphoned in the past.

The CME disclosed these yesterday in Abuja at forum organised by the Catholic CARITAS Foundation of Nigeria under the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

The N4.3 trillion 2015 budget has experienced three oil benchmark reviews due to the persistent slump in oil prices. From

an initial proposal of $78, it was reviewed down to $73 and finally to $65 benchmark, which was sent to the National Assembly.

Asked about her expectation of the 2015 budget, the Minister said: “It will now depend on the final scenario and we are going to be discussing it with the National Assembly this week. You know at $65 we had a scenario, so let us wait. Whatever the benchmark we come out with together with the national Assembly,

then we know exactly our borrowing plan”.

She said the present administration has done so much in the area of blocking various means through government resources are stolen.

“When we talk of corruption, we had a system that is cash-based. For example, when we want to pay salaries we will send money to ministry of agriculture and say here is your money, pay your people. For education ministry this is your

money, pay your people.

Yes, that is what we were doing before. Whereas, there will be no transfer of cash, if we had electronic platform. That is what we have done. Now with the introduction of Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) such avenue has been blocked.

What does it do? It transfers money electronically from budget to Accountant General, from Accountant General to Ministries Departments and Agencies.

L-R: Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development, Mr. Michael Harvey; Director General, National Agency for Control of AIDS, Prof. John Idoko; Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan and Executive Director, National Primary Health-Care Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammed, cutting the tape at the foundation laying of new medical warehouse in Abuja…yesterday

PDP wants APC investigated over anti-election leaflets Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the investigation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its stand on the circulation of anti-election leaflets in Gombe State.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement, yesterday, said the rush with which the APC started raining accusations on PDP was “suspect and betrays a subterfuge”, describing it as a spirited attempt to cover-up to divert attention and distract the security forces from getting to those behind the threats.

“Ordinarily, many Nigerians saw the statement by the APC as merely political, but looking beyond the veneer of politics undoubtedly is a bigger picture of an opposition party deeply involved but craftily deploying a smokescreen to divert attention through a hurried attempt to politicise a very serious security issue”, the party said.

It added that it was incontrovertible that Gombe remained a stronghold of the PDP with the popularity of President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.

Court to hear Chukwumerije, Jonathan nominates Obanikoro, 7 others as ministers clude: Prof. Nicholas for Benue State. tor Enyinaya Abaribe PDP suit Feb 26 Chukwu David Akise Ada (Benue), Col. Akobundu, if con- (PDP-Abia), pointed out Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed February 26 for hearing of the suit brought by the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, against the Peoples Democratic Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Chukwumerije, in a motion on notice, filed by his counsel, Max Ogar, is asking the court for an order restraining INEC from accepting any name presented by the PDP as a candidate for the Abia North Senatorial district election based on the purported primaries conducted on December 7, 2014 pending the hearing of the suit.

He also wants the court to give an order restraining PDP from presenting any other person to INEC as a candidate for the Abia North Senatorial district elections,

based on purported primaries conducted on December 7, 2014 pending the determination of the suit.

The plaintiff premised his prayers on the ground that ward congress election did not hold in any of the wards in Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State.

He also submitted that there was no adhoc delegates elected on November 1, 2014 for purposes of December 7, 2014 primary elections.

The plaintiff further stated that only names of duly nominated persons are forwarded to INEC as party candidates adding that he has a pending appeal before the PDP appeal committee.

At the last adjourned date, the PDP brought a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.

After hearing all parties, the trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, fixed February 26 for hearing.

Abuja

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded a list of eight persons to the Senate for confirmation as ministers to fill the gaps created by the resignation of ministers, who opted to run for the governorship election in their states.

Top on the list of the nominees were three former senators: Musiliu Obanikoro, (Lagos), Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa) and Joel Danlami Ikenya (Taraba).

Other nominees in-

Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu (rtd), Abia; Engr Fidelis Nwankwo (Ebonyi), Mrs Hauwa’u Lawan (Jigawa) and Mr. Kenneth Kobani (Rivers).

Akwashiki is a replacement for Labran Maku, who resigned as Minister of Information to contest for the governorship of Nasarawa State while Prof. Ada is to replace former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Orton, who eventually emerged the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flag bearer

firmed, will replace the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu while Nwankwo replaces the former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

Former Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike is being replaced by Kobani while Ikenya will fill the gap left by the former Minister of State for Works, Dairus Ishaku.

Briefing newsmen after plenary, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Sena-

that the Senate would be screening the ministerial nominees next week.

Meanwhile, Senate received request from President Jonathan for consideration of Mr. Ibrahim Abba as Grand Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal for FCT in accordance with Section 261(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

Also, the Senate received a request for confirmation of Mr. Toye Olofintuyi as a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission, representing Edo, Ekiti and Ondo States.

Power generation to hit 6,000 mega watts in 2015 –Perm Sec Chukwu David Abuja

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he Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali, yesterday assured Nigerians that power generation would rise to 6,000 megawatts in 2015, if vandalism is curbed in the system.

Igali gave this assurance at a budget defense of the Ministry before the Senate Committee on Power, noting that the major problem being faced by the sector was the menace of vandals, who blow up gas pipelines.

“Once we go above 4,000 mega watts, people bring us down to 2000; there is no country

where its own citizens will go to blow up gas pipelines supplying to the power plants. If these vandals can allow this gas to flow, we will get to over 6, 000 megawatts,” he promised.

He further noted that most of the power plants had been linked to the gas pipelines and were consciously increasing

power generation.

Reacting to the allegation that the Benin Power Plant was a complete failure, the Permanent Secretary requested that the committee be allowed for a closed door meeting to enable him properly brief the lawmakers since the issues had become too complicated.

NEW TELEGRAPH Wednesday, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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Cab drivers threaten to sue FCT minister Clem Khena-Ogbena

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he Painted Commercial Taxi Drivers Association (PCTDA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has threatened to sue the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, over what it described as undue blackmail, discrimination, harassment and arrest of its members in the city.

The association also accused the minister of insincerity and failure to implement the policy

decisions taken at several meetings between PCTDA and FCT administration, aimed at addressing the challenges often faced by painted commercial taxi drivers within the territory.

In an exclusive chat with New Telegraph, Chairman of the association, Comrade Shehu Shugaba Yar'Adua, said that his members were not allowed to operate freely within the FCT and were prevented from entering various estates, hotels, hospitals and premises of government

agencies, among others.

Yar'Adua said that the managements of these restricted places, rather prefer unpainted taxis to convey passengers or goods into their premises while the green and yellow taxis , which were supposed to be the officially authorised cabs in the FCT have been schemed out of transport operations in the city.

According to Yar'Adua, the association currently pay the sum of N1 million annually to the FCTA as operational fees, an

amount, he said, would soon be raised to N3 million. In spite of this, he said, their members are not allowed a free hand to operate within the territory.

"The next line of action for us is that we are preparing to go to court to seek redress; while we have been licensed, we don't have a good environment to operate. The minister should give us the reason why this is happening to us, and should make an announcement that no estate should disallow our painted taxis to

come inside.

"We hold the minister responsible for these our challenges; we are answerable to him.

They gave us a licence and they also promised us that by the time we comply with guidelines of the licence operators scheme, we are going to be given a very good environment to operate, with the SURE-P cars given to us. The government has also promised that they are going to give us a very good environment to operate, but this is not what is happening now.

"So, the minister is not doing what he has promised us. We want the minister to make announcement that all estates in the FCT should allow painted taxis to go inside and operate. For example, the office of the Honourable Minister, the Ministry of the Federal Capital Administration should first allow our taxis to go inside and operate. If I carry SURE-P taxi now, immediately I get to the gate, they will say go back, painted taxis are not allowed," he said.

Three jailed 6 months for stealing Caleb Onwe Abuja

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n Abuja Upper Area Court, sitting at Karu has jailed three men; Moses Adamu, Kefas Ibrahim and Ali Meleh all of Karu Village Abuja to six months imprisonment.

The three men were convicted for what the prosecutor, Francis Udofia, described as: joint act, house breaking, theft and receiving stolen property which he

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Leader of the House, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, proceeding into the chamber on resumption after the break …yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI.

Police, tricycle operators biker over death of rider Yekeen Nurudeen

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ontroversy has continued to trail an accident which left a tricycle operator, also known as Keke operator dead in the Gudu area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Police and operators of tricycles in the area disagree on what happened.

FCT Police Commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu, in a statement, blamed the incident on over speeding by the dead Keke rider.

According to him, ex-

cessive speeding by the driver resulted into the accident during which the Keke went up in flames.

He explained that the tricycle was on top speed when it lost control, somersaulting and going up in flames with the driver burnt beyond recognition.

While regretting the unfortunate incident, Inalegwu ordered a full scale investigation into the matter.

However, an eye witness said that the victim was chased by a detachment of Police from Apo Bridge to Gudu junction

where he met his untimely death.

An official of Keke NAPEP Operators Association, Vincent Nwafor, alleged extortion as the primary reason for the accident.

"Our late member always plied from Rita Lori to Gudu market and we understand that policemen in an unregistered patrol van started chasing him from the Apo Bridge towards Gudu area.

On getting to this junction, the Police patrol van hit him from behind and the Keke NAPEP somer-

saulted. As soon as the Keke somersaulted, the fuel tank exploded and the driver was burnt beyond recognition," he narrated When asked what might be responsible for the Police chasing the deceased, Nwafor said: " It is only the Police that can explain the reason behind the chase because a dead man cannot speak" He challenged the Police to present any exhibit in possession of the late rider if he had committed any crime prior to the chase.

FCTA to introduce ‘park and pay’ in waste management Yekeen Nurudeen

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s part of efforts to boost its revenue generation, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed that it would introduce park and pay policy to its waste management system.

Disclosing this, FCT Director of Economic Planning and Coordinator of FCT SURE-P, Mr. Isa Ari,

said the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) would be strengthened as more companies would be engaged to provide waste management.

He explained that a pilot scheme would be run on park and pay this year, where companies involved in waste management would evacuate the waste and collect money for the waste evacuated from the residents.

This, according to him, would go a long way in generating income for the administration.

Ari added that plans were underway to recycle waste generated in the FCT, noting that more employment opportunities would be created.

He added that prepaid meters and smart cards for water usage would be introduced to regulate water usage, noting that

a pilot scheme would be introduced in Gwarimpa and other major business centres of the city.

"Residents should expect continued service delivery. Better services will be rendered to the residents of FCT in terms of human capacity development, education; where every child is given an opportunity to go to school, better health care services" he said.

said contravene sections 79, 346 and 288 of the Penal Code Laws.

According to the first information report with reference number CR/20/2015 made available to the court; the complainant, Jude Bisong, reported to Karu Police Station on January 28, 2015, that he came back home and discovered that unknown unauthorized persons had gained access to his house and made away with some of his household items.

FG secures N10.08trn investment commitment for Nigeria

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he Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission on Tuesday said a total pipeline investment of $60bn (N10.08trn) has been secured from local and foreign investors.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Saratu Umar gave the figure during an interview shortly after she signed a memorandum of understanding with the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Segun Awolowo The pact sealed at the headquarters of the NIPC in Abuja was aimed at boosting investment in the non oil sector of the Nigerian economy.

It would also enable both agencies to enhance the Nigerian investment ecosystem to attract more foreign and local direct investments to the non oil sector of the economy.

Umar while giving an update of investment drive within the last three years said that the sum of $20bn had been attracted into various sector of the economy.

She listed some of the sectors where these investments have been made to include automobile, sugar,

cement among others.

She said, “In the last three years we ve had about $20bn (investment) but right now we have a pipeline investment of about $60bn and these are in the process of coming in and we hope to ensure that they are actualized to become real investments.

“As part of part of our strategy here at the commission we are going to be having country specific strategy to relate with each country in a more strategic manner.”

On the inter-agency collaboration, she said this became imperative as the emphasis of the government is to diversify the economy away from oil.

She said, “Nigeria is moving away from over dependence on oil as the major source of revenue and the current situation in the oil industry demands the diversification of the economy majorly through the development of the non oil sectors of the economy.

“Nigeria has remained the highest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment inflows in Africa, pulling in over ten per cent or over $20bn of the entire continent’s FDI in the last three years.”

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Metro RECOVERY

The police parade seven suspected car thieves and recover four vehicles, including that of a journalist with Channels TV

I’ve received 14 stolen cars, says man on wanted list

Taiwo Jimoh, Shola Adefuwa and Gbemisola Oyedepo

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suspected criminal, who has been on the police wanted list for about six years, has explained that he had received 14 stolen cars from a gang of robbers.

The suspect, Nura Mohammed, 33, and six others were paraded yesterday at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

The police recovered four vehicles from the suspects. One of the cars belongs to a journalist with Channels Television.

Also recovered were two locally-made double-barrelled guns, four live cartridges, a Honda CRV with registration number LSD 322 CK, Peugeot car marked AU 380 KWL, Toyota Camry with registration number GRZ 42 AA and a Honda Accord car marked KSF 95 DB. According to the police, Mohammed and his accomplices, Maven Bali, 40, Cheikube Emeka, 32, Ejike Chukwuemeka, 37, Jacob Ali, 28, Titus Johana, 31 and Richard Augustine 30, had been terrorising Lagos, Ogun and other western states.

But Mohammed denied being a member of the gang, saying that he only used to receive stolen cars from them at Niger border post.

He said: “A friend of mine, who is late, introduced me to the leader of the gang. I reside in Kano. But whenever a car was available, the leader of the gang would call me on the phone.

“The car would be driven down to me at the Niger boarder post, where they are always buyers from Niger. I have received about 14 stolen cars from the suspects. I started the business in 2012.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti,

The recovered vehicles

The suspects

said that Mohammed had been on the wanted list of the police since 2010 before he was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives.

He said: “On 17, January, a worker with Channels Television reported the snatching of her Sport Utility Vehicle at gunpoint around OPIC, LagosIbadan Expressway, Ogun State.

“Immediately the incident was reported, I ordered the officer in charge of SARS, Mr Abba Kyari, to launch a massive manhunt for the robbers.

Three of the armed robbery

D FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

tine, a graduate of Fishery and Farming, Federal University of Technology, Minna, said: “I had never been involved in armed robbery before. My family members and I used to reside in Nasarawa State. During the inter-communal clash in the state, I was attacked by the Fulani herdsmen.

“This attack made me to buy a locally-made gun for defence of myself and family.

“When my friend, Emeka, came to me, asking for the loan of the gun, he told me that he needed it to protect himself.

I gave him the gun. I did not know he and some other men wanted to use the gun for robbery. I was going to collect my gun from him when police arrested me.”

Land grabbers shoot four in Ogun community Shola Adefuwa

ABIODUN BELLO

suspects were arrested at Ojodu and Ikorodu areas of Lagos.

One of the suspects, Chukwuemeka, said: “I studied Accounting at the University of Lagos in 2006. After graduation, I worked briefly at Apapa Wharf Tin-Can as a clearing agent. When the business was not going well as expected, I travelled to South Africa for greener pastures.

“Before I travelled to South Africa, I had known Emeka.

We met at Apapa. When the country, where I travelled to, was no more conducive, I de-

cided to come back home.”

He added that when he came back to Nigeria, he went in search of Emeka.

The police said that he allegedly introduced Emeka to car snatching on the highways.

Chukwuemeka added: “We used to steal cars parked by the roadside. We would use our locally-made gun to scare victims.

Once we snatch any vehicle, we take it straight to Alhaji Nura’s house in Kano, where he would help us to dispose it.

“I was inside my house at Ojodu relaxing when the policemen came and arrested me.

I regretted my action. I do not know what my parents would say when they see me in television being paraded as a robber.”

Stating his own story, Augus-

etectives attached to Sango-Ota Area Command have launched investigation into the alleged shooting of four people by suspected land speculators at Abule Oke in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that aside from the four men who were shot, other people were inflicted with machete cuts. The victims later told the policemen that the hoodlums, who swooped on them, stole their money, phones and other valuables.

No fewer than three persons had been arrested by the police.

A police source said: “Those who were not too critical were treated here at the Police Cottage Hospital and discharged.”

The source added that preliminary investigations showed that a monarch, a prince and others, presently at large, were behind the attack.

The police noted that the land in question had been under dispute between two parties for long.

One of the parties, identified as Otunba, in a statement to the police, said that his family owned the disputed parcel

of land. The large expanse of land, according to his statement, is covered by a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), issued by the state government.

One of those shot, Saheed Oladeinde, said that he had gone to commence development of his plot of land when he was attacked and shot.

He said: “I lost over N150,000 which I had on me. I wanted to use the money to pay for tippers of sand, gravel, bags of cement and other items to commence the foundation of my house. I lost all, including my two Nokia handsets.”

Another victim, Olumide

Adeniji, said he was on a motorcycle, heading to his site, when the hoodlums attacked and shot him in the head, shoulder and arm.

The motorcyclist, according to him, managed to escape but sustained injuries.

He said: “The motorcyclist lost his motorcycle. I lost N13,850, two Techno phones and other valuables.”

A trader said she lost N986,000 to the rampaging miscreants.

According to her, the money was the monthly contributions from members of the market Cooperative and Thrift Society.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Mortuary attendants in court over missing corpse Caleb Onwe

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tuary attendants N81,000 out of which a receipt of N51,000 was issued to him.

According to the prosecutor, Tijani said he went the mortuary on November 20, 2014 to collect the corpse of his wife for burial but was shocked that the morticians could not produce the corpse nor give any reasonable account of the corpse.

It was on the premise of the complaint that the police commenced investigations which led to the arrest of the accused.

FCT Health Secretariat, however, denied knowledge of the arraignment of the accused but admitted that the corpse in

question was missing.

The secretariat also claimed that the complainant violated the procedures of depositing corpse in FCT hospitals, by going through the “backdoor”.

The defence counsel, Enoch M. Dodo and Moses B. Bature, made an oral application for the bail of the accused.

But the court denied them bail and ordered the counsel to bring a written application.

The court also remanded the accused pending the determination of the bail application.

It also adjourned the case till March 25.

‘How street gates can check crime’ Gbemisola Oyedepo

Akure

usiness and social activities were paralysed in parts of Ondo town in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday as the residents protested epileptic power supply and high bill by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in the last two months.

The protest, which started about 8:30am from the office of the BEDC located on Brigadier Ademulegun Road in Ondo town, was taken to the palace of the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

The protesters, including market women, students, artisans, as well as various groups and associations, were monitored by the

Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in charge of Enuowa and Funbi Fagun, Adekunle Omisakin and Olu-Ojo Ogunmoyole.

The protest led to restriction of vehicular movements on major streets while other activities in the town were disrupted for several hours.

Armed by various placards with various inscriptions such as, ‘Ondo kingdom rejects crazy bill,’ ‘Epileptic power supply,’ ‘No more fixed charge,’ ‘We reject yahoo power supply,’ ‘Ondo kingdom says no to light sabotage,’ the protesters also chanted different abusive songs.

Some of the protesters were holding locally-made lamps, while others held candles to demonstrate their displeasure over the development.

Fraud syndicate leader held in Enugu Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

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olice in Enugu State have arrested the leader of a syndicate which specialises in defrauding people holding accounts in banks within and outside the state.

The suspect, who identified himself as Madueke Ahamefula, was apprehended on Monday by Mobile policemen.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement yesterday that the suspect, who claimed to hail from Bayelsa State, was arrested about 3pm in one of the new generation banks

on Okpara Avenue, Enugu.

The PPRO said the suspect was a member of a notorious scam syndicate which had been wreaking havoc on the citizens of the state and its environs through various fraudulent financial activities.

Amaraizu said Ahamefula was already helping police investigators in their investigations.

He said the suspect was arrested after an alert was received on his account in the said bank.

This, according to the PPRO, informed a security order to track the account which the suspect was operating and using as to swindle his various victims.

Man sets wife ablaze over disagreement

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he residents of Buhari and Adelaja streets in the Kosofe Local Government Area, Ogudu, Lagos State have revealed how they were able to tackle crime and criminality.

According to them, after the measures they put in place, they have not witnessed crime in the last 10 years.

The people only wake up to hear about robberies, stealing and burglaries on other streets.

They explained that a few years ago, they were besieged by different types of crime, ranging from robberies to stealing. Sick and tired of it, they called a meeting and came up with a master plan. It was a plan that seemed so simple, but is still yielding fruits.

They had built a main gate to the street, decided on closing and opening time and incorporated policemen attached to ‘Area H’ Police Command, Ogudu, in every security discussion and decision they took.

The Secretary of the Landlords’ Association, Mr Ibrahim Oladoja, said: “We no longer have security challenge.

This is because we ensured that miscreants were kicked out of this area.

“In the past, the issue of security had been a recur-

Babatope Okeowo

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Abuja

ive mortuary attendants, John Nimzing, James Agbo, Solomon Taru, Ezekiel Iliya and Obonyilo Ochigbo, all of Wuse General Hospital, have been arraigned before the Chief Magistrates’ Court, Karu, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, for allegedly stealing a corpse from the mortuary.

The accused were charged for criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and theft by the FCT Police Command in a first information report numbered CR/02/15.

The police affirmed that the offence is a breach of the provisions of sections 97, 312, 364 and 287 of the Penal Code Laws.

ASP Adama Musa, the prosecuting officer, told the court that one Mr. Tijani Joshua, an employee of the Federal Ministry of Information, lodged a complaint at the Wuse Police Station on November 20, 2014 that the corpse of his wife, Mrs Ann Tijani, which he deposited at Wuse General Hospital on September 26, 2014, was missing.

He added that the complainant alleged he deposited the corpse and paid the mor-

Ondo residents protest power outage, high bill

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

A Gated street INSET: Oladoja

ring problem. We had issues of burglaries and stealing.

These criminal elements used to find their ways into our homes. There was rampant stealing of car radios. This was quite some years ago, but we have improved our security considerably.”

Oladoja said that the success had been achieved with the cooperation of the Community Development Association (CDA). He explained that the Landlords’ Association built a gate at the main entrance of the street and stipulated opening and closing hours for the residents.

He also said that the employment of security men had also helped tremendously in checking crime rate in the area.

“The monthly meeting of the Landlords’ Association

had helped. In the meeting we discuss any new development that may come up. The meetings often serve as a forum to discuss all the happenings in the street and houses,” the secretary added.

Oladoja said that the AntiRobbery Squad of the Area ‘H’ Police Command used to conduct a daily patrol every night to monitor the area.

He said: “Our area is peaceful. The impact of the churches and mosques, in terms of prayers, has no doubt been helpful. The traditional ruler, with his rites and sacrifices, has also been helpful.”

One of the residents, Mrs Esther Akinboye, said in the past, there were issues in terms of security, owing to the fact that there were no security guards.

45-year-old man identified as Uche Ubanwa yesterday allegedly set his wife, Ugochi, ablaze before handing himself over to the police in Orlu, Imo State.

It was gathered that the woman was sleeping when her husband walked up to her, poured fuel on her and set her ablaze.

Although reasons for Ubanwa’s action could not be ascertained at press time, it was learnt that the couple had engaged in a heated argument following a disagreement on Valentine’s Day which might not be unconnected with infidelity.

A reliable family source said “the woman was sleeping when the husband set her ablaze having poured fuel on her”.

Consequently, trouble broke out at the couple’s hometown at Umuahiami Afara in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state yesterday when the in-laws from Ekwe auton-

IG, Sulieman Abba

omous community in Isu Njaba Local Government Area stormed the sleepy Afara village on revenge mission. They destroyed their son-in-law’s house and property worth millions of naira.

Sources said that it took the intervention of a detachment of mobile policemen to quell the violence that ensued.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident.

He said that the suspect was in the police custody, adding that the matter was still under investigation.

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News

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has frowned at the emphasis placed on the role of the military in the conduct of election in the judgement delivered by the panel of the Court of Appeal, in the All Progressives Congress' suit against the victory of Governor Ayo Fayose, in last year's election in the state.

According to the party, the comments by the panel could read to mean a sort of agreement on the issue, between the bench and the opposition APC.

south - west

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ekiti verdict: PDP frowns at comments on military The State Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Tope Aluko, stated this in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, while commenting on the dismissal of the APC's suit against Fayose by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday.

He said that the appeal panel deliberately dissipated much energy on the use of military during the election in manner which aroused the suspicion of the party.

Aluko, who said that

the PDP would appeal that aspect of the judgement, added that though the court dismissed the petition of the APC against Governor Ayo Fayose, he said, "we still find it difficult to understand why a court, whose judges dismissed a petition for lack of merit, should now go ahead to condemn those who made it impossible for Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his party, the APC, to rig the election.

"To us, they have undisclosed interest in the area where the use of military to check abuse of the election was discarded by the lower tribunal, it is obvious that they have been compromised for dissipating energy on an issue that has been dismissed by the lower tribunal."

The PDP scribe noted that during the governorship elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra and Osun states, the military was

used during and after the elections, stating that nobody raised any question because the states were won by other parties.

"The APC didn't go to court then to challenge the use of military because it favoured it and no judge, either at the lower or upper tribunals, have ever raised eyebrows like the one being suspiciously raised by these judges that ruled on the APC petition against Governor Ayo Fayose on Monday.

We will appeal Fayose's victory –Ekiti APC Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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he Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that it would go to the Supreme Court, to appeal the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, affirming the electoral victory of Governor Ayo Fayose in the June 21, 2014 governorship poll.

The party said it would not rest on its oars, until it gets justice in the matter.

APC Publicity Secretary, in the state, Mr. Taiwo Olatubosun, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, that though the court ruled in Fayose's favour, it was gratifying that judicial declaration was given to APC's complaint on illegal deployment of troops to harass and intimidate the opposition during the election.

He added that the party also succeeded in proving that Fayose was legally impeached in 2006 as resolved by the Appeal Court in its judgement.

He stressed, however, that the party would appeal the judgement at the Supreme Court, as there were other issues that should have been addressed by the judgement.

"The judgment has vindicated us on our complaint that it is illegal for the ruling party to deploy troops to intimidate the opponents during election to influence victory for its candidates because this is a clear infringement on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the use of the military."

“The recent audio leak about how the election was rigged by PDP chieftains has further lent credence to our petition that the election was neither free nor fair."

Observe Lent period with humility, says Akinadewo

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s Christians all over the world begin the Lenting period today, the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide has charged all members of the 50-yearold church to observe the period with humility.

Lent is the season of penance and prayer before Easter.

A statement by Senior Superintendent G.F. Akinadewo of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, stated that it is a period of total humility before God “According to laid down rules and regulations by the Founder, Prophet, Primate and Supreme Head, Archbishop (Dr.) I.M. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu), Lent is a 40day period of fasting and prayer. There will be no beating of drum, no clapping, no dancing and no shouting of Halleluyah, Iye and Hossanah in all our parishes. It is total humility before God during the daily service.”

Ondo PDP, APC differ on campaigns L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Mr.Kayode Opeifa; Governor Babatunde Fashola; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire and Managing Director, Metro Bus, Mr. Niyi Oguntoyinbo, at the LAGBUS Asset Management Limited official launch of 100 airconditioned buses by the governor in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Babatope Okeowo Akure

Fashola begs doctors, nurses to shun strikes T agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday appealed to doctors and nurses in the state not to resort to strike, as means of settling of dispute, regardless of disagreements and conflicts they might have with the government.

The governor said frequent strike actions by health workers endager lives of the people of the state, saying the role played by workers in the health sector, in any given society, was too critical to

be toiled with, with strike actions at any slightest disagreement.

Fashola spoke at the 2015 State Council meeting on the health sector, held at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, saying that the health workers are the only set of workers who must never contemplate strike action, no matter the nature of disagreement.

Emphasizing the crucial role of the health professionals, Fashola said that doctors and nurses were the only set of people who compels the author-

Babatope Okeowo

Afenifere insists, GEJ is change Nigeria needs

Muritala Ayinla

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Akure

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he Pan Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, yesterday insisted that the election of President Goodluck Jonathan for the second term in office would bring about the desired change to the country despite the opposition from the Aferenifere Renewal Group(ARG) and All Progressives Con-

gress (APC).

The leadership of the group, led by its Chairman, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Secretary, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, and others, at a meeting said the adoption of President Jonathan, was in the interest of the Yoruba race.

Speaking when the Yoruba Youth Council (YYC), led by its National Chairman, Mr Eric Olu-

ity under the governor or any other highly paced person to do their bidding, especially regarding to medical advice.

He said: "Doctors, physicians are the only set of people who ask me to take off my clothes. They are the only one who can tell me never to go out and I won't. If you commit adultery and you don't want to tell anyone, you must confess to the physicians. The reason you must tell them is for the diseases not to become epidemic."

He added that the Lagos State Health Family

wole paid a courtesy visit on Fasoranti’s house, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the leader of the group said they could not trust the candidate of the APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to rule the country again.

Fasoranti recalled that it was Buhari that sent him and others to prison for 20 months, over frivolous charges, saying even

is the Nigerian family who have the duty to cater for millions of Nigerians, commending the health workers in the state for rising to the emerging health challenges in the state.

The governor added that the state had become very efficient in the area of public health service delivery through provision of health infrastructure, noting that the goitre cases in Badagry had also been taken care of with successful surgical operations carried out on the affected victims.

when he lost his first daughter while in detention, he was not allowed to see her remains before burial .

He also said that the refusal of the APC to send delegates to the National Conference, where decisions that could transform the country were taken, showed that the party was not ready for change it was propagating.

he People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ondo State, yesterday differed sharply on the approach employed by the ruling party in its campaign rallies the state.

While the APC said the rallies of the ruling PDP was a not issue-based, the PDP said the turnout at its rallies, showed that the party was still the choice of the people in the state.

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Banji Okunomo, noted that the campaign train of the party has always been received by huge turnouts cheerful wherever it visited since the campaigns started, noting that in spite of the postponement of the general elections, the support of the people for the PDP in the state has not dwindled.

According to him, the people of the state have at every opportunity expressed their support for the governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015

General elections

Polls

Tambuwal

Parliament 40

APC to members: Don’t underestimate PDP

INEC achieves 75.94 per cent PVC distribution

Poll shift dents integrity of electoral process

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Budget tops agenda as House reconvenes

Politics

Obasanjo’s farewell to PDP The resignation, on Monday, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by former President Olusegun Obasanjo was long expected, given his long drawn battle against the party. ONYEKACHI EZE traces Obasanjo’s journey with the party in the last 16 years, on which platform he served as Nigerian president for eight years

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mong Nigerian leaders past or present, living or dead, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is the most luckiest. He has ruled the country as a military head of state and as a civilian president.

Cumulatively, Obasanjo has ruled Nigeria for 11 years, the longest so far. Even if President Goodluck Jonathan wins next month’s presidential election and serves out his tenure, he cannot equal Obasanjo’s record. Jonathan would have been in power for only nine years, like General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), two years short of Obasanjo’s record breaking leadership.

History is very benevolent with Obasanjo. He was the one to be handed over the instrument of surrender by the second-in-command of the former secessionist Biafra. The former president was the first Nigerian military leader to hand over power to a democratically-elected president.

He was also the only Nigerian to become president after serving a

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Obasanjo

prison term.

Despite being favoured by history, Obasanjo is the most critical, most vocal and most controversial former Nigerian president. He is the only former Nigerian leader who has written letters to both his successors and predecessors.

Formation of PDP Obasanjo was not part of the present democratic journey, neither was he among the foundation members of the PDP that has ruled Nigeria since the return of the country to the democratic rule. But he is the most beneficiary so far, of the PDP formation.

The G34 members who mustered the courage to write the late General Sani Abacha was led by former Vice President Alex Ekwueme. Obasanjo was still then serving life imprisonment in Yola Prison after he was convicted of a fathom coup by the Abacha regime.

It was the same group that later metamorphosed into the ruling PDP following the lifting of ban on political activities by Abacha’s successor, General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s regime in 1998.

Reluctant candidate Naturally, it was some foundation members of the G34 – the likes

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

I’d rather tear the PDP membership card than sit down and let Jonathan use PDP and corruption to tear my beloved country apart

of Ekwueme and the former civilian governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi – who nursed the ambition to run for the presidency in 1999. But a group comprising both members and non-members of the newly formed PDP approached Obasanjo who had been released from prison and had been granted pardon by the Abubakar regime, to persuade him to run for the presidency, to compensate the Yoruba for the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola, a Yoruba man.

Initially, Obasanjo rejected the offer, demanding from the delegation, “how many presidents would you want to make out of me?” He was also presented with a PDP membership card.

The former Head of State also described the visit by the group as “an ambush”.

Jos convention Going by the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP in November 1998, Obasanjo was not qualified to contest the PDP presidential primaries held in Jos, the Plateau State capital the following year.

Ekwueme, who was Obasanjo’s main rival at the convention, disclosed that PDP’s NEC passed a

resolution that “anybody who did not win his local government will not be eligible to contest for presidency or governorship.

“After the election of December 5, the next NEC meeting, which was chaired by late Sunday Afolabi because Solomon Lar was not present that day, approved and confirmed this decision of the NEC.” Of course, Obasanjo, in December 1998 local government election, lost his polling unit to the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Ekwueme further explained: “Now in my pocket in Jos, I had a copy of the decision and also the constitution of the party. The chairman of the party was like the chairman of the Board and Secretary of the party was like the Managing Director so it was the Secretary who had executive powers not the Chairman. When the result was announced in Jos and they said Obasanjo won, I had the option of saying I didn’t accept it or say I accept it, embrace it and work together to make sure the party wins.”

The overwhelmed Obasanjo then extolled “PDP as the best platform on which to offer myself for the service of the nation.”

In his book, “This House Has Fallen,” former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, gave reasons why some foundation members of PDP threw their weight behind Obasanjo at the Jos convention.

Tukur described Obasanjo as a truck driver and Ekuweme a limousine driver. He was quoted to have said Obasanjo is a rough person and Ekwueme a gentleman type of politician which Nigeria does not need at that time but a truck driver like Obasanjo kind of person.

Ekwueme later chaired a fund raising dinner at Sheraton Hotel Abuja where over N140 million was raised for Obasanjo’s presidential campaign.

Obasanjo presidency For eight years, Obasanjo presided over the affairs of Nigeria like an emperor under PDP. He had running battles with the National Assembly and sponsored the impeachment of two presidents of the Senate, and attempted without success, several times to remove the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Also under Obasanjo, four servCONTINUED ON PAGE 42

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Politics

WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC to members: Don’t underestimate PDP Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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ational leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday told members of the party not to underestimate the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tinubu, who spoke at the Joint Leadership meeting of the party in Abuja, also warned that the APC would not tolerate any more postponement of elections.

He, however, congrat-

ulated the presidential candidate of the APC, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) for maintaining his cool on the postponement of the February 14 presidential election.

According to him, the postponement was plotted against APC to mobilise supporters to the streets and probably cause mayhem for the PDP-led government to declare emergency rule in the country.

He said since this plan did not work, they are plotting a different thing as they (PDP) isnot willing to hand-over power.

Buhari tears Benin Forum apart Onyekachi Eze and Temitope Ogunbanke

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he purported adoption of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari is the centre of a crisis among members of Benin Forum.

The group has passed a vote of no confidence on the chairman of its Steering Committee, Chief David Edebiri, for his inability to properly manage the affairs of the Forum in accordance with its constitution.

This was sequel to Edebiri’s campaign that Benin people should not vote for President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office, contrary to the position and direction of Omo N’oba Erediauwa Edebiri was asked to step aside as chairman of the steering committee within 72 hours. The ultimatum expires today, February 18, 2015.

In a statement signed by the Director of Media of the Forum, Osamwonyi Osagiede, “Chief David Edebiri should be reminded that some months ago, our revered

Benin monarch, Omo N’oba Nedo Uku-Akpolokpolor, Oba of Benin, who appointed him and twenty-three other prominent Benin sons and daughters, who are members of different political parties to oversee the affairs of the Forum, sent the crown prince (Eheneden Erediauwa) to President Jonathan to express his support for the re-election of Mr President and his constant prayers for his victory at the polls.

“Therefore, it is odiously mischievous and rude for anyone for that matter to assume another position”.

The statement frowned at an attempt to drag the Bini Forum to political arena and accused Edebiri, of trying to use the name of Benin monarch to score political points for his selfish interest.

The Forum said that Edebiri’s push that Benin people should not vote for President Jonathan “is totally unacceptable as it amounts to undermining the sanctity and authority of the Benin monarch.

To every Benin man, the pronouncement and direction of the Benin monarch is sacrosanct.”

APC plans to rig Lagos guber election, says Agbaje Wale Elegbede

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he campaign organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has taken the All People’s Congress (APC) to task for denying plans of the ruling party to use electoral staff to rig the next governorship poll.

The camp was responding to a reaction posted by the Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, who not only denied the rigging allegation, but

poured abuses on the accusers.

In a statement yesterday, Agbaje’s Director of Media and Publicity, Felix Oboagwina stated that, “as usual, the APC spokesman went banal and off the hook in denying the obvious and the glaring, . But we have done our homework and we can substantiate what we allege with evidence.”

It said Executive Secretaries in the 57 councils had been instructed to “deliver” their local governments at all costs.

The former governor charged APC members to be awake to counter every plot of the PDP as the party advances in its campaign.

He expressed optimism that the party would win the March 28 presidential election as PDP had only postponed the evil day.

He said: “We have to be vigilant. Don’t underestimate the PDP. They are reckless, unsympathetic and they would try to find any other excuse to postpone the election.

Don’t think that you are winning the election and that they are going to hand it over to you.

“We are not going to tolerate the postponement of election on any other excuse. You in the National Assembly, you must be patriotic. We will resist any rigging and we

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

must insist on the use of card readers. PDP in their desperation would do whatever it takes to retain power. They would want to scary you, but don’t be afraid.”

Making his remarks, Buhari urged party members to remain focused and vigilant.

According to him, leaders and elders of the party are to keep their eyes on the ball and work as they have never done before, despite the

six-week postponement of the elections.

He said: “The days and weeks ahead will be tough. Our resolve will be tested and all kinds of evil tricks will be on display. But do not despair. The goal is in sight. Change is coming. The people of Nigeria will prevail. God has destined Nigeria to be a great country. We shall overcome and change shall be achieved.”

Also reacting to a video clip on how the Ekiti State governorship election was allegedly rigged in June last year, Buhari said: “Up till now, there has been no official denial of this most unfortunate event.

It makes me wonder, in the circumstances that led to shifting of the date of the general elections, whether the security ser-

vices are even now being prepared to play similar roles in the March 28th and April 11th elections.”

He, however, emphasized that Nigeria’s security services have serious constitutional responsibilities to the people of the nation, and so their importance to the wellbeing of the country cannot be under estimated.

“It is therefore imperative that their leaders must not drag these invaluable institutions into the realm of partisan politics,” he said.

The National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, stated that the party had not gone to Yobe for presidential campaign, because the governor had assured the party that he would deliver the state.

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, interacting with Kwara State Joint Labour Congress in Ilorin...yesterday.

Interim Government unconstitutional – Mark lMay 29 sacrosanct Chukwu David Abuja

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he President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, yesterday berated those calling for an Interim National Government (ING) in the country, describing the call as an idea of anti-democratic forces since it has no provision in the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Mark, who spoke at the resumption of the Senate after a recess, noted that the issue had been given undeserved prominence across the country.

He said the Senate would not be part of any attempt to violate the provisions of the 1999

Constitution, which the lawmakers had sworn to uphold, stressing that the Senators would not sabotage the democratic process.

“I am alarmed that the issue of Interim National Government has been given underserved prominence in our national discourse. Interim National Government is alien to the 1999 Constitution as amended. Therefore, those calling for it are calling for an exercise in futility.

“This Senate is committed to the provisions of our constitution which we swore to protect and we will not do anything to sabotage the democratic process. It is important to

note that on May 29, 2015, a democratic government elected through a free, fair, transparent and credible election will be sworn in,” he said.

Mark further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the six weeks extension period to continue to put measures in place to ensure free, fair and credible general elections in the country.

He also implored all Nigerians including lawmakers, to desist from making comments that would incite violence in the polity.

Accordingly, the President of the Senate urged Nigerians to support INEC in its effort to conduct a transparent election.

“These are not ordi-

nary times in our nation.

There is palpable tension in the land and the comments and even the body language of the political class further exacerbate the tension.

“As statesmen and women, we must rise to the occasion and help reduce this tension. We must refrain from acts that will aggravate this already charged atmosphere across the country. I urge you my distinguished bosses to be dedicated to our constitutional duties as you have always done,” he said.

Mark also urged Nigerians to be true statesmen and women both in words and deeds in order to douse the tension which is currently escalating in the country by the conducts of the politicians.

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015

INEC achieves 75.94 per cent PVC distribution Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has achieved over 75 per cent national average in the distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) out of the 68.8 million registered voters.

However, about 16 mil-

lion eligible voters were yet to collect their PVCs about five weeks to the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections.

Before the rescheduling of the elections, over 23 million registered voters were yet to collect their PVCs. According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu

yesterday, out of the 68,833,476 registered voters, 52,233,396 or 75.88 per cent of eligible voters have collected their PVCs nationwide.

The breakdown of the table shows that Nasarawa State tops the list with 96.29 per cent, while Ogun State trailed behind with 40.86 per cent collection rate.

Others include Abia (80.10 per cent), Adamawa

(85.19), Akwa Ibom (87.38), Anambra (76.37), Bauchi (84.97), Bayelsa (66.21), Benue (76.81), Borno (68.28) and Cross River (74.79).

Others are: Delta (75.97), Ebonyi (66.50), Edo (64.38), Ekiti (68.77), Enugu (74.53) and FCT (61.42) among others.

The commission has extended the distribution and collection of PVCs to March 8.

Comptroller of Adamawa Command, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. Ubi Ikpi (left), displaying some National ID cards and voter’s cards retrieved from some of the illegal Immigrants arrested in Yola …yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Poll shift dents integrity of electoral process – Tambuwal Philip Nyam Abuja

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peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday urged Nigerians to reject the antics of people bent on truncating the current democracy.

Tambuwal, who disclosed this in his address to welcome members back from recess, also stated that the postponement of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inflicted a dent on the integrity of the electoral process.

The Speaker explained that since 1999 Nigerians have become accustomed to civil democracy by

installing governments through elections hence all undemocratic forces must be resisted.

He said: “Nigerians have shown and continue to show overwhelming preference for this democratic process and thus all retrogressive forces that seek to truncate democracy should be stoutly resisted by the people to whom power belongs.

“Nigeria belongs to all and not to politicians or other persons of unbridled ambition, any ambition that fails to recognise and respect overriding national interest must halt or be halted.”

According to Tambuwal, “abrupt postponement” of the general

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

elections by INEC was illtimed, adding that “this singular act has inflicted an indelible dent on the integrity of the 2015 elections and indeed the country’s entire electoral process.”

He called on the government to make deliberate and honest efforts to restore public confidence in the process and in its

commitment to free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections.

He, however, condemned inflammatory utterances by some Nigerians which according to him are “inimical to our unity, peace and public order and give cause for serious concern. I am persuaded that the nonchalance or at best reluctance of the security agencies in resorting to the laws of the land in arresting the trend constitute a direct affront on the revered doctrine of the rule of law.”

On the activities of the House, the Speaker disclosed that the first crucial task before the lawmakers was the 2015 budget proposal.

PVC cloning: APC desperate to win, says group Onyekachi Eze

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irst Nigeria Group, a pressure group within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of employing every possible means to win the forthcoming general elections.

In a statement yester-

day by its National Coordinator, Comrade Ahmed Usman Garba, the group observed that the copying of PIN numbers of PVCs with a view to reproducing them before the March 28 and April 11 elections has exposed the APC as a party desperate to win the election at all costs.

The group said: “Nige-

rians cannot also forget in a hurry the well publicized incidences of APC officials caught cloning PVCS in Lagos which the DSS is still investigating and cases in court.

“Another concern is the discriminatory distribution of PVCs in Lagos State where the non-indigenous population believed to be supporters of

President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP has been largely denied from collecting their Cards.

The question is, what does the APC stand to gain in an election where 40% of the electorate are disenfranchised? And today, we have been proved right by the number of Nigerians that have since collected their PVCs.

15

INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION DISTRIBUTION OF PERMANENT VOTERS CARDS AS AT FEBRUARY 17, 2015 S/N

(a) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

States

(b) ABIA ADAMAWA AKWA-IBOM ANAMBRA BAUCHI BAYELSA BENUE BORNO CROSS RIVER DELTA EBONYI EDO EKITI ENUGU FCT GOMBE IMO JIGAWA KADUNA KANO KATSINA KEBBI KOGI KWARA LAGOS NASARAWA NIGER OGUN ONDO OSUN OYO

PLATEAU RIVERS SOKOTO TARABA YOBE ZAMFARA Total

Number of Registered Voters

Number of Cards Collected by Voters

Remarks %

(c) (d) (e) 1,396,162 1,118,368 80.10 1,559,012 1,328,136 85.19 1,680,759 1,468,708 87.38 1,963,173 1,499,317 76.37 2,054,125 1,745,441 84.97 610,373 404,119 66.21 2,015,452 1,548,074 76.81 1,934,079 1,320,667 68.28 1,175,623 879,249 74.79 2,275,264 1,728,524 75.97 1,074,273 714,351 66.50 1,779,738 1,145,782 64.38 732,021 503,431 68.77 1,429,221 1,065,210 74.53 881,472 541,359 61.42 1,120,023 1,064,577 95.05 1,803,030 1,252,030 69.44 1,831,276 1,706,814 93.20 3,407,222 3,133,813 91.98 4,975,701 3,487,155 70.08 2,827,943 2,620,829 92.68 1,470,648 1,316,656 89.53 1,350,883 915,337 67.76 1,142,267 843,792 73.87 5,905,852 3,685,322 62.40 1,242,667 1,196,583 96.29 2,014,317 1,552,067 77.05 1,829,534 747,556 40.86 1,524,655 1,071,010 70.25 1,407,107 1,012,678 71.97 2,415,566 1,569,390 64.97 2,001,825 1,406,528 70.26 2,537,590 1,923,139 75.79 1,611,929 1,380,840 85.66 1,340,652 1,196,583 89.25 1,099,970 824,401 74.95 1,495,717 1,357,531 90.76 68,833,476 52,275,367 75.94

PVCs: Ondo govt tackles Jega over distribution Temitope Ogunbanke

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he Ondo State government has questioned the rationale behind the alleged uneven distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that the commission’s chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega should speak out on the development.

Speaking to journalists in Akure yesterday, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, alleged that Jega has not been able to convincingly justify the high rate of distribution of PVCs in areas of high tension and terrorist attacks as opposed to the Yoruba area where in spite of relative peace, PVCs have been barely available for collection.

Akinmade noted that INEC should be ques-

tioned on why the distribution of PVCs in insurgence ravaged areas of the North-East where residents have deserted their homes would record over 70 per cent success, while only 40 per cent of people could access theirs in the peaceful South-West.

The state government also registered its displeasure on the provision of the underage in the Northern part with the voting instrument while the qualified in the South-West waits in vain for same.

Similarly, the Ondo government said it is amazing that such a development will excite the leadership of the opposition party in South-West.

Akinmade further questioned if there is no collaboration between the opposition and the electoral body to prevent the people of the region from making a statement with their votes.

16 Politics

WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jonathan scheming to remain in power –Obasanjo On Saturday, February 14, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in an interview with journalists, bares his mind on the postponement of the general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan’s cling to power and the fear of the possible emergence of former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, at the March 28 presidential election. KUNLE OLAYENI reports So many things have happened since you left Nigeria. We will like to have your reaction, first on the postponement of the elections?

The case is like the case of a head of a church, what they normally call ‘Baba Ijo’, the patron, so to say, of a church. Without warning, he was asked to pray and he looked up and down and said, ‘in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, o kan mi ku, Amin’, which means in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I am surprised, Amen.

I was away; I left Nigeria Wednesday before the last, I had a number of assignments abroad which took me to Morocco, Munich, Nairobi, London and New Delhi, exactly a week today (last Saturday) when we were in Munich for what they called Munich Security Conference; it is an annual event and all those who are in security community normally, you find them there.

For the one of this year, the Vice President of America, Joe Biden, was there; the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was there; the Chancellor of Federal Republic of Germany was there, President of Ukraine was there and many others. I was there with Kofi Annan.

Our side was to talk about peace and security in Africa; I was to handle the African perspective while Koffi Annan was to look at it from the global perspective.

And suddenly people started asking me questions, ‘what was happening in your country?’ Americans, British, Germans and Kofi Annan was particularly agitated.

While I was out, I refused to make any categorical statement on this issue because I wanted to come back home and learn at first hand what actually transpired and what was going on. It turned out that it was a forced decision

Obasanjo

on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because it was alleged that the security chiefs were unable to provide security and as a result, the Chairman of INEC had to postpone the elections, in accordance with the dictates of the so-called security chiefs.

I thought, for me, that was bad precedent for democracy in Nigeria. It meant that it doesn’t matter what preparation or lack of preparation any electoral body could make in Nigeria, the final decision whether election will take place on the day scheduled for it, lies in the domains of the security chiefs; it was a sad day for democracy in Nigeria.

And I will say this: We must all feel concerned before democracy is killed. The observable and what would appear to be happening is that the president has a grand plan, a grand plan to ensure that by hook or by crook, he wins the election or if it all fails, he scuttles it and create chaos, confusion and unpleasantness in the whole country. Because it is the duty and function and responsibility of the

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

The president has a grand plan, a grand plan to ensure that by hook or by crook, he wins the election or if it all fails, he scuttles it

security officers to provide security. The President is the Chief Security Officer of the country and he is the Commander-inChief and if security is required anywhere, anytime, it is his duty to provide it. Failure to provide it is dereliction of duty, pure and simple. Either the president is following his own grand plan or his aides and associates are working a script, they are playing a script which must have got his endorsement if not initiated by him.

What again it looks to me is that the President is trying to play Laurent Gbagbo. Gbagbo was the former President of Cote d’Ivoire and Gbagbo made sure he postponed the election in his country until he was sure he would win and then allowed the election to take place. He got an inconclusive election in the first ballot and I believe this is the sort of thing Nigeria may fall into if I am right in what I observed as the grand plan. And then in the run-off, Gbagbo lost with eight per cent behind Alassane Ouattara and then refused to hand over. All reasonable persuasion

and pleading was rebuffed by him and he unleashed horror in that country until nemesis caught up with him. I believe that we may be seeing the repeat of Gbabgo or what I called ‘Gbagbo saga’ here in Nigeria; I hope not!

We have talked about the roles of the security chiefs in this matter.

As a security expert, what is your own view on the roles played by the security chiefs in the postponement of the elections?

Well, that’s why I said it was strange to me. It wasn’t the duty and responsibility of security chiefs and service chiefs to tell INEC, ‘we will not provide or we are not in the position to provide security for you;’ because it is their job. When they have failed, they can as well go home. Their job is to maintain law and order and provide security and at any time, in any place, they said they cannot do that, they have failed.

I want to believe that this was forced on them. I want to believe that. But whether it was forced on them or it was their initiative, it was bad, very bad. I hope we will

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NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015

never have a bit performance of this in this country again because the unfortunate thing is this: it is over-exposing themselves or they are being over-exposed by whoever brought about that way of doing things. And for me, a monumentous decision like that cannot be taken and be implemented by service or security chiefs.

It was even made worse when the President in his media chat on the 11th of this month, when he claimed not to have knowledge or not to have authorised it. I get worried. I get very, very worried that if the president of Nigeria is not in-charge of security, maintenance of law and order and such a decision can be taken behind him, assuming that is true, then the President must be railing and not ruling and then who are the shadow figures that are ruling us? Who are they? It means that one day we will find out this country would be plunged into chaos, into commotion, into confusion and the President would say, ‘I do not know about it.’ Of course the President can run but he cannot run pass God. He has constitutional responsibility and to claim he doesn’t know is not an excuse. So, I do hope that those service chiefs who we are proud of the services, like me and others like me, that we are proud of the services we have rendered and we were proud of what they were doing, will not shame themselves and shame us, because what this amounts to is what; in the military, it is called very unmilitary conduct; conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.

We understand that the decision of the service chiefs was hinged on the fact that they needed to tackle some security challenges in the North-East. Would you say this is not genuine?

For me, you can give any excuse or you can give any rationalisation or you can rationalise anything. Look, Boko Haram problem, as they are now, has been with us since 2009 and now you said what we have not been able to achieve since 2009, we will achieve in six weeks. All I would say is that God is a God of miracle, God can do anything but knowing what we know; look, countries like Syria had election, they had full scale war all over the country; country like Iraq had election, they had full scale war and they are still having; countries like Afghanistan had election, they even had election where the incumbent had his term and moved out. Even countries like Colombia where FARC, their insurgent group have been active for more than 50 years have been regularly having elections and FARC is still very active. So, to say that what we have not been able to achieve in five years, we will now achieve in six weeks, let us wait and see. That would be my own thing but when people want to look for excuses, they should look for excuses that are tenable.

But in any case, the argument also said that there would now be a multi-national task force made up of five countries, the LakeChad Basin countries - Nigeria, Cameroun, Niger, Chad and Benin Republic. I happened to be at the last AU meeting in Addis Ababa when this issue was discussed and the four countries that

were concerned - Benin Republic did not speak - the four countries that concerned were talking about a force of 7,500 and one of the presidents, not from the LakeChad Basin Commission, actually from Southern Africa said look “what are we here for?’ if it is to endorse these countries to have a multi-national joint task force, that’s the easiest thing to do and let’s say yes, go ahead, but do they really need to come here, if their sovereignty is being threatened, to ask us for endorsement before they fight to save their sovereignty? And if they are serious, would they be asking the UN to come and pay for the operation of a multi-national joint task force?”

That President came to me after the meeting and said look, is it really true that Nigeria cannot fund a force of 7,500 troops if that is all that is needed to beat Boko Haram? Of course, if for show of solidarity, I believe that a task force of that might is okay but if you really want to get the job done, the job will be done by Nigerian troops who were properly trained, properly motivated, properly equipped, with high moral and properly led, not asking for force we have in these other countries.

For a country of 180 million people and the resources that we have, I believe it leaves a little bit to be desired. So, let us see. The days are going, may be, as I said, something monumental may happen.

Some people are of the strong conviction that he (Jonathan) is not ready to leave office. Do you think the President is afraid of life after office?

It will be very difficult for me to make out. Let me tell you what I know: I believe the President’s concern of fear is not life out of office per se, because he and I have occasions to talk about this, both seriously and jovially. I believe the President would want an opportunity to disengage peacefully and have a nice, decent and a glorious exit. I believe the President’s fear is, particularly, motivated by who he sees as his likely successor, that is General

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

I believe the President’s fear is, particularly, motivated by who he sees as his likely successor, that is General Muhammadu Buhari...

Buhari is a hard man, he would fight corruption and you may end up in jail if not in the grave

Muhammadu Buhari.

I believe people would have been telling him that look, Buhari is a hard man, he would fight corruption and you may end up in jail if not in the grave. I think people would have told him all sort of things and he would not be the only one, there are other people who may be afraid of Buhari but why? I would say that Buhari has learnt lessons. If he hasn’t learnt lessons, then he would be probably the most unlearning human being.

If he has learnt lessons, he would know that you do not fight corruption by putting people in jail for 200 years and this has been done by my own predecessor in office, General Abdusalami Abubakar. He recovered over $750 million from Abacha’s estate without putting anybody in jail, without harming or hurting anybody. When I took over, we recovered over $1.25 billion from the same Abacha’s estate without hurting anybody, without harming anybody. In fact, what would be rather unfortunate is the fact that our lawyer who is still alive and who is still able, who was chasing this money all over the world, said to us that there’s still about $1 billion to be recovered from Abacha’s estate but the unfortunate aspect is that my successor did not do anything about it even though it was in my handover note.

I don’t think the President is afraid of being out but as I said when we talk about it, there’s life after Aso Villa. It may depend, of course, to a large extent, how his descent takes place and how his exit takes place. Because out there in the international world, there’s so much need for the wisdom and experience of people who have done it before. They also want people who are creditable and credible.

Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade has received mixed reactions. While some people are applauding it, others are against it. What is your own view on Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade?

Well, corruption must not remain part of our national life.

Whoever comes in at any time in future will fight corruption, and we must even encourage successive fight of corruption, we must.

Recklessness and impunity must not continue to be part of our way of life. Whether recklessness and impunity in the management of our economic affairs, in the running of our finances and even in political affairs, must not be allowed to remain our part.

I believe within reason, judging by his track records, and I have said that at the end of the day, I look at people’s track record, to see what they can do and what they cannot do and to see where I go and where I do not go, I believe he would try to fight corruption, he has tried to do it before.

I believe he will give firm leadership which is what is good for a country like this. I believe when he was there, it was the military and the military is both the executive and the legislature. In a democracy, that is not possible.

I believe he knows the military, that the damage that have been done to the military now, because the military has been rendered almost impotent by a number of things that have happened and I believe he will do something about it and if he doesn’t do it, I would say shame on him if he gets there because that is some of the things he know. I believe he can preside over an efficient and effective economy. He has the knowledge, he has the experience, he may not be a bowl of fire as an economist but he can preside over it.

Your Excellency, you just spoke about impunity and recklessness. If you look at what’s happening in Ekiti State today...

(Cuts in) What’s happening in Ekiti State?

What’s your own reaction, we have seen how a judge was slapped, series of things happening...

(Cuts in) I don’t want to comment on Ekiti State because Ekiti State situation is a great, great disaster and it will continue to be so.

There’s much speculation about removing INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. Do you think it is appropriate at this time?

I think the President in his media chat of February 11th dispelled that rumour. But, of course, I know the President very well. I would want to believe him, but I would want to believe what I see not what I hear.

I believe that after Jega has been boxed to a corner, he had no choice but to accept the fait accompli and postponed the elections. And I believe that, like I have said before, it is unfortunate because in the past, this same Jega had changed the date of election when he found it that it was not suitable. So, it is the duty, responsibility and function and jurisdiction of INEC to determine whether the situation allows or does not allow them to go on with the election. That is their job, nobody should either twist their arms, blackmail them or force them and if they do that, that is their legal job.

If anything is done to reCONTINUED ON PAGE 43

Obasanjo

MORE STORIES ON pageS 40-43

18

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Fanning the embers of democratic discord Jide Ayobolu

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he build-up to the 2015 general election has been strewn with political scheming, deadly intrigues and serpentine manoeuvres that may eventually affect the outcome of the election and indeed the political future and destiny of the country negatively. Only recently the 2015 election was swiftly and suddenly shifted forward for about six weeks, a lot of excuses were proffered for the abrupt political dramatic twist, but a close look at these alibis show profound loose-ends that have refused to add-up, as Nigerians and indeed the international community are trying hard to come to terms with the reality of the emergency electoral procastination as well as the motive behind such chameleonic move. Again, it is instructive to note that certain political events have continued to unfold, and the require examination as the countdown to the 2015 polls has reached a feverish echelon.

The key issue that occurred in the immediate aftermath of the election postponement is the systematic and well-planned clampdown on the opposition to intimidate, harass and possibly compel them to backtrack as the political temperature in the country reaches a crescendo and the opposition from all intents and purposes, are gaining the upper hand in the build up to the forthcoming election and seem more likely to win convincingly.

Hence, the crackdown by the government in power is therefore understandable. It will be recalled that Nigerian soldiers were curiously drafted to the residence of the ex-governor of Lagos State and the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the army kept a close tab on his activities and reported those who came in and out of his house to higher authorities, without mincing words, this is a gross violation of his fundamental human right; a similar fate befell the executive governor of Imo State, Rochas Anayo Okorocha.

As if this is not enough, the Director of Media and Publicity of the General Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation,

Garba Shehu’s house was invaded by police who laid siege on his residence, he was kept incommunicado, it is germane to note that, no explanation was given by government for the intrusion but it is unconnected with the way and manner, the opposition has gradually but steadily won the admiration of the generality of the people and in all of the polls conducted so far, the opposition led by very wide margin to the chagrin and annoyance of the ruling party.

In a related development, the ex-governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of alleged corruption, but it would be recalled that the present governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, is still standing trial for corruption and financial misappropriation, yet, he contested for election and won. It is also important to note that, the head of the media and publicity of Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode is still answering questions from EFCC on corruption charges, yet, he was appointed into the president’s campaign organisation and the charges are gradually being swept underneath the carpet. It then means that there are two sets of law in the country, one for the members of the ruling party and cronies of the president, who are clearly above the law and secondly, the other set of law for the rest of the society, who would be gagged into submission or do the bidding of the ruling party at all cost.

It is in this regard that, Professor Julius Ihonvbere rightly observed that, “the political class place a high premium on power. They accumulated power by all means, did everything to secure it and to prevent others from getting it. As rulership became permanent, politics became Hobbesian, power was pursued by all means and kept by all means and the struggle for power became the overriding concern. Indeed politics became the only game in town, it was a game played with deadly seriousness for the winners won everything and the losers lost everything. Development does not occur in the framework of a political style which essentially institutionalises warfare”.

It is very evident that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely; one of the basic tenets of democracy is

the respect for fundamental human rights, the rule of law and constitutionalism. No government can be popular and win the respect of the electorates by resorting to arm-twisting antics, violence, political intimidation and the use of the coercive instrument of the state to silence the opposition. Rather, the best thing any responsible and reasonable government can do to always be on top of its political game is to offer comprehensive good governance and bring the manifold dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people, run a transparent and corrupt-free government as well as maximise the full potentials of the national economy for the full benefits of all; eradication of poverty and unemployment; create wealth and cater for the general wellbeing of all the people. Therefore, the ruling party should put on its thinking cap, do the right thing and not plunge the country into serious protracted crisis that it will not be able to handle and such example dots the African continent. Realistically, violation of the people’s right is not an option, power is transient and ephemeral; hence, it must be judiciously deployed for the general good of the public.

To this end, what should be of paramount importance to the Jonathan led government now is how to help INEC conduct free, fair, transparent and credible election. Also, it must not tamper with or unduly influence the outcome of the election and it must be willing to accept the outcome of the election without jeopardising the continued existence of the country; in the same vein, the government in power must carry out issue-based campaigns; avoid unnecessary controversies such as questioning the integrity and credibility of Professor Attahiru Jega, thereby overheating the polity.

Democracy must always have a human face and must be humane, democracy should be about the people and not about selfish personal interest. Like I have always said and will continue to say, Nigeria is too complex, big and sophisticated a country to be turned into a personal estate of any individual.

Therefore, it is important to point out that, the essence of public service is to serve the people well without relenting, selfless service that will have positive effect on the people, the economy and indeed the whole country.

Nigeria’s last chance Oluwole Alabi

W

hat entrenches and solidifies democracy is the ability of an opposition party to win a national election.

It also goes without saying that a too large majority in any parliament is an anathema to an enduring democracy.

These two vital factors have been clogs in the search for a truly democratic governance. The closest we had was in the Second Republic when a coalition of other parties made a disconcerted efforts to forge a formidable opposition to the ruling National Party of Nigeria.

All the efforts made then by the leadership of the then Progressive Party Alliance were prematurely aborted by the inordinate ambitions of the political gladiators of the alliance.

The issues in politics are dynamic and the way a political party handles those issues determines their electoral fate.

In the recent past, two main issues have accounted for the change of government in the western world. The economic recession and the Iraqi war. In the light of these, the Americans sent George Bush and his party out of White House and brought in Barack Obama, the British forced Tony Blair to hand-over to Gordon Brown who eventually led his Labour party to electoral defeat to David Cameron’s Conservative party, Sarkozy was replaced with Francois Hollande in France for similar reasons. Last week, a new party was elected to form the next

government because of its anti-austerity stance. Close to our borders, the opposition party won a presidential election in Ghana because the incumbent was drifting away from their pride values.

This can only be possible where a credible and formidable opposition exists.

In contrast, and just like Nigeria; South Africa lacks a formidable opposition to the ruling African National Congress.

Otherwise, Jacob Zuma ought to have been voted out because of the alleged use of state funds to upgrade his personal property. This portends a great danger to the South Africa’s democracy.

In 2011, conscious efforts were made by the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to have a formula to collaborate so as to upstage the ruling PDP in the presidential election. This again dramatically unravelled at the most crucial moment. Perhaps, the loose alliance would have snatched the presidency from PDP. But who knows what would have followed then as there were mutual mistrust amongst the players of the alliance.

Since the termination of that effort and particularly, immediately after the PDP retained the presidency, leaders in opposition parties saw reasons why they would never win a presidential election without one form of collaboration or the other. Especially, the voting pattern where most of the northern states went with Buhari and the Southern states overwhelmingly voted for Jonathan. It was a case of “had we known”.

This realisation was the eye-opener they needed to go back to the drawing board and made them more transparent in their discussions toward a political marriage.

Electoral collaboration, to them was too loose, too fragile and highly susceptible to manipulation. The only way forward is a proper consummated relationship amongst these opposition parties.

To their eternal credits, the journey to the marriage registry was completed after many political potholes were successfully navigated. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) eventually recognised the wedlock and registered the coalescing parties as All Progressives Congress (APC). From there on, the rank and file of the party have been consolidated by aggressive mobilisation of the party and in-fighting in the ruling political class. When five of the seven governors who broke away from PDP joined the APC, it was clear that the party has got a sound footing. Even the prediction of the Aso Rock soothsayer that the party would not last one year, did not come to pass. I am not sure whether anybody has called him a bastard as he requested. His crystal ball failed him spectacularly. Instead, what has come to pass, is the prediction of the late sage-Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who once opined: “A day will come when Nigerian masses from the North and South, Christians, Muslims and Animists will merge as a force for PROGRESS and UNITY, and kick against rigging, corruption and tyranny”.

Many of the political events and deci-

sions that could have caused separation and eventual divorce of the constituent parties were carefully negotiated. Notably, the congresses to elect party officials at all levels, the presidential primaries and the selection of the presidential running mate were potentially destabilising and toxic moments the party encountered. But the Almighty God gave the party leadership the uncommon wisdom to toe the right path at each of these crucial moments.

As the national elections loom, Nigerians, perhaps for the first time; have been presented with a very credible alternative to the ruling political party. Every part of the country is buzzling in anticipation of the CHANGE that we all hope will bring back the nation’s lost glory. In fairness to the citizens of this country, we have all endured, for so long; the cluelessness and tardiness of the PDP government in proffering mitigating solutions to the multi-facet problems the country is grappling with. Nothing works again in this country. The national airline was sold, the refineries are grounded, the power supply is epileptic, the hospitals have gone from being mere clinics to mortuaries, roads are in deplorable condition, insecurity pervades everywhere, corruption festers, infrastructural decay goes on unabated, unemployment rate skyrockets, education sector totally neglected, youth development stunted, ethnic jingoism keeps rearing its head. A myriad of problems!

• Alabi (oluentre@yahoo.com), Obstetric and Gynaecological specialist, practices in the Republic of Ireland.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

19

EDITORIAL

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

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Tackling use of force by security agencies

B

efore the six weeks delay announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the 2015 general elections, the nation had come under tension following rumours of war and violence should a particular candidate win or lose the presidential election.

Following this, there had been evidence of movement of arms from both within and outside the country purposely to perpetrate violence.

As a result of this, there is a tendency that impunity may increase steeply just as it is a fact that gun violence has assumed the highest cause of untimely deaths in the country after road accident.

But to make matter worse, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Mr. Joseph Mbu at the weekend, allegedly instructed policemen under his area of jurisdiction to kill 20 civilians for every policeman attacked.

This nonetheless has become the mantra that impunity will again be fuelled in the country with Mbu’s alleged directive although his boss, Suleiman Abba had countered the alleged instruction.

Nevertheless, the govern-

ment at all levels must tame impunity and call Mbu to order if unlawful killings resulting from excessive use of force by police and other security agents as being championed by the AIG would not assume proportionate level as the country itches towards election period.

The number of unlawful killings dwindled compared with the first quarter of 2014.

In other words, impunity was decreasing until Mbu’s alleged instruction to his officers at the weekend. More worrisome is that the seed sowed by the police officer is already bringing result as between now and when he allegedly charged them, on the average, no fewer than 15 people had been unlawfully harassed in Lagos every day.

For instance, in Agege area of Lagos under the jurisdiction of Elere Police Station, the police had carried on with abrasive violations of rights as if they had suddenly become law unto themselves.

The police in the area had widely and openly extorted and harassed innocent citizens especially at their road block while authorities look on.

With the upsurge in terrorist attacks by Boko Hram, violent and excessive response by security agencies coupled

with Mbu’s alleged directive that 20 civilians be killed for every policeman attacked, extra-judicial and summary killings would soon assume the highest causes of untimely deaths.

Incidentally, the government has not kept its promises following its repeated failure to improve the protection of lives and property of its citizenry despite huge financial and human resources committed to the maintainance of law and order in the previous years.

Obviously, the security situation which propelled INEC to shift elections dates had deteriorated following the unresolved extra-judicial execution of Boko Haram leader about 11 years ago.

However, if impunity must be curbed and tackled effectively, government must take urgent and drastic steps to improve policing practices and the criminal justice administration.

In its Universal Period Review Report submitted in 2009 to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Nigeria acknowledged widespread extrajudicial killings by members of the nation’s security agencies, especially the police and government promised to look into these allegations in accordance with the law.

Till date, government has failed to successfully prosecute perpetrators of crimes and give redress to victims.

No doubt, impunity is a major indicator of failure of law and order but where government fails to effectively punish violators, there would be an increase in the number of potential perpetrators, leading to an unending cycle of violence.

It is time governments at all levels increased its commitment to tackling insecurity and excessive use of force as enshrined under Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

Also, the government should put in place mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators of unlawful executions are effectively and decisively prosecuted and remedy given to victims and their families.

However, since a report by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), disclosed an average impunity rate of 91 per cent even though the country’s accountability capacity to the rights to life and personal security and personal security is laced with effective redress mechanism, it is time the Federal Government took adequate measures to reform the Police Force.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Eric Osagie

Editor n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editor n Emeka Obasi

Deputy Editor n Ayodele Ojo

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

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Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

20

Arts

WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Book review

Onyekachi: Touching testaments of inspiring true life story

O

nyekachi Ndubuisi’s book, titled Onyekachi, who is greater than God, is all about God and His dealing with a man “Onyekachi”. Written page by page out of life experience, Onyekachi, who is greater than God, is a self-titled book of hope, faith and belief in God, how the author came face to face with the harsh sides of life and came out in all cases victorious.

The book which has 23 testaments and 162 pages of true life story, is no doom and gloom book nor is it filled with dry statistics or obscure write-ups, can be read in less than an hour because most of the testaments are short, and coupled with supportive pictures at the beginning of every testament.

Although each testament can be read in a few munities, the benefit will last for a life time. It is a book by a tremendously talented person who has dug into his roots/past and projected the history of his extra-ordinary journey into life.

In the book you find out that “from my birth I was not supposed to be someone on this earth, because the doctor and my father have already signed me for abortion saying that my birth will cost my mother her life, but my mother stood her ground that she would prefer to die for her child to live, and on no account would she start her child bearing with abortion. Now the truth is, that I was not aborted makes me

Title of the book: “Onyekachi, who is greater than God” Authors name: Onyekachi Ndubuisi Publishers: Young Achievers Academy (YAA) press limited. Gwarinkpa, Abuja Number of pages: 162 Book Reviewer: Yusuf Shuaib

This book is written to encourage a lot of people who have given up their faith in God to the hustle and hassle of life...

the only surviving male in my family, kindred and in my village lineage, so if I were aborted there would have been no male up till now” All the testaments in the book are very interesting and a must read; but testament three titled “The high life in school”, where the author gradually became an errand

boy, sent not to shop for things of treasure but leisure, and shortly he assumed a new role in school, from a student to a gangsters because he wanted to sour like an eagle like every teen full of zest and ready for conquest. But his wings flew him to the wrong direction of school life, a place he ‘Onyeka-

The Crazy Nigerian for Terra Kulture book reading

T

onwa Anthony’s new book The Crazy Nigerian will be the focus in the February edition of book reading at Terra Kulture. The event which holds on Saturday

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@ newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

February 28, 2015, at Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos, will bring together writers, critics, art aficionados, among others.

The book is about “the hilarious (not crazy as implied), though at times, depressing, experiences of the writer during his growing up years both in his native country Nigeria, and England”.

The Crazy Nigerian is a true life story of a boy on a path of self-discovery.

As he shuffles between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, he narrates his amusing childhood experiences and gives his unique perspective on various issues that had a significant impact on his psyche. As he gets older, he comes to grips with the harsh realities of life …and finds his own quirky way of dealing with them. Between hearing ghosts and the traumatic experience of going bald, he learns to adapt to his surroundings and make some hard choices,

chi’ does not even wish for his enemies, a situation he referred to as “the evil pool” in school.

The young man was an unfortunate student whom his senior students took delight in getting into countless troubles and suddenly graduated from a student to

including whether or not he should relocate to Nigeria for good.

According to the author, The Crazy Nigerian is written with due consideration for the reader. “Personally, I feel authors owe it to readers to communicate in simple, unambiguous language whilst making the story relatable or at least making the reader escape to a whole new world – that’s what my book does. With all the sadness and terror reported on the news, The Crazy Nigerian gives readers a chance to unwind and forget their troubles (and laugh at mine). Any book that has the power to reduce the BP of readers is surely worth a read (though this has not been medically proven yet).”

a gangster who always managed to escape the school authorities’ long arm; but he soon become a regular visitor of the school panel not for commendation of outstanding performance but crime, a situation he did not bargain for. But the way and manner he managed to journey through secondary school, with so many obstacles, including near death experiences and how he became famous in life is, perhaps, one of the most interesting tales you will find out in this book ”Onyekachi, who is greater than God”, that was launched on the author’s birthday.

From all indication, the book which is Onyekachi’s milestone achievement will remain a significant work that will encourage many children to emulate his extraordinary fete. This book is written to encourage a lot of people who have given up their faith in God to the hustle and hassle of life to find their faith back in God and to know that there is nobody greater than God and there is nothing God cannot do.

Onyekachi is perhaps “one of the few blessed and favored men on earth whose life is packed with outstanding, overwhelming testimonies of God’s goodness. His life experiences can almost be likened to characters like Daniel in the den of lions, David before a Goliath, the three Hebrew boys in the burning furnace...

He therefore believes and hopes that his true life experiences will inspire hope to the hopeless and ignite faith in God. A seasoned inspirational speaker and hope giver, a counselor and business consultant with quite a rich pedigree of high profiled working expertise.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

21

The Mega City ...EXCLUSIVE LAGOS MAGAZINE

MY CITY, MY WORLD

LIFE IN THE CITY

Lagos is home to the good, the bad and the ugly

Newsstands: Venue of people’s parliament

A housing estate

More houses, yet rents are still high Shelter, one of the necessities of humanity, is persistently craved by all sane people, especially in a dense environment like Lagos, where the population far outstrips available decent housing. The gulf engendered by the accommodation shortfall has further entangled an average citizen in the Centre of Excellence where tenancy is often managed at the whims of property owners. In this, low-income earners’ hope of access to decent and affordable accommodation dims. As much as the private investors and the government make responsive intervention to provide affordable housing for the reach of all, the low-income earners, it seems, may never be able to appropriate the benefits being offered. ELIJAH SAMUEL captures the low-income earners’ predicament and their limited elasticity of affordability of many housing schemes that are on display in the megacity landscape.

P OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI CO-ORDINATOR

tosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

ainfully, without a liking for early relocation out of the state, Edem Udoh prepared his family and moved back to his home state, Akwa Ibom. His relocation had been precipitated by inability to pay his rent at his last residence in Surulere, Lagos. The rent for his two-room apartment had been jacked up by 100 per cent. All pleas to effect a reduction for his apartment fell on the deaf ears of his landlord. So, at the expiration of the grace given to comply with the new rate, he had no option than to vacate

How truly affordable are these housing schemes to the low-income earners; will they ever realise their dream of home ownership in the state?

the property. Expectedly, he had explored the alternative of securing a decent and affordable accommodation in other places within Surulere, and later at faraway hinterland settlements in Ejigbo and Alimosho Local Government Areas to no avail.

The asking prices - the rent fees, agreement and agency fees - in several places are just beyond his pockets. In the face of threat to quit accommodation, dwindling income from his tailoring business and high accommodation rent cost, Udoh, not wanting to throw the scarce re-

sources away, decided, against all entreaties from friends and relatives to stay back and just endure with any less-costly accommodation until situation stabilises for him.

Akintunde Williams shared his recent unpleasant encounter with New Telegraph which he had with his landlord whom he disclosed informed him towards late last year about the increase in his (Williams’) accommodation at Mushin. The new fee has been taken up to CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

22

Life | In The City

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagos, FG on warpath over ‘illegalities’ in mega city

Federal taskforce in Lagos

photo: thenewsnigeria.com.ng

Muritala Ayinla

I

ndications have emerged that the Lagos State Government and the Federal will renew their battles in courts following continued presence of SURE-P taskforce on Lagos roads and other developments described ‘impunities in the mega city’. The state government described the developments as environmental nuisance which is not only illegal but also endangers the lives of residents, motorists in the state. Some of the ‘legalities” according to the government, include taking over traffic control on highways by unknown taskforce officials, when there are constitutionally established agencies to carry out the duty, indiscriminate placement of bill boards and painting of road kerbs in green and white, saying these activities constitute a breach of the nation’s Constitution.

Briefing journalists on the developments in the state, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, call to order all its agencies, especially the Federal Emergency Road Management Agency (FERMA) over their various activities in the State.

He argued that any individual or group could as well dress in black to commit crime and cause confusion in the state, since there is no any law establishing the agency to carry out traffic management anywhere in the country. The Commissioner, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba and his Trans-

portation counterpart, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, among others, lamented that a faceless group of men and women dressed in black uniforms had on Thursday taken over some highways in the State, aided by four armed policemen purporting to be controlling traffic, a job which is legitimately performed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Ipaye said on one of the occasions when a policeman was attacked by the group, the Police made some arrests adding, however, that since then the activities have continued.

The Commissioner, who noted that there was no record of any employment letter, regulations, laws or a Federal circular that pointed to the establishment of the group, said the concern of the State Government was based on the probability that criminals and hoodlums could also wear the uniform and perpetrate criminal activities under such cover. LASTMA officials Also speaking on FERMA Federal Task Force, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said a letter was written to the Federal Ministry of Works Office of the Controller in Lagos, saying that the Controller denied any knowledge of such a body.

He added:” But going forward, the men re-appeared and the Federal Ministry of Works contacted us to assist them in evicting and we said no, that they should talk to the Police who had the authority on the issue of maintenance of Law and Order, that at that point to us, it’s a Law and Order issue, and the Federal Ministry of Works wrote a letter to

photo: www.thisdaylive.com

the Lagos State Police Command”, Opeifa said.

Opeifa added that the The Honourable Minister of Works has directed that the members of the group be evicted from our office premises at Old Tollgate, Ojota, Lagos end of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

He recalled that the men in black were again dislodged in June last year by the Police Command in Lagos when they attacked some Police officers at their Tollgate compound adding that some newsmen were also attacked there while one was detained in a cell in that compound.

Noting that the name of the group was later changed from FERMA to SURE-P / FERMA Taskforce, Opeifa said when the men began their activities at the Tollgate, Thursday; the State Government contacted the State Police Command which, according to him, said none of their men was attached to the illegal taskforce. He, however, added, “But we sighted four Police men at the site and two were fully armed with AK-47.”

Noting the issue of painting of road kerbs in green and white instead CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

23

CONTINUED FROM PAG E 21

N450, 000 from N300, 000 per annum for a two-bedroom apartment, off Isolo- Road Mushin.

He was initially jolted by the ‘strange’ inflated rent that he felt he would never comply. But after given devoted thoughts to a number of variables, he succumbed as the landlord also stuck to his gun.

“Sincerely, I was shocked when I received a notice from my landlord informing me about the new rent. I thought it was unreasonable for me to pay N450, 000 for a two-bedroom apartment which was formerly occupied at N300, 000. I didn’t want to pay that fee but when I checked round the neighbourhood and other places and checked the cost of taking up new apartment, I found out that it was economic sense in the face of my enormous financial challenges. Besides, it was expedient for me to retain my tenancy when I consider the factors of my family and accessibility to my work place at Yaba,” Williams said.

Like Udoh and Williams, the prospect of a decent and affordable residency in the Centre of Excellence for a host of million others have been frustrated and dashed by either high rent cost or indiscriminate increase of accommodation fee. Thus, many have relocated either back to their home states or found solace in any of the numerous border communities of neighbouring Ogun State in order to find shelter.

Often than not, tenants are made to settle with the unpleasant choice of acceptance to paying new high rent, or resolve to take up new tenancy in the densely-choking metropolis not minding to pay exorbitant rent fee, rather than in the outskirts where they can get accommodation at far less cost. Their argument usually is that, such areas are characterized with nondescript infrastructure like roads and drainages, electricity, water supply etc.

In some instances when some dared to quit the club of tenants in Lagos, and developed their lands that are tucked somewhere in the remote parts of the state, it is sad that, after completion, they hardly settle down in their new abode. Hence, they seek relocation back to the metropolis: in the name of difficult living occasioned by unfriendly atmosphere and deplorable infrastructure.

Sometime in mid-2012, it was with uncommon ecstasy that Seun Sunday announced the relo-

Another housing estate in Lagos

cation of his family to their new accommodation- a 3-bedroom bungalow at Ayobo-Ipaja. But by the first quarter of last year, Sunday was back in Mushin with his family. He told New Telegraph that he had thought he could bring an end to his tenancy in Lagos which, most times, had been characterised with promotion of parochial interests of property owners and that he would also be able to raise his family in a peaceful atmosphere, devoid of incessant hostile relations which are common among tenants or between landlords and tenants.

But he had to come back to the metropolis because he could no longer bear the stress of daily travel to and fro Idi-Araba, Surulere, where he works and his children school.

“I discovered that my health was unusually failing, which was traced to perpetual stress. I also discovered that my children’s performances were all of a sudden nose-diving. I was not happy with these developments. So, I had to take loans from our cooperative, so that I can move back to a place very close to my work and the children’s school. And we are better off now,” Sunday recounted.

The scenarios above almost aptly depict the helplessness and vulnerability which a sizable portion of the teeming Lagos

One of the several housing estates in Lagos

The more they strive to own their homes, the more the feasibility to make their dream come true seems to elude them

population are confronted with regularly. And it is the combination of the predicament and dilemma of tenants that property owners in La gos metropolis have often exploited to increase their rents arbitrarily. For these people, most of whom are lowincome earners, owning their own homes is a near-impossibility as they strive to make a living in the state. The more they desire and strive to own their homes, the more the feasibility to make their dream come true seems to elude them. High cost of purchasing land and other complex expenses, and costly building materials perpetually militate against home ownership.

However, in the bid to make this dream realistic, the Lagos State government and a host of private property developers had variously embarked on what is termed low-income or affordable housing schemes, scattered across different communities within the state, for the benefit of low-income earners and other classes above. But the salient questions on most lips are, “how truly affordable are these housing schemes to the low-income earners; will they ever realize their dream of home ownership in the state?”

Adedara Adewale, the Managing Director of Suncity Estate, gave an insight into why the designed affordable housing schemes continue to elude the low-income earners in the state despite the efforts of the private sector and the state government.

“The big challenge that we have as private estate developers is the issue of land acquisition by the government. For instance, our company has two properties which are now under government’s acquisition, but were not as at the time we bought them. That means I have to pay double of the price before I can do the documentation. How can we achieve affordable housing when the cost of acquiring land is already on the high side, and the processing of the document is very

tedious and frustrating? It is even more difficult for anyone to access loans from mortgage institutions or banks to pay for the house if they are available,” Adewale said.

He also lamented the costs of materials in the market as not too encouraging. He also stressed that in other parts of the world, there are subsidies from the government. He explained that at a time like this, when Nigeria is having housing deficiencies of over 17 million, the government should come in and see how materials can be subsidized and made tax-free. That way, the effect will trickle down. “The high cost of materials, VAT on houses put on sale which have to be shifted to prospective buyers are some of the things that make affordable housing difficult for the people,” he said.

Also, Damilola Olaide, the sales representatives of City Planners, a property and investment company, said that although they parade lands and houses in different areas within the country, the least price of these is a N3million apartment near the Redemption Camp, which contains a room and a parlour, two toilets and a kitchen. Other properties of theirs that are available in areas within Lagos are in the bracket of tens of millions of Naira.

Rationalising the effort to make low-income earners benefit from their housing ventures, Olaide said, “that’s why we are giving them the opportunity for instalment payment, but some can afford outright payment. The duration for payment determines the schedule and amount of instalments. If you look at what the state government is doing right now, you’ll agree that our price is far cheaper and more affordable.”

Under the prevailing circumstances, does it therefore mean that affordable housing will continue to elude low-income earners? Olaide answered that there is nothing they can do except the government intervenes. “After all, the Mexico government for example, built one million houses within a year. We should be asking ourselves ‘how did they do it?

The government should call the private sector together, talk with them and give them the tools they need to run and work with and in a conducive atmosphere,” he suggested.

24

Life | Mega City

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Few readers at the newsstand at Ikeja

Newsstands: Venue of people’s parliament It is a trend that has grown over time. At the hundreds of newsstands across the state, thousands of young, middle-aged and the old gather everyday to review various issues of interest to them. The subject of debate is generated from the screaming headlines of newspapers on the stand. What is the attraction? ELIJAH SAMUEL reports.

C

urrently, they do not have the laxation and to free his mind from privilege yet to be elected into certain issues. “We Nigerians, are positions such as the state bottled up with issues that confront houses of assembly or National As- us daily. Because we need to free sembly to discuss relevant issues ourselves from those emotions, we of socio-economic and political in- find ourselves around here and enterest towards the attainment of joy it,” he said.

Azurike added that it allows national development as a people.

But, they converge every morning, engaging one another vibrantly on issues of common interest at various newspaper stands across the state. They merely gather at newsstands every morning to argue on issues of particular interest to them, arising from what they see in the dailies on the newsstands. They are not the usual buyers, who pick up one, two or three newspapers from the stands. But at every vendor’s stand, a crowd usually gathers, while discussions are usually high pitched and argumentative.

Across the mega city landscape - from the Island to Okokomaiko, Ikorodu to Agege, from Surulere to Alimosho, Badagry to Ikeja, the frenzy, which is pleasantly palpable, has been commonly sustained by different reasons as adduced by passionate discussants.

Obinna Azurike, an executive of a private company, revels in the excitement which engaging other residents on issues brings, because it affords the platform to mingle for the benefits of knowledge acquisition, easing off stress and enlightenment.

According to him, he has been coming to the newsstands for some years as a way of enjoyment and re- Readers at Ojuelegba bridge

them to interact with one another.

He said there is so much to gain in intellectual interaction. “We all know that the political situation in the country now is so tense. So, what we need to do here is to canvass support for candidates in an altitude of calmness,” he said.

Unlike the relaxed disposition of Nigerians in the past, there seems to be a wave of reawakening that propels the sensitisation of some Nigerians. According to Azurike, there is now social and political CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

25

Garlands as Williams bows out in style

L-R: Gov. Fashola, (right) presenting a key of a brand new Land Rover to the Out-going Head of Service in Lagos State, Mrs. Williams with them are: Deputy Governor, Hon. (Mrs)Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (3rd right), Engr. Omobolaji Olanrewaju Williams (left) and others

Muritala Ayinla

T

he Lagos State Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja literally stood still last week. The 17th Head of Service, HOS, Mrs Oluseyi Williams, formally retired from the state public service after 35 years of glorious service.

The Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, the venue of the colourful ceremony, was filled to capacity as hundreds of dignitaries filled the expansive, beautifully decorated and well-lit auditorium. The hall was branded with pink fabric to create a uniform setting with many dignitaries, especially the body of permanent secretaries, who all dressed in white attire and orange cap and head gears to match.

Speaking at the colourful ceremony, the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola said that Lagos is working because of the highly dedicated workforce like Williams, whose change of attitude and dedication to work in its Public Service is unequalled. The governor, who made the assertion in his speech titled: “This cup would pass”, used the occasion to express his likeness and personal affection for Williams, who he described as “a very likeable person with a strong character”. He recalled that his first encounter with Williams was when he was the Chief of Staff, adding that she came across as ‘a very likeable person with a very strong character.’

The governor added that prior to her appointment as HOS, he received several petitions against her but he stood his ground because he knew he was appointing an HOS who may sometimes have cause to disagree with him. Fashola said that she was also responsible for issuing a dress code which the Public Service has been better for. She has also demonstrated a remarkable flair for change. He recalled that when his administration initiated the idea of Mission Statement and Service Charter for departments and ministries under the Office of Transformation, it was Williams who led the charge and the change. He added that when he suggested that some of the state government public officers should work on weekends in agencies like Lands Bureau, Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and Physical Planning, Williams was also the first to remind him of the number of hours that a public servant could work in the finest tradition of the Public Service. She was also the one who found a way by which they the Saturday service is held without breaking the law.

“This is the kind of commitment that she brought to service and it is a commitment to find solution. This is why people in the Private Sector are now applying to join the Lagos State Public Service,” he said. “Even though we gather to celebrate and honour the Public Service, some of the things that we see now raises several questions and the difference

Leadership responsibility for women in Lagos is a way of life

between good and bad is becoming very difficult to tell”, Fashola said, adding that governance was not necessarily about building roads and bridges or about providing jobs but also about very high moral authority.

Advising those who regard the appointment of women into leadership positions as their achievement to look beyond their narrow confines, Fashola declared: “When you look at the Permanent Secretaries in Lagos State, the Magistracy, the leadership of parastatals and the Judiciary, you will see that leadership responsibility for women in Lagos is a way of life. So, if some people think they are doing women a favour and consider it an achievement, they are living in a different world. Here, it is already a way of life.”

Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Rahman Ade-Ipaye, said since Williams joined the State Executive Council, she had demonstrated a kind of leadership that has been highly appreciated by all. He added that the retiring Head of Service also represented her constituency perfectly, especially for the matters that concerned the trade unions. The Commissioner, who said Williams, had a good relationship with everyone despite the fact that she was the only civil servant among the Executive Council members, added that she ensured that the statutory

obligations of the State Executive Council to the Public Service were delivered.

Responding after signing off her personal file in the Public Service and receiving a Certificate of Service from the Governor, Williams said her choice of the public service was primarily based on the desire to fulfil a dream of touching lives and making some modest contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria. Charging public servants to remain focused at all times and in all situations, she reminded them that the decisions they made in the course of service would go a long way in shaping the society.

She advised her successor in office to always be guided by the underlying philosophy of ensuring that the greatest good and usefulness were meant for the greatest number.

She was later presented a brand new Sport Utility Vehicle by Fashola why parade was held in her honour by the para-military personnel of the state officers. The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council including the Deputy Governor, Hon. (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, former Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan, some former Heads of Service, including Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe and Mr. Babatunde Rotinwa, as well as the spouse of the retiree, Engineer. Mobolaji Olanrewaju Williams and other family members and friends of the Williams.

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Life | In The City

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Seme riverine community raises alarm over illegal immigrants Ezurike Ugochukwu

T

he people of Pengbon Community in Badagry West Local government Area of Lagos State are now living in fear as some illegal Immigrants invade the sleepy riverine community.

The community is bordered by the Ocean which the immigrants usually use as a platform to cross over to Nigeria.

According to Ayeleso Ganjo, Chief Baale of the community, the illegal immigrants who settled within the river bank, living recklessly and above the law. He said that his community risked an attack from the marauders following the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of one Mr. Netoma and the disappearance of a young lady known as Miss Blessing. Both formed part of the illegal immigrants community. Ganjo alleged that some of the immigrants are now disguising as fishermen within the riverine community.

Ganjo recounted his ordeal, when he summoned courage to visit the abode of the ‘strangers’. “Upon hearing of the heinous activities of the immigrants that illegally reside in our community, I personally went there with some of my youths to query them. Instead of responding to my questions, they resorted to violence, brandishing all sorts of dangerous weapons. If not for the grace of God and the immediate intervention of our youths who accompanied me that day, the story could have been different that day,” he said.

The Baale lamented that the

presence of the huge immigrants in his community constitutes serious security threat, adding that they could be willing tools in the hands of unscrupulous politicians even as the election draws closer.

He pointed out that if the people are not checked, they could result to violence just like the Boko Harram is doing in the North Eastern states of the country.

He insisted that the group must be checked in order to avert recurrence of the evils of Boko Harram, adding that they might have started the same way.

“Our preliminary investigation revealed that most of the hoodlums are wanted persons from Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic who have decided to abuse our kind and accommodating gestures. The bad ones among them have influenced the good ones negatively”, he stated.

Ganjo, bemoaned a situation they live in fear within the community because of Illegal immigrants. He added that his community would have not bordered much, had the immigrants conducted themselves responsibly. The Baale said he had made efforts in the past to involve the police but they refused to cooperate. His words: “We invited the police. The police said it is outside their operational jurisdiction, since it’s an issue that concerns foreigners. They advised us to meet the immigration, which we did.”

But the immigration were said to be less useful as little or nothing was done to solve the problem. “Rather, the hoodlums flourish in their evil activities in the area undisturbed,” he said.

Some of the youths in the area

One of the immigrants abode in Pengbon community

complained that they are wary of going close to the area occupied by the immigrants; as such they are not free to move about in the community.

New Telegraph found out that there are over ten speed boats at the sea shore. There are also myriad of popping eyes from corners of all the thatched and bamboo houses. Some other young men were seen sitting idle in various corners in front of

their houses. Some were smoking cigarette, others marijuana (Indian hemp), some were playing draft, while some were also looking on and admiring the game.

Seme border Immigration Controller’s Public Relations officer, Mr. B.S Yusuf when contacted said he is new to the command and could not comment on the issues raised.

People’s parliament CO NTINUED FRO M PAG E 24

consciousness awakening; that’s why they gather and discuss in a bid to confront those issues. It’s no longer a social media affair.

Another passionate discussant is Tunde Micah. A retired Federal civil servant in his mid-sixties, who stays in Ebute-Metta, he said he has been coming to the newsstand at Ojuelegba to participate in the discussion with others since last year. “Although I’m a retiree, I find time to come here, not for want of what to do but because of getting information and being educated.” The main reason for him, he said get enthralled to the ‘newsstand assembly is the quest to be enlightened and broadening his intellectual frontier. With his age, what could be driving his passion to be engaged in hot debates with people who may not be older than his children?

“What is driving me is the spur of the moment, which is politics. Going by my age, I am miffed and stunned to have seen young people like these who in the past were naïve and complacent, making brilliant and insightful analysis,” he answered, adding that “the bug of politicking has beaten everybody.

Another section of the newsstands in Ikeja

That’s why you find the young, middleaged, old and the very old. Here you find the elders telling what happened in the past, then juxtaposing it with what is happening now and then try

to see where we should go from here.

The discussion here is actually hinged on our past, the present and where we hope to be.”

Tunde Fakolade, another steaming

discussant, told New Telegraph during a hot argument with fellow readers and discussants at Ikeja: “I don’t usually move to people to discuss issues, but the newspaper headline about the N30 trillion that was misappropriated by the current Finance Minister, Prof.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, attracted me to the newsstand. Although I go to the newsstands regularly, I only go to buy sport paper and to listen to people’s opinions. Again, I’m interested in the political discussions because of the candidate the APC is putting forth for the presidential election.”

Expectedly, this period is seen as that of bumper harvest when the newspaper vendors will feel good as a result of the surge in the population of prospective customers. That has instigated a swarming around newsstands, which is likely to swell the pockets of vendors.

But the chairman of Newspapers Vendors Association, Surulere Branch, Ndubuisi Obi, refuted the notion of fortunes accruing to them. “This is political time when two elephants’ interest to take reins of government had generated sizzling debates among Nigerians.

Their coming here doesn’t benefit me in any way because they are not buying papers.

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Experts give tips on safety, healthy living Muritala Ayinla

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afety Professionals yesterday charged Lagos residents to pay special attention to their health, describing healthy well being as the best safety practice anyone can observe. The experts also called on Nigerians to embrace regular physical exercise to enable them burn needless fats and keep fit at all times. Speaking during the second edition of the safety walk held in Lagos, the Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs Omolara Odebunmi, said professionals in the state had taken a step further to embark on aggressive campaign on safety through safety walk.

According to her, “the purpose of the walk was established during our first edition of the work.

There is a correlation between keeping safe and living healthy. We have also realised that majority of people living in Lagos don’t appreciate the essence of living safely.

We have discovered that majority don’t understand the deep meaning of what we are propagating about

safety. When you say safety, many people will think that we are talking about security, whereas security and safety work hand-in-hand.

“The best way of securing yourself is to secure yourself safely, whereby whatever your are doing to secure yourself you do not harm yourself or introduce another hazard.”

She added that most people misconstrue safety advocacy to campaign against fire, saying fire is one of the incidences safety advocacy intends to control and minimize.

Appealing to residents to be safety conscious, Olubunmi said that it was more economical to prevent disaster than managing it.

“Prevention, they say, is better than cure. It is better to prevent accident rather dealing with it or managing it. That is why all the safety professionals are gathered here under one umbrella called safety advocates to practice what we preach and sensitize the public on safety,” she added.

Odebunmi stressed that aside saving money through being safety conscious, one will also save time.

“When you prevent incidences, you are saving money because by the time you deal with emergencies and accidents, you would have lost the original thing that you your money built. You also lose. You also use money to cure the situation and you will now also use money to restore. You will realise that it triple the tragedy.”

On his part, Executive Director, Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, SAEF, Engr Jamiu Badmus, said: “The truth is that when you walk, do exercise , your body, heart, muscle become more functional and active. If you notice very well, area where people don’t do exercise, they usually have heart diseases. In those days, our forefathers engaged in activitiesbased work, but nowadays, we take our cars to wherever we want to go. We take cars to shopping malls closed to our house.”

He said that arrangement had been concluded to ensure that the monthly exercise is sustained, adding that more corporate organizations had indicated interest in partnering with the group.

Our performances intimidate LASTMA, says FERMA taskforce CO NTINUED FRO M PAG E 22

of the internationally standardized and Constitutionally recognized national road colour code of white and black or yellow and black, Ipaye, who recalled that the painting was first noticed in 2014, said aside debasing the National Colours, the painting has put the lives of motorists in the State in danger. ”Best practice requires two contrasting colours of White and Black or Yellow and Black. We believe that the exercise is aimed to show Federal might and to intimidate the people of Lagos State”.

The Federal Government had announced the suspension of all approvals for the use of its right of way for advertisements in Lagos State, urging all advertising agencies to remove all advertising hoardings on all Federal roads in the state within seven days, effective from January 23. The Federal Controller of Works in the state, Mr. Godwin Eke, said the suspension was directed by the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen.

But Ipaye, who also spoke on the issue of illegal and indiscriminate placing of advertisements on the roads and highways in the State said these were done without regards to the laws and regulations guiding such placements in the State pointing out that placement of bill boards are “subject of regulation to ensure that the safety of the road users are not compromised”.

He explained the placement of adverts and bill boards constitutionally fell under the purview of Local Governments, who he said use the funds to augment the meagre allocation they get from the Federation Account which stands at about 20 percent for the 774 local governments in the country. The Commissioner stressed further, “While the Federal Government has 52 percent, local governments, 774 of them, all share just about 20 percent. This is inadequate, so they are expected to raise money from things like the advertisements we are talking about.” ‎ Affirming that the state stands for Law and Order, the Attorney General declared that the state would not hesitate to sue the Federal Government should the illegalities persist. “No matter the scenario, we know that we are in the political season, but the laws are never suspended because of electioneering. The laws are still in force and it is unfair to expect that our people will subject themselves to an unknown group controlling them while using the roads or that our code for painting our road kerbs will suddenly change or that advertisement will become free for all simply because we are in a political

season.”

Ipaye, however, commended men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency for their cool headedness in the face of provocation by the faceless group in black uniforms who by Thursday prevented them from carrying out their duties at the Old Tollgate saying such response was in line with their training and globally recognised civilized conduct. “We do not believe in battle, that is why men of LASTMA voluntarily withdrew, that is why we do not amass a counter force,” he added He therefore urged reconsideration by all the agencies concerned to maintaining law and order no matter what else is going on in the Society. He explained that it is a matter of law and order.

On the issue of painting the Third Mainland Bridge in Green and White, Opeifa, said it was first noticed in 2013 in November 2014, shortly after the repair works on the expansion joints on the Third Mainland Bridge, the State Government called the attention of the Federal Ministry of Works to it adding that the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos said they were not the ones painting.

Noting the State Government has “a very good relationship with the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Controller of Works as well as with FERMA in Lagos State”, the Commissioner explained that the Controller of FERMA later owned up to painting and agreed that professionally it was not right.

Reacting to the deployment of FERMA takskforce, the National Director of Publicity SURE-P/FFERMA, Mr Olawale Oyeboh denied chasing LASTMA away from the major roads, claiming that the LASTMA personnel felt intimidated with the way his men managed the traffic on major highways. “Our job is to manage the traffic on the federal highways. The LASTMA personnel hurriedly left the highway for us because of the manner and the creative way we controlled the traffic. Our duty is to control the traffic in the state on the federal roads.

LASTMA’s duty is to do so, on the road belonging to the state government. We are not out to be partisans but to create jobs for millions of Nigerian youths. It is President Goodluck Jonathan’s initiative,” he said.

Asked whether the youths who were engaged had been paid since the year the taskforce was set up, Oyeboh said, “in para-military, we don’t pay like that. None of them have been paid. They will be duly paid once they are posted to their duty posts three months after their probation. What they are going through now is series of training after that they will be duly paid.”

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My City, My World Lagos is home to the good, the bad and the ugly Ezurike Ugochukwu zebani Mayaki has lived ALagos. most part of his live in Apart from his study

years in the United Kingdom, he has lived well over 48years in Lagos.

He recalled with nostalgia the Mayaki good old days when people in Lagos were their brother’s keeper and less materialistic. “Lagos was a peaceful place to live in, there was respect for elders, and night life was a way of life. Religion and tribe were non issues; there was high level of contentment then.” He said.

According to him, recreational activities were abounding, the bar beach was then a place for relaxation, Kingsway stores in Lagos was a centre of attraction where people visit to have view and have a firsthand experience of an electric lift from one story building to the other, the Cinema houses were in vogue. There were beautiful landscapes and scenery. The cleanliness in Lagos then was nothing to compare with. Mayaki differs on the mad rush for material things, lawlessness and an unprecedented moral decadence. “Life then could not be said to be better, but people were contented, they were committed to their duties. No favouritism. Parties were only on Fridays from 8pm to the following morning since there wouldn’t be work on Saturday.” He said.

The bad and the ugly part of Lagos crept in after the Civil war in Nigeria, from 1970.In his appraisal; the facilities in Lagos have been over stretched. “I want to see a well-planned Lagos with creation of Industrial and residential areas, devoid of noise and pollution in residential areas. I look up to Lagos where rule of law will be supreme.” He emphasised.

Life in Lagos is just too good Elijah Samuel Nwokedi is an accomEtisemeka plished maestro whose expersucceeded in seeing the city

chorale, a viable choral group.

For more than four decades that he has been residing in the Centre of Nwokedi Excellence, Lagos, the allure and the opportunities that Lagos offers make staying all the more interesting for him.

“I have lived in Lagos since 1973. It was from Lagos that I went to the university. Life in Lagos is just too good; I love the cosmopolitan nature of the state: people from all over the country and across the globe coming to live together. Even before Abuja which is now the capital was created, people from all races have come and lived in Lagos and nobody asked you ‘where do you come?’ there was unity among Lagosians,” he stated.

Nwokedi added that Lagos is a place of free opportunities. He said a lot of people came empty-handed, but few years down the lane, they would have become prosperous. He cited example of those who came from the East, they came in a commercial night-bus; but within a few years, they would go back with fleet of cars and buildings in the village. “So, it is a world of free opportunities for everybody that is hardworking,” he said.

I enjoy the night life in Lagos because most of my activities like the practice and concerts take me late into the night. When I travelled to other cities where I have been constrained to go bed by 7pm., I used to feel very sad. You have everything you require and transportation to any part of the country and world is easy. All these make Lagos enjoyable. Personally I don’t think there is any place like Lagos because I have lived here for over four decades and I enjoy every bit of my stay.

Lagos of old was better because people were more cultured and civil, never doing things with impunity.

Things were more orderly. Sanitary inspectors ensured optimum utilization of public toilets that were available. The spirit of Lagos is spirit of Excellence which provides ideals for others to emulate. I think the increase in population has brought about the degeneration that we see today in Lagos. But having spent my youthful years here, I don’t consider living elsewhere than Lagos.

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The Mega City

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

UPCOMING EVENTS The Lagos Oil Club Q+A with Dr. Layi Fatona, CEO Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc Organiser: The Lagos Oil Club Date: February 23, 2015 From 17:30PM - 21:00PM Venue: Lagos Oriental Hotel 3 Lekki - Epe Express Way Lagos, Nigeria

OSHA HSE (SAFETY) SEMINAR 2015

PROPERTY MARKET DYNAMICS

Organiser: Occupational Safety and Health Association (Nigeria Chapter) Date: February 21, 2015 From 10:00AM - 15:00PM Venue: Protea Hotel Lekki- Lagos, Nigeria

Organiser: SCHOOL OF ESTATE Date: February 18, 2015 From: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM Venue: 70b Olorunlogbon St Anthony village, maryland, Lagos Nigeria

UNLIMITED LAUGHTER with MC SKATA & FRIEND’S (Season 2)

Organiser: WIKI ENTERTAINMENT Date: February 22, 2015 From 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM Venue: Ororo Multipupose Hall.

Ikotun - Idimu Rd Lagos, Nigeria

Thelagosparty Insomnia Boat Cruise Organiser: Thelagosparty Cruise & Tours Date: February 22 2015 From: 12:30PM - 07:00 PM Venue: GRAND RESORT ilashe Private Beach Lagos, Nigeria

Microsoft Excel Training -- Business Data Analysis and Indepth Excel Organiser: UrBizEdge Date: February 20, 2015 From: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Venue: UrBizEdge Training hall, 20, Alhaja Kofoworola crescent, off Lagoon Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo road, Ikeja, Lagos

MEGA CITY EVENTS Memorial Thanksgiving service

L-R: President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and mother of the slain Dubai Student/Sport caster, Mrs. Aishat Falode, during the one year memorial remembrance thanksgiving service of her son, Toba, held at Trinity House ZionCentre in Lagos.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Dame Marie Fatayi-Williams (left) and Hon. Funmi Tejuoso...at the thanksgiving service

Awards in Lagos

Prof. Anya O.Anya, chairman of the occasion, presenting Vanguard Personality of the Year Award to Mrs Ekaete Unoma Akpabio, First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, at the Vanguard Personality of the year Award 2014.

Mr Etim Caiafas, Commissioner for Finance, Cross Rivers State receiving Vanguard Tourism Development award from Lady Maiden Ibru, Publisher, Guardian Newspaper

Formal launch of Dele Arigbabu Neurosurgical Foundation (DANF) at Idi-Araba, Lagos

Host, Prof. Oladele Aigbabu and his wife, Olukorede

L-R: Prof Folasade Ogunsola;, Provost, College of Medicine, Unilag; Prof. Chris Bode; Dr. Banjo Kale and Prof. Arogundade Rasheed, at the formal launch of Dele Arigbabu Neurosurgical Foundation (DANF) at the Sickle Cell Foundation Centre.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

FCT Watch

Building materials’ cost liable for expensive houses — FMBN boss

Money

Maritime

Fresh devaluation beckons as poll shift hits naira

FG plans commodity exports to Europe, others

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Boosting regulation through collaboration

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The Investor

Business What's news

Jobless Nigerian pilots may rise to 400 by Dec The total number of pilots without jobs currently put at 375 may rise to over 400 before the end of this year, checks by New Telegraph have revealed.

p.22

Stock market: Shareholders lose N2.2trn in six weeks APPREHENSION The anxiety over the outcome of the 2015 elections had exacerbated economic and political risks in the country

the presidential election, saw the naira, which has lost 26 per cent of its value this year, plumb a new record low and Nigeria joining a list of countries that ratings agency, Standard &

Poor’s, is poised to downgrade.

Consequently, foreign investors have continued to sell Nigerian stocks as the price of crude dropped into a bear market and on concern that measures the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) put in place to stem capital outflows would hinder their ability to sell holdings in Africa’s top CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Chris Ugwu

Construction workers’ reparation hits N633bn Construction sector’s total employees’ compensation (wages and salaries) and other personnel benefits stood at N633 billion (US$3 billion) in two years, a report by FBN Capital Research has said, quoting the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)’s survey.

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The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

S

hareholders of companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) lost N2.225 trillion between January 1 and February 16, 2015, following the market depression that had pervaded the local bourse since the beginning of this year.

The latest dip is the lowest since December 2012, making Nigerian stocks to be the worst among 92 global primary gauges tracked by Bloomberg.

The NSE lost N1.7 trillion of its value last year, bringing the total value lost between last year and last Monday, to N3.925 trillion.

Available statistics from the NSE showed that the market capitalisation of the equities during this period dropped by N2.225 trillion, translating to 24 per cent, from the N11.477 trillion that opened the year, to close on February 16, 2015 (last Monday) at N9.252 trillion.

The anxiety over the outcome of the 2015 elections had exacerbated economic and political risks in the country, resulting in foreign investors pulling N846.53 billion from the NSE in 2014. The figure represents 65.7 per cent increase on the N510.78 billion foreign portfolio investment outflow from the stock market in the corresponding year.

Also, the postponement of

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

L-R: Managing Director, Iris Airline, Mr. Yemi Dada; Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Mr. Christophe Penninck and BASL’s Head of Aeronautical Services, Mr. Raphael Uchegbu, at BASL’s Appreciation Dinner in Lagos.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Barclays Africa seeks banking license from Nigeria •To cut 19,000 jobs in 2016 Bayo Akomolafe

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arclays Africa Group Limited’s corporate and investment banking unit has approached Nigerian authorities for approval to convert its representative office to

a fully fledged business in the continent’s biggest economy.

Besides, Barclays Africa is seeking corporate and investment banking growth opportunities in Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Zambia, Mauritius, Mozambique and Botswana.

Also, the group is making

moves to cut 19,000 jobs across the firm by 2016.

Already, the investment unit of the company has been growing its assets by over 30 per cent annually and has also been short-listed to manage a Nigerian initial public offering.

It was learnt that the bank had increased its staff in Lagos CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE January 2015...........................8.2% December 2014.........................8% November 2014........................7.9%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel as at Feb. 13)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N213 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N315 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N337

l Foreign Reserves – $32.237bn as at 12/02/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official as at Feb. 13)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N169 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N258.77 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N191.59

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Business | News

PARADOX

It is cheaper to hire Nigerian pilots while the reverse is the case for their foreign counterparts Wole Shadare

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he total number of pilots without jobs currently put at 375 may rise to over 400 before the end of this year, checks by New Telegraph have revealed.

Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, had recently put the total number of pilots without jobs at 375.

There are several other would-be graduates that are in aviation schools both in Nigeria and abroad and whose future are uncertain because of the under-performing aviation industry, coupled

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Jobless Nigerian pilots may rise to 400 by Dec Current figure is 375, says airline chief

with lack of prospect for airline operators However, the situation may improve if the directive handed to the airlines by the Federal Government that pilots who are not gainfully employed should be given jobs aboard all aircraft flying in Nigeria is executed.

Speaking to New Telegraph in Lagos, Meggison said that despite Nigeria’s population, only one out of every 100 African aviators is a Nigerian.

The AON chief added that the recent policy of the Federal Government is a welcome development and will take more people out of the streets.

“If we can have one out of every four black man to be a Nigerian, why can’t we have one out of every four African aviator to be a Nigerian?” he asked rhetorically.

“It is only logical and mutually benefitting and makes more sense when any airline operating and taking off from the country creates avenues to

create jobs for the people.

“It is not a novel idea that Nigeria is standing alone to say that any cockpit operator or anybody flying in Nigeria is expected to take Nigerians in the cockpit. This will create jobs and take people off the streets,” he added.

While stressing that many unemployed pilots will benefit from the direc-

tive of the Federal Government, Meggison said it is cheaper to hire Nigerian pilots while the reverse is the case for their foreign counterparts.

He said: “Today, we have about 375 unemployed pilots who are registered and looking for jobs. The minister made a statement - he said there are 90 airplanes and

private jets operating in Nigeria with foreign registrations. There are two sets of crew per airplane, so, if you even take 90 alone and two sets of crew per airplane, they cannot fly continuously.

“If you take two per airplane immediately, that is 180. If you take the helicopters people fly in the nation, there are maybe about 50 to 70 helicopters, times two, that is 140.

“You take the commercial airplanes where there are loads of white first officers that are loafing about here and it is cheaper to even get a Nigerian to do the job. All we need is to put something in place.”

Barclays Africa seeks banking license CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

in preparation for receiving the license, the Head of Corporate and Investment Banking outside of South Africa for Barclays Africa, Temi Ofong, said.

He explained that the Nigerian licensing process could take at least 12 months.

Ofong said: “We have an ongoing strategy to expand our footprint and we have formally engaged with the authorities in Nigeria to apply for licenses.

“The Barclays Africa unit’s representative office has been expanded to have a staff of 20. These include investment brokers and a trade finance team of four people out of Lagos.”

In May 2014, Barclays UK announced it would cut 7,000 jobs at its investment bank, bringing the total number of jobs to be cut across the firm by 2016

to 19,000.

But the financial intermediation sector in Africa is booming. Standard Chartered Plc, Standard Bank Group Limited and the investment banking unit of FirstRand Limited, all have operating licenses in Nigeria.

According to Mail and Guardian Africa, Standard Bank and FirstRand are headquartered in South Africa, but increasingly, growth opportunities are to be found outside South Africa, as the country’s economy struggles to shake off its lethargic performance.

Despite a slowdown in oil revenues, a depreciating naira and an insurgency in the north, Nigeria’s economy is still expected to expand by 4.8 percent this year, more than twice as fast as South Africa’s projected 2.1per cent, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Shareholders lose N2.2trn in six weeks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

oil producer.

The fall in the price of crude oil at the international market had sent economic and political shocks around the world.

The hardest hit has been countries whose economies depend largely on oil for appreciable percentage of their foreign exchange earnings.

Crude oil accounts for about 95 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange receipts and about 70 per cent of government’s revenue.

The reality of possible crippling budget shortfalls also stares many oil exporting countries in the face as the priced com-

modity has hit its lowest price level in four years before rising to $60 per barrel.

The Federal Government had appealed to foreign and local investors not to panic over the depression in the nation’s local bourse.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, made this appeal last week when he paid a courtesy visit to the Exchange.

He also said that the Nigerian monetary authorities and fiscal authorities are doing everything they could to respond to the vulnerabilities occasioned by drop in oil price and other upset in the financial sector of the economy.

Minister of Aviation, Chief Ositadinma Chidoka (left) with Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma, during the Aviation Commit launch on the improvement of Aviation sector, in Lagos.

JOBS

Building and construction segment created 968 new jobs in the last quarter of 2014 Dayo Ayeyemi

C

onstruction sector’s total employees’ compensation (wages and salaries) and other personnel benefits stood at N633 billion (US$3 billion) in two years, a report by FBN Capital Research has said, quoting the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)’s survey.

The survey, according to the February report of FBN Capital Research, showed that the building and construction segment created 968 new jobs in the last quarter of 2014.

Entitled: “Possible headwinds for construction,” the report quoted the NBS verdict on the sector, saying that N7.67 trillion ($37.6 billion) was spent on construction materials within the survey period (2010 through to 2012).

According to the report, total expenditure on metal/iron bars, sand and wood products accounted for 27.2 per cent, 24.4 per cent and 14.3 per cent respectively.

Construction workers’ reparation hits N633bn “Investment returns in the construction industry are relatively attractive and most large-scale projects are conducted by government and foreign companies,” it stated.

The report expressed hope in the Local Content Bill for construction services, which was passed last year, saying it was expected to encourage local businesses and increase private sector participation.

Given the prevailing challenges for capital project execution due to the plunge in oil prices and cash squeeze in the economy, the experts at FBN Capital Research stated that the construction and building industry would need to adopt innovative and more cost efficient techniques such as the dry construction system.

Dry construction system is a new modern technology that is gradually gaining traction. The system is said to be more efficient and faster than the traditional wet construction system, which employs the use of bricks and blocks. Additionally, the

new technique utilises less water and generates minimum construction waste, thus making it eco-friendly.

The FBN Capital noted that the Federal Government had taken some steps towards addressing challenges in the housing sector last year, pointing out that industry estimates had suggested that 100,000 housing units were built each year but that annual demand stood in the region 700,000 units.

From this huge demand, it stated that the construction industry ‘stands to gain substantially if this gap is bridged.’

However, with the current macro uncertainties and its broad implications for the economy, experts at FBN Capital Research said they were not expecting the industry to grow by strong double-digits as seen in previous quarters.

The report said: “In the 2015 budget proposal, capital expenditure was set at N633.5billion compared with N1.55trillion released last year.”

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

31

FCT Business Watch

Building materials’ cost liable for expensive houses — FMBN boss Managing Director/CEO of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Gimba Ya’u Kumo, has been re-appointed for a second term.

In a recent chat, he speaks about the planned re-capitalisation of the bank and why houses are expensive in Abuja and other states. Abdulwahab Isa presents excerpts.

Developers are not really giving Nigerians affordable houses.

What is the problem?

The houses are expensive in the sense that costs of materials for constructing them are also high. So, there is need for a reduction in the cost of cement, iron rods and other accessories that make up a house.

Once that is done, I think it will go a long way in reducing building cost.

These are the issues we are trying to address, an area that I have laid emphasis on because if you look at the earning of Nigerians, particularly somebody who earns N18,000 — N18, 000 today is not up to 100 dollars going by today’s exchange rate. That person is not in a position to buy even a one bedroom apartment going by the present structure. So, we are working with the ministry to see if we can have discount on some of the inputs that make up the house - like discount on cement, discount on rods for construction. On our own, we are trying to introduce new building methods that will now reduce the cost of houses.

We just came back from Thailand with officials of FCDA, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. They commissioned seven universities to do research on affordable and sustainable housing. We have seen the development in that country. We took sand from Kuje here to three of the universities and it was discovered that it is even 17 times better than their own sand. So they are producing some blocks for us with less than five per cent cement content. This is one way to address issue of affordability.

Besides the issue of affordability, we equally want to address delivering of quality houses.

This is because most of the houses, particularly in Abuja today for which some of the mortgages have been created, one may end up paying for a

meant to build houses for NHF contributors.

How do you intend to improve on the fortunes of the bank on your re-appointment?

We will work harder to continue to provide quality and affordable houses to Nigerians and strive to improve the bank’s balance sheet to modify its standing as a financial institution Our strategy will involve developing pro-active and effective strategies to attract offshore funding for affordable housing to Nigerians as well as improving service delivery to NHF contributors across the country. We also plan to look at improvement of members of staff welfare across board to ensure a well-motivated workforce and profitable operations.

The new management will also ensure the completion of on-going housing estate projects under the Ministerial Pilot Housing Scheme nationwide and the completion of the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Estate in Kaba District in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be vigorously pursued.

mortgage for 20, 25 years. How are we sure that these houses will last up to that time? We want to check that aspect because for us to be able to give you mortgage for a particular tenor, we have to make sure that the house will be able to stand within that period.

With the support of Nigerians, these are some of the things we want to do.

A lot of efforts have been made towards recapitalising the bank.

How soon will that happen?

Very soon. Timing is very essential. There are a few issues now on the scene. This is a season for election and politics, but we have been promised as soon as possible. We requested for N250 billion. But at the moment, there are a lot of competing needs, security and infrastructure, but I know that they will do it.

Why did some states pull out of the National Housing Fund (NHF)?

As at today, we have only six states that are not in NHF and most of those states, particularly Lagos, formed co-operative societies on their own and they registered with us.

So, they are contributing indirectly to NHF. We are talking to other states and as soon as possible we will see what we can put on the ground. This is because workers want to see actual action; they want to see the mortgages created.

This is what we are trying to do in all the 36 states to be able to build the houses, create the mortgages and at the end of the day we will be able to convince them. But I can assure you that in the next 10 to 11 months, all the states will be back.

How many mortgages do you target to create in the next four years?

It depends on availability of funds, but based on the Memorandum of Understanding

Kumo

with NLC, TUC and NECA, we should be able to do at least four million

On our own, we are trying to introduce new building methods that will reduce the cost of houses

Accessibility to land is still an issue. How do you plan to tackle it?

I agree with you. We have put MoU in place whereby we are working with various state ministries of land. We are also working with various labour organisations for the land to either be allocated to us as a government bank or to be allocated to labour directly. We are doing that to reduce the cost because if you allocate it to the developer directly, he will put any cost he likes on the property. We are saying that any government, whether state, federal of even a local government, allocating land, the land should be allocated free, particularly if such are

Do you think a single digit mortgage rate is feasible, given the present economic indices?

Yes, our rate has always been single digit, our estate development loan or construction loan is 10 per cent, our mortgages are at 6 per cent and we also intend to extend that same rate to the informal sector so that we can make the houses affordable to them. Nigerians cannot afford any anything above single digit because the average income is very low and that’s why we are providing a buffer whereby they are able to pay.

We took the minimum wage of N18,000 as a base, with that, you can be able to do a mortgage of N450 monthly, so this is the minimum the informal sector beneficiaries are expected to pay, but this will be difficult for some of them; so we are looking at a subsidy.

What is your assessment of mortgage industry in Nigeria?

The mortgage industry in Nigeria is just starting. If you look at the size of our contribution to the GDP, it’s less than one per cent, but my target before I leave here is that we should be able to contribute at least 15 per cent. That is why we are putting a lot of issues on ground to be able to drive this process.

32

Business | The Investor

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Boosting regulation through collaboration Chris Ugwu

S

tock markets all over the world are information driven. This is because investors do not see the physical products such as shares and stocks of companies they are buying but rather take investment decision based on information about the companies that are issuing those shares and stocks.

Having so much conviction and confidence in the information received from quoted companies, in addition to investment advice from their stockbrokers, investors stake their funds in shares in the stock market.

The importance of information to the market cannot be overemphasised.

Stock exchanges world over set listing and post-listing requirements for firms seeking quotation.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is not an exception. In a bid to stem the tide of corporate governance lapses in quoted companies, there are listing and post-listing requirements issued by the NSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to be met by those companies. One of the major standard requirements include regular dissemination of information about the financial performances and any changes that can affect quoted firms’ operations.

Regrettably, some quoted companies have not been adhering to this corporate governance ethics, thereby keeping investors in abysmal trance about their financial health. This had led many investors to take wrong investment decisions by investing in moribund companies, which hitherto do not furnish the stock market with their financials.

It was therefore not surprising that the NSE, last year, wielded the big stick by penalising some companies, especially from the insurance sub-sector, for violating post-listing requirements, which also showed the weak adherence to sound corporate governance.

Daniel

Zero tolerance The Exchange, in an effort to achieve a world-class capital market, reiterated its commitment to maintaining zero tolerance posture on dealing member firms and quoted companies that violate the rules and regulations of the local bourse.

Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said at an investors’ forum, that the Exchange would sustain a zero-tolerance stance on dealing member firms and listed companies that flout the Exchange’s rules.

Onyema noted that the Exchange proposed several rules to codify the accepted mode of engagement in the market. He added that of particular interest was its proposed Related Parties Transaction rule and rules around the conduct of Annual General Meetings (AGMs).

He said that while the NSE’s focus from 2011 to 2013 had been on revamping corporate governance, improving human capacity, cleansing and restructuring the market, improving technology, product development and advocacy for changes to policy, “from 2014, we were determined to shift gears to drive innovations centered on increasing global visibility for the Nigerian capital market.”

Onyema said that the Exchange intended to develop a larger footprint on the African continent and ultimately, targeting emerging market status, adding that it was the reason why it was

very much in support of the WACMI efforts and similar programmes.

He noted that the improved regulatory environment and performance of quoted companies from 2012 till date, had positively impacted on stock market prices and overall market indices.

Following the conclusion of the first phase of reform in the insurance sector, the need to institute a robust and sustainable corporate governance structure became imperative. The National Insurance Commission, in consonance with the code of governance, initiated and published by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2003 considered the adoption of an effective corporate governance code as a priority.

This need became imperative against the background of various unethical practices permeating the insurance business in Nigeria. This, according to the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, would upscale strict enforcement of the provisions of the Insurance and NAICOM Acts 2003 and 1997 respectively in respect to market behavior.

He stressed the need for insurance operators to face the challenges confronting insurance business with ethical practices and adherence to professionalism.

The commissioner said that professionalism had become necessary due to challenges confronting businesses globally.

Onyema

Gwarzo

SEC and NAICOM recently stressed the need for collaboration to strengthen enforcement actions against insurance companies that fail to comply with post-listing requirements

Though, he noted that the drive for professionalism had led to a noticeable increase in the number of insurance professionals, he queried how prepared they were to go the extra mile to make a difference without cutting corners.

Daniel called on insurance professionals to look beyond the nomenclature of professionalism and think out of the box in line with the dynamism and changes experienced in the insurance world.

Need to cooperate As part of drive to sanitise operations in the equities market and further ensure investors confidence, regulators have rekindled the need for synergy to stem the tide of market infractions.

SEC and NAICOM recently stressed the need for collaboration to strengthen enforcement actions against insurance companies that fail to comply with post listing requirements.

The Acting Director General of SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, who hosted the Management of NAICOM on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, noted that the collaboration was germane to boost investors’ confidence.

The Deputy Commissioner for Insurance (Technical), NAICOM, Mr. Muhammad Kari, had highlighted some cases currently being investigated by NAICOM where funds were raised from the capital market and applied for other uses by some insurance companies.

He said that such cases necessitated the involvement of SEC as the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market

with the responsibility of protecting investors.

Responding, Gwarzo suggested closer cooperation between the two regulatory bodies to ensure erring persons or institutions are swiftly brought to book. “We are ready to work closely with NAICOM to resolve these cases,” Gwarzo said.

Currently, collaboration between the two institutions is within the framework of the Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee (FSRCC). However, Gwarzo believes that the collaboration could be even stronger and more result oriented if the two regulatory bodies were to set up an inter-agency committee for speedy resolution of the issues.

He said: “The FSRCC was established to facilitate collaboration across the entire financial system. But beyond that platform, we need to create an inter-agency committee involving specific contact persons between our two institutions who will strengthen the synergy between our respective areas of oversight.”

Analysts’ perception In a chat with New Telegraph, the Managing Director, Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze, commended the collaborative efforts of the regulators.

He said some companies, especially among those in the insurance sub-sector, were not helping matters, as they are most visible among companies that are often sanctioned for breaching postlisting requirements.

He linked the inability of the subsector’s rise above the nominal level to crisis of confidence, stressing that some of the firms that raised high expectation for good results ended up posting negative financial results.

“There were high expectations that some of them would bring good results to the market, investors started taking position on the insurance stocks, but they ended up posting negative results, which now have a spiral effect on other insurance companies, hence investors started dumping their shares.

“Insurance companies are the worst hit in the capital market in terms of drop in share prices. The reason is that they are playing second fiddle to the oil and gas as well as the banking stocks. So, what we now have is that we see volumes being traded, yet it does not result into capital gain in the capital market,” he said.

According to the President of Coalition Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Chief Adolphous Wakama, lack of interest in insurance stocks, following the huge meltdown in the market in 2008-2009, has contributed largely to the high value decline.

Wakama said that investors’ hope had been put in abyss for an earlier recouping of their investment in the sub-sector.

Since the crash of the nation’s capital market in 2008, negative perception has trailed the sub-sector. This was compounded by the inability of about 85 per cent of the companies in the industry to pay dividend to shareholders for many years.

Conclusion Collaboration by regulators to ensure that quoted companies are compelled to adhere to post-listing requirements is a welcome development. This is because it would positively help drive investors’ confidence and let the muchneeded foreign direct investment flow freely into the country.

Business | Money

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

33

Fresh devaluation beckons as poll shift hits naira

Central Bank of Nigeria building. Inset: President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Tony Chukwunyem

B

arely three months after the Nigerian currency, the naira, was devalued by eight per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which cited the need to check speculation that was triggered by the oil price slump, all indications are pointing to another devaluation any moment from now.

This time, analysts say that the main reason is the hammering that the naira has received since February 7 when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that it had shifted the dates for the presidential elections from February 14 to March 28, 2015.

Since that INEC announcement, the currency has been on a free fall, plunging from N188 to 206 against the dollar.

The CBN offered $200 million each at the bi-weekly Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) auctions held last Monday and Wednesday and sold $199.99 million and $199.44 at the marginal rates of N168/$1.

A dollar currently exchanges for N168 at the official market, while it trades at the interbank market and parallel markets at N204 and N210 respectively.

Reserves With the nation’s foreign reserves dropping by $1 billion in 12 days, falling to $33.04 billion as at February 13, the banking watchdog has been scrambling to reassure the market that there is no need to panic and that it still has enough in the reserves to defend the naira.

Expectedly, the naira’s health was one of the major issues discussed at the end of the Bankers’ Committee meeting in Lagos last Thursday.

CBN’s assurance Speaking at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) after the meet-

ing, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, emphasised that there was no need to panic, stressing that the naira was “appropriately priced.”

He contended that the economy would survive the elections as it had done in the past, expressing the hope that the coming elections would be conducted peacefully.

Emefiele said: “We’ve seen people also responding as a result of the political situation in Nigeria and all I can say is that the Nigerian economy remains resilient… And that is why I say there is no need to panic.

“The elections will take place.

I am not supposed to respond to (questions on) elections, but it is important for me to say that there is no need to panic as a result of the elections.

“The elections will happen, they will go, Nigeria will remain the same and economic activities will improve. That is a statement I thought I should make, not only to Nigerians, but also to our foreign investors and partners who are working with us. Retain your confidence in Nigeria.”

Free-fall But as Emefiele was calming the markets, the naira and the equities market were collapsing. While the naira fell one percent to N206.05 per dollar from N204.25, equities also tumbled to an over two-year low, prompting investors to sell their assets.

The NSE All-Share Index dropped a sixth day last Wednesday, retreating 2.7 per cent to 27,935.77, the lowest since December 2012 and the worst among 92 global primary gauges tracked by Bloomberg.

“It all boils down to the postponement of the elections, which has increased uncertainties,” head of research at Afrinvest West Africa Ltd. in Lagos, Ayodeji Ebo, said by phone. “It has increased risks. Foreign investors are trying to reduce their expo-

There is no central bank in the world that allows a free float of its currency.

What you do is try to find a price discovery and find a rate at which you can live with.

I think we are going through that process in Nigeria

sure as a result of the weakening naira.”

A 50 per cent decline in oil prices since June has curbed government revenue and export earnings for Africa’s top crude producer. Investors are delaying decisions to commit money to Nigeria amid escalating violence by the Islamist group Boko Haram in the country’s northeastern region that resulted in elections, including a presidential vote scheduled for this weekend, to be pushed foward by six weeks.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) sold N66.5 billion ($322 million) in bonds due 2020, 2024 and 2034 last Wednesday, less than the N90 billion offered, according to data on its website.

Yields on the notes due 2024 rose 32 basis points from a January auction to 15.75 per cent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

“It was no surprise to see the local government bond auction transpired poorly,” analysts at Johannesburg-based ETM Analytics, said in an e-mailed note.

“The appetite for sovereign debt Gareth Brickman and Catherine Bennett, given the current circumstances, is understandably low.”

Yields on Eurobonds due July 2023 fell five basis points to 7.8 per cent, a day after rising to a record.

Mixed signals However, while the CBN boss ruled out a fresh devaluation of the naira, members of the Bankers’ Committee mandated to brief journalists at the end of the meeting seemed to have sent out mixed signals on the issue.

For instance, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Mr. Segun Agbaje, noted that while a currency’s exchange rate was an emotional issue for most nations, “no country in the world allows a free float of its currency”.

He insisted: “Devaluation is not a curse,’’ adding that some major currencies of the world had gone through the process in recent times.

Agbaje explained that what the naira was going through currently was a period of ‘‘price discovery’’ to determine its new level.

Specifically, he said: ‘‘Where we are now is that oil prices are down. As a country, we are trying to find what level the currency devalues to. There is no central bank in the world that allows a free float of its currency. What you do is try to find a price discovery and find a rate at which you can live with. I think we are going through that process in Nigeria. That is why at the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the CBN devalued and also moved the midpoint of the naira. What you are seeing in the interbank market is again some price discovery.”

The GTB CEO explained that any country that has over $30 billion in its reserves is able to defend its currency at a realistic rate. “So, I don’t think we have a state of chaos around. I told you about some very strong economies that have gone through some devaluation; so, it is not a curse,” he stressed.

Policy flip-flop The apparent contradiction of forex guidelines by the banking watchdog is also believed to be fuelling speculation in the forex market.

Obviously, the CBN appears confused, as it has embarked on some knee-jerking policies, which were later reversed.

For instance, analysts at Afrinvest West Africa Limited have highlighted the uncertainty traced to non-review of the midpoint of the exchange rate target band in the reality of a fundaCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Business | Money

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fresh devaluation beckons as poll shift hits naira CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 3

mental reprising as another factor that may be affecting the performance of the naira against the dollar.

The CBN has continued to provide forex at a discount at the primary market for importers of selected products.

The pressure on the naira at the interbank and parallel markets were amplified last week on the back of the manifesting macroeconomic risks and political uncertainties that have spurred capital flow reversals in the financial market and triggered further speculation in the forex market. Ad-hoc interventions by the CBN to reduce the demand-supply gap failed to lift the local unit, as it weakened heavily.

The Interbank Market was shut during official trading hours last Wednesday and Thursday as traders invoked “circuit breakers” designed to halt trading once naira weakened three per cent from previous close.

With the market in a panic mood, coupled with the dollarisation effect of the electioneering spending, external shocks and internal political uncertainties, analysts stated that they do not anticipate a respite for the naira in the interim.

“The N38 spread between the official and interbank rate presents incentives for arbitrage and round tripping while speculators following a herd pattern may prefer to hold the dollar to preserve value.

“There is a strong possibility of the CBN taking a drastic action (perhaps convey an emergency MPC meeting) in addressing the disparity in the different forex markets so as to save the foreign reserves - currently at $33.5 billion,” the analysts stated.

Glimmer of hope However, despite the hit on the naira and stock market, which fell for the seventh straight session last Friday, foreign investors that withdrew their funds from the country are beginning to have a rethink, according to Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The anxiety over the outcome of the 2015 elections had exacerbated economic and political risks in the country, resulting in foreign investors pulling N846.53 billion from the NSE in 2014. The figure represents 65.7 per cent increase on the N510.78 billion foreign portfolio investment outflow from the stock market in the corresponding year.

Also, the postponement of the presidential election saw the naira plumb a new record low and Nigeria joining a list of countries that ratings agency, Standard & Poor’s, is poised to downgrade.

But the WSJ Frontiers in a report obtained by New Telegraph, said foreign investors “are starting to like what they see.”

Michael Levy, manager of Barings’ $50 million frontier markets fund, said the Nigeria’s market is starting to be “extremely cheaply valued.”

He revealed that Barings’ view has shifted sharply since late last year when the fund cut its exposure to the country.

“Nigeria is now looking pretty interesting,” he said.

Jan Dehn, head of research at Ashmore, an emerging-markets-focused investment firm, commented that “the temporary risk aversion affecting Nigerian asset prices will come to be seen, in retrospect, as a good opportunity to add.”

Manager of the $300 million Russell frontier markets fund, Gustavo Galindo, is also on the lookout for Nigerian bargains. “There are some good companies there that will be unfairly punished, so, there is tremendous amount of upside once the situation clears,” he said in a conversation with WSJ Frontiers.

be resolved, the development could trigger its ejection from the index.

JP Morgan said last month that Nigeria’s inclusion on the index was under review because of a lack of market liquidity. Analysts point out that ejection from the index would trigger major capital outflows because investors who track it would have to sell Nigerian bonds. That would worsen the Federal Government’s budget crunch, as it would remove a source of funding and further impact the naira.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

Galindo may see potential future opportunities in Nigeria, but for current ones, he’s focusing on Vietnam and Bangladesh, which he believes are set to continue benefitting from the rise in Chinese manufacturing costs.

He also sees scope for strong investment growth in Kenya.

Already famous for being the home of pioneering mobile-phone-based financial service, M-Pesa, Kenya looks set to take a lead in using Bitcoin for international money transfers. The journal’s resident Bitcoin experts, Paul Vigna and Michael Casey, revealed that Nairobi-based BitPesa has raised a second round of funding that will help it expand its services and geographical footprint.

BitPesa is hardly alone in capturing investors’ attention: In 2014, sub-Saharan Africa attracted a record flow of private equity money, the WSJ’s Hillary Canada reports. Data from the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association show 24 funds closed on $4.03 billion, more than triple the $1.25 bilion raised by 15 funds in 2013. Investment in the region grew to $1.95 billion from $1.72 billion as domestic and foreign buyout firms sought out consumer goods and services, financial services and telecommunications assets.

This year may prove to be tougher, particularly for Angola and Gabon, whose sovereign ratings Standard & Poor’s cut, citing the African countries’ exposure to falling oil prices. The agency cut a number of other frontier-market oil producers, including Bahrain, Oman, Venezuela and Kazakhstan.

S&P cut Saudi Arabia’s outlook to negative in the review, but any disappointment the Kingdom might have felt was probably offset by the release this week of information provider Bloomberg’s fourth annual ranking of the most promising frontier markets. Saudi Arabia topped the list, followed by Estonia and Slovakia.

Meanwhile, in the year after Nigeria joined the index in October 2012, foreign holdings of its bonds jumped from $1.2 billion to $5.4 billion, but JP Morgan said last month that Nigeria’s inclusion was under review because of a lack of market liquidity.

Ejection from the index would trigger major capital outflows because investors who track it would have to sell Nigerian bonds. That would exacerbate a budget crunch by removing a source of funding and further hammer the naira, which has lost about 26 per cent of its value this year at the interbank market where banks buy foreign exchange to meet their immediate needs.

The NSE, which has continued its free

Emefiele

The successful implementation of this strategy will depend on how much of the central bank’s FX reserves it is willing to use in defence of the currency

fall this year, lost N1.7 trillion of its value last year.

Ban on banks’ dollar resale But despite the Bankers’ Committee pointing out that the country has a healthy foreign reserves level, the CBN was again taking steps to curb speculation in the naira, 24 hours after the meeting. It banned banks from reselling dollars bought at the interbank market. It, also, on the same day as it had done in the recent past, sold dollars in a special intervention to satisfy demand in the interbank market.

CBN spokesman, Ibrahim Muazu, reportedly stated that the apex bank was not planning a fresh devaluation of the local currency, but was studying dollar demand closely and will continue to carry out special intervention in the market on a “need basis” to satisfy demand and check speculative attacks which he blamed for the naira’s weakness.

He was quoted in agency reports as saying: “Our target is to stabilise the market in the interest of investors and the economy. We will do everything to ensure that we meet demand.

“It’s not likely we would raise the band on the naira any time soon. We are looking deep into the areas of demand, if speculators are not there then the situation would return to normal.”

Operators’ concern However, dealers had serious concerns about the CBN’s move, arguing that although it was meant to calm nerves, the action made two-way trading inactive and raised issues over Nigeria’s credibility as a smoothly functioning capital market.

According to them, with the issue of the country’s listing status on the JP Morgan emerging market bond index yet to

Devaluation forecasts Indeed, financial analysts have expressed scepticism about the CBN’s ability to defend the naira under the present circumstances.

Commenting on the CBN measure, Head of Africa research at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, said: “The successful implementation of this strategy will depend on how much of the central bank’s FX reserves it is willing to use in defence of the currency.”

In an earlier comment on the postponement of the elections, Khan said that the shift would determine whether the CBN would embark on further devaluation of the naira as well as delay the formulation and implementation of policies aimed at curtailing the effects of the oil price slump on the Nigerian economy.

She said: “We do not share the view of many market participants that the authorities will wait until after the election to announce a large official devaluation of the naira. Many offshore investors still attracted by Nigerian yields have been waiting for the uncertainty of the election period to pass before recommitting themselves to Nigerian markets.

With prolonged election-related uncertainty, the risk is that these FX inflows are delayed.

“With oil prices still languishing at low levels, resulting in minimal injections into the FX reserves, we expect the reserves to come under further pressure, perhaps dropping to about six months of import cover,” she added.

Also citing uncertainty created by the postponement of the elections, FBN Capital Research recently predicted that the CBN would now likely devalue the naira before the new date fixed for the polls.

It said: “The next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) now falls in the week of the elections. We are aware of the theory that the committee is a pawn of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and would not possibly devalue a second time before the elections.

“Our take is different. The rate to track has become the interbank because of the restrictions on access to the auction system imposed by the CBN. Whenever the committee devalues, it will be following, not driving the market. As in November, we expect that it will set a new midpoint where the top of the new corridor broadly coincides with the then interbank rate. The MPC may devalue at its next meeting or at a special session. The timing will be governed by the weight of interbank market pressures.”

In the same vein, a financial analyst and currency trader, Mr. Matthew Oshiomah, told New Telegraph that it was only a matter of time before the CBN would again devalue the naira.

He said: “Demand is strong and unless we have large dollar inflows into the market, the naira will continue to be under pressure. Let’s face it, oil price is down and the CBN cannot afford to be spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a daily basis defending the naira.

At that rate, our foreign reserves will be quickly depleted.”

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

35

Maritime

Shippers’ Council, ICRC partner on transit parks p.36

NPA, Navy to partner on tug masters training p.37

Containers stuck at the Lagos Port’s terminal. Inset: Awolowo

FG plans commodity exports to Europe, others The Federal Government has commenced plans to export commodities to France, United Kingdom, Netherlands and many other West African countries in a bid to diversify the economy, BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports.

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number of products — soya meal, vegetable tanning extracts, brown beans, billboards and slug catcher — have been added to the nation’s export commodity list this year as part of efforts to boost government’s revenue.

Others are carbon dioxide gas, aluminum sulphate, palm juice, barite, Heineken beer and strawberry filling.

Non-exports in 2015 Also, the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment has explained that nonoil exports to Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) will be increased from nine per cent to 20 per cent by 2015.

The ministry added that the ultimate goal of increasing the value of Nigeria’s recorded export to ECOWAS from $276.5 million in 2011 to $706.1 million in 2015 would be pursued.

It noted that increase of

non-oil export to other African countries from the current three per cent of global export to 10 per cent by 2015 was part of its objectives.

Primary markets The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) said that apart from France, Netherlands and the United Kingdom, other primary markets for the new products were Guinea, South Korea, Benin Republic, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo and Greece.

Chief Executive Officer of the council, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, explained that some non-traditional products, including services exports, such as finance, arts and entertainment like Nollywood home videos, horticulture, aqua culture and Nigerian cuisine have also been added to the list.

New exports “The NEPC had, in 2013, introduced new products such as

Export to Europe

by Nigeria was N1,727 billion or 43.5 per cent, N2,083.7 billion or 44.5 per cent of total exports and N 1,742.1 billion or 38.9 per cent of the total in quarters one, two and three respectively

educational books, robusta coffee, double-folded dust sheets, ice making machines, mica muscovite, leather furniture, high-density polyethylene, aluminium ingots, reduced iron and iron pellets, garments and yam to the export list,” Awolowo said.

Awolowo noted that the country needs to join the league of other successful nations, but with investment in the development of the non-oil sect.

Statistics of exports Last week, the National Bureau of Statistics, in a report titled: ‘Nigeria in 2014: Economic review and 2015-2017 Outlook’ revealed the success made by the country in the export trade.

It noted that mineral products accounted for Nigeria’s largest export value.

It said: “Export to Europe by Nigeria was N1,727 billion or 43.5 per cent, N2,083.7 billion or 44.5 per cent of total exports and N 1,742.1 billion or 38.9 per cent of the total in quarters one, two and three respectively.

“This was followed by Asia, with N1,187.5 billion or 30.0 per cent of the total in quarter one, N1,076.4billion or 23.0 per cent of the total in quarter two and N1,416.3 or 31.6 per cent of the total in the third quarter.”

The bureau noted that India

was the top country of destination for Nigerian exports in the first three quarters of 2014, with the country claiming N544 billion or 13.7 per cent of the export total in quarter one, N553.2 billion or 11.8 per cent of the total in quarter two and N685 billion or 15.3 per cent of the third quarter total.

Also, Netherlands took the second place in quarter one, with at N461.5 billion or 11.6 per cent of the total, while Spain took this place in quarters two and three, with N514.1 billion or 11 per cent of the total and N393.3 billion or 8.8 per cent of the total in each quarter respectively.

African exports It explained: “Nigeria exported goods valued at N424.4 billion or 10.7 per cent to the continent of Africa in quarter one, N410.7 billion or 8.8 per cent in quarter two and N672.1 billion or 15.0 per cent of the total in quarter three.

“Exports to the ECOWAS region increased over the period, totalling N171.2 billion or 40.3 per cent of all export trade to Africa in quarter one, N174.6 billion or 42.5 per cent of the continent total in quarter two and N376 billion or 55.9 per cent of the total for the African continent in quarter three.”

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Business | Maritime

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Shippers’ Council, ICRC partner on transit parks SOLUTION Council sees private public partnership as key to rapid development in maritime industry Bayo Akomolafe

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he Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) have agreed to partner to ensure that the project of establishing truck transit parks nationwide is carried out promptly.

Its Executive Secretary, Mr. Hassan Bello, said that modern transport infrastructure was needed for the nation’s growth.

He noted that the modern parks would have a lot of facilities where truckers would stay, have their hotels, garages and gas stations, among others.

Bello added: “We are talking with the Kogi State government. A land has just been earmarked by the state. It is being surveyed right now; we are

MV Ionian Wind discharging cement at Lagos port

talking about compensation; this must be on Private Public Partnership (PPP) basis.

“We are going to have a

Tanker fleet to hit 371m dwt in 2016

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il tanker fleet is expected to reach new heights by 2016, climbing to 371 million dead weight (dwt), shipping consultancy, Drewry, has said in its latest report.

The firm estimated that in 2014, fleet growth was flat, inching up just 0.6 per cent as deliveries slumped 38 per cent to 9.1 million dwt and demolitions remained high.

It added that capacity expansion was gathering momentum and was expected to reach annual growth of over 4per cent in 2016, on the back of brisk vessel ordering which reached 22 million dwt last year.

The report noted that the resurgence in ship orders has been rocketing cargo demand, particularly floating storage, following the recent collapse in oil prices.

It said: “Notwithstanding the recent spike in demand, the primary driver of freight rate and earnings recovery in tanker shipping has been the decline in fleet growth,” said Rajesh Verma, Drewry’s tanker shipping lead analyst.

He stressed that if the current ordering persists, it would prove the sector’s ruin.

Verma explained that orders had been particularly strong in the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) segment on the back of growing trade on long voyage routes.

He added: “However, the short term outlook remains very positive with modest fleet supply growth and strong cargo demand anticipated for 2015, which are expected to push tonnage utilisation higher still.

“With bunker prices projected to remain low, we expect tanker operators to make the most of a buoyant market, for the moment at least.”

drive for a partnership with the private sector together with the ICRC. “The ICRC and Nigerian

Shippers’ Council will have a retreat this month to look at the transport infrastructure generally and see how the

private sector could galvanise these, including the truck transit park and the Inland Container Depots(ICDs).”

Firm dredges channel for Oando Island Jetty

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he Lagos Channel Management (LCM) is into the final phase of widening the Lagos channel to enable vessels access Oando Island Jetty at Ijora.

It was learnt that the first set of vessels will sail into the jetty for trial in the next few weeks.

The jetty, which is expected to receive tankers of around 50 tons, was built by Oando Plc, in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and LCM. LCM’s major task was to deepen the area till it attains draft of at least, over 12 metres.

On completion, the jetty would guarantee that products vessels could easily moor and offloads without such vessels coming to land.

Managing Director of LCM, Mr. Danny Fuchs, said: “The place would be like a small jetty constructed on dolphins. So, if a ship is coming, it would be like berthing on Island. So, when a tanker comes, it would be hooked on the dolphin.”

He noted that pipes would run from the dolphins, going under the sea bed, from where it heads towards land, until it comes out finally in a designated or desired location.

Fuchs noted that there was a special technology on how to drill pipes under

Senator Idris Umar, Transport Minister

the sea bed, saying that it would go down the channel sea bed and comes out in any area you want it.

He said: “The idea was that instead of making a jetty on land, the jetty should be on the water.

But then, the area needs to be deep enough. And that is where the LCM comes into it. Initially, the place was not deep enough for what they were looking for, because they were looking at what could easily accommodate a tanker of 50,000 dead weight (dwt). They actually need a depth of at least 12 metres or more.”

The LCM boss noted that although, year 2014 was the scheduled date of completion, their plans had to be modified, enhanced and made more encompassing, to ensure enduring success of the important project.

“All hands are now on deck and everyone is working hard to achieve this. As a matter of fact, we are working towards preparing for a test tanker to come in; because right now, we are almost through,” he pointed out.

He said: “We have a very remarkable working relationship already. The Nigerian Ports Authority, Oando and LCM are working together to fruitfully bring in the first set of vessels, with the first test vessel. We are already tidying up all the technical aspects; including connecting the terminal to the land –under the sea bed. The operation is very unique and nice.

“Our on-going programme is running perfectly. We are further deepening some areas.

The bigger ships, particularly the West African Maximum vessels (WAFMAX) are coming more frequently now and none of our stakeholders are complaining.

“Some of the vessels are coming at a draft of 13.5 metres, or more. The bigger vessels are coming, impressively sailing in direct from the Far East into Lagos, bringing in full load cargo and you can confirm this from the published reports from the NPA. “So, you can also obtain the reports of 2009 with that of 2014 to see the re-

markable progress already attained. You can identify this from the number of container being moved, the quantity of bulk and the frequency of ships movement. It’s like it’s more than doubled now. The ships coming in now are bigger, heavier and with increasing regularity.”

Fuchs explained that the nature of the sea bed, particularly the hard clay, which hindered dredging, was a major problem on the Lagos channel.

He stressed that the company had to engage the service of the mother company, Depasa, which used a special 35 ton puller vessel, to overcome the challenge.

Fuchs said: “The material of the sea bed was not sand. It was not clay. It was a mixture of sand and clay.

It is not compact sand. So, it is in some area, very hard sand, in some area, very hard clay and in some other, a hard mixture of the two.

“So, it was for this reason that we invited our technical partner, the Depasa, which now came up with a solution that involves moving away from the traditional solution.

The Depasa came up with this idea that was like cutting the hard materials up with a knife and thereafter, a special vessel could lift the bits in pieces, before another one scrapes it clean.”

Business | Maritime

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

NPA, Navy to partner on tug masters training

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he Nigeria Navy and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) are to enter into partnership in the area of training, following a request by the navy to train its tug masters.

Also, the authority gave an assurance of maximum cooperation and support the Navy to curtail piracy and other maritime crimes in the nation’s waterways.

Managing Director of

the authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, gave the assurance while receiving the new Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral JKZ Ango, who paid a courtesy visit in his office in Lagos.

Abdullahi said that NPA was not the designated authority responsible for security at the nation’s ports, but insisted that the authourity

had the responsibility of collaborating with the Nigerian Navy, Marine Police and other security agencies in order to ensure the safety of the channels for smooth navigation in compliance with International Ships and Ports Security (ISPS) Code.

The managing director noted that by assisting the Nigerian Navy, NPA was assisting itself since such assistance would be mutually ben-

eficial to both parties.

He stressed that collaboration with the Navy would further boost the contributions of the maritime industry to the nation’s economy.

Earlier, Rear Admiral Ango thanked the NPA boss for his assistance to the Nigerian Navy over the years.

He noted that the visit was part of the familiarisation tour of maritime agencies within the Western Naval Com-

mand.

Ango expressed the gratitude of the Nigerian Navy for donating patrol boats to the Navy last year and solicited NPA’s support for regular maintenance of the boats.

He assumed duty as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in December 2014. Before then, he was the Chief of Staff of the Command.

NPA tug boat , S.D Gumel Lagos

NIMASA to cut back on waiver issuance

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easures aimed at cutting back on waivers issuance by ensuring that ship-service users focus more on Nigerian ship service providers may have been embarked upon by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The President, Nigerian Indigenous Ship-owners Association, Capt Olabiyi Dada Labinjo, who disclosed this also confirmed that the agency had released funds meant for furnishing the NISA Secretariat in Lagos.

Speaking on arrival from Greek where arrangement was now on top gear for a NISA parley with about 2,000 Greek ship owners, all aimed at further empowering NISA members, Labinjo lauded the NIMASA gesture. He gave an assurance that he would forever be committed to the cause of NISA. Labinjo said: “The NIMASA gesture is a laudable one. My vision of having NISA strongly embedded in the agency remain on course.

“NIMASA has provided us the fund for the furnishing of our new secretariat at Apapa, Lagos. Our determination to get our jobs back remains unflinching.”

He explained that the agency had promised that it would pursue measures that would ensure that the Nigerian ship service users patronise the Nigerian ship service providers.

Labinjo stressed that if they insist that the Nigerian ship service users must rely on the Nigerian ship service provider, that means they can no longer go out to be looking for the foreign shipping service providers. It means the jobs are directly coming back to Nigerians. It also means they would cut back on waivers.

“I believe this window of opportunity should be considered more important now to both NISA members and industry operators. When the agency was performing below our expectation, we raised our voice. Now that it is meeting our expectations, we should also be bold

Customs generate N5.8bn in Cross River

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bout N5.8 billion was generated by the Nigeria Customs Service (NSS), Cross River Comand in 2014.

The Area Controller in charge of Calabar Free Trade Zone, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, Mr. Nicholas Oshomah, disclosed this when he visited Mr Rekpene Bassey, the State Security Adviser (SSA).

He explained that the command, under the leadership of the Comptroller General of NCS, Mr Abdullahi Inde, was motivated to generate more revenue.

The controller lauded the cordial relationship existing between the command and the state government and stressed the need for its sustenance.

Oshomah said:

“We would not have achieved this without the assistance of Cross River government and we shall be grateful if you can continue the same way you did with my predecessors.”

Bassey urged the command to strengthen its capacity in dealing with the challenges of checking prohibited items from entering the state.

He stressed the need for NCS to gear up in checking prohibited items, especially drugs and arms coming through the water and land borders.

The security adviser, who reassured the command of government’s support called on the Federal Government to encourage the NCS to boost revenue generation.

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Container ship growth to rise 7.8%

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lobal container ship fleet is set to increase by 7.8 per cent in capacity in 2015, shipping firm, Alphaliner, said in its 2015 report.

It noted that 151 ships ordered in 2014 were worth $10.2 billion, down nearly 40 per cent from the $16.8 billion bill for the 234 vessels contracted in 2013.

The firm predicted that the increase would outpace last year’s 6.3 per cent growth, The report noted that the cellular fleet consisted of 5,035 ships with a combined capacity of just over 18.37 million Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) on January 1, 2015, an increase of 1.1 million TEUs from the previous year, the industry analyst said.

The report said: “Deliveries totaled 1.47 million TEUs in 2013, but this was partly offset by the removal of 394,000 TEUs of older vessels from the fleet through scrapping or other deletions, including the conversion to noncontainer use.

The projected increase in the fleet in 2015 takes account of delayed deliveries of around 120,000 TEUs and the removal of 350,000 TEUs through scrapping.

“The world order book stands at 3.39 million TEUs, or 18.4 percent of the current fleet, the lowest fleet-to-order ratio since 2000.”

The firm said that orders for new ships would rise in the coming months as many orders for ultralarge container ships of 18,000 to 20,000 TEUs were due to be signed soon.

It added that idle fleet closed 2014 at 227,900 TEUs, down 71 per cent from the previous year, and averaged 381,000 TEUs through the year, compared with 602,000 TEUs in 2013.

The firm said: “The unemployment rate of the world cellular fleet edged up slightly in the first two weeks of 2015 to 239,500 TEUs, because of service withdrawals during the slack winter season, but it remains at the lowest level for January since 2009.

Five ships of over 7,500 TEUs are currently without work out of a total 116 jobless vessels on January 12.”

The congestion at US West Coast ports has prompted several carriers to deploy extra ships, but the majority of services on the trade are still operating their usual rotations, according to Alphaliner.

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Business | Global

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Reported UK fraud falls despite rise in cases

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he value of reported fraud in the United Kingdom (UK) has fallen by a third despite an increase in the number of cases, according to analysis by accountants BDO. The total value of cases over £50,000 fell to £720million in 2014, the lowest since BDO began its annual survey 12 years ago, the Financial Times of London has reported.

Financial services fraud, the firm says, is down to the lowest value since 2008, dropping 56

per cent in 2014, compared with the previous year.

BDO attributes the decline in value to a growing trend for companies to handle complex cases outside the criminal courts, for example through civil actions or privately inhouse.

Companies are increasingly wary of the reputational damage around a fraud case, the firm says.

“There is definitely an increased demand for fraud to be dealt with outside of the public eye”, said Kaley Crossthwaite, head of fraud at BDO and author

of the report.

“Public companies will pay lip-service by reporting smaller frauds and not reporting those that have a catastrophic impact.”

Fraud victims may also be more aware of how civil action can help them recover their assets, especially at a time of dwindling resources in law enforcement. Instead - or in addition to - reporting fraud to police, companies can try to recover their losses through civil actions, which allow them to obtain search orders to gather evidence, or freeze

the assets of a fraudster.

These orders are made without notice to the alleged fraudster to avoid the possibility of a tip-off.

“A lot of the time, if you successfully freeze the defendant’s assets, they want to talk very quickly,” says William Christopher, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons. “It does depend on the fraudster wanting to settle and applying sufficient pressure.”

Many of the 546 cases (up from 525) reviewed in BDO’s report were unsophisticated, with an

average value of £1.3million, including low-tech schemes such as submitting false invoices.

The financial services industry remains vulnerable. The number of cases in the sector remains high, despite the fall in value from £532million in 2013 to £236million.

Money-laundering and mortgage fraud make up nearly half of the cases.

The survey also found a large increase in individuals being prosecuted, with such cases having a decreasing average value compared with previous

years. Ms Crossthwaite worries that this trend could diminish the UK courts’ capacity to deal with corporate or complex fraud, which can take months to be heard.

“Corporates may continue to choose to deal with larger and more complex frauds outside the criminal courts,” she said. “This will inevitably lead to further fog around the true size and cost of fraud in Britain.”

Cyber-security experts judge ‘$1bn bank hack’ report

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leading security company says it has uncovered an “unprecedented” cyberattack on up to 100 banks, which could result in $1billion (£648million) of losses.

But security experts are split over the severity of the alleged breaches, and on how much cash was stolen.

Russian company Kaspersky Lab said the hackers had accessed the banks’ networks by sending spoof emails to staff.

It added that the criminals manipulated cash machines to dispense stolen money.

The majority of banks that allegedly fell victim to the scheme are based in Russia, with a handful of others spread across China, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, and other countries.

One bank is said to be based in the UK, although it is not believed to be a well-known brand.

Kaspersky said it had worked with Interpol and Europol on the investigation.

It says it believes that the group is still active, and one of its directors told the New York Times that “this is likely the most sophisticated attack the world has seen to date in terms of the tactics and methods that cybercriminals have used to remain covert”.

Kaspersky’s revelations build on a report released by another cyber-security company, Fox-IT, last year.

Commenting on the Kaspersky release, FoxIT said that since it had published its findings in December, “the group has decreased their activities and might now have even stopped entirely.”

Some security experts have also called into question the $1 billion figure.

Photo | News 39

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

L-R: Celebrant/former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, during his 60th Birthday Party in Ipetu-Ijesa, Osun State

L-R: Representative of the NYSC Coordinator, Oyo State, Mrs Olubukola Abiodun; Project Initiator, Corps member, Mr Adedayo Adewole; his Father, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Commissioner for Education Oyo State, Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu and grand mother of Initiator, Mrs Florence Adewole, at the inauguration of the library and borehole water project in Akinyele Local Government of Oyo State .

PHOTO-NAN

L-R: Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon; Secretary to Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozuorie Macaulay, and Majority Leader, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Leo Ogor, during the commissioning of Umeh Road Bridge and the Umeh Primary School in Isoko South LGA of Delta State

L-R: Wife of the Special Guest, Mrs. Lora Ubine Eugene; Special Guest and the DPO of Oyobo, Mr. Ubine Eugene; Host, Senior Pastor of Appearing Grace Assembly International, Pastor Akinola Akinwale and his wife, Mrs. Ibiyemi Akinwale, at an event held by the church, in Lagos.

photo: tony eguaye

: L-R: Deputy Chief Observer, European Union Election Observation Mission, Hannah Roberts; Chief Observer, European Union Election Observation Mission, Santiago Fisas Ayxela and President Goodluck Jonathan, during the team’s visit to the President in Abuja…. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

A Cross Section of heads of Parastatals and Agencies under the Ministry of Information, during a meeting with the new Supervising Minister of Information in Abuja

L-R: Oyo State Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ismail Olalekan Alli; Governor Abiola Ajimobi; new Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Musa Kastina and Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, during the Police Commissioner’s courtesy call to the governor in Ibadan

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (fouth left); Lagos Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Gabriel Abafi (third left) and others, during Abafi’s visit to Fashola in Lagos

40 Politics

Tambuwal

WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okonjo-Iweala

Jibrin

Budget tops agenda as House reconvenes As the House of Representatives reconvenes from the election campaigns, PHILIP NYAM writes that the 2015 Appropriation Bill will be accorded priority attention among issues that will be handled by the lawmakers

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hen the House of Representatives resumes plenary on Tuesday February 17, it will be faced with massive workload but little time to attend to before the end of the 7th Assembly. For most of the last quarter of 2014, the House could not do much due to heightened political activities. As a result, the lawmakers will have their hands full. What are those pressing issues that the lower chamber will try to address before proceeding on yet another break for the general elections on March 28 and April 11 respectively?

2015 budget Shortly before the House vacated for the 2014 Christmas and New Year break, the 2015 appropriation bill was presented to the National Assembly by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. When the House reconvened on January 13, the Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal mandated all the standing committees to work with the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure a quick passage of the budget.

The Federal Government has proposed a N4.3 trillion with the projection that Nigeria’s economy would grow at 5.5 per cent in 2015, a reduction from an earlier projection of 6.4 per cent. The N4.3 trillion budget ($23 billion) rests on benchmark oil price of $65 a barrel, down from $77.5 in the 2014 budget. With the dwindling global

oil price, the National Assembly may have to recommend a realistic oil benchmark. The proposed budget will therefore be the main project of the House as it resumes today.

During the break, some standing committees have been holding meetings with the MDAs. However, unlike the usual practice of holding budget defence in public, some committees adopted secret budget defence for the MDAs. The media was not allowed to cover the budget defence sessions. Some committees, however, invited a select media houses and blacked out other journalists from accessing the sessions. Perhaps, when they resume on Tuesday, such committees would submit their findings and recommendations to guide the House in passing the proposed budget.

Probes In the last three and half years, the House has conducted series of investigations some of which the reports have been submitted while some other reports are yet to be tabled before the House.

Similarly, some of the submitted reports have not been considered and adopted by the House. Hence, on resumption, the House would have to expedite action on these reports to ensure that they are dispensed of before the expiration of the lifespan of the current House. Some of the reports submitted so far include, the report of the House Committee on Banking and Currency on the urgent need to halt the increase in capital base for Bureau De Change by 250 per cent; report of the Committee on Legislative Budget and Research on mapping of capital projects in the 2014 Federal Government budget.

Apart from these reports, the Public Petitions Committee headed by Hon. Uzor Azubuike (PDP, Abia) submitted several reports on various petitions from individuals to the House. But as many reports that have been submitted by some of these committees, many important issues on which the committees sat or investigated are still hanging.

The House is expected to be keen on reviewing the interrogation of the minister on the state of the economy

The PIB The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is one of the most crucial bills whose fate still hangs in the balance. It is indeed the oldest bills in the National Assembly. Its history is synonymous with the current democratic dispensation traversing all the Assemblies till date.

At the beginning of the 7th House, the PIB came up again and the leadership not oblivious of the controversy it generated decided to set up a 26-member ad hoc committee to conduct public hearings, collate varied views on the proposed legislation and make appropriate recommendations to the House.

Although, the committee headed by the Chief Whip, Hon. Ishaku Mohammed Bawa (PDP, Taraba) was inaugurated in 2012, the zonal public hearings across the six geopolitical zones held in April 2013.

As at today, the report of the ad hoc committee is being expected.

With the pressure from a cross section of Nigerians, the report is likely to be tabled before the House for debate.

The leadership of the House has already given assurances that the bill will be passed before the 7th Assembly winds up.

Okonjo-Iweala’s 50 questions In December 2013, the House Committee on Finance led by Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) posed 50 questions on the state of the economy for Okonjo-Iweala.

Although, the minister had addressed the questions in 2014, the committee however returned an unsatisfactory verdict on her response and rather reinforced the questions. In a letter addressed to the minister entitled “Re: state of the economy: observations, request for additional information and invitation to investigative hearing,” the committee said after a detailed analysis of the response provided by the minister, it was discovered that some questions were ignored, misunderstood, partially answered or not answered at

all. In all, the lawmakers said 39 of the 50 questions were not answered satisfactorily.

A request for additional answers to 39 questions was forwarded to the minister for fresh answers. The minister did not address the questions until the end of last year. But with the drastic drop in the prices of oil and the problems plaguing the economy particularly the difficulties being experienced in the payment of staff salaries, the House is expected to be keen on reviewing the interrogation of the minister on the state of the economy. This may be taken as soon as the House reconvenes.

Probe of Service Wide Votes Another critical assignment before the House Public Accounts Committee is the ongoing investigation of the expenditure from the Service Wide Votes between 2010 and 2013. This investigation has been going on since late 2013 and sordid revelations have so far been made. The committee is yet to wind down. Besides these, the House is currently investigating several other areas in different MDAs. It would need to round off such probes before the proclamation of the new Assembly.

Pending bills The current House has introduced a total of 668 bills but only 101 were passed.

In other words, the House has presently a total of 567 bills to work on in the next five months.

Considering the tedious process involved in the passage of a bill, the House would want to speed up its commitment to attending to these bills. Closely related to this is the magnitude of bills forwarded to the president for assent, which have not be assented to. There are indications that the House may have decided to override the president’s assent should he fail to sign the bills by the end of the first quarter of this year.

Apart from the issues enumerated here, there are myriads of issues that may crop up as soon as the House reconvenes.

Politics 41

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015

The endearing personality, influence and popularity of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Senator Gyang Pwajok, has made him the candidate to beat in the April 11 governorship, WALE ELEGBEDE writes

Guber race: Pwajok’s edge on the Plateau

I

t is not in doubt that the race for the Little Rayfield New Government House in Plateau State would be a titanic battle among the various gladiators angling to succeed Governor Jonah Jang. But there seems to be little to threaten the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Gyang Pwajok, and the reasons are obvious to political pundits who are vast in the Plateau politics.

Pwajok, who many regarded as a timely child of necessity in Plateau politics, is getting the needed support from all divides and interest in the state and this is gradually turning the guber race into a one-horse race.

Though the opposition parties are also struggling to be heard, but the whispers of Pwajok is loud enough for Plateau people.

Coming up as a university lecturer, a director at state Government House, and as Chief of Staff to Jang, Pwajok got elected in a by-election to represent Plateau North zone in the Senate owing to power vacuum created by the death of Dr. Gyang Dantong, his predecessor. Pwajok has become a noticeable brand that all and sundry are itching to identify with.

The head-start advantage, masses-oriented policies and intellectual prowess of the PDP candidate was showcased recently at the Press Hall of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Jos. The state chapter of the Correspondents’ Chapel had organised a Media Forum for the four gubernatorial candidates in the state: Pwajok (PDP), Barrister Simon Lalong (All Progressives Congress, APC), Mr. Bagudu Hirse (Labour Party, LP) and Chief Ibrahim Musa Sabiu (African Democratic Congress, ADC).

Expectedly, the candidates were to come in turns to interact with the media, sell themselves to the general public with their agenda for the state and use the platform to convince the electorate to vote for them.

In line with his moral fibre of staying ahead of others, Pwajok fired the first salvo after the opening ceremony. As soon as the anchor of the forum, Mr.

Pwajok

Samson-Samson Omale, set the ball rolling, the lawmaker convincingly rose to the task and kept his audience breathless as he rolled out myriads of issue.

After the session of a brilliant presentation, the audience was not left in doubt from that moment that he was adequately prepared for the task ahead.

In his comprehensive blueprint for the state, the senator identified the various challenges facing the state. He then took on them one after the other.

Speaking on his security plans, Pwajok averred that his government would prioritise security of lives and property thereby continuing with the struggle for the creation of state police in the country, where community policing will be encouraged, promising to provide logistics and information support to the police and other security agencies.

He also assured that if given the mandate, his administration would strengthen cordial relationship between neighbouring states in the North to checkmate the infiltration of hoodlums and foreign elements.

He said: “It is obvious that the factors of religion and ethnicity and that of the nature of relationship between the federal and the state, as well as the neighbouring states have become a very critical point that must be put into consideration before doing what we need to do as a state.

“I have always observed that because Plateau looks like a miniature Nigeria; with a composition of communities from the North to the South, from the West to the East. Everything we do in Plateau has a long term effect on the rest of Nigeria. That is why if anything happens in Plateau State, it affects other

parts of the country.

“Before now, when we witnessed crisis on the Plateau and we raised an observation about the porous nature of our borders and the possibility of aliens sometimes involved in the internal security challenges of this country, many people thought it was a mere propaganda. But today, Nigeria has woken up to the reality of infiltration of our borders and at some moments, we had to close some of the borders to enable us address some of our challenges internally.”

While noting that the Jang administration inherited a debt profile of over N80 billion from the previous administration in 2007 and refuted claims by the opposition APC that the current debt status of the state was over N200 billion, Pwajok added that the State Debt Management Board will make the actual debt profile of the state public soonest.

Pwajok said his government will encourage specialisation in agriculture and processing of agricultural produce in an overall determination to make agriculture a viable alternative to the now dwindling federal allocation from oil as the mainstay of the state economy, if he becomes the state governor.

“The main policy thrust for Greater Agriculture is to ensure, through collaborative efforts involving community and state supports, food security that will make agriculture profitable and a source of foreign exchange, employment generation, and raw materials,” he said.

Pwajok said to make the best of agriculture he would encourage such specialisation to enable optimum productivity and value addition. He explained that encouraging farmers to produce

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

The essence of my aspiration is to meet the expectations, but never before actualised targets in the state

potatoes, a crop for which Bokkos in Plateau Central is renowned, and having it processed and given added value, would result into higher earnings for farmers and greater tax revenue for the state.

“The essence of my aspiration is to meet the expectations but never before actualised targets in the state,” Pwajok said.

Pwajok, who is an amiable young man who has touched lives and empowered youths in the state, is also known to have used his wealth of intelligence to contribute immensely to the success of the administration of Governor Jang. His recent stride at the National Assembly within a short time has indeed persuaded the people of the state that he has more potential to be tapped for the benefit of the state.

With his short stint in the Senate, Pwajok has redefined the ethos of representation and has done a lot for his constituents.

Serving under a year, he gave the people a good idea of what effective representation means, by maintaining regular contact with the constituents and taking into consideration their views and opinions on key issues such as the constitutional review process.

At his constituency office in Jos where he holds regular meetings with his people, he interacts freely with them and uses the opportunity to understand their positions on both local and national issues. It is also on record that the Senator instituted a framework which constantly brings warring factions together i.e., Fulanis, Beroms and other tribes into one forum where grievances were aired, ironedout and reconciliation effected.

The mediating forum, which has drawn accolades for the senator from far and near, has developed structures that enabled warring factions come together and seal pacts to eschew violence and embrace dialogue and forgiveness. This has in no small measure restored lasting peace to the restive Plateau North zone since his emergence as the senator.

Ensuring that he matches his talks with action, myriad of constituency project has been done by the senator, Skills Acquisition Centres have been set up in a variety of areas in the zone and these have benefited and equipped his constituents with lifelong skills and enhance their income generation capability.

For once, the rich political experience of Pwajok and the depth of his understanding of what the Plateau needs as a leader, stands him in good stead to become the next governor of Plateau State. With the inability of the opposition parties to pick up their gauntlet and make their voice heard, it is clear that they would only wake up after the election must have been decided in favour of Pwajok.

42 Politics C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obasanjo’s farewell to PDP

ing state governors were impeached in questionable circumstances by their Houses of Assembly, three of which were later upturned by the Supreme Court. An attempt was also made to kidnap and force another sitting governor to resign from office, while Military Administrators were appointed to administer the affairs of two states for six months respectively following the declaration of emergency rule and disruption of all democratic structures in these states by the Obasanjo government.

He forced his deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar out of PDP and nursed the idea of ‘sacking’ him from the cabinet save for the intervention of the court.

Obasanjo took the same undemocratic stance to his party, the PDP, forcing a National Chairman and a National Secretary not to seek re-election and as well, engineered the removal of their successors barely a year in office.

Obasanjo created the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption but it turned out that the agency was a tool to haunt his political opponents. While the EFCC went after perceived opponents of the Federal Government, it closed its eyes on some of actions of the former president considered incongruous with transparency and good governance.

For instance, his Otta Farm was said to be close to bankruptcy before he became president but by 2004, just five years into his administration, the Farm made over $250,000 a month. The rehabilitation of the farm wouldn’t have come from his military pension.

As a sitting president, Obasanjo embarked on a personal library project in which serving state governors donated N10 million. He also established Bell University in his state, Ogun, when he was serving as president. Yet, the EFCC did not deem it to question the source of the funds.

Obasanjo, who had difficulty securing the PDP ticket to run for second term in office, attempted to elongate his tenure through a constitutional amendment to allow him run for third term in office. This was stoutly resisted by Nigerian politicians and lovers of democracy across the globe.

The United States, Britain and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan vehemently criticised the effort to let Obasanjo stay in power, saying it threatened to undermine democracy.

Millions of naira were allegedly offered as bribes to push for the amendment of the constitution by the National Assembly, though, the former president denied knowledge of bribes being given.

With his third term ambition being punctured, Obasanjo started to behave like a bull in a China shop. He went after those perceived to have truncated the third term bid, declaring, “I don’t know who will succeed me and I know those who will no succeed me.”

He subsequently launched a search for his successor. Sometime in 2007, he confessed that the search led him through a rigorous selection process.

Before he finally settled for Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Obasanjo said he “was looking for those who will succeed me who has three important qualities. One, he has enough intellectual capacity to run the affairs of Nigeria. Two, he has sufficient personal integrity to run the affairs of Nigeria. Three, he is sufficiently broad-minded enough, politically, religiously, socially, whatever to manage the affairs of Nigeria.”

Having made his choice, one would have expected that Obasanjo would give Yar’Adua his maximum support. But this could not be.

He was accused of imposing a sick Yar’Adua on Nigeria in his bid to achieve his third ambition outside con-

Obasanjo and Jonathan

stitutional amendment. But in 2010, following the prolonged hospitalisation of his successor in Saudi Arabia, Obasanjo broke the universally respected medical law and choose to discuss Yar’Adua health condition in public.

At a public function in Abuja, the former president asked President Yar’Adua to tread the path of honour and resign in the interest of his failing health.

When Yar’Adua died, Obasanjo threw his weight behind Jonathan. He campaigned vigorously for his election, denying any existing pact between North and South on power sharing. When he was asked what he made of his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar who was aspiring to run for presidency, Obasanjo simply replied “I dey laugh oo!”

Many people have been taken aback by his sudden and relentless attack on President Jonathan.

On December 2, 2013, Obasanjo wrote an 18-page letter to Jonathan, raising a number of issues against his government. In the letter titled: “Before It is Too Late,” the former president alleged the Jonathan was training snipers, which he was planning to use against political opponents in 2015 general elections.

Not satisfied, he followed this up with a book titled: “My Watch” where he attacked the person of Jonathan, describing him as “lacking in broad vision, knowledge, confidence, understanding, concentration, capacity, sense of security, courage, moral and ethical principles, character and passion to move the nation forward on a fast trajectory.”

His grouse against Jonathan Perhaps, Obasanjo’s grouse with the president may be the removal of some party members loyal to him, both from his cabinet and from the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP. There is the case of former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola who was removed as National Secretary of PDP. Also, the former president was not particularly happy that most of his nominees for federal appointments were not accepted Perhaps, Jonathan’s unforgivable crime against Obasanjo was his choice of Buruji Kashamu as PDP leader for the South-West.

In the letter to Jonathan, Obasanjo noted: “Saying that I recommended a wanted criminal by UK and USA authorities to you or your aides to supplant legitimately elected PDP leader in South-West is not only unwise and crude but also disingenuous.”

He also added that “the harassment

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

of my relations and friends and innuendo that are coming from the government security apparatus on whether they belong to new PDP or supporters of defected governors and which are possibly authorised or are the work of overzealous aides and those reading your lips to act in your interest will be counter-productive. It is abuse of security apparatus. Such abuse took place last in the time of Abacha.”

But Kashamu reminded Obasanjo that when he was working with him “and was using me to further his political interest, I was a good person. He did not see anything wrong with a former president, self-acclaimed leader of the party and then chairman of the Board of Trustees hobnobbing with an ‘indicted person’.

“He calls me anytime he wants. Now that I am performing my patriotic duty of supporting the government produced by my party, contrary to his wish, all hell is let loose.”

Red card Last Monday was not the first time Obasanjo was dissociating himself from PDP activities.

In 2013, he wrote the then PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur opting out of any programmes of the party. That was after he had resigned as BoT Chairman.

The former president had, shortly before he left office, caused the PDP constitution to be amended such that only former democratically-elected president on the platform of the party could chair the advisory organ of the party. This automatically made him the sole candidate.

The reason he gave on Monday when he denounced his membership of PDP was similar to the ones he gave previously. He said he was not comfortable to be in the same party with a president, who he said was determined to use corruption to destroy the country or in a party led by a ‘drug baron’.

“I’d rather sacrifice my political

party for the interest of Nigeria than sacrifice my country for a political party led by a drug baron.

“I’d rather tear the PDP membership card than sit down and let Jonathan use PDP and corruption to tear my beloved country apart.

“I have national and international standard to maintain. For this reason I’d rather stand alone than be in the same political party with Kashamu,” Obasanjo tweeted later.

The former president also expressed fears that there was plan to expel him from the party. His exit was therefore, a pre-emptive measure. Could it therefore, be said that Obasanjo was afraid of punitive measure be taken against him by the party?

Shortly after he announced his exit from the party, the Ogun State chapter of PDP announced his expulsion for antiparty activity. The chairman of the state chapter of the party, Adebayo Dayo, in a press statement said Obasanjo’s Ward 11 Abeokuta North local government had earlier sent in a letter dated February 12, expressing serious concerns at the former president’s numerous anti-party activities and uncomplimentary utterances targeted at the leader of the party, President Jonathan.

But even if Obasanjo want to quit partisan politics was there no other way to go about it without making noise about it? There are other leaders – Shehu Shagari, Alex Ekwueme, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar – who have been playing statesmen role even though some of them may be a card-carrying member of a political party. Why should Obasanjo embark on tearing of PDP membership card?

PDP kicks His action, however, has attracted reactions members of PDP. Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman of the BoT said the party would not miss him. On its part, the leadership of the party said it was saddened by the former president’s exit.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, in a statement said Obasanjo has “discountenanced all pleas by elders and leaders of our great party with regard to his reservations on certain issues within our fold. Many Nigerians are still bewildered as regards what manner of provocation that could have led a former President to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing the membership card of the party that he once led.”

Director, Media and Publicity of PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Fani-Kayode also noted that Obasanjo is free to leave the party but he does not need to do that by tearing the party’s card in public and before television cameras.

“This knee-jerk reaction is most unlike President Obasanjo and it is very insulting. It is clear that he has burnt all the bridges and that he has left us forever.

“On a personal note I feel saddened by this but the truth is that many in our party have heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Many of us love President Obasanjo and we shall continue to do so regardless of whether he is in our party or not but tearing up that party card was too much to bear.

“It spoke volumes and it was indicative of the deep hatred and contempt that he has for us and our cause.”

Now that Obasanjo has finally left PDP will he let the party and members be? Will he remain truly a statesman and refrain from statements likely to heat up the polity?

Politics 43

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, February 18, 2015

President is afraid of Buhari, says Obasanjo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

move Jega, it will actually heighten the disbelief of the people about the President wanting to have a fair, free, transparent and credible election.

And even if the President wins genuinely, many people may not believe it; he would have undermined the credibility of the result of the election.

But he has said he will not remove him. He said it is a rumour and let it remains in the realm of rumour and let’s hope for the best.

I will, of course, at this

juncture - I have offered some warnings - but let me also offer some appeals. The first appeal for me will be to President Goodluck Jonathan; appeal for him not to do anything to destroy the fledgling democracy that we are enjoying. Democracy is not a destination, it is a process and the more we strengthen the process of democracy, the institutions and the factors, the better it is for us and we continue to improve on it.

And I appeal to President Jonathan again not

to listen to those who are creating phobia; phobia of Buhari, phobia of enquiry and all that.

President Jonathan has done well to the best of his ability and he has made history as the first elected President of Nigeria from a minority tribe and nobody can take that away from him. He can even make a second history, if it turn out that way, if he contest a fair, free and transparent election and if he loses to have a decent and a dignified exit, he would be in the mountain top and he

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

would be acclaimed as a true patriot and democrat. But what stops him from doing this?

I will want to appeal to the PDP and APC, as the two major parties,

they have responsibility for seeing the continuation of our present democratic process and if any of them does anything to short-circuit or cut short the process, the verdict of history will be very, very drastic.

I also will like to appeal to General Buhari. If the election takes place, I sincerely hope that it will take place, and if he happens to win, one of his first responsibilities would be to allay the fears of those who see Buhari as a buggy, as a threat, particularly in the areas of

human rights observant, in the areas of rule of law, and in the areas of obedience of our constitution.

I would want to appeal to Nigerians, we all have a stake and a say in what is going on. Don’t let us just hang our hands and say ‘there’s nothing I can do;’ there’s everything you can do, everything you can do and we must all try to do everything to sustain this process that we have made.

In a number of areas, we have talked about corruption, we have talked about management of the economy, we talked about number of other things.

There’s no government that comes in and does everything that is needed to be done in a country. No. You do your own, leave it and let others come and do whatever they think they should do.

I believe that where we are today, we should not do anything to send us back. The international community is interested in what is happening in Nigeria. I saw that last Saturday, everybody was coming round and going down. And whether it is those in government or the security, anything that amounts to impunity, particularly in terms of loss of life, they may not be able to go away with it. Because there’s a limit to what you can get away with as human beings and even as leaders, there’s a limit, there’s elastic limit and when that elastic limit get to its end, something else will happen. May good things continue to happen to Nigeria and with Nigeria but all of you have something you can do to make sure that democracy is sustained.

For me, I will not stop because there’s nothing better than democracy in a multi-national and diverse country like ours.

And those who are pushing the President, I know, at the end of the day, when the chips are down, I have told him before, he will be naked and isolated.

All those people would say we told him, he didn’t hear.

If you know this, why not take caution. I will want to wish the President every good wish, I will want to wish Buhari every good wish and I will want to wish every Nigerian, every good wish.

I said I will not say anything about Nigeria until after the elections but because the elections has now been postponed, I am constrained, I have been forced, and I hope I would not be constrained to have to say anything until after we have the elections again.

44

Business | Money Line

TOUGHER YEAR

2015 is going to be a difficult year Tony Chukwunyem

T

he oil price slump that has slashed Nigeria’s revenue, offers the nation the opportunity of becoming the biggest non-oil economy on the continent, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, has said.

The Minister stated this in a chat with the Cable News Network’s (CNN), Richard Quest.

She explained that while oil still accounts for a substantial part of the country’s foreign earnings as well as government revenue, the slump in crude prices has not been that devastating because the economy in the last few years has been growing mainly from the non-oil sector.

She revealed that nonoil revenue increased by N75billion in 2014, adding that it was expected to increase by N150billion this year.

“It is going to be a difficult year but it is the biggest opportunity for Nigeria to become the

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oil slump: ‘Nigeria may emerge Africa’s biggest non-oil economy’ biggest non-oil economy in Africa,” she stressed.

The minister pointed out that despite collapsing oil prices, the economy remains strong and has

been growing by between 6-7 per cent in the last few years.

She dismissed allegations that the present administration had not

fared well in the management of the economy, contending that it had recorded significant achievements in sectors such as transportation

Kunle Azeez

I

nterswitch, a pan-African integrated payment, processing and transaction switching company, has launched a new $10 million ‘ePayment Growth Fund’.

According to a statement, the fund is intended to serve as a catalyst for funding innovation and disruptive business concepts within the payment industry across Africa.

Interswitch is seeking to collaborate with African entrepreneurs and start-up businesses developing innovative products and services that empower Africans to participate in the emerging payment ecosystems currently transforming business on the continent.

The fund has made its first investment in ‘Africa

Courier Express’ (ACE), formerly A-Post, a Nigeriabased and Africa focused technology driven ecommerce logistics and warehousing firm.

ACE has developed and rolled out a new cuttingedge technology to track, deliver and collect payments seamlessly for and on-behalf of its clients.

Interswitch said the company would receive an initial investment of $850,000 from the Interswitch ePayment Growth Fund to enable management execute its West Africa expansion plans with the potential to access additional funding.

The investment by Interswitch represents the start of a new partnership model to deepen the ecommerce space across Africa.

Tunde Kehinde and Ercin Eksin, two experienced pro-

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

not have any negative effect on the 2015 budget because the government has adopted a “scenariobased approach” to tackle the challenge.

Interswitch floats $10m e-payment fund

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

and agriculture.

Commenting on the implications of oil prices falling below the budget benchmark of $65, she reiterated that this would

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

fessionals with strong market experience in running successful retail and logistics businesses in emerging markets, launched ACE in November 2013.

The company currently provides reliable third-party logistics, tracking and pay-ondelivery (cash and electronic) services for retail businesses in Nigeria.

Since launch, ACE has established physical presence

in five cities across Nigeria, has shipped to almost 100,000 customers, and is currently one of Nigeria’s largest ecommerce logistics management companies.

The investment by the Interswitch fund will enable ACE to grow the West Africa’s retail market by allowing retailers to focus on their core business of purchasing and managing inventory.

Complaints resolution: CBN introduces six-year time bar Tony Chukwunyem

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced a six -year time limit for the resolution of complaints lodged by customers.

However, the apex bank said the time bar will not apply to fraud cases, complaints lodged with it and financial institutions as well as international electronic payment transactions with records that are not retained beyond 180 days on the dispute resolution application.

In a circular posted on its website yesterday, entitled, “Time Bar for resolution of customers’ complaints”, and signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Kevin Amugo, the CBN explained that the time bar became necessary because

of the increasing challenge of ensuring timely resolution of complaints from customer.

According to the circular, “The Central Bank of Nigeria has in recent times experienced increasing challenge in ensuring the timely resolution of complaints from consumers of financial services against financial institutions under its purview due to non -availability or delay in receiving documentary evidence from both parties.

“The situation has underscored the need for a time bar policy for complaints management in the financial services industry.”

The regulator directed banks and other financial institutions to educate and communicate the new measure, which it said takes effect from Monday, February 16, 2015, to their customers.

Firm organises forum for company secretaries

D

CSL Corporate Services Limited will be holding its second roundtable for company secretaries tomorrow at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi.

In a statement, Head, Training and Executive Selection Unit, Mrs. Oluseun Oluwole, said that the event, which has as its theme, “Company Secretary as the Conscience of the Company”, will give participants an opportunity to share practical experience and tips in dealing with the challenges that company secretaries encounter in upholding corporate governance practices in their companies.

According to the statement, the CEO Chapel Hill Denham

Group, Mr. Bolaji Balogun will chair the session, which will have panelists such as the company secretary/legal adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Uaboi Agbebaku and the company secretary, Ecobank Nig. Ltd Mrs. Adenike Laoye.

Also billed to attend the event are the company secretary/legal adviser, Julius Berger Nig. Plc., Mrs. Cecilia Madueke and the Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc., Mr. Sesan Sobowale.

The Roundtable is one of the events in DCSL’s Corporate Governance Series. One other event in the series is the annual seminar on improving the performance of the audit committee.

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

45

17-Feb-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

NA

NA

Description 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

535.00 581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 34.00 600.00 459.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 223.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,932.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,366.29

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.18 1.49 2.19 2.44 2.53 3.28 4.36 4.68 4.99 6.94 9.07 13.78 14.26 14.76 15.43 19.41

14.73 16.24 16.15 16.13 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.09 16.06 15.94 16.82 15.74 15.55 15.36 15.99 16.24

13.86 16.12 16.07 16.04 16.04 15.99 16.05 15.98 15.97 15.87 16.75 15.69 15.49 15.28 15.92 16.17

98.10 95.90 98.05 87.71 86.35 86.53 99.50 70.86 98.26 101.80 88.00 95.79 82.58 60.34 66.00 76.00

98.25 96.05 98.20 87.86 86.50 86.83 99.80 71.16 98.56 102.10 88.30 96.09 82.88 60.64 66.30 76.30

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

#

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.26 1.12 1.81 2.17 2.38

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

18.13 19.40 18.17 17.14 17.13

95.38 97.98 96.70 96.26 92.92

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

308.71

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.53

4.44

19.71

96.49

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.37

3.23

18.54

98.08

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.89

4.46

21.37

94.33

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.89

3.48

20.40

96.17

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.17

1.00

17.14

87.46

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.43

1.00

17.37

95.63

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.87

1.79

17.92

91.45

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.04

1.80

17.95

93.75

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.05

1.00

17.15

94.94

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.24

1.00

17.14

95.38

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.24

4.78

20.92

88.57

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.44

1.00

17.13

96.97

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.68 4.76 2.74

1.00 1.00 2.74

17.12 17.08 18.86

96.76 91.74 91.81

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.29

1.00

17.13

94.41

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.78

1.00

16.97

87.46

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.87

1.94

17.90

89.66

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.53

1.44

17.57

92.53

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.56

1.95

18.08

92.53

92.69

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

460.61 422.01

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

5.00

17-Aug-15

0.75

4.88

21.14

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.56

1.00

16.35

97.73

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.64

2.63

18.37

97.50

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.61

1.00

17.20

94.26

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.69

1.34

17.53

95.32

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.62

1.00

17.12

91.54

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.64

1.88

18.08

100.59

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.64

3.48

19.67

95.25

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.80

5.20

21.37

95.47

#

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

1.80

5.06

21.23

92.95

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.59

1.00

17.13

91.82

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.91

2.29

18.45

95.96

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.50

6.11

22.23

92.76

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.87

2.16

18.29

95.09

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.74

2.76

18.74

87.97

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.62

1.00

18.36

71.37

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.62

1.00

18.36

77.24

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

A/GCR

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

135.24

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

124.14

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.98

1.00

17.13

84.32

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

17.08

81.95

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.73

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

7.28

7.07

97.46

98.46

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.46

6.09

95.97

97.07

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.52

7.34

92.94

94.02

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,431.83

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

128.48

128.48

45.00

45.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.95

6.95

100.63

100.63

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.34

11.34

91.50

91.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

14.45

13.28

81.00

83.63

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

11.97

10.34

82.48

86.86

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

41.45

41.45

40.50

40.50

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

11.27

11.27

83.63

83.63

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

16.17

14.87

77.76

81.15

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

14.09

14.09

77.75

77.75

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

AFREN PLC III ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

6.63 DEC 09, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

09-Dec-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

6.63 9.25 8.00

360.00 400.00 450.00

09-Dec-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

25.98 14.43 13.86

25.98 13.83 13.86

43.50 79.00 75.00

43.50 81.13 75.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.96

10.15

89.25

92.75

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,560.39

**Treasury Bills DTM 9 16 23 30 37 44

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15

Bid Discount (%) 13.81 20.00 17.95 13.07 12.82 13.97

Offer Discount (%) 13.56 19.75 17.70 12.82 12.57 13.72

Bid Yield (%) 13.86 20.18 18.16 13.21 12.99 14.21

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 93.1250 17.0148 18.1363 19.0293

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

88.33

O/N Tenor

95.00

REPO

Rate (%)

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M

198.35 199.31 199.62 200.35

198.45 199.42 199.77 200.84

***LCRM

0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

308.71

19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

2.17 2.38

1.00 1.00

17.14 17.13

96.26 92.92

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.53

4.44

19.71

96.49

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.37

3.23

18.54

98.08

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.89

4.46

21.37

94.33

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.89

3.48

20.40

96.17

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.43

1.00

17.37

95.63

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.87

1.79

17.92

91.45

46

‡ /Agusto

Business | Financial Market News

‡ /Agusto

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH 2.17 1.00 17.14 87.46

Investors gain N241bn in stock market

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR POSITIVE ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.04

1.80

17.95

93.75

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.05

1.00

17.15

94.94

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR† Nigerian bourse ‡ /Agusto ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR advances across BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR board

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.24

1.00

17.14

95.38

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.24

4.78

20.92

88.57

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.44

1.00

17.13

96.97

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

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.68 4.76 2.74

1.00 1.00 2.74

17.12 17.08 18.86

96.76 91.74 91.81

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.64

1.88

18.08

100.59

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.64

3.48

19.67

95.25

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.80

5.20

21.37

95.47

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

1.80

5.06

21.23

92.95

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

*NIGER *ONDO

*GOMBE LAGOS

age, partially driven by ed the previous day, while 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 shares of Skye and the market capitalisation 10-Oct-13 14.75Bank OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 27-Nov-13 ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS UBA Plc. 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020of equities appreciated 31-Dec-13 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI goods 31-DEC-2020 by N241 billion or 2.54 Also, consumer per Stories

by Chris Ugwu 31-Dec-13 ‡ /Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 cent as market sentiment equities gained 2.78 per 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 igerian stock cent with shares of Flour remained positive.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Meanwhile, a turnover market rose by Mills of Nigeria as the TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 2.54 per cent yes- lead gainer. of 500.2 million shares Corporate Bonds as all subterday Specifically, the All- worth N3.5 billion in 4,199 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC Share Index10.00 (ASI) ap- deals was recorded 17-Aug-10 in the sector indicators headed in 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS day’s trading. positive direction.

Bankpreciated by 723.97 basis 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS ingA+/Agusto; equities recorded the The banking sub-sec13.00 per NAHCO cent 29-SEP-2016 A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO points or 2.54 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agustogains, with a 3.89 25-Oct-13 FSDH to close at 14.25 28,452.60 as tor of the financial highest ser13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 vices was the most 30-Sep-10 UBA against 27,728.63 recordperA/GCR cent increase on averactive BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

N BBB-/GCR Nil

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR Chris Ugwu and Isa AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR Abdulwahab A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

T

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r} *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

(measured by turnover volume); 14.75 with 334.7 11.10mil13.50 87.50N1.7 lion shares worth 15.00 billion exchanged5.00 by in14.50 4.55 vestors in 1,629 deals.

15.00 4.56 Volume in the banking 460.61 sub-sector was 422.01 largely driven by activities in the shares of Skye Bank Plc 10.00 5.00 and UBA Plc. 12.00 18.75 Also, other 0.42 finan14.00 cial services sub 15.00 sector, 13.00 14.25 by activities 5.53 boosted in 13.00 20.00 Plc, the shares of FCMB

SEC approves complaint management rules

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 18.00 he Securities and Ex16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 16.00 *DANA change Commission 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 15.25 NAHCO (SEC) has approved new 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 11.93 STANBIC IBTC 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 13.25 STANBIC IBTC rules on complaints manageTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ment. organisations to enable them sation, Gwarzo expressed In a circular obtained from handle some complaints and delight that the Commission TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION SEC’s website, the new rules deal with them with dispatch had a good collaboration with Supranational Bond He added that the strategy all stakeholders, adding that recognise registered industry 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC 11-Feb-13 10.20 trade groups and Self Regulaof the management was not to it would return to the 11.25 exer11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB 10-Jul-14 tory Organisations (SROs) as create committees but to focus cise in the next five months.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE important parts of the new on prescriptions and ensuring In a related development, TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION framework. that they are executed within the SEC has expressed con“Consequently , all marketIssuerreasonable time frames. cern over the inability of Description Rating/Agency Issue Date Coupon (%) operators have been directed “We have finished the some companies operating Eurobonds rules on complaints man- in the capital market to fully to FGN register as members of their respective industry the International agement framework and very migrate to 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 6.75 trade groups as henceforth soon, it will be exposed. One Financial Reporting StanBB-/Fitch; FGN of the highlights 5.13 2018 12-Jul-13 5.13 investor is JUL to 12, allow dards (IFRS).

BB-/S&P complaints shall be handled complaints to be managed at The Acting Director GenBB-/Fitch; at the trade group 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 6.38 BB-/S&P level.

Only complaints that re- the lower level,” he said. eral of SEC, Mr. Mounir TOTAL OUTSTANDING main unresolved atVALUE the trade Gwarzo expressed the Gwarzo said this when he TOTAL CAPITALISATION group orMARKET Self-Regulatory Or- Commission’s readiness to received members of the ganization (SRO) level shall collaborate with other stake- Association of Reporting Corporate Eurobonds reach the Commission for holders in the market as a Accountants in the Capital 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I 01-Feb-11 11.50 Market (ARACM) in his ofresolution,” the Commission means to taking the market 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 19-May-11 7.50 noted. to greater heights.7.25 JUL 25, 2017 fice in Abuja.

B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC 25-Jul-12 7.25 Gwarzo said the CommisThe Acting Director GenerHe said the current man6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC 09-May-13 6.88 al of SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, agement of the Commission sion was 08-Nov-13 having some 6.00 chal6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC dis- lenges with had noted that in the light ofII was willing and open some of these 10.25 APRto 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC 08-Apr-12 10.25 APR would 22, 2019 BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLCcussions on issues6.25 22-Apr-14 theB+/Fitch; Commission’s readiness that companies migrating to 6.25 IFRS May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC 21-May-14 the readiness 8.75 to collaborate with the NSE move the market 8.75 forward in and expressed 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC the interest of Nigerians 07-Aug-13 and other market operators, and of SEC to collaborate 8.25 with 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B/S&P AFREN PLC III 09-Dec-13 6.63 theB-/Fitch; management was working economic development.

ARACM to ensure a smooth 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II 24-Jun-14 9.25 On the issue to empower trade transition.23-Jul-14 8.00/2Yof USDrecapitaliSWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P SROs and FIRST BANK LTD 8.00 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

#{r}

Nil

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

14-Aug-14

0.41

3.59

1.00

17.13

91.82

18-Oct-18

1.91

2.29

18.45

95.96

17-Feb-19

2.50

6.11

22.23

92.76

01-Apr-19

2.87

2.16

18.29

95.09

14-Nov-20

5.74

2.76

18.74

87.97

10.96

10.15

89.25

92.75

oneywell Flour 9.62 1.00 ing with 18.36 the Exchange 71.37 30-Sep-24Mills Plc 9.62 has re1.00 posted 18.36 a profit 77.24 after tax corded 109 per of N1.095 billion during cent fall in profit after the second quarter of the tax for the third quarter year as against N1, 005 ended December 31, 2014. billion. This indicated a 11-Feb-18 2.98 1.00 17.13 84.32 The company in a fildrop of eight per cent.

01-Feb-21 4.75 1.00 17.08 81.95 ing with the Nigerian Pre –tax profit howStock Exchange (NSE) ever, grew by 3.2 per posted a profit after tax cent from N1.324 billion of N968 million during during the comparable Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price the review period as period of 2013 to N1.369 & Yields in 2014, while against N2.027 billion.Prices billion revenue rose to98.46 N26.871 This indicated a drop of 28-Jan-21 7.28 7.07 97.46 billion or 3.6 per cent 109 per cent.

12-Jul-18 6.46 also fell 6.09 compared 95.97 with97.07 N27.858 Pre –tax profit by12-Jul-23 120.14 per 7.52 cent from billion in 2013.

7.34 92.94 94.02 N2.699 billion during Addressing shareholdthe comparable period ers at the company’s Anof 2013 to N1.226 billion nual General meeting in 2014, while revenue (AGM) recently in Lagos, dropped to N37.636 bil- Chairman of the com01-Feb-16 128.48 128.48 45.00 45.00 lion or 9.02 per cent com- pany, Dr. Oba Otudeko, 19-May-16 6.95 6.95 100.63 100.63 pared with N41.032 bilsaid that the acquisition 25-Jul-17 11.34 11.34 91.50 91.50 lion in 2013. 14.45 of over 60 hectares of 02-May-18 13.28 81.00 83.63 Honeywell Flour Mills land within the Flower08-Nov-18 11.97 10.34 82.48 86.86 Plc had posted41.45 eight per Scheme 08-Apr-19 41.45 gate Industrial 40.50 40.50 22-Apr-19 11.27 in Shagamu, 83.63 83.63 State cent increase11.27 in profit Ogun 21-May-19 16.17the half 14.87 for strategic 77.76 81.15 after tax during development 07-Aug-20 14.09 14.09 marked 77.75 a milestone 77.75 year ended September 30, in 09-Dec-20 25.98 25.98 43.50 43.50 the history of the com2014.

24-Jun-21 14.43 13.83 79.00 81.13 The company 23-Jul-21 13.86 in a fil13.86 pany.”

75.00 75.00

0.10

30-Sep-24

15.44

135.24 124.14 12.00 12.95

24.95 20.73 Outstanding Value ($mm)

500.00 500.00 500.00

1,500.00 1,431.83

450.00 500.00 350.00 300.00 400.00 300.00 500.00 200.00 300.00 360.00 400.00 450.00 250.00

14-Aug-21

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

22-Sep-18

H

2.05

8.75

at N14.00 per share. Transcorp Plc added 8.51 per cent 17.13 94.41 16.97 87.46share. to close at N255 per On17.90 flip side,89.66 Dangote 17.57 92.53 Flour18.08 Plc led the price 92.53 losers’ table, dropping 9.72 per cent to close at N3.25 per share, while UAC Property Plc followed 92.69 with a21.14 loss of 8.71 per cent 16.35 97.73 to close at N9.85 per 18.37 97.50 share.

Julius17.20 Berger Plc94.26 shed five 17.53to close95.32 per cent at N42.18 17.12 91.54 per share.

Honeywell’s Q3 profit falls by 109%

4.50

Frets over non-migration to IFRS

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

followed with a turnover of10-Oct-20 76.6 million 3.29 shares val1.00 27-Nov-20 1.00 ued at N288.3 5.78 million in 31-Dec-20 5.87 1.94 736 deals.

31-Dec-20 3.53 1.44 The number of gainers 06-Jan-21 3.56 1.95 at the close of trading session was 25 while decliners closed at 17.

Flour Mills of Nige17-Aug-15 0.75 4.88 ria led the gainers’ table 09-Dec-15 0.56 1.00 with 9.83 per cent 06-Jan-16 0.64 to close 2.63 at29-Sep-16 N30.39 per share, while 1.61 1.00 25-Oct-16Plc followed 1.69 1.34 Oando with a 30-Sep-17 2.62 to close 1.00 gain of 9.12 per cent

17-Feb-15

3,560.39

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute Market **Treasury financial Bills professional, or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS FIXINGS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” Money basis and may not be accurate or upExchange to date. (Spot We do not guarantee Foreign & Forwards) DTM Bidfor Discount (%) Offer of Discount Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, Maturity performance or fitness a particular purpose any of(%) the Information, neither do we accept liability NIBORfor the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information.

9 16 23 FGN Bonds 30 37 44 Rating/Agency 51 58 65 72 79 86 93 107 114 128 NA135 149 156 163 170 177 198 289 303 324 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 338 352

VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 Issuer 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15 21-May-15 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 NA 2-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 4-Feb-16

13.81 20.00 17.95 13.07 12.82 13.97 Description 15.00 15.90 4.00 23-APR-2015 15.60 13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.99 15.10 27-APR-2017 10.00 9.85 27-JUL-2017 12.33 14.80 9.35 31-AUG-2017 14.75 10.70 30-MAY-2018 15.25 16.00 29-JUN-2019 15.50 7.00 23-OCT-2019 19.00 15.54 13-FEB-2020 11.63 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.55 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14.30 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.00 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.99 8.50 20-NOV-2029 15.00 13.58 10.00 23-JUL-2030 15.50 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 15.15 14.70 15.50

13.56 19.75 17.70 12.82 12.57 13.72 Issue Date 14.75 15.65 23-Apr-10 15.35 16-Aug-13 12.74 27-Apr-12 9.75 27-Jul-07 12.08 14.55 31-Aug-07 14.50 30-May-08 15.00 29-Jun-12 15.25 23-Oct-09 18.75 13-Feb-15 11.38 27-Jan-12 14.30 14-Mar-14 14.05 28-Nov-08 11.75 22-May-09 13.74 20-Nov-09 14.75 13.33 23-Jul-10 15.25 18-Jul-14 14.90 14.45 15.25

13.86 20.18 18.16 13.21 12.99 14.21 Coupon (%) 15.32 16.31 4.00 16.05 13.05 13.33 15.10 10.22 9.85 12.70 15.38 9.35 15.42 10.70 16.01 16.00 16.39 7.00 20.44 15.54 12.21 16.39 15.51 14.20 15.28 15.00 12.71 12.49 15.01 8.50 16.33 15.22 10.00 17.79 12.1493 17.50 17.02 18.22

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M

(N'bn)

Value

OBB

Rate (%) 93.1250 17.0148 18.1363 19.0293

88.33

O/N

95.00

REPO

Tenor TTM (Yrs) Call 1M 3M0.18 6M1.49

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 581.39 NITTY 16-Aug-16 476.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 13.2392 2M 13.9807 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 14.4639 300.00 30-May-18 6M 14.6624 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 16.8336 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 18.0755 34.00 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 459.68 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 Current Price ($/N)22-May-29 20-Nov-29 BID($/N) 200.00 199.5000 OFFER ($/N) 199.6000 591.57 23-Jul-30 223.50 18-Jul-34

Tenor

Rate (%) Bid Yield 95.00 96.00 14.73 98.00 16.24 100.00

(%)

2.19 16.15 16.07 2.44 16.13 16.04 2.53 16.12 16.04 :Benchmarks 3.28 16.13 15.99 * :Amortising Bond 4.36 16.14 16.05 µ :Convertible Bond 4.68 16.09 15.98 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 4.99 16.06 15.97 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 6.94 15.94 15.87 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 9.07 16.82 16.75 IFC: International Finance Corporation 13.78 15.74 Management 15.69 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables 14.26 Aviation Handling 15.55Company 15.49 NAHCO: Nigerian 14.76 15.36 15.28 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC15.43 Property Development Company 15.99 15.92 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement 19.41 16.24 Company 16.17 NOTE:

Description

Issue Date

Offer ($/N)

198.35 198.45 199.31 199.42 Price 199.62 199.77 200.35 200.84 Bid Price Offer Price 201.70 202.76 203.05 204.64 98.10 98.25 207.68 210.83 95.90 96.05 217.55 223.46

98.05 98.20 87.71 87.86 86.35 86.50 NA :Not Applicable 86.53 86.83 # :Floating99.50 Rate Bond 99.80 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 70.86 71.16 98.26 98.56 ‡ : Bond rating under review 101.80 102.10 †: Bond rating expired 88.00 88.30 N/A :Not Available {r} :Issuer 95.79 in receivership 96.09 82.58 82.88 60.34 60.64 NGC: Nigeria-German Company UBA: United Bank for Africa 66.30 66.00 76.00 76.30

4,932.13 4,366.29

*for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration # Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums Rating/Agency Issuer **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Bid ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D Offer 1M Yield 2M (%) 3M 6M13.86 1Y16.12

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 LCRMValue(Bn) III 06-JUL-2017Total Outstanding Modified Duration Buckets 0.00/16.50 Porfolio Market FMBN

Volume(Bn)

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds

24-May-12 0.00 03-Apr-12 FMDQ FGN17.25 BOND 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Weighting

by Mkt 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50

Outstanding Vol

Value

322.68

<3

1,374.59

1,409.48

43.48

47.16

3<5

993.32

1,034.68

31.92

34.08

>5

547.00

797.57

24.60

3,241.73

Market

2,914.91 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49 Bucket Weighting

INDEX

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 % Exposure_ 06-Jul-17

Mod_Duration

0.26 1.12 1.81 2.17 Implied 2.38 Yield

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied 1.00

Portfolio Price

18.13 19.40 18.17 17.14 17.13 INDEX

(%)

308.710.43

22.37

16.17

117.7602

0.32

36.79

16.30

117.3578

993.74 -

18.77

0.25

40.84

16.06

82.7387

967.36 -

3.9379

100.00 31-Aug-10

100.00 12.50

8.50 1.00

100.00 31-Aug-15

16.17 0.53

109.0154 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 1.00 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

1,041.00 19.71 18.54 21.37 20.40 17.14 17.37 17.92 17.95 17.15

1.3440 96.49 98.08 94.33 96.17 87.46 95.63 91.45 93.75 94.94

A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.37

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.89

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.89

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.17

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.43

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.87

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.04

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.05

1,118.48

95.38 97.98 96.70 96.26 YTD Return 92.92

0.9598 1.8596

NEW TELEGRAPH Wednesday, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

News 47

south — east

Osinbajo: Nigeria’ll collapse under growing unemployment Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

T

he vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, has raised the alarm over the growing rate of unemployment among graduates in the country, warning that if the nation would continue the way the present administration is going, Nigeria faces imminent doomsday.

Osinbajo spoke in Enugu on Monday in a town

hall meeting with some youths, especially leaders of students’ unions of tertiary institutions in the South East and drew ovations when he also told the gathering that if elected, the APC government would certainly reinvent the coal industry and use it to generate energy to enhance employment generation in the country.

Courting the gathering of young men and women at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel in Enugu, Osinbajo told the people that it has been clearly established that it is corruption that is undoing the nation at

the moment and that those who are fighting to stop the APC presidential candidate, Muhammad Buhari, are doing so because of his zero-tolerance to corruption stance, adding; “if we are elected, from May 29 this year, you will see a new Nigeria.”

Holding the audience seemingly spellbound, he warned of an imminent doomsday starring the country in the face if there is no change of attitude from the way the present government is carrying on at the moment, with over 80 per cent of those graduating

from the nation's tertiary institutions remaining unemployed yearly.

“If the country would go on the way we are now, with the growing unemployment and the flashpoint incidents in the North East and parts of the South-South, we are headed for a doomsday,” he warned, asserting that it is a reason the APC challenge should be supported by all Nigerians, who want progress for the beleaguered nation.

He told the gathering that the problem of Nigeria is that the corruption here is different in

that the cankerworm has been destroying not just the economy of the nation, but also production as is seen in the woes that have befallen the Nigerian

National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), where it is said that some 400, 000 barrels of crude oil is being stolen daily and there is no foreseeable end to it.

Call Obi, Ekwunife to order, Umeh tells Jonathan Tony Okafor Awka

T

he National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to call former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Hon. Uche Ekwunufe to order over what he called their perfidious acts in elections in the state.

Umeh, who is the party’s senatorial candidate in Anambra Central, accused Obi and Ekwunife of introducing violence and campaign of calumny in

electioneering in the area.

He also accused the duo of perfecting plans to rig the coming election, stressing that the people of the state would resist such act with the last drop of their blood.

The APGA boss warned that nobody should take APGA’s adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in the March 28 poll for granted.

He added that APGA had the capacity and capability to fight to a standstill any person or group of persons, who would try to shortchange the people’s electoral wish in the state.

Stop mopping up voters’ cards, Ebonyi REC warns politicians Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

E Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha (third left), with members of the state chapter of the Poultry Farmers' Association of Nigeria, during their visit to the governor in Owerri …yesterday.

Teachers’ union, others endorse Udensi, Mascot Norman Obinna

E

xecutive members of the old Bende Teachers' Union and Ofu Obi group, a thrift organisation, have endorsed the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidates, Sir Chikwe Udensi and Mascot Uzor Kalu, as governor and member representing Aba North/South federal constituency respectively.

Speaking on behalf of the union, the Chair-

person, Mrs. Okorie, said they were happy to welcome the PPA duo in their midst as what everybody, including the teachers in Abia State, want at the moment is change.

She said that the teachers were in a seminar and that the union decided to send delegates to represent them, adding that the teachers are solidly behind Udensi and Mascot, having heard and seen what PPA and Udensi are

doing, especially in some roads in Aba. She said teachers in Abia State have been neglected and disdainfully treated by the Abia State government, adding that they are yet to receive their December and January salaries up till now.

She wondered why teachers, who are contributing immensely towards nation building by grooming persons who today occupy strategic positions in the society,

are treated with such levity, maintaining that their hopes were rekindled after going through Udensi’s manifestos and his plan to reengineer the civil service.

Speaking also on behalf of the Ofu Obi group, Chief Jerry Ohaegbulam, reckoned that PPA is the party for Abia State people, adding that what they want is an action governor like Udensi to lead Abia State out of its present state of decay.

S’East leaders misleading the public, says APC chieftain Steve Uzoechi Owerri

P

olitical leaders and stakeholders in the South-East have been accused of deliberately churning out lies and misinformation against General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

An ex-officio member of the state executive council of the APC, Chief

Ambrose Nkwopara, made this assertion yesterday in a chat with our correspondent.

Rising to the defence of Buhari, the APC chieftain lamented that the educated class, who he said, should know better, have deliberately refused to educate others presenting only a jaundiced assessment of the APC presidential candidates.

“They will quickly say Buhari overthrew Shagari, but would forget that it was the yearning

of the public at the time.

It was during Shagari’s regime that public office holders were dry-cleaning their clothes in England; drinking imported wine and gin with their own brand name.

“The people were clamouring for change and would have overthrown Shagari’s government themselves. They did not also realise that it was the first bloodless coup in Nigeria.”

Nkwopara also argued that being a devoted Mus-

lim does not, in any way, make Buhari an Islamic bigot. “He did not Islamise Nigeria as a military Head of State, when he had near absolute power, why would he do such a thing now that he is a civilian in a democratic dispensation.”

Continuing, he said: “As for Ndigbo that claim President Jonathan as theirs, I would want to remind them of the ‘abandoned property’ episode that made late Governor Sam Mbakwe of Imo State popular."

bonyi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lawrence Azubuike, yesterday warned politicians in the state to desist from mopping up voters’ cards, saying anyone caught in the act would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Azubuike was reacting to complaints of continued mopping up of voters' cards by agents of a particular party, who have been going round the state collecting permanent voters’ cards and their pins.

Speaking during a peace accord signing ceremony by candidates of political parties at the police headquarters, Abakaliki, Azubuike said: “It is a criminal offence to mop up voters’ cards with a nefarious motive and the security agents should take care of that and prosecute the offenders.”

He said: “If you present a card that does not belong to you, you will not vote. I have received a complaint on the issue and we don’t encourage people to release their cards when demanded by anyone other than INEC officials during the election.

Police parade kidnap gang, recover loot in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

E

bonyi State police command has paraded eleven suspects in connection with the recent kidnapping incident in the state. Among those paraded were the gang leader and another suspect that snatched AK47 riffle from a policeman in Afikpo South of Ebonyi State, who was on duty.

Those paraded include Nnaemeka Nkpuechina, 30, the gang leader and native of Abagana in Njikoka Local Government of Anambra State, but resides in Goddy Ogbaga Avenue, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State. He claimed to be an electrician.

Also paraded was Amobi Igwe, 29, who hails from Umuoru, Oriuzor in Ezza North Local Government area of Ebonyi State. He is a motorcycle operator.

Others are, Okwudili Odo, 25, a native of Ihenyi Ehamufu Anambra State, but who lives in Umuoru Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government area of Ebonyi State. He is also a commercial motorcycle operator, Ikechukwu Ude, 31, a bus driver, shuttles Onitsha and Awka. He is a native of Nenwe Town, Ani Nri Local Government area of Enugu State, but resides in Abagana, Anambra State.

48

News

Delta divests from Transcorp, others Dominic Adewole ASABA

A

s part of effort to cushion the impact of the dwindling allocation from the federation account, Delta State Government yesterday said it would divest its interest from the Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited and Midwestern Oil and Gas Company.

The state government, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who stated this, said the decline in the price of crude oil in the world market, which

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

has led to a huge drop in the statutory allocation to the state was affecting the plans of the government at ensuring the completion of projects in the state by May 29.

Dropping the hint on government’s decision to divest from the companies, the state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, explained that the government had invested in some viable ventures when the state had excess funds as a way of saving for the ‘rainy day’.

Ogeah said the decision to sell the government shares in the

companies, followed the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, tabled at the State Executive Council, which approved the commencement of the process of the divestment from the two companies.

“Given the very significant decline in the resources available to the state government as a result of the low price of crude oil, the government decided to sell its shares in Transcorp, Ughelli Power Limited and Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited”, he explained.

On the reports that

sales process was being conducted unilaterally, Ogeah stated that due process was being observed, with the appointment of financial advisers to the exercise by the government.

According to him, existing shareholders in the two companies will exercise the right of first refusal in deference to the articles of association of both companies, and assured Deltans that “by all market indices, what will be realised from the sale will be a significant profit from the earlier investment.”

Communities want retention of Nigerian rector Tony Anichebe UYO

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ost communities to the Maritime Academy, Nigeria’s indigenous training institute for the maritime industry in Oron, Cross River State, have thrown their weight behind Mr Joshua Okpo, as the Rector of the academy for second a term in office.

The groups that gave their support to Okpo, include Oron Patriotic Movement, Oron Unity Forum, Oron Liberated Mandate and Akpakip Oron Concerned Youth Forum.

According to the leader of Oron Patriotic Movement, Mr. Clinson Emene, who conveyed the position of the communities during a news briefing yesterday at Oron Local Gov-

ernment Area of Akwa Ibom, the endorsement was in view of his visionary leadership style of instituting regular training and retraining of in-takes in the academy.

He also said that the his leadership has engendered the provision of quality and critical infrastructure in the academy, to boost teaching and learning, hence promoting the groups’ call for his retention. ``We want his retention because of his credibility and the way he runs the academy. To us, he is the best Rector Maritime have ever had since the existence of the Academy, he has performed credibly since 1976 than any other rector in the academy,’’ Emene said.

PUBLIC NOTICE

HELMET OF SALVATION MINISTRY INT’L The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Mrs. Owolabi Omobola Kehinde 2. Mr. Owolabi Olubowale Oludamola 3. Prophet Ajayi Amos

- General Overseer - Secretary

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To preach the word of gospel.

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, condoling with the survivor of the accident that killed eight people, including the Bayelsa State SSG’s wife, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital…on Monday.

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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raditional rulers from Esanland in Edo Central senatorial district yesterday declared that they disown a purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by the Esan Elders’ Forum of the clan.

The monarchs stated that it was totally wrong for anybody or group to endorse any Presidential candidate without their won input.

The first Vice Chairman of the Edo state Council of Traditional Rulers, Chiefs and the Onojie of Opoji, His Royal

Edo monarchs disown Jonathan’s endorsement by clan elders Highness (HRH), Aidonojie Ehidiamen, noted as untrue the purported endorsement, describing it as an attempt to disrespect Esan Traditional rulers.

He explained that “ that so called Elders Forum is a committee set by the Minister of Works, Arch.Mike Onolemenmen because of his governorship ambition.”

“So, that committee is only fighting the interest of Onolemenmen and

not Esan people, therefore, they cannot sit in one room and say they have endorsed Jonathan without the support of Esan traditional rulers and Esan elites.”

The monarchs said, “you cannot endorse any presidential candidate without the involvement of Esan traditional rulers.”

The monarchs reacted to the declaration by one Chief Julius Akpede, the chairman of Esan Elders

Forum, that Esan people have thrown their weight behind the re-election bid of President Jonathan.

According to them, “They do not represent the elders of Esan land.

The Vice Chairman of that body is the brother of the Minister. Where did they hold the meeting without the Esan traditional rulers? We as Esan people have never sat down to deliberate on who to support for the Presidency.”

Kinsmen reject Delta APC guber running mate Dominic Adewole ASABA

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he fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election in Delta state, may have suffered a major setback, as kinsmen of the running mate to the party’s flag bearer Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Ogbueshi VanderPuye Osoloka Abanum, in Emu Kingdom, Ndok-

wa West Local Government Area of the state, have disowned him.

They categorically rejected his selection for deputy governor, maintaining that he does not enjoy their support in the main opposition party in the state.

In a position statement, titled, ‘Emu People / Political Elders and Leaders Reject Deputy Governorship Slot’, the people said they were embarrassed and disturbed that their

son accepted the position when Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, another indigene from Delta North Senatorial District, is the main party’s governorship candidate.

The statement, cosigned by Chief Godwin Otunuya Iwegbue and 23 others in Asaba yesterday, was hinged on the resolution of the Anioma Traditional Rulers, as well as leaders and elders from Delta North

senatorial district, that no Delta North man or woman, should accept the deputy governorship slot for the 2015 governorship election.

The statement reads, “While Gbuefi Abanum, was free to make his political decision, Emu people and, in particular, the political leaders, elders, women and youth of the Kingdom were neither consulted nor in support of his present political voyage.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent,Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: TRUSTEES

PUBLIC NOTICE

LIFE BUILDERS AND CHARITY FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Onyeisi Ngozi Fire 2. Onyeisi Ngozo Chukwudi Ezekiel 3. Mark Ekata Joshua AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To liberate Nigerians from poverty through empowerment.

2. To promote godliness and uprightness.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent,Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: PALACE SOLICITORS 08023865797, 08033407197

PUBLIC NOTICE

ITHADU ULAMAI WAL-MUDARISINA ISLAMIC FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Alhaji Abdul Ganiyi Idrees Owolabi 6. Al-Imam Muritala Ayinla 2. Ustadh Saheed Akeem Bushira 7. Ustadh Abdul Azeez Issa Al-adaby 3. Ustadh Imam Abubakar Babatunde Abubakar 8. Ustadh Aminu Rasaq Amao 4. Ustadh Ibrahim Soliu Abaniseloluwa 9. Ustadh Mashood Jimoh Erinfolamin 5. Ustadh Ganiyu Olaleye Olaoye 10. Ustadh Abdul Raheem Busoeri Rahman AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To propagate genuine message of Islam 2. To bring our target population(Beggars and Hospital patients)to repentance and acceptance of Islam and to convert to Islamic spiritual maturity aimed at their transfo mation into Godly character.

3. To accommodate and rehabilitate these convert spiritually,socially and economically(through skills acquisition)with the aim of withdrawing the beggars from street begging 4. To promote unity among members 5. To encourage social equality and understanding among members Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent,Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: IMAM ABUBAKAR Secretary (ITHAD ULAMAI WAL-MUDARISINA ISLAMIC FOUNDATION

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Sanusi: Kano’s 5 million population, a waste without PVCs Muhammad Ahmad Kano

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he Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi 11, yesterday cautioned his subjects against refusing to collect their permanent voters’ cards, saying such action will have very serious consequences.

He warned the people saying; “If you Kano people choose to remain gullible and refuse to get your cards, smaller states with

very minor populations will continue to control and rule you forever.

Sanusi, who spoke with newsmen in his palace yesterday, said the only way people will vote whoever they want is by getting their PVCs, failure to do that, he said, means that they don’t believe in electing anybody they want.

The emir said there is a great deal in the issue of the PVCs and that Nigerians should know that getting their cards is very

paramount so that they can go ahead and vote for whoever they want.

However, even with the collections of the voters’ cards, the emir warned his subjects against making violent and negative comments that are capable of truncating the polity.

He said: “Your five million population would be a waste without you having your card by your side to elect whoever you want.”

Similarly, the emir

told married couples to allow their wives, children and all those close to them, who are eligible, to get the cards.

He said as Muslims, the religion teaches us to pray and work hard and working hard means one getting his card and living in peace with one another.

Sanusi noted that the people of Kano should know that Nigeria is greater than anybody and his interest; as such, the citizenry should

learn how to be their brothers’ keepers.

In the same vein, the emir directed all his village heads, districts heads and wards heads to carry out a massive propagation of the importance of the PVC in their areas.

He warned that any of the village, ward or district heads found to be refusing to carry out the directives of informing his people the importance of the PVCs will be dealt with.

Nigeria Immigration Service officials documenting some of the illegal immigrants arrested by the Adamawa State command in Yola …yesterday

Mohammed Kawu Bauchi

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he Chairman of the Bauchi State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Ray Maina, has raised the alarm that more than 40 per cent of the association’s members are yet to receive their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

Maina, who spoke with newsmen in Bauchi, expressed worry that some Christians may be disfranchised if INEC conducts the coming election without giving them their PVCs that would enable them cast their votes in the election.

INEC disenfranchises 40% of Bauchi Christians, says CAN He said: “We are worried that 40 per cent of our members are yet to collect their PVCs and they were duly registered

by INEC, we received complaints from our people, so without the PVCs, what is the fate of these people, when it comes to casting their votes?

“We have received complaints from our people in Ganjuwa, Dass, Bogoro, Tafawa Balewa Local Government areas; even my wife is yet to receive her PVC and she

was duly registered by INEC, so we call on INEC to ensure that every registered voter receives his/her PVC before election date.

“We believe that the poll shift is appropriate, even though government should be responsible and stand by its words, but certain things should be put in place before the election and the issue of PVC distribution is one of them,” Maina said.

The Bauchi State CAN chairman expressed con-

fidence that the shifting of the election will enable INEC finish the task of the distribution of the PVCs, so that the people will can cast their votes during the exercise.

He also called on security agents and government at all levels to provide adequate security before, during and after election to ensure the safety of the life and property of the people irrespective of their religion, region or ethnic affiliations.

One die, five injured as hoodlums attack campaign train Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

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t least one person was feared dead while five others were injured when hoodlums suspected to be supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attacked the governorship campaign train of Dr. Yusuf Agabi, in Doma, Doma Local Government area of the state.

The incident, which oc-

curred on Monday, also left one of the vehicles in the gubernatorial campaign train of Agabi burnt just as the party Chairman, Chief Yunana Iliya and the party’s Secretary, Adamu Oyanki, escaped death by a whisker.

New Telegraph gathered that the PDP gubernatorial candidate’s car was smashed while he was equally said to have been prevented from addressing

his supporters at the rally.

It was also gathered that hoodlums, who attacked the PDP gubernatorial candidate, were said to be unhappy with Oyanki for allegedly romancing with the gubernatorial candidate, a situation that led to his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate in the primaries.

Checks revealed that the aggrieved hoodlums, who

were believed to be supporters of the immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, were said to have prevented the party’s secretary, who is an indigene of Doma Local Government, from addressing the supporters.

Eyewitness account revealed that the fierce looking mobs threw stones, sharp objects and sachet water at the party’s leaders on the podium.

Mediocre won’t rule us again, says Ahmed Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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wara State governor, Alhaji AbdulFattah Ahmed, yesterday said never would a ‘mediocre’ rule Nigeria again as voters have come to understand the power they possess to effect change in the polity.

Ahmed, who spoke while featuring in a debate for gubernatorial aspirants in the state put together by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), expressed dismay that the way the country åis currently being governed at the federal level calls for concern as there are no synergy between the states of the federation and the Federal Government.

He said: “For the first time, Nigerians have come to know that the power to change is in their hands, they now understand that they can bring about change with the power of their thumb, they know now for the first time, the importance of the permanent voters’ cards and are ready to use it.

We are getting to a period in Nigeria when a mediocre will not rule us again.”

PDP candidate raises the alarm over non-issuance of PVCs Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives’ candidate for Makurdi/Guma constituency in Benue State, John Tondo, yesterday raised the alarm that eligible voters in seven polling units in the constituency have not collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

He disclosed this in one of the council wards housing over 700 registered voters, less than 10 eligible voters have collected their PVCs, a situation he described as worrisome.

Tondo, who disclosed this at a news briefing in Makurdi, said he had launched a formal complaint with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who assured him that it would do everything possible to address the anomaly before the commencement of the resched-

uled general election.

Tondo’s alarm came barely a day after the commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state; Prof. Istifanus Dafwang, said about 500, 000 permanent voters’ cards meant for eligible voters in the state were yet to be collected by their owners.

The immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Survey, who regretted the shift in the election, said the development caused him a lot of time and materials, but expressed optimism that he will sail through, considering his 70 percent acceptance by his constituents.

He ruled out the widespread insinuation that he was intimidated by the presence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) heavyweights in the area, including Senator Joseph Waku and Dr. Samuel Ortom, describing the former as his ‘father’ having come from the same kindred with him.

50 WORLD | News

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Greek PM nominates former minister as president

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reek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras nominated a conservative lawmaker and former interior minister yesterday to be the country’s next president. Tsipras told lawmakers from his radical left-wing Syriza party that he had chosen Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who served from 2004 to 2009 in a conservative New Democracy government, as he wanted a unity candidate who was acceptable to all sides in Greek politics.

Pavlopoulos, 64, is almost certain to secure election by parliament in a process that starts today due to his broad appeal. He has the support of Syriza and its coalition partner, the right-wing Independent Greeks while New Democracy, which is now the main opposition party, also said it would vote for him. This contrasts to the last presidential election late last year, when a candidate nominated by former New Democracy Prime Minister Antonis Samaras failed

to win enough support. While the Greek presidency is largely ceremonial, this forced a parliamentary election on Jan. 25 when Syriza won power on promises to end austerity policies and renegotiate Greece’s debts with its European Union and IMF creditors.

Pavlopoulos was a law professor and as a New Democracy lawmaker has criticized elements of Greece’s bailout deal. However, he also has a controversial past as he was interior minister when police

shot dead teenager Alexandros Grigoropoulos in 2008, causing protests, some of which turned violent. If elected, he will replace 85-year-old Karolos Papoulias whose five-year term ends next month. Pavlopoulos’s nomination came as a surprise. The most widely expected candidate had been EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos. That would have allowed the leftwing Tsipras government to send one of its own members as a replacement to Brussels.

Tsipras

Deposed Egyptian president to face military court

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Dancers performing as they file past in a Carnival parade to the national palace, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

20 electrocuted to death in Haiti Carnival accident

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t least 20 people were killed early yesterday in the Haitian capital after a man on top of a musical group’s Carnival float was electrocuted, setting off a panic in which dozens of people were trampled, witnesses and officials said. The accident occurred as thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Port-au-Prince for the raucous annual celebration. Video from the scene shows sparks coursing from the wire after a singer from the Haitian hip-hop group Barikad Crew was touched by an overhead power line as the float passed beneath it. The wire appeared to have electrocuted several others as well.

There were conflicting reports on the number of casualties. Nadia Lochard, a coordinator for the Department of Civil Protection, said at least 20 peo-

ple were killed and 46 were injured. Radio station Zenith-FM quoted a doctor as saying that the singer, known by the stage name Fantom, was expected to survive. Dr. Joel Desire, a doctor at General Hospital, said most of those killed appeared to have been trampled to death as the crowd surged away from the Carnival float.

The Barikad Crew float was one of 16 in the downtown Carnival parade. Witnesses said panic ensued when people jumped off the float to avoid being electrocuted. “I saw the wire falling and sparks and I started running for my life,” said Natacha Saint Fleur, a 22-year-old who was near the float at the time. A dazed Carlhenry Belan, who injured his foot in the stampede, said the crowd seemed to surge all at once. “I saw the spark and I saw

people running so I did too,” the 25-year-old said as he was being treated at the General Hospital, where many victims were taken.

Video from the scene shows Haitian ambulance crews racing through the crowds in the pre-dawn darkness with victims on stretchers. Hundreds of people crowded around the hospital, carrying victims or looking for information about family and friends amid a chaotic scene. Some men and women wailed as people were declared dead and the hospital’s morgue soon overflowed.

Haitian officials were expected to announce later whether they would cancel yesterday’s third and final day of Carnival events. Communications Minister Rothchild Francis said the government was working to assist victims.

Malawi to ban child marriages

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alawi is poised to adopt a law banning child marriages in a country that has one of the world’s highest rates of under-age weddings. The small southern African nation’s parliament last week unanimously approved the bill, which raises the marrying age to 18 from the current minimum of 16.

Rights activists and lawmakers say Malawi has one of

the world’s highest rates of child marriages, with some girls as young as nine or 10 married off.

Under Malawi’s rules, President Peter Mutharika has three weeks to sign the marriage, divorce and family relations bill after its approval by lawmakers tomorrow.

“It’s definite that the president will soon assent to this muchawaited law,” said a senior official who did not want to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media. “The law is long

overdue for a country which has serious problems of child marriages.”

Advocates have long called for a child marriage ban in the impoverished nation. The bill carries a 10-year prison sentence for those who defy the ban, said Gender Minister Patricia Kaliati, who has championed the legislation. “We want to stop all perpetrators of child marriages. At 18, a girl is old enough to make her own choice,” she added.

gypt’s deposed Islamist president Mohamed Mursi has been referred to a military court for the first time, the state news agency said yesterday, part of a sustained crackdown against Muslim Brotherhood leaders. Mursi was ousted by then army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after mass protests against his rule in 2013. Mursi, who has been incarcerated in an Egyptian jail, is facing trial in several cases in civilian courts.

Other defendants in the case include senior Brotherhood leaders Mohammed Badie, the movement’s general guide, and Khairat al-Shater, on charges of murder and attempted murder and assaulting soldiers and burning churches in Suez City.

The case, involving 199 defen-

dants, is focused on the deaths of 31 civilians and the wounding of 34 soldiers, state news agency MENA said.

Egypt expanded the jurisdiction of military courts in October to try civilians accused of acts ranging from attacking state facilities to blocking roads.

That followed some of the worst assaults on security forces since Mursi’s fall. Brotherhood leaders accuse Sisi of staging a coup. He says Mursi’s removal was the will of the Egyptian people. Sisi, who went on to become Egypt’s elected president, says Egypt faces an intense, prolonged challenge from militancy. Human rights groups accuse the government of suppressing dissent and rolling back on freedoms won in the 2011 uprising that toppled veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Turkey parliament to debate contentious protest bill

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he Turkish parliament was yesterday to start a much-delayed debate on a contentious security bill boosting the powers of police to crack down on protests, which activists fear will effectively create a police state under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The so-called “homeland security reform” bill was submitted to parliament by the ruling Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) after deadly pro-Kurdish protests in October. With the opposition threatening to hold up the work of parliament in protest at the bill, the opening of debates had been postponed repeatedly over the last weeks.

The debate was further delayed yesterday by motions over the murder of a female student that has shocked Turkey. But the issue was still registered to be debated later in the evening.

The bill broadens police powers to carry out searches during protests and gives police the powers to detain people for up to 48 hours without the authorisation of a prosecutor. It also permits police to use firearms to prevent an attack in a public place against people using Molotov cocktails or similar weapons.

It gives provincial gover-

nors the authority to instruct police to pursue suspects, without needing to go through the judiciary.

Erdogan said yesterday the bill should have been legislated long before, adding that it was a step that came “late.” “The homeland security law must rapidly pass right now and be put into practice as soon as possible.” The president also warned protesters that they had no chance of changing the country’s course under his leadership.

“I want to appeal to those who... think they can change the country’s direction through a couple of street protests, Molotovs: You will not succeed. You are working in vain. This train will not go off the track,” he said.

In a note to lawmakers, the AKP stood behind the legislation and said it was compatible with the EU laws, describing it as a “package protecting freedoms”.

It argued that in countries such as Austria, Italy, Germany and Britain security forces are granted the right to search people and vehicles without prior authorisation. Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, wrote on Twitter: “Turkey can’t hide behind EU laws to justify its sorry record of police abuse and detention of non-violent protesters.”

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Sport News Iwobi, Etebo lead U-23 Eagles’ battle against Gabon

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Nigerian League

Niger 2015

Basel relish last 16 clash

Players, officials skeptical of March 7 kick-off date

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International Sport

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ritish athlete Jenny Meadows fears the Russian doping allegations could “kill” the sport if proven by an ongoing International Association of Athletics Federations investigation.

A German television documentary claimed to present evidence of systematic doping and corruption in Russian sport.

IAAF chief Lamine Diack told BBC Sport athletics is “in crisis” but said “90 percent to 95 percent” of athletes are clean.

Eaglets seek victory at Guinea’s expense

Did you know?

That the players with most red cards in EPL are Patrick Viera,Duncan Ferguson and Richard Dunne with eight cards each

‘Doping claims could kill athletics’ Meadows, 33, was beaten to European gold by a Russian drug cheat in 2011.

German television station WDR broadcast three documentaries alleging that 99 percent of Russian athletes are doping and that IAAF officials were implicated in covering it up.

The claims have been

rejected as a “pack of lies” by the Russian Athletics Federation and Diack told BBC Sport that the figure was “a joke” and “ridiculous”.

Meadows, from Wigan, said: “If it is as widespread as those allegations, I just think it would just kill our sport.

“Sponsors may walk away from the sport and fans may

walk away from the sport. We may never get a 100 percent accuracy of the scale of doping.

“I really hope it isn’t true to that scale but I do think doping is widespread in athletics.”

In 2011 Meadows finished second in the 800m to Yevgeniy a Zinurova in

the European Indoor Championships, only to be upgraded to gold the following year when the Russian was banned for two years for doping.

Meadows added: “It might be the case that we have to prove how many people are doping, how that destroys the image of the sport and then rebuild it again and look for positive role models who can succeed and win medals on the international stage who are clean athletes.”

Ideye, Ighalo ideal for new Eagles –Dosu

Ideye

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Emmanuel Tobi

F

51

ormer U-23 Eagles goalkeeper, Joseph Dosu, believes the invitation of West Brom’s Brown Ideye and Watford FC’s Odion Ighalo will help fortify Super Eagles’ attack as the team seeks revival after the failure to qualify for the 2015 African Nations Cup. Ideye took his tally to four goals in three games with a double as the Baggies crushed West Ham United 4-0 in the FA Cup at the weekend.

The Nigeria striker broke the deadlock by tapping in Craig Dawson’s low

cross in the 20th minute and got on the score-sheet again just before the hour with a powerful header off Benin Republic midfielder Stephane Sessegnon’s deflected cross.

Similarly, Ighalo opened scoring for Watford against Bolton in the 25th minute, reaching an impressive 12 goals in only eight Championship games and 15 goals in all competitions this season. The 25-yearold is widely regarded as the inspiration behind Watford’s promotion drive this year.

“I’m glad Ideye has rediscovered his scoring form and Ighalo has been fantastic for Watford. I be-

lieve they are going to be great assets to the Super Eagles as we build a new team,” the 1996 Olympics medallist said.

“We need to fortify the team with players who feature regularly for their various clubs because that was one of our greatest undoing in the past. Ighalo has been very consistent this season in England and the experience he garnered while playing in Italy and Spain will definitely come handy if invited to the Super Eagles.”

The former Julius Berger goalie says the return of Ideye who has been absent since the 2013 AFCON triumph in South Africa, will

Ighalo (right)

help inspire the team’s top striker, Emmanuel Emenike.

“A lot of people have forgotten the huge role played

by Ideye at AFCON 2013.

His runs and contributions propelled and brought out the best in Emenike; that was a big factor in the team’s success.

“Ighalo and Ideye will complement the efforts of Emenike, Ahmed Musa and Ike Uche upfront,” Dosu stressed.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the just ended Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea and would face Bolivia in an international friendly match at the Akwa Ibom Stadium on March 26.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Iwobi, Etebo lead U-23 Eagles against Gabon

Iheanacho back in training at Man City N

lAs Siasia picks 21 players for AAG qualifier EmmanuelTobi

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tee, will lead the team to Libreville.

A 35-man delegation, including 19 players, will fly out from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight, to arrive in Libreville by noon on Thursday.

The match will be played on the natural turf of Stade Augustin Monedan a Sibang, starting from 3.30pm Gabon time (2.30pm Nigeria time) on Saturday, February 21.

rsenal U-21 captain, Alex Iwobi, and Warri Wolves striker Oghenekaro Etebo top Nigeria’s squad of 21 players released by Head Coach of U-23 National Team Samson Siasia for this weekend’s All-Africa Games qualifying game against Gabon in Libreville.

Iwobi who is a nephew to former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, is expected to complement Etebo who has emerged as the team’s leading scorer.

Former U-20 international Gero Abdullahi was the surprise exclusion from the team, which is made up of 16 home boys and five overseasbased professionals.

Others who failed to make the team are Aminu Umar, who arrived late to camp and Warri Wolves’ forward Freedom Omofonma who also arrived late after his club’s CAF Confederation Cup game in Burkina Faso.

Chris Green, Member of the NFF Executive Commit- Iwobi (left)

List at a glance:

Goalkeepers: Daniel Emmanuel, Akande Abiodun.

Defenders: Obanor Erhun, Okorom Stanley, Oduduwa Segun, Sani Faisal, Sincere Seth, Atanda Sodiq.

Midfielders: Azubuike Okechukwu, Godwin Savior, Tiongoli Tonbara, Saliu Popoola, Oshobe Oladele, Mohammed Usman, Kingsley Sokari.

Forwards: Etebo Oghenekaro, Ajayi Junior, Peter Onyekachi, Iwobi Alex, Paul Onwachu.

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ormer Nigerian Olympian, Solomon Egberime, who represented Nigeria at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games before relocating to Australia, will on March 13, in Arizona, USA, get into the ring with Gerardo Cuevas Jr in a welterweight bout.

Thirty-six-year-old Egberime, who has a 22-4 record (11 KO’s), was born in Port Harcourt, but turned pro shortly after the 2000 Olympic Games, and has fought in Australia all through his pro career, with the exception of his last outing when he travelled to the United States to fight Paul Spadafora in a bout that could have led to a world title shot.

But the former Australian Super Lightweight and Welterweight champion lost via a split decision to Spadafora and, rather than return to Australia, opted to again campaign in the United States in a bid to get a title shot.

oach Manu Garba has said the Flying Eagles gifted the Black Satellites a draw in Accra on Monday after they went in front twice only to be pegged back on both occasions.

“We gave away the game through some silly schoolboy errors,” blasted Manu after the match, which is aimed at preparing both teams for next month’s African Youth Championship in Senegal.

“It was a good test for us as it gave some of our players the necessary international exposure.

“We hope for a better outing in the second match on Wednesday in Tema.”

The Flying Eagles took the lead in the 27th minute, when

uper Falcons defensive midfielder, Ebere Orji, has been signed by one of the biggest clubs in Hungary, Free Carpus FC. The deal with the Hungarian club was brokered by Super Falcons leg-

Ebere

Egberime to fight Cuevas Jr. on March 13 F

C

S

their last match in the current league 3-1.

There was good news for the African Confederation Cup winners who are under the helm of Spanish coach Juan Garrido- due to the return of key player Hossam Ghaly, who was injured during training last week.

The duo ended their rehabilitation programmes and are supposed to participate in Wednesday’s training session, one day before they fly to Algeria for Saturday’s showdown.

Ahly are meeting the African Champions League winners ES Setif to compete for the continental Super Cup on February 21.

Ajibade Olusesan

Ghana lucky with draw, says Manu Musa Yahaya slotted home after a flowing attacking play.

However, the Black Satellites were back on level terms in the 35th minute, when Chidera Ezeh bumped into an opponent inside the box for a penalty which was put away by Manchester City Academy star Yaw Yeboah.

Ezeh from FC Porto made up for this mistake five minutes later when he finished off another flowing attack by the Flying Eagles.

Enaholo tipped away a free kick by Yeboah three minutes after the interval, but two minutes later Joseph Aidoo made it 2-2 when he slotted home a loose ball from inside the Nigeria box.

Ebere Orji joins Hungarian club

CAF Super Cup: Ebimobowei boost for Al-Ahly

he African Confederation Cup champions Ahly will be able to depend on Nigerian striker Peter Ebimobowei in the African Super Cup against Champions League winners Algeria’s ES Setif, scheduled for Saturday, as he has recovered from injury.

The 21-year-old forward sustained a hamstring injury during Ittihad El-Shorta Premier League match on February 7 and had to be substituted.

Ebe, who joined the Cairo Giants from Nigeria’s Bayelsa United in the January transfer period, opened his scoring account five minutes before the break as the Red Castle won

igeria starlet Kelechi However, Ibrahim Awal Iheanacho has resumed said no decision had been training with his English Pre- considered to try and get mier League club Manchester Iheanacho feature at Senegal City after an ankle injury.

2015 based on the latest devel“Kelechi has said he is back opments. in training after he recovered from an ankle injury which kept him out for several weeks,” Flying Eagles team administrator Aliyu Ibrahim Awal said.

Manchester City blocked Iheanacho from next month’s African Youth Championship in Senegal, saying he would not have recovered in time for Iheanacho the tournament.

In addition to his long and successful boxing career, Egberime has been involved in several youth boxing programmes in Australia and is currently one of the most popular boxers in Australia.

Cuevas is the son of Mexican-born former welterweight champion, Jose “Pipino” Cuevas and has a 17-12 (15KO’s) record.

Egberime

end, Maureen Mmadu, who is currently an assistant coach of a Swedish Division Two clubside.

Atlanta 96 Olympic soccer gold medallist, Babatunde Teslim Fatusi, played in the men’s team of the club for several years as a professional player.

Free Carpus FC is the second biggest club in Budapest.

Orji, who was a player of Rivers Angels Football Club of Port Harcourt before this move would be unveiled by the club tomorrow (Wednesday) at their club house.

The Falcons star left for Budapest on Monday evening with a flight that left Abuja via Dubai to Vienna, Austria. She was picked up from Vienna and driven to Hungary by road.

Emirates connects fans to Cricket World Cup

E

mirates Airline has launched a celebration of cricket with fans the world over, as the national teams from 14 countries commence their journey to compete for glory and the title of world champions at the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

As the official Worldwide Partner of the International Cricket Council, Emirates is a sponsor of both the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and the event’s match officials selected from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, the Emirates International Panel of Umpires and the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.

The Tournament will run until March 29, with teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England,

India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, West Indies and Zimbabwe competing to be crowned world champions.

Emirates’ celebrations will focus on sharing in the action with fans following these teams throughout the event, and also supporting the Emirates Elite Umpires and Referees who have one of the toughest jobs of the tournament.

“We’re proud to be the official airline for cricket through our long standing partnership with the ICC and the many other partnerships we have with cricket globally – from major competitions to local grass roots clubs,” said Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT 53

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Sport Trending

UEFA Champions League

Basel relish last 16 clash

TWITTER |@NTelegraphSport Chiney Ogwumike All-Star with my sis was unforgettable! So many gr8 hoop siblings shown this weekend. Excited for the Gasols. @Chiney321 Maria Sharapova The amount of will power I had when arrived home from practice to a freshly baked set of cookies? Zero. @MariaSharapova Nnamdi Oduamadi Anytime you see something working in the physical,it has happened in the spiritual already, for it is the spiritual that makes the physical. @oduamadi7

B

asel fans will look back fondly on their last home game in the Round 16 of the Champions League three years ago as they return to the knock-out stages of the competition on Wednesday night.

A 1-0 win over Bayern Munich electrified the Swiss city and gave rise to hope and expectation that they could clinch a major scalp and become one of the best eight clubs on the continent for only the second time in their history.

Those dreams lasted no more than three weeks, however. A 7-0 defeat in the reverse leg saw Bayern put them firmly in their place.

Having seemingly outgrown Europe’s second club competition, the Bebbi are back to take another shot at joining Europe’s elite club of eight when they face 1987 and 2004 winners Porto.

Basel enjoyed their best two years in Europe, going all the way to the semifinals of the Europa League in 2012-13 while making it to the quarter-finals of the same competition last season.

Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo right) in action against Basel’s Behrang Safari

R

Madrid’s Kroos wary of Schalke

eal Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has predicted that his side will not have it all their own way when they visit Schalke for Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg.

Title-holders Madrid won 6-1 at the Stadion Gelsenkirchen at the same stage of the tournament 12 months ago, with Cristiano Ronaldo,

Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema each scoring twice.

Despite some patchy domestic form, they are heavy favourites to again progress this year.

But Kroos told Real’s official website that Schalke had improved under former Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo and said Madrid’s injury problems could also be a factor.

“It won’t be easy,” the former

Armstrong to repay $10m after losing lawsuit

Armstrong

L

ance Armstrong must pay $10m (£6.51m) in damages after losing a lawsuit with insurance firm SCA Promotions Inc. In 2006 Armstrong, 43, received $7.5m (£4.88m) in payments from SCA relating to his seven Tour de France victories.

Armstrong admitted to doping and was found to have lied in proceedings.

SCA said: “The award, which must be paid directly to SCA, is believed to be the largest award of sanctions assessed against an individual in American judicial history.”

SCA initially refused to pay out money covering the bonus for Armstrong’s sixth Tour de France win in 2004.

Armstrong took the company to an arbitration hearing in Dallas in 2005 and won, because the contract between the parties stipulated the insurance money would be payable if Armstrong was the “official winner” of the Tour.

He was awarded $2.5m (£1.6m) in damages and costs.

“SCA’s dispute with Armstrong is not over,” said the firm.

“It has a currently pending lawsuit in Dallas state district court where it is pursuing additional claims against Lance Armstrong and Bill Stapleton (Armstrong’s agent).”

In 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency issued Armstrong with a life ban and stripped himself of all seven Tour de France titles.

The Texan was accused of being part of the “most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme” that sport had ever known.

ormer Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry, has been given the opportunity to work at Arsenal’s highly regarded Hale End academy which could pave the way for a senior role within the club.

The Arsenal legend has made no secret of his desire to move into man-

Henry

Roger Federer Just saw someone take a 360 selfie from all angles #Really? @rogerfederer Martina Navratilova What ISIS Really Wants- self immolation would be nice.. @Martina Martina Hingis A great day out on the skis. Picture perfect panorama..

Just like you imagine Switzerland on the postcard. @mhingis

Home match delights Van Gaal

Bayern Munich player said. anchester United manager “Schalke are enjoying success Louis van Gaal has exin the Bundesliga. They are pressed delight at being drawn at well organised, they drew at home to face Arsenal in the FA Bayern Munich and are strong Cup quarter-final, despite claimat the back. ing he has being handed a tough game.

FIXTURES Van Gaal’s side were pitted Basel vs FC Porto 8:45pm against Arsene Wenger’s men for the last eight on Monday, and confirmed Schalke vs Real Madrid 8:45pm their place with a 3-1 win at Preston North End. Goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and a late penalty from Wayne Rooney were enough to cancel out Scott Laird’s opener and propel the Dutchman’s squad into the quarter-finals.

Following previous away fixtures at Yeovil Town, Cambridge United and Preston, Van Gaal believes the home tie suits his side better and relishes the challenge that the London club will bring.

“The most important thing is that we have a draw at home,” he told the Toni Kroos

M

Arsenal: Henry joins coaching crew

F

TWillian The UEFA Champions League is back! A big match in Paris! Come On Chelsea! @willianborges88

agement and his former teammate Robert Pires has even backed him to be Arsene Wenger’s eventual successor at the Emirates Stadium.

But for now, the 37-yearold has to earn his coaching badges, and his involvement at the academy, which helped produce Jack Wilshere, is a significant step.

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have given Henry access to work with the club’s future talent and has already taken coaching sessions with different age groups.

In January, the former France international spent time in Wales on a UEFA B license course with technical director Osian Roberts.

Van Gaal

club’s official website.

“In FA Cup matches, I believe that is important, so I am pleased that we get to play against Arsenal at home.

“Every game in the FA Cup is difficult to win because every team is giving everything.

“You have also seen it in this round how many better situated teams have lost.

“So what is very important is that we will play at home for the first time.”

Di Maria suffers fresh pelvic injury M

anchester United playmaker Angel di Maria has reportedly suffered another injury to his pelvis.

The club’s record signing from Real Madrid originally aggravated the area over the Christmas period, which kept him sidelined for three matches.

He recovered to feature in nine games since then, including Monday night’s 3-1 FA Cup victory away at League One side Preston North End. However, the Argentine picked up a similar complaint during Tuesday morning’s training session, according to the

Daily Mail.

While the extent of the damage is not known, Di Maria may now be doubtful to feature for the Red Devils against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Di Maria

54

SPORT

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigerian League Rendezvous

with charles Ogundiya

charlesog2001@yahoo.com,

08098042287

Players, officials skeptical of March 7 kick-off date

A

s the March 7 kickoff date for the commencement of the 2014/15 Glo Nigeria Professional Football League season draws near, players and officials of some of the clubs are not sure of their fate.

Some clubs are still owing the players from last season while some are yet to get subventions from the governments. It remains to be seen how the clubs will cope with the March 7 date.

Investigation by League Rendezvous revealed that some of the clubs are not sure of the funds to prosecute their matches let alone of paying the

players.

A player who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said they (the players) had been training without food.

“I am not sure the LMC is really serious about our welfare, because if they did, they would have asked the clubs to pay their players’ salaries before registering them for the new season.

“Imagine some clubs owing 12-month salaries and still want to partake in the league for the season without settling the backlog of debts,” the player said.

Another official of one of the clubs informed our correspon-

dent that they were still waiting for the government to release funds for the club to start preparations.

The official said: “I have to tell you the truth, the election is taking its toll on our preparations. The governor is busy campaigning for the coming election and didn’t put us (the club) into consideration.

“Although we have submitted our proposal, we are hoping the funds will be released before the kick-off date so that we can conclude the signing of some of the new players we want to prosecute the new league season with.”

2014/15 draw holds today

T

he League Management Company will today in Abuja hold the draws for the 2014/15 Glo Nigeria Professional Football League season.

The season scheduled to kick off on March 7 across various centres in the country promises to be interesting with the clubs getting ready for action.

In a release by the LMC, the draw will be made at a ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday (today) as it

also reminded clubs that February 20 remains the deadline for submission of registration materials for the season.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC, Salihu Abubakar, the draw ceremony is part of the build-up to the new season, coming after the Glo Premier League Super-4 competition.

“We are committed to the March 7 date because we cannot delay the com-

mencement of the league any further.

“Our teams must be in competition mood especially those playing on the continent. We cannot allow them to rely on friendly matches alone hence the need to start the league as scheduled,” Abubakar said.

He added that the March 5 cut-off date for the submission of Financial Performance Guaranty still stands.

Rangers’ Mathew Etim tackles Enyimba’s Andrew Abalogu of during the Glo Nigeria Premier League

Pre-season tourney: Katsina government hails Spotlights K

atsina State government has commended Spotlights FC for lifting the just-concluded West African Pre-Season tournament in Niamey, Niger Republic.

Spotlights defeated Askokara FC of Niamey 2-1 to lift the trophy in the final game played on Monday.

The state commissioner for youth and sports, Alhaji Aminu Safana, made the commendation while receiving the victorious players and their officials in his office.

“Your performance and conduct during the tournament have really projected the good image of our state and the country at large.

“I want you to know that the state government is proud of this unique achievement. I want to charge you now to redouble your efforts, especially during the forthcoming Nigeria National League competition in view of gaining promotion to the elite division next season,” Safana said.

The commissioner, assured them of facilitating an audience with the state governor, Ibrahim Shema.

Safana then applauded the club management led by Alhaji Ayuba Umar for their commitment and dedication toward the overall development of the club and urged them to sustain the tempo.

U-17 African championship

Eaglets seek victory at Guinea’s expense

N

igeria’s Golden Eaglets will be gunning for their second win at the African U17 Championship in Niger on Wednesday when they face Guinean.

It is a straight battle for one of the semifinal tickets in Group A after both teams won their opening games, Nigeria beating hosts Niger 2-0, while Guinea defeated Zambia 1-0 in what was considered a much better display than what the Eaglets had on show against the Nigeriens.

NFF director of competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, who is in Niamey with the team, said a victory is non-negotiable as Nigeria look to book an early ticket to the finals in Chile to defend the world title.

“We are the champions of the world, and that we must underscore boldly here. The Eaglets did well to win

their first match against the host nation despite all the odds against them. There is no way Guinea will stand up to our boys on Wednesday,” said Sanusi.

“The NFF has provided everything the team need to succeed and we expect nothing but victory against the Guineans.”

FIXTURES/RESULTS Monday February 16 Cote d'Ivoire 2- 2 South Africa Mali 3-1 Cameroun Wednesday February 18 Nigeria v Guinea

3pm

Zambia v Niger

6pm

South Africa coach upbeat despite draw

D

espite his charges relinquishing a 2-0 lead in their opening CAF African Youth Championship fixture against reigning champions, Ivory Coast, coach of South Africa’s Amajimbos, Molefi Ntseki, remains undeterred by the draw as he focuses on preparing his side for their next encounter against Mali.

Ntseki’s men threatened the Ivoirians with their swift counterattacking football and took the lead through two goals by Sibongakonke Mbatha and Khanyisa Mayo.

“Normally when a team is leading by two goals the opposition will

throw everything at you,” Ntseki told the South African Football Association media. “We made double substitutions because we wanted to bring in some fresh legs but that unfortunately did not work for us.

“We played a good match but allowed for them to equalise.

We have to be strong and be level-headed as we prepare for our encounter against Mali. We have learnt from this match and will take the experience into our next game,” added the Amajimbos mentor.

CAF picks Congolese referee for Nigeria match

T

Eaglets celebrating their victory

he Golden Eaglets would for the second time at the 11th African U-17 Championship in Niger have the benefit of wearing the country’s home gear against Guinea on Wednesday.

The Eaglets began their campaign at Niger 2015 on Sunday against Niger in the traditional green jerseys and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has again approved same for the match against Guinea while the goalkeepers would wear complete blue co-

lours. On the other hand, Guinean players would spot red shirt, yellow short and white socks.

The match which will kick off at 3:00pm Nigerian time at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) is be handled by Ndala Jean-Jacques Ngambo from the Congo Democratic Republic. Ngambo, who was born in 1987, has been an international referee since 2013 and he has horned his skill in major African competitions including the CAF Champions League.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

55

On Marble

Education costs money.

But then so does ignorance.

– Sir Claus Moser

Sanctity of Truth

World Record

London, UK: At 100 years and nine months, farmer’s daughters Ena Pugh and Lily Millward, set the new world record for the oldest living twins.

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

N150

The 2015 elections: Have we faltered?

A

s Nigerians, we must come to terms with the fact that February 14, 2015 is now part of our history. We will continue to remember the date as Valentine’s Day. We will also remember it as the day Nigeria “almost held” Presidential and National Assembly elections but faltered. The same thing goes for February 28, 2015 originally scheduled for Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Historians, political scientists, lawyers, sociologists and those that call themselves public affairs analysts’ will continue to ponder on whether the reasons given for the postponement of the two strands of elections are cogent and verifiable. They will continue to interrogate and analyze the immediate and remote causes of the postponement. They will dissect the role played by the different stakeholders, institutions and organizations in the postponement.

However, the interrogation of the issues that led to the postponement and the conclusions from such interrogation and dissection will only be useful if it assists us in getting our bearing for today and making projections on how to avoid such challenges in the future.

It is true that we faltered and that our credibility is at stake. It is true that we may no longer meet the regional and international standards for judging the credibility of elections. It is true that a lot of Nigerians are disappointed. But we have the capacity to pull back and get things done especially when people think that we are down and out. We have faltered but we can get back on our feet and make the best of the present situation.

But can Nigeria achieve free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections on the rescheduled dates of March 28 and April 11, 2015? What indices will be used in assessing the credibility of the rescheduled elections? Will the Nigerian people accept a substantially free and fair election? Or should we now aim for an election that simply represents the voting pattern or preferences of the Nigerian people?

Nigeria is a signatory to regional and sub regional covenants and protocols.

Some of the principles and intendment of the covenants and protocols are captured in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended), the Electoral Act, 2010(as amended) and the gazettes, guidelines, rules and regulations made by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Economic Community of West African States Protocol A/SP1/12/01 on Democracy and Good Governance, Supplementary to the Protocol relating to the Mechanism For Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security signed on the 21st day of December 2001 by the Heads of States of ECOWAS provides that no substantial modification shall be made to the electoral laws of member States in the last six (6) months before the elections, except with the consent of a majority of Political actors.

The Protocol also provides that “all the elections shall be organized on the dates or at periods fixed by the Constitution or the electoral laws” and that Member Parities shall take all appropriate measures

Hard Choices FESTUS OKOYE

festokoye2003@yahoo.com 08054480565 (sms only)

Attahiru Jega, INEC boss

to ensure that women have equal rights with men to vote and be voted for in elections, to participate in the formulation of government policies and the implementation thereof and to hold public offices and perform public functions at all levels of governance.

Furthermore, the Protocol provides that the bodies responsible for organizing the elections shall be independent or neutral and shall have the confidence of all the political actors and where necessary, appropriate national consultations shall be organized to determine the nature and the structure of the bodies.

The Protocol also provides that the voters’ lists shall be prepared in a transparent and reliable manner, with the collaboration of the political parties and voters who may have access to them whenever the need arises. To this end Member States shall ensure the establishment of a reliable registry of births and deaths.

To underscore its aversion to violence, the Protocol goes further to state that the party and/or candidates who lose the elections shall concede defeat to the political party and/or candidate finally declared the winner, following the guidelines and within the deadline stipulated by the law.

The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance adopted by the Eight Ordinary Session of the Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the 30th day of January 2007 states the objectives of the Charter to include promoting adherence, by each State Party, to the universal values and principles of democracy and respect for human rights; promoting and enhancing adherence to the principle of the rule of law premised

upon the respect for, and the supremacy of, the Constitution and constitutional order in the political arrangements of the State Parties; promoting the holding of regular free and fair elections to institutionalize legitimate authority of representative government as well as democratic change of governments; the prohibition, rejection and condemnation of unconstitutional change of government in any Member ; the promotion and protection of the independence of the judiciary; and the nurturing and consolidation of good governance by promoting democratic culture and practice, building and strengthening governance institutions and inculcating political pluralism and tolerance.

Based on these broad principles, State Parties re-affirm their commitment to regularly hold transparent, free and fair elections in accordance with the Union’s Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa. To actualize this, State Parties shall: 1. Establish and strengthen independent and impartial national electoral bodies responsible for the management of elections.

2. Establish and strengthen national mechanisms that redress election related disputes in a timely manner.

3. Ensure fair and equitable access by contesting parties and candidates to state controlled media during elections.

4. Ensure that there is a binding code of conduct governing legally recognized political stakeholders, government and other political actors prior, during and after elections. The code shall include a commitment by political stakeholders to accept the results of the election or challenge them through exclusively legal channels Where then do we stand in relation to some of these regional commitments?

My take is that the concept of free, fair and transparent elections is an aspiration and cannot be seen and regarded as a finished product. We have made a lot of false starts. We may no longer reach the threshold of conducting free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections. But we can still conduct an election that represents or substantially represents the will of the Nigerian people.

It is unfortunate that we worked so hard on altering the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended) for the purposes of using same for the 2015 elections and yet the constitutional framework is still inchoate and the lofty provisions in the 4th alteration to the Constitution will not apply to the 2015 elections. The same applies to the amendments to the Electoral Act 2010(as amended) that is still inchoate and will not apply to the 2015 elections.

Till the postponement of the elections, it

was not clear what the constitutional and legal framework of the election will be.

We have also not done well in the area of constituency delimitation as the old constituencies are still in use despite serious demographic changes in the country.

We could not create additional polling units because of political considerations.

The voters register and the issuance and collection of the permanent voter’s card are still generating its own heat. It is also being done too close to an election period.

The political parties have engaged in every conceivable violation of the Electoral Act and the Constitution. Section 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) makes it mandatory for Political Parties to conduct party primaries in the States, Senatorial Districts, Federal and State Constituencies. Some of the Political Parties conducted their Governorship, Senatorial, Federal and State Constituency primaries in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in clear violation of the law.

Section 95 of the Electoral Act prohibits the use of abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or insinuations or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions yet the parties and their candidates have abandoned issue based campaigns and persisted on playing up divisive issues that can lead to breakdown of law and order. It is this verbal and physical irresponsibility and the use of armed gangs in their campaigns that has led to the death of over 55 persons in pre-election violence.

Furthermore, section 91 of the Electoral Act placed limitation on election expenses and provides that the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a Presidential election shall be N1, 000, 000,000.00 yet this figure is below the amount some of the Presidential candidates spend in one rally.

However, rather than bicker over who was at fault in the postponement of the elections, political parties and their candidates should prop up the voters to go and collect their permanent voter’s cards.

In this light, the electoral management body should be up and doing in terms of the replacement of lost cards and clarifying the position of zero polling units and where those affected should go and what they should do.

It is also important for the electoral management to conclude the recruitment of ad-hoc staff and their intensive and comprehensive training and simulation.

They should also carry out quality checks and control to prevent desperate politicians and political parties from planting their moles as Presiding Officers and Supervisors.

Furthermore, we should encourage our armed forces and the multilateral forces to secure our environment to enable the refugees and internally displaced persons to return to their various communities and begin the process of rebuilding their lives and communities.

We may not achieve free, fair, transparent peaceful elections but we can reach the threshold of having the results declared as representing the will and voting pattern of the Nigerian people. This is achievable and we should work towards it.

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322,

by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: YEMI AJAYI.