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Vol. 2 No. 399

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

400 women, children Kidnapped in Borno }5

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Obasanjo warns against military coup }8

Polls: Police restrict movements

lSoldiers deployed in Osun Emmanuel Onani, Tony Okafor and Adeolu Adeyemo

he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba, yesterday ordered restric-

tion of vehicular movements for the general elections. With Abba's directive,

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movements will be curtailed on Saturday for the presidential and National Assembly elections and on

April 11 when the governorship and state legislative polls will hold. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

3 days to go... Nigeria Nigeria votes votes

2015

2015}55

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NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESday, March 25, 2015

Boko Haram kidnaps 400 women, children in Borno lTroops recover Pulka, Gwoza communities l FG installs satellite imageries nationwide Philip Nyam and Emmanuel Onani Abuja

oko Haram militants have kidnapped more than 400 women and children from Damasak that was freed this month by troops from Niger and Chad, residents said on Tuesday. Damasak is the headquarters of Moddar Local Government in Borno State. There was no immediate official confirmation of the figure, but the Islamist group has previously carried out mass kidnappings. Boko Haram's abduction last April of nearly 300 schoolgirls in the region stirred international outrage and drew global attention to the group's six-year insurgency. "They took 506 young women and children (in Damasak). They killed about 50 of them before leaving," a trader called Souleymane Ali told Reuters in the town. "We don’t know if they killed others after leaving, but they took the rest with them." Troops from Niger and Chad last week found the bodies of at least 70 people in an apparent execution

site under a bridge leading out of Damasak. Lieutenant Colonel Toumba Mohamed, the Nigerien commander of the Niger-Chad forces in Damasak, said residents had reported between 400 and 500 women and children kidnapped. Meanwhile, total military operation to retake Gwoza and Sambisa Forest in Borno State, may have begun, as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yes-

ommercial activities were literarily paralysed in Lagos yesterday when the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) shut down major streets and markets across the metropolis as a result of its mega rally organised for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan. Thousands of TAN members and PDP supporters gathered as early as 8a.m. at the National Stadium, wearing PDP and TAN customized outfits, chanting support for the president’s re-election ahead of Saturday’s election. Speaking at the rally that brought together dignitaries supporting the president, the National Vice Chairman of TAN, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah said that the gathering was convened to garner support

trol of Pulka, Borno State, after a fierce battle with terrorists who have been operating in the town. "Cordon and search has commenced after the air and land operation that overpowered the terrorists." Olukolade also stated that "a male "terrorist disguised as lady in hijab," was arrested by troops in Kwaya Kusar, Borno State, as he attempted to hit the market.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has acquired and installed satellite imageries of the entire country for the production of digital maps, the office of the Surveyor General has disclosed. The installation of the satellite imageries has become necessary due to the activities of Boko Haram and its devastating effect on the economy and it is expected to provide for the reconnaissance and

mapping of the North-East for the Air Force and the army. This disclosure is contained in the report of the office of the Survey General of the Federation on the 2014 budget presented to the House of Representatives Committee on Works. Already, the office has deployed the facility in the extraction of roads and water bodies from which roadmaps of Nigeria will be produced.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, StanbicIBTC Capital, Yewande Sadiku; Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Timothy Oguntayo; Chief Executive Officer, StanbicIBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni and Divisional Head, Legal, Regulatory and Company Sector, FMDQ, Mr. Atinuke Taiwo, at the signing of commercial paper programme in Lagos…yesterday.

TAN’s rally shuts down Lagos Wale Elegbede

terday announced that troops prosecuting the war on terror, recaptured Pulka, a community in Gwoza on Monday. Gwoza had been under the control of Boko Haram since August 2014, when it was seized. The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, in different posts on the DHQ's twitter handle, said: "Troops yesterday (Monday) evening took full con-

for President Jonathan and make a statement to the opposition that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock till 2019. He said: "We urge you all to vote for President Jonathan on Saturday for him to continue his transformation agenda for the nation. Lagosians are ready to vote for the president and that is the same story all over the country," he said. While noting that TAN has also thrown its weight behind the governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, saying that, "we will do everything humanly possible to liberate the people of Lagos State by ensuring victory for Agbaje," he said. After the speeches, the crowd moved out of the National Stadium to embark on a street-to-street sensitisation march along Western AvenueIkorodu road resulting in a gridlock that lasted for hours.

Poll: Soldiers deployed in Osun CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The IGP, in a statement in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, an acting Commissioner of Police, said the restriction was part of efforts to ensure maximum security during the elections. During the period, there will be restricted movement of vehicles from 8am-5pm on Saturday and for the nine-hour period on April 11. "This total restriction of movements order applies to all, except for ambulances, fire service trucks and others on essential duties. Consequently, travellers and citizens who intend to use roads on these days and hours are advised to plan alternative times for their travelling. "While expressing his regrets over the inconveniences that road users and the general public may encounter as a result of this restriction, the IGP appeals for the understanding and cooperation of the entire citizenry, as the restriction is done in the nation’s interest,” the

statement added. Anambra State Police Commissioner, Hosea Karma, also conveyed the decision to restrict movement during the general elections to stakeholders at a meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday in Awka. He urged the people to comply with the order or be prepared to face the law. He also vowed to arrest politicians fomenting trouble, irrespective of their position in society, during the elections. At the meeting, INEC said the percentage collection of Permanent Voters' Card (PVCs) in the state had reached 91 per cent. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, explained to the stakeholders the basic essentials in the elections, including card readers and their functions and attendant credibility in elections. Besides the announcement of the restriction of movement, Abba also yesterday said some special units of the Nigeria Police had been placed on standby duty.

They are the 59 Squadrons of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), 19 CounterTerrorism Units (CTUs), as well as 12 Special Protection Units (SPUs). Abba, at a meeting with the 59-squadron commanders nationwide and heads of CTUs and SPUs in Abuja, underscored the importance the police attach to the general elections. He told the commanders that their units are to serve as interventions and striking forces, in the event of attempts by troublemakers to disrupt the peace during the elections. Also as part of preparations for the elections, the Nigerian Army has deployed hundreds of soldiers in Osun State to maintain law and order on Saturday. The soldiers, who were seen at different parts of the state such as Ede, Ife, Ilesha, Gbongan and Ikirun, however, did not harass anybody. It was learnt that the soldiers were stationed at the locations to prevent breach of the peace during the elections. "We are not here to intimidate anybody, but to

ensure the peaceful conduct of the exercise in the state," one of the soldiers told New Telegraph yesterday. But the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the deployment of the troops just as it urged President Goodluck Jonathan to respect the law in view of the judgement of the court that soldiers should not be used for the elections. "From the looks of things in Osun, regarding the deployment of soldiers for the election, it would appear that President Jonathan has no intention whatsoever to respect the series of Federal High Court rulings, not to deploy soldiers for the conduct of March 28 and April 11 elections," it said in a statement in Osogbo by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi. According to the APC, if Jonathan goes ahead to disregard the legal position on troops' deployment for election duty, it will be "the worst contempt for the law, exhibited by any Nigerian head of state or president ever."

News

WEDNESday, March 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Naira to rebound after election, says CBN

lHolds rate at 13% lFrets over economic outlook Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday expressed optimism that the naira, which has lost about 30 per cent of its value against the United States dollar since last June, will recover after Saturday's presidential election. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said at a news conference in Abuja after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting that tight monetary policy should offset the inflationary effects of elevated spending ahead of the Saturday election. The Central Bank, however, agreed to leave its benchmark interest rate

unchanged at 13 percent. According to Emefiele, the MPC is satisfied with the naira, which has come under major pressure in the last six months due to the collapse in oil prices. The currency exchanged at the interbank market (official window) at N97 per dollar and N225 to a dollar at the parallel market (unofficial market) yesterday. The weakness of the naira has fuelled the illegal use of dollars in dayto-day domestic transactions, such as paying rent or school fees, Emefiele said, adding that action would be taken against transgressors. "The CBN will, very soon in due course, come after them," he added. Emefiele said he was worried about the outlook

for economic growth, but added that investment and business confidence should pick up after the presidential poll. "I'm optimistic that after the elections, confidence will improve, businesses will resume. I'm confident the economy will be resilient," he stated. The CBN governor’s confidence on the rebound of the naira after Saturday poll is hinged on assumption that the partial dollarisation of the economy is occasioned by political activities currently playing out in the country. He said the closure of the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) window of the foreign exchange market on February 18, 2015 had unified the foreign exchange market. Consequently the nai-

ra, he said, depreciated by N17.90 or 9.04 per cent in the period under review as the exchange rate opened at N180.1 to $1 and closed at N198 to $1. On the wide margin between the official exchange rate and the black market rate, he said: “You talked about the fact that exchange rate at the bureau de change segment of the market is N220, N221 to one dollar. I will like to say that that remains a shallow market compared to the interbank market. In terms of percentage in the interbank market, I will like to say that it is very insignificant. That market (black market) deals mainly in transactions that are not documented. And for that reason, we will not be looking at the world outlook for the naira

by looking at the bureau de change rate. “But when you look at outlook based on the interbank, which is today an average of N198 like I read in my statement, I believe that given the pressure that we have seen in the market as a result of the drop in crude prices and the pressures that have come with it that adjusting the currency at the level it is now at N198, I will say it is okay and sufficiently appropriate. But I think that a number of actions that will be taken going forward will deepen the market and improve supply into the market. We will look at areas where demand pressures can be cut or demand inefficiency and I am sure in due course, the CBN will begin to take actions that

L-R: Chairman, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development, Justice Mohammed Uwais; Coordinator, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and member, Dr. Agwu Okah, at a press conference on 2015 general elections in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

will look at areas where people can make demands that will not be effective, demands that are not useful for the economy." He said with reserves at $30 billion right now, given the pressures and vulnerability of the last couple of weeks, “I think it is a good level of reserve and can support close to about five to six months of import and this is enough to support business and the economy.” Emefiele also warned banks to desist from transacting businesses in dollar or risks sanctions, adding that naira remained the Nigerian currency and should be used for all local transactions. At yesterday’s MPC meeting in Abuja, 11 MPC members voted for the retention of Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 13 per cent; CRR on Private Sector deposits at 20 per cent; and CRR on Public Sector deposits at 75 per cent while liquidity ratio was retained unchanged at 30 per cent. Emefiele, however, noted that the committee expressed concern about the wide divergence between the interbank and the bureau-de-change exchange rates, which provides an avenue for arbitrage and speculative activities in the market. Besides, he said the Committee noted with concern, the gradual increase in the year-on-year headline inflation during the first two months of the year from 8.0 per cent in December 2014 to 8.2 per cent in January and further to 8.4 per cent in February 2015.

Court orders NCC, others to pay APC N500m damages lCommission appeals verdict

Akeem Nafiu and Kunle Azeez

ustice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday ordered the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and five telecommunication companies to pay N500 million in damages to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for unlawfully banning presidential campaign fundraising platform. The judge, while delivering judgement in a suit initiated by the party against the NCC and five other telecommunication companies, said the

damages should be paid within 30 days. The telecommunication companies are, Etisalat, MTN Nigeria Limited, Globacom Limited, Airtel Nigeria Limited and Visafone Communications Limited. Justice Buba while holding that APC was protected by the constitution to push for the enforcement of its fundamental rights once violated, dismissed the NCC's counter affidavit and ruled that its action was illegal and unconstitutional. The damages, according to the judge, are to be paid jointly and severally by all the respondents.

APC had sued NCC, demanding N25 billion in damages for banning its presidential campaign fundraising platform. In an 18-paragragh affidavit deposed to by Ademola Sodiq, the APC accused the NCC of instructing the respondents to discontinue an SMS platform it created to solicit donations from the public for its presidential campaign. According to the deponent, the participatory fund-raising strategy was for members of the public to contribute N100 to the APC's presidential campaign fund each time they sent APC as an SMS to 35350.

Sodiq added that the party's strategy was borne out of its commitment to raising fund for its presidential campaign in a "transparent and accountable manner." He stated further that within few hours of launching the strategy the party was getting about four to five text messages per a minute and had received a total of 5,400 SMS before the NCC directed the telecommunications service providers to discontinue the scheme. While accusing the NCC of discriminating against the APC, Sodiq said he had proof that

President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo in 2010 raised fund for their campaign using short codes designated: 6661, 662, 6663 and 6664, registered with one Wagitel Communications Limited. The APC lawyer, Kola Awodein (SAN), while urging the court to declare the NCC's directive as "unconstitutional, illegal, null, void and of no effect" argued that the NCC acted ultra vires of its power when it gave such directive against the provisions of sections 39 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution. But counsel to the NCC, Mr. Paul Usoro,

has gone to the Court of Appeal to appeal against the judgment. Usoro in a statement given to New Telegraph yesterday, said he had the mandate of his client, the NCC, to appeal against the judgment. The NCC counsel averred that the trial judge erred in law, when he dismissed the appellant’s Notice of Preliminary Objection of March 2, 2015, which challenged the competence of the suit on the grounds that it was unmeritorious. He also said the judge erred in law when he held that the APC's suit disclosed cause of action against the applicant.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESday, March 25, 2015

News

WEDNESday, March 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Obasanjo warns against military coup Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday warned against military takeover of government in the country. Obasanjo, who gave the warning while receiving a delegation of South-West women of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said any military takeover of government would not be recognised by the international community. The APC delegation was led to the ex-president's Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State by the wife of the party's presidential candidate, Hajia Aisha Buhari. Obasanjo said he was happy that Nigeria had gone beyond the rumour of Interim National Government, adding that the country would also survive the current rumour of handing over to the military. He said: "I do hope we will get things more. A lot of rumours are flying around, I think we have gone away from the rumour of Interim Government because that is not in our constitution. I hope we will soon go away from the rumour of handing over to the military because the military is not meant to run affairs of a nation in terms of running government. And the international community will not condone it, particularly African Union. "We have said and it is part and parcel of the constituting act of the African Union. Any government that is brought about not on the basis of the consti-

tution will not be accepted, will not be tolerated and will not be a member of the AU until that government is dismantled." Obasanjo noted that the international community was much interested in Nigeria's general elections, saying the country should strive to live up to expectation by conducting credible polls. He said: "We are the largest country in Africa, we should be a model, setting examples. We shouldn't be drawing Africa backward. I hope we will not. I hope at the end of this exercise, we would be where we should be, leading Africa and showing examples for the rest of Africa and indeed, the rest of the world. "We have the goodwill of many people. I watched last

night (Monday), President (Barack) Obama talking about our constitution. I watched our brother from Ghana, the current chairman of ECOWAS talked about our constitution; they are all interested. They all wish us well. Should we wish ourselves anything less?" The former president decried what he called hate campaigns among the political parties in the country. He said politicians and candidates seeking elective offices should focus more on what would unite Nigeria than what would cause division. He said: "May be I should say one or two things about campaign. I do hope that whatever happens at the elections,

the one coming this week and the one coming couple of weeks after that, that we would have learnt the right lessons from what has taken place this time around. "Unfortunately, issues that should have been the main item of our campaign, they did not. We have serious issues of security, we have serious issue of our economy, we have issue of unemployment, particularly youth unemployment. We have serious issue of infrastructure. These are issues amongst others that I believe campaign of those who are interested in the present and the future of this country should be directed at. "How are we going to get them? What are we going to do? Not trivial issues of certificate, no certificate;

not trivial issues of when somebody is talking about someone is a Nigerian and not a Nigerian. "I said it; this is what they had in Cote d'Ivoire and led them into a very serious problem; not issue of religion, not issue of tribe, not issue of section but issues of unity of this country and the hate campaign that we have embarked upon now. "I hope this will be the last time in the history of this country that we will have this type of campaign of hatred or division. I think the emphasis should be on what unites us, not what divides us." Obasanjo urged Nigerian women to play active role towards ensuring a better country, saying doing otherwise may adverse-

ly affect their wellbeing. Speaking earlier, Mrs. Buhari commended Obasanjo for being a true nationalist and statesman. She said the former president acted beyond party leaning while solving issues affecting the country. She said: "Baba exercises his prowess as a father, as a former head of state of Nigeria twice. Very few Nigerians have the opportunity to rule the country twice. We are here today to show our appreciation the way you handle things as a statesman and also a nationalist. "We thank you so much for acting beyond party in getting things right; thank you for that. May you live long to continue solving out problems."

L-R: Archbishop Benjamin Mustapha; Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje; his wife, Abiola; wife of Vice-Chairman, TAN, Mrs. Uche Ubah and her husband, Ifeanyi, at a rally in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

IG, parties differ over voters' stay at polling units lHow voting, collation will be conducted, by Jega Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba and leaders of political parties yesterday differed on the order by the police that voters should not stay back at polling units after casting their votes. While the IG reiterated his earlier directive that voters should leave the polling units after voting or be ready to be charged with loitering in accordance with the Electoral Act, party leaders said such law did not exist. Abba, at the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) Stakeholders' Summit in Abuja, said voters who remained at polling stations after casting their votes would be contravening Section 129 of the Electoral Act. “There is the likelihood that they would commit any of the electoral offences in Section 129 of the Electoral Act, especially, part of the Electoral Act that concerns loitering. The law says that you should stay 300 metres away from the polling stations. “My advice is that when you cast your vote, don’t stay behind. I will do everything necessary to ensure the credibility and protection of the elections," he said.

He also defended the deployment of military personnel to monitor the elections, but added that they would not be deployed at the polling stations. But party leaders faulted Abba, saying no law forbids voters from staying back at the polling stations till the results are announced. They also objected to the deployment of the military to monitor the elections. Party leaders who opposed the order were from Alliance for Democracy (AD), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Independent

Democrats (ID), National Conscience Party (NCP) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), among others. INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, at the occasion, released the procedures for the elections as well as the process of releasing the results at polling units. Jega restated that Permanent Voter Card (PVCs) and Smart Card Readers (SCR) would be used during the accreditation process. He said: "On March 28, three ballot boxes will be used in each of the polling/voting points. Ballot boxes with red cover are for putting a thumb printing ballot paper by a voter for the presiden-

tial election. Ballot box with a black cover is for putting thumb printing ballot paper by a voter for the senatorial election and the green ballot box is for putting thumb printed ballot paper by a voter for the House of Representatives. “Each ballot paper has corresponding colour stripes to assist voters in putting the right ballot paper in the right ballot box. For each polling/voting point, there is a designated official called overseer, whose primary job is to ensure that voters put the right ballot paper into the right ballot box. Political parties need to factor this into their campaigns to minimize putting the ballot paper into

the wrong ballot box", the INEC chairman added. According to him, there shall be two types of sorting of votes in the polling units. The first sorting is to ensure that any wrongly placed ballot paper is put back into the right ballot box while the second is to determine votes cast by voters to a political party/ candidate. Jega explained that hard copies of result sheets from the polling units would be scanned, converted to PDF format and put in a database, which would be made accessible for viewing via the INEC website. This, he said, is to ensure the accuracy of the collated results.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

News

NATIONAL

I’ve not collected a dime for pipeline contract — Gani Adams Temitope Ogunbanke

he National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, has disclosed that he is yet to collect a dime from the Federal Government on the contract his organisation signed recently to protect oil pipelines in South-West. Speaking to journalists in Lagos, yesterday, during an interactive session with the public on general elections, organised by Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN), Adams also

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, Verdant Zeal Group, Mr. Tunji Olugbodi; Chairman, Troya Group, Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman and Executive Chairman, STB-MC CANN, Sir Steve Omojafor and guest speaker, Prof. Pat Utomi, at the 2015 Verdant Zeal Innovation Series in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Court rules in Buhari’s forgery suit today Tunde Oyesina, Johnchuks Onuanyim and Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will this morning deliver ruling in an application brought by two people, Ebunoluwa Adegoruwa and Chukwuma Ochu, seeking to be joined in the suit challenging the academic qualification of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC, General Muhammadu Buhari. One Chika Okafor had dragged Buhari to court, seeking to disqualify him from participating in the March 28 presidential election over alleged certificate forgery and perjury. APC had however joined the suit as a codefendant. Buhari had also challenged the mode of service of court papers on him and also the order to abridge time. The court had earlier fixed yesterday for the ruling on abridgement of time and mode of service

l APC, PDP bicker over candidate’s disqualification bid of the process on Buhari. At the resumed hearing, Ebunoluwa Adegoruwa had brought an application for joinder. He premised his application on ground that he is a pro-democracy activist and wants to ensure that all the candidates are granted equal rights. The other party seeking to be joined, Chukwuma Ochu premised his application on ground that Buhari is his candidate in the forthcoming election. He further submitted that if Buhari is disqualified, he would be disenfranchised. Counsel to the plaintiff, Mike Ozekhome, SAN urged the court to reject the application for joinder on the ground that the applicants are meddlesome interloper and busy body. After listening to the submissions of all parties, the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi adjourned till today for ruling. Meanwhile, Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned against any lastminute plot to disqualify

Jonathan inaugurates 504.4mw Aba NIPP Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

resident Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, commissioned the first phase of the 1074 megawatt power plant in Alaoji, Aba Abia State, one of the Independent Power projects in the country. That was even as he described power as being critical to development and the transformation agenda of his government. The commissioned Phase One will generate

504.4 megawatts of electricity. Jonathan said at the ceremony that electricity generated from the plant would boost economic and industrial activities in the South East region and its adjourning states. The President recalled that the project was awarded in 2005 and was almost abandoned by the Federal Government while he was the Vice President, following report by the National Assembly, but for his quick intervention as he personally visited the site on a fact- finding mission.

the candidate in order to pave the way for President Goodluck Jonathan or even engineer another postponement of the elections. Reacting to today’s ruling, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement issued in Abuja, said, "If it is true, as it is being widely speculated across the country, that the Jonathan administration has procured a judgement to disqualify the APC Presidential Candidate, when the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to rule on the issue, then it portends a great danger for our country". It said that in addition to other reasons, the sixweek postponement of the elections may have been used by those who never wanted the polls to hold in the first instance to shop for such a satanic judgement. “Anyone who will disqualify a presidential candidate on the eve of an election can only have one and only one purpose for that: to trigger

chaos and pandemonium across the country. Perhaps this is the reason for the deployment of troops across the country to crack down on possible protests and create confusion But the PDP yesterday said it was not interested in the disqualification Buhari from election. Director, Media and Publicity of the party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday said even though the party was aware that Buhari does not have a certificate and therefore not eligible to contest "but we have moved on from there and we are ready to meet him in the field". He added that APC leaders have become prisoners of their own wild hallucinations. "The truth is that we are not in the least bit interested in General Buhari's travails at the court and we are not in a position to influence the decision of the judge or the outcome of the case one way or the other.”

faulted the allegation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are planning to use ethnic militia to rig Saturday presidential elections in favour of the president. Adams, the Convener of CCN, said: “As far as CCN is concerned, there was, and there never would be, any attempt to scuttle the process. The APC is just up to its usual tricks of accusing others of what they are planning to do.”

Telecoms: New cabling pricing regime underway Kunle Azeez

he Federal Government has begun plans to introduce a new pricing regime targeted at achieving an effective cost-based cable transmission among telecom companies in Nigeria. The proposed pricing regime was contained in a study result presented by an audit firm, KPMG, at a Stakeholders Consultative Forum organised by telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Lagos, yesterday. KMPG is the consul-

tant that has been working with the industry regulator on the determination of a cost-based transmission cable-pricing regime, which will help in engendering an accelerated telecoms access across the country. Speaking at the forum, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said KPMG was contacted two years ago to carry out the study as part of the regulator’s oversight function to address competitive dynamics, pricing and related matters in cable transmission pricing among operators.

Jonathan mourns Bakut Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of former military governor of Benue State, General Ishaya Bakut. The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, commiserated with the family of the deceased. President Jonathan also extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of

Gen. Bakut’s home state, Kaduna. He joined them in mourning the late General who served the nation admirably in various capacities during his years in the Nigerian Army. Jonathan assured Gen. Bakut’s family and the people of Kaduna State that the nation will remain eternally grateful for the former military Governor’s courageous service as a Company and Battalion Commander during the Nigerian Civil War.

Election: NGE insist Nigeria more NCAA moves to certify Lagos, important than individuals Abuja airports

head of the general election which begins this Saturday, March 28, 2015, the Nigerian Guild of Editors has called on the political parties to focus on issues that are germane to our national lives rather than dwell on individuals. The group noted that after the initial postponement of the elections by six weeks, due to security concerns, and the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to get better prepared, it

was gratifying that no further postponement is being contemplated. NGE, in a statement, signed by its President, Mr. Femi Adesina, and issued at the end of a meeting of its standing committee in Lagos, also resolved that the six weeks postponement window has allowed the armed forces, in collaboration with a multi-national coalition from the sub-region, to deal devastating blows on insurgents in the Northeast of the country.

Wole Shadare

he Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Usman Muhtar, has said that the aviation regulatory body was in the process of certifying the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations. The NCAA DG made this disclosure in an interaction with aviation

reporters in Lagos. He noted that work was seriously on the certification of the two aerodromes. Muhtar equally disclosed that Nigeria was preparing for the ICAO security audit which he said comes up in June this year. According to him, “We are hoping to improve on our records. Our industry has gone through ICAO audit before now and we did very well. This year, the authority has been proactive to ensure a successful audit.”

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Two killed as police arrest 96 suspected criminals POLITICAL VIOLENCE Armed men suspected to be political thugs engage in shootout over Subsidy and Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P)

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

wo persons were killed yesterday during a shootout by political thugs at Okposi near Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The yet-to-be identified victims were said to have been shot dead after burning down a house of an aide to a Commissioner in Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration. One of the arsonists, who was later apprehended in the mayhem, confessed that he participated in the action because the commissioner’s aide refused to include his name in the Subsidy and Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P) list. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident while briefing journalists at police headquarters. Muhammad said that the incident was spill over of an outbreak of violence in the area on Monday. The PPRO disclosed that the

Machetes, guns and ammunition recovered from the suspects.

The suspected cult members

police deployed six troopers before normalcy returned to the area. In a related development, the police have arrested 92 suspected cult members and four armed robbers. Mohammad said they were arrested at different locations, adding that the four armed

robbers were nabbed about 4:30pm on Monday at Akpajo checkpoint. He said the suspects were returning to Port Harcourt from Akwa Ibom State, where they had successfully carried out a robbery operation. The PPRO added that the robbery suspects were inside

a Sienna bus, with registration number RH 339 CH. Mohammed added that the police recovered N1.6 million, three locally-made pistols, one locally-made revolver pistol and ammunition from the suspects. According to him, the police also recovered 17 assorted cell

phones and an International Passport belonging to one Akpan Usen Bassey from the robbers. The police, the PPRO added, recovered from the 92 cult members assorted firearms and ammunition, cutlasses, charms and other lethal weapons.

Prepare for heavy rains, diseases, Lagos warns Muritala Ayinla

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

agos State Government yesterday said the residents should prepare for 260 days of rainfall this year, being the total period of rain predicted by experts. The government added that the intensity of the rain would be between 245-260 days and with maximum annual record of 1,824mm of water. Hence, according to the prediction, credited to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the southern part of the country will be warmer than normal at night while Lagos Island and its environs will be colder than normal. The Commissioner for the

Bello

Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the 2015 seasonal rainfall prediction and socio-economic implication for Lagos State. Bello also warned that due to

the climate change, Lagos may not experience dry spell also known as August break, saying that it would rain throughout the year unlike other years. Therefore, pilots, farmers, dam managers are also advised to brace up for the challenges of the changing weather to avert disasters arising from climate change. Noting that the change in the weather may also lead to prevalence of malaria, due to warmer than normal weather and high humidity at different times across the country, the commissioner promised that his ministry would be collaborating with the Ministry of Health in the fight against malaria. He said: “Among the new

ways of improving the content of this year’s SRP is the malaria forecast, which predicts warmer than normal and high humidity at different times. This high humidity is favorable condition for the growth of pests, vectors and spreading of diseases. Therefore, the higher the temperature and humidity, the more rapid the life cycle of mosquitoes and frequencies in mosquito bites. So, we urged the general public to be well prepared. “Lagos State is expected to be moderately affected by mosquitoes; nevertheless, it is of utmost importance that Lagosians must keep their environment clean to minimise the effect of mosquitoes.”

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

City Briefs

Nigerian dupes Canadian Internet lover of N421m

Igbo in Lagos honour Ashafa

Juliana Francis

Muritala Ayinla

30-year-old man, Nwakanma Chukwudi, has been arraigned for duping his Canadian internet lover of $26,520 (Canadian) equivalent of N421 million. Chukwudi was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on March 23 before Justice D. V. Agishir of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime, obtaining money by false pretence and impersonation. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chukwudi, who claimed to be a British citizen, named

Barry Bernard, met Donnalynn, a Canadian, on a dating site. He convinced the lady he loved her and later milked her of $26,520. The Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said that in the course of the accused and complainant’s romantic affair, Chukwudi, who also claimed to be resident in Manchester, United Kingdom, sent several love mails and pictures to Donnalynn. He said: “Donnalynn did not have any course to doubt him when he requested for $26,520 (Canadian dollars) from her, having been communicating with him over a period of time. When she

later found out that she had been duped, she petitioned the EFCC.” One of the charges reads: ‘‘That you Nwakanma C. Chukwudi (alias Barry Bernard) on or about the 10th day of June, 2014 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud had in your possession (email box- barrybernard777@ yahoo.com), a document containing a picture in which you represented yourself as a white man by name Barry Bernard, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1

Lagos communities get 51 transformers

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Rural Development, Mr Jafar Sanuth, Special Adviser, Rural Development, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, Commissioner for Rural Development, Cornelius Ojelabi, Oba Israel Adewale Okoya, and the House Committee Chairman, Energy and Mineral Resources, Ogunyemi Lanre, at the handing over of transformers to CDAs in Badagry on Tuesday.

Muritala Ayinla

ural, coastal and semiurban communities in Lagos State yesterday

received 51 transformers to boost electricity generation and distribution in the areas. The Commissioner for Rural Development, Pas-

tor Cornelius Ojelabi, who made the presentation, said the transformers were made possible by the lawmakers representing the communities in the state House of

Chukwudi

(3) of the same Act.’’ Justice Agishir adjourned the matter till April 7 for consideration of the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody. Assembly. Ojelabi said the lawmakers prevailed on Governor Babatunde Fashola to accede to the request for the provision of the transformers, despite the fact that transformer procurement and distribution should not be the responsibility of the state government. The commissioner also noted that the Eko Distribution Company (EKDC) and Ikeja Distribution Company (IKDC) were not capable to provide the needs of the people despite several meetings held with them. According to him, the two companies disclosed that they were in need of transformers to effectively distribute power to the state. The commissioner reminded the communities that the state government had been over the years meeting the yearnings of its people by providing total transformers in its communities, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure despite the fact that it was Federal Government’s responsibility.

Robbers injure six in raid on UNIUYO Tony Anichebe Uyo

t least six persons, among them a lady, were injured when gunmen suspected to be robbers invaded the campus of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State. It was gathered that the gunmen stormed the postgraduate hostel of the institution about 1am on Monday, ransacked the entire 20 rooms and stole over 10 laptops, 20 mobile phones, cash and other personal belongings of the students. “Some of us were deeply asleep after reading, while some of our colleagues were still working on their dissertations. Suddenly, we heard

Chukwudi

a hard kick on the fragile door to the hostel; the next thing we saw was a group of armed men pointing guns and ordering everyone to remain calm with faces downward throughout the over one hour the operation lasted,” one of

the postgraduate students told our correspondent. “The gunmen took away my new phone, cash and my laptops containing essential documents including part of my dissertations and research work that I have been working on since the last five years,” he added. Narrating her ordeal, one of the students, whose head was injured with gun butt, said the robbers made away with her research materials stored in her laptops and other personal effects, including cash. Another student, who does not want his name in print, said there had been incessant robbery attacks on the campus. He said: “A similar incident

occurred last Thursday without any action by both the internal security on the campus and the police stationed beside the gate to the campus. “The criminals robbed the campus with impunity for close to one hour and we called the police without any prompt response. Even the chief security officer and other internal security officials were not on duty at the time the incident occurred. “I sensed that both the internal security and the police have always compromised because since last year, the undergraduate and postgraduate hotels of the school had been attacked about 10 times and the school authorities would not do anything in that direction.”

digbo socio-cultural organisation in the 16 local government and local council development areas in Lagos State yesterday conferred a chieftaincy title on the lawmaker representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, Gbenga Ashafa. The organisation said that the lawmaker was honoured for empowering all the residents in the constituent without discriminating against the Igbo speaking communities in the state. The leader of the group, Chief Kelvin Nwaoha, who, along with other Igbo leaders popularly called Ezes, conferred the title of ‘Ugochinyere 1’ on Ashafa, said the Lagos State Government also included Igbo in the State Executive Council. Nwaoha added that Igbo were happy that their children and their members also benefitted from the various empowerment and other developmental programmes of the lawmaker. He called on Igbo-speaking residents in the Lagos East Senatorial District to re-elect Ashafa for a second term. “It is not all wealthy Nigerians that can do what Senator Ashafa is doing. Our children have benefitted from your empowerment and skill acquisition programmes. “You have been carrying our people along in your programmes; that is why we are giving you chieftaincy tittle and endorsing you for a second term today. “Your computer skill acquisition has assisted in reducing poverty and the number of people seeking white collar jobs.”

Man charged with rape of 15-year-old girl

34-year-old civil servant, Segun Oluyara, yesterday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl. Oluyara, who resides at No. 36, Oduntan Street, Ketu, Lagos, is facing a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that the accused committed the offence about 2p.m on March 18, at No.114, Ogunmefun Street, off Pedro, Lagos. Anyanwu, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the accused and the victim met at a restaurant and promised her job. He said: “The accused took the victim to a guest house and claimed to be the owner. “The accused took the victim to a room and pushed her on the bed before he forcefully had unlawful sexual intercourse with her. “The accused gave the victim a soft drink and a drug ‘postinor 2’ to prevent pregnancy. “The girl told her mother, who reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested. “The victim was taken to the hospital for medical check-up and treatment.” The prosecutor noted that the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

Fashola, Ambode to voters: Stay back after voting Temitope Ogunbanke and Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, the All P ro g re s s ive s Congress governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the lawmaker representing the Lagos East senatorial District, Gbenga Ashafa yesterday urged voters to remain at their polling units after voting to ensure that their votes were counted. They described the or-

der of the Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Abba, that people should leave polling units after casting their votes, as an attempt to rig and manipulate election results from the polling units, saying that Nigerians should disregard such directive. They spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Somolu Local Government Area, in Lagos, calling on the voters not to only vote, but also wait behind to ensure that counting process were done in their presence. They also urged them to record proceedings with their

mobile phones for purpose of transparency. Fashola said according to the constitution, electorate could wait at the polling units as long as they did not foment trouble, advising the electorate on how to take active part in the election without being disenfranchised. In his remarks, Ambode, who urged voters to record the election with their phones, reiterated his plan to create employment and empower the youths, saying the problem of jobless young graduates could be addressed with right leadership.

He said, “Don’t stay 300 meters away from the polling units. Go to the polling units with your phones and record the process. We are marching to victory. “We don’t want graduates who are unemployed to roam the street and that was why we have decided that we will create Entrepreneur Credit Guarantee Scheme so that you can have access to fund rather than approaching the bank where you are asked to bring collaterals that you cannot afford. With this, you will be able to employ others, and

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; wife of APC vice-presidential candidate, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; his wife, Olufunso; wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and wife of Rivers State Governor, Mrs. Judith Amaechi, at the APC South West Zonal presidential women rally in Abeokuta... yesterday.

through this, millions of unemployed youths will be off the streets. He said that the general elections should not be about tribe or religion, but about the future of the country. “We want our freedom; we want our liberty and we should work towards a united Nigeria,” he said.

He also urged the electorate to use their votes, rather than violence, to support the APC in the general elections. He described violence as an aberration in democracy and therefore advised voters to express themselves through the ballot papers rather than acts that could ruffle the system.

APC still in coma over Ekiti –Fayose Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) was still dazed by the defeat it it suffered in last year June governorship election in the state. He said the loss by the APC in all the 16 local government areas of the state was still haunting the party like a nightmare. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday through his Special Assistant, Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, Fayose, described the APC spokesperson, Lai Mohammed’s allegation that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was planning the “modified Ekiti rigging strategy” to rig Saturday’s presidential election, as a person traumatised and was crying wolf where non existed. He said; “In the minds of Lai Mohammed and

his APC jesters, an election they lost so glaringly was rigged, but Ekiti people who voted overwhelmingly for the PDP know that the election was won fair and square. “It is obvious that the APC and its gullible supporters were highly traumatised by the Ekiti humiliating defeat and no matter how hard they tried, they have not been able to wake up to face the reality of a total rejection by Ekiti people.” The governor advised the party to prepare for another electoral pitfall in next Saturday presidential poll, saying, “no matter how loud their lamentation, forces of deceit and falsehood, which the APC represents, will never take over Nigeria.” Continuing, Fayose said; “From stomach infrastructure to photochromic rigging and now military rigging, it is obvious that the APC people won’t get revived from their state of electoral coma until 2019.”

Parents’ influence important to Jonathan’s endorsement unsettles Osun monarchs Don’t turn Ekiti to battlefield, wards’ success –Afe Babalola as downgrading and an rulers frowned at the enAdeolu Adeyemo Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

oremost legal luminary and founder of the Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has said that the influence of parents on their children and wards is an important factor that can help shape the future of children, especially with regards to their educational pursuit. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti at a reception organised for him by the management of the university over his award of a honorary Doctor of Law degree by the University of London, Babalola, who said his parents did not have the opportunity of sponsoring his education due to lack of funds, advised the students to appreciate the efforts of their parents. He said he only attended the primary school for formal education and had to do every other thing through correspondence. “Your parents are important to your life. Many

of you do not know that you are here through the effort of one person or the other. You were sent here by some people, either your parents or guardians. “You are luckier than somebody like me who did not have the luxury of a parent to send me to exclusive school. You must, therefore, appreciate your parents and strive so that their efforts will not be in vain,” he said. He told the audience that people would normally not value anything they have until it is lost.

Osogbo

he purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for reelection by some traditional rulers in Osun State in next Saturday’s presidential election has polarised the traditional institution in the state. The development has set the tone for bickering among the traditional rulers as the ranks of the monarchs have witnessed blames and buck passing, with some of them describing the development

eyesore, even as others are putting up with the situation. New Telegraph investigations revealed that, the situation was fast snowballing into confrontations among the manarchs, as those who dissociated themselves from the development have vehenmently condemned steps taken on the endorsement. At a press briefing shortly after a meeting of a cross section of traditional rulers at the palace of Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Olayiwola Olawale Adedeji, some of the traditional

dorsement, claiming it has severely put honour the manarchs in disrepute. The traditional rulers also alleged that the integrity of monarchs in the state was even more downgraded as it was the talk on every lips that the endorsement was done, following monitisation of the of the process, as they said that all the traditional rulers in the state without exception were beneficiaries of the process. They said, “Consequently, our subjects have been accosting us, demanding our explanation for engaging in such acts.”

Mimiko, worthy Yoruba ambassador –NANS Babatope Okeowo Akure

overnor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has been described as a worthy ambassador of Yoruba race by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for his sensitization of the Yoruba nation to the

benefit of the recommendations of national conference to their wellbeing through the series of post confab summits he has organised. The students’ body, in a statement by its National Vice President ( National Affairs), Mr Gbenga Ayenuro said the implementation of the report of

the national conference as being canvassed for by the governor would not only bring the race out of political doldrums, but would give future to the Nigerian youths. According to him, the recent activities of the governor, has been able to strengthen the belief of the Yoruba in a new era. His words “No governor

or leader who hails from Yoruba since the advent of Political system in Nigeria has ever been able to bring the large gathering of Yoruba leaders under one canopy to discuss extensively on the progress and development of the Yoruba Nation. “Mimiko has been someone who we admired and cherished.”

says Bamidele Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

member of House of Re p r e s e n t a tives, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, has warned politicians in Ekiti State against turning it to a battlefield in their quest to emerge victorious during next Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections. Speaking in AdoEkiti on yesterday, Bamidele, a chieftain of the Labour Party, urged politicians to respect the peace accord signed by them before the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu. Bamidele, who represents Ado/Irepodun /Ifelodun Federal constituency, said politicians must prevent the repeat of killings that were witnessed in the state before the June 21 governorship election.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MarCh 25, 2015

Electioneering

Buhari: Corruption, insecurity, job creation top priority

March 28

Presidential poll decides Nigeria’s future

Senate

General elections

Kalu distributes 15,000 mobile phones to party agents, chieftains

Mark: Only free, transparent polls will guarantee democracy

Politics

Jonathan’s season of promises For over a month, President Goodluck Jonathan criss-crossed the 36 states of the federation to market his candidature ahead of the March 28 presidential election. At every campaign rally, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made promises he pledged to implement if re-elected. He also took time to reel out his achievements in the past four years. For President Jonathan, the issues are almost the same: security, implementation of confab report, youth and women empowerment, creation of two million jobs annually, boosting of agriculture, wealth creation, improved transportation, education and many others. AYODELE OJO reports Lagos: Confab report as a bait On January 8, 2015, President Jonathan flagged-off his campaign in Lagos. At the presidential rally held at the Tafawa Balewa Square,

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Ekiti: Better days ahead for youths President Jonathan during PDP presidential campaign at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ekiti on January 14 assured Nigerian youths of better days, if re-elected. He assured Nigerians that he had set up a presidential Jobs Board, chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo to develop a framework through which two million Nigerian youths can be gainfully employed annually.

Jonathan

Lagos, President Jonathan gave the assurance that the report of the 2014 National Conference would be implemented when reelected. He also pledged to fight corruption headlong, by strengthening anti-graft institutions. Enugu: Fighting corruption with improved technology President Jonathan took his campaign train to Enugu on January 9 where he restated his commitment to fight corruption through technology, if re-elected. “With technology, you can track down criminals. I am not going to run Nigeria on my heartbeat but according to international best practices. I will continue to run this country based on the rule of law,” the president said. He said he had directed contractor handling the ongoing terminal project at the Enugu International Airport to expedite action so as to boost the economy of the SouthEast. Ibadan: Transportation, healthcare and stabilise economy President Jonathan while campaigning in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on January 11, assured the people of the state that the PDP administration would pay attention to the healthcare, improve transportation by having a functional railway system and stabilise the economy.

He said that he was more committed to Nigerians than ever before, promising to involve even more women in governance. He also gave assurance that he would tackle corruption with the use of advanced technology. INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Our aim is to prepare the young people for their future roles as leaders in sports, education, and in the entertainment industry

Abeokuta: Two million jobs on the way At the Abeokuta rally on January 12, President Jonathan pledged to create not less than two million jobs annually, if re-elected. He also said he would give priority attention to address the challenges of Nigerian youths in order to prepare them ahead for leadership roles. Jonathan said he would improve infrastructure in the tertiary institutions, retain the offices of First Ladies, empower the womenfolk to enable them contribute effectively to national development and continue with the agricultural transformation agenda. Osogbo: Tackling unemployment, terrorism At Osun State rally, on January 13, the president promised to tackle youth unemployment, by creating two million jobs annually. He noted that 1.8 million youths entered into labour market on a yearly basis He said he would fight terrorism. “This terrorism cannot last forever. If my administration is reelected, terror will be minimal,” he stressed.

Abakaliki: Partnership on education, agriculture and industry President Jonathan was in Abakaliki on January 16 where he promised that his administration would partner with Ebonyi State government in all sectors of the economy to create jobs for the youth. He listed the areas of partnership to include education, agriculture, industry and health. The president stated that his government would improve on the power sector to boost small and medium industries for job opportunities for the young ones. “Improvement in the power sector will stimulate the small and medium industries and enable the state to key properly into the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government. “The Federal Government will also partner the state to harness the rich mineral deposits in the area to help generate employment and fortify the economy,” he said. He also expressed the hope of a woman becoming Nigeria’s president in his life time. Umuahia: Special fund for youth empowerment The youth was also the focal point of the president’s campaign in Umuahia, Abia State on January 16. President Jonathan said his administration will create special fund for the empowerment of youths in the country. According to him, my administration will help young Nigerians to identify and harness their potential for greatness. “The year 2015 is for young Nigerians, we must help the youth to identify and harness their talents,” he said. Awka: Better deal ahead President Jonathan did not make specific promise when his campaign train berthed in AnamCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

WEDNESDAY, MarCh 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari: Corruption, insecurity, job creation top priority FELIX NWANERI chronicles the several promises made by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, during his visits to the states in the course of his campaign

he clock ticks gradually to the March 28 presidential election, which will decide who leads Nigeria in the next four years. A total of 14 candidates are contesting the poll but there is no doubt that it is a twohorse race between the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Both candidates have traversed the length and breadth of the country, consisting of 36 states soliciting for votes. The campaign window according to guidelines by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is still open, but so far, it has been a season of promises – realistic and unrealistic ones. For General Buhari, who is making a fourth attempt at unseating the ruling party, his campaign promises revolves around three issues – fight against corruption, insecurity and job creation. He has vowed to stop the Boko Haram insurgency in months, create millions of jobs and end corruption if elected. Little wonder his campaign train which took off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on January 6, has so far criss-crossed 35 out of the 36 states in the country. Port Harcourt: Fight corruption, revive ailing economy The flag-off of the APC presidential campaign, which took place at the Adokie Amasiemeka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on January 6, witnessed a massive turnout of party members from across the country. Addressing the crowd, Buhari decried the country’s alarming corruption index; intolerable unemployment situation; insecurity and poor economy. He said on assumption of office as president, he would fight corruption, transform Nigeria’s ailing economy, provide jobs for the masses and tackle insecurity in the North-East. His words: “The fundamental issues facing this country are insecurity and the problem of economy which is being made worse by corruption. We have lined up programmes on how to tackle unemployment. We are going to assemble a team of professionals for

L-R: APC vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Osinbajo’s wife, Oludolapo; Mrs. Aisha Buhari and General Buhari at a rally.

wealth creation and employment for our teeming youths. We will put a mechanism in place to fight insecurity, improve on the economy and fight corruption.” Uyo: Fight graft, steady power After the Rivers flag-off, Buhari moved to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the same day. He told his supporters in the PDP-controlled state that the Jonathan administration has ruined Nigeria. “The PDP has ruined this country, we have a lot to do, a lot to secure this country. We have reached a stage when we must send PDP out,” he said. He promised that the nation’s wealth will belong to Nigerians, and nobody would be given the opportunity to steal from the treasury. “We will draw a line when we come to power. Anybody who steals Nigerians’ money will find himself in jail,” he said, adding that his administration will ensure steady power supply for private and small businesses to thrive in order to reduce the lingering unemployment in the country. Calabar: Resuscitate ailing industries In Calabar, Cross Rivers State on January 7, Buhari promised to use the non-oil sector to boost Nigeria’s economy, if elected. According to him, his administration will also restore the lost glory of education and address the problem of power supply to resuscitate ailing industries. “Our main objective is to make sure that agriculture and other non-oil sectors get priority to create opportunities for Nigerian so that whether educated or not, will have gainful employment,” he said. Buhari also said his administration will also restore the lost glory of education and address the problem of power supply to resuscitate ailing industries in the country. “Unless we get power supply correct, our in-

dustries cannot survive, so we must resuscitate our industries and get Nigeria going again,’’ he said.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

We will draw a line when we come to power. Anybody who steals Nigerians’ money will find himself in jail

Warri: Good governance, education Addressing a rally in Warri, Delta State on January 7, the APC presidential candidate pledged that his government would work tirelessly to turn the tide in all areas where the wheel of progress of the Nigerian nation had been impeded by the PDP-led government. He promised to employ the best hands to manage ministries and parastatals when elected, adding that the manifesto of the party would be strictly followed. “The issue facing this country, we all know, is mainly security and the destruction of the Nigerian economy, but our objective is absolutely clear, we intend to secure this country as soon as we can and efficiently manage it. “We do not like unemployment, suffering, low standard of education, lack of healthcare and destruction of infrastructure, we will apply ourselves to them and make sure we succeed within the shortest possible time,” he said. He also promised to rehabilitate the country’s four refineries and revive the pipelines and depots if elected. Yenagoa: Revamp power and agric sectors The APC presidential campaign train arrived Yenagoa, Bayelsa State (President Jonathan’s home state) on January 8, with Buhari pledging to revamp the agriculture and power sectors, if elected. Noting that Bayelsa is blessed with a suitable climate and fertile land for large scale agriculture, he said such would be harnessed to drive economic development. He also promised to embark on skills acquisition and empowerment

schemes for unemployed youths in the state. On corruption, he said his administration will not treat public treasury looters with kid gloves. Abakaliki: End importation of rice In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital on January 9, Buhari promised to end the importation of rice and other food items into the country, if elected president. Describing Ebonyi as one of Nigeria’s food baskets, he said: “If your farmers are properly empowered, we don’t need to import rice into the country again.” He added: “Everybody knows the ingenuity of the Igbo man. We will empower you to do more in this area by providing constant electricity to the zone and the entire country… “Education will be given the biggest priority because it is the biggest capital you can give to the individuals. When you educate them, they can take care of themselves appropriately.” Aba: Develop infrastructure In Aba, the commercial city of Abia State, the APC presidential candidate promised to develop infrastructure and encourage the entrepreneurship spirit of Nigerians if given the mandate. His words: “We will focus on infrastructural development in terms of power and roads, which are necessary. We will also encourage the entrepreneurship spirit of the people of Aba and this zone because your entrepreneurship capability is known even beyond Nigeria. “We will make sure that you have good roads, electricity and communication and we will empower farmers to produce more food. The main concern of APC is to see that no capable Nigerian is left idling away and roaming the streets to constitute CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESday, March 25, 2015

16 Politics

WEDNESDAY, MarCh 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Better days ahead, says Jonathan C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

bra on January 17. He only promised of better deal if re-elected. “God willing, if we sail through during this election, we have a lot of things to do for Anambra and the South-East people. “My heart is with you all and the support you are giving my government will not go for nothing. “I want you all to be patient with us; a lot of good things are coming for you,” he assured. Owerri: Youth-oriented programmes In Imo, the president promised to empower and encourage more youths to be great leaders through youth-oriented programmes. “Our aim is to prepare the young people for their future roles as leaders in sports, education, and in the entertainment industry,” he said. Speaking at a rally held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on January 17, the president said his government would continue to carry Nigerian women along. He promised to boost the office of the First Lady and giving more support to women empowerment programmes. “It is not enough to just give ministerial appointments; my administration is focused now on projecting Nigerian women to the international limelight,” he said. Sokoto: Extension of rail line On January 19, the president was in Sokoto where he renewed his commitment to the improvement of the lots of Nigerians. President Jonathan said his administration would continue to accord priority attention to the development of the education sector. According to him, the PDP government believes in one Nigeria and we will continue to deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy to Nigerians. His vice, Namadi Sambo, stated that the Jonathan administration, if re-elected, would extend the rail line from Kaura Namoda in Zamfara to Sokoto and to Niger republic. Birnin Kebbi: Construction of 655km road, boost rice production In Kebbi, President Jonathan said his administration chose Kebbi as one of the seven pilot states for rice production, noting that “we would continue to boost rice production with a view to substituting rice importation with export.” He said the Federal Government had intensified efforts in curtailing desertification under the Great Green Wall Project (GGW) launched in the state. On January 19, President Jonathan told supporters at a rally in Birnin Kebbi that the Federal Government has awarded contract for reconstruction of the 655-kilometre Sokoto-Yauri-Kontagora road. Gusau: Addressing infrastructure challenges In Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, President Jonathan on January 20 pledged to address infrastructure and unemployment challenges in the state if re-elected. He observed that Zamfara and

L-R: Sambo, Patience, Jonathan and Mu’azu at a rally.

his home state of Bayelsa had peculiar problems of poor infrastructure, unemployment, and untapped agricultural endowment. “I promise to improve all these sectors if I return as president,” he stated. Katsina: More attention to agriculture, education, rail line President Jonathan was in Katsina, the home state of his main rival, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, on January 20 where he promised to improve the educational status of the state. “We are ready to give education and agriculture high priority in the state as the people are predominantly agrarians and give much concern to education,” he said. He explained that his administration established a federal university to give Katsina youths more opportunity to pursue their educational career. “I know that the state already has two universities, but I decided to establish another one to further enhance the pursuit of knowledge,” he added. Speaking at the rally, Sambo said the Federal Government would establish rail line on Katsina-Kano and Katsina-SokotoKauranamoda-Birninkebbi routes to enhance business activities in the North-West area of the country. He also said that the government had awarded contract for the dualisation of Kano-Katsina road. The project, he said, would also boost socio-economic activities, especially in the two states. Kano: New lease of life for ailing industries In Kano, President Jonathan said the Federal Government will reactive all the moribund industries in Kano if re-elected. Also, he said he is committed to total eradication of polio. At a rally held at the Polo Ground in Kano, Jonathan said: “We have intervened in so many projects but I am assuring you we will work with the PDP incoming government to provide jobs to women and youths.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Improvement in the power sector will stimulate the small and medium industries and enable the state to key properly into the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government

“This will ensure that the economy of the state continue to improve from strength to strength,” he said. Jonathan said his administration was working tirelessly toward improving means of transporting goods and services, especially agricultural products. Dutse: Freedom, support for farmers Freedom for Nigerians was the kernel of the president’s campaign in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, when the president came calling on January 21. “Democracy is all about freedom and any democracy without it is not democracy,” he said. He pledged to assist farmers in the state through the supply of fertiliser and provision of soft loans to boost production. Bauchi: Harnessing agriculture, solid minerals potential When the presidential campaign train berthed in Bauchi on January 21, President Jonathan said, if re-elected, he would give priority to agriculture and solid minerals as they were vital for the sustenance of the country’s economy. “If re-elected, my administration will partner with the Bauchi State Government to exploit the huge economic potential of these sectors,” the president said. Makurdi: Soft loans to farmers, Teaching Hospital Benue, no doubt, prides itself as the Food Basket State. And when the president took his campaign tour to Makurdi, the state capital, on January 22, he said he would give soft loans to farmers to boost food production if re-elected. “This government believes that in the next four years we will stop the importation of rice and Benue State is important in the programme. This administration will encourage agriculture at the secondary and the tertiary levels,” he said. The president said that he would provide the enabling environment for food processing to

thrive in the country. He also promised to build a teaching hospital in Benue and open a Faculty of Medicine in the University of Agriculture in the state to be financed from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). He also promised the completion of Otukpo-Oweto Bridge to enhance transportation for people in the area. Maiduguri: $1bn needed to replace amenities As expected, security issue formed the basis of President Jonathan’s campaign in Maiduguri on January 24 when he visited Borno State. He said he would give total support to security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the country. He also pledged to ensure that the abducted Chibok schoolgirls returned home. He said the Federal Government would generate $1 billion to replace amenities destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency in the state. “Nigerians must be rest assured that my government will end the Boko Haram and the people will go back home. “We will continue to give our support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through the Victims Support Fund Intervention to ease hardship of the people,” he said. Jonathan also promised to embark on relevant projects that would impact on the lives of the people. Jos: Returning Plateau to path of peace The president preached harmony when he visited Plateau State on January 26. He challenged Plateau people to work towards returning the state to its former status as the most peaceful in the country. He promised to make Nigeria a much better place if given a second term, saying that more sectors would enjoy massive intervention as was currently witnessed in the

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MarCh 25, 2015

rail, agriculture and power sectors. “We must collectively fight our problems the way we fought and defeated the Ebola virus that would have been a calamity if it had become pandemic,” he said. Ilorin: Wealth creation, no intimidation In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the president promised to create an avenue for wealth creation. He stated that young graduates would benefit from his administration’s initiatives. Speaking at a rally held at the Metropolitan Square on January 27, President Jonathan promised more investment in the agriculture sector in order to boost employment opportunities in the country. The president said he would create an atmosphere where the people of the state would develop their potential without fear of intimidation. “We don’t want a government run by intimidation; you must be able to express yourselves. “That is the reason I signed the Freedom of Information Bill into law. “Nigeria is not a zoological garden, Nigeria is not a forest, it is a country that its citizens must be free to express themselves,” he said. Nasarawa: Agriculture, integration into Abuja Master Plans Farming was the campaign thrust of President Jonathan when he mounted the podium at the Township Stadium, Lafia on January 27. He promised to give priority to the agricultural sector, if re-elected. He said his administration was introducing commercial agriculture in secondary schools to make Nigerians see agriculture as a big time venture, rather than being just about hoes and cutlasses. “If re-elected, our government will invest in the agriculture sector to reduce the nation’s reliance on revenue from crude oil. “We can transform the state without waiting for the federal allocations. Nasarawa is a state that has a lot of potential. “We must make sure solid minerals in the state are developed; that we no more depend on oil to run the economy of the country.” The president gave assurance that Nasarawa would be integrated into the Abuja Master Plans because of its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory. He also said that his administration would complete the Doma Dam if voted into power. “Reviving the agricultural sector in the state would make her a major food basket of the nation. It is capable of reducing unemployment, youth restiveness and crime in the state,” he said, assuring that his administration would be committed to empowering farmers to enable them boost crop production and earn more revenue. He also said his administration would invest in the younger generation and ensure that a space was created for them in future. Akure: Partnership for development In Akure, the president at a rally on January 28 promised to partner with the Ondo State Government for developmental projects. “All we request from you is your votes. When you vote massively for

us to ensure we remain in power beyond 2015, we will work with your government to make sure that we give you the best,” the president said.

Ibom to a university, if re-elected. He also promised to link the state with railway lines, adding that the development of Ibaka Deep seaport would be a reality.

Port Harcourt: We’ll live indelible prints While in Port Harcourt, the president admitted that his administration has not done much for the state. But he promised to live indelible prints in Rivers if re-elected. He said: “I can reassure that just work with us. Vote for us, and definitely, we must leave indelible prints in Rivers State. “Luckily, we have been challenged that we have not done anything. We must do something,” he said at a rally on January 28

Kaduna: Reviving ailing textile industry In the past, the textile industry sector was the main hub of the Kaduna State economy which is moribund now. President Jonathan has pledged to revive the ailing sector to generate employment and boost the economy. He made the pledge when he held the presidential rally on January 31. Jonathan also said he would work closely with farmers and manufacturers to ensure that the industries are back to life. He said the special power project, being undertaken at Kudendan Industrial area of Kaduna metropolis, was part of the plans by his administration to provide steady power supply to aid in the resuscitation of industries in the state. He said Kaduna people were major beneficiaries of the revamped railways sector and would be among the first set of commuters to enjoy the modern rail line between Abuja and Kaduna. “We are here to inform the people of Kaduna to give us a second mandate of four years to continue our transformation programmes to a reasonable level. “You cannot complete developing a nation within 100 years but we believe that if we are given another four years, most of our projects will get to a level where it will not go backward again.”

Jalingo: Presidential Resort, microcredit for farmers In Jalingo, the president pledged to build a Presidential Resort on the Mambilla-Plateau in Taraba to serve as holiday camp for African presidents if re-elected. Mambilla-Plateau is located on a high altitude making it one of the coolest points in the country. Jonathan, who spoke on January 29 while addressing a presidential rally in the state, promised the quick completion of Mambilla hydroelectric power dam project to support development of the area. When completed, the project would generate 3,050 megawatts of electricity, provide water for irrigation and create job opportunities for the residents of the area. The president said micro-credit facilities and other farm inputs would be provided to farmers to boost their production capacity. Yola: Capture lost territories, dredging of River Benue to Yola In Adamawa, security was also a major campaign issue. Addressing a rally on January 29, the president reiterated his administration’s commitment to recapture all the occupied territories in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. This has since been done. Vice-President Sambo announced the award of contract for the constructions of Kiri and Jada dams in the state, to serve the purpose of hydro-electric power and agriculture. He also said that the Jonathanled administration would dredge River Benue to Yola to improve water ways transportations.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

We are here to inform the people of Kaduna to give us a second mandate of four years to continue our transformation programmes to a reasonable level

Calabar: Youth development, wealth creation On January 30, the president was in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, where he gave an assurance that if re-elected, he would focus on youth development. “I am going to use my second term in office to create an avenue for wealth creation, so that young graduates can have an alternative to be self-reliant. “If Nigerian youths are meaningfully engaged, it will reduce social vices and promote the economic profile of our great nation.” Jonathan urged youths in the state to have a positive outlook towards life, adding that the future of the country was in their hands. Uyo: New university, railway lines, Ibaka Deep seaport When President Jonathan visited Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on January 30, he promised to upgrade Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron in Akwa

Gombe: Power from Dadin-Kowa Dam On February 2, President Jonathan was in Gombe where he promised to generate power from Dadin-Kowa Dam in Yamaltu/ Deba Local Government Area of the state, if re-elected. “We are looking at Dadin-Kowa Dam for provision of steady power supply to Gombe State, in addition to assisting farmers in the state,” he said. He assured that if re-elected, his administration would continue to create opportunities for the economic development of the people of the state. He reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to create two million new jobs annually, if re-elected. Lokoja: Rail line to link Kogi to Abuja President Jonathan pledged to construct a rail line between Abuja and Lokoja as part of measures to fast-track the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Addressing PDP supporters in Lokoja, the state capital, on February 3, Jonathan said that the engineering design of the rail line, which would run through Ajaokuta, would soon be approved. On Ajaokuta Steel Company, the president said that the Federal Government was committed to the completion of the project. “We are not playing politics with Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Company. Legal issues have been holding down its completion,” the president said. He said the final legal documents for the resuscitation of the company would be signed in a couple of weeks from now. In his remarks, Sambo said the Federal Government would ensure the quick actualisation of the Alape Crop processing Zone in the state and other ongoing federal projects. Minna: Women, youths empowerment In Minna, the president’s campaign centres on the empowerment of women and youths. Addressing a rally on February 3, Jonathan said his administration, if re-elected, will continue to empower women in all sectors of the country’s economy. He said women formed part of his administration’s winning team. “PDP is a party for everybody, party for the youth, for the women. As president, I see women as friendly genders. My administration has been all about women and youths empowerment through the SURE-P. “Women and youths must be given the opportunity to participate freely in politics. I encourage young people with talents in music, film and soccer industry,” he said. Asaba: $16bn gas project on the way President Jonathan on February 4 in Asaba, the Delta State capital, promised massive employment for the teeming youths across the country. He said he would focus on the development of the entertainment industry. He also pledged his administration’s commitment to the completion of the $16 billion Delta Gas City Project at Ogidigben in Warri South-West Local Government. Yenagoa: FG to partner with Bayelsa The president was in his home state, Bayelsa, on February 6 to finally end his campaign tour until the poll shift from February 14 to March 28. He said he would ensure even development of the state if reelected. The president said he would partner with the state government to develop the state. Damaturu: We’ll wipe out Boko Haram The PDP presidential candidate during his campaign in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on March 21 stated that his administration will wipe out the Boko Haram sect completely from the zone and the country. “Let me tell you, by the grace of God, before March 28 presidential election Boko Haram would be history. Every displaced people will return to their villages and towns by all means,” he said.

Jonathan at a rally

MORE STORIES ON pageS 40-43

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion My fears about the election Jide Ayobolu

do not have the power of clairvoyance or any other supernatural powers that will enable predict with utmost precision, what is likely to happen in the unfolding exercise. Neither, do I have the means to gaze into crystal balls or consult with octopuses to make forecasts or predictions, or even read into the crevices of peoples minds, but I can carefully and systematically read with clarity and circumstantial evidences, the goings-on and what could likely be the eventual outcome and fall outs of the transition plan of action. Although, the process has reached a frenzy, with the generality of the people, expectant, and ready to go to the polls to exercise their voting rights, to elect representatives of their choice at different levels of government, but the truth of the matter is that, from all indications and feelers from the behind-the-scene maneuverers, it is pretty obvious that the country might be in for a very long and perhaps, an unending transition programme. Therefore, it is expedient for me to state right from the onset that the 2015 election might not take place at all, and even if starts, it might be rendered inconclusive and if it is concluded and not favourable to the present occupiers of public office and welders of power, especially at the federal level, then hell might be let loose, even if the opposition wins, there is the likelihood of an uneasy calm. However, lately the president has come out boldly to say, he will win the election, which the national chairman of PDP said, if PDP will win, it will not be a landslide victory, hence, tentatively, we can assume election will take place, but nothing is cast in iron yet, as the political firmament is very tensed and there are plethora of

reasons for this. It is important to point out very lucidly that the election that was supposed to take place on the 14th of February, 2015, was postponed in a manner that surprised many. Not only was the military used to intimidate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in fact, INEC was so helpless and timid that it had no other plausible option than to willingly kowtow to the tune of the federal government and the military. The question is, why was the election postponed in the first place? It could not have been for the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) that INEC was distributing and the process is still on-going, it could not be for the simple reason that the military was involved in counter-insurgency and could therefore, not provide adequate security for the elections. The real reason why the election was swiftly shifted forward was because, if the election had taken place as earlier scheduled on the 14th of February, 2015, the ruling PDP would have performed woefully and met its electoral waterloo. Hence, with the impending obvious electoral fiasco, the election was shifted forward to enable PDP gain lost grounds and look for strategies for making in-roads into the hearts of the electorates, by carrying out some quick-fixes and doing emergency works in different areas of the national economy. In spite of the postponement, it seems nothing much has changed in the desire and mind-set of the generality of the electorate to effect fundamental changes through the instrumentality of the ballot box. And, the hawks within the ruling PDP are not oblivious of this reality. It is for this reason that the rumour mills are strewn with the desperation of the present government at the centre to foist different

political contraptions on the people and the country. To this end, the horrendous idea of Interim National Government (ING) or government of national unity has been severally mooted, ditto, the nauseating notion of handing over to the military for a number of years has also been put forward. These booby traps are gaining currency because, it is practically and realistically impossible for the war against Boko Haram insurgents to be decisively put paid to in just the six weeks’ time frame. In spite of the several victories recorded by the military over the insurgents, it is important to observe that, the insurgents have also been able to inflict serious casualties on the people of the country, especially in the North East and North West geo-political zones. Furthermore, INEC is not dancing to the whims and caprices of the ruling PDP, it has consistently insisted, for instance, on using voters card readers to forestall election rigging and multiple thumb printing but the PDP is vehemently opposed to this arrangement for reasons best known to it. To the PDP, the 2015 election is a do or die affair, it is not a means to an end, but an end in itself. The ruling PDP is ready and prepared to do just anything to retain political power at all cost. Even, militants and ex-militants from the south-south geo-political base of the president have said repeatedly that, if GEJ is not re-elected, Nigeria will go up in flames. Also, principal presidential aides have equally said that, the opposition will never ever form the next government in the country. Although, President Goodluck Jonathan has said, if he loses the election, he would willingly accept the outcome and return to his country home, however, it is important to stress unequivocally that, the body language of Mr. President says the exact opposite.

Ihedioha’s legacies at 50 Austin Uganwa

olden age is one milestone usually celebrated by many with profound fanfare and passion because it marks a critical turning point in one’s life. To Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives , this long established aphorism is not any different as he attains 50 today. But then for someone who has accomplished so many enviable feats in politics and public service within a short life span Hon Ihedioha has a lot to cheer, celebrate and many red carpets to lay consistent with his towering accomplishments Ihedioha’s golden age commemoration is remarkable in various ways. It coincides with the period he is suitably contesting to rule Imo state. Ihedioha is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag bearer in the state in next month’s general election with his chances of clinching the governorship brightening each passing day. His victory, predictably on the heels of this milestone would open yet another uncommon but largely striking chapter in his life Born into the family of late Pa Green Ihedioha on March 24, 1965 at the idyllic Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Council of Imo state, Ihedioha had a humble and regimented beginning. This was particularly so because he grew up under the tutelage of disciplined parents who held education and strict religious obligations in high premium. Thus, they brought young Emeka up to be a devout Christian, to have voracious appetite for education; growing thirst for self-

less service and service to humanity These attributes have had a farreaching effect in shaping Ihehioha, accounting for his astronomical growth and success in public service and politics. At 50, Ihedioha has amazingly held several strategic political positions through appointments and elections and now coasting home to be elected Imo state Governor. Ihedioha began his political apprenticeship when Third Republic Deputy Senate President, Senator Legogie appointed him Press Officer in 1991. Following military interregnum that resulted in the demise of that Republic, Ihedioha returned to private practice, firming up his First Page Public Relations outfit. He later joined People’s Democratic Movement that merged with other political associations to form the People’s Democratic Party . This enabled him to be part of the team that designed the party’s publicity roadmap at inception. He emerged in 1999 as the Special Adviser on Media Relations to the then President of the Senate, Senator Chuba Okadigbo. The tenure of his boss was short-lived and terminated in 2000 following his unbridled pursuit for the independence of the legislature which consistently put him in collision with the Presidency . Ihedioha was shortly after appointed Special Assistant Political Affairs by the then Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar It was from there his political career began to witness exceptional boost. At 50, Ihedioha has achieved so many rare feats with several legacies to attest to. He ran and won his first election in 2003 to represent Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala

in the House of Representatives. The Selection Committee of the House headed by Aminu Bello Masari appointed him Marine Transport Committee Chairman. He pursued critical Acts such as NIMASA Act 2007 and other key legislations which revolutionized the maritime sector of the economy. Interestingly, Ihedioha has won three consecutive elections, resulting in his 12-year stint in the House. Far more amazing is that his positions in the House have been on a steady progress . During his second tenure in 2007, South East House caucus elected him Chief Whip. Four years later, he was unanimously endorsed without dissension in 2011 as Deputy Speaker by his colleagues Ihehioha accordingly chairs the House Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review; headed the intellectual-based committee that designed House Roadmap for 2011 and 2015 and chairs the House Committee of the Whole that considers and passes all bills into law As chairman Constitution Review Committee, Ihedioha enthroned a credible, largely novel constitution review process by painstakingly involving the civil society groups and broadening the participation base of Nigerians by seeking their inputs in the 360 federal constituencies in the country. Thus all the items of his Committee’s report were endorsed wholesale by the House. Some of the revolutionary recommendations made by his committee include; making basic health, free and compulsory education from primary to junior high and basic shelter for all Nigerians. His stint in the National Assembly has

shown him to be development-focused and infrastructure-led. His pursuits for empowerment programmes resulting in wealth creation and employment boost have remained palpable and unassailable. These realities including his regular interface with his constituents are instructive of his dexterity for effective legislative governance. Although this piece is not principally fashioned to compute the many projects Ihedioha has brought to the state and South East zone, the record of his road infrastructure, electricity projects, education facilities, water projects, hospital facilities is significant and verifiable. For instance, Ihedioha got NDDC to award contract for Okpala-Igwuruta Road, linking Imo to Rivers with the first phase costing N4.2b; facilitated award of contract for the dualization of Owerri-Elele (Omayelu) 35-kilometre road at N23b. He also attracted contract for the design of the famous 63-kilometre Mbaise Ring Road cutting across three local councils Driven by the desire to build human capital to propel socio-economic development in Imo state, he has at various times organized empowerment programmes for Imo journalists, youths, women and even graduate engineers His guiding principle is respect for the rule of law and frankness with his “word being his bond”. He has promised Imo people that one of his cardinal objectives when elected as Governor would be the restoration of rule of law in a state Governor Rochas Okorocha has unfortunately enthroned lawlessness. • Dr Uganwa, wrote in from Owerri

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Handling weapons with caution

ormer Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, narrowly escaped death in Bauchi when soldiers enforcing emergency rule opened fire on his vehicle, crippling it instantly. The elder statesman was on his way to Bauchi State University, Gadau, where he is visitor, when his driver overtook a convoy of slow-moving military vehicles, an unguarded exuberance that infuriated the soldiers who have become edgy from exposure to counter-insurgency. ‘It was in the morning’, Abdullahi said’ as I was travelling to Gadau for a meeting. We had just passed the Awala Hotel roundabout when I saw military convoy moving very slowly’, he added. ‘I was trying to catch up for the meeting, so my driver overtook the military convoy. The next thing I knew was that they opened fire on us, with bullets sprayed all over the car, damaging the engine to the extent that we had to park by the roadside. The soldiers came out and were shouting angrily at us’. ‘They were demanding to know why we wanted to overtake them, asking if we did not know that they were transport-

it is doubtful that he would have exposed himself to the suspicion of soldiers, to the extent of pumping his vehicle with bullets as if he constituted a mobile target ing sensitive materials’, Prof Abdullahi said, trying to rationalize his helplessness until a captain later arrived and apologized profusely, promising to trace the trigger-happy soldiers to their unit. To underscore the need for greater caution and circumspection by security men, only last month, a professor of Agronomy and Director, Institute for Agricultural Research, Professor Ahmad Mustapha Falaki, was shot and killed by policemen in Kano State, prompting the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), to issue a threat to the Inspector-General over the brutal killing of the professor. Also recently in Lagos, a policeman on duty along the Lekki-Epe Road brutalized a

couple who were returning from an engagement, beating both the husband and wife black and blue before threatening to send them to their premature death if they did not crawl away from his sight. With the bloodied image of the victim circulating in the social media, the case drew widespread attention, forcing the police authorities to reluctantly promise to bring the errant policeman to justice for gross abuse of office. Till date, there is yet no evidence that the offending policeman has been brought to justice or that the Force is even sincere about breaking from its tradition of trying, almost too desperately, to shield errant law enforcement officials from being confronted with the consequences of their over-exuberance. As much as it is easy, even tempting, to empathize with Professor Abdullahi over his close shave with death in Bauchi, we must also remind ourselves that given the security situation in that part of the country, including the manipulation of minors into messengers of death(suicide bombers), a bit more of restraint might have averted this ugly situation. For example, if he had discouraged his driver from overtaking a military convoy

in an area that is under emergency rule, it is doubtful that he would have exposed himself to the suspicion of soldiers, to the extent of pumping his vehicle with bullets as if he constituted a mobile target. Because insurgents or suicide bombers are unidentifiable but rely on speed and surprise to unleash maximum mayhem, an obviously harmless and insignificant act like like one vehicle overtaking another may have been misconstrued as enemy action by soldiers who have been taught, by experience, to make no assumptions. Be that as it may, it is compelling to stress that many deaths might have been averted if armed security officials were regularly and rigorously appraised to ascertain not only their emotional stability but also their internalization of absolute restraint and circumspection-basic responsibilities of every weapons handler. While we caution on the use of weapons, there is the need to realise that only a lunatic could agree with an armed man, apologies to the great Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Weapons handling is part of military training, but the situation in the North-East may not allow a trained soldier the luxury of maximum human consideration.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Arts

Book Review

Oracle of Identity, Recreant love, African Foliage Title: Author: Publishers: Number of page: Year of publication:

Oracle Dayo Ibitayo Arogbokun Great MC Production 84 2012

Reviewer:

Oladipo Kehinde

he poet is the ‘oracle’ inspired by the gods. This collection is the temple of prophesy. The poetic fountains are from the house of muse. This collection of poems by Dayo Ibitayo Arogbokun has seven movements namely: African Foliage, Religion apology, Welcome to Nigeria, Cosmopolitan, Sublime, Emotional Fraternity/regrets and Normal life. The poet’s diction is metaphorically concrete and ripe with the fruits of imageries. The poet begins with slavery and the future of Africa. The thematic preoccupations of slavery in Africa are for Gold, Gospel and Glory. The poet writes in “Pray for Me”: “I am Africa / Bought by the purity of slavery”. This brings to the fore the poetry of David Diop “Africa My Africa”, my Africa, your Africa and our Africa. The poet depicts in “I can tell”: I can tell from the perforations on your lips / That muffle your song of freedom / I can tell from the slave signature on your back / That it was very heinous.” The Oracle speaks through the poet that Africa should beware of second incursion vis-à-vis Nigeria business is now expatriates business. The country should not dwell on the memory of Civil War of 1967. It is a black memory says the oracle. It is a war we could have averted if we reason with words. What have we gained or harvested from the recent Democracy? The

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

poet depicts that ICPC and EFCC are political distraction to hunt opposition. The law of the land is for the common man. The law should be above everybody. Justice is blind only to the poor man. The malady of corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation. The nation has to put differences aside. United we stand: divided we fall, which is the cold hard truth. The hullabaloo and brouhaha that besiege the country needs to be addressed for peace to reign supreme. There should be room for dialogue and resolution not revolution. We have to come as one and reason with words. The poet opines that religion, tribalism and corruption need to be tackled for the nation to progress. If words of reason are expensive one will opt for violence. The poet laments in “Ignore 11”:

A Man Too Many

(Ode To Chinua Achebe) Oladipo Kehinde Your words beat the conscience of humanity You are the fountain of creativity The gathering of words for a man too many He stands for Africa like a man besides his wife and children The beauty and brevity of his philosophical simplicity ripples the hearts Words are palm oil to eat yam in the house of muse Iroko, the tallest tree in the literary forest The gathering of words for a man too many Celestial journey on eastern wings The great iroko of our time The son of his age Chinua, the son of Achebe You are my hero A man too many.

“Poets render verses of our disasters/ Parsons sermonize our oppressions / Teachers teach our frustrations / Journalists write our deprivations / Nigerians bear the sufferings / The woes our government decreed.” We have to learn from the past to manage today’s gift as tomorrow remain a mystery. The poet writes in “Wasteland” that alludes to T.S Elliot’s “Waste Land” and Remi Raji’s “Love Song for my Wasteland”: “The flatter that all is well / Though many truths have spoken / Greed fell them on deaf ears / If ears would listen / Tears will cease to flow. Nigerians are watching and hoping for a better tomorrow to catch a glimpse of the rainbow.” In “System of Government” the poet also laments: “And at election time / With false generosity / Give atom of their loot / To their elector-

ates for re-election / Only then are they remembered as fellow Nigerians. The Creator is not interested in religion but personal with Him. There will be anarchy when we abhor spiritual laws. A man must look inward in search of himself, outward to embrace his brothers and sisters and upward to praise his Maker. Blood is sacred. Children are asking pertinent questions about the state of the nation. It is a situational irony when the vanguard and crusader of peace are the perpetrators of war. In “Identity” the poet writes: “I collect my thoughts/ From the minds that know/ The shadows of the past/ From the mouths that speak/ No religion should look down upon another religion.” Nobody should rule others with rigor. It is absurd to kill one another in the name of religion. The peace of God on

men makes the world a better place. In “Beauty of the Flesh” the poet writes: “Within the myopia of the den/ Near so far, yet we sin/ Of the beauty of the flesh/ The truth of the apocalypse eclipsed.” Some of the poems have metaphysical imagery that echoes the essence of mortality and immortality. Life is a journey. The poet preaches the Gospel according to poetry with the eyes of faith. The poet writes in “Sinless”: “He without sins/ Must first cast the stone/ Naked as the truth is/ We have all sinned/ And gone short of the grace.” The seed of love in the poet’s heart embraces the sunlight of hope. Love is the cord of our existence. In the eyes of love, we sing one song. The poet writes in “Recreant love”: “Don’t crush that rose/ It is my heart/ Love is the energy of life. It stirs the wheel of emotion into motion.”

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

The Mega City

...EXCLUSIVE LAGOS MAGAZINE

Beggars on Lagos street

Thriving business of begging Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now a trade. Daily, it flourishes. The players in the industry always appear wretched and run-down daily as they sit. They are among the earliest risers and among the last to leave the streets for the day. Their business is begging and their shops are busy locations in Lagos. They have combed all the nooks and crannies of Lagos. They are there in different forms and different patterns. But they conceal the fact that they are richer than some of the people they solicit alms from as observed by EZURIKE UGOCHUKWU

T LIFE IN THE CITY Day windstorm ravaged Orile Agege communities

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI CO-ORDINATOR

tosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com

ÂŠ Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

o Muslims, Christians and even atheists, giving is noble. It is generally believed that the hand that gives will not lack and will always prosper. In Lagos today, apart from the highbrow areas of Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja and few other areas, beggars are common sight in all corners. They sit in clusters on paved walkways and on pedestrian bridges. Some stand only to achieve a noticeable positioning to gain attention. Surprisingly, those highbrow areas are not left out in the begging business. The mode of begging in those environments is known as corporate begging. In its efforts to abridge this social menace called street begging, the present Lagos State government has approved some prohibition laws to check their activities as well as establishing some special courts to try beggars. The action raised some mixed feelings from Lagosians over the morality to send a mere beggar to gaol or repatriate some of them to their respec-

They dress in tatters to draw sympathy; they are in various age brackets

tive home states; while some social miscreants, otherwise called touts are allowed to move undisturbed in Lagos, making life unbearable to motorists in particular and Lagosians at large. So many beggars in the past have been sent to prison on account of this. At that period, it appeared that begging drastically reduced. Today, the lucrative business of begging for alms by all manners of people that abuse the magnanimity of Lagosians has surged once more, unmolested. A recent tour round Lagos by our reporters clearly showed that beggars are very much in their habitual spots with higher concentration in the Hausa dominated areas like Idiaraba and Agege. Apart from the beggars that usually line up at the Lawanson road in Ojuelegba, who have moved down to Idiaraba, in other places like Mushin on Isolo road and Iyana Iba,

where they are regularly warring with men of the Ojo Local Government Security watch, they are virtually in every corner of Agege area. At the Egbeda bus stop, they are there in their droves. At the mile 12 market through to Ketu, they occupy the two sides of the double lane road at vantage positions. At Oyingbo market area, they are there; Yaba, their presence is also felt. In fact, they are everywhere in Lagos. They dress in tatters to draw sympathy; they are in various age brackets; young and the old, men and women, the handicapped and the able bodied. Notwithstanding the number of cloths they receive from people daily, they never look neat. Their teeth are brownish; the women cover part of their head and display the part of the forehead that has white hairs that appear artificial with veils. The men CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Life | Mega City

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Unending begging business in Lagos

Another set of male beggars in Lagos CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 21

wear cap and some cover their neck down to the shoulder with towel all to achieve the motivepity. This flourishing art of begging is more common among the Hausas in Lagos. There other tribes that are spotted individually at various locations and mostly in the evenings. But it has become a way of life for some northerners. For them, it is a money spinning venture that will be extremely hard to dissuade them from. There are also the handicapped and mentally derailed persons. Such persons are often seen positioning themselves in their separate and habitual beats of begging either on their wheel chairs or squatting on bare floor. They are seen almost everywhere since they are few and have evidences to attract alms. Aside this group of beggars are the group classified as ‘corporate beggars’ by Lagosians. They are well dressed unlike the many other categories of beggars that dress in rags. They always have some seemingly genuine reasons and excuses to give as to why they are begging. They operate mostly in evenings and have good gab of the tongue. These men and women regularly anchor their demands on need for some money to augment their transport fare. Some of them at banks automated teller machines (ATM) are often seen dangling bunch of keys on the pretence of their car keys. Their stories are that

they ran short of fuel, and that their ATM cards could not dispense cash. They usually beg for N2,000 upward. The other category of beggars earlier mentioned are those that believe beggars do have choice. They show less appreciation to denominations from N20 downwards. They believe that little money does not attract God’s blessings to a giver. This is analogous to what a pastor allegedly told his congregation that if any member brings fowl to his church, he will give the member prayers commensurate to the fowl. While cows and fat envelopes attract longer and more meaningful prayers. Lagosians, who transact businesses around the beggars at their various begging points bared their minds on this social problem. Clifford Nwosu, a footwear seller on Isolo road, Mushin, where the beggars stay, said the beggars troop in to Lagos in their thousands on almost on daily basis, only to come and beg. “They have taken it as business and it is actually lucrative. There is nothing wrong in giving alms to a mentally or physically challenged person. But it gives cause to worry in seeing a healthy youngman or young mother sited at a place, primarily to beg for alms. They choose the things they take from people. If you give them things like bean cake, they become reluctant to take it. But if it’s money or a fanciful wrapped item, you will see the eagerness in them to collect it,” he said. He added that, “they

have commercialised begging. I heard they travel home and bring some new persons that would undergo apprenticeship for a period of at least, three years. Within the period, such apprentice begs and collects for his or her master till the expiration of the apprenticeship period. When freed, the new master becomes qualified to travel home and bring new apprentices that would be under him. They don’t reject or discriminate on the currency to collect. They understand that even N5 will accumulate to huge amount.” Nwosu explained further that though most of the beggars pose to be very sickly, wretched and beggarly, if anything happens around, they run faster than any other person. He said that is part of the pranks they implore to hoodwink unsuspecting Lagosians, who believe it is more glorious to give. “Information has it that most of them are rich at home. They have cows and large farm lands at home. Through this begging, some have attained Alhaji status. Apart from this, they change money for traders and commuters. As you have seen, at times some of them sit here take their time, make calls over 10 minutes. May be, their calls are to coordinate their businesses at home. For some time now, they have been away from these areas but they returned since the take-off of electioneering campaign because as you can see many laws in Lagos have been relaxed.” Harrison Evie is another trader at Agege. He is worried

The beggars pose to be very sickly, wretched and beggarly

over the unbridled begging spree in Lagos. He believes that Lagos as a place where one could easily survive even without anything, so long as the person unmasks pride; he wonders why people prefer to beg. According to him, some of the stores that sell sachet water (pure water) do not require any deposit or guarantor to an interested person to be allowed to start selling. “Begging, I feel is a curse on those that indulge in it; it is a spirit. Once you are possessed by the spirit, you cannot leave it again. You cannot do any other thing again; all you do is dress up daily and move from place to place, telling lies. Nothing will satisfy the person even if you give the person half of Dangote’s wealth; they will not cease from it. Evie recalled a scenario in which a lady came to him, gorgeously dressed, and begged for transport money to a particular destination, which he gave her to make up her transport fare but after some hours, down the street, he saw the lady, who mistakenly asked him again for money. According to him, there and then he insisted on a refund of his money which the lady did without questioning perhaps, to avoid his raising an alarm that could spoil her business around there. At Idiaraba area of Lagos, the beggars here have their king. He is the head of all the beggars in the area. Report has it that he comes out to beg in the morning and goes in by the afternoon for the day. Our source revealed that most of the beggars that operate within Mushin and other parts of Surulere take off from Idiaraba every morning to other reputed juicy locations. Abdulrahman Bello, a young Hausa trader at Surulere narrated with displeasure several efforts

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Begging their ways to wealth made to encourage many of them to discontinue begging; “I feel bad when I see some younger men and women who sit down idly to beg for money. All our efforts to stop them have been to no avail. They make so much money that they carry about. This place is most secured for them, which accounts to why some take off from here to other places every morning. But I tell you, I know strongly that there is dignity in labour,” he said. On the fate of the little children being carried around by the beggar, Bello utterly condemned that practice. According to him, that has continuously impoverished his people, brought them to ridicule and has continued to make them educationally disadvantaged. Such children, Bello said, ought to be in schools rather than adopting them for begging purposes without recourse to their future. “Most of the children you see here are not their children. Some older women will go and carry their grandchildren while some also will go to their relatives and request that their children be released to them when they must have enticed them with some gifts from Lagos.” He concluded. Many observers are worried on what could be done to stop this social menace, since the rehabilitation centres are not conducive and assuring as expected. At Ketu, many of the beggars were spotted conversing and laughing. The afternoon probably was their off peak hour. New Telegraph took time to observe that most of the women that cover themselves with veils are very young within the ages of 13 to 25 years. Hardly would one know because of the way they carry themselves. Some have two children around them. At times, the children are the ones to beg for alms. A particular young man in his early twenties was seen among them. On inquiry from a woman who simply identified herself as Ashafa, a jewellery dealer, she said that nothing will make that particular young man accept to do any paid work or be under any control as several efforts have been made in the past to engage him, “That young boy wearing cap,

Female beggars on a pedestrian bridge

Children as bait in the begging business

no amount of work you could offer him that will entice him. He had been offered a job and accommodation, he abandoned it. Any paid job you offer him; he will abscond from the work. These ones here come out as early as 5.30am and leave by 10.00 pm. To them, any other work apart from begging is a waste of time,” she said. Most of the beggars have ulterior motives; some are agents of their masters under the cover of begging, while some undoubtedly are armed robbers, according to David Eze a trader at Ketu. He added that, “some of the women here are Alhaji’s wives that are running out from some alleged inhuman treatments to them. Last time, one Alhaji came all the way from Kano; to his surprise, he located his fled wife here among the beggars. Some of them are also worsening their situations in the name of begging. Because the money people give them have been knotted into rituals and such could stagnate their destiny. The more they go about collect-

ing such money, the more they box their destiny. We blame government every day for not providing employment. These types of people are not ready to do any form of work. They are like armed robbers. No amount of enticement will make an armed robber not to steal. I’m sure they do many other things beyond begging.” A recharge card seller also at Ketu, Micheal Lawal, said days are gone when it is said that beggars have no choice. Today, beggars are richer and chose what they accept. He said the choice of food is usually accepted grudgingly by them. But if it’s money, they will be pop-eying with every attention. He added that as often as police raid and detains them, they use their money to pay their way out and return to their beats. According to him, it’s as if there are god fathers somewhere for them. However, as the call on Lagos State Government to relocate the beggars to rehabilitation homes and old people’s homes gets stronger by the

Some of them are also worsening their situations in the name of begging

day, the unanswered questions are- what are these homes like; are they properly provided for? A visit to the Lagos State Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Owutu in Ikorodu Local Government would discourage one from accepting even his enemy to be taken to the place. Though one is never allowed access to hostels where the inmates are housed unless with an approval from Alausa (seat of government in Ikeja), a stroll along the nearly two kilometres perennial high face of the centre facing many streets including Godwin Enaboje street and others, will give one a glimpse of centre looks like. On top of the fence and on the base of the fence litters all forms of clothing’s suspected to have been thrown down from the centre by the inmates. The odour that oozes out from the place is choking and unbearable. An auto electrician, who has his store along the road opposite the fence, decried the suffering of the people in the area because of the centre cited in the area. He complained that on several occasions, human excreta was scattered all over the road thrown from the centre. “As you can see and perceive, the odour around here and other security risks discourage people from coming this area. Many a times, pebbles are thrown to every corner of this road. We have been forced to close for the day severally on account of this. People don’t patronize us again because of these health and security issues. We have complained to the management of the centre nothing has been said about it.” He bemoaned. On approach, the management of the centre declined comments but referred our reporters to the Ministry of Youth Development. An anonymous informer told our correspondent that the centre accommodates not only physical and mentally challenged persons, but also accommodate beggars brought to them for rehabilitation but they do not accommodate Hausa Beggars.

Life | Mega City

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

The fallen electricity pole on one of the affected streets

Wrecked by nature Residents of about 16 communities in Orile-Agege recently experienced a violent windstorm which destroyed over 400 houses, rendered about 5,000 residents homeless and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. In this report, Muritala Ayinla looks into the renovation exercise embarked upon by the Lagos State government and the experiences of some of the landlords

hey have been living in peace and harmony, even though some of their neighbouring communities are vulnerable to disaster due to the geographical location of their settlements and their ways of life. They lived, procreated and enjoyed their life style in the densely populated communities until the violent storm tore them apart. The day was March 9, 2015, none of the residents had premonition of what fate had in stock for them that day. Many landlords never knew that they might have to abandon their houses only to seek accommodation elsewhere. Many didn’t know they would have to sleep under a leaking roof. Those whose buildings partially collapsed by the violent storm had to sleep in their neighbours’ houses whose roofs were partially damaged. Some landlords were forced to become tenants at their neighbours’ apartments. The wind storm came with full force and threw the entire communities in the state of confusion as no fewer than 400 houses had their roofs blown off, leaving the occupants of the buildings and their properties to the mercy of rainfall

and scorching sun. The storm snapped the concrete electric poles and tore the cables apart on the streets. Trees were uprooted, so also were billboards and sign-posts. Many roofs were uprooted and dumped on other residential buildings, thereby leading to the destruction of more houses. Vehicles parked on some of the affected streets were not spared in the gale of destruction as the broken electric poles fell on them. As the wind swept through their streets destroying properties, many residents saw it coming, they scampered for safety. Some called for help, but it didn’t come because everyone was caught in the confusion. Hence, in the stampede that followed the disaster, some residents were locked out by their fellow tenants in confusion. When normalcy returned, it became clear, they were left with collapsed structures, detached-roof houses and damaged vehicles. On their streets were smithereens of glasses of broken vehicles’ wind screens by fallen poles. Also littered on their streets were electric cables. Everyone, including tenants and their landlords were busying counting their losses in the storm

Most of my fellow landlords don’t have the resources to renovate their houses

that wrecked havoc between 203o minutes. Public and private schools were also destroyed. Such were the experiences of residents of Egbatedo, Bola Ayeni, Kushoro, Abibatu, Ebun, Dopemu, Abibatu, Opeifa Fabowale, Kushoro,OpeOlu, Bakare Opesha, Sura Ogunmakin, Igbayilola, Oyewole, Adewunmi, Ayeni, Adewunmi Adebiyi streets when the violent storm erupted in their communities. Other areas affected by the storm include Sunday Ajayi Street, Oyewole Close, Oyewole Road, and Alafia Close. Most of the affected houses were built in the 50’s and 60’s. Majority of the buildings’ roofs were made up of the metal zinc which were too old to withstand the heavy storm. The landlords, majority of whom are aged, were lamenting their losses, wondering where and how they will source the resources to renovate the houses, considering the economic situation in the country. Tenants, on the other hand, were concerned about evacuating their families and properties from the detached-roof houses, many of them never prepared for such disaster and lack the wherewithal to look for new accommodation

elsewhere. Respite, however, came their way when the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola ordered the renovation of the destroyed houses and opening of the Igando Relief Camp for the thousands of the displaced victims to temporarily accommodate them pending the time when their houses would be renovated. The State Government through its Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, distributed bundles of Nigerite roofing slates, wooden planks and other materials to each of the affected landlords. Speaking with New Telegraph, the Chairman, Community Development Committee of the communities, Alhaji Yusuf Olajire Agboola,75, who took our correspondent round the affected communities, said that most of the affected landlords are aged who obviously lack the wherewithal to renovate their buildings. According to him, the residents had not experienced such a terrible storm in the last 45 years that he moved into the area. “Most of my fellow landlords don’t have the resources to CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Ravaged by windstorm CONTINUED FROM PAG E 24

renovate their houses. Most of the houses were built in the 50s and 60s. Many landlords inherited the properties and they are old. Some survive through the rent dues they get from tenants. So, where will they get resources to fix the houses? It was that pathetic,” he said. Agboola, however, commended the state government for not only providing the materials but also employing carpenters to renovate the roofs of the affected houses. The septuagenarian said, “in all honesty, I have to commend the efforts of LASEMA. They have been performing wonderfully well since the beginning of the distribution of roofing materials and renovation exercise. We have been together with the agency to the affected places to ensure that all the affected landlords are captured in the renovation. In fact as far as I know, many people are quite very happy with what is going on. For an 85-year-old woman who simply identified herself as Sherifat Toriola, the gesture would go a long way in saving her from dying of hypertension. The visibly shaken woman, who said the rent charges from the house remained her only surviving means, said she was terrified by sight of the destruction done to her house by the storm. “This house, though inherited from my mother, remains the only hope I have to survive, as you can see I’m too old to work. When the windstorm came, I was personally terrified because I have never experienced such before. I would have been forced to move out of my house like others but the ceiling which was not blown off, by the storm covered my room from being exposed to the sun and rain. I thank the government for coming to the aid of the elderly, God will come to their aid too,” she said. The General Manger, Doctor Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said no fewer than 300 roofing slates were given to the affected landlords, adding that the government engaged the services of the services of its artisans to carry out the renovation exercise. Oke-Osanyintolu who said the gesture was never a politically motivated one, said most of the roofs of the affected building were hitherto not designed to withstand storm. This, according to him, made the government to engage the services of the experts who had been trained by the State Technical and Vocational Educational Board, LASTVEB to re-build the damaged roofs of the buildings. “We are renovating the buildings destroyed by the storm that affected 16 streets, 4,380 victims and more than 400 houses. In addition to this, about 350 residents are currently with us at the Igando Relief camp where the governor directed us to open for the displaced victims. With the cooperation of 150 people, trained artisans by the state government, we are rebuilding all their houses with the materials provided by the state government under the leadership of Gov. Fashola,” he said. Oke-Osanyintolu who catego-

One of the affected buildings before the Renovation

rised the affected victims into three, explained that those affected are divided into different categories: the moderately affected victims, the mildly affected and the severely affected victims. For those severely affected victims, whose roofs were completely blown off by the storm, the government took it upon itself to renovate the entire roofs where over 300 slates were used in the renovation. For those who were mildly affected, we gave them all the needed materials to renovate their buildings. In all, multi-million naira was spent in doing this. We have been on the ground since the incident occurred. We have been with the residents, the CDAs, CDCs, and the local government to renovate as much as possible houses.” Disputing that the massive renovation of roofs of about 400 houses , which many building experts estimated at millions of Naira worth projects, has nothing to do with politics, the LASEMA boss added:”This

In all honesty, I have to commend the efforts of LASEMA

is not politically motivated, we have done something like this in Epe, Iwaya, and other areas with recorded similar incidences. It is the tradition of the administration of Babatunde Raji Fashola to bring succour to victims of disaster in the state. This is democratically elected government, the government of the people, the affected people are residents of Lagos. Residents of Lagos pay their taxes, they must benefit from the taxes paid. So, this is one of the things we use tax money to do so that they will appreciate that they have a government that cares for them. “Other important things in the renovation exercise, the artisans trained by us are the ones engaged in the work. We are providing jobs for them as well as improving the standard of of living of the residents. The roofs in some of the buildings were not made to withstand the windstorm.

With what these artisans are doing, it is certain they will ensure that the standard of the roofs are everlasting.” A director in the LASTVEB, Emmnuel Abubakar, however, added that the 150 carpenters engaged in the renovation exercise were faced with challenges of impatience from landlords, saying almost every resident wanted his or her house renovated immediately. “All of them (landlords and tenants) are happy about the renovation exercise. The materials provided are more quality than what they had as their roofs before. At least, they can’t spend less than N700,000 - N800,000 to do the roofs if they were to carry out the renovation by themselves, but government provided the roofs, materials and the carpenters to fix the buildings. The artisans engaged are the people that we trained and they understand the urgency of the situation, he said.

The Mega City

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

UPCOMING EVENTS

12th Unique Interiors Exhibition

Organiser: Flair Finishes Date: March 26 & 28, 2015 From 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Venue: The Federal Palace Hotel 6-8 Ahmadu Bello Way Lagos Nigeria

BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR Organiser: PALs Date: March 26, 2015 From 3:00 PM Venue: Buffalo House 2nd Floor 2, Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Express the Expressions

Ellae Graphic & Web Design Training Course (Monthly)

Organiser: Treasures House Foundation Date: March 29, 2015 From 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Venue: Tasty Fried Chicken 144, Ogba Road, Lagos, Nigeria

Organiser: Ellae Creative & Branding Agency Date: March 31, 2015 From: 11:00 AM Venue: 17A, Olubunmi Rotimi Street off Abike Sulaiman Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria

NYSC Social Media and Empowerment Day Organiser: NYSC SAED Lagos in partnership with Microres Nig. Ltd. Date: March 26, 2015 From 12:00 AM - 3:00AM Venue: UNILAG Auditorium University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos, Nigeria

Understanding the ADR component under the High Court of Lagos State Organiser: T Commercial Law Development Services Date: March 26, 2015 From 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Venue: Lagos Oriental Hotel 3 Lekki - Epe Express Way Lagos, Nigeria

MEGA CITY EVENTS launch of Ecobank SME Club

L-R: Lola Osinowo; Yemi Oladunni; Teresa Lawal and Joy Maduike, at the event held in Lagos

L-R: Former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Olusegun Aina; Group Executive, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan and Mr. Kayode Aina, at the launch

PHOTOs: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

NIPR LAGOS CHAPTER, ORGANIsES DEBATE FOR LAGOS STATE GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE

L-R: Mr. Nsikak Daniel; Mrs. Motunde Yusuf and Mr. Jide Ologun…at the event

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) , Lagos Chapter, Mr. Joseph Okonmah; Governorship candidate, KOWA Party, Mr. Adeniji Victor Adegboyega and former Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Fassy Yusuf, at the debate PHOTOs: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

the wedding ceremony of Olaopa Temitope Oluwaseun and former Miss Adeegbe Olajumoke Adewunmi, at RCCG House Lagos

L-R: Bride’s parents: Pastor and Pastor (Mrs.) Olukayode Adeegbe; the couple, Temitope and Olajumoke and the groom’s parents, Elder and Mrs. Adegboyega Olaopa

L-R: Mr. Bola Dada; his wife, Felicia and Mrs. Ronke Ajayi…at the event

HAN

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

PROMISES KEPT I, President Goodluck Jonathan, made 10 major pledges to the people of Nigeria at my inaugural address on May 29, 2011. Print version- http://tinyurl.com/gejpledges

Video version - http://tinyurl.com/gejinaugurationvideo

I have kept my promises as you will see from these statistics. PLEDGE NO. 1 “I pledged to grow the economy and to create jobs.’’ Economic Growth Today under my administration, we have achieved all of the following: > Nigeria is now ranked as Africa’s largest economy and the 26th largest economy in the world. > Our GDP grew from 4.3% in 2011 to 5.4% by 2013. > Between 2011 and 2013, our GDP grew from US$411 billion to US$521 billion. > Our GNI per capita (Nigeria’s total wealth divided by the number of citizens) grew from US$1,710 per capita in 2011 to US$2,710 in 2013.

> Our national Food Imports Bill (the money we spend importing food) declined from N1.1 trillion in 2009 to N448 billion as of December 2014.

Job Creation Today the National Bureau of Statistics’ Job Creation and Employment Survey for the third quarter of 2014 reveals that circa 4.5 million new jobs were created in both the formal and informal sectors, and public institutions, between the second quarter of 2012 and third quarter of 2014. Under my administration, the following key initiatives to boost employment opportunities, among other programmes, were launched: > Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria Scheme (YouWiN). > SURE-P Scheme. > Graduate Internship Scheme. > Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP).

> Our national food production has grown by 21 million metric tonnes.

PLEDGE NO. 2 “I pledged to give policy support to the real sector of the economy so that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may thrive.” Today under my administration, we have achieved all of the following: > In August 2013, the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development Fund was launched. Of this, already over N600 million has been disbursed. In November 2014, a US$50 million private equity fund was also launched. > The Nigerian Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) has been launched to offer technical and vocational training to youths and to provide start-up funds for graduates of the programme to become selfemployed and financing and training for employers of labour.

These are facts and statistics that are true and verifiable. A lot them have local and international third party validations.

VOTE WISELY. VOTE GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN FOR PRESIDENT, VOTE PDP www.gejachievements.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

that Nigeria maintained for the 10 years preceding 2011. The pieces of our electricity system are beginning to come together and should start to show remarkable signs of improvement in generation, transmission and distribution within the next two years. The market also is better placed than it has been in the last four decades to generate, transmit and distribute more electricity. Under my administration, we have accomplished the following progress: > My administration has successfully concluded the unbundling and privatisation of the electricity sector via a public international tender adjudged to be transparent and the first of its kind in Africa. The generation, transmission and distribution assets are now owned and manned by the private sector. > The Federal Government has set up a structure for a commercially viable market with a credible legal and fiscal framework for investor confidence. > The Federal Government has established and capitalised the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Company to act as an intermediary between the generation and distribution companies and provide guarantees to generation companies to ensure steady power generation. Nigeria’s first-ever privately-funded power generation plant, the Azura Edo IPP, was recently able to secure debt and equity to the tune of US$890 million on the back of a World Bank Partial Risk Guarantee. > A recent Central Bank Intervention Fund for N213 billion has been instituted to relieve the generation and distribution companies of their legacy debts which will be paid over the next 10 years. > The sum of N52.6 billion has so far been disbursed to positively impact the entire value chain (gas suppliers, generation and distribution companies) and increase electricity supply to Nigerian households and businesses. > The Federal Government has advanced an additional US$1.5 billion to upgrade the transmission network to boost electricity delivery. > The Federal Government has secured a US$500 million credit facility from the World Bank to increase access to finance for small and medium scale enterprises. > The IMF Country Report No. 14/103 of April 2014 stated that “Real GDP grew by 6.8% in Q3 2013 mainly owing to strong performance (7.9% year-on-year growth) in the non-oil sector, primarily in agriculture, services and trade, in which Nigeria over-performs its peers’’.

PLEDGE NO. 3 “I pledged to assist locally owned enterprises to take advantage of our resources and grow the domestic economy.’’ Today and never before in the history of this nation, have Nigerians been more empowered to participate in the opportunities available in our own country. Under my administration, we have accomplished the following progress: > The Nigerian Content Act was signed into law. This has opened a floodgate for numerous success stories of Nigerian-owned oil and gas businesses and has created over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs through the Nigerian Content Policy.

> The Federal Government has increased tariffs and levies on brown rice and imported rice to encourage local rice production. This has resulted in the number of rice milling plants nationally increasing from one in 2011 to 18 in 2014. > National parboiled rice milling capacity has increased to 700,000 metric tonnes. The US investor, Dominion Farms, has also invested US$40 million to develop a 30,000-hectare rice farm in Taraba State, which will be the largest rice farm in Africa. > We oversaw implementation of the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), which, within two years implementation, caused sugar prices to drop to an all-time low. Refining sugar capacity utilisation has increased from 60% to 75%. Nigeria has also attracted over N500 billion in private sector investments to the sugar sector so far. > For the first time in Nigeria’s history, our ports have a regulator. This followed the establishment of the Nigerian Shippers Council as the Ports Economic Regulator, which is now working to achieve 48-hour cargo clearance target at all ports.

> The Federal Government has commenced implementation of the Gas Master Plan initiated by my administration and it has yielded results with Seven Energy, Oando and others pioneering private gas pipelines. We have completed the Oben-Geregu pipeline at a cost of US$245 million and the 140-km Escravos-Warri pipeline at a cost of US$258 million. A host of other pipelines are either completed or in progress. > The Federal Government is also training 7,400 young men and women to provide expertise to the power sector under the Power Sector Entrepreneurship Programme. > The Federal Government is constructing the N162.9 billion 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project in Niger State. > The Federal Government is working on a range of renewable energy projects. One is Project Light-Up Nigeria, using solar power to generate electricity for rural areas. Working with Phillips and Schneider, a pilot project has been commissioned in Durumi, close to Abuja. This project will move to other parts of the country thereafter. Nigeria’s first-ever wind-propelled electricity plant project was also inaugurated in July 2012 to add 10MW to the National Grid.

> For the first time ever, the Federal Government has introduced a system for foreigners to obtain visas on arrival at our airports, making it easier for foreign businessmen to make work trips at short notice. > The United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) has named Nigeria as the Number One Destination for Investments in Africa for two consecutive years.

> The Petroleum Industry Bill has been presented to the National Assembly to address the lopsidedness in Nigeria’s oil and gas commonwealth. > Nigeria’s textile industries received a N150 billion bail-out fund to get them back on track and generate employment. Statistics by the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) show that: capacity utilisation in the textile sector increased from 29.1% in 2010 to 49.7% in 2011 and that 13,000 jobs were saved and/or created. > The new Automotive Policy was launched. The Automotive Bill now before the National Assembly is aimed at obliging foreign companies selling above 10,000 automotive vehicles to Nigeria to open an autoassembly plant in Nigeria. Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company has already begun the sale of its first made-in-Nigeria cars since August 2014. In addition, 23 Nigerian companies have secured MoUs with overseas manufacturers to establish car-manufacturing plants in Nigeria.

PLEDGE NO. 6

> The Federal Government’s N3 billion film-industry development fund has increased technical know-how and capacity and led to the industry accounting for 1.2% of Nigeria’s GDP. The Nigerian movie, 30 Days In Atlanta, earned N450 million and out-grossed all Hollywood movies ever shown in Nigerian cinemas. > In the privatised electricity sector, we now have a long list of Nigerian companies who are wholly owned or majority shareholders in Genco and Disco businesses.

PLEDGE NO. 4 “I pledged to continue to encourage sustainable investment into our economy.’’ Today under my administration, we have achieved all of the following:

PLEDGE NO. 5 “I pledged to place the power sector reform at the heart of Nigeria’s industrialisation strategy and to continue to fight for electricity to be available to all our citizens.” Today Nigeria’s total installed capacity (energy generation capability) has reached 10,396MW – nearly double the installed capacity of 5,900MW

“I pledged to focus all attention on rebuilding our infrastructure and continue to fight for an efficient, affordable public transport system for all our people.’’ Today our core infrastructure is the backbone to our economic development. Under my administration, we have achieved all of the following:

Aviation > We have currently 22 airports in various stages of remodelling – drawings completed, work in progress or completed, with all these projects having commenced in the last four years. This is the first time these airports have been refurbished and/or remodelled since they were built decades ago. The Federal Government has also built Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State.

These are facts and statistics that are true and verifiable. A

VOTE WISELY. VOTE GOODLUCK EBELE J www.gejachievements.com

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Railways In the last four years, our railways have received more attention than in the last three decades, with the results to prove this. Some young people below the age of 30 had never seen a train in Nigeria until now. Railway Capital Projects include: > Ongoing rehabilitation of 90% of the entire existing narrow gauge lines throughout the country. > Construction and the rehabilitation of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard gauge rail line and Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line (this is over 85% completed). > Construction of the 1,124-km Lagos-Kano line. > Ongoing rehabilitation of the 1,650-km Eastern line from Port Harcourt-Maiduguri. > Procurement of 29 locomotives from GE and CNR of China as well as 20 air-conditioned 68-seater coaches. > Refurbishment of 250 wagons and 120 coaches. > The set-up of fully equipped maintenance workshops in Lagos and Enugu. > There is also an ongoing plan to remodel nine railway stations in different parts of the country. The results are: > Today, the Lagos Mass Transit Train is running 18 trains per day and transporting about 20,000 passengers daily. > The Kaduna Intracity Mass Transit Train is running 10 trains per day and transporting about 10,000 passengers daily. > The Intercity Passenger Train is running express trains from Lagos to Kano, Offa to Kano, Lagos to Ibadan, llorin to Lagos, Minna to Kaduna and more. > More than 15,000 tonnes of cargo each month have been moved from our roads to our rail network, with flour mills, Lafarge and other companies using freight trains instead. > The total number of passengers conveyed by rail has increased from 1.5 million per annum in 2010 to above 5 million today.

Roads > Previously neglected road projects, among them the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Benin-Ore Road, Kano-Maiduguri Road, Oweto-Loko Bridge, the Second Niger Bridge and several others, have been rehabilitated or in the process of reconstruction. > Today, there are 35,000 kilometers of federal roads in Nigeria. > When this administration came into power, only 5,000 kilometres of these were motorable. Today 25,000 kilometres of roads are motorable.

Gas > We commenced the critical expansion and construction of Major Backbone Infrastructure. This included the expansion of the EscravosLagos pipeline to 2 billion cubic feet per day capacity; the East-West OB3 pipeline and the Calabar-Ajaokuta-Kano pipeline, utilising Eurobonds and IFC funding. > We achieved the most aggressive construction of Gas infrastructure yet and completed over 450km of gas pipeline, with an additional 377km pipeline projects ongoing, plus another 1,400km in developmental stage and expected to commence in 2015. > By 2018, at this rate, the nation’s backbone grid would have been in place, with almost all regions connected to gas infrastructure.

we have achieved progress across each level of education in the following manner: > On April 10, 2012, the Federal Government launched the first Almajiri schools to cater for the academically disadvantaged in Northern Nigeria. Today, we have over 100 Almajiri schools. > In the last four years, the Federal Government has established 12 Federal Universities across the country in states which previously had no federal degree-awarding institutions. > These Federal Universities are: – 2 in North Central, – 3 in the North East, – 4 in the North West, – 1 in the South South, – 1 in the South East and, – 1 in the South West. > The Federal Government also created two specialised universities: – The Nigeria Maritime University in Delta State, – The Nigeria Police Academy in Kano State. > In this period about: – 352 laboratories were rehabilitated, – 72 new libraries were constructed in the Federal Unity Schools, – Laboratories were rehabilitated in all of the 51 Federal and State Polytechnics across the country. > It is should be noted that in July 2014, the National Examination Council recorded over 70% improvement in examination results and attributed this to improvement in the quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools.

health services and secures the contribution of 1% of the Consolidated Revenue to the development of primary healthcare. Today, Nigeria’s polio cases have reduced from 122 in 2012 to a situation whereby the last polio case was recorded in Kano in June 2014. Nigeria’s infant mortality has declined from 82 in 1,000 live births to 74 in 1,000 live births. > Nigeria’s average life expectancy has increased from 47 years to 54 years in the last five years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has in this period also certified Nigeria as guinea worm-free. Several teaching hospitals are now conducting more open heart surgeries. It is no accident or coincidence that when our healthcare was put to test with the Ebola crisis, the Federal Government responded quickly and decisively and almost certainly saved thousands of lives.

PLEDGE NO. 9 “I pledged to pay special attention to the agricultural sector to enable it to play its role in ensuring food security and massive job creation for our people.’’ Today under my administration, we have achieved all of the following: > Launch of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in May 2012, a deadline-driven action plan to unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential. Its major plank has been to assure national food security by adding an additional 20 million metric tonnes (MT) of food to the domestic food supply by 2015. In fact, by 2014, Nigeria had exceeded the 20 million MT target and an additional 21 million MT of food had been produced. > Some of the underlying food production statistics are that: – Nigeria’s maize production has increased from 6 million MT to 14.6 million MT. – Nigerian rice farmers produced an additional 7 million MT of paddy rice yield within three years. – Nigeria has ramped up its cocoa production from 250,000 MT to 370,000 MT currently. In addition to food production, the Federal Government will encourage agro-based businesses to ensure that Nigeria processes locally some of its raw food. – Nigeria is now the world’s highest producer of cassava with 43 million MT currently produced but as of 2011, only 10% of our production was processed locally. > The Federal Government resolved to make Nigeria the world’s leading cassava processor and after much research it introduced the first Nigerian cassava bread. Cassava bread is 30% cheaper than wheat bread and more nutritious and is now produced in 30 bakeries across Nigeria and sold by retailers such as Park’n’Shop and Shoprite.

PLEDGE NO. 7 “I pledged to create greater access to quality education.’’ Today in evidence of my commitment, Nigeria’s annual budget on education has steadily increased year on year, from N400,15 billion (b) in 2012 to N426,53b in 2013 to N493b in 2014. Under my administration,

PLEDGE NO. 8 “I pledged to fight for improved medical care for all our citizens.’’ Today under my administration, we have attained all of following: > The introduction of the Health Bill which set standards for rendering

> As regards rice, our administration wants rice superior in quality to the basmati or Uncle Ben’s rice produced and processed here in Nigeria. To support this effort, the Federal Government set aside N13 billion for the acquisition of 10 integrated rice mills with a capacity of 360,000 MT to increase our capacity. Today, parboiled rice milling capacity in Nigeria has increased to 700,000 MT with 18 new integrated rice mills now milling high-quality Nigerian parboiled rice. > There are 10 key points to note: 1.

14 million farmers benefitted from subsidised inputs (10.3 million in Northern Nigeria and 3.7 million in Southern Nigeria).

lot them have local and international third party validations.

JONATHAN FOR PRESIDENT, VOTE PDP www.gejachievements.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

would be exonerated because of interference from anyone in government. The investigating panel was entirely handled by private sector individuals.

By 2014, 2.5 million farmers could receive their seeds and farm inputs directly on their phones, cutting out the middlemen.

In 2012, the first-ever dry season farming of rice in Nigeria was launched with a N14 billion Farm Support Programme.

Policy reforms in the fertiliser sector led to Notore, Dangote and Indorama investing US$1.3 billion, US$9 billion and US$1.3 billion respectively in fertiliser production.

A total of 21,000 tonnes of seed of improved maize were distributed to 970,000 registered maize farmers free of charge.

The Federal Government completed 33 storage silos for strategic grain reserves with a total capacity of 1.1 million MT across Nigeria.

To revive palm oil production, 9 million sprouted nut seedlings were distributed for free to farmers or plantations. This has expanded plantations in 24 states of the federation from 40,000 hectares in 2011 to 100,000 hectares by 2014.

The Federal Government established the Nigeria Incentivebased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) in 2011, with a N75 billion seed capital base, to act as an adviser, financier and principal investor in agri-business across the entire value chain.

It also set aside N37 billion (of which N14 billion has been disbursed) for the Youth Employment In Agriculture Programme (YEAP) to young graduates and school leavers across the geo-political zones into commercial farming and agro-business. These ‘Nagropreneurs’ will in turn help create jobs for hundreds of thousands of additional Nigerian youths

10.

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, in 2014agriculture sector grew by 38.5% between Q2 and Q3, with crop production being the main driver with a growth of 43.5%. This is the reason why, despite the recent devaluation, there have been only marginal shifts in food prices. Agriculture is therefore the most sustainable alternative to oil and gas, and we must continue along this path.

pension frauds valued at over N60 billion – the greatest infringement recorded in the Federal Civil Service. The perpetrators were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 2.

In the agricultural sector, between 1980 and 2010, US$5. 4 billion was spent on fertiliser subsidies but only 10% of farmers received fertilisers. Today, with the new e-wallet system, 90% of farmers receive their fertilisers. This saves US$2 billion that would otherwise line the pockets of corrupt officials and middlemen.

Despite all threats and blackmail from highly placed individuals within and outside government, we approved the audit of the Federal Civil Service staff and weeded out 50,000 ghost workers, saving Nigeria almost N350 billion per annum. We have now deployed electronic platforms for the payroll to curb leakages in the system.

Under my leadership, the EFCC charged and prosecuted 14 persons and nine companies for their involvement in oil subsidy frauds. There was no insinuation that any one of them

We have reformed the voting system to make the votes of every Nigerian count and reduce rigging to the barest minimum. This action has made leaders, including myself more accountable. Today, the opposition has grown on the back of this reform.

My administration signed the Freedom of Information Bill into law. This bill entitles all citizens to request public records as a matter of right. No corrupt government would ever expose itself in this manner.

In February 2012, we inaugurated the SURE-P Committee with a mandate to use the savings from the reduction in fuel subsidy for the benefit of citizens. SURE-P is managed by a private sector-led committee without government interference. Today, SURE-P has affected the lives of our citizens: contributed N43 billion to the railway revival and billions more to visible programmes in primary healthcare, youth empowerment, roads, and more. My administration was able to end the years of excess subsidy payments by plugging the loopholes in the system and stopping oil marketeers and importers from ‘round tripping’. These savings from the subsidy payments are being applied to the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

My administration conducted an electricity privatisation whereby assets worth billions of dollars were sold in an international competitive and transparent bid, which was scandal-free. No government official was shown as owning any asset, either directly or indirectly. It is important to note that the Nigerian Electric Power Authority (NEPA as we knew it then) was one of the major cash cows for contractors for contracts never executed. No wonder the cabals stifled all previous efforts to privatise NEPA.

It is not an accident or coincidence that our position in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index has improved from 144 in 2013 to 136 in 2014.

10.

A forensic audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers, following the alleged missing crude oil revenue, has laid to rest the long controversy over the allegation of a missing US$20 billion from crude oil sales. The President directed the Auditor General to conduct a forensic audit who in turn appointed PwC. The audit report put the figure at US$1.48 billion, which was as a result of unremitted signature bonus for divested assets and taxes owed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by its upstream subsidiary National Petroleum Development Corporation (NPDC). The exercise clearly showed that no monies were missing or unaccountable by the NNPC.

I, P p

I ha

PLEDGE NO. 10 ‘‘I pledged that the fight against corruption would be a war in which we all must enlist so that the limited resources of this nation are used for the growth of our common wealth.’’ Today my administration’s preferred approach to corruption has been to plug the loopholes and tackle it from its root. Our fight against corruption has achieved the following 10 outcomes: 1.

Under my watch, the Pension Reform Task Team uncovered

These are facts and statistics that are true and verifiable. A lot them have local and international third party validations.

VOTE WISELY. VOTE GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN FOR PRESIDENT, VOTE PDP www.gejachievements.com

VOT

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

FCT Watch

Oil price rout: Time to cut leakages

Money

Maritime

Downgrade: Wake up call to Nigeria

Benin to coordinate maritime activities in Nigeria, others

Market makers and stock’s volatility

The Investor

Business What's news

Nigeria’s sugar imports hit N1.85trn Some 9,975,000 metric tons of sugar were shipped through the Lagos Ports Complex in the last seven years, New Telegraph investigation has revealed.

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N81bn claims payment spurs confidence in insurance The desire by Nigerian underwriters to regain the confidence of the insuring public has received a boost with the combined claims payment of N81 billion to policyholders in 2014.

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The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank, Mr. Philip Ikeazor; Executive Director, Operations &Technology, Keystone Bank, Mrs. Yvonne Isichei, and FCIB, President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Otunba (Mrs.) ‘Debola Osibogun, at the launch of the Keystone Bank Pink Network at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.

President orders Customs to pay auto firm N1.1bn resident Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Inde Dikko Abdullahi, to pay N1.1 billion to Innossons Industries Limited, an indigenous auto manufacturer, for auctioning its consign-

ments. It was learnt that the president was not happy that the NCS auctioned the company’s raw materials when it was unable to clear the shipments. The consignments had arrived the ports last year and had been declared overtime cargo by Customs due to the inability of the owner to clear them at the stipulated time. New Telegraph gathered that the company sourced the sum of N1 billion loan from Guaranty Trust Bank Plc to import for its auto factory. This newspaper gathered

INFLATION RATE February 2015.........................8.4% January 2015...........................8.2% December 2014.........................8%

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

MEDIATION

Government’s intervention saves company from bank

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

Bayo Akomolafe

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

that the president summoned the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Mrs Ngozi OkonjoIweala and the Customs boss to resolve the issue. The comptroller general was consequently directed to pay N1.1 billion to the importer. Our source said: “The presi-

180 days Number of days Customs is empowered to seize abandoned goods

dent was particularly concerned that it would not be a good example to auction raw materials belonging to an indigenous auto manufacturer on the mere excuse that the goods entered overtime.” Obi said that such decision would discourage local manufacturers. For instance, it was argued that goods belonging to government agencies, including those of Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria (PHCN), had, in some cases, stayed years in the ports CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at Mar. 20)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N225 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N328 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N238

l Foreign Reserves – $30.077bn as at 19/03/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at Mar.20)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N198 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N301 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N223

Business | News

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Customs to pay auto firm N1.1bn CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

without being declared as overtime and auctioned by the Customs Service. The Customs, it was gathered, is expected to pay the balance soon. Last year, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) took delivery of 248 containers of Independent Power Project (IPP) equipment imported by the defunct PHCN, which was abandoned since 2003 at Lagos and Tin can Island ports. Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who was at the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi, for obliging TCN’s request to clear the over time containers TNC is one of the successor PHCN companies. The NCS is empowered to seize goods, which stay at the ports for more than 180 days. Such goods would usually be seized, moved to government warehouse and auctioned to the public. Nebo said that some of the projects that should have been completed in Kano, Shagamu, Nnewi, Epe stations among others about a decade ago, were stalled because of the abandoned equipment. The minister pleaded with the NCS management to ensure the release of other government cargoes that may have been abandoned at the port.

L-R: Director, Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), Parminder Vir; Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu; CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Reid Whitlock; and CEO and Founder of Java Foods, Zambia and Member Selection Committee TEEP, Monica Musonda, during the official announcement of the selection of the first 1,000 African entrepreneurs for the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) in Lagos.

Nigeria’s sugar imports hit N1.85trn AFFRONT

Importers snub government’s policy on sugar despite incentives Bayo Akomolafe

ome 9,975,000 metric tons of sugar were shipped through the Lagos Ports Complex in the last seven years, New Telegraph investigation has revealed. This came on a day the Indian non-basmati rice exporters lamented their low sales in the Nigerian market, claiming it was

 Indian rice exporters lament low sales

due to the forth-coming elections. Bulk of the sugar, which is valued at N1,845,375,000,000 was shipped through the Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL) terminal, a subsidiary of Dangote Group of companies. Nigeria’s total sugar production stands at 30,000 metric tons while annual demand is 1,994,175. In 2013, the Federal Government took some measures to encourage local production by introducing a new sugar tariff regime, making raw sugar imports to attract a 10

per cent import duty, and a 50 per cent levy. But it seems this measure is not effective as imports continue to surge. Other incentives are the zero per cent import duty on machinery and spare parts for local sugar manufacturing industries and five year tax holiday for sugar investors. Statistics obtained from Index Moundi, a data portal, which contain details of a country statistics, charts of commodities and profiles, revealed that in 2008, some 1,485,000 were ferried to the country; 2009, 1, 185, 000 metric tons; 2010, 1,431, 000 metric tons, while 2011

N81bn claims payment spurs confidence in insurance NEW ORDER

The regulator in the past had force underwriters to pay claims Sunday Ojeme

he desire by Nigerian underwriters to regain the confidence of the insuring public has received a boost with the combined claims payment of N81 billion to policyholders in 2014. According to the figure released by the National Insurance Commission, one of the oldest underwriters in the country, AIICO Insurance Plc, led the pack with N10.84 billion, followed by Leadway Assurance Limited with N6.86 billion; Custodian and Allied

insurance Plc, N5.7 billion and Mansard Insurance Plc, N4.70 billion. The list also include NEM Insurance Plc, N2.96 billion; Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, N2.90 billion; Zenith Insurance Limited, N2.82 billion; Cornerstone Insurance Plc, N2.80 billion; Niger Insurance Plc, N2.72billion; Royal Exchange Insurance Plc, N1.97 billion and Africa Alliance Insurance Plc, N1.96 billion. As part of effort to transform the sector, the regulator has ensured that policyholders, whose claims were genuine, received such from their insurers without being subjected to any form of torture. To drive home its seriousness, the regulator, in a circular, said it was determined to bring to an end the issue of unpaid claims, which

has negatively impacted its quest to deepen insurance penetration and trust in the country. The industry had been riddled with cases of unpaid claims in the past, a situation that compelled the regulator to create a Complaint Bureau through which it recovered over N2 billion genuine claims from some underwriters for policyholders. Meanwhile, NAICOM also released a list of 10 insurance firms that distinguished themselves in premium underwriting and can be considered as market leaders. They include Leadway Assurance Limited with a gross premium of N41.75 billion; AIICO Insurance Limited with N28.83 billion; Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, N20.45 billion and Mansard Insurance Plc, N13.57 billion.

figure was 1,495, 000 metric tons. In 2012, it fell to 1,399,000 metric tons but rose to 1,450,000 metric tons and 1,470,000 metric tons in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Also, the data revealed that Nigeria will import 1,470,000 metric tons this year. The statistics also revealed that global production this year will exceed demand, adding that India, the secondlargest producer, will have the biggest harvest in three years at 26 million tons. Also, a Bloomberg survey showed that sugar global prices had gone down 50 per cent in three years and would fall further this year due to the glut in the markets. The Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), last month, in its economic report, also predicted that only about 45 per cent of total sugarcane would be utilised for sugar production this year. “Global output is set to exceed demand for a fifth consecutive year, leaving the biggest stockpiles on record,” the International Sugar Organisation also added. This month, 84,900 metric tons are being expected at GDNL at Lagos Port Complex. In February, MV Kibali and MV Sea Lavender discharged 42,750 metric tons and 42, 150 metric tons respectively. This month, MV Amethyst and MV Grebe Bulker will discharge 40,700 metric tons and 43,250 at the same terminal.

Already, MV Amethyst has been moored to discharge the commodity while MV Grebe Bulker is still jostling for a space to berth. Meanwhile, the Indian non-basmati rice exporters said that shipments had been slow because of the weak naira and undue competition from rival exporters. According to a data obtained from the country’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India exported only 100,000 metric tons to Nigeria between January and February, 2015, compared with the 300,000 tons exported in the same period last year. India’s par-boiled rice is brought to Nigeria at $386 per tons. It was learnt that Indian exporters were keenly watching the forthcoming presidential elections holding on March 28, after which they expect shipments to pick up. Nigeria is one of the largest buyers of parboiled rice and Indian exports to the country account for close to half of the 2.5 million tons. Thailand is the other major exporter of rice to Nigeria. “Shipments are slow in the first half and it is a kind of uncertain situation. There is distress in the market as developments in Nigeria are influencing prices. We expect shipments to pick up once the elections are over,” said BV Krishna Rao, Managing Director of Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Limited, a large exporter.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

FCT Business Watch

Oil price rout: Time to cut leakages ening times brought about by the slump in crude oil price at the international market, the executive arm has acted in similar direction as demonstrated by the National Assembly. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was reported by a national daily last week to have ordered a 30 per cent pay cut for all political appointees in the executive arm of government, including himself and his vice. A national daily quoted the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Bright Okogu, as saying that the president’s directive for emolument cut was with immediate effect. The pay cut was expected to cut across all classes of political appointees, including permanent secretaries and heads of federal government agencies.

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

y the close of work last Friday, the National Assembly had made appreciable progress in the 2015 budget defence attended by the ministries, department and agencies of government (MDAs). The MDAs took turn defending their budget allocation before the relevant committees of the Senate. Not a new concept though, budget defence affords the National Assembly the opportunity to carry out oversight duties on MDAs’ projects budget. Unlike previous budget defence exercises that left MDAs with no slash, the current budget defence is a different ball game. This is because of the state of the nation’s treasury, due to the severe slump in crude prices at the international market. Nigeria derives about 80 per cent of her income and about 90 per cent of her foreign exchange earnings from oil proceeds. The strain that comes with slump in the oil prices at the global market has left Nigeria’s economy with damaging bruises. It’s only natural, therefore, that the 2015 N4.3 trillion budget would go through every painstaking effort necessary to make it a workable budget as against old practice that characterised previous budgets. The harsh economic milieu occasioned by the slump in oil prices that has taken toll on revenue profile of the country has impacted heavily on annual budget allocation to MDAs. In this season of budget cuts across board, the Ministry of Works’ budget was cut from N100 billion to N11 billion. No MDA had its allocation budget proposal sail through without substantive cuts. Season of belt tightening When it dawned on government that the decline in the price of crude oil had started taking tolls on Nigeria’s economic fortunes, government, late last year, precisely November, announced measures aimed at cushioning its impact on the economy. The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, announced a set of tax packages, which, she said, will see Nigerians paying tax on luxury goods and reduction in public expenditure and international travels by public servants. As part of the efforts to reduce expenditure, she said that international travel within the public service would be severely curtailed. She added that critical infrastructure projects would not be affected because of the key roles they play in growing the economy and job creation. “Every country that is well

Jonathan

managed doesn’t just sit and allow a situation to happen to them. If they are well managed, they prepare the right set of policies to deal with the situation. Those days when we used to be like that in the ’80s and ’90s are over. In the ’80s, when we had shock, we didn’t take measures by ourselves to adjust. We waited for others to come and tell us how to adjust. But now, we have competent teams and our job is not to sit and wait, but, to craft a set of policies that will help us to address the shocks. “We are not talking about (cutting) salaries and benefits. We are talking of training and travels and these will be only for critical and essential items, which will be pre-approved by the Head of Service and the Director-General of the Budget Office and then if someone invites you for overseas course, you can go, provided they pay for your training and your stay and you have to furnish evidence that they are paying before you will be allowed. “The purpose of this is to tell you what we are doing and this team is calm and will be effective and we are working with the monetary policy authorities and together we will manage the economy in a transparent manner so that people need not have any fear,” she said. Leading by example Opulence life style of elective members of the National Assembly is one that has attracted public criticism. For instance, in the 2015 budget, N150 billion was provided for the legislators. The bogus budget allocation elicited reactions from the Coalition of Civil Society groups, which called on the National Assembly to cut it down drastically following the plunge in the oil price. Making known views of civil society groups in a recent inter-

Senate President, David Mark

A minimum reduction of 50 per cent is required for NASS to show that it feels the pains of the people

view on 2015 budget with New Telegraph in Abuja, Lead Director for Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, said that with N4.3 trillion 2015 budget still grappling with uncertainty, there was need for a genuine sacrifice to be made by those that were hitherto enjoying Nigerian budget. “I think this period when the oil price has sunk to a new low, government must be forced to listen or else they will close shop, government will collapse. They must be forced to listen. For instance, there is no way the National Assembly can insist on picking N150 billion when there is no money. When you are selling the crude oil at $40 per barrel, you don’t pick N150 billion. When you are selling crude oil at $140 per barrel you pick N150 billion, its insensitive,” he told New Telegraph. Indeed, the National Assembly did listen to the public criticism and they did the needful. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, announced recently that the National Assembly had reduced its overhead in the 2015 budget by 25 per cent in response to the economic realities in the country. He said that the action would also help to boost the capital expenditure quotient in the 2015 fiscal year. “This year, because our money is on first line charge and comes as statutory transfer, the executive could not have tampered with it. They brought our overhead the way it should be in the 2015 Appropriation Bill. But on our own, we in the National Assembly looked at the state of the economy and decided to cut our overhead cost by 25 per cent. We challenged the executive to go back and do the same,” he said. Cut in appointees’ emolument In the spirit of the belt-tight-

CSO’s reactions As would be expected, varied opinions have trailed the cut in emolument package by the National Assembly and the executive arm of government. Speaking with New Telegraph last week, Eze Onyekpere, said that members of the National Assembly should have slashed their allocation beyond a meagre 25 per cent. “The astronomical increase in the budget of the National Assembly was not based on any empirical formula. Rather, it was an expression of arbitrariness. Thus, merely reducing it by 25 per cent is not enough. A minimum reduction of 50 per cent is required for NASS to show that it feels the pains of the people. When you benchmark the vote of NASS (to the GDP and overall budget) against other legislatures across the world, it will be clear that NASS is unduly expensive,” he said. Conclusion Tagged one of the few nations with expensive governance structure, democracy as currently practiced in Nigeria has left a big hole in the nation’s treasury. The former Central Bank Governor and current Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, succinctly captured the expensive governance structure being operated by Nigeria when he alleged that about 25 per cent of the nation’s budget was consumed by the National Assembly alone. The hope to amend this trend is not a lost battle after all. It’s envisaged that the current cut in emolument of political appointees and political office holders, if faithful implemented, could free substantial resources to be channelled to capital projects. The slide in prices of crude oil should spur policy makers to think outside the box by making personal commitment and sacrifices for the benefit of the Nigerian economy.

Business | The Investor

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Market makers and stock’s volatility Chris Ugwu

t is not disputable that the nation’s capital market has attained the lofty distinction as one of the leading emerging markets in terms of growth and return on investment, safe for the current dwindling fortune being blamed on the local currency crisis, drop in oil price and tension over the general elections slated to begin on March 28. The impressive performance of the Nigerian bourse in those good days convinced some notable rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to rank the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as one of the best in terms of return on investment among the emerging markets. The good marks scored by the market was, however, cut short by the bears, which ravaged the equities market, bringing the barometer that measure market indicator, the All-Share Index, to deplete below 20,000 basis points in March 2009, from a peak of 66,000 basis points at the same time in the previous year. The major reverses, which befell the Nigerian capital market with the meltdown in the global financial system, are still here with us, as many institutional investors and individuals are still leaking the wounds of the losses of their investments. Though the market seems to have picked up with a boost in level of investors’ confidence, some market pundits believe that there is a need to give market makers appointed by the Exchange in 2012 enough teeth to help deepen the market liquidity. Importance/ role of a market maker In most advanced markets, market making plays a crucial role in creating liquidity and stabilising their capital markets. The market maker, which can be the seller or buyer, ensures that you will always get a buyer when you want to sell a security and there will always be a seller when you want to buy a security. The market maker is a broker-dealer warehousing a given number of shares of a specific security in order to ease trading in that security. This is done by displaying the bid and the offer quotes/prices for a guaranteed number of shares. The importance of the market maker includes providing liquidity to the securities market and thus ensures that the market is stable. The market maker also carries the risk of holding securities overtime in order to ensure that sellers can always dispose their securities when they so wish and buyers can always buy securities when they choose to. The market maker plays an important role in maintaining liquidity and guaranteeing price reference for the particu-

Acting SEC DG, Mounir Gwarzo

Oscar Onyema

lar securities for which they are registered to make market in. All over the world, market makers play a very important role in both the equity and bond markets. They stabilise the market by standing ready to intervene at moments of scarcity or excess supply of securities. It is naïve, unrealistic and detrimental to investors to operate an automated stock market without the active participation of market makers. Current efforts The NSE’s attempt to help deepen the equities market had resulted in the Self Regulatory Organisation taking the giant stride with the inauguration of 10 market makers on the floor of the Exchange in 2012. According to the NSE Chief Executive Officer, Oscar Onyema, who regarded the development as another milestone in the history of the Nigerian capital market, the 10 stock broking firms were selected from a list of 20 that had applied last year. In preparation for the commencement of the programme, 10 market makers were appointed on April 4, 2012. They are Stanbic IBTC; Renaissance Capital; Future View Securities; Vetiva Capital; ESS/DunnLoren Merrifield; WSTC; Capital Bancorp; FBN Securities; Greenwich Securities and CSL Stockbrokers. Onyema had said: “This is a great milestone and a major step in the direction of turning the market round to bring liquidity and depth back into the market. We will continue to

Some of the market makers have not performed at all and their activities, relative to the entire market, had been minimal

move forward on this. “The companies selected went through a very rigorous process and met the minimum net capital requirement of N570 million; we also examined their compliance history and looked into their operational capabilities, including their technology and processes.” However, last week, the Exchange announced the appointment of Chapel Hill Denham Securities Limited (CHDS) as one of its Primary Market Makers. The appointment of CHDS stemmed from the resignation of WSTC Financial Services Limited. In a statement, Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, described the appointment as a positive step towards the improvement of market liquidity and depth. He added: “Chapel Hill went through a rigorous selection process and met the minimum net capital requirement, as well as compliance history and operational standards, as set by the Exchange.” Operators’ appraisal Though the initiative was supposed to lift the stock market significantly, the recent downturn in the movement of stocks raises concern about the impact on the market makers on the local bourse. Operators believed that the performance would have been better but for some challenges which include lack of funds on the part of some market makers to move the market as expected and in-

vestors’ apathy on the equities. President, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, said that the impact of market making has not been felt in the equity market, otherwise the bear run that has characterised trading activities since the third quarter of last year would have been checked. He noted that there were still lot of opportunities in the equities market that investors are yet to take advantage of, adding that many stocks in the market have very good net asset value, but that their current price on the floor of the Exchange was selling far below their net value. Speaking in the same vein, Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Boniface Okezie, also agreed that there has been little or no impact on the market since the appointment of market makers. “Market makers have not impacted positively in the activities of trading in the bourse; we all can see the rate at which activities are dwindling in the stock market,” he lamented. A senior broker, who pleaded anonymity, also ranked the performance so far very low. He stressed that some of the market makers have not performed at all and that their activities, relative to the entire market, had been minimal. In terms of challenges limiting them, he said: “One major problem they have had is incompleteness of the procedure for market-making. For instance, there can’t be market making without securities lending, and up till now, securities lending has not started. So, invariably, there can’t be market-making.” He added: “Once the liquidity is not there, market-making will be neither here nor there. And the fact that the banks are so risk conscious nowadays makes them unwilling to support the market makers.” However, the Chief Executive Officer of Lambeth Trust & Investment Company, Mr. David Adonri, said that the exercise has been somehow successful. He explained that as a result of market making, volatility of the equities market has reduced, adding that it has contributed in bridging the supply gap in the retail bonds market. Adonri noted that for the programme to take firm root in the capital market, it must have capacity to meet shortfalls in supply and satisfy demand in situations of extreme volatility. Conclusion The market makers have obligations, including stabilising the market by ensuring continuous liquidity, by synchronising buy and sell transactions as well as operating within the established transaction spread. However, for the market making in Nigeria to be successful, they have enough financial buffers at all times and must have a robust information technology infrastructure and multiple record keeping systems.

Business | Money

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

NAIRA UNDER THREAT

Concern for naira over use of dollars for local payments

Tony Chukwunyem

gainst the backdrop of the ailing naira, widespread reports of an increase use of foreign currencies, especially the United States dollar, for local transactions is raising concern in public circles. New Telegraph’s findings reveal that although allegations of wealthy Nigerians using foreign currencies for local transactions are not new, such claims have become more frequent with the commencement of the current electioneering season. According to some newspaper reports, which, however, are based mostly on anecdotal stories, many politicians no longer rely on using the naira to try to secure votes, but have now resorted to using the green back. Indeed, in a recent report, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) stated that Bureaux De Change (BDCs) operators in Abuja cited the high demand for dollars by politicians as being responsible for the naira’s continuing

Disquiet over alleged use of dollars for local transactions fall against the dollar. However, apart from politicians, landlords and private schools in highbrow areas of Lagos and Abuja are also reportedly demanding for rents and fees in dollars. Analysts point out that such activities have fuelled speculation on the naira, thus weakening the local currency. According to the analysts, while the sharp drop in oil prices has contributed to the depletion of the country’s external reserves and hindered the ability of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to defend the naira, speculators are mostly to blame for allowing the naira to depreciate to its current record low levels of N200/$ and N225/$ at the interbank and parallel markets respectively. Attempts to get the Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Ibrahim Muazu, to comment on the allegations were not successful as he neither answered phone calls nor responded to text messages. Significantly, in early 2013, the House of Representatives had passed a resolution urging the CBN to ban the use of

foreign currencies for local transactions. According to the legislator who moved the motion, the step became necessary because dollar was fast displacing the naira as a means of exchange

in the country. He alleged that major hotels, elite schools and supermarkets preferred to be paid in dollars for their services rather than the naira. He warned that the trend of using foreign curren-

igeria is conspicuously missing from the 13-member advisory panel of experts inaugurated recently by the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Dr. AhmedMohamed Ali. African countries that have their citizens as members of the panel include Guinea, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Morocco. Also on the panel is the Nobel Laureate and founder of Grameen Bank, Professor MuhammadYunus. According to IDB statement, the panel to be known as the President’s Advisory Panel

(PAP) will advise IDB on how to tackle economic and development challenges. Speaking at the inauguration, Ali stated that the advisory panel brings reputable statesmen and women, who have amassed experience in different sectors of the economy and international development, to advise in steering the IDB towards making greater impact to both its member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries. “As we have our first meeting today in Jeddah, I have full confidence in your ability to discharge this important responsibility. You have

managed nations and institutions, you have excelled with distinction in the private and public sectors, and you have won the highest honours in the world. The IDB is optimistic that with this kind of experience and expertise, you would come up with ideas that will help us confront the challenges of the 21st century.” Ali told the 10 members of the Advisory Panel who attended the inaugural session. He further stated that IDB was working on developing a 10-year strategic framework aimed at maximising the impact of the bank in addressing key global challenges.

African Central Bank governors’ confab holds March 29

he Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Commission will on the 29th of this month host the second caucus of African Central Bank Governors, in Addis Ababa in the margins of the eighth Joint Annual Meetings of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the ECA Conference of

ed that it could not ban the use of dollars for domestic transactions because it was not a law enforcement agency and so did not have the capacity to enforce such a ban. CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, at the time, Babatunde Lemo, pointed out that while the apex bank agreed that using foreign currencies to pay for local transactions was illegal, it could not stop the practice.

L-R: Country Sales Manager, Wiko Nigeria, John Peters; Business Manager, Jumia Nigeria, Diana Owusu-Kyereko; Managing Director, Jumia Nigeria, Fatoumata Ba and Channel Marketing Manager, Wiko Nigeria, Adebayo Adams during the launch of Wiko’s new stylish smartphone, Getaway, on Jumia online in Lagos…recently

Nigeria missing in IDB’s advisory panel Tony Chukwunyem

cies instead of the local one for the payment of domestic transactions was weakening the naira and should be stopped before the local currency lost its value. But the CBN contend-

African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. In statement, the organisers said that the conference will be held on the theme: “Implementing Agenda 2063 - Planning, Mobilising and Financing for Development” and will take place at the UN Conference Centre. According to the statement, “the main objectives of the caucus are to identify con-

crete follow-up measures to the outcomes of the first caucus, which was held in Abuja in 2014. They will also look into measures to enhance the role of governors of central banks in the consultations leading up to the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, which will take place in July 2015 whose outcomes are expected to have direct implications for central banks in Africa.

Innovation key to boosting Africa’s trade finance – Experts

inancial experts have identified innovation and the use of technology as critical tools that could be used to ensure that trade finance helps the continent to deliver on its potential. Speaking at the Global Trade Review (GTR) Africa Trade Finance week in South Africa, Head of Africa trade at Barclays Africa Group, Jason Barrass, stated that the trade finance industry in Africa was rapidly changing because of alternative funding methods and the use of technology. “These are interesting times for professional bankers. The industry is at a stage where it is looking at the next growth area and that leads to the question whether Africa’s time has come,” said Barrass. “It is alarming to see banks not thinking outside the box. The question is how we can use technology to allow us to get more comfortable with risks and how to work better with the

funds available out there. There is a need for innovation and we cannot keep doing trade finance in the food and agriculture sectors in Africa in the way we have been doing it up to now and expect a different outcome,” he added. According to him, the focus must be on innovation to increase productivity while risks must also be reduced and access to finance increased. “We must completely rethink the models we have been using to secure finance in Africa’s agriculture sector,” he said, adding that “it is possible to embrace innovation and harness the potential, which is there.” He stressed that banks must be part of this process. Also speaking at the event, the head of Structured Trade and Commodity Finance at Standard Bank, Ryan Stokes, noted that the key is to focus on pockets of opportunity existing across Africa. “There is no plan B. We are completely committed to Africa,” he said.

Business | Money

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tony Chukwunyem

he downgrade of Nigeria’s credit rating by Standard and Poor’s (S&P) last Friday has attracted mixed reactions from financial analysts and industry stakeholders in the country. While several analysts contend that the development will have only a muted impact on Nigeria’s financial assets, others believe that it could worsen the already dire strait of governments at the federal, state and local levels, which are already struggling with the effects of a drastic reduction in revenue occasioned by the oil price slump. From BB- to B+ The foremost rating agency had cut Nigeria’s foreign and local currency long-term rating BB- by one level to B+ (this is four levels below investment grade) with a change in outlook to stable, because of sharp drop in oil prices and rising political risks in the country triggered by delayed elections scheduled for Saturday. The firm had put Nigeria on its credit watch list last month. As the S&P statement announcing the downgrade put it, “the decline in oil prices in the last seven months has significantly affected Nigeria’s external position and vulnerability. The tightly contested general elections may pose risks to Nigeria’s external position and the implementation of what we view as government’s ambitious fiscal consolidation plans, while the “Boko Haram” group continues to disrupt the northeast. “Africa’s largest economy, which derives 90 per cent of export earnings and 70 per cent of government revenue from oil, is struggling with Brent crude prices, having halved since June. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts growth of 4.8 per cent this year, down from 6.3 per cent in 2014.” S&P noted that Nigeria relies on oil and gas for about two-thirds of its fiscal revenues and over 90 per cent of its exports and that falling oil prices had notably impacted current account position. Other oil producing countries Significantly, however, S&P also downgraded other oil-dependent economies such as Russia, Bahrain, Congo (Brazzaville), Kazakhstan, Oman, Venezuela, Angola and Gabon. It similarly assigned a Negative Outlook to Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, Fitch Ratings is expected to publish a review on its BBrating, stable outlook, for Nigeria, on March 27, the eve of the general elections. Moody’s Investors Service also has a stable outlook for the country and rates it Ba3, the same as Fitch. Analysts’ reactions Commenting on S&P’s lowering of Nigeria’s credit rating, Managing Director/Chief Executive of Financial Derivatives Company Ltd (FDC), Bismarck Rewane, said that the downgrade was, “a kiss of death and a negative for President Jonathan and the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.” He said: “If S&P downgrades a country eight days to elections, it means that the international investors have no confidence in the economic structure in place.” Similarly, analyst at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) in Lagos, Kunle Ezun, said that the development would hurt the Nigerian economy. He was quoted by Bloomberg as saying: “A downgrade worsens public and investor perception of the economy hit by a fall in oil prices, reserves and the

President Goodluck Jonathan

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Downgrade: Wake up call to Nigeria local currency.” He added that it could increase the borrowing costs of the Federal Government and Nigeria’s 36 states Head, Africa Global Research at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, however, said that the downgrade was not entirely surprising. She stated: “Despite Nigeria’s relatively-diversified economy, its fiscal revenue and export dependence on oil continues to be a key vulnerability. Weak fiscal buffers and subsequent pressure on its forex reserves have exposed the extent of that vulnerability. “We do not expect the confirmation of the S&P downgrade to have a significant impact on Nigerian assets, as the risk of any ratings action had largely been priced in already. Elections, expected in a week’s time (on Saturday), are a much bigger driver of investor sentiment. “The hope is that Nigeria will see sustained reform momentum in reaction to weaker oil prices, ultimately lessening its economic vulnerabilities. However, progress on any economic reform will only be gauged in the medium-term. For now, the stable outlook assigned to Nigeria’s rating suggests that there is little risk of further ratings action from S&P in the near-term,” she added. Also, a financial analyst at Berta Investments Ltd, Ochuko Okoro, told New Telegraph in a telephone chat that the downgrade was not likely to have much of an impact on investments because it had been widely predicted by foreign investors who had since factored it into their plans. He said: “The downgrade is not a positive development because it sends negative signals to global financial players. But the fact is that for those investors that really take the risk of

bringing their funds into the country, the announcement was not totally unexpected. They must have known that with the oil price slump, coupled with the uncertainties surrounding the elections and the ongoing war against “Boko Haram,” the downgrade was sure to happen. For example, Nigeria’s bond yields have been heading north in recent times and investors have been pulling out their funds from the stock market.”

The hope is that Nigeria will see sustained reform momentum in reaction to weaker oil prices

Government’s stance However, in a statement, spokesman for the Ministry of Finance, Paul Nwabuikwu, noted that Nigeria was not the only oil producing country that was downgraded by S&P. He cited nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan and Venezuela, which also had their ratings cut because of the drop in crude prices. Indeed, he pointed out that S&P had a lot of positive things to say about the Nigerian economy in the report. According to him, despite the downgrade, S&P forecasts average growth in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of five per cent between 2015 and 2018. He said: “This is slightly higher than the 4.8 per cent projected by the IMF and is quite robust by current global standards. Even more significant, S&P also noted that GDP growth is being driven by the non-oil sectors of the economy.” Nwabuikwu said that the agency had also commended the Federal Government on “a series of reforms, including reforms in agriculture and the rapid growth of sectors such as telecoms and financial services have contributed to non-oil growth momentum.” S&P had explained in the report that the continued stable outlook it assigned to the country, “reflects our view that Nigeria’s non-oil economy will continue to support GDP growth and that external and fiscal balances will not increase significantly above our current expectations.” According to financial experts, S&P rates borrowers on a scale from AAA to D while intermediate ratings are offered at each level between AA and CCC (e.g., BBB+, BBB and BBB). They further explained that for certain categories of borrowers, the firm may also offer guidance (termed a “credit watch”) as to whether it is likely to be upgraded (positive), downgraded (negative) or uncertain. The analysts point out that while an obligor rated “BB-”, the rating rung, which Nigeria currently occupies, is in a better position to access credit in the short-term than other lower-rated obligors, it faces major uncertainties and exposure to adverse economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor’s inability to meet its financial commitments. Credibility Interestingly, in 2011, S&P downgraded the United State’s 60-yearrunning AAA credit rating to AA+ with a negative outlook. But two years later, the US Justice Department accused S&P of lying about its ratings being free of conflicts of interest and filed a complaint seeking as much as $5 billion in civil penalties for losses to federally insured financial institutions that relied on the company’s investment-grade ratings for mortgage-backed securities and Collateralised-Debt Obligations (CDOs). The US government alleged that S&P knowingly downplayed the risk on securities before the credit crisis of 2007/2008 to win business from investment banks seeking the highest possible ratings to help them sell the instruments. Conclusion There is no doubt that ratings firms are key players in the global financial system and they have been around for a long time. However, there is usually more to the reasons for cutting a country’s or a company’s rating. The downgrade of Nigeria is a wake up call for government to focus more on diversifying the economy and end the dependence on oil.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Corruption: Customs post 300 officers out of Lagos ports p.38 Cotonou, capital of Benin Republic, has been chosen by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to coordinate and monitor maritime activities in Nigeria and three other countries. The move is to tackle piracy and other illicit maritime activities in the Gulf of Guinea, BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports

Maritime

Lekki Deep Seaport to attract N5trn investments p.38

Benin to coordinate maritime activities in Nigeria, others

ata by the International Maritime Bureau has revealed that the cost of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea in terms of stolen goods, security and insurance was about $2 billion in the last two years. By mid-November 2013, the bureau said that pirates in the Gulf of Guinea launched around 100 attacks in one year. Determined to tackle transnational crimes in the region, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission placed Nigeria, Togo, Benin and Niger under a maritime zone called Pilot Zone E. Pilot Zone E is considered the most dangerous maritime zone in West Africa. It was learnt that the threats confronting African countries in the maritime domain are transnational crimes perpetrated by the some criminal gangs. The commission said that stronger protection was needed in the four countries to tackle piracy, armed robbery, illegal fishing, oil theft and other threats at sea, which are still far from being eradicated. Maritime coordination centre It noted that a Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC), would be established in Benin for the zone to tackle the critical issue of maritime piracy and other illicit activities at sea. The centre will coordinate patrols and drills, share information and conduct regular training. It will also work with the multinational maritime coordination centres of Zones F and G, thereby completing the maritime security architecture at the subregional level. Zone F includes Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, while Zone G is made up of Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mali and Senegal. Function of the centre In accordance with the guidelines set out in the ECOWAS’ Integrated Maritime Strategy

Containers stacked at the Lagos port’s container terminal.

(EIMS), the centre is required to report to the Regional Maritime Security Coordination Centre of West Africa. The maritime coordinating centre is an initiative of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman and the security chiefs in the region. Common policy Already, the heads of state and government of the Economic Community of Central African States, the Commission of the Gulf of Guinea and ECOWAS had adopted a common policy to respond to piracy and maritime insecurity. Member states also initiated their own actions, in addition to those taken by the commission. West African experience In West Africa, 41 piracy incidents were reported, although IMB said that many attacks went unreported. But it noted that hijacking of product tankers appeared to have subsided in the last quarter of 2014, with the last reported case at the end of July, 2014. Of the 18 attacks off Nigeria, 14 involved tankers and vessels associated with the oil industry. Most were product tankers, hijacked to steal and tranship their cargo into smaller tankers. Earlier in the year, the waters South and West of the Brass Terminal witnessed a particularly concerning spate of attacks. Nigeria experience It was revealed that Nigeria was still searching for a sustainable solution to piracy and oil theft in the southern Niger Delta

The Nigerian Navy suffers acute dearth of surveillance equipment, helicopters, flat bottom boats and other logistical support

region. According to Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff, Usman Jibrin, the country loses N433 billion ($2 billion or 1.313 trillion FCFA) to oil theft each year and is now equipping itself with increasingly larger patrol boats. The country intercepted over 84 ships conducting illicit activities in its waters in 2014. Also, the Nigerian Army’s quarterly journal explained that unlike pirates that operate with high speed boats, the Nigerian Navy suffers acute dearth of surveillance equipment, helicopters, flat bottom boats and other logistical support needed to guarantee maritime security in such difficult terrain.” Also, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, explained that the multinational training exercise which was organised by the United States of America African command would also provide training support and capacity building for navies of coastguards of the Gulf of Guinea countries, with participants drawn from military and law enforcement forces from the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that the country had been participating in the exercise for four years. Ango explained that NNS Thunder, Okpabana and Centenary and Shaldaq boat, NNS IkotAbasi, with a Nigerian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft would be used by the Nigerian Navy, in addition to 18 other ships from other participating countries, with a view to providing opportunities for all participating countries to look for a lasting solution to maritime illegalities.

Ghana’s experience The Ghana Navy had already demonstrated its ability to secure Ghanaian waters in January this year, when it retrieved the hijacked Nigerian oil tanker, Mariam. This was despite a bad start to 2015, given the January 14 hijacking of the Panama-registered Ocean Splendor. The navy arrested the eight heavily armed people who had hijacked Mariam a week prior, and released the ship’s nine crewmembers. Suleiman said: “In most other ECOWAS member states, there have been similar dynamics in the fight against maritime insecurity. Benin, which provides the Zone E centre, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Guinea and Senegal are adopting national maritime strategies in line with EIMS. These states are establishing maritime authorities responsible for coordinating state action at sea and are equipping themselves with patrol boats and remote surveillance systems to monitor their maritime domains. “More work lies ahead for the ECOWAS Commission. It must now focus on finalising its maritime security architecture. The installation of the Regional Maritime Security Coordination Centre of West Africa should prove to be a strong justification for the Interregional Coordinating Centre (ICC), inaugurated on September 11, 2014, in Yaoundé. Suleiman added that the commission should designate two host countries for the future multinational maritime coordination centres for Zones F and G, which would be established based on the lessons learnt from CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

Business | Maritime

BAD IMAGE Despite reforms, Customs battle with sharp practices in various command Stories by Bayo Akomolafe

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has moved over 300 young officers out of the Lagos ports as part of efforts to curb corruption. Sources close to the Customs said that the affected officers were moved out of the ports based on complaints of corruption from the various commands in Lagos. A top officer of the Customs in Lagos described the officers as ‘dangerous’. He noted that they were involved in antitrade facilitation and defective examination of goods. It was revealed that their act was to collect money from importers and agents before issuing reports without doing a thorough job. The source described the officers as children of the ‘big men who were looking for quick money more than their parents’. It was also learnt that the Comptroler-General of the service, Alhaji Inde Dikko Abdullahi, had been informed of the fraudulent officers and had given approval that they should be transferred to the

Corruption: Customs post 300 officers out of Lagos ports border stations. It was also gathered that senior officers had been advised to hide all their passwords from the officers so that they would not release any goods illegally. The most dreaded, it was gathered, were young officers in the ICT Department of the service. It would be recalled that NCS, two weeks ago, suspended about 23 officers in various commands. It suspended a deputy comptroller, five assistant comptrollers and 17 other officers, over allegation of rape, extortion of $13,000 and other offences. It was learnt that some of the newly recruited officers were involved in the crimes. A panel was constituted by the Comptroller General to investigate 11 officers while 12 were suspended from service pending the outcome of investigations. Five assistant comptrollers serving in Tin Can Island Port were among those suspended from service for improper release of seizures. A deputy comptroller serving in Lagos Port Complex was asked to appear at the investigative panel for negligence

Lekki Deep Seaport to attract N5trn investments

he Lekki Deep Seaport is to attract investments worth over N5 trillion ($25 billion) when completed. The Managing Director of the port, Mr. Haresh Ascoani, made this known to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, during a visit to the port. He explained that the project would transform the Lekki Free Trade Zone into a new industrial city in Nigeria when it becomes operational. The managing director added that the port would be the deepest seaport in West Africa and second in Africa after South Africa deep port. Ascoani stressed that the port would drive Nigeria’s economy and create more jobs. He said that China construction company would commence the construction of the port by April 2015, saying that the promoters of the port, Tolaram Group, were working with the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works on how to build additional roads that would ease traffic in the area when the port becomes operational. In a statement by the NPA’s Assistant General Manager, Mallam Iliya Musa, Abdullahi also said that NPA had committed a total of N1 billion into

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lekki Deep Seaport project. At a crucial meeting with core investors of the port, Abdullahi described the project as a game changer and a catalyst to the nation’s economy. He explained that the total amount of NPA equity was $118 million. The managing director said that the Lekki Deep Seaport project would transform Nigeria economy into global recognition. He noted that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) was an example of a success story, adding that the port would attract some businesses when fully operational. Abdullahi said: “For 2015, we are making effort to pay up what is due to us and I cannot say anything because it is still with the Senate. But we have made arrangements with the group that we will pay accordingly until the end of the year.’’ He expressed satisfaction with the takeoff arrangement of the project in April this year. Also, the managing director assured that the authority was committed to the actualisation of the project. He added that the port would bring benefits to the Nigerian economy and make Nigeria a hub port in West Africa.

and improper examination of containers. Also implicated over alleged extortion at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, were three assistant superintendents. They were asked to go home by the customs high command pending the outcome of the investigation. It was alleged that the officers attached to the currency declaration desk at the airport

extorted $13,000 during the outward clearance of a passenger on Emirates Airline flight. Also, two assistant superintendents serving in Seme Border Command were suspended for alleged rape in Badagry in Lagos State. Six officers also appeared before the same panel for offences ranging from hacking of passwords, falsification of academics certificates to

negligence and general indiscipline. Customs spokesman, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, a deputy comptroller, said in a statement that the comptroller general expressed regrets over the involvement of young officers recently recruited into the NCS. He noted that their connection with the various illegal acts was worrisome.

L-R: Lekki Deep Seaport’s Managing Director, Mr. Haresh Ascoani explaining the prototype of the Lekki industrial city to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, NPA’s General Manager, Capital Projects, Mr. Mohammed and Personal Assistant, Administration to the MD, Mr. Yakassai.

Lawyer opposes High court ruling against terminal operators A maritime lawyer, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Atoyebi, has opposed a Federal High Court in Lagos, in ruling on a stay of execution application filed by the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) in a matter between the association and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC). He said that Justice Ibrahim Buba of the court acted without jurisdiction. Atoyebi said that Buba’s ruling would not stand in such a case, insisting that it was a decision rendered without jurisdiction. He explained: “We have promptly filed a similar

application to the Court of Appeal. It may interest you that we obtained a formal Notice of Entry of our appeal from the Court of Appeal and submitted it to his court with a sworn affidavit the day before, yet he went ahead with his ruling. “Once the judgement has been appealed and an application for stay has been filed at the appellate court as is the case here, the status quo would remain and so, the judgement stands suspended until the Court of Appeal decides the appeal by STOAN.” It would be recalled that in his ruling on Decem-

ber 17, 2014, in a matter between STOAN and the NSC, Buba had affirmed the power of the Nigerian Shippers’Council to regulate economic activities at the nation’s seaports. But dissatisfied with the ruling, STOAN had filed an appeal against the judgement and sought a stay of execution. However, Buba, in his ruling, refused the plaintiff ’s application for stay of execution on the grounds that it lacked merit. This was despite an objection by the STOAN counsel that the judge had no jurisdiction over the matter since it had been filed at the Court of Appeal.

Benin to coordinate maritime activities in Nigeria the centre in Nigeria, Togo and Benin.

that they would also benefit from improved maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

International support He said that the international community and other actors in the maritime industry must increase support for these efforts, noting

Conclusion With the inauguration of the Zone E coordination centre, ECOWAS is taking a decisive step in implementing EIMS. However, it

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 7

should not stop here, and it is imperative that all the beneficiaries of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea provide continued support. This will greatly assist West African states in freeing themselves of the threats posed by pirates and other criminals who operate in their maritime domains.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

L-R: Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr. Ismail Olalekan Alli; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina; Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye and Deputy Commissioner of Police, C. A. Maidama, during the AIG’s visit to the Governor’s Office, Ibadan.

L-R: Senior Economist, BusinessDay, Mr. Soji Akinyele; Managing Director, WAPCO Operations, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo; Managing Director/CEO, Ashaka Cement, Mr. Leonard Palka; Director, Human Resources and Organisation, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Fidelia Osime; Energy and Power Director, Mr. Rabiu Umar, during the BusinessDay 25 CEO’s award presentation in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Area Manager, Industrial Trust Fund (ITF), Lekki Area Office, Abike Igbeyi; Director-General/CEO, Dr. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko and Head, Public Affairs, Dorothy Ojaide, at the Fund’s stakeholders’ sensitisation seminar in Lagos.

L-R: Ogun State Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) gubernatorial candidate, Prince Olatunde Rotimi Paseda; Olomu of Omu, Oba Mobolaji Mosuro and Yeye Otunba Adeneye Oritsejemine Paseda, during the installation of Rotimi Paseda as the Otunba Adeneye of Omu Ijebu, Ogun State.

Photo | News 39

Wife of Akwa Ibom State governor, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio (third right), on campaign tour of wards in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

L-R: President, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Musa Isiwele; Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi and representative of the National President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Elijah Uwumikpo, after the corps’ joint press conference with stakeholders in the transport sector in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

L-R: Head, Department of European Languages, University of Lagos (Unilag), Prof. Timothy Asobele; Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki and Dean, Faculty of Law, Unilag, Prof. Akin Ibadapo-Obe, at a public lecture organised by the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, Unilag, in Lagos.

L-R: Executive Secretary, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Deaconess Modupe Ajibola-Ojodu; Board Chairman, Lagos State College of Health Technology, Dr. Biola Tilley-Gyado; member, House of Representatives, Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon. Rafeequat Onabamiro and former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Princess Serah Adebisi Sosan, during the All Progressives Congress (APC), Badagry Division Women Forum’s special prayer session for the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 63rd birthday anniversary in Lagos.

40 Politics

WEDNESDAY, MarCh 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Presidential poll decides Nigeria’s future Odilim Enwegbara

hat after running one of the most despotic military dictatorships in Nigeria, which overthrew Shehu Shagari’s democratically elected government in 1983, and did so not because he wanted to clean-up the so-called corrupt Shagari administration, but did so simply because of his excessive love for power, and was eventually overthrown in 1985 in another coup by Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari still continues his unending yearning for power is truly baffling. It’s more baffling because Buhari’s desperation for power is neither based on selfless service nor on genuine crusade against corruption as he has falsely made most Nigerians to believe. Or should Buhari be corruption fighter when his records in public office painted him differently? Take the $2.8 billion which under his very watch as the Federal Commissioner (minister) for Petroleum and Natural Resources and chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) went missing from the the Nigerian NNPC Midland Bank account in London. How come every effort to uncover the missing money was met with absolute resistance, including Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo refusing to appear before the Justice Ayo Irikefe Crude Oil Sales Tribunal of Inquiry, set up in 1980 by President Shagari to investigate the fraud? How come that because of the House of Representatives’ report on the missing fund set to be made public in January 1984, Shagari’s government was overthrown on December 31, 1983 by Buhari? Should it have been a coincidence? Was it not the same Buhari regime which, with sensitivity to the plight of the people of the Niger Delta, had to drastically reduce the derivation formula to an unheardof 1.5 per cent, the lowest in the history of the politics of oil revenue allocation formula in Nigeria, which triggered an army of protestants led by nationalist activists like Ken Saro-Wiwa in the Niger Delta. Was it not out of his sheer magnanimity and sense of justice and fairness that Babangida in 1992 had to raise the derivation to 3.0 per cent, besides establishing OMPADEC, charged with the responsibility of addressing the economic and social fallouts caused by Buhari’s devastating anti-oil producing communities in the Niger Delta? As unbelievable as it could sound, it’s the same Buhari whose regime grossly marginalised and neglected the people of the Niger Delta in the 1980s that’s today unrepentantly seeking the votes of Niger Delta people. Should Niger Deltans be reminded of the economic and social horrors they went through under Buhari? No doubt, the Niger Deltans cannot easily forget that. That Buhari never sees any reason to apologise to Nigerians for the agony they went through during his despotic years is not what is worrisome. Alarming is the growing nostalgia for the return of Buhari to power. The question for those clamouring for Buharinomics as was the case in the early 1980s, should be: Was it not during his regime that Nigeria’s economy

Jonathan

suddenly nosedived, turning most Nigerians into economic and social refugees in their own country? If we’ve this short memory, should we so easily forget how our national debt jumped from $14 billion to $18 billion within two years he was in power? How have these Nigerians so easily forgotten how factories were shut down because essential raw materials were nowhere to be found, resulting in thousands losing their jobs? That Buhari remained an unrepentant despot, could be seen from how indifferent he was during the Abacha years when as a close friend of Abacha, serving as the PTF Chairman, saw nothing and said nothing against Abiola’s incarceration by Abacha in an effort to stop his continued demanding for the restoration of his mandate as the democratically-elected president of Nigeria on June 1993. If Bola Tinubu has been able to blind his fellow south-western political elite from remembering this raping of our democracy, should he have made them to also easily forget Obafemi Awolowo’s long standing battle in support of true federalism in Nigeria, with Awolowo insisting on the need for economic regionalism based on fiscal federalism? How should Pa Awolowo feel in his grave today hearing that the same Yorubas who fought along with him for true federalism in Nigeria have just turned their back against the cause, are against Jonathan, who in his infinite political wisdom is pursuing the realisation of true federalism in Nigeria, which he promised to complete during his second term in office? Are they not shooting themselves in the foot if the same fighters for economic regionalism — who have been demanding that Lagos and Sokoto states should be allowed to run their respective economies on the basis of their human, natural, and entrepreneurial endowments — are now about jettisoning the realisation of this dream simply because it is time to appease Tinubu’s selfish political ambitions? In other words, if the South-West still believes in true federalism that should force economic regions and states to wake up from their long slumber and begin to become eco-

Buhari

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

The 2015 presidential election has been carefully designed to eventually create the needed standoff between Buhari and President Jonathan

nomically innovative and competitive, without having to be dragged down by their economically and socially backward neighbours, what justifications do they have not to vote Jonathan’s re-election, especially his successful organisation of the National Confab in 2014, the report of which he intends to implement? The good news is that at their recent gathering in Ibadan, southwestern political leaders finally discovered that voting for Buhari would amount to voting against fiscal federalism and economic regionalism. As a result of this meeting, there has been a growing interest in the region that Jonathan’s re-election is in the interest of the South-West. This new development has begun to brighten Jonathan’s chances on March 28. It’s a proof that after all, politics is always about permanent interest. In this effort to protecting their political turf, unknowingly the South-West should be the one to save Nigeria from the constitutional crisis about to rock the republic, which Buhari’s insatiable lust for power could cause us. Having relentlessly contested for the presidency of Nigeria since 2003, and with each time Nigerians refused, he responded with threats of bloodshed, his increasingly ever divisive presidential ambition has since been acknowledged by Washington and its vassal state, Britain, as someone to be used to realise their agenda of dissolving Nigeria, the same way Washington’s sponsoring of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party into power in 1933, was used to trigger the WW2 in Europe in September 1939. For some time now, Washington has been angling how to subdivide Nigeria into four micro sovereign states both along ethnic and religious lines. The reason being that in the 21st century, Pax Nigeriana should be dissolved since it has since been recognised as a serious threat to the US hegemonic interests in Africa. Maybe in their ignorance, most of those supporting Buhari’s presidency are unaware of the danger the current Buhari ambition portents. Are those demanding that this time it’s either Buhari or no Nigeria, fully aware that they may

be knowingly or unknowing fasttracking Washington’s agenda of subdividing Nigeria into four nation states with north into two landlocked sovereign states, with Northern Nigeria, predominantly Muslims, and Central Nigeria, predominantly Christians, Eastern Nigeria comprising South-South and South-East, while Western Nigeria predominantly Yorubas? This post 2015 new map of Nigeria, recommended by Zbigniew Brzezinski to the US Council on Foreign Relations in 1992, has since been in the hands of the CIA and the Project for the New American Century (PNAC). And like Sudan’s recent subdivision into Sudan and South Sudan, Nigeria falls with the African map Brzezinski insisted should be redrawn in the 21st century since the current African map created at the Berlin Conference in 1885 by the then European powers has only served European commercial interests. Little wonder the 2015 presidential election has been carefully designed to eventually create the needed standoff between Buhari and President Jonathan. Here, the grand plan by Washington is to let the dangerous stalemate degenerate into the emergence of two parallel governments, with both laying claims over the Nigerian state. Should it degenerate into an uncontrollable conflict and an irreconcilable North-South divide, and should it lead to the agitation for self-determination, starting with South-South and South-East demanding sovereignty, then, the US plan is that the UN should support that call since the UN has what is called the ‘’minorities right for self-determination.’’ With this the Security Council should then meet to ensure the smooth process of subdividing Nigeria. It’s to avert this dissolution of Nigeria, which Buhari’s desperation for power, having found its South-Western pair in Tinubu is fast-tracking, that I’m writing and appealing to our nationalist brothers and sisters in the north, who have fought for the unity of Nigeria over the years, once again, to be patient and allow Jonathan another four years, so that in 2019, power will shift to the North for eight years. I say this because it’s the right time to recognise SouthSouth’s astute partnership with the North since independence, including during the civil war and during the 1979 presidential election, when with the South-South overwhelmingly voting for Shagari helped his NPN defeat Awolowo’s UPN in the presidential election. It is also important for the North in 2019 to bring out a young and dynamic presidential candidate — people like Sanusi (Emir of Kano), Tambuwal, el-Rufai, and Ribadu — because the work ahead is huge. Not only should it require a young and visionary leader ready for the 24-hour-7days-a-week job, but should the North agree that power should return to the North in 2019, besides remaining in the North for eight years, the North should not have to share the power with some self-serving and manipulative southern politicians. •Enwegbara, a development economist and public commentator, writes from Abuja

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESday, March 25, 2015

42 Politics

WEDNESDAY, MarCh 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari: Corruption, insecurity, job creation top priority C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 4

security threats to law-abiding Nigerians.” Enugu: Revamping coal Enugu came alive on January 9, as the APC presidential campaign train reached the Coal City. At a rally held at Okpara Square, Buhari promised to revamp the moribund coal industry in the South-East, if elected. He said that revamping the coal industry and other moribund industries in the zone would help to create job opportunities for unemployed youths. “We will also improve investments in agriculture and power to encourage small businesses in the country to grow. We will secure this country and make sure that the issue of Boko Haram is a thing of the past. We will provide electricity for our tailors and entrepreneurs to do their businesses without hitches,” he said. Akwa: Power to boost investment At a rally held at Emmaus House, Awka, Anambra State on January 10, Buhari said he would improve public power supply to boost investment opportunities in places like Onitsha and Nnewi, which form the bedrock of the economy of the South-East. The campaign visit was heralded by the presentation of a Bible by the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rt. Rev. Alex Ibezim, who the APC presidential candidate visited before the rally. Owerri: Security, corruption In Owerri, Imo State capital on January 12, Buhari listed insecurity, corruption as Nigeria’s major development challenges, promising a better deal for the people if elected. He further said a major objective of his government, if elected, is to secure the country and efficiently manage it. According to him, his administration will decisively deal with terrorism, kidnapping and corruption at all levels. On the economy, Buhari decried the alarming rate of inflation in the country and wondered how local businesses can survive with the rate of exchange of the Naira to Dollar. Abeokuta: Tackling unemployment In Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on January 13, the APC presidential candidate promised to explore the non-oil sector to create wealth for the nation if elected. According to Buhari, overconcentration on the oil sector and the failure to manage the resource from it by successive governments plunged the country into economic woes. “Our leaders have over relied on oil money to the detriment of other sectors. Now that the price of oil has crashed, we are now facing serious economic challenges. Our concern is the vicious cycle of insecurity, corruption and unemployment confronting Nigeria now,” he said. He promised to address the challenges headlong if voted into power. “We will engage in commercial ag-

L-R: Osinbajo; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Buhari and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun at a rally in Abeokuta.

riculture and mining as well as resuscitate the abandoned agro-allied industries so as to generate employment and create wealth for Nigerians,” he said. He also pledged to create an enabling environment for learning to ensure that certificates from Nigerian universities are accorded respect globally.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Osogbo: Creating job opportunities The APC presidential train on January 14 arrived Osogbo, Osun State, where Buhari promised to create job opportunities through agriculture and mining, if elected. His administration, he said, will focus on agriculture and mining as a way to secure jobs for able Nigerians. “There is a circle of insecurity, unemployment and corruption in the country which I will break when elected,” he promised. Makurdi: Build power plants In Benue State, which prides itself as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” Buhari promised to revive agriculture, build power plants and tackle corruption if elected president. At a rally in Makurdi on January 16, the APC presidential candidate expressed regrets that the economy of the country had deteriorated and said it could only be revived by stimulating growth through agriculture and the construction of additional power plants across the country. He also said if elected, he would work toward boosting the morale of the security agencies to enhance their effectiveness. Lokoja: Hope for Ajaokuta Steel Company In Kogi State, Buhari promised to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company if elected. Addressing party faithful and supporters at a rally in Lokoja

Ending current epileptic power supply will boost the economy and attract domestic and foreign investment

on January 16, he said he would resuscitate the company which had been out of production for the past five years. He explained that this would enable it to generate employment for the nation’s teeming youths and create wealth for the country. According to him, government had spent almost $5 billion on the company, promising that its fortunes will change for the better as soon as he assumed office. Buhari also promised to stem the tide of corruption and plug all loopholes through which government money was being siphoned. He added that money recovered from this effort would be used to develop agriculture and provide quality education for the people. Jos: Mining, agriculture top agenda Jos, the Plateau State capital played host to Buhari and members of his campaign team on January 17, where he promised to use agriculture and mining sector to create employment if elected. The APC presidential candidate promised to revamp the comatose mining and agricultural sectors and used them to create employment opportunities for the unemployed. Buhari also promised that corruption would be confronted headlong under his administration, adding that the proceeds would be channeled to the social sector. The education sector, he said, would also be given proper attention. Lafia: Repositioning the mineral sector In Lafia, Nassarawa State capital on January 17, the APC presidential candidate promised to place high premium on the execution of developmental projects to enhance the wellbeing of the populace if given the mandate. He maintained that Nigeria was

endowed with natural solid minerals, and promised that his administration would articulate a plan to reposition the country’s mineral sector, which would enhance mining activities in the Nassarawa State. He also said his “administration will be poised to serve the people of this country judiciously, through improved healthcare delivery system and quality education to enable citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy.” Kaduna: Health, security, corruption, economy In Kaduna on January 19, Buhari pledged to bring about positive change in Nigeria within two years in office, if elected. He also promised reverse the current state of economy, insecurity, unemployment and corruption in the country. “We pledge to you, that if given the mandate, we will bring about positive changes in the lives of Nigerians within two years. Our desire for change has not diminished, that was why in all the elections we participated we never asked people to take the law into their hands,” he said. He said that APC was not unmindful of pervasive unemployment in the country due to negative economic policies that led to closure of industries, and pledged to revitalise the education sector, provide functional healthcare services and revitalise national infrastructure. Kano: Security, unemployment, corruption The ancient commercial city was next on January 20. Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Buhari reaffirmed his commitment to tackle insecurity, unemployment and corruption. His words: “Wherever I go, I

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NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MarCh 25, 2015

to generate employment and boost rural economy. Akure: Tackle prostrate economy, corruption Addressing supporters in Akure, Ondo State capital on January 24, Buhari promised to tackle corruption, official ineptitude, insecurity, high unemployment and prostrate economy. He warned against voting for the ruling party, saying: “A vote for the PDP would mean a vote for continuity of the present problems bedeviling our dear country. If you allow the PDP again, that means that Nigeria will not change.” Jalingo: Completion of Mambilla project In Jalingo, Taraba State on January 28, the APC presidential candidate pledged to tackle insurgency and corruption, if elected president. His words: “Nigeria has the capacity to end terrorism and corruption if appropriate measures are put in place. I urge you to give me the mandate and I will use my experience to end the ugly incidents.” Buhari said that 60 per cent of Nigerian youths are unemployed, saying the situation had made them prone to violence. He therefore promised to complete the Mambilla Hydroelectric Dam project to generate electricity and boost agriculture through irrigation.

Buhari

speak on three fundamental issues: insecurity, unemployment and corruption because they are the main challenges bedeviling the country.” According to him, tackling the three main issues was necessary, if the country was to move forward from its present state. He, however, noted that it was only when the people elect him into office that he could realise the dream. Dutse: Revive the economy From Kano, the Buhari campaign team headed for Dutse, Jigawa State on January 20, where Buhari pledged to invest in agriculture to tackle unemployment in the country if elected. He said agriculture was key and paramount in tackling unemployment. According to him, his government will tackle insecurity, unemployment and revive the economy of the country. He also pledged to tackle insecurity. Minna: Improve agriculture In Minna, Niger State on January 19, Buhari promised to provide enough power to enable businessmen and women to carry out their business in a well-dignified manner, saying without power, most of the industries would not thrive. He also pledged to improve the agricultural sector in Niger State, noting that the state was one of the food baskets of the nation. Gusua: Restructure military, police At APC presidential rally in Gusau, Zamfara State on January 21, Buhari promised to restructure the Nigeria Army and Police, if elected. He said that his plan, if materialised, would boost the efforts of the two security institutions to battle insurgency with renewed vigour. According to him, the need to restructure the army and police became necessary because the enemies had become more and highly sophisticated in the use of weapons. “Our Army and Police will be highly equipped with all the required weapons, educated and uneducated youths will be employed through different programmes that will be created by our administration. “We will rebuild our educational system and employ youths not on sentiment and god-fatherism. We will as well find ways of strengthening the country’s economy,” he said. Sokoto: Unemployment, corruption In Sokoto State on January 22, Buhari promised to tackle insecurity, poverty, unemployment, bribery and

corruption, if elected as president. Buhari, who addressed a mammoth crowd of supporters in Hausa, averred that these social cankerworms are currently the bane of Nigeria’s socio-economic development. “These are the major problems bedeviling Nigeria now and the moment they are fully tackled, Nigeria will be a better place,” he said. He also pledged that an APC-led Federal Government will provide more job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths. Buhari further promised to revitalise agriculture, solid minerals exploration and exploitation, while funds to be realised from the anticorruption war would be channelled to health, water and power sectors. Katsina: Corruption, health, power It was home coming for the APC presidential candidate on January 22, when he took his campaign to his home state, Katsina. Speaking at the rally, which held at the Polo Ground in Katsina metropolis, Buhari said his administration, if elected, would focus more on three sectors including tackling corruption, revamping the health sector, and transforming the security situation. Buhari said these three areas had been his emphasis since he commenced campaign, with a call on his supports to ensure their votes count on the day of the election. Birnin Kebbi: End epileptic power supply In Birnin Kebbi on January 23, Buhari pledged to end epileptic power supply and enhance access to health care. “Ending current epileptic power supply will boost the economy and attract domestic and foreign investment, he said.” He further said that, if elected, his administration would focus on the provision of employment to curtail youth restiveness and insecurity in the country. “I will revive mining industries and give loan to our businessmen and women in such a way that our economy will emerge stronger than ever. My administration would utilise resources prudently and end corruption through intensified anticorruption crusade; build schools, provide materials and transportation for students,” Buhari said. On the health sector, he promised the provision of modern equipment, qualified medical personnel and adequate drugs across the country. He also promised that the APC government would open up the sector, especially fishing and rice production,

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

We pledge to you, that if given the mandate, we will bring about positive changes in the lives of Nigerians within two years

Benin: Poverty eradication The Buhari campaign train was in Benin, Edo State on January 29. Addressing supporters at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the APC presidential candidate promised that an APC government will find lasting solution to corruption, unemployment, insurgency and poverty, which according to him, were inflicted on Nigerians by the PDP. He therefore charged Nigerians to constitutionally kill the PDP through their votes before it kills Nigerians. Ibadan: Good governance, infrastructure January 29 was the turn of Oyo State, and Buhari at a campaign at Mapo Hall, Ibadan promised good governance if elected. “If you vote for me, I promise to provide good governance for the teeming populace. This will entail provision of employment, infrastructure such as good roads, water supply, free education and security. APC will revive ailing industries, build houses and invest in agriculture to create jobs for the masses.” Lagos: Fixing infrastructure deficit It was the turn of the nation’s commercial capital on January 30. Addressing a rally at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Buhari said he would prioritise tackling of insecurity in the country, if elected. “Whatever we are going to do, we have to secure Nigeria first,” he said. Buhari also promised to fix the country’s infrastructure deficit and strengthen the nation’s economy, if given the mandate. He described corruption as an albatross to any nation’s development, and promised to tackle the menace. He also promised to create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths as well to give special infrastructural support to Lagos, being a former capital if elected. Ilorin: Boost quality of education In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on January 31, Buhari pledged

to overhaul Nigeria’s economy, if elected president. He also promised to tackle corruption and unemployment for an egalitarian society to be attained. On unemployment, the APC presidential candidate promised to create more jobs as well as turn the nation’s economy around. He also assured that he would focus attention on education by providing infrastructure, equipment and employ more teachers to boost the quality of education in the country, while decaying infrastructure across the country to make life more meaningful for the people. Yola: Security of lives and property Addressing APC’s presidential rally in Yola on February 2, Buhari promised enabling environment for youths to excel, if elected president. He said a World Bank statistic indicated that 60 per cent of Nigerian citizens were under 33 years and were jobless, and therefore promised that the top priority of his government, if elected, would to ensure security of lives and property and to create job opportunities for the youth through agriculture and mineral resources potential. He also promised to rehabilitate internally displaced persons in the state to their respective communities if he wins the election. Bauchi: Youth empowerment In Bauchi on January 31, the presidential candidate pledged that the APC government will punish anybody that steals from the public treasury, if elected. In an address to party faithful and supporters at the IBB Square during his campaign visit to the state, Buhari also promised that agricultural experts would be engaged to assist the people on farming issues, while youths would be engaged in profitable farming. Gombe: Running an incorruptible government On February 3, when the APC presidential campaign team hit Gombe, Buhari vowed to eliminate Boko Haram if voted to power. He also promised to run an incorruptible government. “Whoever has misappropriated public resources knows, he should also know how to cough it up because a line will be drawn from May 30. From thence, whoever is trusted with public office and betrays the trust would be dealt with,” he said. He also promised to empower youths, focus on developing the agricultural and power sectors and raise the standard of education so that the younger generation can have a better future. Maiduguri: Catalyst for meaningful change Maiduguri, Borno State capital stood still for Buhari despite security challenges in the state, when the APC presidential campaign team called on February 17. While it was difficult to control the crowd at the rally venue, Buhari told teeming supporters at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi that the APC goal is to be a catalyst for meaningful change in the North-East. He also promised to rehabilitate those displaced by the insurgency.“People in Baga and others will be liberated, returned to their homes, and will see a government genuinely concerned about their welfare.”

Business | Money Line

VALUE CREATION

Nigerian banks’ ability to create value questioned Tony Chukwunyem

igerian banks, which would want to take advantage of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) extension of the implementation deadline for higher capital requirements may find it difficult attracting capital from foreign investors, international financial advisory firm, Renaissance Capital Ltd(RenCap) has predicted. In a note to the New Telegraph, the firm hinged its forecast on what it described as the deteriorating macro environment in the country as well as international investors’ pessimism about Nigerian banks’ ability to deliver value in the face of regulatory headwinds. RenCap noted that the CBN had on the 13th of this month, issued a letter, extending the implementation deadline for higher capital requirements for the eight lenders it designated as Systemically Important Banks (SIBs)-Zenith, First Bank, UBA, Access,

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Foreign investors may shun banks’ capital raising schemes – RenCap GTB, Diamond, Skye and Ecobank. The apex bank also set a fresh deadline for banks that breach minimum Capital Adequacy Ratios (CAR) under Basel 2 to submit their recapitalisation plans and implement them. It stated that lenders have been given three months, till 13 June

2015, to submit recapitalisation plans and till 30 June 2016 to implement them. It further shifted the implementation of the 1 per cent all-tier 1 capital buffer for SIBs, which raises their minimum total CAR to 16 per cent, to 1 July 2016, from 1 March 2015. According to RenCap,

the implication of the CBN extension is that a few lenders have not met the minimum CAR of 10 per cent and 15 per cent for regional/national and international banks, respectively, under Basel 2. The firm stated, “In our view, this extension is a positive develop-

Skye Bank to raise N100bn for liquidity

kye Bank Plc has announced that it will sell as much N100 billion of debt to improve its liquidity. According to the lender, which is one of the eight banks deemed systemically important by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it will start with a N20 billion, 90-day bond that will be offered to domestic institutional investors in a sale closing March 27. The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Oguntayo, disclosed this in at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday. “It is one way the bank will boost liquidity other than deposits,” Oguntayo said. “Liquidity remains a challenge to the banks due to tight regulatory requirements such as the increase in public and

private sector cash-reserve ratios.” Skye, which has $6.8 billion of assets, joins Nigerian lenders including Access Bank Plc in raising capital amid measures imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to bolster the naira. The CBN last year increased lenders’ Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for public sector deposits to 75 per cent from 50 per cent and private sector deposits to 20 per cent from 15 per cent. The yield on Skye’s initial debt sale will probably be 75 basis points to 100 basis points above similar-maturity government debt, said Oguntayo. Yields on Nigeria’s three-month Treasury bills fell 96 basis points to 14.21 percent on Monday, according to data compiled by

Bloomberg. The apex bank in 2013 named eight lenders as systemically important and said they needed capital adequacy ratios of at least 16 percent. It last year removed some assets banks were able to count as capital to increase their ability to withstand shocks six years after a financial crisis led to the failure of several Nigerian lenders.

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

N16,833,244.57 N16,509,472.5m 8.2 0.0000 13 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$61.39 US$30,340,087,165

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

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

FG to raise N98bn in Treasury Bills

he Federal Government plans to raise N97.81 billion in treasury bills at an auction today, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced yesterday. The bank said it will issue

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

N14.03 billion in the 3-month debt note, N33.78 billion in the 6-month paper and N50 billion of the 1-year note. The results are expected to be released on Thursday, the bank said in a statement.

Union Bank gets ISO2700: 2013 certification

Dec, 2014 Dec, 2013 Feb, 2015 2/5/2014 24/2/2015 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 24/2/2015 13/3/2015 Source:CBN

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

ment for Nigerian banks as we have previously noted that the pace of implementation of Basel 2 (nine months) and other tighter capital requirements were rather speedy. That said, feedback from our recent international investor roadshow suggests that given the deteriorating

Nigerian macro environment, significant capital-raising events could struggle to attract meaningful international investor participation. We also find international investors increasingly questioning the Nigerian banks’ ability to create value (excess positive returns vs. Cost of Equity (COE) given constraining regulations and weakening macro fundamentals. “We, however, think that the domestic investor pool or private equity capital could be supportive in some dire instances, drawn by depressed valuations and/ or the long-term investment case for the sector.” It restated its view that banks are likely to cut dividend payouts and asset growth in the near term to build the necessary capital buffers, adding, however, that this would not stop banks such as Skye and Stanbic IBTC from going ahead to raise fresh capital in next 12-24 months.

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc has been officially certified to the internationally recognised ISO27001: 2013 standard for Information Security. The bank, according to a statement, was awarded the certificate following a rigorous audit process conducted by the British Standards Institute (BSI), in partnership with Information Value Chain consulting firm, Digital Jewels. ISO 27001:2013 is an information security standard published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and International Electro technical Commission (IEC), under the joint ISO and IEC subcommittee. The standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving information security management across systems, people and processes. It also includes requirements for the assessment and treatment of information security risks specifically tailored to the needs of an organization. Commenting on the achievement, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Union Bank, Mr. Emeka Emuwa said: “Since we began implementing our transformation initiatives in 2014, we have continued to improve our systems and processes to deliver

optimal service levels to our customers. This certification reinforces our commitment to embracing global best practices in ensuring the integrity of our customer data and a secure operating environment.” Last year, Union Bank became the first Nigerian financial institution to be awarded the latest Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) - Version 3.0, which offers customers’ added protection from card fraud and other security vulnerabilities. At a recent event, Mr. Emuwa said the bank’s main priority was to improve its efficiency by addressing operational challenges and implementing cost optimisation initiatives. He said the second priority was to develop medium term strategy which clearly outlined a road map to realising the bank’s ambition to be a highly respected provider of quality banking services. Emuwa declared that the bank made considerable progress on both fronts. He said, Union Bank aspires to be a highly respected provider of quality banking services in six core areas, which are pivotal to its success-the quality of customer experience, the quality of client base, the quality of talent that it has, the quality of its banking platform and professional standards.

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

24-Mar-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 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 54.00 600.00 499.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 254.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

5,023.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,478.24

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.08 1.40 2.09 2.34 2.44 3.18 4.27 4.58 4.89 6.85 8.97 13.68 14.16 14.66 15.33 19.32

14.72 15.83 15.82 15.82 15.82 15.77 15.71 15.71 15.72 15.77 15.61 16.74 16.91 17.09 16.25 15.55

12.89 15.70 15.73 15.74 15.73 15.63 15.61 15.59 15.63 15.70 15.55 16.68 16.84 17.00 16.17 15.49

99.11 96.59 98.71 88.63 87.32 87.63 100.80 72.28 99.37 102.49 93.28 90.69 76.45 54.25 65.00 79.28

99.26 96.74 98.86 88.78 87.47 87.93 101.10 72.58 99.67 102.79 93.58 90.99 76.75 54.55 65.30 79.58

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 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.17 0.90 1.71 2.07 2.29

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 2.85

17.29 17.61 17.85 16.84 18.68

97.12 99.83 97.29 98.30 91.68

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

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

311.11

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.44

4.44

20.10

96.90

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.28

3.23

17.98

98.74

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.79

4.46

19.99

95.79

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.80

3.48

19.00

97.48

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.07

1.00

16.84

88.42

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.34

1.00

16.64

96.68

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.77

1.79

17.58

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

1.94

1.80

17.64

94.49

92.32

‡ /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

1.96

1.00

16.84

95.64

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.14

1.00

16.83

96.04

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.15

4.78

20.61

89.42

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.34

1.00

16.82

97.57

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

*GOMBE LAGOS

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 25.70

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

2.58 4.67 2.74

1.00 1.00 1.00

16.81 16.71 16.80

97.50 92.97 95.77

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.19

1.00

16.77

95.35

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.68

1.00

16.74

88.34

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.77

1.00

16.75

93.62

‡ /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

3.43

1.44

17.19

93.52

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.46

1.00

16.75

95.70

97.54

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

459.68 426.45

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.40

1.00

16.47

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.46

1.00

16.80

97.91

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.54

2.63

18.58

97.74

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.52

1.00

16.86

95.02

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.59

1.34

17.19

96.01

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.52

1.00

16.81

92.42

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.54

1.88

17.74

101.04

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.54

1.00

16.86

98.94

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.96

1.00

16.84

101.78

98.67

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.96

1.00

16.84

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.50

1.00

16.75

92.95

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.82

2.29

18.14

96.61

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

2.15

6.11

21.94

93.84

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.77

2.16

17.95

95.93

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.64

2.76

18.50

88.83

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.77

1.13

16.90

98.15

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.52

1.00

16.62

77.92

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.52

1.00

16.62

84.14

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

162.73

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

153.74

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.89

1.00

16.79

85.36

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

16.71

81.89

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.85

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

6.41

6.20

101.62

102.63

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

5.91

5.58

97.66

98.63

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.60

6.44

98.56

99.57

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

1,489.21

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

119.26

48.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

7.72

6.23

99.75

101.37

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.77

91.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

13.98

13.25

82.50

84.13

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

9.20

8.64

90.34

91.93

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

39.15

43.63

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

8.62

92.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

15.95

15.20

78.68

80.64

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

14.08

77.95

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

23.97 14.67 13.62

23.97 14.20 13.62

47.50 78.25 76.00

47.50 79.88 76.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.51

10.99

87.00

89.13

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,667.68

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 9 16 23 30 37 44 51

FIXINGS Maturity 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15

Bid Discount (%) 12.76 12.57 12.89 14.12 14.09 12.67 14.59

Offer Discount (%) 12.51 12.32 12.64 13.87 13.84 12.42 14.34

Bid Yield (%) 12.80 12.64 12.99 14.29 14.29 12.87 14.89

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.6233 15.4993 16.4602 17.3641

Rate (%)

OBB

10.79

O/N

11.25

Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 13.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

199.08 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24

199.18 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31

0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

06-Jul-12

0.00/16.50

66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

311.11

06-Jul-17

2.29

2.85

18.68

91.68

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.44

4.44

20.10

96.90

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.28

3.23

17.98

98.74

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.79

4.46

19.99

95.79

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.80

3.48

19.00

97.48

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.07

1.00

16.84

88.42 92.32

Business | Financial Market News

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.77

1.79

17.58

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

1.94

1.80

17.64

94.49

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

1.96

1.00

16.84

95.64

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.14

1.00

16.83

96.04

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.15

4.78

20.61

89.42

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.34

1.00

16.82

97.57

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 25.70

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

2.58 4.67 2.74

1.00 1.00 1.00

16.81 16.71 16.80

97.50 92.97 95.77

96.61

‡ /Agusto

MANDATE ‡ /Agusto

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

Stock market gains N27bn

*NIGER *ONDO

Financial services *GOMBE 02-Oct-12 BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 22-Nov-12 stocks were 12-Dec-12 BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCRheavily*OSUN 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 mance measures, theII 10-OCT-2020 NSE respectively. 10-Oct-13 BBB-/Agusto *OSUN 14.75 OSUN traded 27-Nov-13 and 27-NOV-2020 marConsequently, the AllAa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS All Share Index 13.50 LAGOS

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 ket capitalisation, rose Share Index gained31-Dec-13 78.53 31-Dec-13 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 by 0.27 per cent as marbasis points or 0.27 per 06-Jan-14 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 Stories by Chris Ugwu ket sentiment extended cent to close at 29,584.00 as TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE gaining streaks followagainst 29,505.47 recorded TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION he bulls main- ing investors’ sustained the previous day, while Corporate Bonds their grip tained optimism. the market capitalisation 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC on the Nigerian Financial10.00 UPDC services of equities appreciated by 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 BBB-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS Stock Exchange stocks were heavily tradN27 billion or 0.27 per cent 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS (NSE) asA-/GCR bargain huntBanking 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 to close at N9.872 trillion A+/Agusto; 29-Sep-11 NAHCO ed as the NSE ersA-/Agusto jostled for sharesFSDH of Index and the NSE 14.25 FSDHInsur25-OCT-2016 from N9.845 trillion. 25-Oct-13 UBAby 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 blue chip companies. UBA ance Index 13.00 rose 0.20 Meanwhile, a turnover LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING The key market perforper cent and 18.00 0.10C&Iper cent of 211.4 million shares A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

T Nil

*DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

worth14.75 N2.8 billion in 11.103,808 deals13.50 was recorded87.50 in the 5.00 day’s 15.00 trading. 14.50 The banking4.55 sub15.00 4.56 sector of the financial 459.68 services sector was the 426.45 most active (measured by turnover volume) with 10.00 105.4 million shares2.50 worth 12.00 18.75 N1.3 billion exchanged by 14.00 0.42 investors 13.00 in 1,410 deals. 15.00 Volume 14.25 in the sub-sector 5.53 13.00 20.00 was largely driven by activ18.00 ities in the shares of 0.64 Zenith 16.00

6.30

18.00

2.54

Elumelu boosts African tycoons with $100m

he Tony FounMPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 16.00 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCRElumelu *TOWER dation an14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A/Agusto; A/GCR (TEF) has 22-Sep-11 14.00 UBA 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 15.75 *LA CASERA nounced the selection MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 18.00 BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS of BBB-/DataPro†; the first 1,000 African 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 16.00 Nil *DANA entrepreneurs for the Tony 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 15.25 NAHCO Elumelu Entrepreneurship 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR 30-Dec-14 16.45 UBA Programme (TEEP). STANBIC IBTC and to radically job bic Africa. More than11.93 any182D T.bills+1.20intensify STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 13.25the STANBIC IBTC TEEP is a $100 million inicreation13.25 inSTANBIC Africa. thing else, they epitomise TOTALto OUTSTANDING VALUE “Though I have never met opportunity and promise of tiative discover and support TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 10,000 African entrepreneurs or spoken to any of the win- Africa,” he said. over the next decade, with a ners, I am confident that due The Tony Elumelu FounSupranational Bond target of creating one milto the rigorous criteria and dation appointed Accenture 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC 11-Feb-13 10.20 lion new jobs and $10AfDB billion selection process, these entre- as an independent review 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P 10-Jul-14 11.25 in TOTAL additional revenue in the preneurs are Africa’s hope for consultant to thoroughly OUTSTANDING VALUE process. the future. I will continue to evaluate each application TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Over 20,000 African entre- invest my experience, time, based on selection criteria preneurs from 52 countriesIssuer influence, and resources approvedIssue byDate the TEEP SelecDescription to Rating/Agency Coupon (%) according to a statement, ap- see them succeed. I am em- tion Committee. Following FGN to Eurobonds plied the programme, rep- barking on this journey with Accenture’s independent review, a meeting of6.75the resenting the creativity and these entrepreneurs hopeful 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 potential on display across the and inspired,” he said. TEEP Selection Committee, BB-/Fitch; 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 5.13 continent. The initial 1,000 se-FGN Elumelu noted that the made up of successful entreBB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; lected for the 2015 class are a winners represent6.3852JULAfrican preneurs and development 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 6.38 BB-/S&P group of entrepreneurs who countries and territories, as experts from across Africa, OUTSTANDING areTOTAL a testament toVALUE the abil- well as a multitude of value was held yesterday in Lagos MARKET CAPITALISATION ityTOTAL of Africa’s own entrepre- adding sectors ranging from to approve the final list of neurs to drive Africa’s growth agriculture to education to winners. Corporate Eurobonds and development. fashion and ICT. 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 The 1000 selected entrepreB/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I 01-Feb-11 11.50 “The top five countries in neurs according Speaking on the GTBANK desired to the 7.50 state7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P PLC I 19-May-11 impact of the programme at terms of numbers of winners ment will continue through 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC 25-Jul-12 7.25 a press conference yesterday , PLCare Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, the programme 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK 09-May-13 cycle over 6.88 the South Africa and6.00 Ghana. All next nine08-Nov-13 Founder, Mr. Tony Elumelu, months. This6.00 cycle NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch that the selection AFREN PLC 10.25 – North, includes 08-Apr-12 an intensive online noted ofII five African regions 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; 1000 BB-/S&P entrepreneurs ZENITH BANK PLCEast, Southern, Central these and training 22-Apr-14 curriculum, 6.25 men8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P BANK PLC 21-May-14 8.75 in brings the foundationDIAMOND closer West Africa are represented, toring, and participation 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 8.25 language a two-day07-Aug-13 to B-/Fitch; its ultimate goal - to drive as well as all major entrepreneurship 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III 09-Dec-13 6.63 blocs – Anglophone, Francoboot camp and the Elumelu Africa’s economic and social 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II 24-Jun-14 9.25 and Aratransformation fromFIRST within Entrepreneurship Forum. 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P BANK LTD phone, Lusophone, 23-Jul-14 8.00 #

#{r}

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

14-Aug-14

0.70 2.40

share,16.77while FCMB Plc 95.35 16.74 with 6.87 88.34 followed per cent 16.75 each to close at 93.62 N2.80 per 17.19 93.52 share.16.75 Honeywell Plc add95.70 ed 4.90 per cent to close at N3.00 per share. On the other hand, CCNN Plc led the price 97.54 losers’16.47 table, dropping 8.56 16.80 97.91 per cent to close at N10.79 18.58 97.74 per share. 16.86 May and 95.02 Baker Plc followed with 4.73 per 17.19 96.01 16.81 cent to close at 92.42 N1.41 per 101.04 share17.74 while Seplat Pe16.86 98.94 troleum Plc trailed with 16.84 101.78 a loss16.84 of 4.66 per 98.67cent to close at N370.00 per 16.75 92.95 share.

18-Oct-18

1.82

2.29

18.14

17-Feb-19

2.15

6.11

21.94

93.84

01-Apr-19

2.77

2.16

17.95

95.93

14-Nov-20

5.64

2.76

18.50

88.83

11.51

10.99

87.00

89.13

Julius Berger’s pre-tax drops by 19%

0.36 4.50

2.05

ulius Berger Nigeafter tax98.15 however, 6.77 1.13 Profit16.90 rian Plc, 9.52 one of the from77.92 N8.19 bil30-Sep-24 1.00 fell slightly 16.62 30-Sep-24 9.52 1.00 lion to 16.62 84.14 Earnconstruction giants N8.06 billion. listed on the Nigerian ings per share thus stood Stock Exchange (NSE) at N6.72 in 2013 as against has recorded a drop in N6.83 in 2012. As 16.79 part of its85.36 strategic pre-tax profit for the 2014 11-Feb-18 2.89 1.00 full-year ended Decempositioning, Julius Berger 01-Feb-21 4.75 1.00 16.71 81.89 ber 31, 2014. has said it would focus on In a filing with the Ni- further diversification of gerian Stock Exchange its clients and business segments, improve on (NSE), Maturity Datethe group’s Bid Yield (%) profit Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price before tax was down to business development & Yields sustain due diliefforts, N13.134 billion during thePrices year under review from gence and explore 28-Jan-21 6.41 6.20 101.62 102.63opporN16.220 billion in 2014. tunities in alternative 12-Jul-18 97.66 98.63 to immodels This indicates5.91a drop of5.58 financing 19.02 per cent. prove on its performance. 12-Jul-23 6.60 6.44 98.56 99.57 Turnover also fell to Chairman, Julius N196.81 billion compared Berger Nigeria Plc, AVM with N212.73 billion a year Nurudeen Imam, outlined ago, representing a fall of that the company would 7.49 per cent. consolidate its48.00perfor01-Feb-16 119.26 119.26 48.00 Audited report and acmance with continuing di19-May-16 7.72 6.23 99.75 101.37 counts of Julius Berger versification of its client 25-Jul-17 11.77 11.77 91.00 91.00 for the year 13.98 ended Deportfolios 02-May-18 13.25 and business 82.50 84.13 cember from 90.34 public sector 08-Nov-18 31, 2013 9.20 showed 8.64 91.93 to pri08-Apr-19 39.15 vate sector 43.63 43.63 that turnover39.15 rose marand across the 22-Apr-19 from N201.57 8.62 8.62 92.00 92.00 with ginally bilconstruction chain 21-May-19 15.95 billion. 15.20 a view 78.68to mitigate 80.64 cluslion to N212.74 07-Aug-20 14.08 14.08 77.95 77.95 Profit before tax leapt by ter risk and ensure good 09-Dec-20 23.97 23.97 47.50 47.50 3124-Jun-21 per cent from N12.34 spread across the sectors 14.67 14.20 78.25 79.88 billion economy.76.00 23-Jul-21 to N16.22 13.62 billion. 13.62 of the76.00

30.50

30-Dec-21

0.10 15.44

162.73 153.74 12.00 12.95

24.95 20.85 Outstanding Value ($mm)

500.00 500.00 500.00

1,500.00 1,489.21

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

Bank Plc and GTB 10-Oct-20 3.19 Plc. 1.00 27-Nov-20 5.68 Institu1.00 Other financial 31-Dec-20 1.00 tion sub-sector5.77 also of the 31-Dec-20 3.43 1.44 financial services sector, 06-Jan-21 3.46 1.00 boosted by activities in the shares of FCMB Plc followed with a turnover of 40.9 million shares 17-Aug-15 0.40 1.00 valued at N194.6 million 09-Dec-15 0.46 1.00 in06-Jan-16 850 deals. 0.54 2.63 The number1.52 of gainers 29-Sep-16 1.00 at25-Oct-16 the close of trading ses1.59 1.34 30-Sep-17 2.52 1.00 sion was 23, while declin30-Nov-17 1.54 1.88 ers closed at 17. 09-Apr-18 1.54 1.00 UBA Plc led the gain09-Sep-18 1.96 1.00 ers’ table with 7.30 per 09-Sep-18 1.96 1.00 cent to close at3.50N3.97 per 22-Sep-18 1.00

35.00

8.75

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH 1.34 1.00 16.64 96.68

24-Mar-15

3,667.68

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills^ Market Foreign Exchange & Forwards) professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “ASFIXINGS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE”Money basis and may not be accurate or up to date.(Spot We do not guarantee Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) the accuracy, DTM timeliness, completeness,Maturity performance or fitness for a particular purpose of 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 72 79 93 100 114 121 128 135 142 NA 156 163 170 184 191 254 268 289 303 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 317 331 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 345

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

12.76 12.57 12.89 14.12 14.09 12.67 Description 14.59 13.69 4.00 23-APR-2015 14.01 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 14.15 13.84 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 14.24 9.85 27-JUL-2017 14.27 9.35 31-AUG-2017 14.31 10.70 30-MAY-2018 14.50 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 14.40 7.00 23-OCT-2019 14.43 15.54 13-FEB-2020 11.80 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.04 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 14.74 15.00 28-NOV-2028 14.83 12.49 22-MAY-2029 14.74 13.81 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.78 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030 14.26 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 14.44 14.32 14.11 14.35

359 17-Mar-16 13.60 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration #

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

12.51 12.32 12.64 13.87 13.84 12.42 Issue 14.34Date 13.44 23-Apr-10 13.76 16-Aug-13 13.90 13.59 27-Apr-12 13.99 27-Jul-07 14.02 31-Aug-07 14.06 30-May-08 14.25 29-Jun-12 14.15 23-Oct-09 14.18 13-Feb-15 11.55 27-Jan-12 13.79 14-Mar-14 14.49 28-Nov-08 14.58 22-May-09 14.49 13.56 20-Nov-09 13.53 23-Jul-10 14.01 18-Jul-14 14.19 14.07 13.86 14.10 13.35

12.80 12.64 12.99 14.29 14.29 12.87 Coupon 14.89 (%) 13.99 4.00 14.40 13.05 14.60 14.34 15.10 14.81 9.85 14.94 9.35 15.02 10.70 15.28 16.00 15.21 7.00 15.28 15.54 12.43 16.39 14.98 14.20 15.83 15.00 16.03 12.49 15.97 15.27 8.50 15.33 10.00 16.07 12.1493 16.41 16.35 16.17 16.60

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M Outstanding

(N'bn)

Value

Rate (%) 10.6233 15.4993 16.4602 17.3641

OBB

10.79

O/N

11.25

REPO

Tenor TTM Call (Yrs) 1M 3M0.08 6M1.40

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 581.39 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 476.80 27-Apr-17 1M 14.1886 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 14.2052 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 14.3508 300.00 30-May-18 6M 15.2420 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 15.4232 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 16.3278 54.00 13-Feb-20 600.00 27-Jan-22 499.68 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N)22-May-29 150.00 BID($/N) 200.00 199.0375 20-Nov-29 OFFER ($/N) 199.1375 591.57 23-Jul-30 254.50 18-Jul-34

Rate (%) Bid Yield 13.00 14.00 14.72 15.00 15.83 16.00

Tenor

(%)

2.09 15.82 15.73 2.34 15.82 15.74 2.44 15.82 15.73 :Benchmarks 3.18 15.77 15.63 * :Amortising Bond 4.27 15.71 15.61 µ :Convertible Bond 4.58 15.71 15.59 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 4.89 15.72 15.63 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 6.85 15.77 15.70 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 8.97 15.61 15.55 IFC: International Finance Corporation 16.74 Management 16.68 LCRM: Local13.68 Contractors Receivables 14.16 Aviation Handling 16.91 16.84 NAHCO: Nigerian Company O/N: Overnight 14.66 17.09 17.00 UPDC: UAC 15.33 Property Development Company 16.25 16.17 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement 19.32 15.55 Company 15.49 NOTE:

Offer ($/N)

199.08 199.18 201.81 201.93 Price 202.13 202.28 202.87 203.37 Bid Price Offer Price 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 206.2899.11 213.4799.26 220.2996.59 226.2796.74

98.71 98.86 88.63 88.78 87.32 87.47 NA :Not Applicable 87.63 87.93 ^ Market Prices 100.80 101.10 # :Floating Rate Bond 72.28 72.58 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 99.37 99.67 102.49 102.79 ‡ : Bond rating under review 93.28 93.58 †: Bond rating expired 90.69 90.99 N/A :Not Available 76.45 76.75 {r} :Issuer in receivership 54.25 54.55 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 65.00 65.30 UBA: United79.28 Bank for Africa 79.58

5,023.13 4,478.24

15.70

Description

Bid ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M Offer Yield 2M (%) 3M 6M 12.89 1Y 15.70

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 FGN BOND 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.17 0.90 1.71 2.07 2.29

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 2.85

17.29 17.61 17.85 16.84 18.68

97.12 99.83 97.29 98.30 91.68

Agency Bonds

FMBN ***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEModified Duration Buckets TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

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 Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

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

Weighting by Outstanding Vol

Weighting by Mkt Value

INDEX

Bucket Weighting 322.38

311.11

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

Implied Yield

Implied Portfolio Price

1,386.32

1,409.48

42.92

46.34

0.43

21.09

15.78

101.4788

3<5

1,043.73

1,059.68

32.27

34.89

0.32

38.25

15.70

99.1559

815.07

24.82 31-Aug-10

12.5018.78

8.500.25

40.66 31-Aug-15

16.02 0.44 15.85 0.28 0.79 0.80 2.07 1.34 2.77 1.94 1.96

69.8967 4.44 92.8914 3.23 4.46 3.48 1.00 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

>5 Market

561.71 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 2,991.76 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

3,284.23

100.00 30-Sep-10

100.00 13.00

4.181.00

100.00 30-Sep-15

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

INDEX

1,136.96 989.39 982.40 20.10 1,049.66 17.98 19.99 19.00 16.84 16.64 17.58 17.64 16.84

YTD Return (%)

2.6280 2.2896 2.4441 96.90 0.5230 98.74 95.79 97.48 88.42 96.68 92.32 94.49 95.64

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Buhari’ll make Second Niger Bridge toll-free, says Ogbe Tony Okafor Awka

he contract for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge will be revoked to make it toll-free if General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is voted into office in the March 28 general elections. A former National Chairman of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP), who is now one of the leaders of the APC, Chief Audu Ogbe, disclosed this in a town hall meeting with stakeholders in the business sector in Onitsha, Anambra State. He wondered why the South East and other users of the proposed bridge should be subjected to the ‘punishment’ of paying tolls for using the bridge as contained in its pres-

ent contract under the Jonathan administration. Ogbe, who represented Buhari on the occasion, said the money for funding the bridge project would not be a problem, because according to him, if corruption is subdued in the country, there would be enough fund to handle major projects. There was an initial apprehension why Buhari was absent at the

town hall meeting, but Dr. Chris Ngige, the senator representing Anambra Central and the leader of the APC presidential campaign in South East, told participants at the forum that Buhari could not attend the forum because he had an urgent call to be in Abuja for a meeting with ECOWAS heads of state. He said: “The General was to hold a meeting

with ECOWAS heads of state today, but we did not receive the signal for that meeting, so he came to Owerri with the hope of coming here (Onitsha) from there, but while in Owerri, we heard that President Goodluck Jonathan had cleared for the heads of state to meet and when we heard of it, we had to let him (Buhari) go,” He added that the Gen-

eral had also given his word to come back to Onitsha to meet the South East on any date before the election. But Ogbe, while standing in for Buhari said: “The South East is the place where Nigeria’s industrial revolution will start. The country cannot survive if we continue to import the way we do, we import everything, but we know that this zone has the capacity to produce, if supported.

Elechi, Umahi, others pray for violence-free polls Uchenna INYA Abakaliki

L-R: Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amechi and Olorogun Otega Emerhor, at the meeting of Progressives Governors’ Forum in Imo State.

Otti’s ambition suffers set back as APGA members defect to PPA Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he hope of Dr. Alex Otti and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winning the 2015 general elections in Abia State has suffered a setback as over 600 of their members have defected to the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA), which is considered the strongest party in the state. The defectors, who were received by Abia State PPA Chairman, Prince Emeka Okafor, yesterday at the party’s headquarters in

Umuahia, sited frustration and disorganisation from APGA’s hierarchy as the reason they joined the PPA. Coincidentally, the defection took place amid the circulation of a widely condemned text message suspected to have emanated from the camp of the APGA governorship candidate that he and Chief Victor Umeh, have acquired the PPA from Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. A text message suspected to have emanated from Otti’s camp had circulated, claiming PPA leaders and former governor of Abia State Dr. Kalu sold the party for $3.4 million.

Umeh: I’m overwhelmed by people’s support T

he National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Anambra Central senatorial candidate in this week’s general election, Chief Victor Umeh, has said that he is overwhelmed by the massive support he has been receiving from his constituency. He also vowed to pursue with greater vigour, the welfare of Igbo at the National Assembly, if voted as a senator. In a press statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Stan Okeke, Umeh said his primary objective of seeking the

support of his people to represent them at the Senate far outweighs the secondary objective of attracting social amenities to his people. He said it was important that the people of Anambra State got their fair share of the national cake, but that what was more important to him was that Ndigbo should get into the mainstream of national politics as well as get back to their proper position in the country, especially since they have been treated as second class citizens since the civil war.

Elechi’s kinsmen in solidarity march Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

omen and youths numbering over 5, 000 from Echi-Alike Ikwo in Ebonyi State, the hometown of Governor Martin Elechi, yesterday converged on Government House, Abakiliki, for a solidarity rally in support of the governor. The crowd carried placards bearing different inscriptions like “Ebonyi workers do not be deceived,”

“Bravo Ochudo, our foremost nationalists,” “The good people of Alike Ikwo support your government,” “Elechi’s achievements speaks volume in the minds of Ebonyians,” among others. The people, who marched from the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Kpirikpiri to the Government House gate, chanted glowing tributes of the governor and were received by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Boniface Chima. Leader of the group, Mr.

Sunday Nworie, said the state has witnessed an uncommon transformation under the governor to the chagrin of some doubting Thomases, who believed his age will hinder his performance. While pledging to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election, Alike Ikwo people, however, pledged to vote massively for Labour Party in the forthcoming elections. They said: “Ebonyi State is our heritage and we shall

continue to give support to only those that have the interest of Ebonyi people at heart. For the people who think that Ebonyi State is for sale, we say no. “We are with you at all times. We are with you to keep the flag flying. We are with you in your bid to save our dear state. We are with you to ensure that those who will occupy the political pyramid of power in Ebonyi State must be people with impeccable character, which you exemplify.

prayer summit organised by Ebonyi State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), yesterday saw the Ebonyi State governor, Martin Elechi, his estranged Deputy, Dave Umahi and a former governor of the state, Sam Egwu, sitting side-by-side, praying for violence-free elections in the state. Since the beginning of the present electioneering campaigns, the three stakeholders have drifted apart for political reasons. They have never been together in state functions until yesterday at the Assemblies of God Church, Ezza Road, Abakaliki. Towards the end of the summit, Umahi embraced his boss, Elechi and they both exchanged pleasantries. Earlier in his sermon, the Methodist Bishop of

Abakaliki, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Agupusi, who admonished politicians to play by the rules, cautioned against what he described as fanaticism and insurgency. He said bitterness, rancour and anger by the players have enveloped the system, leading to avoidable killings across the state. The bishop called on politicians to admonish their supporters against violence, saying ‘leadership is of God and we must allow Him to determine who leads us.’ Also speaking at the summit, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, reminded the candidates that the state is bigger than any of them, warning that they shall give account of their deeds before God. In an interview after the summit, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Anthony Agbo, said the summit has liberated the state from the evil practices of politicians.

Ebonyi community protests illegal collection of levies Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

lders, women and youths of Nkpoghoro community in Afikpo North Local Government of Ebonyi State yesterday took to the streets to protest what they described as illegal collection of levies from sand excavators and tipper drivers. They accused a section of the Ezi Nwachi and Ezi Ama of Enohia Nkalu in the area of extortion. The protesters, numbering over 1, 000, marched to Ndibe Beach at the bank of Cross River, proclaiming a local injunction that the said sand dealers and tipper drivers should stop paying levies to anybody until the court suit on the matter is disposed. They carried placards

with various inscriptions like “Stop collecting N5, 000 illegal fees not backed by receipts,” “Stop the collection of N3, 000 from canoe men, it is illegal,” ‘National Inland Waterways has not settled with the landlords and therefore should stop action at the beach,” “Innocent, Uche, Oko, Oti, Pius, should please allow peace to reign between Nkpoghoro and Enohia,” among ohers. The protesters were made up of elders, Essa ruling council of Nkpoghoro and Enohia Nkalu, the Eto age-grade and the youths of the community. Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Michael Evo Idam, said they were protesting against the illegal collection of levies from the sand excavators at the beach.

News

SOUTH-SOUTH

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rivers boat owners sue Ministry over N3bn debt Dominic Adewole ASABA

group of boat owners coalition in Rivers State, has dragged the Ministry of Defence before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, over the non-payment of over N3 billion owed it in respect of 13 house boats hired by the Military Joint Task Force. The alleged debt was said to have accrued from security surveillance on crude oil explorations in the creeks of the Niger Delta region, provided by

the boat owners. Workers of one of the companies, Industrial Services Limited, had besieged the premises of the court to protest what they described as “the unwillingness of the defence Ministry to clear the debt which, they said, had accumulated over the last three years.” Adjourning the case, the presiding Justice, Lambo Akanbi, said the adjournment was to enable the defendant have enough time to respond to the statement of claim presented by the plaintiffs. Addressing journalists

after the adjournment, Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. A.O. Yusuf said, “we just filed and we expect them to pay the money or call us for settlement out of court because the Defence Ministry is a Federal Government parastatal and I know they won’t like to be brought before the court.” The spokesman of the firms, Dr. Etiese Etuk, however alleged the forceful seizure of their equipment for over 36 months for security surveillance, stating that they sought redress in court because all their pleas and appeals have failed.

Meanwhile, a representative of the companies, Mr. Oloriegbe Majeed said, “the matter was filed to enforce our rights against the federal Government”, maintaining that “We have pleaded, we have written, we have done everything that were necessary to be done, but yet the government turned a deaf ear to our complaints and that was why we have filed this suit to plead with the court to give us accelerated hearing so that we can remain in business. “We are very surprised that the government is not

paying serious attention to the issue of pipeline vandalism, because we are the ones providing the boats for the protection of the pipelines and we are astonished that we have not been paid for 36 months. If the government was serious about the security of pipelines, they will pay the people who provide services for the protection of those pipelines. “As at December 2014, when this suit was filed, the amount they owed us was about N6.8 billion, but as we speak now, it is running over N3 billion that we are owed.”

Former envoy sues for peaceful, credible polls Clement James

Calabar

ormer Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Ambassador Walter Ajogbor, has appealed to politicians to ensure that the country conducts free, fair and credible elections devoid of violence in order to give the country respect among the comity of nations. He made the appeal yesterday while declaring for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Obubra, Cross River State. Ajogbor, who retired recently from ambassadorial duties, said elections should not be a do-or- die affair, stating that Nigerians, including the politicians and their supporters, should accept the outcome of the polls and eschew violence in whatever form. Explaining why he opted for politics, he said having served the country well in the diplomatic circle for over three decades, he owes it a duty to contribute his quota to political leadership of the country and his community. “My taking up the membership of the PDP is not for selfish interest, but for me to also contribute my wealth of experience,” he noted.

change of nameS

sunday

I formerly known and called Toyin Abidemi now wish to be known and addressed as Sunday Toyin Abidemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Akinseteminikan

I formerly known as Oluwo Abiola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinseteminikan Abiola Adebisi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole (middle), leading the crowd at the ‘March for Buhari’ campaign in Benin City, …on Monday.

Court adjourns N20bn Calabar dredging suit Clement James Calabar

Federal High Court sitting in Calabar yesterday adjourned hearing in the N20 billion suit instituted against the Federal Government over the dredging of the Calabar Sea Port till April 22, 2015. Lawyer to the plaintiff, Reginald Esere, told the court when the case was mentioned that the bailiff had, again, made several attempts to serve the 6th defendant (Calabar Channels Management Limited.), “but could not trace the address.” He said since the effort at tracing the address of the company, Esere asked the court to adjourn the case to April, saying the respondents outside Calabar would also have been served before the next adjourned date. Although Justice Ebile Emmanuel expressed dissatisfaction with the way the plaintiff was taking time to serve all the respondents, he however, adjourned the case to April 22 for report of service. In his ruling, Justice Emmanuel said: “The plaintiff is asking the court to grant it leave to serve the originating processes to the 1st and 5th defendants (Federal Government and the Bureau for Public Procurement).”

24 monarchs, clerics shun Jonathan, Ogboru’s endorsement Gabriel Choba Ughelli

wenty-four monarchs across the Urhobo nation and some clerics were yesterday said to have shunned a ceremony formally endorse Presidential Goodluck Jonathan and Chief

Great Ogboru ceremony organized by the Chief Joe Omene-led faction of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) at the Urhobo Cultural Centre, Uvwiamuge, Delta state. The endorsement, according to an informed source, did not receive the blessing of the monarchs

and clerics and the boycott was the only way to register their displeasure. It was also gathered that the anger of the monarchs and clerics may not be unconnected with the alleged unilateral decision by one of the organs of the UPU to impose their choice

candidate without consulting widely. It can be recalled that there have been battles within the union over the candidate to be endorsed presidency and gubernatorial, which had led to the factionalisation of the UPU executives. While the Omene

faction had endorsed Goodluck Jonathan and Great Ogboru, the Onoge faction endorsed the All Progressives Congress presidential and governorship candidates, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor for the March 28 and April 11 elections.

PTI: UPU seeks appointment of indigenous principal Gabriel Choba Ughelli

he leadership of the Urhobo Progress Union, youth wing worldwide, has called for the appointment of a person of Urhobo extraction as the new substantive principal of the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun Warri, Delta State. The call came on the heels of the compulsory retirement of the incumbent Principal of the institute

last week which was said to be occasioned by the agitation of the Urhobo youths, over what they described as gross marginalization against the Urhobo’s interest at the Institute. Addressing news men at Ughelli, spokesman to the UPU youth wing, Comrade Marcus Ekure Ovovwero, lamented the spate of marginalization of the Urhobo at the institute, stating that the only way forward was for an Urhobo to be appointed the new principal of the institute.

Marcus said the demand put forward by the union was in accordance with conventional practice, stating that the body has made its position known to the governing body of the institute. Responding to the issue of one week ultimatum issued to the management of the institute by the body and its proposed massive protest, the leader of the union said they would go ahead with the planned protest. According to Ekure, the manage-

ment of the institute had sent a letter appealing for calm as it is working on the various demands put to it, stating that the institute had promised to invite the union soon. He, however, said, the management has deliberately refused to act on the agitation and demands of the Urhobo youths body which, he described as a time bomb. ‘’We have a feeling the management and governing council board are under estimating us as a

people which is a very big mistake. There will be no peace in the institute until our collective agitation is addressed.’’ ‘’We want to be in charge because the school is in our land. That is the practice in other parts of the country and Urhobo shouldn’t be an exception. For instance, no other tribe can go to the Petroleum Training Institute in Kaduna or other federal institutions in the North where their people are in charge and dictate the tune,’’ Ekure stated.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Eight APC exco members defect to PDP in Adamawa ONE MAN'S MEAT...

APC loses Publicity Secretary, others to PDP Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

t least eight executive committee members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State yesterday defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just as the defectors said that

they were out to ensure success for the party in Saturday’s elections. The defection was announced at Adamawa PDP secretariat by Padio Phineas, who was the Publicity Secretary of the APC before the defection. Those who defected include Publicity Secretary, Phineas Padio, Youth Leader, Usman Mohammed Danyaro, Assistant Secretary, Maiyani Yunis, Women Leader, Hauwa Agwu, Financial Secretary, Papka Medugu, Auditor, Musa Hero, Zonal

Women Leader (South), Mercy Abraham and Zonal Youth Leader (Central), Abdu James. In his speech at the ceremony, Padio, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said: “Upon a careful review of the issues and problems as well as the personalities aiming for the top job, we have come to the conclusion that no better a person is right to take Adamawa back on track than the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “Unfortunately, for

months and weeks, we have been saddled with the responsibility of marketing candidates that we frankly cannot vouch for their capacity and competence. “Honestly speaking, many of us here today had wanted to have Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the candidate of our party, the APC, for the Adamawa governorship poll while he was still with us. But by act of providence, he left the party before we could achieve our good intention. However, to quote

Shakespeare, “a rose by whatever name it is called will remain sweet.” “We believe wherever he goes, Nuhu Ribadu, would remain Nuhu Ribadu. “In conclusion, I want to inform you and through you the good people of Adamawa State that we that are here today and our teeming supporters across the state, have decided to resign our membership of the APC and join the PDP with the intention of joining the team that has the capac-

We’ll accept polls’ results, says Aliyu Dan Atori

ity and intention of transforming our state. “We believe the real change Adamawa needs today is the change from incompetence and cronyism to competent and selfless leadership as represented by the PDP. Our decision is in the interest of Adamawa State. It is borne out of the patriotic flair to uplift our dear state and transform the lives of our people.” But in a swift reaction, the APC dismissed the position of the defecting members, saying they were lured with money to the PDP. The Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Bakari, said they have for long been weary of the activities of the defectors as they were fingered in exposing the secrets of the party to the PDP.

MINNA

Free education for the disabled in Bauchi

o further entrench democracy in the state, Niger State governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday said the people of the state will accept results from the polls as would be announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that the judiciary will not be manipulated. Aliyu, who spoke at the inauguration of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Endwell School and Tractor Hiring Scheme in Minna, said the judiciary has been doing well and the government will not allow anyone to drag it into politics. According to him, “We will accept whatever result is declared by INEC after the election to ensure there is peace in the state. There is the need to continue to consolidate on the programmes and policies of the present administration. “We need to continue to consolidate and solidify what we have started and ensure that our democracy continues to grow.” He said further that “our Judiciary has been doing well; we must not allow anyone to drag it into politics. The court are independent, just and fair and they will not be used to give anyone victory where they do not deserve.” The governor lamented that rather than campaigning, most politicians are saying the courts would be used to give them victory. “People must vote for those they know can give them the dividends of democracy. Instead of campaigning, most people go about trying to manipulate the people.

Mohammed Kawu BAUCHI

L-R: Government-Community Relations Officer, Abuja Region, MTN, Mr. Micah Michael; Ohi of Adavi, Dr. Bello Ibrahim; Chairman, Adavi community, Mallam Siyaka Suberu and Distributor Account Executive, MTN, Mr. Rasheed Disu at the inauguration of a borehole project donated by the MTNF to Nagazi-Ogaminana community, Adavi Local Government of Kogi State

Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

or the second time in less than a week, the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, scuttled an attempt by a group of lawmakers to impeach him, just as security operatives have taken over the assembly complex. Our correspondent reports that there was disquiet in the premises

Move to impeach Fintiri fails again of the assembly with riot policemen keeping vigil while the complex was under lock and key. Trouble started when 11 aggrieved lawmakers attempted to meet with a view to commence impeachment processes against the speaker, but they could not get access to the assembly as it was under lock and key, so they hurriedly moved to the Government House,

Abuja DISCO disconnects three communities for attacking officials Dan Atori MINNA

ollowing an attack on F two of its members of staff, the Niger State Re-

gional Office of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) yesterday disconnected electricity supply to Chanchaga, Bosso and Paikoro Local Government areas of the state. It was reliably gathered that the people of these areas have been in darkness since Saturday last week. Chanchaga Youth Leader, Mr. Joseph Tula, who confirmed this incident in

Minna, said some restive youths in the area took the law into their hands without consulting the leadership of the community. According to him, “The youths from Tungangoro area of Chanchaga attacked a driver and another staff of the electricity company, who were in the area to disconnect customers owing electricity bills. “They complained of the high tariff that was not commensurate with the electricity consumed in the area and yet they came to disconnect people even when they hardly supply electricity."

Yola, where they addressed the media, accusing the speaker of plotting to impeach Governor Bala Ngilari. The lawmakers led by the former Chief Whip, Jerry Kundusi, had alleged that since the emergence of Ngilari as the substantive governor of Adamawa State, “Fintiri, who served as acting governor was not happy and had been doing every-

thing possible to frustrate the governor, leading to a frosty relationship between the executive and the legislature. But in a swift reaction, Fintiri described the allegation as baseless. The speaker, who spoke through the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Adamu Kamale, accused Ngilari of a plot to impeach the speaker.

Kwara petitions Jonathan, others, over violence Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

he Kwara State governor, Alhaji AbdulFattah Ahmed, yesterday said he has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the security agencies in the country over the recent spate of political violence in the state. He also accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being behind such violence. The development came as the leader of the APC in the state and Chair-

man, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Dr. Bukola Saraki, asked security agencies to hold the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, Senator Simon Ajibola, responsible for such acts of violence. He said it was sad that every report of violence so far, has been traceable to the presence of the PDP candidate. However, the PDP yesterday said its members were not responsible for such violence, adding that its campaign train was on its way to Obbo-Ile from Osi in the state.

t least 2, 788 students were admitted into the College of Education, Azare, Bauchi State for the NCE programmes for the 2014/2015 session at its 29th matriculation held at the weekend with assurance of free education for the physically-challenged. A statement made available to newsmen in Bauchi by the College’s Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Shehu, said the College Provost, Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Isyaku, congratulated the matriculating candidates for their successful admission. Isyaku said this year’s admission has increased astronomically due to the high demand for education by the teeming youths of the state. The provost added that the college was, therefore, compelled by these prevailing circumstances to admit 2, 788 students for NCE 100 Level in the academic session 2014/2015. The provost also called on the matriculating students to study the college handbook, as he also enjoined them to keep to the oath they have taken, so that this position is maintained. The provost while advising the students to be committed and dedicated to their studies, said the college also provides free education for the less privileged and the physicallychallenged students.

50 News

WORLD | News

Utomi, Omojafor, others, set agenda for new President

150 dead as plane crashes in French Alps

Mojeed Alabi

head of the fo r t h c o m i n g general election, stakeholders in the country, including a Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi; former Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc., Sir Steve Omojafor and the immediate past Editor of Sunday Sun, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, among others have placed before the incoming President of Nigeria certain agenda that must be pursued to address some of the challenges currently facing the country. The stakeholders, who

took part in the fourth edition of the Verdant Zeal Innovention Series, held yesterday at the Civic Centre, Lagos Island, decried the infrastructural collapse, falling education standard, rising figure of unemployment and the increasing corruption cases, among several others. They discussed the theme; “The Role of Innovation in Creating a new Agenda for National Development.” The Chairman on the occasion, Omojafor, said in 2014, the incidence of poverty stood at 69 per cent; a figure he described as likely to be

the highest on the continent, saying not even Togo and Benin Republic had such high figure. The Guest Speaker, Utomi, said the foundation of Nigeria’s rebirth will be the rebuilding of the nation’s education system backed by improved cultural values. He added that the primary role of a leader will be to teach sound cultural values by displaying the values of integrity, honour and respect. Utomi, who traced the successes recorded by nations including Finland and Singapore to sound and quality education, said only sound minds can innovate.

n Airbus operated by Lufthansa’s Germanwings budget airline crashed in a remote snowy area of the French Alps yesterday, killing all 150 on board including 16 school children. Germanwings confirmed its flight 4U 9525 from Barcelona to Duesseldorf went down with 144 passengers and six crew on board. The airline believed there were 67 Germans on the flight. Spain’s deputy prime minister said 45 passengers had Spanish names. One Belgian was aboard. Also among the victims were 16 children and two teachers

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

from the Joseph-KoenigGymnasium high school in the town of Haltern am See in northwest Germany, a spokeswoman said. Investigators described a scene of devastation where the airliner crashed. “We saw an aircraft that had literally been ripped apart, the bodies are in a state of destruction, there is not one intact piece of wing or fuselage,” Bruce Robin, prosecutor for the city of Marseille, told Reuters in Seyne-les-Alpes after flying over the crash zone in a helicopter. French police at the crash site said no one survived and it would take days to recov-

er the bodies due to difficult terrain, snow and incoming storms. Police said search teams would stay overnight at altitude. “We are still searching. It’s unlikely any bodies will be airlifted until today,” regional police chief David Galtier told Reuters. In Paris, Prime Minister Manuel Valls told parliament: “A helicopter managed to land (by the crash site) and has confirmed that unfortunately there were no survivors.” It was the first crash of a large passenger jet on French soil since the Concorde disaster just outside Paris nearly 15 years ago.

Alkali: Opposition trying to infiltrate GSG Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

pecial Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, has accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to infiltrate Goodluck Support Groups (GSG). Alkali, in a statement yesterday, however, commended members of the various groups for resist-

ing the pressure. “We have noticed that some opposition parties have been making concerted efforts to infiltrate the formidable ranks of our support groups to derail their focus from the ultimate goal. We are however excited that those negative antics have so far failed and will continue to fail,” he said. He also conveyed Jonathan’s appreciation to members of the Support Groups for their steadfastness, sacrifices and

unalloyed support since he emerged as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “The activities of the Support Groups, working hand-in-hand with the mainstream PDP National Campaign Council have not gone unnoticed. We are guided by the fact that your voluntary participation in this cause is motivated by your faith in President Jonathan’s delivery of his promises and his performance in office.

TUC charges Nigerians to go out to vote en masse Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on Nigerians to go out en masse on Saturday and perform their civic duty as the nation goes into elections. The TUC in a statement issued by its President and Secretary, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Comrade Musa Lawal re-

spectively, urged electorate to conduct themselves in orderly manner. While expressing joy that the country has remained peaceful and more united despite the hate speeches, pelting of stones and name calling of unrepentant loyalists of some aspirants, the Congress cautioned the security operatives, aspirants, party agents, electorate and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to refrain from acts

that can cause violence. “No politician is worth dying for and those using you will never use their own children. It could even be that their immediate families are out of the country at the moment,” it said. The Congress further cautioned that elections were not supposed to be a do-or-die, arguing that the 2015 elections are the most closely contested since the end of the military rule in 1999.

Senator urges support for Jonathan to implement Confab report Chukwu David Abuja

he Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Smart Adeyemi, yesterday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to rally round President Goodluck Jonathan in his bid to implement the report of the 2014 National Conference. Adeyemi, while speak-

ing to journalists, said the laudable recommendations contained in the report would facilitate the restructuring of Nigeria along the lines of true federalism and all round societal development. He also noted that his constituency was firmly in favour of restructuring and state creation, adding that if implemented, the report would ensure justice, equity and even development across the

country. The politician further said that the injustice done to different sectors of the polity could only be redressed through the implementation of the confab report. Adeyemi said that politicians of the South West specifically need to watch their moves as the decades of the region’s agitation for national conference was about being realized.

French Police and Gendarmerie Alpine rescue units gather on a field as they prepare to reach the crash site of an Airbus A320, near Seyne-les-Alpes. Inset: A plane flying from Barcelona to Dusseldorf

South Sudan lawmakers extend president’s term

awmakers in South Sudan yesterday voted to extend the tenure of President Salva Kiir by three years, a move the government had said was necessary for stability amid an ongoing rebellion led by a former deputy president. The measure, passed by more than two-thirds of the legislators yesterday, also extends the tenure of the legislature, lawmaker Thomas Kundu, who heads parliament’s information committee, told The Associated Press. He said the measure was neces-

sary for peace and stability amid a violent rebellion led by Kiir’s former deputy, Riek Machar. “We believe these three years will give a chance for peace so that all of us prepare to conduct a census and after which we can conduct free and fair elections,” Kundu said. However, the opposition criticized the measure, saying it was meant to keep Kiir firmly in power. “It means the government wants to cling onto power,” said lawmaker Onyoti Adigo, a member of the opposition in parliament who voted against

the measure. “The people were not consulted. That’s why we are opposed to it.” Peace talks between Kiir and Machar have repeatedly failed. South Sudan has seen sporadic fighting since December 2013 as government forces loyal to Kiir, a member of the dominant Dinka ethnic group, try to put down rebels led by Machar, who is of Nuer ethnicity. The fighting has often been along ethnic lines. Machar had been Kiir’s deputy until July 2013 when he was fired amid a power struggle in the country’s ruling party.

UN approves benefits for spouses of gay officials

he UN will now give benefits to all spouses of gay UN staffers who are legally married after Russia and other opponents of same sex marriage failed yesterday in an attempt to scuttle the plan by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Currently, family benefits for UN staff members are determined by their country of origin. The secretary

general’s plan will give family benefits to all staffers who are legally married regardless of the laws on same-sex marriage in their home countries. Yesterday’s vote in the General Assembly’s budget committee was key because it must approve additional funding to pay for the new benefits. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said “this

means that the policy stands,” adding that Ban welcomes the affirmation of his authority under the UN Charter to make such decisions. Ban has been an outspoken supporter of gay rights. Forty three countries supported a Russian-sponsored resolution that called for the UN chief’s plan to be dropped, while 80 countries opposed it and 37 abstained.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

News

AYC

International Sport Suarez backs Neymar for Ballon d’Or

Let’s monitor our foreign players, says Table tennis coach

I was always with bodyguards in Ukraine – Ideye

Nigerians dominate CAF eleven

Rackets & Bats

Sport

Tough test for Eagles, Amokachi

Adekunle Salami

hen the Super Eagles file out against the Cranes of Uganda this evening at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, various issues at stake make the encounter a tough one for the Nigerian team. The senior national team is supposed to be undergoing a rebuilding process but the Nigeria Football Federation’s

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami

failure to name a substantive coach for the Eagles is a major setback. Earlier in the year the Eagles played two friendlies against Cote d’ Ivoire and Yemen with Daniel Amokachi in charge as a stand-in coach. Nigeria lost 1-0 to the Ivoirians and won 2-0 against Yemen. For the Ugandan match today (Wednesday) and the weekend’s encounter against South Africa, Amokachi is again in charge of a team that has many new players seeking their first cap. It is tough for Amokachi to find a good blend with just one or two training sessions

United are joining Vincent Enyeama, skipper of the side who is eyeing his 100th cap in the colours of Nigeria. Interestingly, Uganda have not been an easy prey for Nigeria in the round leather game. The first and last clashes between Nigeria and Uganda at senior level ended in 2-1 wins for the Cranes. On March 14, 1978, Nigeria lost an Africa Cup of Nations semifinal to Uganda 2-1 in Ghana. The last time both teams squared off was on June 2, 2007, the Cranes coming from behind to win 2-1 after John Utaka had put Nigeria ahead in a 2008 Nations Cup

qualifier in Kampala. In-between, Uganda won a friendly match 1-0 in Kampala on September 26, 1981; the Eagles won a Cup of Nations qualifier 2-0 in Lagos on August 28, 1992 and both teams drew 0-0 in Kampala on July 17, 1993. On March 24, 2007 in Abeokuta, it took a last-gasp Nwankwo Kanu header for Nigeria to earn a 1-0 win over Uganda. A highly interesting match is anticipated as the players are expected to be fired up to redeem the bad image of the team which failed to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea.

Awoniyi, Mohammed, Enaholo to fortify U-23 Eagles

Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

especially in the attack where Odion Ighalo of Watford, England and Simon Moses of Gent, Belgium are expected to feature. On current form the two players have been amazing in club colours this term. The return of Israel-based John Ogu and Ukraine-based Michael Babatunde is also crucial to the emerging Eagles set-up. In the defence, Akeem Latifu of Aalesunds FC, Norway and Leon Balogun of Darmstadt 98, Germany are among the players competing for starting roles. Two new goalies; Theophilus Afelokhai of Kano Pillars and Chidiebere Eze of Gabros

Amokachi

Awoniyi

hree Flying Eagles Players, Taiwo Awoniyi, Musa Mohammed and Joshua Enaholo, have been penciled down to fortify the U-23 Eagles following their superlative performances at the just concluded African Youth Championship in Senegal. The Samson Siasia tutored U-23 Eagles are walking a tight rope after they drew 0-0 against Zambia in an All Africa Games qualifier at the Abuja National Stadium on Sunday. New Telegraph exclusively

learnt that the Flying Eagles players who were instrumental to the team’s triumph at the AYC are being considered by the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Department as a measure to avoid the non-qualification of the U-23 team the 11th African Games scheduled for September 4–19, 2015 in Brazzaville, Congo. “The situation is very dicey for the U-23 Eagles and we must help salvage it. We have learnt from the mistakes of the Super Eagles’ 2015 AFCON miss and we don’t want to take any chances with the U-23 Eagles,” admitted a member of Techni-

cal Department who preferred anonymity. He added that, “I think some players from the Flying Eagles will be drafted to the team because we saw the impact of the striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, Captain Musa Mohammed and even the confidence of the goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo to the Flying Eagles in Senegal. These boys are Super Eagles materials but let them help salvage the U-23 Eagles first.” The second leg game will be played on April 11, 2015, at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium, Ndola in Zambia.

Sport

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

I was always with bodyguards in Ukraine – Ideye that every player would have security - especially the foreign boys,” Ideye told London Mirror. “The local players knew where they could and couldn’t walk, but the foreigners needed security people to make sure they were okay. The recuperating striker added that he had to relocate his family because of the security challenge in the Eastern European country. “It was not good being at the training ground and worrying about my family. So I talked to my

Emmanuel Tobi

njured Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, has revealed that he had to employ the services of bodyguards to guarantee his safety during the three years he spent playing for Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine. The West Brom of England striker stressed that bodyguards were imperative for the safety of most of the foreign players in the books of the club. “I had a meeting with the Dynamo Kiev president and he assured me

Enyeama to face Uganda for the first time

Ideye (right) in the colours of West Brom

Zambia to host Dream Team on April 11

wife and she went home with the kids. “I always had at least one bodyguard with me in the Ukraine. It was frightening - like when they broke into my car but the president knew how to handle issues like that so we were fortunate and none of us got injured. “You would go out and people would be looking at you because you had a bodyguard. I didn’t feel comfortable with someone walking behind me all the time. It made me feel uneasy,” he said.

ontrary to the stipulation of a letter from the Football Association of Zambia to the Nigeria Football Federation that it will host the second leg of the final round, second leg qualifier of the 11th All-Africa Games in Ndola on Saturday, April 4, CAF has ruled that the match will go ahead on the weekend of April 10 to 12. It means the Dream Team has more time to prepare for the show-

down at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, after both teams tied 0-0 in the first leg at the National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday. Coach Samson Siasia and wards have a job on their hands as NFF President Amaju Pinnick has stated in clear terms that the team must qualify for the men’s Football Tournament of the All-Africa Games slated for Congo-Brazzaville, from September 3 to 18this year.

incent Enyeama will be making history on many fronts if he is picked for the role between the goalposts when Nigeria confront Uganda in an international friendly in Uyo on Wednesday, thenff.com can confirm. Enyeama, who will be winning his landmark 100th senior cap for the country, and also in front of his own

people in Uyo Township, will be playing against the Cranes for the first time. His previous 99 matches for Nigeria at senior level include a number of clashes with East African countries, including Ethiopia amd Kenya, but none against Uganda. When Nigeria faced Uganda in the qualifying rounds for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Austin Ejide was in goal.

Enyeama

senegal 2015 fallout Nigerians dominate CAF eleven Manu to submit World Cup list April 1

ewly crowned African champions, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, is expected to submit to FIFA a 35-man provisional squad for the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand not later than April 1, officials disclosed. According to the Flying Eagles secretary Ibrahim Aliyu Auwal, who on Monday attended a preparatory FIFA workshop in Dakar, Senegal, a deadline of April 1 has been set for all teams including the four African representatives to list a provisional squad for

the U-20 World Cup, which will kick off on May 30. It is from this provisional list that teams will select their final 21-man squad for the World Cup. It is expected that a core of the squad who won Nigeria a seventh African Youth Championship in Senegal on Sunday will make this provisional squad. Most likely additions would include Isaac Success, Uche Agbo (Granada CF, Spain), Wilfred Ndidi (Genk, Belgium), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Moses

Ifeanyi Ibeh

F Manu

Simon (Gent, Belgium), Musa Yahaya (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Chidiebere Nwakali (Malaga, Spain) and Kingsley Madu (Trencin, Slovakia).

NOC hails Flying Eagles, D’Tigers

resident of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engineer Habu Gumel, has paid tributes to two national teams, the Flying Eagles for winning the African Youth Championship trophy for a record seventh time. He also applauded Nigeria’s men’s Basketball team, D’Tigers, for winning the inaugural four Nation Challenge Series in South Africa.

Gumel who is also an executive Committee member of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, said that it was heartwarming to see Nigerian teams standing on the podium to the envy of many other African countries. The NOC President who was overwhelmed with the sterling performances of the two teams urged other national teams to borrow a leaf from the all-conquering Eaglets and D’Tigers to

ensure that Nigeria climbs back to the zenith of sports in Africa and the world. ‘’It is heart-warming that these performances are coming towards the All Africa Games and the Rio 2016 Olympics. It is an indication of what to expect from Team Nigeria. Let the boys not relent. There are more hurdles ahead but I know that with dedication, hardwork and good coaches, victory shall be guaranteed,’’ Gumel said.

our members of the victorious Nigerian team to the just concluded African U-20 Championships in Senegal have been selected for the Team of the Tournament. They are goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo, midfielder Akinjide Idowu, striker Taiwo Awoniyi, and defender Musa Muhammed, who also finished as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals; one more than Awoniyi. Other players in the Team of the Tournament are Souleymane Diarra (Mali), Mouhameth Sane (Senegal), Sidy Sarr (Senegal), Alassane Diallo (Mali), Ibrahima Wadji (Senegal), and Yaw Yeboah (Ghana),

who was also named as the player of the tournament. Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Matthew and Prince Omego were also included in the Team of the Tournament’s substitutes alongside Tyroane Joe Sandows (South Africa), Silvere Ganvoula Mboussy (Congo), Malick Toure (Mali), and Prosper Kassim (Ghana). A total of 53 goals were scored in the 16 matches played in the tournament with Bernard Bulbwa’s goal against Senegal in the final adjudged the winner of the Goal of the Tournament award. The goal, a superb volley from the edge of the penalty area, earned a seventh African title for the Flying Eagles, who also won the tournament’s fair play trophy.

Flying Eagles assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade, passing instructions to the players

International Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Suarez backs Neymar for Ballon d’Or

l Clasico hero Luis Suarez has backed Barcelona teammate Neymar to be crowned the best player in the world during his career and win the Ballon d’Or. The Uruguayan was the match winner in Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Camp Nou as Luis Enrique’s front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez proved too strong for the visitors.

“After the run that Neymar went on, he had to go for it rather than pass. Strikers are selfish,” Suarez told RAC1. “He’s a very determined player and I’m convinced he’ll win a Ballon d’Or or two.” Having scored his first Clasico goal on Sunday, Suarez also discussed the everimproving relationship with Messi and Neymar, in arguably the world’s finest front line.

Suarez (left) and Neymar during the El Clasico at the weekend. Barca won Real Madrid 2-1

Platini re-elected UEFA boss M

Barca, PSG target Di Maria

ichel Platini was on Tuesday re-elected unchallenged for a third term as UEFA president and insisted “you know that you can count on me”. It was confirmed at the UEFA Congress in Vienna that the legendary former France international will continue in the role for at least another four years Platini, who defeated Lennart Johansson to take over

arcelona and Paris SaintGermain are both reportedly interested in signing Manchester United player, Angel di Maria. The Argentine joined Man United from Real Madrid last summer and immediately burst onto the scene with some excellent displays. The 27-year-old has struggled over the last couple of months, however, and it is understood that he wants to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season. According to The Express, both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain want to sign the attacker, but will have to launch a bid in the region of £47m. Di Maria moved to Manchester for little under £60m.

“I was brought to Barca to score goals,” he added. “I use Messi and Neymar’s movement and they use mine. You don’t need much time to discover Messi’s quality. The connection with him has been very easy. “The goal from [Sunday] has an added meaning because of the opposition, because of the situation and because it strengthens our position at the top of La Liga.”

the role in 2007, expressed his gratitude to national associations for backing him to remain in the post. He said: “Thank you – thank you very much. Thank you for your trust and your kind support. This means more to me than you can possibly imagine. “I am proud to be your teammate, proud to be the captain of this winning team and proud of our achievements.”

Indian Wells: Federer hails Djokovic win

Di Maria

oger Federer has admitted that Novak Djokovic was able to find an “extra gear” during their meeting in the final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The Serbian won the match 6-3 6-7 6-2 to clinch the first ATP Masters 1000 title of the year, but Federer insists that

the world number one doesn’t hold the edge in their personal rivalry. He told reporters: “I have beaten him the last couple of times. It is not like I lost 10 in a row. A lot depends on how well he serves and returns. We usually play in finals so we are both peaking at the same time.”

BRIEFS

Ivanovic

helsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is reportedly interested in joining Bayern Munich at the end of the season. Since joining Chelsea from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008, the 31-year-old has developed into one of the finest defenders in European football.

Simeone

iego Simeone has agreed a new five-year deal with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, which will keep him under contract at the Vicente Calderon until 2020.

Nigerian-born Solanke

helsea teenager Dominic Solanke on Tuesday trained with the England senior team. The 17-year-old joined in after winning the Youth Player of the Year award and helping the Under-17s win last year’s European Championship.

Ordega joins US club, Washington Spirit Emmanuel Tobi

merican club, Wa s h i n g t o n Spirit, has confirmed the signing of Super Falcons striker, Francisca Ordega, for the 2015 season. New Telegraph can report that Ordega is expected to join the team for the first six matches

of the National Women’s Soccer League before joining Nigeria for the 2015 Women’s World Cup. “I am really happy to sign for the Spirit because it is a dream come true for me to play in the United States. I can’t wait to join the team and play in my first match, the former Piteå IF of

Sweden starsaid. “Francisca is a very hard working forward that will bring plenty of pace and power to our team,” Spirit coach Mark Parsons said. “She is an explosive player that has the ability to score and create goals and we are very excited to bring her to Washington D.C.”

Francisca Ordega (left)

Beat Uganda, Glo charges Eagles Galadima, six others appointed archery body patrons

frica’s biggest supporter of football and major sponsor of Nigerian national teams, Globacom, has declared support for the Super Eagles ahead of the inter national friendly match against the Cranes of Uganda scheduled for the International Stadium in Uyo, on Wednesday. According to Globacom in a press statement in Lagos on Tuesday, the Eagles need maximum support from Nigerians in their quest to return to reckoning after

missing out of the last African Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea. “Our focus should be on getting the team in shape ahead of the qualifying matches for the next African Cup of Nations,” the company said. Globacom, therefore advised the coaches to assemble the best players both from the Glo Premier League and the foreign leagues with the aim of building a formidable team that will stand the test of time and make Nigeria proud in subsequent competitions.

Ifeanyi Ibeh

ormer president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Galadima, has been appointed a life patron of the Nigeria Archery Federation. The appointment of the Kano-based businessman, who is also the chairman of the Kano Pillars Sports Club, was ratified by the board of the federation at its extra ordinary meeting which recently took place in Lagos. Besides Galadima, the NAFED board also

ratified the appointment of six others as life patrons of the body. They include the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee; Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin; Chairman and CEO of the Cynergy Group of Companies, Famous Enearu; and the Chairman, Federal House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey

Kabiru Gaiya. Others are the President General of the Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo and Wole Madariola, the president of the Nigeria Shooting Federation. A statement made available to New Telegraph stated that the president of the archery body, Dr. Felix Okugbe, would fix a date for a formal investiture ceremony for the newly appointed life patrons, adding that the “distinguished personalities

were made patrons because of their well-documented contribution to the field of Sports.”

Galadima

Sport

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigerian League Rendezvous

with charles Ogundiya

charlesog2001@yahoo.com,

08098042287

Time to check clubs in CAF competitions

ith the dilemma being faced by some of the Nigeria Professional Football League clubs on the continent, it is time The League Management company monitoring the preparation of sides that make continental competitions. The elimination of Dolphins of Port Harcourt from the CAF Confederation Cup was a bitter pill for league followers to swallow, despite the belated apology tendered by players of the club. Two years ago, Heartland of Owerrihad similar

experience which led to the club being walked over by US Bitam of Gabon after the team failed to travel on time for the CAF Confederation Cup. Dolphins failed to travel on time for their game last weekend in Tunisia as players refused to get on the bus to the airport because they wanted more than they were offered as out of station allowance or estacode as it is more popularly called in Nigeria. Speaking with League Rendezvous, the first Vice President of the NFF, Seyi Akinwumi, said club com-

petition was not under the federation’s jurisdiction. “If they want the feder- Crown’s Francis Sylvester (center) against Akwa United’s defenders in a recent match ation to do something for them, they should come up with their proposal because CAF competitions time around I have the opporbelong to the clubs and the Charles Ogundiya tunity to prove what I can do only body that can do something about monitoring the igeria Professional with the foreign-based players teams is the LMC,” the LaFootball League re- available.” The player said playing for gos FA chairman said. cord top scorer, Mfon “The federation can Udoh, has said he is ready the national team was a big hononly advice but we canto take his chances with the our and ambition of any player not do anything if they national team ahead of the with himself not an exception. While stating that the team don’t listen to our advice, two international friendly it is only the league regumatches against Uganda today will respect their opponents, latory body that is in the (Wednesday) and South Africa he said a win in both games is not negotiable especially the best position to monitor this weekend. the clubs.” Udoh who scored his first game against South Africa. The former Akwa United league goal at the weekend said he would be going for striker said: “South Africa the two matches full of confi- denied us the opportunity to dence. He declared that he was defend the AFCON trophy in but assured that the players sult, we can only move ahead. not scared of the foreign based Equatorial Guinea early this year, this is an opportunity for I want to say sorry to the fans players in the team. have learnt their lessons. “The coaches saw my abil- us to show them at their home “When I saw the result, I and the management on beity that was why I was invited that we are better than them. was not happy but that is foot- half of other players. “The two games will be masball for you and we are going to The former Kano Pillars play- into the team,” the Enyimba sive for us but I know we can work on the mistakes noticed er said he was optimistic of mak- of Aba striker said. “My last two games with get the results needed to boost in the game,” he said. ing a return to the team ahead of “It was like a dream to all of the next game against Shooting the national team was with our confidence ahead the next the home-based players, this AFCON qualifier.” us but we can’t change the re- Stars on April 5, in Lafia.

Udoh not scared of foreign based pros

Nasarawa will bounce back – Obi

asarawa United utility midfielder, Eugene Obi, has said the club will surely bounce back from the scandalous loss to Heartland at the weekend. Obi who missed the game due to injury said it was a bad day in the office for the club,

Let’s monitor our foreign players, says table tennis coach Ajibade Olusesan

ssistant coach of the national table tennis team, Richard Edem, has said that the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation must set up a mechanism to monitor elite players based abroad. The coach said that he noticed that many players in the national team always lost form ahead of major competitions. He said that there was no process with which the federation could monitor the players and help them overcome their shortcomings. The coach who discovered Offiong Edem and Cecilia Otu advised the NTTF to set up a technical commit-

tee that would follow up on the players and advise them appropriately when they notice that there is something wrong with the players’ form. “I noticed that there is nothing special about our players based abroad, that is what I noticed anytime they come home. I observed the same thing at the last Lagos Open and it is obvious that their clubs have not had much impact on them. I think the NTTF must do something about this; we have to start monitoring these players, we have to know what they are doing in their clubs. We have to know whether they have the right kind of training, we have to get in touch with them from time to time,” he said.

with Ajibade Olusesan 0706 537 7853

Ojo faces home boy in Spanish Open debut igerian table tennis prodigy, Ojo OnaolN apo, will today open his GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour, Spanish Open with

Edem

Murray, Nadal set for Miami clash A

Murray

ndy Murray could be in line to face Rafael Nadal at the Miami Open but Novak Djokovic is in the other half of the draw. The British number one will be looking to atone for his disappointing semi-final exit to Djokovic at Indian Wells when the Serbian world number one kept up his dominance over the Scot with a comfortable straight-sets victory. He will want to go deep in the Masters 1000 event and could face Spanish ace Nadal in the semifinals if it all goes to plan.

Tomas Berdych is also in Murray’s half of the draw and it looks set to be another tough tournament for the two-time Grand Slam winner to claim, with Djokovic a likely final opponent should Murray make it all the way. The 27-year-old will face either US star Donald Young or Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei in his first match in Florida, with the possibility of an all-British third-round match should wild card Kyle Edmund win his first two encounters.

contest against home boy, Lopez Pedro. The player who crashed out in the semifinal of the Lagos Open is in Group 20 of the preliminary rounds of the Spanish Open and he is looking forward to winning the opener to stand a chance of making it into the main draw. Kuzmin Fedor of Russia is the other player in that group. Similarly, Kazeem Makanjuola also entered for the tournament and is in Group 5. He will also play his first match today (Wednesday) against Franzen Alexander of Sweden. Stoyanov Niagol of Italy is the other player in the group. Africa’s highest ranked player Aruna Quadri is in the main draw and he will not play until Wednesday.

Onaolapo

Politics 55

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, MarCh 25, 2015

head of the March 28 polls, former governor of Abia State and Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) senatorial candidate for Abia North, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has distributed mobile phones and other ICT devices worth millions of naira to party agents and chieftains across the 17 local government areas of Abia State. Speaking through his campaign organisation at Arochukwu on Monday, the businessman cum politician explained that the devices were deployed to prevent any form of manipulation and rigging by electoral fraudsters dur-

Kalu distributes 15,000 mobile phones to party agents, chieftains ing the elections. According to him, “the 2011 general elections in Abia State were characterised by massive rigging and other electoral malpractices. The elders and youths have vowed to resist any form of illegal act in the forthcoming polls by educating and deploying sophisticated and user-friendly devices to stakeholders. This will assist us in reporting evidence based electoral

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

offences to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for ap-

propriate actions. We are working closely with civil society groups to ensure violence-free and credible elections.” The former governor, who is scheduled to round off his senatorial campaign on Thursday, added that “Abians are prepared to ensure that the people’s will is not short-changed by desperate politicians who believe in using the back door to forcefully secure votes.

“The problem Abia State is facing today is that most of the people at the helm of affairs were not duly elected by the people but used violence and rigging to force their way into leadership positions.”

Nigeria is ready for APC, says Ambode Temitope Ogunbanke

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Niger State, Umar Nasko; Chairperson, Board of Trustees, End Well Model School, Hajia Dije Bala; Governor Babangida Aliyu and vice-president, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Isaac Achang at a function in Minna …yesterday.

Mark: Only free, transparent polls will guarantee democracy Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

head of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, Senate President Senator David Mark has harped on free, fair, transparent and credible polls as the safeguard for sustainable democracy in Nigeria. Mark, however, expressed optimism that Nigerians have been sensitised and enlightened enough to ensure

the smooth and peaceful conduct of the rescheduled elections. Addressing his constituents in Otukpo, Benue State at the end of his campaign tour yesterday, Mark urged all stakeholders to play the game of politics according to its rules and allow the will of the people to prevail. He noted that Nigerians have imbibed democratic tenets and accepted same as the preferred form of government that is participatory and rep-

resentative. “As we embark on another major election, let us be guided by national interest and hold on tenaciously to all that brings peace and unity amongst us as a people. “I make bold to say that this election is key to the development, peace and unity of Nigeria. Our destiny and indeed our future is in our hands,” he said. The Senate President noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made enough land-

mark in terms of the delivery of dividends of democracy that would earn the party victory at the polls, and advised his people to remain steadfast with the PDP as the vehicle for a better future of the nation. He promised not to fail his people no matter the odds, saying: “I will continue to give quality representation and be prepared to do all that is necessary to serve. I cherish the confidence repose in me. I will not take it for granted.”

INEC recruits 20,000 ad hoc staff in Oyo Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Oyo State yesterday disclosed that it has recruited 20,000 adhoc staff for the conduct of the presidential and governorship elections slated for March 28 and April 11. The state Resident

Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Rufus Akeju, said this at a Stakeholders’ Election Forum held in Ibadan, adding that the ad-hoc staff included mostly Nigerian youths made up of serving NYSC members. The ad-hoc staff, according to Akeju, “have been screened, trained and recruited as presiding officers and assistant presiding officers.”

The INEC said it has also trained and recruited 400 Supervisory Presiding Officers largely sourced from the federal ministries, departments and agencies. He said that INEC had sourced and trained Collation Officers and Returning Officers from the tertiary institutions in the state, adding that arrangements have been concluded to ensure that

only Professors were recruited, trained and deployed as returning officers at all levels. He assured all stakeholders, especially the political parties and the candidates of INEC to remain impartial and unbiased in all electoral dealings, just as he told the voters that it would make every vote count, just as it happened in the 2011 elections.

Kalu used the opportunity to call on the electorate to vote en masse for President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that the Transformation Agenda will be consolidated if the president re-elected for a second term in office.

ll Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has declared that Nigeria is ready for the APC and the prospects of good governance which the party has promised. Speaking yesterday during a campaign in Somolu Local Government Area of the state, Ambode decried the mismanagement of the economy by the Federal Government, which according to him has caused a further decline in the value and quality of lives of Nigerians. He therefore assured Nigerians that a vote for the APC presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, will surely reverse the downturn. His words: “For the first time in the annals of our history, Nigeria and democracy have found a

convergence on the common agenda to rescue Nigeria. This simply proves beyond doubt that our nation is ready for the APC and the revolutionary governance it promises. “The whole country is fired up for change at the centre, and for a rescue from bad governance. Thankfully, we have the power to do so at this moment, and I am sure we won’t miss this chance. “We have seen unprecedented levels of decline in our economy under the present government in Abuja; this is one of the motivating factors that has fuelled this momentum for change all over Nigeria. We will change the government at the centre by voting for General Buhari, and I assure you that our economy will be rescued.” In his address, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola implored the electorate to vote for the APC at all levels to achieve the much-needed rescue.

Corporate Forum backs Jonathan Wale Elegbede

he ranks of President Goodluck Jonathan swelled yesterday after a non-governmental organisation, the Corporate Forum, endorsed the aspiration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, stating that the various economic reforms of the president can only be consolidated if he is reelected. Addressing a press conference in Lagos, the forum’s chairman, Chief Funsho Lawal, said the enormous economic achievements of the president has been grossly under-reported to the public, stressing that President Jonathan has performed more than any past leader. Explaining why the forum is supporting the president, Lawal said the decision of the group was propelled by the giant stride achievements of

the PDP administration through its transformation agenda. “The president anchored the campaign during the 2010 elections on a transformation agenda to bring a breath of fresh air to all sectors of the economy and polity. “Our examination of the scorecard of the agenda in fiscal management reforms, financial sector reforms, pension reforms, job creation reforms, agriculture and manufacturing reforms among others showed a great performance by the administration,” he said. According to him, the effects of the reforms in all sectors had resulted in Nigeria becoming the economic hub of Africa, adding that “Nigeria is also one of the fastest growing economies in the world and the number one destination for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Africa.”

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Finishing strong, Nigeria first

or me, it is now an academic exercise to debate or postulate as to whether the March 28, 2015 Presidential and National Assembly Elections will hold. After a false start, we have finally arrived at the finishing line and we have every reason to finish strong. It is too late in the day for us to disappoint ourselves or bungle the process when we are at the finishing line. We must therefore finish the race and finish strong because the stakes are high and we cannot afford to ridicule ourselves before our neighbours and the international community. There are compelling reasons why we cannot afford to fail. In making this assertion, I am conscious of the fact that a section of the ruling elite has lost a sense of shame. Nothing shocks them and nothing moves them. They are impervious to reason and see humiliation as a sign of progress and strength. To some of them, democracy is only a nomenclature and a sound bite and conveys little or no meaning. To some of them being in power and accessing power and its perquisites is really what matters. So, it does not matter whether democracy is growing or has a stunted growth or is not growing at all. Therefore, whether the international community is focused on Nigeria in relation to the 2015 elections is the business of the international community. It only matters if the attention will inhibit their corruption of the electoral process and prevent them from taking over the levers of power. This is their mindset and this is what propels their relationship to the electoral process. If this is not the case, how can we explain the debate on whether the military should supervise the 2015 elections? In the first place it is redundant to engage in the argument of whether the military should be involved in the electoral process. My own take is that the military is in power in Nigeria and that those holding the levers of power are only doing the paper work for them. Let us look at the issues closely. The military is involved in internal security operations in 32 states of the federation. If the military withdraws from these states there will be mayhem as a result of ethnic, religious and land strife engineered and promoted by those who claim our democratic heritage. The new mantra promoted by these later-day democrats is that it is impossible for the people to exercise their democratic civic responsibility unless they are guided, protected and or assisted by the military and this is true. Their love for power has blinded them to the reality of the fact that democracy with military assistance is not democracy. They are impervious to the fact that military supervision of democracy is an aberration. But the reality is that every Nigerian knows that it is not possible at this moment to get the military out of the streets of Nigeria. The military did not deploy itself to the streets. The politicians deployed them and the military are on the streets on account of the irresponsibility of the political elite. What the Nigerian

Hard Choices FESTUS OKOYE

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Jonathan

Buhari

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C I OMMISONAL SION

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people demand at this point is the neutrality of the armed forces in the electoral process. In other words there must be clear rules of engagement for their deployment and conduct during the 2015 elections. The same indifferent spirit pervades the attitude of these later day democrats to electoral and demographic projections of the likely winner of the Presidential elections. Polls conducted by Nigerians are tucked away in a corner of the newspapers. The ones

conducted by some failed pollsters with foreign names are the ones they project. They buy front page advertisements to promote the said projections. The same attitude is noticeable in the two big political parties. They grovel towards useless opinions polls knowing that the polls are not worth the paper they are written on. This same shameless and indifferent attitude to the challenges of the weak and vulnerable in the society is what drives their actions and utterances. They do not care whether the country burns. This is why they subjected themselves to the indignity of signing a peace accord brokered by outsiders. The moment you lose your self-esteem, then others will decide your fate. If not,

what is hard in conducting campaigns with civility? Is it hard to respect the dignity of other people while on campaign stops? Must we appeal to ethnic and religious sentiments to win elections knowing that it is this appeal and the manipulation of these fault lines that has kept the military on the streets in our states? Ultimately, the only opinions that will count are those of the Nigerian people. The demand of the people is that the Political Parties should allow them to go to the polling units to exercise their democratic franchise. Of course, nobody wants to be a victim to the drunken machinations of any political jobber that has taken a contract to recruit political thugs to unleash mayhem on the people. But we must be clear on issues. There will be challenges with the elections and it will be presumptuous to presume and or contemplate otherwise. What is important is the way and manner the challenges are handled and addressed. We must acknowledge that the use of card readers is a new innovation in the electoral process. There will be issues with some of them on Election Day but the important thing is that the Political parties and the candidates must instruct and advise their party agents not to hound Presiding Officers that may have issues with their card readers. A calm disposition and understanding is what is required on Election Day. The alternative is violence and this will be counterproductive and may bring the electoral process to disrepute. And we must know that violence in our electoral process can only lead to the abortion of the democratic process. The media will also play an important role in assisting us finish strong. I am however aware of the pernicious influence of advertisements on the electoral process. But why must an institution of democracy that fought for democracy and fought for our freedom be a source of concern in the electoral process? There is no doubt that we have progressive and patriotic elements in most of our media establishments but sometimes the ownership structure of the media makes it nearly impossible for them to remain within the bounds of professionalism. But there must be a Nigeria before anybody can harvest advertisements. This is why the media is crucial at this moment. The media must report and report accurately. The media must also be well informed about the constitutional and legal issues in the electoral process. The media must be truthful to the Nigerian people and treat facts as truly sacred. We cannot afford to fail and we cannot remain stagnant. We must finish strong in this election and it is doable. We must use our conduct of the election to regain our self-worth and respect as a country that can take care of its business. We must use this period for democratic renewal and consolidation. We must allow the democratic process to run its course. We must renew our fate in our democratic structures and institutions. In this election, the Nigerian people must be the winners.

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