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Thursday, May 29, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 100

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Senate committee clears NNPC over $49.8bn ‘missing’ fund …orders refund of $262 million to federation account

Chukwu David

he Senate Committee on Finance, which investigated the alleged

Abuja

$49.8 billion unremitted oil revenue yesterday submitted its report to the Sen-

ate, clearing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of the

allegation. The committee also accused the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, of jumping to hasty conclusions and generating false allegations against the nation’s oil corporation.

Confab adjourns plenary over death of Kutigi’s wife

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

APC governors hijack structure from Tinubu ...Back Sylva for national chairman lSouth-West leaders meet lDefection: 36 APC Reps drag Justice Ademola before NJC Ayodele Ojo and Yekeen Nurudeen

Pandemonium as Police, Federal Task force clash in Lagos

Page 12

risis is brewing in the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the plot by its 16 governors to control the party’s structures ahead of the 2015 elections. New Telegraph learnt that the governors have concluded plans to ensure that they have a grip on the party to enable them to actualise their plans to influence who becomes the party’s presidential candidate, running mate and national chairman. However, their plans may set them on a collision course with entrenched interests in the party as one of the influential leaders of the party and a former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, is believed to be nursing the ambition of being the party’s viceCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Anenih: PDP looking beyond 2015

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LAGOS

Storms

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Some of the arrested officials of the Federal Road Committee and Action Against Road Abuse (FERCSARA) task force, ...yesterday PHOTO: Murtala Ayinla

TUC rejects planned hike in electricity tariff lFG misses power target by 4, 755mw, says Report

Joseph Onyekwere and Adeola Yusuf

he Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) yesterday called on the National Electricity Regu-

latory Commission (NERC) to jettison the idea of increasing electricity tariff or incur the wrath of workers and other Nigerians. The congress said the proposed tariff hike was

anti-people and anti-labour. “We therefore call on the management of the power firms and their regulator to have a rethink about it. The income of the average Nigerian cannot accom-

modate the extra cost of living that any increase in price of power would provoke. Neither can the social fabric withstand the negative fallouts of such illadvised action. Those who

have ears, let them hear,” it warned. The position of the congress was contained in a statement endorsed by TUC president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary General, ComCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Confab adjourns plenary over Kutigi’s wife’s death

lSambo, Na’Abba, Uwais, others offer prayers for the deceased lNorthern Govs mourn Lateef Ibrahim and Dan Atori

elegates to the ongoing National Conference in Abuja were forced, yesterday, to adjourn proceedings at the plenary session following news of the death of Maryamu, the wife of the Conference Chairman and retired Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi. Maryamu, aged 70, died at the National Hospital in Abuja at about 2a.m. on Wednesday and has already been buried in line with Islamic rites. The Deputy Chairman of the conference and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who presided over a brief session of the conference yesterday, said it was only proper that the conference be adjourned to enable delegates participate in the burial. Delegates, who unanimously agreed to the proposal for adjournment, expressed shock at the death and the fact that Ku-

tigi could still preside over proceedings until the last day of sitting while the wife was in the hospital. Akinyemi, according to statement by the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, Mr. Akpandem James, described the late Maryamu as a pillar of strength to the former CJN, regretting that she had passed on at a time the retired Justice was handling a critical national assignment and needed her closeness and wise counsel.

Akinyemi said it was in demonstration of his deep sense of patriotism and commitment to the affairs of the country that Kutigi continued to preside over the conference throughout the period that the wife was lying ill in the hospital. Before yesterday’s adjournment, delegates had earlier in the week agreed not to have plenary session today which has been declared a public holiday by the Federal Government in celebration of Democracy Day.

It was agreed that proceedings at the plenary will resume on Monday June 2 with deliberation on more reports of committees and adoption of recommendations contained in the reports. Before the adjournment of sitting yesterday, conference had indicated its readiness to conduct debate on the report of the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue headed by Senator Adamu Aliero with Senator Azu Agboti as deputy chairman.

Also slated for resolution were issues arising from previous committee reports that were put in “bracket” by the principal officers of the conference due to objections raised when they came under consideration. Such issues include the recommendation by the Committee on Land Tenure and National Boundaries that the Land Use Act be expunged from the constitution for easy amendment of the Act for CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

PORT HARCOURT

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Vice-President Namadi Sambo (third right); Chairman, National Conference, Idris Kutigi (second right); Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi (fourth right) and others during prayer for Kutigi’s wife, Maryamu, who died in Abuja yesterday.

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APC governors hijack structure from Tinubu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

KANO

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ENUGU

31oC 23oC Storm

IBADAN

30o C 22oC Thunder Storms

CALABAR

27oC 11oC Mostly Sunny

MAIDUGURI

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

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

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

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

NEWS

presidential candidate. Besides, veteran presidential aspirant and a key leader of the party, MajorGen. Muhammadu Buhari, has not given up his ambition to run for president. Buhari, who has been gunning for the presidency since 2003, was the leader of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the parties that coalesced to form APC. According to sources, the governors’ intention is to work for the emergence of one of them as the APC presidential candidate, or in the alternative, influence who eventually picks the party’s ticket. The permutation is that if they fail to get the party’s primal position, then, they will ensure that one of the governors is picked as the vice presidential candidate.

As part of efforts to actualise their plans, the governors are poised to determine who emerges as the national chairman of the party at the national convention, slated for Abuja between June 13 and 14. A former Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Timipre Sylva, is being tipped to emerge as the national chairman to take over from the interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande. It was learnt that it was in a bid to realise their objectives that the governors, despite stiff opposition, influenced the installation of Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko and court-ousted Anambra State Governor, Senator Chris Ngige, as chairman and secretary respectively of the National Convention Planning Committee. Tinubu had pencilled

down former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Baraje and Senator Ajayi Borofice as chairman and secretary of the convention committee but the governors upset his plans. Sources told New Telegraph that Tinubu had also wanted Akande to continue in office but the governors are resisting the idea, believing that the former governor of Osun State cannot be trusted to be neutral in deciding on issues that may affect Tinubu’s interest. “No doubt, Chief Akande is a man of integrity to pilot the affairs of the APC towards 2015 elections, but there are other contending interests who believe that a younger person who has no allegiance to any leader within the party should take charge of the party. Don’t forget that Akande

has leaning towards Tinubu. That is why some of us opposed his return,” a stalwart of the party told New Telegraph. As it is, the June national convention has further deepened the crisis in the APC such that there are three camps within the party: those rooting for Akande to remain in office; the governors pushing for Sylva and another set of stakeholders pushing for the emergence of a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi. With the development, the governors are not on the same page with the leaders of the party in the choice of key officers for the party. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party had last week after its 10th meeting announced the committee for the conCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Defection: 36 APC Reps drag Justice Ademola before NJC Philip Nyam Abuja

he thirty-six former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, who defected to All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 18, 2013 have petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) accusing Justice Adeniyi Ademola of Federal High Court, Abuja of miscon-

duct. A copy of the eightpage petition obtained by New Telegraph shows the document signed by the affected 36 APC members was submitted to the NJC on May 13. The 36 lawmakers are accusing Justice Ademola of acts of judicial misconduct while adjudicating on suit FHC/ABJ/CS/4/2014 filed by the PDP to challenge the defection of its former members in the

House of Representatives. The petition cited five grounds of misconduct against Justice Ademola including; “overruling superior courts in issuing preservatory order while jurisdiction was being challenged; pronouncements on the substantive suit – concerning vacation of members’ seats – before another judge and not before Justice Ademola; and Justice Ademola serially being a controversial judge

with questionable motive and faulty prayers.” The 36 lawmakers expressed suspicion that Justice Ademola granted “the application for injunction as made by the PDP when in fact there were preliminary objections against the jurisdiction of the court.” The lawmakers claimed that the suit only sought to stop members of the House of Representatives who defected from PDP to APC from changing leader-

L-R: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Peter Amangbo; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Fola Arthor-Worrey, during the bank’s donation of N50 million to LSSTF in Lagos...yesterday.

ship of the House and expressed surprise that the Judge veered off to cases not canvassed before him and became more political than the plaintiff (PDP). According to them, “In principle, judges must not ordinarily fiddle suo motu into matters not canvassed before them. However, because this judge was so ready to rule against the defendants for reasons best known to him, he became even more political than the plaintiff. The plaintiff nowhere sought for a relief under S. 68 (1) (g) of the constitution. Indeed, their lawyer, Yunus Usman (SAN), in open court said that the matter had nothing to do with S. 68 (1) (g) of the constitution.” The petition continued: “All the defendants to the suit including those who belong to the PDP filed preliminary objections to the jurisdiction of Justice Ademola on various grounds, amongst which was issue of non-justifiability of the case. “All lawyers to the defendants addressed the court that since the preliminary objections were challenging the jurisdiction of the judge, it must be ruled first and that the judge could not as yet issue any preservatory orders. The judge (Justice Ademola) after

long hours of argument, though agreeing with the positions taken by the defence (House Leadership), decided to make orders that the status quo be maintained and that leadership should not be changed until determination of the main case.” The lawmakers said they were stunned by the judgement made by Justice Ademola on March 31, 2014, and queried: “How would a judge rule that a political party has locus to stop a legislative house from carrying out its internal affairs? That a legislative house would be restrained perpetually from voting somehow or from changing its leadership.” The APC lawmakers urged the council to investigate Justice Ademola in a bid to cleanse the judiciary, saying they “owe it a duty to the Nigerian judiciary and the state to report what we consider as travesty of justice occasioned by a judge whose disposition from the onset of the case showed undiluted bias.” The lawmakers concluded that “the judgement of Justice Ademola and orders he made and the passing comments were clearly politically motivated and did not demonstrate legal jurisprudential erudition.”

APC governors hijack structure from Tinubu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

vention under the chairmanship of Wamakko and Ngige as the secretary. The NEC which was expected to hold penultimate Tuesday was cancelled due to unresolved issues within the party even as party leaders were involved in a secret meeting at the Imo Governor’s Lodge, Abuja that same Tuesday. New Telegraph gathered that efforts by Tinubu to maintain his strong hold on the party were being resisted by the governors. Disturbed by the growing ‘revolt’ by the governors, some major stakeholders in the party, especially Tinubu, are fighting back. A source told New Telegraph that a meeting of APC governors from the South-West and major stakeholders would hold in Lagos between today and next week, barring any change of plan. “South-West governors are meeting in Lagos on Wednesday or at a later date to discuss development in the party. We will take a position on our choices for the national

executives and tackle some internal issues,” one of the governors told New Telegraph. The meeting, according to sources, is to tackle the internal revolt by the APC governors and take a position on those to support for the national executives. It was learnt that Tinubu felt betrayed that some of the governors, especially those in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), a legacy party in APC, are among those against his vice presidential ambition and his choice of APC national chairman. The governors’ plan for the presidential election is against the ambition of Tinubu, who it was gathered, had interest in being the running mate of Buhari, thus presenting a MuslimMuslim ticket for the party. Tinubu, according to the source, is banking on the electoral value of Buhari in the North. But the presidential ticket having two Muslims would be against the recommendation of the Strategic and Planning Committee of the party, chaired by La-

gos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), which warned against a Muslim-Muslim ticket if the party must win the 2015 presidential election. Some of the governors are interested in the presidential ticket of the APC in 2015. Among those named as eyeing the position is Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso while his Edo State counterpart, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole along with Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) are being mentioned as likely running mates in 2015. “Kwankwaso is supporting Muhammadu Buhari’s aspiration for the 2015 presidency, but if the former military ruler can’t make it on account of age (he will be 72 by 2015), the Kano State Governor is waiting in the wings,” a party source said. New Telegraph learnt that Kwankwaso is the arrowhead of the governors pushing for Sylva’s choice as national chairman of the party. It was learnt that at the last NEC meeting of the

party, Sylva had nominated himself to serve on the convention committee. After his self-nomination, a source said Kwankwaso walked up to him and queried his decision. “Don’t you know we have a plan for you? There is no way you can serve as member of the convention committee and also emerge as one of the new executives. Our plan is to make you the new chairman of the APC,” Kwankwaso was quoted to have told Sylva. This informed the decision of the former governor to withdraw his nomination. When contacted, Media Adviser to Sylva, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, refused to confirm or deny his principal’s interest in the APC chairmanship race. “All I know is that Sylva is willing, ready and available to work with all democratic forces to ensure that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan does not remain in office one day beyond May 29, 2015. “In that regard, a personal ambition for any particular office does not count. More than any other

politician in Nigeria today, Sylva has been endlessly persecuted by the Jonathan presidency,” he said yesterday in a telephone interview. It was further gathered that some forces within the party are also working round the clock to ensure the emergence of Ikimi as the party’s national chairman. A former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, is the arrowhead of the pro-Ikimi group. The grouse of the governors against Ikimi might not be unconnected with his involvement in the late Gen. Sani Abacha regime. Also, the closeness of Sheriff to the presidency is considered a minus for Ikimi who is being sponsored by the former governor. “It istoo delicate to entrust the party’s machinery to Sheriff. Don’t forget that a victory for Ikimi is a victory for Sheriff and invariably for the presidency,” a source said. Sheriff is a friend to President Goodluck Jonathan just as he was to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, both of the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite belonging to a different political party. But the interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, denied the existence of any crisis within the party. He said: “Honestly, I don’t see any crisis anywhere whatsoever. What is the crisis all about? Nominations were made and ratified. What is the essence of democracy? I don’t know why people are looking for crisis where there is none.” Mohammed also said there was no attempt by the governors to take over the structures of the party. “That is not correct. There is a lot of mischievous reports out there. One reported that Asiwaju (Tinubu) nominated someone to head the national convention planning committee and that it was turned down. Asiwaju never nominated anybody. The records of the meetings are there. You see, some people are looking for cracks and implosion, but that won’t happen. I can assure you,” the APC scribe declared.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

TUC rejects planned hike in electricity tariff CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

rade Musa Lawal yesterday. NERC recently announced plans by the Federal government to hike electricity tariff from June 1st. NERC said electricity cost would increase by N1 per kilowatt for customers in R2 category from next month, and that the electricity Fixed Charge (FC) which was to rise to N1,500 from June 1st in the MultiYear Tariff Order (MYTO) for 2014 will remain at N750 for some customers. TUC said: “The move is queer and uncalled for and another deliberate attempt by some cabal to further exploit the already impoverished masses of the country, especially as the power supply and distribution situation has remained comatose even after the privatisation of the sector, contrary to the Federal Government’s promise to tackle the inherent challenges.” TUC also used the opportunity to call on all Nigerian workers and other Nigerians to gird their loins in readiness to resist the planned increase if the government attempts to

implement it. “We find it indefensible that the government has apparently concluded plans to increase the tariffs instead of prevailing on private sector electricity providers to increase power supply and distribution in the country. Need we remind ourselves of the demise of many industries within the last few years? Need we list out the multitude of companies that have either gone under or fled the country because of high cost of generating power for their plants? “Or shall we tender statistics of the millions of Nigerians who are jobless and many of whom have taken to vices that create insecurity in our land? We are particularly galled by the fact that although the power sector has gulped billions of naira, the country still appears hopelessly trapped in a vicious cycle of unproductivity and lack of adequate power supply, essentially because of the insincerity and corrupt practices of our “ogas at the top”, the union queried, adding that by encouraging private investors to increase tariff for electricity

Confab adjourns plenary over Kutigi’s wife’s death CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

the benefit of the people. Meanwhile, Vice-President Namadi Sambo was among top dignitaries in attendance at the Central Mosque, Abuja during the prayers offered for the repose of the soul of Maryamu. Others were three former Chief Justices of the Federation – Justices Mohammed Uwais, Alfa Belgore and Daihu Mudsdapher; former President, Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar N’abba. Others include former governors Mohammed Goni (Borno), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom), Diepriye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa) and former military administrator of Niger State, Niger, Brigadier General Lawan Gwadabe (rtd). Former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae and former Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Chief Albert Horsfall also paid their last respects to the departed Maryamu. Former Ministers, including Prof. Ihechukwu

Madubuike, Prof. Jubril Aminu and Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, as well as the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Umaru Eri (rtd) were also in attendance alongside the Emir of Suleija, Alhaji Auwaal Ibrahim and the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Mohammed Sanusi. Also, Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has commiserated with Justice Kutigi over the death of his wife. Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, expressed sadness over the death. “Let me express the pains of the northern States Governors’ Forum over the sudden death of Hajiya Maryamu Kutigi. She died at the time her husband needed her most. For us at the forum, it is indeed a huge loss. “We however pray that Allah (SWT) will grant her Jannatu Firdausi. It is also our prayers that Justice Kutigi will have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. We call on members of the ongoing National Conference to rally round their bereaved chairman to accomplish the national assignment before them,” he said.

that is not being supplied, the government is lending credence to the belief in some quarters that these so-called private companies were floated by the political elite to further impoverish the Nigerian people. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has failed to meet the power generation target it set in June 2012, by 4,755 megawatts, New Telegraph has learnt. A report commissioned by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) showed that it uncovered a huge reduction in available energy capacity, which the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) projected

at 9,061mw in June 2012, but which stood at 4,306mw as at March 31, this year. “This is a 52 per cent reduction on projected capacity. The reasons for this huge loss have been extensively reported and explained,” the report read. Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, had earlier revealed that efforts would be made to ensure that the power industry remained financially viable and continued to attract investments but the report showed that the reverse might be the case following the fall in projected power generation. “Suffice to say that

the consequence of this loss of available capacity completely outweighs the benefits that were gained from the positive macroeconomic indices,” the report stated. These developments came hours after electricity consumers rejected the proposed hike in electricity tariff. The NERC had earlier announced a review of the electricity tariff system as contained in the MYTO-2 released in 2012. Chairman, Egbatedo Community in Ota, Ogun State, Alhaji Ololade Bakare, told New Telegraph that NERC had no basis

to increase electricity tariff with the present poor electricity supply in the country. According to him, the crazy and estimated billing and other sharp practices, which the new investors inherited from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is still going. “The NERC has no logical basis to hike the tariff without ensuring that electricity consumers are properly metered first,” he said, adding that any “attempt to do this means that the commission is not sensitive to the plight of the consumers.”

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; wife of the deceased, Lady Doja Otedola; son, Femi; former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, during tributes to the former Lagos State Governor, Sir Michael Otedola in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Senate committee clears NNPC over $49.8bn ‘missing’ fund CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Sanusi had in September 2013 alleged that the NNPC was indebted to the national treasury to the tune of $49.8 billion unremitted oil revenue from the various transactions it carried out from January 2012 to July 2013. Following this weighty allegation, the Senate Committee on Finance, through the resolution of the Red Chamber at its plenary session in December 2013, went into investigation, to ascertain the authenticity or otherwise of Sanusi’s claims. However, when he appeared before the committee in December 2013, Sanusi changed his position, alleging that out of the initial $49.8 billion said to be missing, NNPC only failed to remit $12 billion. Later on, he reduced it to $10.8 billion and finally raised the figure to $20 billion. In the report, the committee said that it discovered that the CBN, NNPC, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum Resources had reconciled $47 billion which it also noted

had been remitted into the federation account. The committee said that it could not reconcile how the suspended CBN Governor arrived at the alleged missing $49.8 billion. Part of the report reads: “The committee could not see how the figure of $49.8 billion was arrived at by the CBN Governor, for instance. The CBN governor at the first hearing had put forward the figure of US$12 billion as monies to be reconciled and changed his position to $US $20 billion at subsequent hearing. At the conclusion of his written submission, he posited that it could be $20 billion, US$10.8 billion or anything in between.” Explaining further on the alleged unremitted $20 billion, the report said it found that the sum of $218 million considered as federation account share of the third party financing was still in dispute. It also noted that another sum of $447.8 million which it described as the federation account share from the $6.815 billion listings by NNPC on behalf

of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) remained in dispute. The report further noted that the sum of $262 million which the committee described as expenses incurred by the NNPC in respect of Holding Strategic Reserve pipeline maintenance and management cost/capital expenditure is also in dispute. However, the committee asked the NNPC to refund the $262 million into the federation account, since in the opinion of the committee, the corporation could not satisfactorily defend it. The report also said the total kerosene subsidy paid but not appropriated for by the National Assembly between 2012 and 2013 was $4.430 billion. The committee said that the amount might exceed this figure because certification by the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for the period was interim. On the expenditure incurred by the corporation on subsidy which

was not captured by the Appropriation Act, the committee advised President Goodluck Jonathan to prepare and present to the National Assembly supplementary budget to cover the expenditure of the sum of N90.6 billion for PMS (premium motor spirit) subsidy in 2012 and the sum of N685.910 billion for kerosene subsidy expended without appropriation by the National Assembly. The committee blamed the Ministry of Finance, CBN and the NNPC for what it described as lack of co-ordination in record keeping with regard to crude oil proceeds remittances. The committee recommended that inter-agency reconciliation meetings between sensitive economic institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, NNPC, CBN and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) should be done on regular basis in order to avoid similar episode, and ensure that all revenues are properly and legally accounted for.

NEWS

Kalu calls for prayer

minent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has urged Nigerians to support their leaders with prayers. Kalu, in his Democracy Day message to Nigerians signed by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, said the current security challenge facing the country is a threat to its nascent democracy if not properly managed. He also challenged the nation’s leaders to deliver on their promises to the people in order to reduce the tension in the country. He said: “As we celebrate the 2014 Democracy Day, we should all reflect on our contributions to the society as individuals and as a nation. “Democracy is about the people and their wellbeing. “I appeal to our leaders to make life meaningful for the people by providing the basic needs of life.” Kalu equally said Nigerians should not see the Boko Haram insurgency as solely the responsibility of President Goodluck Jonathan. He said: “Irrespective of tribe, religion, political affiliation and any other divide, we must collectively work towards overcoming the security challenge."

Be vigilant, Glo urges Nigerians

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Niger Speaker tasks politicians

DEMOCRACY DAY

Chukwu David ABUJA

he Senate yesterday congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan, all former Presidents and Heads of State, the legislature, executive and judiciary and all Nigerians on the successful operation of democratic rule in the country for 15 years. This was even as many senators lamented the devastating effects of insecurity, corruption and deepening mass unemployment in the country. The Senate also urged Nigerians to unite in the prosecution of the war against terrorism and agents of instability, urging Nigerians to stand as one, united, indivisible country. It further paid tributes to all patriotic citizens and pillars of democracy and the armed forces for subordinating themselves to civil authority in the last fifteen years. The Red Chamber made these resolutions sequel to a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and 108 other senators, entitled; “Felicitation on

49.3

Senate congratulates Jonathan, others N

Dan Atori MINNA

Nigeria’s 15th democracy anniversary.” Leading the debate on the motion, Ndoma-Egba said; “The Senate notes that Nigeria’s nascent democracy is maturing as she celebrates the 15th anniversary of her democracy today. “Satisfied that Nigeria’s bastion of democracy, the National Assembly, is steadily canalising its practice and procedures in line with international best practices. “Confident that the developments in the transport sector, the success in agriculture, the promises in the power sector and the imminent passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will transform Nigeria into an economic power. “Determined to enact legislation that would facilitate the transformation agenda and deliver bountiful dividends of democracy to her citizens and build stronger bonds

The number of newspaper journalists per 1m inhabitants of Cape Verde in 2005. Blatantworld.com

of unity.” With the above preamble by the Senate Leader, he set the pace for contributions from the members, who were ready to pour their feelings on the democratic journey so far. Contributing, Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi, said the National Assembly had done well within the last fifteen years. He, however, lamented that the executive had neglected the nation’s apex parliament by not respecting its resolutions over the years. Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on his part observed that Nigeria has recorded tremendous achievements in the last fifteen years, pointing out that a lot of infrastructural facilities had been put in place. He, however, frowned at the attitude of Nigerians towards the law, regretting that Nigerians were in the habit of violating

803,940

The total area (in sq. km) of Pakistan. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

the constitution and other laws of the land. “Nigerians don’t obey laws. All the countries in the world that must move forward must obey God and also obey the law,” he stressed. Senator Emmanuel Paulker said; “The worst form of democracy is better than any form of military dictatorship. Power is almost stabilising; industries will come back on stream as power is improved upon. So, democracy is the best form of government.” Senator Ahmed Lawan noted that within these 15 years, the relationship between the executive and the legislature, which was nothing to write home about, had improved, pointing out that the situation deteriorated again from the year 2011. According to Senator Ahmed Lawan; “We have made some progress in the area of infrastructural development."

200,000

The number of internally displaced persons reportedly returned in Kenya in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

‘Kwara is safe'

ational telecoms carrier, Globacom has congratulated Nigerians on fifteen unbroken years of democracy. In a statement released by the company yesterday on the nation’s Democracy Day, Globacom said it identified with the government and people of the country on the 15th anniversary of democratic rule. It noted that it was commendable that the country had witnessed uninterrupted civilian rule since the return to democracy in 1999. Group Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mohamed Jameel, said that despite present challenges in Nigeria, there was cause for Nigerians to reflect on the strides made in the last few years in the journey to civil rule and nationhood. He observed that with perseverance, patriotism and collective determination to keep the country together, Nigeria would overcome the security challenges and other issues confronting the nation. Globacom enjoined Nigerians to continue to be vigilant, forthright, focused and righteous in the quest to build an egalitarian society where there will be equal opportunities and enduring good governance culture.

igerians, especially politicians, have been urged to avoid actions and utterances that can jeopardise the nation's hard-earned democracy. The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Adamu Usman, made the call yesterday in his message to mark this year's Democracy Day. Adamu challenged politicians to always uphold the tenets of democracy by being transparent, honest and sincere in their undertakings, adding that all hands must be on deck to guarantee the survival of the present democratic dispensation. The Speaker, who urged Nigerians to allow the significance of the celebration reflect in their relationship with one another urged the political class to always eschew politics of bitterness and hatred and all undemocratic tendencies. According to him, "Fifteen years of democratic rule has brought unprecedented growth and development to Niger State, especially in the areas of education, health, agriculture, access roads, youth and women development as well as productive civil service."

Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; Chairman, Mr. Olatunde Ayeni and Company secretary, Mrs. Abimbola Izu, during the bank’s 8th Annual General Meeting in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Democracy, best option says Tambuwal Philip Nyam ABUJA

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that despite the challenges confronting the nation, democracy remains the only option available to Nigerians to weather the storm and build a prosperous country. He said democracy as

a system of government does not thrive on an empty stomach; hence all leaders must work collectively to reduce poverty and promote the quality of life of Nigerians. In a message to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day, issued on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal

identified sincerity of purpose, peaceful co-existence and rapid socioeconomic development of all sectors as critical elements in deepening democracy and the rule of law. According to him, Nigerians have shown great faith in democracy and its institutions; as such no challenge should be allowed to dampen their enthusi-

asm and desire for the progress of the people. While congratulating Nigerians for witnessing 15 years of uninterrupted democracy in the country, the Speaker noted that the House of Representatives and indeed the National Assembly, will live up to its billings by enacting laws for the peace, unity and good governance of the nation.

wara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulFattah Ahmed promised yesterday that no community in the state would be left out of his administration’s development initiatives. He also called on indigenes of the state resident outside the state to come home and contribute to its development. His administration, he said, has been able to provide the needed environment for investment to thrive, adding that there were now many lucrative business opportunities in the state. Ahmed, who made the pledge while commissioning the IjaraIsin-Isanlu-Isin road in Isin Local Government Area and the rehabilitated Oro-Ijomu-Oro Road in Irepodun Council, explained that most projects in the state were being implemented through multiple financing windows due to the current financial situation of the country. He described the promise as part of the commitment of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to the provision of infrastructure in the state.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

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Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

APC behind Bring Back Our Girls campaign, says FG Anule Emmanuel he Federal Government yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) as being behind the nationwide street protests that have followed the kidnap of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State. Minister of information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who briefed State House Correspondents after the

weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa, Abuja said 90 per cent of those protesting against government for the release of the girls were members of the opposition party. Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states where insurgency has been on the rise is controlled by the APC. Yesterday's council meeting was presided over by President Goodluck

Jonathan. Maku explained that instead of joining forces with government to tackle insurgency, particularly the excesses of the Boko Haram sect, some groups have taken to playing politics with security issues. He said a larger percentage of security spending by government was dedicated to addressing security challenges in states of

the opposition who unfortunately remain unappreciative of current efforts. He said: "The entire money we are spending is to maintain security in states controlled by that party. So why do you come back and start playing politics? "We are busy spending money to maintain security in those states, what have they done about it? Because 90 per cent of all

insurgency is in states controlled by that party." The minister blamed the Nigerian media for failing to ask relevant questions, particularly from the opposition group on the current security problem. "I think that honestly if we want this country to grow, we must ask the relevant questions. The Chibok girls remain our number one priority, we will never sleep, we will not

rest until God brings them out,” he added. He stressed however that the current security problem in parts of the North East was not created by the Federal Government. "We did not create this insurgence or the structure that led to them, you know where they came from but you are now blaming the fire fighter for the fire."

Reps probe Agip over dumping of toxic waste Philip Nyam

Abuja

L-R: Mr. Sweet Chima Asouzw; European Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion; Ambassador of Argentina to Nigeria, Gustavo Dzugala; former governor of Abia state, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and Nigeria High Commissioner to Mozambique, Ozo Nwobu, during a reception in honour of the European delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS in Abuja…on Tuesday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

981,319

The number of people in refugee-like situation in Afghanistan at the end of 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

101m

The number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) in 2012. Source: Itu.int

$US5.8bn

The annual estimated cost of intimate partner violence in United States in 2003. Source: Unwomen.org

Obama: We won’t stop with Chibok girls’ search

Tributes as Lagos stands still for Otedola

lNigeria to benefit from $5bn global fund

lSon pledges N1bn support for education in Lagos

Tunde Sulaiman

Muritala Ayinla and Wale Elegbede minent personalities yesterday gathered at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, to pay their last respect to the former Governor of Lagos State, late Sir Michael Otedola. In tributes to the former governor, Nigerians described him as a rare administrator, whose legacies would forever be remembered and appreciated in the state. Among those who were at “The Day of Tributes,” for the late governor, were the first Executive Governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; former governor of Osun State and Military Administrator in Lagos State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (rtd); Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu; billionaire businessman and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Also, the Lagos State

with agency report

United States will Ttohe extend its assistance Nigeria beyond the

search for the over 200 girls kidnapped from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State last month to other areas like education. This hint was dropped yesterday by President Barrack Obama during his foreign policy speech at the top US military academy in West Point. Obama used the occasion to announce a new $5 billion counterterrorism partnerships fund from which Nigeria is also likely to benefit. The cash will help countries in the Middle East, Africa and East Asia fight terrorism. He announced the plan as he set out his foreign policy vision. "I am calling on Congress to support a new

counter-terrorism partnerships fund of up to $5 billion, which will allow us to train, build capacity and facilitate partner countries on the front lines," said Obama. Citing Nigeria as example, Obama said the US could not fold its arms and allow events in other parts of the world to snowball out of control and then have to be called in to intervene. “We can’t just sit back and allow things happen in other countries like Nigeria where Boko Haram is preventing children from going to school, and say it is not our business. Our values cannot allow such to happen and that is why we are there helping in the search for the missing school girls.” He, however, dismissed any notion that the mere presence of American troops in Nigeria would put an end to insurgency in the country.

governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, led members of the state executive council as well as prominent community leaders from Odoiragunshi, the deceased’s hometown at the colourful event. This came even as the billionaire son of the late former governor, Mr. Femi Otedola, pledged a donation of N1billion for the support of education in Lagos State. Speaking at the occasion, Gover nor Fashola, who made the announcement of the donation, said the funds would be disbursed through the Otedola Foundation and would be mainly deployed to provide scholarships for indigent students. The governor said the state government would work closely with the foundation to ensure that the funds were utilised strictly for the purpose it was meant for.

he House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate Agip Oil Company (NAOC) for allegedly dumping 469 tons of toxic waste in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State. The decision followed a motion brought before the House by Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), alleging that NAOC and its business associates have been dumping toxic waste materials in Aboh, Oloa-Ogwashi, UkwuOba, Isheagu, Ossissa, Obikwele, Igbuku and some other communities in Delta State. In approving the motion, the House, presided over by Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, mandated the House committee on environment led by Uche Ekwunife to investigate and report back within two weeks. While leading debate on the motion, which was seconded by Nado

Karibo (PDP, Bayelsa), Ossai disclosed that there was a reported case of dumping of 469 tons of toxic waste in the communities, recalling that a similar incident occurred in October 2012 when NAOC dumped 30 drums of toxic crude oil into the mangrove of Sabatoru-Etiama axis in Nembe Kingdom of Bayelsa State. He said earlier in January 2009, some drums of harmful wastes were discovered by the police in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos, and no fewer than eight persons involved in the evacuation of the deadly wastes were hospitalised after inhaling fumes therefrom. The lawmaker lamented that the NAOC and other International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country appear to have developed the habit of dumping toxic waste in remote communities and swamps, thereby endangering human and environmental health.

ASUP strike: Police shoot, arrest students Mojeed Alabi and Adesina Wahab student was shot in the hand yesterday as policemen attempted to disperse students of polytechnics and colleges of education who had gathered at the Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, for a rally to protest the lingering crisis between the teachers' unions and the Federal Government. The staudents had been out of school for over 10 months. Many journalists were also manhandled by the policemen. The rally organised by the National Association of Polytechnic Students, (NAPS), in conjunction with the Students' Union Government of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, and had repre-

sentatives from many polytechnics across the federation, including Kaduna Polytechnic; Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State; Lagos State Polytechnic, among others, was targeted at obstructing the busy Third Mainland Bridge, to attract the sympathy of the public. But as the students moved from YABATECH towards Adekunle axis of Yaba to link the bridge, they were confronted by heavilyarmed policemen, who ordered them to disperse immediately. However, when the students refused to disperse, the policemen, according to the NAPS Senate President, Salahudeen Lukman, began to disperse them with teargas but later began to fire live bullets.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Edo House accuses opposition of plot to destabilise govt Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ajority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Philip Shaibu, yesterday said that the House and the executive arm of government were aware of the plot by the opposition in the state to destabilise the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Shaibu stated this in an interview with newsmen in Benin City, the state capital. He said APC lawmakers with the interest of Edo people at heart are determined to lay down their lives towards protecting the integrity of the House and the government in power. The Majority Leader insisted that the plan was meant to fail, pointing out that; “The people of Edo State will never allow charlatans take over the state and I can tell you, some of us, including majority of my colleagues in the House, who believe that the state is working can lay down our lives to protect the integrity of the House and protect democ-

lAs secret plan to impeach Oshiomhole leaks lMy quarrel with Oshiomhole, by Ize-Iyamu racy in Edo State” Shaibu continued: “We are aware of their plots but they will fail. My joy is that we have lawmakers here who believe strongly in the developmental strides of the governor, so they cannot be part of such plot to impeach him.” Investigation also showed that this may not be unconnected with the supremacy battle rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP, which may soon tear members of the state House of Assembly apart. Already, an alleged plot by forces loyal to the PDP towards perfecting the impeachment of the Governor Oshiomhole, his Deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu and the Speaker of the House, Mr. Uyi Igbe respectively, has leaked out. The plan it was gathered was to accord the PDP a majority voice in the 24-member House. It will be recalled that four members of the APC loyal to Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, recently defected

to the opposition PDP, bringing to eight the number of opposition party legislators and 15 APC lawmakers in the House. Investigation by New Telegraph revealed that the plot was perfected by the PDP lawmakers and some eggheads of the opposition party. Accusing fingers were also pointed at some of the masterminds of the impeachment scheme, who allegedly have been induced with N30 million and N20 million each to execute the plan that was aimed at paving the way for majority seats for the opposition PDP ahead of the 2015 elections. Meanwhile, a former leader of the APC and now a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has attributed his quarrel with Governor Oshiomhole to the latter’s influence in the rationalisation of political position in Orhionnmwon, his own stronghold, during the congresses. Ize-Iyamu stated this yesterday during a press

conference in Benin City, the state capital. He said out of the 12 wards in Orhionmwon, the governor decided to allocate five wards to him, another five went to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, while one each went to one Mr. Ebegbue Amadasun and Comrade Godwin Erhahon respectively, a development he said was against the party’s constitution. According to him, “My problem with the congresses started when the governor invited me and said in Orhionmwon, where you come from you will take five wards, deputy governor will take five wards, we will give Dr. Amadasun one, we will give Comrade Erhahon one, making 12.” He noted that the APC constitution specified that “even when you have consensus, there must be an election.” The PDP chieftain said: “I have no problem with harmonisation, I have no problem with consensus, but you know consensus is when everybody agrees. It is fine when everybody agrees, no problem.

Court grants APC’s request to join suit against senators Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday granted an application brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to be joined as a co-defendant in the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP seeking to unseat 11 senators who defected from the party. The PDP and its National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, had instituted the suit against the defected senators. The plaintiffs are praying the court to declare the seats of the defected senators vacant having abandoned the party on which platform they won elections into the Senate. The APC, however, brought an application seeking to be joined as a party in the suit. Delivering a short ruling, the trial judge, Justice A. R. Mohammed granted APC’s prayer to be joined along with the already existing 13 defendants, which included the 11 defected senators. Plaintiffs’ counsel had earlier told the court that he was not opposed to the application for joinder. Though, INEC was not represented yesterday in

Again, Boko Haram kills 42 in Borno Ahmed Miringa MAIDUGURI

unmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists invaded Gurmushi village in Marte Local Government area of Borno State, killing over 42 people, while 12 others sustained injuries after the terrorists burned down the village. A resident, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent on phone that the gunmen stormed the village in the

early hours of yesterday, shooting sporadically and setting houses ablaze. He said: “I counted over 40 corpses, while the village was completely razed down; most of us ran into the bush for safety.” Another resident, who spoke with the BBC Hausa Service, monitored in Maiduguri, said she fled from the village to the neighbouring Cameroun, adding that 42 people were killed, while the 12 injured were receiving treatment at a Camerounian hospital

near the border. The resident said they have all fled the village to Cameroun for fear of another attack from the sect, as according to him, they have intensified their attacks in the area in recent times. Efforts to get the spokesman of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, Col. Muhammed Dole and the Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jibrin, for confirmation did not yield any result as their cell phones were switched off.

State High Court AielKano has sentenced one DanOkpara to a three-year

jail term, for impersonating the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Lamorde. Okpara, who was convicted of a three-count charge of operating a

fake facebook account, in the name of Lamorde, was convicted by Justice Farouq Lawal, who ordered that the sentence run "concurrently". The disclosure was contained in a statement signed yesterday, by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren. According to the statement, the convict, after

The Executive Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Samuel Pam, on behalf of the management and the entire staff heartily rejoice with the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; the Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo; the Senate President, Senator David Mark; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and our dear Governor, Dr. Jonah David Jang; his deputy, Mr. Ignatius Longjan; the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Titus Alams and indeed all Nigerians on the occasion of the Nation’s fifteen years of unbroken democratic rule. We at the Internal Revenue Service identify with the laudable transformational strides our great leader, the Captain of the Redemption Government, Dr. Jonah Jang. Sir, your untiring effort at bringing democratic dividends to all nooks and crannies of the state has clearly shown how passionate your government is towards the development of your people which has projected you as a patriot and a democrat to the core, a leader of the people.

opening the facebook account, he "began to solicit and collect money from job seekers under the pretext of offering them employment at the commission." The statement added that the convict pleaded guilty to the three-count charge "of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence preferred against him by the EFCC."

Your prudent and judicious managment of the state’s resources for the overall development of the state has stimulated the citizens to reason and join hands with the government by fulfilling their civic obligation through voluntary tax compliance. While you continue to provide democratic dividends to the good people of the state, we wish you sound health and God’s guidance.

‘Uzodinma not eyeing Okorocha's job' Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Chief Hope Uzodimma, has de-

nied speculations that he has declared interest in next year’s governorship election in Imo State. Uzodimma, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation declared in a statement

yesterday that his preoccupation for now was to rebuild Imo PDP and strengthen it to recapture power in the state, and also ensure total victory for President Jonathan, in 2015.

court, like other defendants in the suit, it did not oppose APC’s application. The court subsequently struck out the PDP’s counter-affidavit after its counsel, Dr. Amaechi Nwaiwu (SAN), informed that the party was withdrawing its opposition to the application. The court then ordered in its ruling that the plaintiffs’ originating summon be served on the APC, through its counsel, James Ocholi (SAN). According to the judge, “The application dated April 15 seeking leave for the APC to be joined as a co-defendant in this suit is hereby granted as prayed. “The originating summon shall be served on the APC through its counsel, Ocholi James (SAN).” He later adjourned the matter till July 8 for further mention. In its application, the APC had prayed the court to allow it to be joined because the 11 senators, being its registered members would be affected by the outcome of the suit. The affected senators, who are joined as the second to 12th defendants, include Abdulahi Adamu, Ali Ndume, Umaru Dahiru, Shaaba Lafiaji, Bukola Saraki and Magnus Abe.

MESSAGE

Court jails man for impersonating EFCC chairman Emmanuel Onani

Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria, Long live Plateau State, Long live Plateau State Internal Revenue Service.

Dr. Jonah David Jang Governor, Plateau State

Signed:

Samuel Pam

Executive Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service

12 NEW TELEGRAPH

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com otuntise@yahoo.co.uk

THURSDAY, may 29, 2014

SUPREMACY BATTLE FERCSARA officials and Lagos State Task Force test their might with broken bottles and other weapons Muritala Ayinla

fficials of the Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offence Unit and those of the Federal Roads Committee on Surveilance and Action against Road Abuse (FERCSARA), yesterday engaged in a bloody clash at the Toll Gate area on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Several officials of both agencies sustained various degrees of injury in the encounter. It was gathered that about 230 FERCSARA officials were arrested by the state task force. Some of those in the custody of the task force and the police in Ikeja said they were unemployed graduates who were being trained by the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) task force. When our correspondent visited the scene of the clash at the office of FERCSARA, broken bottles, pairs of shoes littered the parade ground while some offices were also shattered. Motorists plying the axis groaned as the clash led to gridlock which lasted for several hours. It was learnt that trouble started when some officials of FERCSARA stopped and beat up officials of the state task force for arresting a vehicle which flouted the Lagos Traffic Law. The state task force officials had arrested a Sienna car for plying the BRT lane around Ketu and were taken the vehicle to Alausa through the toll gate when they were accosted by FERCSARA officials. On getting to the toll gate area, the Sienna driver, with a task force official by his side, veered off into the FERCSARA premises to seek refuge from its officials. The FERCSARA officials allegedly mobilised and beat up the officials the state task force to prevent them from apprehending the driver. The injured state task force officials thereafter called for reinforcement from their Alausa headquarters.

0802 393 8212

FERCSARA, task force in bloody clash

Lokoja

unmen have assassinated the traditional ruler of Ojikpada village at Egume town, the Amana Attah, Chief Isa Edime, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. The late traditional ruler, who was a former zonal director of the Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria (FRCN), Abuja national office, was kidnapped in his palace by the gunmen and taken to an isolated road and shot him dead. The assailants also killed the Chairman of the Ogume Vigilante, Mr Muhammed Wada. The state Police Commis-

Elijah Samue

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Juliana Francis

A Some of the weapons used in the fight

Policemen from Alausa stormed the scene of the fight with several vehicles, including two Black Maria trucks. They arrested the FERCSARA officials. Speaking on the fracas, the Chairman of the state task force, CSP Bayo Sulaiman, said the FERCSARA officials attacked his men with bottles and dangerous weapons. Sulaiman said that there was no way an illegal taskforce could take over the

FERCSARA office

function of the police in Lagos. He said: “They beat up our men and held our men hostage. We will not allow them to take over our function and we arrested close to 100 of them. If we allow this to go unchecked, it will be worse next time. “They attacked our men with bottles and beat up one of them with plank and inflicted injuries on his body while other officers were also wounded.

“This is lawlessness, the police cannot be maltreated like that and we have to curb this illegality.” But speaking with our correspondent, the driver of the Sienna car, Timothy Uko, who hails from Delta State, claimed he never knew anyone in FERCSARA. He said he parked near FERCSARA’s office to beg the state task force officers so as not to cause traffic congestion on the ever-busy road.

Gunmen kill traditional Irate mob lynches ruler, vigilante kidnap suspect Muhammad Bashir

‘Mu end

sioner, Mr Sa’idu Madawaki, who led policemen to the scene of the incident, said that Edime and Wada were murdered on Tuesday night along the road after being abducted by yet-to-be-identified gunmen. He told journalists that the late Edime had last year reported to the police about threat to his life. Meanwhile, the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed shock over Edime’s gruesome murder. Edime is survived by 15 children, two wives, three daughters and two sons-inlaw. The NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Ali Atabor, said in statement that the incident was shocking.

The chairman, who described the late Edime as a veteran journalist, urged the government to overhaul the country’s security apparatus to check the reign of terror and unwarranted attacks on the innocent citizens. He said: “Chief Isa Edime is no doubt one of the finest broadcast journalists this country has ever produced. As a journalist, Chief Edime exhibited uncommon qualities of diligence, competence, intelligence and true professionalism. He was fearless and courageous. We are so pained that his life was cut short in this manner. “The entire working journalists in Kogi State and indeed the country will miss him dearly.”

Dominic Adewole Asaba

n irate mob yesterday lynched a motorcycle alleged to be a kidnapper in Eku-Kraka village in Delta State. Suspected kidnappers were on the trail of one S. A. Ogbemudia in Eku town before nemesis caught up with one of them. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the man and his gang members were chasing the said Ogbemudia on a motorcycle before the police were invited. According to her, when two of the suspected kidnappers saw the police, they made a quick U-turn and fled. She said: “Consequently, the DPO followed the complainant to the scene and discovered that the

third suspect, who later died, was arrested and seriously wounded by an irate mob.” Prior to his death, according to the PPRO, the suspect identified himself as Obodo Ochuko, and confessed to the crime. He mentioned three of his accomplices, including one Joseph, whose C-Class Mezedez Benz was used several times during their operations within the locality. The suspect led police operatives to their hideout in EkuKraka village where one Oghenejakpo Igubenu who was identified by their victim as the rider of the gang’s operational motorcycle was apprehended. Although, other gang members escaped arrest, items recovered from them include one English made berretta pistol with three rounds of live ammunition and one cut-to-size barrel gun.

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PROBES, SCANDALS, INSTABILITY DOMINATE PARLIAMENT AMIDST MODEST ACHIEVEMENT / PAGE 16 | JONATHAN’S MANY PROMISES / PAGE 18

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DEPUTY EDITOR, POLITICS

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PEACE STILL ELUSIVE THREE YEARS AFTER

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THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

Louis Achi

eering through the dark prism of the human crisis that defined his era, former French president, Giscard D’Estaing once proclaimed that history is tragic. Born during the First World War, he fought in the second global conflagration. Perhaps, from an insight shaped by being a participant and witness to the triumph of the human spirit over unimaginable odds, he counselled statesmen and world leaders: “There can be no response to history without effort.” D’Estaing’s pungent insight fundamentally captures something of Nigeria’s dilemma as she marks the 15th anniversary of civil rule today. Over the past 15 tumultuous years of democracy, her political leadership has been incapable or unwilling to make the necessary effort to respond to the challenges encapsulated in her peculiar history. This scenario has fundamentally hindered Nigeria’s democratic journey and crisis-ridden effort to forge a genuine nation state. Nigeria is the world’s fifth largest federation, after India, the United States, Brazil and Russia. In her 15 years of quirky democracy, there have been for sure, significant positive moments. One such milestone stands out. Invoking the curious “Doctrine of Necessity,” the National Assembly (NASS) moved to induct Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as acting president then. This was in the face of clear signals that the military could have moved in to end the contrived confusion scripted by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s minders to hold the nation to ransom over his health crisis. Though questions were raised as to whether the timely move by the National Assembly in synergy with governors was entirely informed by sheer nationalistic impulse or simply self-preservation. But the most important thing remains that an action was taken to avert an incipient truncation of democracy. But then there have been moments - too many moments - of infamy. These traverse the political, socio-economic and religious spheres. Though lending itself to various interpretations, some of the terrorist bloodletting that has swept several northern states, especially the North-East, and pockets of extreme violence in the south over the past 15 years border on loss of faith in the polity. In sum, this scenario firmly casts our democracy in the mould of a process in transition. Hence, in marking this anniversary the most urgent imperative is the cobbling of a new roadmap by the country’s political leadership, to deepen and guide a more meaningful national journey. The current National Conference would appear to speak to that imperative. An indisputable key focus area here would be the restoration of the legitimate dream of Nigerians and re-invention of a social contract in tatters. At a fundamental level, this footing will ease Nigeria from being a mere transitional democracy to a stable, just, productive and progressive democratic force on the African continent. But first, Nigerians and particularly its leaders must look inwards and be willing to court transformative change. Fifteen years on, corruption is still the stockin-trade of Nigerian democracy, firmly rooted in the subsisting centralised, cli-

15 years after: Still a transitional democracy

entelistic nature of politics. Political elite misappropriates huge public funds for their personal gain, while most of their constituents lack access to basics of life. The national parliament, for example, consumes an extreme proportion of the national resource. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), about 65 per cent of Nigerians live below poverty line. In this light, this level of resource consumption by a tiny per cent of the nation’s population is inexcusable and must not be allowed to stand. A puzzlingly over-bloated executive hardly helps the scenario. Three years ago, Nigeria was ranked 142 out of 169 least prosperous countries in the world, according to Human Development Index (HDI) data released last year by the UNDP. This puts us below Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Gambia. The HDI provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: life expectancy, adult literacy and purchasing power parity or income. HDI provides a broadened prism for viewing human progress and the complex relationship between income and well-being. Three years later, what have been the key changes to the foregoing scenario? The recent rebasing of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 puts Nigeria on the driving seat as the continent’s largest economy. Curiously, this magical arithmetic is hardly reflected in measurable human development conditions on the ground. As Nigeria mark 15 years of democracy, these are sobering realities. High poverty and unemployment levels mean that the average quality of life is poor. All these have meshed to put Nigeria on the list of fragile states in the world. At the dusk of the Olusegun Obasanjo

administration, the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), an autonomous unit of the World Bank in a report, “Engaging With Fragile States: An IEG Review of World Bank To The Low-income Countries Under Stress,” classified Nigeria as one of the 25 fragile states in the world. According to the report, fragile states are low-income nations that score three or less on a scale of one-to-six measuring economic policies, social equality and public sector management. We recall that the first military intervention in 1966 derived its impetus from the perception by the young, idealistic military majors that the social contract between the ruled and rulers was being brazenly rubbished. Unfortunately, subsequent interventionist coups provided pretty little contrast from impunities of civilian regimes. Over this period under review, the champions of reform are many but varied, and they tend to lack the resources commanded by beneficiaries of the status quo. An appraisal of 15 years of uninterrupted civil rule in Nigeria is necessarily an evaluation of the dominant ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As it CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

t was high hopes in 2011 when Nigerians trooped out in their numbers against all odds and elected President Goodluck Jonathan. Acclaimed to be the best the country had ever conducted in its over 50 years as an independent nation, the polls were however not without hitches as violence which broke out in some parts of the North claimed hundreds of lives. Whereas conflict and irregularities cannot be ruled out in any electoral process, it is evident that there is always room for improvement and consolidation. This may have explained why President Jonathan, apart from pledging total transformation of the country during his swearing-in on May 29, 2011, also promised to put the country on the road to democratic stability. However, developments in the polity since then have proved that the dark days are yet to be over, given rising cases of violence, particularly the insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country by the Boko Haram group, which has claimed several lives. Founded in 2002 in Maiduguri, Borno State by late Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram has grown from a mere band of religious adherents to gain international recognition as a result of the sectarian violence that it has introduced in the country since 2009. Though initial intelligence reports were said to have warned relevant government agencies at Boko Haram’s formative stage that the group portends a threat to the nation’s peace and stability, the warnings, were reportedly ignored. The failure was to manifest in 2004, when members of the group moved to Kanamma, Yobe State, where they set up a base from where they attacked and killed police officers attached to nearby police outposts. From Yobe, the sect spread to Bauchi. The group continued to carry out its activities unmolested until a police investigation, following reports of arms stock-pilling in 2009, sparked off deadly clashes with security forces. At the end of the crisis, an estimated 700 people were left dead. Security forces later seized the group’s headquarters, capturing its fighters and killing the sect’s leader, Yusuf. But an aftermath of the 2009 clash remains continued attacks on perceived opponents by members of the group who later regrouped under the leadership of Yusuf ’s deputy, Abubakar Shekau. New wave of violence A worrisome dimension to the Boko Haram uprising was recorded on June 17, 2011 (barely three weeks after President Jonathan assumed office), when the sect attacked the Police headquarters in Abuja. Believed to be the first suicide bombing in Nigeria’s history, the then Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim was specifically targeted in the devastating attack but he escaped unhurt. The Police headquarters attack ushered a wave of violent attacks by Boko Haram. First directed against Southerners, Christians and government targets, including the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja, they have been extended to Muslims as well. So far, an estimated 10, 000 lives have been claimed by the insurgency since 2011. A recent report by the UN, which gave the figure, also said nearly 500,000 people in northern Nigeria have fled their homes over fear of what it calls an “increasingly monstrous” insurgency that threatens food security in many parts of the country, as farmers have abandoned their fields. The report further said what was formerly an internal conflict has become a regional crisis, as the insurgency has spilled across borders into neighbouring West African countries. “With thousands of refugees fleeing from Nigeria, and arms and fighters reportedly flowing across international

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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Peace still elusive There has never been a time in the nation’s history since after the civil war that the country has come close to another strong reason to be fretful than at the moment, following the Boko Haram insurgency that is pushing the Nigerian state to the brink despite government’s efforts, FELIX NWANERI reports

Bombed Police Headquarters, Abuja

ram with the government constantly echoing “we are on top of the situation.”

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 borders in the other direction, this terrible conflict is no longer solely an internal matter,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, stated during a visit to Nigeria in March. In another report, Human Rights Watch said 2014 may be the worst year of the insurgency. It said Boko Haram has since January killed more than 700 people in attacks on 40 villages and dis-

Shekau

placed hundreds of thousands. Despite the frightening casualty figures, the Federal Government and military authorities have persistently maintained that it is beating Boko Ha-

Reported civilian deaths in Boko Haram attacks Sep 2010 - Apr 2014 350 300 250 200

Fatalities in schools and colleges Includes 185 killed in multiple bombs in Kano

150 100 50 0 Sep 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Source: Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, created by Prof. Clionadh Raleigh, University of Sussex

Emergency rule The Federal Government in a bid to contain the insurgency, on May 15, 2013 declared a state of emergency in the three states worst hit by the uprising. The states are Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. The emergency rule has been extended twice. President Jonathan had in announcing the measure in a nationwide broadcast, said the military will take “all necessary action to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.” He added: “What we are facing is not just militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity. We will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice.” He also announced deployment of more troops to the affected states for more effective internal security operations. “The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary actions to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists,” he explained. At the same time, the president stressed that despite the state of emergency, politicians in the three states would remain in their posts. The government’s measures, which also involved the closure of Nigeria’s borders with Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroun and the setting up of a special counter-terrorism force, were however seen by many then as insufficient to fight terror to a standstill. Subsequent developments were to prove these pessimists right to some extent, as few days after the state of emergency was declared, Boko Haram warned that Southerners had three days to leave the North or they would be eliminated.

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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Bombed UN building, Abuja

Kidnapped Chibok students as seen in the Boko Haram video

At the expiration of its ultimatum, the terror group struck in Mubi, Adamawa State; Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and Bogo in Gombe State, killing at least 36 people, mainly SouthEasterners.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who disclosed this last week, said of the disbursed figure, about N85.9 billion was to take care of the personnel costs of the agencies, which was handed to the military authorities for direct payment to their personnel. She added that based on the president’s contingency last year, some money was also used for the payment of additional N24.8 billion, while another approval by the president of N3.8 billion was still being processed. Assuring that government has done its best to disburse as and when due monies to agencies under the defence sector as needed for their operations, the minister said there were other requirements that needed extra allocation, including those for the Joint Task Force and special operations against terrorism. “No amount of budgetary provision can be enough for the military. The military all over the world that engages in war does not always have enough, particularly in this new type of war against terror, which requires equipment to assist them. I don’t think the Nigerian military would be different from any other in the world in the same circumstance,” she said. Okonjo-Iweala said government

Between dialogue and force At a time, the Federal Government declared that it was ready to dialogue with the members of the sect, but Boko Haram’s leadership quickly gave conditions for it to parley with the government. The sect, among others stated that Shariah Law should be implemented in the Northern part of the country where Muslims form the majority and the immediate release of all their members in detention. It also demanded the prosecution of all those involved in the killing of their leader – Yusuf – during the July 2009 crisis. “We request for an immediate investigation into the killing of our brothers through food poisoning which was perpetrated by prison warders with the connivance of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. Also, we want Federal Government to release the report of the committee of inquiry set up by late President Umaru Yar’Adua which was led by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar (rtd), to investigate the alleged extra-judicial killings of our brothers during the 2009 unrest,” the group demanded. It further stated that if the Federal Government cannot fulfill these conditions, they cannot participate in any dialogue, and that the deployment of troops by the Federal Government to the state cannot deter them from carrying out their attacks. “We challenge the government to seek assistance of FBI, CIA, the Israel intelligence agency, Mossad or Interpol, all these security outfits would not stop us from fulfilling our mission,” the group warned and has gone ahead on its killing spree since then. This unyielding posture of the group has continued to attract more support to advocates of full military action against the sect. Those who share this view, contend that the Federal Government should deploy more troops to assist officers and men of the Joint Military Task Force presently in states under the Boko Haram’s siege. High cost of ‘war’ Besides the high human casualty figure, the insurgency has in the past three years taken a large chunk of the national budget. As at September 2013, government said it has spent over N1.37 trillion tackling insecurity in the country. A breakdown of the figure showed that the Federal Government expended N237 billion in 2011; N300 billion in

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 2012 and N800 billion in 2013. And out of a total budget of N4.962 trillion for 2014, allocation to the defence sector was N968.1 billion (20 per cent) because of the growing state insecurity in the country. The Federal Government said it has already disbursed about N130.7 billion of the sum to relevant authorities, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Corps between January and April. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs.

Timeline of terror June 7, 2011

Attacks on a church and two police posts in Maiduguri, leave at least 14 dead.

June 16, 2011

The sect targets Police Headquarters in Abuja, killing two.

June 26, 2011

The sect’s gun and bomb attack on a beer garden in Maiduguri leaves at least 25 dead and dozens injured.

August 26, 2011

A suicide bomb blast that rocked the UN compound in Abuja, killed at least 24 people.

November 4, 2011

A series of attacks on police targets and churches in Damaturu, Yobe State killed at least 150 people.

December 22-23, 2011

A series of attacks in the cities of Damaturu, Potiskum and Maiduguri along with a heavy military crackdown leave up to 100 people dead.

December 25, 2011

A series of attacks targeting churches during Christmas services as well as police targets leave at least 49 people dead.

January 5, 2012

Gunmen open fire on worshippers at a church, killing six in an attack on the outskirts of Gombe.

January 6, 2012

Gunmen fired on Christian mourners in Mubi, killing 17 people.

January 20, 2012

Coordinated attacks in Kano leave over 200 people dead.

April 19, 2013

Fierce fighting between troops and suspected Islamists in Baga, Borno State kills 187 people while 77 others are injured.

September 17, 2013

An attack by Boko Haram Islamists disguised in military uniforms in the northeastern Benisheik area in Borno state kills at least 142 people.

February 15, 2014

An attack leaves more than 100 people dead in the mostly Christian village of Izghe in Borno.

April 14, 2014

Gunmen kidnap 276 female students in Chibok, Borno State.

April 14, 2014

A blast at a bus station in Nyanya, on the outskirts of Abuja, kills at least 75 people.

May 5, 2014

At least 300 people are killed in an attack at Gamboru Ngala, a town near the border with Cameroun.

May 20, 2014

At least 118 dead and 56 wounded in two attacks on a market in Jos, Plateau State.

needs to spend expeditiously to ensure the defence sector receives the right support to prosecute their counterinsurgency operations. Chibok draws global attention Government’s persistent claim of being on top of the situation was finally put to question on April 14, when 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. The abduction, which sparked off outrage across the world, has forced the Federal Government to review its stance on foreign assistance in the fight against the insurgents. President Jonathan, while addressing the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) hosted by Nigeria, said he believed assistance from the United States (U.S) and United Kingdom (UK) governments would help resolve the crisis. The two world powers have already personnel who are working with the Nigeria military in the search for the girls. Besides the U.S and UK, other nations that are assisting in the hunt for the missing schoolgirls are France, China and Canada. US President, Barack Obama, said the Chibok kidnappings “may be the event that helps to mobilise the entire international community to finally do something against this horrendous organisation that has perpetrated such a terrible crime.” But the question many have asked in view of the latest development is: Will the multi-national effort bring an end to the litany of bombings and escalating violence that have given rise to hints in some quarters of a possibility of a sectarian war breaking out in Nigeria? President Jonathan whose government has witnessed more fretful moments than any other successive administration since after the civil war, as a result of the insurgency believes the Chibok kidnappings will mark the beginning of the end of the Boko Haram terror. Addressing dignitaries at the WEF including the Chinese premier, Li Keqiang and the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, he said: “By God’s grace, we’ll defeat the terrorists. I believe the kidnap of these girls will be the beginning of the end of terrorism in Nigeria.” The assurance notwithstanding, not a few people would be disappointed with the President’s promise. His past homilies that the Boko Haram insurgency will soon “fizzle out” without demonstrating practical strategies for achieving it have forced most citizens to view such pledges with doubt. To some analysts, the Jonathan administration is yet to wake up from its dangerous complacency.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Probes, scandals, instability dominate PHILIP NYAM reviews the activities of the parliament in Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999

or the first time in the history of the nation, the legislature has functioned for 15 years without any break. It is axiomatic that the parliament has gone through a chequered history. In the First Republic, the parliament was cut short after the military coup de’tat of January 15, 1966; just as it lasted for only four years during the Second Republic following the overthrow of the Shehu Shagari-led civilian administration. The shortest parliament was during the Third Republic, which lasted for less than a year. But now, it seems sustainable democracy has been installed in the nation. Leadership instability When the legislature resumed in 1999 after 16 years of being in coma, one of the major problems it faced was the high turnover of principal officers. The first four year were christened “learning process”. The House of Representatives began on a sour note as its first speaker, Salisu Buhari was caught in the web of perjury and certificate forgery and was forced to resign after a brief stint as the youngest speaker of the House ever at 29. Buhari was prosecuted and convicted but was subsequently pardoned by President Olusegun Obasanjo. Buhari, a diploma certificate holder, had claimed to have obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto in Canada. He also raised his years to be qualified to contest for the election. His exit paved way for the election of Ghali Umar Na’Abba, whose leadership was constantly on collision course with the Presidency. In the Senate, Senator Evans Enwerem was virtually foisted on the upper house by Obasanjo who stopped the most popular candidate, Senator Chuba Okadigbo from becoming Senate President. But like Buhari, identity crisis would soon hit Enwerem over allegations of age falsification and whether he was Evans or Evan. All attempts to stave off the allegations fell on deaf ears as he was consequently impeached. Okadigbo suddenly became the biblical stone the builders rejected as he succeeded Enwerem. The great political philosopher did not last as well. He was also impeached over allegations of corruption and highhandedness. The ascension of Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as Senate President brought some form of stability in the Red Chamber. There was also a cordial relationship with the Executive. Unfortunately, the robust relationship was ephemeral as Anyim would soon be on a parallel line with Obasanjo and his governor, Dr. Sam Egwu. However, with the tacit support of his colleagues, Anyim trudged on and completed his term in 2003. The leadership instability continued after 2003, as Senator Adolphus Wabara, who was virtually propped up by Obasanjo as Senate President, suddenly lost favour with the Presidency and was forced to resign in 2005 thereby paving way for Senator Ken Nnamani. Nnamani’s tenure was very eventful and with his visionary leadership, the Senate succeeded in killing Obasanjo’s Third Term agenda in 2006. It is instructive to note that none of the Senate presidents ever came back to the chambers after their first term. However, since 2007, David Mark has brought an uncanny stability to the Senate and has maintained a hold on the Senate with his deputy, Senator Ike

National Assembly complex

Mark

Tambuwal

Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha on June 5, 2011 against the zoning arrangement of the majority party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The lawmakers had abandoned the anointed candidate, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola and asserted their independence to vote for Tambuwal.

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 Ekweremadu. In the House, Speaker Aminu Bello Masari (2003 to 2007) also completed his tenure without much trouble. Hon. Patricia Etteh became the first female Speaker in June 2007 but could not last for six months following allegations of N628 million house renovation contracts that swept her off the coveted position. Etteh was forced to resign. Speaker Dimeji Bankole succeeded Etteh on November 1, 2007. Bankole’s tenure was the most controversial and was marked with allegations of corruption and in-fighting amongst the lawmakers. The most eventful activity in the House was the election of

Legislative-Executive relationship Masari and Etteh’s leadership also worked dutifully with the executive without confrontation. Under Bankole’s leadership, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua never had it so good with the House on matters relating to budget, which was their major point of disagreement. In 2008, a disagreement arose because of the National Assembly’s decision to jerk up the budget proposal from the initial presentation by the president. The relationship between the executive and the present leadership, under Tambuwal is also not cordial. From the election of the Speaker, the petroleum subsidy and Capital Market investigation, the rapport between the Presidency and the House nosedived significantly. Except for the express approval granted the state of emergency, the House is never on the same page with the executive. The Okadigbo/ Na’Abba era The most dynamic National As-

sembly was witnessed in the heydays of Okadigbo as Senate President and Na’Abba as speaker. Senate President Enwerem had worked closely with President Obasanjo. But when he was impeached and Okadibgo came on board, the game changed. Okadigbo worked in cahoots with Na’Abba and they gave the Presidency a run for its money. Okadigbo and Na’Abba had led a proactive campaign for the independence of the legislature against Obasanjo’s overbearing tendencies and the control of the party (PDP). The House under Buhari’s shortlived tenure had a very cordial relationship with the executive. But Na’Abba’s tenure witnessed a hostile posture. Then President Obasanjo and the House were almost always at loggerheads. It was during this time that an impeachment move was initiated against Obasanjo prompting him to describe the action as ‘a joke taken too far’. The Na’Abba-led House had compiled over 100 constitutional violations against Obasanjo and was ready to take on the president. All attempts to remove Na’Abba by Obasanjo could not see the light of the day either; the lawmakers stood firm in support of the radical speaker. Unfortunately, Okadigbo could not reign for long and was shoved off courtesy of a corruption allegation involving traffic lights contracts from the National Assembly to the Federal Secretariat. He was also accused of tyranny by his colleagues. Relationship between Senate and House The relationship between the two chambers was very cordial from 1999 up till 2007. But the Bankole years witnessed an estranged relationship of the two chambers. Both chambers found it extremely difficult to agree on issues. In 2008, the House and Senate were largely divided over the 2008 Appropriation Bill leading to a delay in the harmonisation and eventual passage of the bill. While the House passed a N1.8 trillion budget, the Senate came out with N1.7 trillion. This degenerated into a war of attrition before it was resolved. Again, in 2008 the 88-member drawn from both chambers to review the 1999 Constitution got entangled in what many Nigerians view as an unnecessary superiority war. While the Senate wanted the Deputy Senate President to chair the National Assembly Joint Constitution Review Committee (JCRC), the House insisted that the Deputy Speaker

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Thursday, May 29, 2014

parliament amidst modest achievement ried the campaign into the National Assembly. Unfortunately, the plot met stiff opposition from within and outside the parliament thereby leading to the failure of the entire constitution review process as on May 16, 2006, the Senate under the leadership of Nnamani unanimously voted against the plan. The House under Masari also followed suit and the issue was put to rest. This is one of the most audacious decisions the National Assembly took

Nnamani

Okadigbo

should co-chair it. The disagreement led to the abortion of the retreat put together in Minna, Niger State to kick start the process. This was however resolved later and the constitution was for the first time, successfully amended. In the present assembly, both houses have maintained a cordial working relationship. There has not been any major disagreement between the chambers. For example, both chambers worked harmoniously on the 2012 and 2013 budgets in spite of their differences. In fact, the 2014 budget was passed without differences. Again, the endorsement of the state of emergency proclamation by both houses also exuded a spirit of cordiality.

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014

Probes and corruption scandal One feature of the National Assembly in the last 15 years is its inquest into allegations of corruption, mismanagement, misappropriation and general running of government ministries, departments and agencies. This exercise, in most cases cause disharmony between the legislature and the executive. Most disturbing is the fact that in the attempt to investigate, the lawmakers often allegedly soil their hands thereby casting their image in a questionable light before the public. The House has however been most hit in the last 15 years than the Senate in terms of controversial probes. Foremost amongst these probes were the investigation of the missing ship under Masari’s leadership, the power probe under Bankole’s tenure and the petroleum subsidy as well as capital market investigation under the current House. In the Senate, the N55 million education ministry budget bribery scandal, which swept Wabara and then minister of education, Prof. Fabian Osuji out of office seriously dented the image of the Senate. Similarly, former minister of Federal Capita Territory (FCT), Nasir El-Rufai’s allegations of bribery against Senators Ibrahim Mantu and Jonathan Zwingina was also a dark period on the life of the Senate. He had alleged that the duo demanded for N54 million from him to facilitate his screening as a minister. The issue opened up another vista in the sour relationship between the National Assembly and the Presidency. Another bribery scandal that almost brought the Senate to its knees was the pension probe under Senator Etuk where the chairman of the Pension Task Force, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina accused the Senate committee of demanding N2 billion bribe from him. It is also disturbing that most of these investigations always end up creating more problems for the system. One of the most celebrated probes was the Hon. Godwin Elumelu-led committee that probed into the activities

of the power sector between 1999 and 2003. The committee was first of all accused of collecting a N100 million bribe to let some people off the hook. The report was eventually submitted but it ran into hitches as members could not agree on the recommendations. As a result, the leadership decided to reconstitute a review committee headed by Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (then deputy chief whip). From about 88 recommendations, it was reviewed to less than 10. Another celebrated case of corruption involving the parliament was the petroleum subsidy probe undertaken by the Farouk Lawan-led ad hoc committee. The probe, whose genesis had raised the rating of the House in the eyes of the public, suddenly became an albatross. A Lagos billionaire, Femi Otedola accused Lawan of allegedly demanding and collecting $620,000 bribe from him in order to clear him of any complicity in the oil subsidy bazaar. Lawan is presently been prosecuted by the EFCC over these allegations. Nevertheless, the outcome of this probe is the ongoing prosecution of various petroleum subsidy scammers. Another corruption case involving the National Assembly was the N5.2 billion Rural Electrification Agency (REA) scandal. Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Nicholas Ugbane and his House counterpart, Ndudi Elumelu with the deputy chairman of House power committee, Hon. Mohammed Jibo; and Chairman, Committee on Rural Development, Hon. Paulinus Igwe (now senator) as well as the permanent secretary, Ministry of Power, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi and the Director-Deneral of REA, Mr. Sam Gekpe were dragged to court for allegedly withdrawing illegally N5.2billion in December 2008. Some of them have since been cleared by the courts. Again, during the Bankole era, a radical Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo had written a letter to Bankole seeking explanation on how the contract for the

Na’Abba

Buhari

purchase of 360 (number) Peugeot 604 vehicles for committees’ work was carried out. He also petitioned the EFCC alleging that Bankole and his leadership short-changed the nation to the tune of N500 million by inflating the cost of the cars and accepting supply of different cars from the ones they ordered and paid for. Bankole was recently discharged and acquitted by the court over various allegations against him. He is now a free man. Under the current House, the N44 million allegations by the director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh against chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Herman Hembe aborted the initial probe of the capital market. Oteh alleged that Hembe had demanded for N39 million from SEC to fund the hearing and 24 hours before the hearing commenced, Hembe made a personal demand of N5 million. Hembe has since been discharged and acquitted by the court while both the House and Senate resolutions urging the president to relieve Oteh of her job has not been adhered to. Third Term One of the biggest tests the parliament has faced in the last 15 years was the planned tenure prolongation of President Olusegun Obasanjo popularly called Third Term agenda. Although, up till today, Obasanjo has insisted that he never asked for a third term. Those who were his foot soldiers have all owned to the fact that there was a plot. It all began with the National Political Reforms Conference of 2005, where the plan was craftily put together by the likes of Mantu and Prof. Jerry Gana. Mantu, who was the chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, car-

Doctrine of Necessity The National Assembly was again put to test in the final days of ailing President Yar’Adua when he travelled on his last and controversial medical check up to Saudi Arabia without transmitting a letter. A vacuum was created; the passed budget was not signed into law, the tenure of the outgoing Chief Justice of the Federation had elapsed and there was no president to swear in his successor. Faced with the pressure from civil society and other pro-democracy organisations, Senate on February 9, 2010, passed a resolution making the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, Acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The House followed with a similar resolution. The Senate argued that it relied on Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution to do so. Although, this was not the first time Nigeria would have an acting president. In the wake of the first military coup d’etat on January 15, 1966, Dr. Nwafor Orizu, the then president of the Senate, acted as president. The Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Head of Government, was dead. The President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, was abroad. As the most senior government official available, Dr. Orizu announced the ‘voluntary decision’ of the rump of parliament to transfer power to Head of the Army, General J. T. U. AguiyiIronsi. Ironsi then made a broadcast accepting the ‘invitation’. State Legislature The state assemblies can best be described as appendages of the various Government Houses. Most of the state legislatures are in the pockets of the governors who manipulate them at will. The most intriguing aspect of the lack of independence of the state legislatures was the refusal of the states assembly to endorse financial autonomy, which was approved for them in the constitution amendment of 2010. Following the intervention of the governors, members of the state assemblies voted against the proposal. Conversely, the state legislature has been an instrument of vendetta in the hands of the Federal Government as it was used in some cases to impeach governors who had misunderstanding with the presidency. Instances abound where the EFCC under Nuhu Ribadu would move state legislatures out of their state to another location to sit and impeach a governor. It happened in Plateau and Anambra states. The then Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha also faced a similar fate when state lawmakers were intimidated into impeaching him. Of course, there have been instances whereby the National Assembly, particularly the House had to take over some states’ Houses of Assembly to resolve a crisis. The House had intervened in Ekiti and recently in Rivers State. It must be noted that legislative independent is gradually being entrenched in the system. The review and amendment of the 1999 Constitution in 2010 was a major achievement of the National Assembly.

18 POLITICS ANULE EMMANUEL reports that three years down the line, President Goodluck Jonathan is still battling to fulfill his several promises anchored on the Transformation Agenda

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Jonathan’s many promises

Cost of governance Another promise made by President Jonathan to Nigerians which unfortunately is yet to be fulfilled is the need to cut down the cost of governance. Of the total budgetary provision annually, the country’s recurrent expenditure have often times been higher than capital spending. To address this, the president on August 18, 2011 set up the Presidential Committee on the Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies chaired by a former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsanye. The need for that assignment was borne out of the fact that there were many redundant government agencies. Already, government has produced a White Paper and is in the process of implementing the recommendations approved. The criticism that has followed the reform process is the fact that most of the recommendations in the report were jettisoned by government. Many wonder if the implementation of the approved White Paper would now make any impact in cutting down cost of governance as hoped by the Jonathan administration.

his year’s celebration of democracy day in Nigeria also marks three years of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration since his election in 2011. By May 29, 2015, the tenure of the current administration would have expired, giving way for the commencement of a new administration. Interestingly, President Jonathan himself has attested to this fact. Speaking on Sunday at a church service to mark this year’s democracy day, the President said: “After today, the next democracy day will witness a new government. I remember when I was in my village this morning to collect my permanent voter’s card, and a pressman asked me whether there will be elections in Nigeria, I told him there would be elections in this country.” But the many questions that have remained on the lips of Nigerians is whether President Jonathan in the last three years has made any significant success and impact considering his many campaign promises. Power This is one sector which Nigerians at the inception of every government have hoped for improvement because of its capacity of transforming the economy. “We all know the importance of power. We look forward to a time when Nigerians can enjoy uninterrupted power supply from the beginning to the end of a year, and we are working hard to ensure that that objective is attained within the life-span of this administration,” Jonathan said during the days of his campaign for re-election. Specifically for this sector, the President promised that government would ensure that Nigerians do not use generators more than two times in a week. The strategy was to explore coal deposits in Benue and Kogi states for improved power supply and to construct more dams to build more hydro-power stations, and reduce the importation of generators by at least 90 per cent before the end of the tenure, to raise power generation to about 4,747 megawatts by December 2011, and to put an end to epileptic power supply in the country in 2012. Of course, the sale of major power assets to the private sector (GENCOS/ DISCOS) which has been acclaimed to be largely successful is believed to be one step that would lead to achieving this feet and stabilise power by 2015. This arrangement will allow government transfer the burden of generation and distribution of power to the private sector. Nigeria at the moment is generating a little over 4,000 megawatts of electricity. With this improvement, there is still discordant tunes about stability in availability of power. Unfortunately too, there is still mass importation of generators into the country. Job creation This was one prominent feature in the President’s 2012 budget presentation speech. He had never failed to re-echo the issue of job creation at various fora. Indeed, the desire to achieve this led to the establishment of the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (You WIN) programme, inaugurated in October 2011 with a target of providing 100,000 jobs. The initial promise in this regard was the target to create one million jobs every year, beginning from 2012. The President gave hope to the jobless and promised to promote “job creation and inclusive growth by investing in critical infrastructure, human capital development and security.”

Jonathan

Government had earlier offered to create one million jobs every year, beginning from 2012 with commitment of about N50 billion to achieve this. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in October 2012 raised the figure to create 320,000 jobs from last year and added that the proposal had already been built into the 2013 budget. Unfortunately, as at October 2012, the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Temi Kale, put the number of jobless Nigerians at 20.3 million which represents 23.9 per cent of the nation’s total population. But in his new year address to usher in 2014, Jonathan claimed his government may have been responsible for an astounding 1.6 million jobs in 2013 alone. He however did not clarify where the jobs were filled. If this to a large extent is anything to go by, it then would be safe to say that among his many promises, the President may have been close to delivering on this singular one. Pundits have however questioned this claim. Infrastructural development The President did not fail in promising Nigerians that his government would revive the rail sector. Although some level of progress seemed to have been achieved, critics consider it to be greatly at snail pace with trains now plying Lagos to Kano, and the Abuja Light Rail project on-going. Given the fact that government’s target was to revive completely the important means of transportation between 2011 and 2015, many feel that not up to 45 per cent has been met. Nigerian roads have for long been de-

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 scribed as paths to hell. This is one sector which the President seems to have paid some greater attention to. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has at various times approved huge sums of monies for construction and rehabilitation of roads across the country. As it has become a tradition, there were a lot of promises to improve the state of the roads by the President as well. Government has committed several billions of naira in repair and construction of new roads. In this regard, analysts have lauded the present administration’s efforts of improving infrastructure. The position of government is that a total of 651 kilometres of roads was paved in bituminous layers in 2012 and 32 highway projects completed same year. Most people seem to give the President a pass mark for government’s intervention in the sector.

Still a transitional democracy

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

were, after 15 years of democracy, with the PDP at its vanguard, considerable hope has been again betrayed. Instead of strengthening democracy and promoting good governance, the party has been bedevilled by indiscipline and a compelling failure to exercise power to the benefit of Nigerians. An evolving political space has thrown up an opposition political coalition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a raft of the same old players and a smattering of Young Turks at its vanguard. They promise an alternative vision of governance. But Nigerians have heard similar alluring symphonies in the past.

As the APC currently struggles to put its house in order, watched carefully by the ruling PDP, Nigerians wait and watch. Under the leadership of President Jonathan, who promises transformation but is yet to match the mantra with commensurate action, the country drifts along. Although it must be noted that besides General Yakubu Gowon’s administration which prosecuted the Nigeria-Biafra Civil war, no Nigerian president – elected or via coup – has been confronted with the kind of challenge Jonathan is facing today. But it is debatable whether this scenario excuses the level of impunity ravaging the nation’s socio-political space under Jona-

Electoral reforms This is one area also of interest to many Nigerians. Looking at the nature of elections that brought the administration of late President Umaru Ya’Adua and Jonathan in 2007, government since 2010 had commenced the reform of the electoral system. President Jonathan had promised that henceforth, elections would free, credible and fair. There is the belief that the reform carried out in this sector within the last three years is responsible for the conduct of elections assessed by local and international observers as credible, free and fair in Edo and Anambra states. Despite this, the President has been criticised for poor handling of the crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which led to the defection of five of its governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Security This sector has continued to give sleepless nights to the Jonathan government. During his campaign, the President indeed told Nigerians that he would tackle insecurity. Budgetary allocations to the sector has always taken a large share of the national budget in order to achieve this. Sadly, the excesses of the Boko Haram sect have painted a picture of some failure of government in making any meaningful achievement. Analysts also believe that the inability of government to address the challenge has affected the level of progress that would have been achieved in other sectors. Jonathan promised to overhaul the national security architecture, to make sure that no part of the country is allowed to be a sanctuary for armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals. This vision is yet to be achieved. than’s watch. Foreign intervention forces have pledged cooperation and assistance to cage the current security challenge prostrating the nation. The national parliament has given a bipartisan support to the president to take sterner action against the Boko Haram insurgency. These are welcome developments notwithstanding the huffing and puffing and objections by a section of Northern political intelligentsia. Today, as the president presides over the ritual of marking the nation’s 15th anniversary of unbroken democracy the focus areas for reinventing Nigeria are clear, urgent and demand action. The key sectors include power, education, security, infrastructure, and poverty reduction. Dr. Jonathan must define his Presidency around these critical theatres. The choice is his.

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EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

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Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Buddha

THURSday, MAY 29, 2014

Nigerians deserve true democracy

t is yet another Democracy Day. But, for the majority of Nigerians, it is nothing near the minimum standards of a genuinely worked-for democratic process. While it is usual for elective political processes to function within a democracy, it does not necessarily mean that every political arrangement is democratic. Going through the mechanics of electioneering without upholding the spirit and discipline of democracy is nothing but a faĂ§ade, make-believe, not true democracy. True, Nigerians can now openly express themselves on almost any subject without the fear of being locked up or made to disappear arbitrarily. But, in reality, the moral and operational responsibilities of democracy are still lacking and a new kind of tyranny is emerging, driven by impunity. The political theatre so far since May 1999 is that those who were strong enough to be elected into the various offices have laboured so hard to live well over and above the level of those they claim to represent. No true democracy would permit a situation where, for example, public office holders incestuously fix their own jumbo-size salaries, embark on fiscal vandalism and live in insensitive opulence to

the detriment of the national economy even as the national minimum wage is a paltry N18, 000. It is a sad irony that 15 years down the line, the four refineries in the country are comatose, and the bulk of our oil requirements are imported. No progressive political system will throw up some of the characters now parading themselves as leaders. The people ought to be able to exercise their electoral prerogative to rationally determine who is best suited to represent them and go further to define what it is that they want them to do on assumption of office. The leaders must also be answerable to the people at all times. Unfortunately, some of those who currently run the affairs of Nigeria are hardly true democrats. Granted that no society can claim complete immunity from corruption and bad governance, a democracy should, however, be better off in this regard because of its absolute control over public officials within the framework of the rule of law and accountability. On the contrary, Nigerians are evidently helpless in the face of the high incidence of corruption in official quarters, a situation which is decidedly one of the deficits of this democracy. The truth is that this is not

a democracy yet. When people compare their lives under the military with what obtains in our current democratic dispensation, the impression is often given that democracy has done them in. Such thought is dangerous and must be nipped in the bud. Without the required transparency to oil the wheels of democracy, billions would continue to be spent ostensibly for development and security purposes but the billions would yield little or nothing positive. Democracy is in jeopardy when insecurity, poverty and unemployment are entrenched. Democracy cannot be said to be effectively in place when elections are constantly flawed and riddled with crises, as we have witnessed intermittently since 1999. In the last 15 years, the country has had an unbeatable harvest of spurious dividends such as incessant bombings, kidnapping, armed robberies, unemployment, general insecurity, electoral fraud, lack of basic amenities, high rate of corruption in government and in the organized private, among others. Corruption in particular adversely affects the quality of governance, which in turn affects the quality of economic management and, by extension, the quality of life. The gradual slide to anarchy in the North East part of the

country, no thanks to the Boko Haram insurgency, has created a big image problem for Nigeria as a country in the process of disintegration. Painfully, we are now being compared with the likes of Somalia, Sudan and Mongolia, all of them practically failed states. It is sad that even with our abundant human and material resources, the present crop of politicians cannot to rise to the challenge of providing credible leadership and deepening our democracy. No doubt, democracy in Nigeria is work in progress, but everything possible must done by politicians not to undermine the democratic process. It is important, for instance, that internal democracy becomes an integral part of our political party system. Concerned Nigerians must get to the brass tacks and rescue democracy from the hands of anti-democratic elements. The people must forge a common front and not allow retrogressive and reactionary forces to manipulate them through religious and ethnic bigotry. The people must canvass stringent anti-graft policies as well as campaign vigorously for credible and transparent electoral process of one man- one vote in reality and not as propaganda. And the votes must also count. If this is not done, democracy may just never take firm roots in these parts. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALLA Managing Editor, North YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

OPINION

America’s doomsday prediction: McCain, Hillary got it wrong (2)

Collins Eakyn Continued from yesterday

f course, like any other country on the face of the earth, Nigeria has its own problems. Challenges notwithstanding, Nigeria is still a country of destiny. A May 21, 2014 headline in PUNCH newspaper’s online publication reads: “Africa investors looking beyond negative headlines, saysWorld Bank”. The news story under it opened with “Investors in Africa are increasingly able to see beyond negative headlines of violence in nations like South Sudan, Nigeria and Kenya…” According to the Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, Michel Wormser, most investors in Africa now had enough sophistication to discern long-term opportunities despite a flurry of negative news, ranging from civil war in the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, to bombs by suspected Islamist militants in Kenya and the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria by Islamist group Boko Haram. “There is more understanding of the riskiness and more ability from investors to distinguish between what is media hype and what is the reality on the ground, and the likeliness of their investment to yield what they expect,” he added while describing Nigeria and some other parts of Africa as “a land of great opportunities.” Now, could it be the same Nigeria that McCain and Hillary had chosen to take to the cleaners as some jungle without any working system or any potential for the future? Clearly, that is far from the truth. It will be utterly mischievous for Nigeria’s opposition to continue exploiting every little piece of potential disinformation to misinform citizens and stimulate further anxiety across the land. A McCain’s rant or a Hillary diatribe on corruption and flagrant abuse of privileges by those who know little or nothing about our terrain shouldn’t be flashed as adverts to denigrate a government that was duly elected into office through majority vote. There are laid down processes of removing such government without helping those who predicted a 2015 break-up to realise their wicked agenda. In our haste to embrace the utter gibberish from

I see Nigeria not only surviving but prevailing. I see Nigeria getting stronger. One of the stories that needs to be told about Nigeria is that in spite of the fact that this is a country, whose borders with many African neighbours were imposed by colonial powers, Nigeria has survived these fellows, we appear to ignore the bigger picture. Anarchy or a failed Nigeria will have serious negative implications for all. The desperate Machiavellian politics of “the end justifies whatever means” must stop. For all conscious citizens, we should help in rallying others to wake up and not fall prey to some mischiefmaking characters, keen on ruining us and our collective potentials. It is in moments of great challenges that true patriots distinguish themselves in their community or nation. Every patriotic Nigerian has a duty to rise up to ensure that prophecies of doom against Nigeria come to nought. Asked if Nigeria could survive the 2015 breakup prediction, Ambassador Walter Carrington’s inspirational response should reignite the spirit of nationalism in every Nigerian who truly means well for this country. He said: “I see Nigeria not only surviving but prevailing. I see Nigeria getting stronger. One of the stories that needs to be told about Nigeria is that in spite of the fact that this is a country, whose borders with many African neighbours were imposed by colonial powers, Nigeria has survived. In spite of a civil war; in spite of the fact that you have 250 to 300 different ethnic groups speaking different languages, different religions, Nigeria still remains one. I think that is very important and I think that Nigeria is a strong nation and is going to be important for the future of Africa. Let me say from a very personal point of view, I think that Nigeria is going to be important for the future of the black race. This is a country that has the potential to become one of the great countries of the world; A

country in which every son and daughter of Africa, no matter how long they have been separated from this continent will take great pride in.” Sure McCain and Hillary never ponder over these words in spite the many years they have spent in the corridors of power. Why should they anyway? Is it not obvious that these folks are bent on working to an already predetermined answer? Yet while anarchists at home and ill-wishers from abroad are doing their mischief, Nigeria quietly continues to move forward under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan. For instance, the nation successfully recorded some measure of positive advancement. It hosted the World Economic Forum Africa (WEFA) between May 7 – 9, 2014. Some one thousand, one hundred people from seventy countries participated in making the most successful WEFA held in Africa. It brought in $68billion new investments along with multiplier economic effects for the continent. No doubt the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State has attracted the attention of the international community not just to governance but also to the extent to which these evil minds can go to destroy the bond that has existed among a divergent set of peace-loving Nigerians for years. However, this temporary lapse in the journey to nationhood should not distract from the fact that Nigeria is country of inherent destiny. Our character--- who we are as a people--is being tested right now by the international world. How we go about resolving this knotty issue would be a defining moment in our history. It should be clear to all stakeholders in this Project Nigeria that this is the time to put aside dirty politics and show solidarity and compassion for our young girls, their families, their community and our country as a whole. At least, for the sake of posterity, this is the time for every well-meaning Nigerian, including the perpetual critics in the opposition, to rally behind President Jonathan in the fight against those with terrorist inclinations. It is not just enough to criticise or hate naysayers at home and the vessels of mischief like McCain. It is a sacred duty for all of us, as true citizens of Nigeria, to make sure that the doomsday predictions never come to pass for our dear country, Nigeria. Concluded • Eakyn, a political scientist and public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

Fate of women and children in North East crises (2) Nkechi Odinukwe Continued from Tuesday

hen I asked - when has life become so worthless that blood was spilled like water? Have we lost our values? What has happened to the value we have regarding our women and young children? Must all be sacrificed on the altar of politics and selfish ambitions? What is the value of this fight?, what is the sense in it? Then I asked myself again? What is happening to the women of this country? Why are we sitting idle and helpless while our children (especially our young girls), are killed maimed and abducted?, Have we forgotten so soon the horrors of Nigerian civil war- a war that consumed over 300,000 people? Have we forgotten the horrors of Liberia, Sierra Leone, DRC and most importantly Rwanda? Do we think that the blood sucking beast encroaching into our territory will be sated once it has sucked and destroyed the North East alone? Can we no longer as mothers read the hand writing on the wall? When are women going to stand as one to fight like Liberia for our leaders to rethink their ideology towards this evil menace and deal with it in a united manner? When are we go-

Why are we sitting idle and helpless while our children (especially our young girls), are killed maimed and abducted?, Have we forgotten so soon the horrors of Nigerian civil war- a war that consumed over 300,000 people? ing to rise above ethnic sentiments to hold our leaders and opposition parties responsible for the harm they are doing to our country? To some of us who think they can relocate to another country if things get worse ( and I am particularly referring to the politicians), remember that you will never be fully accepted in a foreign land. Why deal with racism and manifold systemic discrimination when you can avoid it? For those of us who think the crises is too far from their region, remember that wild fire has no known bound-

ary. It can spread and spread if not controlled. Boko Haram and Insecurity in the North is a wildfire. To all Nigerian women who sit like me and do nothing, let us remember that the worst victims of crises and conflict are you, me and our children. Every day, I wake up asking why women in different states within the country have not started mobilizing unto the streets to demand that government and the opposition parties work together to retrieve and return our 200 Chibok girls to safety. Is the safe return of our girls the sole responsibility of the government in power or a collective responsibility? When has life become so cheap that every issue involving human live is now politicized? It is only in a country like Nigeria that government and opposition party leaders hide their heads in the sand and keep squabbling like spoilt little children while the roof over which they fight is ablaze and burning. This is the only country where opposition leaders feel security is the business of the government in power; A country where ruling government appears to thrive in a war of words with opposition rather than face governance. If we as women sit in the comfort of our homes and fold our hands thinking all will be fine, the politicians will continue fighting self-

ishly while our children are exposed to danger. When will we as women rise up to hold our leaders (incumbent and opposition parties) accountable for the harm they are doing to our children and the only home we know? When will we start holding monthly rallies in all states, praying for peace and God’s intervention? When will we wake up to realize that politicians’ families (incumbent and opposition party politicians) are safe in foreign countries and may never be touched by the fate of the ‘chibok 200’. What has happened to all great labor unions and NGOs in Nigeria? Are there no women still in Nigeria? If this crises escalates, let us ask ourselves where over 150 million people will run to for succor and safety. We and our innocent helpless children are caught in this crossfire. We are the ones who will continue dying or end up with terrible wounds and memories of this terror if we continue to sit and fold our hands while incumbent and opposition party politicians destroy the country. May God protect the Chibok 200 until their safe return. May God have mercy on the women and children of Nigeria. Concluded • Nkechi Odinukwe is a legal practitioner and gender activist, based in Abuja

LAW THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/law

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY EDITOR

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

HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS NOT COMPETENT TO HANDLE INSOLVENCY MATTERS, SAYS IDIGBE }p-24&25

Judiciary: So far, so good E

VEN though it struggles to extricate itself from undue interferences from the executive and corrupt politicians, prominent lawyers were unanimous that but for the judiciary, the nation called Nigeria would have disintegrated and became history. This is because some of those factors, which otherwise would have consumed the country were doused by the judiciary. Also, they believe that the ‘societal problem of corruption which is reasonably pervasive’, had not rubbed off so much on the judiciary just as it had not deprived it of its unique status as the most consistent and credible of all the organs of government. "Like everything that is Nigerian, there is the negative and the positive. There are judges who are working against all odds - no infrastructure, no support. They are the unsung heroes. At the same time, we cannot pretend and be illusional that the societal problem of corruption which is reasonably pervasive has not rubbed off on the Nigerian judiciary which had a glorious past; which is called the golden era. Happily, I think I see rays of hope. The present judiciary appears to be on the way back up to its glory if it is sustained. But a lot of effort; transparency and scrutiny would be brought to play to ensure that Nigerian corruption thing is defeated in the judiciary”, one said. "Within the past fifteen years, the Judiciary has been the most credible among the three arms of government in Nigeria- the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. This is an authoritative assertion on comparative basis, and also considering the diverse challenges which the Nigerian Judiciary faces in terms of lack of finance, independence, personnel, equipment, environmental hazards, governmental interference, etc”, another said. Yet another said, “since judicial office is a public trust and its exercise is a product delivered to and digested by ordinary people, public perception is a key barometer. Notwithstanding therefore the discredit to a number of shining lights in our judiciary, the current measure of that product is dangerously low. “The 24th August 2010 survey, released by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), reveals that 70 per cent of Nigerians believe that the country’s judiciary is corrupt. In the same month and year, the Nigeria Bar Association questioned its competence and effectiveness in a confer-

Amidst corruption, insecurity and other socio-political and economic challenges bedeviling the nation, senior lawyers appraised the judiciary as the country celebrates this year’s Democracy Day today. They spoke with FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE and JOSEPH ONYEKWERE

Olanipekun, SAN

ence communiqué, pleading for the appointment of “adequate and qualified Justices and other judicial personnel” particularly at the appellate level. The NBA called upon the National Judicial Council to “live up to its responsibilities by looking into the corrupt allegations against judges and apply adequate sanctions for those found wanting.” The lawyers, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria however stressed the need for independence, adequate funding, quicker justice delivery system and enhanced infrastructure, insisting that unless the judiciary was freed from the clutches of the executive arm of government and corrupt politicians, the crisis of confidence would continue to dog it. Although they agreed that there are still some glints of bribery and corruption in the judiciary; a perception that is yet to be proved, the Senior Advocates pushed for an improved welfare package for judicial officers. “There is a lot of talk, but the conditions of our judiciary have not improved significantly in the last 15 years. The remuneration has improved some worth. It is a prestigious position and recognition must be giving to it. If you give it the honour it deserves, then it would attract the correct caliber of personnel, but if you rubbish it and give it a peanut, it will not give you what you require. People who are hungry and took the office out of desperation debase the institution. So, a lot has to be done in the area of infrastructure,

Adekoya, SAN

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 capacity building and judicial support. A lot is going on but a lot still has to be done. “On the area of insecurity, we must look after the judges and protect them because they make pronouncements that will not favor a party. Our people don't take losses kindly, so any judge who makes pronouncement is been exposed on our behalf. It is the responsibility of the country that makes them discharge this duty to protect them. Each judgment you give has to be against a party and not everybody would take it kindly even if you are doing your best and decided the case based on the law and facts before you. So, it's our responsibility to protect them, not just while in office; even when they leave office because vengeful people can still pursue them when they leave office. You must give them security where they live during and after office. The judiciary is trying but there is a lot of ground to make up." Mrs. Funke Adekoya, a Senior Advocate and candidate for the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) said: “The Judiciary is

Sofola, SAN

the sentinel of fundamental rights and human freedoms, while the duty of a judge is to defend the Constitution and uphold the rule of law. ”The judiciary has witnessed mixed fortunes in the last 15 years. On the downside, the charge of corruption continues to haunt the judiciary. This is a source of deep concern and frustration for many lawyers and litigants alike. The spectre of conflicting judgements especially at the Court of Appeal is quite worrisome. This has cast serious doubts on the quality of electoral justice. “The delays in delivery have not generally abated, though there are efforts to curb them. This is especially so when one reviews the status of most corruption cases now pending before our courts. The highly unacceptable incidence of underfunding of the judiciary which led to a Save-Our-Soul by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has wrought multiple evils, not least dilapidated court facilities, lack of training for judicial officers and support staff, poor ICT infrastructure, poor remuneration, and ill-equipped libraries where they exist at all. This has also implicated concerns on the prospects of executive interference as against judicial independence. This was evident in the Salami Saga – a major slur on the judiciary – where the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) reinstating the retired judge was effectively rebuffed by the Executive, thereby questioning the Separation of Powers doctrine.

“Conversely, the period witnessed increased advocacy and efforts at reforming the justice sector. This has led to several reforms particularly in procedural law. The amendment of some substantive laws including the Evidence Act 2011 has been a game-changer of sorts. I have no doubt that the same impact will result from the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, thus bringing our jurisprudence in tandem with many forward-looking jurisdictions. “The judiciary is increasingly buying into Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, thus paving way for speedy justice delivery. The CJN has also issued new Practice Directions to tackle delays in the trial of critical criminal matters such as kidnapping, terrorism and corruption. The ascendancy of more female judges into positions of authority cannot go unnoticed. “In the days ahead, it is expected that the Judiciary should cement justice sector reforms. Efforts at weeding the judiciary of corrupt judicial officers must be intensified while the Executive should adequately fund the judiciary to ensure speedy justice delivery and obviate resort to self-help by disgruntled litigants. This could be aided by the appointment of senior lawyers on an adhoc basis to handle mainly administrative matters and assist in decongesting the courts. “The principle of stares decisis should be restored while CO NTINUED O N PAGE22

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Judiciary: So far, so good

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

Oyesanya, SAN

efforts at enhancing electoral justice must be intensified. Also, judicial officers should be adequately remunerated to shield them from undue influence”. Another silk and former Pro-chancellor University of Ibadan, Chief Wole Olanipekun said to a reasonable degree, the Nigerian Judiciary should be given a pass mark. “However, within the past fifteen years or thereabout, a very dangerous and frightening dimension has crept into the already known challenges facing the Judiciary. This is the allegation, and in some cases proven allegations of corruption against some members of the Judiciary. We have seen some Judges dismissed, while others have been indicted or seriously reprimanded for cases of corruption. This is most un-

fortunate. It is a scourge of the most dangerous dimension. “Corruption is a threat to the security of any nation. It is common place to hear and read of corruption in the Executive and Legislative arms of Government, not only in Nigeria, but also in some African and developing nations of the world. But one thing is clear and that is, that it is very rare to hear of rampant allegations of corruption against the Judiciaries in those countries. To my mind, corruption in the Judiciary should be seen as a crime against humanity and put on the same scale with genocide. A corrupt Judex is a disservice to the legal profession and attracts the wrath of God. “In Nigeria of today, all efforts should be channeled at getting rid of corrupt Judges from the Bench. When people like us were called to the Bar thirty eight years ago, it was virtually unthinkable for lawyers and litigants alike to form an opinion that a particular case was won and lost because a particular Judex had been influenced or compromised. But the story is dangerously changing nowadays as accusing fingers of corruption are being pointed to some of our Judges who sit on the Bench to administer justice. “It might be argued that majority of our Judges are honest and upright. Be that as it may,

the Judiciary should be a place and institution where every Judex, like Caesar’s wife, should be above board. “The highly respected Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, is leading and waging a commendable war against corrupt Judges in Nigeria. Lawyers and litigants in this country would readily attest to the fact that she is an upright Judge. Therefore, we must support her in this crusade to exorcise the cankerworm of corruption from the Bench. Lawyers and litigants should also stop and desist from attempting to influence Judges through financial and other enticements. It is unprofessional and ungodly for any lawyer to so act or pose," he said. In his view, Adekunle Oyesanya, a silk also said: "The last 15 years for the Nigerian Judi-

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014

ciary as a whole has been one of mixed fortunes. “15 years ago will take us back to 1999 when we started anew the current attempt at democracy. The epochal events that happened in Nigeria in the last nine years prior to 1999, served to shape the democratic future that Nigeria found itself in by 1999. The unfortunate annulment of the June 12, 1993, elections and the tumultuous and autocratic Abacha years that followed thereafter, made us to realise that there was no alternative to a democratic dispensation that would usher in peace, progress and development. “Unfortunately however, the Abdulsalam regime, in its quest to quickly return the country to democracy foisted a military poorly thought-out Constitution on the nation, a Constitution that was hardly autochtonous in framework and conception. The result is that there are serious contradictions and implosions in our national polity. There are agitations and protestations galore almost every day of our national life. The latest in the series is the current plague called Boko Haram. “It is in this atmosphere of chaos and anomy that the Nigerian judiciary has had to operate since 1999 and I daresay, at the risk of sounding biased, that the Nigerian Judiciary has been the stabilising factor for our na-

scent, albeit, chaotic democracy. “There is no doubt that the Judiciary has had its own challenge. One of it is that majority of our judicial officers across the country still work under very unfavourable conditions. With the exception of Lagos and perhaps Abuja and a few states in the federation, some of our Judges of the High Court Bench still work under very poor conditions. Even the Federal High Court, with the Federal might behind it, still has its challenges of inadequate infrastructure and lack of conducive atmosphere to work. Some of our Courts and Judges still take down proceedings in long hand and still use obsolete office equipment that have been discarded in more civilised climes. “The appellate courts are not better because the Justices are overworked particularly in some divisions of the Court of Appeal. There is a long back-log of cases in the appellate courts mainly because of shortage of Judges and the necessary infrastructural support needed for a quick and effective dispensation of justice. People tend to generalise when they talk about corruption in the Judiciary. Majority of our Judges are decent upright judicial officers. But when the appointment of Judges becomes a matter for which every Tom, CONTINUED ON PAGE23

15 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY: THE JUDICIAL GLADIATORS UWAIS: A FEARLESS JURIST

Tunde Oyesina Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais was the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 until 2006. Later he chaired a commission that published a controversial report on electoral reform. Uwais is the son of the Chief Alkali, and later Waziri of Zaria emirate. To his credit was the administering of the oath of office on President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999. After retiring from the Supreme Court, Uwais chaired a panel on electoral reform that submitted a report on 11 December 2008 with recommendations that included establishing commissions to deal with Electoral Offences, Constituency Delimitation and Political Parties Registration and Regulation. Some of the power vested in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the State Independent Electoral Commissions would be transferred to the new com-

missions. The committee recommended proportional representation in elections to the Federal and State legislatures and to the local government councils. The report also recommended that the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission should be appointed by the judiciary rather than the President. This recommendation was rejected by President Umaru Yar'Adua. Yar'Adua forwarded a modified version of the Uwais report to the legislature in 2009, drawing considerable criticism since many felt that recent elections had been deeply flawed and that basic reforms were required. In March 2010, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan forwarded an unedited version of the report to the National Assembly for approval, by implication saying that the recommendations should be implemented in their entirety before the 2011 national elections. The issue of power to appoint the INEC head remained controversial. Before Jonathan resubmitted the report, the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution had rejected the recommendation to transfer this power to the judiciary.

KATSINA ALU: STIRRED JUDICIAL CONTROVERSY

Justice Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu who was the 11th Chief Justice of Nigeria was born 28 August 1941 . He is from Ushongo in what is now Benue State. Katsina-Alu has been a member of the apex court since 1998. He was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday 30 December 2009 by his predecessor, Idris Legbo Kutigi. There were some controversies over the ceremony, since in all previous ceremonies the Oath of Office was administered by the President of Nigeria. However, President Umaru Yar'Adua was unavailable on account of ill health since November 2009. Katsina-Alu however lost one of his wives, Mrs. Mimi Katsina-Alu on May 7, 2011 in a freak accident. The woman had died instantly after a tree fell on her in the Chief Justice’s hometown in Alu, Ushongo local government area of Benue state.

The couple sat under a Mango tree on that fateful night when a slight wind began in the area. Mimi stood up and started running inside the main house when a heavy tree branch hit her on the head, another branch hit the CJN on the back causing him to fall down. That fall by the Chief Justice saved his life as a bigger branch fell and shattered his empty chair. Under Katsina -Alu, the Judiciary experienced what many have termed its worst travail ever. For the first time in the nation’s judicial history, two most senior judicial officers in the country engaged in what was described as an act of public cleansing of dirty linen. Then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloysius KatsinaAlu and the suspended but now retired President, Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami, engaged each other in public exchanges that ruptured the much touted judicial integrity and sanctity, occasioning damages now threatening the continued relevance of the court system. The acrimony between Justice Katsina-Alu and Justice Salami blew open when the former reportedly made moves to intervene in the Court of Appeal’s handling of the governorship appeal petitions, arising from the disputes over the 2007 elections in Sokoto, Ekiti and Osun states.

The then CJN’s decision to ‘arrest’ the judgment in the Sokoto State’s case stirred the crisis, which many believed actually commenced with the Appeal Court’s decisions in the Ekiti and Osun states’s cases. Shortly after the Court of Appeal panel handed down its decisions in the Osun and Ekiti governorship election disputes, some aggrieved members of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) launched a well orchestrated campaign aimed at rubbishing the integrity of Justices of the Court of Appeal. Upon receipt of the two petitions, Justice Katsina-Alu, on February 18, 2010 met with Justice Salami, in what later became the initial subtle move by the then CJN to sway Justice Salami’s mind on the need by the Court of Appeal to stay action on the judgment slated for February 24, 2010 in Sokoto Governorship Appeal. Determined to make his point, the CJN, on February 19, 2010, wrote to the Justices of the Court of Appeal, stopping proceedings in the case, pending investigation and determination of the petitions. Katsina-Alu had argued that since one of the parties had alleged bias, it was necessary to look into the issues raised in the petitions by Mahmood and Agu. Salami responded via memo to the CJN on 22/2/2010, detailing all that had transpired between him and the then CJN,

alleging underhand moves to scuttled the Court of Appeal’s resolve to do justice in the Sokoto case. For an unexplained reason, the Court of Appeal yielded to Justice Katsina-Alu, suspending its scheduled judgment. Moved by public reactions to all occurrences that culminated in the suspension of the judgment, the National Judicial Council (NJC) was forced to raise a panel, headed by a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin, to look into the case. In its report on March 8, 2010, the Babalakin committee, among others, found that Katsina-Alu was in error in ordering the arrest of the Court of Appeal decision in the Sokoto case. It stated that “The CJN, as the chairman of the NJC, has no power to interfere with any proceedings in any court as was done in this case.” When all thought that was the end, many were unaware of a subterranean move to “push” Justice Salami off his seat, a move that became public on February 4, 2011 when he rejected a curious offer to promote him to the Supreme Court by the CJN. Salami, who wrote a letter to the CJN, warned against an ‘unholy move’ to push him out of the Court of Appeal as its President. He asked the CJN to avoid any action that could create a dangerous precedent for the nation’s judiciary. He went to court to challenge that move. Again, the NJC on March 9, 2011 raised a five-man panel, CONTINUED ON PAGE23

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Dick and Harry can have an input in, then there is the tendency that these Toms, Dicks and Harrys will want to interfere in their dispensation of justice. But by and large, compared with the other arms of government, the Judiciary is a ‘Saint’ without any doubt. A society deserves the kind of Judiciary it gets. Let the appointment of judicial officers be more transparent and pay them well from the Magistracy to the Supreme Court and then see whether or not their performance will not be more enhanced. “It is only when you have Justice that you can have peace. The modicum of peace enjoyed in this country today is due to the manner in which the Judiciary has carried out its enormous task of justice dispensation. But there is definitely room for improvement. The issue of the retirement age of Judges should be addressed as a matter of urgency. A situation where some of our brightest and best on the High Court Bench have to retire at the age of 65 does not augur well for the administration of justice. Some of those Judges can still go on, if not at the High Court Bench, to the appellate Bench where, as vintage wine, they can dispense quality service to all seekers of justice. All our Courts should go digital. There should be support staff who are fully IT Savvy and who will make the work of our Judges easier and faster.

“More Judges should be appointed on a regular basis and the maintenance of the courts should be top priority. All of these would be made easier if there is financial independence for the Judiciary. A situation where they have to go cap in hand to the Executive should not happen at all. The National Judicial Council (NJC) under the watch of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, should be given kudos for the good work it is doing. The Council, however, has to do more, especially in the appointment and discipline of Judges. The Council should be wary of accepting and considering every flippant petition that comes its way against Judges. There are some petitions that should belong ordinarily to the realm of appeals. A Judge may decide a matter wrongly. It does not necessarily mean that he or she has misconducted himself or herself. Sometimes, litigants and some unscrupulous lawyers rush to file petitions against Judges on matters which they should ordinarily take to appeal, but they will coat it in the garb of one alleged misconduct or the other. “The National Judicial Council (NJC) should sift out these petitions and sanction the petitioners responsible for such petitions. If a lawyer wrote the petition, he should be recommended for discipline at the Bar. The National Judicial Council (NJC) should monitor the system more closely and keep our Judges on their toes all the time. There should be a code of con-

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 duct for Judges which should be reviewed all the time. As a routine, Judges who have done well should not only be formally acknowledged, but also recommended for promotion. On the whole, the Judiciary in Nigeria continues to be the last hope of the common man. There can be no alternative to this position otherwise there will be no hope or future for Nigeria. God forbid." Mr. Yemi Candide-Johnson SAN said "since Judicial office is a public trust and its exercise is a product delivered to and digested by ordinary people, public perception is a key barometer. Notwithstanding therefore the discredit to a number of shining lights in our judiciary, the current measure of that product is dangerously low. The 24th August 2010, survey released by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) reveals that 70% of Nigerians believe that the country’s judiciary is corrupt. In the same month and year, the Nigeria Bar Association questioned

its competence and effectiveness in a conference communiqué pleading for the appointment of “adequate and qualified Justices and other judicial personnel” particularly at the appellate level. The NBA called upon the National Judicial Council to “live up to its responsibilities by looking into the corrupt allegations against judges and apply adequate sanctions for those found wanting”. Personally, I have seen good things from the Bench, mature, reflective, responsive and progressive approach and decisions, even when rendered in unfavorable judgments. But I have seen shocking or disgraceful things; excessive technicality employed to shield indolence or mischief, startling, illogical, contradictory decisions particularly in political cases have damaged the credibility of our system of justice across the board. Lateness, absenteeism, the indiscipline of impatience, temper and rudeness which remain too common are handmaidens of the corruption and incompetence that have discredited and disfigured the judiciary, and are in large measure, traceable to the background of individual judges and their respective dubious routes to this high office. Multiple examples from the daily operation of the judicial process in Nigeria provide ample evidence that in Nigeria litigants are often subject to the whims and caprices of judicial officers, many of who act out of improper or corrupt motives. These commonplace examples

as well as their notoriety undermine expectations of a fair trial, which rest traditionally on assumption that the judge will be fair, impartial and apply the law without interference or corrupt motives. The evidence indicates that by and large corruption, political interference, harassment and intimidation by and of judicial officers, inadequate facilities and an archaic legal system have obliterated the foundations of a fair trial and as a result, observers rightly hold that the Nigerian judicial process has become an unsatisfactory mechanism for conflict resolution. After 10 years of democratic rule, many still blame the military for this decline and they bear much of it, but today after 15 years of our democratic constitution, it must be recognized that the responsibility lies on the President and governors who appoints Nigerian judges on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. The process of appointment ought to be open, competitive and entirely merit based. It ought to be obvious, that the selection and appointment of all Judges is approached with detachment and objectivity and that integrity, character, and competence are the only qualifications. There is little assurance on that score however from the current opaque process and results, which are too persistently poor. “Justice is not a “cloistered virtue”, the office belongs to no CO NTINUED O N PAGE26

15 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY: THE JUDICIAL GLADIATORS SALAMI: IN THE CENTRE OF JUDICIAL IMBROGLIO

CONTINUED FROM PAGE22

headed by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi. When it came out with its report, the Umaru Abdullahi’s Fact-Finding panel chose not to rock the boat by maintaining a middle ground. It gave both gladiators a clean bill of health. Not satisfied with the report of the Justice Abdullahi-panel, the NJC raised a review panel under the chairmanship of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to review the findings of Abdullahi’s panel and make recommendations. In its August 10, 2011 report, the Auta committee exonerated the CJN from any blame and entered a guilty verdict against Justice Salami. It found Salami guilty of purportedly making false claims against Justice Katsina-Alu, holding that such act amounted to misconduct contrary to Rule 1(1) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Auta committee ordered Justice Salami to apologise, in writing, to both the CJN and the NJC within a week, failing which he would be subjected punitive actions.At the expiration of the deadline on August 18, the NJC recommended the sack of Justice Salami for alleged insubordination. He was directed to proceed on compulsory suspension pending when President Goodluck Jonathan would approve the Council’s recommendations. He was also directed to handover to the most senior justice of the Court of Appeal.

Justice Isa Ayo Salami who was the first President of the Court of Appeal to be suspended by the President on the recommendation of the NJC was born on 15 October, 1943 in Ganma, Kwara State. He was enrolled in Iyeru Okin African Church School, Offa in 1949. There he moved on to St. Cyprians Catholic School, Offa, and later Offa Grammar School. Salami then attended Provincial Secondary School (Rumfs College), Kano, from where he graduated in 1963. By the following year Salami had enrolled in the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He attended that prestigious University for nearly three years and continued on to Nigerian Law School, Lagos from 1967-1968. During this time, Salami proved to be an advanced student who quickly earned a Bachelor of Law (LL.B). Salami also served as the Offa Grammar School Senior Prefect and held offices at Rumfs College and the Institute of Administration. After completing this highly distinguished educational ca-

reer, Salami was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on 28 June, 1968. He started off as a Collector of Customs and Excise Grade II, and by 1971 was transferred to North Central State Public Service Commission to serve as State Counsel Grade II. In a few years Salami moved up to become Senior State Counsel Grade I and then Acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Kaduna. From this he was transferred to Kwara State Public Service, and started as Senior State Counsel Grade I. By 1988 Salami had become the Presiding Justice, Benin for the Court of Appeal, then moved on to Presiding Justice, Kaduna before ending up as the Presiding Justice, Lagos, where he eventually became the President of the court in 2009. On Thursday, 18th August, 2011, the National Judicial Council after an emergency meeting in Abuja, announced the suspension of the Ayo Salami, over his refusal to apologise to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the Council after a panel set up by the council found him to have lied against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). At the speed of a thunder, President Goodluck Jonathan consented to the recommendation of NJC and approved the removal of Salami on the same day he received their recommendation. Stakeholders in the judiciary

however affirmed that Justice Ayo Salami was denied fear hearing before he was removed from office. In the same way and manner that NJC recommended Salami’s removal, it later recommended to the president to reinstate Salami as the President of the Court of Appeal. But President Goodluck Jonathan refused to heed this recommendation. He was definitely of the opinion that Justice Salami’s presence in the Appeal Court may jeopardise his 2015 ambition. After almost two years of intrigues against his recall, Salami finally retired on October 15, 2013. Salami did not bow out of office without pointing out that he was unfairly treated particularly by his colleagues whom he said betrayed him. He had likened his case to that of the Biblical Joseph in the Book of Genesis. He further stated that the NJC failed in its duties and thereby surrendered its functions to the executive arm of government, thus ingratiating itself to the executive. In his final words, Salami said that,“It is only sad that it is the body that was established to protect judicial officers that has dealt so cruelly with me. “I have no regrets whatsoever over all that I did having acted according to the dictates of my conscience and in the fear of Almighty God.”

MUHKTAR: HURRICANE CJN

Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar is the 13th CJN and the first woman to attain the seat. She was born on 20th November 1944 and appointed as the CJN in July 2012. She was called to the English Bar in November, 1966 and to the Nigerian Bar in 1967. President Goodluck Jonathan swore in Mukhtar on 16 July 2012 as the 13th indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria, and conferred on her the Nigerian National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). Mukhtar is from Kano State. She attended St. George’s Primary School, Zaria, St. Bartholomew’s School, Wusasa, Zaria, Rossholme School for Girls, East Brent, Somerset, England, Reading Technical College, Reading, Berkshire, England, and Gibson and Weldon College of Law, England, before being called to the English Bar in absentia in November, 1966. No sooner that Muhktar assumed office, she began an aggressive campaign against corruption in a bid to sanitize the judiciary. For the judiciary, "the fear of Aloma is the beginning of wisdom" Recently Aloma through the NJC sacked of two judges: Justices Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja and Ufot Inyang of an Abuja High Court over acts of

gross misconduct as she emphasised the need for judicial officers to abide by their oath of office. The removal of Justice Olotu and Iyang, was based on the outcome of petitions written against them. The NJC also issued warning letters to the Presiding Justice of Court of Appeal Kaduna Division, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, Justice A. A. Adeleye of High Court of Justice, Ekiti State and Justice D. O. Amaechina of High Court of Justice, Anambra State, respectively. Though judicial independence is founded on public trust, and to maintain it, judges must uphold the highest standard of integrity and be held accountable for their conduct, over the years, however, several erring judges have come under the hammer from the NJC. It will be recalled that also in 2013, Mukhtar had sacked two judges, Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and Justice Thomas Naron of the High Court of Justice, Plateau State, for delivering controversial judgments that many described as embarrassing to the judiciary. Other judges who fell under the hammer of NJC included Justice Dahiru Saleh, Justice Wilson EgboEgbo, Justice Stanley Nnaji, Justice Chuka Jideofor Okoli, Justice Chudi Nwokorie and Justice Solomon Hunponu-Wusu.’ Justice Chudi Nwokorie of the Federal High Court, Owerri, was dismissed for breach of his oath of office.

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Rights lawyers not competent to handle insolvency matters, says Idigbe His father, the late Justice Chukwunweike Idigbe, retired as a Supreme Court Justice. Chief Anthony Idigbe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is an alumnus of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun state. He speaks on his background, insolvency law, capital market, special court for financial crimes, the nation’s security challenge, abducted Chibok schoolgirls and sundry issues. JOSEPH ONYEKWERE met him.

Idigbe, SAN

e is arguably one of the outstanding commercial lawyers to come out of Africa. In fact, he can best be described as Nigeria's gift to the legal world. Chief Anthony Idigbe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who has made tremendous and remarkable marks in the development of Nigeria's jurisprudence is highly experienced and sound in his areas of practice. He graduated with a second class upper degree from the University of Ife in 1982, winning the Justice Orojo Prize for the best student in company law. He qualified from the Nigerian Law School with a second Class Upper degree in 1983. Idigbe is the managing partner of Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors and member of several professional bodies. He is the founder of the Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA) and was chairman of the association from 2001 to 2006. Till date, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the CMSA. For his professional dexterity, Idigbe was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2000. His footprints are visible in Insolvency, Advocacy, Dispute Resolution, Capital Markets as well as Mergers and Acquisitions among others in his over 30 years of glorious practice. Chief Idigbe told New Telegraph why regulation of insolvency in Nigeria has gained momentum. He said: "It is true that insolvency is becoming more recognized in Nigeria. Certain factors are responsible for this. The global meltdown which led to the collapse of major industries including the banking industry in Nigeria has brought to fore, the issue of insolvency and the need for business recovery. In the banking sector, the government has to intervene with a rescue package which is referred to as AMCON. But other companies don't have access to such rescue mechanisms under Nigerian laws. “Our general law in insolvency is still found in Companies and Allied Matters Act which has very weak business re-

covery provisions. Many companies are usually faced with liquidation as the primary means of solving insolvency and this has resulted in a lot of litigation. Although Nigerian law is rich in jurisprudence around insolvency, there is need for more reform. Part of the reform would include the regulation of practice of insolvency because under the existing law, there is no qualification for being appointed into an insolvency office like being appointed a liquidator/receiver, etc.; there is no bonding arrangement; there is no registration requirement and things like that. There is no body particularly in charge of the regulation of the profession. “Although on a voluntary basis, BRIPAN (the Business Problems Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria), was formed to create a body of knowledge in insolvency for its members in the hope that people will voluntarily use those who are so qualified but of course not many companies patronize BRIPAN members. Indeed, in the ROSC report done in 2007 on Nigeria by the World Bank, they identified the absence of a well regulated profession for the practice of insolvency as one of the weaknesses in Nigeria's insolvency system." However, Idigbe noted that the responsibility to regulate the sector lies in the hand of the Federal Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment. According to him, the ministry is sponsoring an Insolvency Bill to the

The outcome will be more certain, unlike now where you have a lawyer who is well known for human rights going to argue a case on insolvency. It doesn't augur well for quick dispensation of justice

National Assembly which when passed and signed, would regulate the practice of insolvency in the country. On the proposed establishment of special court for AMCON matters, Idigbe said such proposal was unnecessary as regular courts would enhance speedy trial of AMCON matters with specialized divisions. He said: "What we need is divisions of the Federal High Court specialised in insolvency with the judges well trained in that area of law. The gap of knowledge between the judges and the practitioners and among the practitioners is a bit wide. There is need for more investment and the lawyers, who practice at that division of the court in addition to being just qualified as lawyers ought generally to be further qualified to practice before those courts, which means they should undergo certain level of training. That way, the outcome will be more certain, unlike now where you have a lawyer who is well known for human rights going to argue a case on insolvency. It doesn't augur well for quick dispensation of justice. For example, in England they have one High Court but with different divisions", he said, adding that a judge in the insolvency division of the High Court of England disclosed at INSOL African Round Table that appeals hardly arise from their decisions due to the fact that the judges and the lawyers are well trained and everyone involved in the proceedings know what to expect”. This, Idigbe counseled Nigeria emulate instead of everyone angling for specialized courts, adding that in any case, AMCON was supposed to be a temporary institution meant to disappear after seven years or so. Besides, he said what the nation needed was a law with a general framework for business recovery for all companies. "Nigerian companies are going abroad and becoming international and if any of them should have a challenge, there should be a scheme for intervention and recovery of those companies", he said. The Senior Advocate also believes that a lot can be done to enhance speedy dispensation of justice as the one that would have the greatest impact would be the mindset which involves everybody. This, he said would involves the citizens, judges, lawyers and litigants, understanding that justice delivery is a service. Idigbe said: "It just happens that government institution delivers that service but the service has substitutes and exist in a competitive environment and so should be delivered in the most efficient and competitive manner possible. Since it is a special service which is de-

livered by the state, it shouldn't be too expensive unlike arbitration which is very expensive. And at the same time, you need to throw people out of the system as quick as possible with an outcome. If you don't have a system like that, the result is that people would begin to look for alternative, and that is dangerous for our system. “What are the alternatives? Bakassi, OPC, using the police to settle civil matters, using EFCC to settle commercial transactions and things like that. It happens because people don't have confidence in the normal system of dispensation of justice. Of course, people could also do self-help where they take the law into their hands as a way of resolving their disputes. So, you find distortions in the system and weakness in the rule of law when that occurs. Once we recognise that those are the issues, then we understand that the justice delivery system itself cannot stay still; it has to continually innovate to be able to render the service. They have tried in the last ten years. There have been significant changes in the High Court of all the States and the Federal Courts. They embraced new court procedures such as front loading, and very soon we will go into electronic filing. Twenty years ago, I went to America and I saw my friends transiting from manual to electronic filing and I came back and told my friends that we too have to change. It has taken us 20 years to change but these things must happen if we are going to be efficient. So we need to apply more technology to the process of service delivery for justice and we need to empower the judges in terms of knowledge. “When you find judges who are knowledgeable on a subject matter, you will find out that they are quicker in taking decisions because they know what the issues are, but when the judge is not familiar with the area, you find that he is slower in taking decision; he keeps adjourning the matter and slows down the process. “The other issues of corruption that distorts the system are general and are not peculiar to the judiciary. Also the issue of value needs to be dealt with in our society. We must continue to innovate, invest in our capacity, both human and other resources in the court system. And of course to invest, you have to go back to the system of leaving the whole funding or appropriation to the court to ensure that it is getting there. I have practiced for 31 years this year, and I have seen a lot of improvements. I saw the military rule and now democratic system. I saw when the court system was starved of funding, you get to courts there is no light and they can't work. The cases got adjourned and delayed but despite

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Thursday, May 29, 2014

complaints now, there is better funding which started about 1999. At least the courts now have power supply. “But there has been a drop in quality generally in terms of certain level of judgments that are coming out of the courts, which indicates that at some point, it was difficult for the courts to attract the best brains. Like I said, the court system is a service which has to compete and it has to compete to attract the best legal brains to the judiciary. You can't have the best legal brains being Senior Advocates or working in the banks and becoming bank MD's and not becoming justice who make decisions that perhaps have wider socio-political impact. “Other professions are struggling to take the best lawyers whether it is Oil and Gas, Banking or legal practice. So, the judiciary ought to also struggle to get the best lawyers at their leadership levels which is not necessarily occurring. So, when the system is so unattractive that you don't have a system of recreating yourself through the injection of the right source of blood into the system, then over time, you see it in terms of what is coming out of the system". Idigbe, an author of many published articles and scholarly works in various fields of law including capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, insolvency and business restructuring, legal practice and procedure, power sector, among others is a Notary Public and a fellow of the International Bar Association (IBA) on merit. On capital market, Idigbe said "Nigeria is an enigma, I should say because it is a country with a people with an interesting spirit. One would have thought that Nigeria would not survive the meltdown coupled with our internal problems of terrorism, yet it is still one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It's a great feat! If you come to this country and see the sort of energy that is on air, you have hope for the country. “There is a lot of hope and talent that is untapped, agriculture for instance is yet to explode. I think we have gone past the collapse of the Nigerian capital market. We have gone pass that. Yes, there might be issues in the capital market, but it did outstandingly well last year. This year it is behaving a bit funny, yet it's doing big transactions. We have the privilege of being involved with a recent IPO that was listed in London Stock Exchange Main Board and in Nigerian Stock Exchange. That was a massive transaction and more like that will be coming. Clearly, this is the best place to be right now." He described the capital market as better than insolvency in terms of regulation. Idigbe said: "With the provisions of the Investment and Securities Act, SEC sort of gives authorization for you to practice within the industry, particularly participating in public offers. SEC is developing an arrangement with CMSA such that for you to be licensed as it were, you have to undergo some kind of training. CMSA has developed a curriculum already. We are empower-

NEWS Joseph Onyekwere

ustice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday reserved ruling in a suit brought by an indigenous telecommunications firm, Hycon Investment Limited against Access Bank Plc. to October 3, 2014. The firm filed the action alongside its Chief Executive Officer, Peter Mbachu against the bank over an alleged breach of contract in 2007. Justice Abang re-

Idigbe, SAN

ing lawyers and law firms with knowledge in capital market, we go there as active participants. We are still behind though compared to lawyers in United Kingdom. You still find that due to some historical incidence, investment bankers have taken the driver seat with respect to capital market transactions. Historically, it used to be lawyers who drove the process but at some point in the 70's, the emphasis seemed to be the person who can get the investors and the investment banks were the ones who had list of customers and others who were likely to buy the shares. So, they seemed to have taken over the whole process including drafting prospectuses and placement memoranda which are very serious legal documents. In other climes, the lawyer is responsible for that document. During that process, they started employing inhouse lawyers to draft those documents and the external lawyers were put in the background. "With the collapse of the capital market with all the crisis, with greater emphasis on compliance and not just capital raising, with the understanding and appreciation of the fact that capital raising has to be ethical, the solicitor in capital market transaction is gaining heightened relevance. And there are so many new issues that have come up in the world. That is why I said values drive systems. So, now that the values

We are not growing our jurisprudence. If you look at our jurisprudence, it's all about jurisdiction, which is a technical and procedural issue are coming back up, compliance is becoming high on the agenda, therefore lawyers are beginning to have more significant role in many of the capital market transactions. “Right now, I think any investment bank will have to be very careful towards taking responsibility for, let's say a prospectus without consulting with a proper external solicitor from a wellestablished firm and not some in-house lawyer who have limited knowledge and take no risks as it were. He can leave the firm any day and he has no reputation to protect unlike an external lawyer. So, things are looking up for lawyers in terms of their participation; in terms of remuneration and transaction but they are still a bit behind". Idigbe frowned at the lingering conflict on who has jurisdiction between the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) and the Federal High Court in some cases involving capital market transactions. He described it as a serious dilemma, which has had a bad consequence on the system.

He said: "We are not growing our jurisprudence. If you look at our jurisprudence, it's all about jurisdiction, which is a technical and procedural issue. The substantive jurisprudence on capital market and right of investors are being drowned by the fight on whether you can go to the Federal High Court or the Investment and Securities Tribunal and nobody gets to decide what the issues are. I really think that the issue needs to be sorted out, perhaps some constitutional amendment can sort it out. In the absence of a constitutional amendment, I have made a proposition in some of the papers that I have presented that the Federal High Court should defer to IST in those matters and only intervene within its supervisory jurisdiction. By this, I mean that it can only intervene when there is an issue of fair hearing, exercise of excess of jurisdiction or abuse of power. Those are the usual ground by which the High Court can intervene in the decision of another tribunal. I think they can have that marriage of convenience pending when we can get a constitutional way to resolve that matter for instance as has happened with NIC. So, when people go to the Federal high Court instead of first going to IST, they should throw out their cases out and ask them to go to the IST. Also when SEC takes a decision and the aggrieved person wants to appeal, instead of going to the IST, goes to the Federal High Court, the Court should decline jurisdiction." He noted that it is frustrating to have the Court of Appeal make conflicting pronouncement over the conflict between the IST and the Federal High Court. He stated that it is a weakness in the system, adding that any good system of justice delivery should be scientific, meaning that it should be easy to predict where the decision of the court could go. On the pervading insecurity and the infamy of the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by the Boko Haram insurgents, Idigbe said that Nigeria has been struggling with its identity. He stated that Nigerians need to agree that the union was never perfect and that it was a constant work to continue to make the union more perfect. He advised that we should not wait for these kinds of explosions in our relationships to occur but should continue to oil the system to make it smooth, expressing worry that silos created are being maintained through hegemonic values, structures and processes. "Others have dug trenches and are sitting comfortably in them. These approaches to our relationships cannot help us achieve the intention of a more perfect union. There are however strategies to solving the problem," he said. He warned that those silos such as regions, ethnicity, religions, majority, minority, etc, will not allow us to produce the critical mass of people with higher values required to drive the country forward. "If we can develop that, with let's say even only 30 million people who have bought into values and ideas which are above those silos, they will move the rest of the country with them," he stated.

N100m suit: Court to determine Access bank’s fate, October 3 served ruling following the adoption of various applications in the suit by both the plaintiff and defence counsel. Plantiff counsel, Benedicta Lawrence adopted her motion on notice dated March 28, 2013, affidavit, written address in support of the motion on notice as well as her reply on point of law. She urged the court to grant her client’s requests as contained in the applications. The plaintiff is in the

motion asking the court to grant them leave for an extension of time within which it may apply to re-list the suit. The suit was dismissed on December 12, 2012 for lack of diligent prosecution. But the defence counsel, Ngo-Martins Okonmah in opposition informed the court that she was relying on the counter affidavit dated April 8, 2013, a written address of the same date and other processes to

prevail on the court to discountenance the application to relist the case. She prayed the court to dismiss the plaintiffs reply on point of law, describing it as incompetent. Thereafter, the trial judge adjourned the matter for ruling, stating that the vacation period would be excluded from the mandatory 90 days period within which to deliver judgments by courts.

The plaintiff had filed the suit claiming that Access Bank breached its contractual agreement by preventing it from making orders, taking stock of Recharge cards, sim cards and telephone handsets or utilizing existing loan facility between them. The firm wants the court to declare the action as illegal, null and void. Apart from seeking a N100m in damages, the plaintiff prayed for an

injunction restraining the defendant from hindering its operations. But the Bank in its statement of defence denied most of the averrements and rather slammed a counter claim of N13.4m which it said is standing at the debit of the plaintiff. It said that the plaintiff had refused to pay the stated debt which arose as a result of the overdraft it granted it despite repeated demands from the defendant.

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Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Lagos to professionalise bail bonding in judiciary STORIES BY JOSEPH ONYEKWERE

agos State Government has said that it would commence the registration and creation of central data base for all professional sureties in the state just as the need to professionalise the bondsmen’s activities in the state gains momentum. The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said this while speaking at a Stakeholders’ Summit on the Creation of Bondspersons in Lagos last weekend.

The move, according to Ipaye was to check the activities of touts, who are abusing the bail system by forging various documents including tax certificates and Certificate of Occupancy, in order to perfect the granting of bail to defendants. One of the major reasons for doing this would be to forestall situation where people jump bail at will and abscond from trial. However, Ipaye explained that once the law comes into force, the issue of defendants abscond-

ing from trial after being admitted to bail will be reduced. He said: "Over the years, the inability of indigent defendants to perfect their bail conditions has led to an increase in touting and other undesirable practices. It has also led to prison congestion and loss of faith in the criminal justice system." Throwing more light on the issue, the Chief Judge of Lagos State (CJ), Justice Ayotunde Phillips said the prospective bonds agents would be thoroughly screened to

ascertain their credibility. Phillips said the agents would be charged with the verification of the particulars of any defendant granted bail to ensure that such persons attend court to stand for their trial. In addition, the CJ stated that they (bonds agents) are also to verify the particulars of the guarantors provided by the defendants which would reduce their chances of jumping bail. According to her, a statutory board to be headed by a retired high court

judge would also be established to supervise the activities of the bondsmen. "The purpose of this summit is to intimate all stakeholders on the procedure, process and workings of the new bail bonds system and its impact on the administration of criminal justice. When it is fully operational, I am optimistic that it will help in speedy dispensation of justice and reduce congestion in our prisons", she said. The Chairperson of the Drafting Committee of the Bondsperson Regulations,

Justice Grace Onyeabo, called for the support of all stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation. The event which is the first stakeholders meeting on this issue was graced by eminent legal and judicial personalities such as Professor Taiwo Osipitan SAN, Justice S.A Onigbanjo, Justice Morenike Obadina, prof. Ayo Atsenuwa, the chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Lagos branch, Mr. Alex Muoka, justice Funmilayo Atilade, justice B.A Oke Lawal among others.

Olanipekun, Sofola, others seek security for judges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

man and is not one win which any man should boast. Judges are guardians of the public trust, and in this they are truly like priests. They form a particular revered group in the community; comprise a select part of an honourable profession and are entrusted, day after day, with the exercise of considerable power, which has dramatic effects upon the lives, and fortunes of those who come before them. “No one doubts that they are expected to behave according to certain standards both in and out of court. Citizens are entitled to expect that this power will be reposed only in people whose honesty, ability or personal standards are unquestionable. Public support of the judiciary is essential, and that support is only possible when members of the judiciary maintain an exacting standard of impartiality and integrity. It is necessary for the continuity of the system of law as we know it, that there be standards of conduct, both in and out of court, which are designed to maintain confidence in those expectations. 30 years ago there was widespread confidence in those expectations. It is the sad reality that despite 15 years of civil rule this is not so today." Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN said: "They have tried in the last ten years. There has been a significant change in the High Court of Lagos State. They started the front loading, and very soon we will go into electronic filing. "So, we need to apply more technology to the process of service delivery for Justice and we need to empower the judges in terms of knowledge. When you find judges who are knowledgeable in a subject matter, you will find out that they

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 are quicker in taking decision because they know what the issues are, but when the judge is not familiar with the area, you find that they are slower in taking decision; they keep adjourning the matter and slow down the process. “The other issues of corruption that distorts the system are general and are not peculiar to the judiciary. The issues of value need to be dealt with in our society. We must continue to innovate, invest in our capacity, both human and other resources in the court system. And of course to invest, you have to go back to the system of leaving the whole funding or appropriation to the court to ensure that it is getting there. Yusuf .O. Ali, SAN said: "The Nigerian judiciary in the last 15 years has gone through a lot. It has had its fair share of the ebbs of our nation. It has faced challenges of inadequate manpower, poor infrastructure, poor funding and human failings. “Though there is wide spread perception that there is corruption in the system, but there has not been real proof of such in the magnitude of the allegation. Therefore it's more of allegations than real proof. At any rate, of the three arms of government it's the only arm that has an effective internal mechanism to deal with real cases of corruption among its members, as exemplified in the dismissal and or retirement of some judges on account of allegation of corruption.

L-R: Lagos NBA chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka; Justice Funmilayo Atilade; Chief Judge of Lagos State, Ayotunde Phillips; Justice Grace Onyeabo; and Justice Morenike Obadina at the stakeholders' meeting on the creation of bondmen in Lagos.

Tejuosho Market: Court strikes out contempt charge against First Bank T he Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has struck out contempt proceedings initiated by Access Bank Plc against First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Justice Okon Abang held that the Form 48 and Form 49 (notices of disobedience of a court order) were not properly served on First Bank. According to the judge, the court's leave was not obtained first before the processes were served on the alleged contemnors. "For the plaintiff to commence a valid contempt proceedings, it requires the leave of court. "The plaintiff did not obtain leave of court before serving the alleged contemnors. These processes are, therefore, incompetent," Justice Abang held. Stomberg Engineering Company Limited (the defendant) and its owner Mr Dolapo Atinmo, allegedly entered into separate funding

Gov. Fashola, SAN

agreements with Access Bank and First Bank over the Tejuosho Ultramodern market. In their bid to recover their money, both banks filed separate suits against Stomberg Engineering and Atinmo. Counsel to Access Bank, Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN), who was appointed as the the market's Receiver/Manager, initiated contempt proceedings against First Bank

officials, alleging that they flouted the court’s order by obstructing the performance of his functions. The court had empowered Ogunba to take over the assets of Stomberg in respect of the market, and restrained the defendant from interfering with the Receiver/Manager removing its funds in the Alausa Branch of First Bank. Justice Abang added that Access Bank did not specify which First Bank officials disobeyed the court's order. "The names of the alleged contemnors must be mentioned, not just their designations as at the time the order was made. "This is so because if the person who disobeys the order has been transfered or retired, the new occupier of the office cannot be held liable for an offence committed by his predecessor," the judge added. Counsel to First

Bank, Mr. Kemi Balogun filed an application seeking to be joined as a defendant in the suit by Access Bank against Stomberg before Justice Abang. In response to the contempt charge, First Bank accused Access Bank of misleading the court and feeding it with half truth. “The facts deposed to in the affidavit in support of FORM 49 are half-truth and same was intentionally averred and initiated by the plaintiff (Access Bank) to mislead the honourable court and embarrass the Managing Director the said bank,” one of First Bank’s affidavits opposing the contempt charge reads in part. Justice Abang adjourned till June 16 for hearing of First Bank's application to be joined in the suit, and Access Bank's motion for interlocutory injunction against the defendant.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Ondo CJ decries rise in ‘room and parlour’ law firm AKURE

Foluso Ogunmodede

leading contender for the presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN), at the weekend told the Otu-Oka-Iwu on umbrella body of Igbo lawyers at its monthly meeting in Lagos of his ambition for the exalted office. Otu Oka-Iwu is a union of lawyers of Igbo extraction. However, Alegeh who told the gathering of the Igbo lawyers while unveiling his desire to lead the Bar as its next president, urged them to support him as his decision to contest the NBA topmost post was not negotiable. Although Alegeh and Mrs. Funke Adekoya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, both strong contenders for the presidency of the lawyers’ umbrella body- the NBA, stormed the Otu Oka-Iwu meeting with their campaign train, they were canvassing for votes ahead of the July election billed to hold in Abuja. Apparently worried that the association, which had lost its voice especially as no words had been heard from it on the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, Alegeh vowed to re-launch the NBA to national consciousness as it were during the Alao AkaBashorun era if elected come July. Alegeh said: “Somebody new and fresh with new ideas. I believe that there are changes we need to make in the association and we need a new person

YOUNG LAWYER'S FORUM For young lawyers, especially ‘new wigs,’ appearing before a judge for the first time can be daunting. A shaky voice; clenched fists; pounding heart; dry mouth – these are some signs of the anxiety that can throw a new lawyer offbalance, and possibly lead to awkward or embarrassing moments in court.

‘I was embarrassed because I didn’t know I could object to costs’

Babatope Okeowo he Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi yesterday bemoaned the condition of law chambers of some practising lawyers in the state, describing them as not befitting the profession. The jurist said a situation where lawyers hired a room and parlour and crowded themselves around high court premises should not be acceptable to the modern day practice of law. Speaking during the commissioning of the law firm of Dr. Benson Enikuomehin located in Oba-Ile in Akure North local government area of the state, Justice Kumuyi admonished lawyers to take the legal profession as a serious business. The state of the art ‘Shallom Chambers’ of Enikuomehin, a former Commissioner on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) consists of a library, lawyers, offices, conference room and a law press hall. Kumuyi said it is high time lawyers saw the practice of law as a serious business, urging them to invest into the building of modern law offices and chambers. According to him, only one lawyer, Mr Olagoke Fakunle has been elevated into the rank of Senior Advocate since the creation of the state since 38 years. This, he said was not because the lawyers were not brilliant

LAW | NEWS

L-R: Regent of Akure, Princess Adetutu Adesida; Chief Olusola Oke; Ondo Chief Judge, Justice Seinde Kumuyi; the celebrant, Benson Enikuomehin; Oba Micheal Obatuga and Odede of Igborgunrin.

but because they did not take their practice of law very seriously. However, the Chief Judge challenged other lawyers practising in the state to build law firms that would be a cynosure of all eyes like that of Enikuomehin and Mr Dayo Akinlaja SAN as if done, would enhance the chances of lawyers practising in the state to become members of the coveted silk wig.

In his speech, a senior lawyer, Chief Olusola Oke said lawyers should take their practice very seriously even if they had to get themselves involved in politics, it must not be seen as a profession but a game. The chairperson of Federation of Women Lawyers, Mrs Bunmi Niyi-Arajuwa advised lawyers to help in the course of children and women in the society as the association would soon give out cases in-

volving women and children to law firms while pleading that such should be on pro bono basis. In his speech, Enikuomehin said the building of the law firm was part of his contribution to the development of legal profession in the country as his decision to relocate ‘the specially designed five-storey law centre from Abuja to Akure was predicated on the nation’s security challenge.

NBA Presidency: Alegeh courts Igbo lawyers, offers self as ‘agent of change’

Alegeh, SAN

to make those changes. I offer myself as that agent of change for the association.” He, however said since he was convinced that the NBA activities should be ‘branch driven’, “the idea of four, five people upstairs forming policies, implementing the policies and when there is change at the helm, these policies are jettisoned is not good for the NBA”. Alegeh went on: “We need an NBA that starts from the branches, that gives powers to the branches, that all policies formulated by the NBA originate from the branches.” He expressed concern that

work reserved for lawyers are “being done by third parties and NBA does nothing about it. We have foreign law firms today who take 80 per cent of our arbitration work. We have the Legal Practitioners Act that provides that all legal services should be done by lawyers. How then do we sit down as NBA and allow funds from public corporations to be paid to foreign lawyers in flagrant breach of our laws?” Alegeh vowed to refocus the Continuing Legal Education programme to equip lawyers with requisite skills, noting that there were existing rights already which lawyers were not sufficiently equipped to pursue. Specifically lamenting what had become the lot of the NBA recently, Alegeh said “the whole world is agog with Chibok “but can anybody here tell me where NBA stands on Chibok? Nobody can say where we stand. Do we support Boko Haram or do we support the Federal Government? We don’t know where NBA stands. The NBA should be the “leader of all civil society in Nigeria and when anything happens in the country, the voice of NBA should be the loudest; currently, the voice of NBA is muffled.” However, he promised to “re-

focus" on the welfare of members, saying he is being called a “stranger” by the so-called Bar-men “because I do not join in the chop-chop. To be a ‘Barman,’ you have to chop.” Expressing his concern with the current state of affairs in the NBA, Alegeh said: “We fail to tap the enormous potentials that we have. I do not see why in this day and age of branding and advertising, of giving tax breaks to companies, NBA still has to pay by itself for bags, biros, jotters and all of that. If I go to SEC and say SEC, I want bags; you can brand them as you want. We don’t want money, it will be done. But we are running NBA as though we are in the Dark Ages. And because they make money from giving out contract awards to make biros and bags.” Describing Alegeh as his “Bendel brother,” In a vote of thanks, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) applauded him for acknowledging the relevance of the union, assuring him of “our maximum possible support”, saying the union “feels very honoured that you thought them fit and relevant to consult them,” adding that he had “spoken eloquently” about his plans for the association.

have just been called to the Bar and I returned to Lagos from Abuja. Before then I have a lawyer friend that was already practicing, so any time I am in Lagos I go to their office. So, on that fateful day, I went to their office and he told me that he had a matter in court the next day; that he was going to appear in another court in Oyingbo Magistrate court. He said that I should help him in a bail application and I said no problem. So, he briefed me on how to go about it. The next day, I went. But I can recall that when I announced my appearance I didn't even hear myself. Then I was Miss Ukaegbu. The judge said 'counsel, I didn't hear you' and I knew I didn't hear myself. So, I re-announced my appearance and made my detailed application. The file was given to me a day before the court. It was just a bail application and not really a contentious issue. I had the confidence it wasn't a problem. I wasn't nervous when I was going to court, but when the matter was called, I was overwhelmed with palpitation. So, I was surprised that I announced my appearance but wasn't audible. But the situation didn't embarass me. My most embarrassing moment was when I went to Gombe state for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and got myself attached to the chambers of the State Chairman of the NBA. The next day, he told me he had a matter and that he was not going to appear, that I am a lawyer. It was a motion for discontinuance; it was a straightforward matter and he didn't robe. So, I moved the motion. Then he had another matter that same day. We moved to the next court in the same complex. There was something which he was supposed to file which he didn't file and the matter was going on. The other party as a result asked for cost. The judge then asked: 'Ms Ukaegbu, are you conceding?' I said yes, I am conceding. Everyone in court was now laughing. The judge now said you mean you are conceding to a cost? I said yes sir! I looked at my principal and he just looked away. So, the way people laughed made me embarrassed.

Ada Nkwocha

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Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Bring back our girls: Politicising Boko Haram insurgency, inciting the military in Nigeria Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

any thanks to the “Red Berets Movement” in Nigeria for championing the “Bring Back Our Girls” global awareness which has attracted the attention and subsequent positive response from world super powers. It is obvious that Nigerians are vibrant and possess great capacity to bring about positive change if they are united and resolute. I salute the movement and those who have offered auxiliary supports towards sustaining the tempo until our girls are rescued and brought back alive to their families. Of a truth, there has been a global outcry over the ways and manner the security agencies handled the kidnap of our girls. It was alleged that the military was informed prior to the arrival and subsequent criminal adoption of the school girls. The public notion has been that the kidnapping would have been prevented if the military had moved-in immediately to engage the kidnappers or that the girls should have been rescued if the military responded early enough to chase the kidnappers with a view to overpowering them, fire for fire. These allegations and many other counter-allegations heaped at the door step of the military and other security agencies are worthwhile in the light of government’s constitutional responsibility to provide security, protect life and properties of citizens. Security viewed from all angles is taken to be an integral part of the “social contract” between government and the governed which is why the federal and state governments must take blame for any flaw in this all important responsibility. Looking back now, one is able to come to terms with the unreasonable political divide in our polity such that state governments which are not of the party in power tend to undermine security challenges so as to blame the federal government for any and every loopholes in the process of security of lives and properties across board. It is absolutely unfair for anyone to think that our armed forces are not doing their best. If not for their hard work and dedication to duty this country would have been brought to her kneels completely by trigger happy terrorists. The army and other security services need our collective commendations for the risks they are taking while majority of us sleep with our two eyes closed in the comfort of our homes enjoying life, pumping campaign, organizing and celebrating all kinds of ceremonies. It is sad that many families have been forced into agonies, bereavement and hardship as a result of the satanic activities of Boko Haram which is why Nigerians irrespective of our political colourations must join hands in absolute unity to clean out terrorism. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. K.T.J Minimah, has been

Oghenesivbe

described by many as a no-nonsense artillery officer whose track records in service to this nation have been without blemish. He is a man of few words, highly disciplined, dedicated and focused. His choice was a well thought out decision by Mr. President at a time like this to use his wealth of experience to strengthen our military and take charge of well motivated, well equipped and dedicated soldiers. And it is a truism that the CAS is focused and will certainly deliver as we progress. It must be noted that in a democratic dispensation the army cannot issue orders the way they do in military regimes. Every problem has its political side which is why reasonable care and consideration is vital in exercising military power in a democracy. We need to encourage General Minimah, his men and other security agencies, ginger and give them adequate funding as well as a healthy atmosphere to enable them put to use their professional capabilities to produce maximum and expected results. Our military has long been adjudged the best in West Africa and rated high in regional and global peace missions. Inciting the military through reckless and deliberate political propaganda is truly delicate and dangerous at this critical time of having our unfair share of global terrorism. It is a good step already taking by the National Assembly to dialogue with the Defense Minister, Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and the Service Chiefs with a view to agreeing on a sizeable budget that would effectively curtail insurgency and insecurity in the country. There can be no meaningful or sustained development once peace eludes us. State Governments’ rule in security matters Away from the military, let us take a brief overview of the rule of the state governments in security matters. It is a tru-

It is absolutely unfair for anyone to think that our armed forces are not doing their best

ism that the State Governors are the Chief Security Officers (CSO) of their respective states and therefore cannot exonerate themselves from any case or cases of insecurity experienced or being experienced in their domain. It is truly disgusting, as in the case of the Chibok girls kidnapping, that the state government rejected the advice of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) officials to either move the girls to a safer place for the examinations or provide adequate security because of the volatile nature of the area known to be a major base of the Boko Haram mafias. Another riddle that is difficult to explain is the enrolment of several male adults, some more than 30 years old, to write exams with the Chibok girls in a school that is wholly a girls’ college. The questions to ask are: When was Chibok girls’ school approved to be a mixed school? After the approval, if any, was there any fresh admission that brought male students into various classes from Junior Secondary School (JSS) to Senior Secondary School (SS)? Was due process followed while changing the status of Chibok Girls College? Does the school have its own security staff as was the case in colleges that operate hostel facility? If yes, where were the security people when the incident occurred and what is their relationship with other security operates in the state in case of emergency? If private security was not employed by the school authority, why is this so? How many teaching or non-teaching staff usually stays with the girls on shift duties in the hostel at night to monitor their conducts and night activities such as prep-time observation, bedtime prayers, moral checks, etc.? Or were the male students strategically enrolled to enable them have access to the school so as to monitor the girls’ activities and study the environment in preparation for the kidnapping, et al? Who gave approval for the enrolment of the boys to write examination with the Chibok girls and why. The security agencies need to probe deeper to provide answers to the above questions. While we blame the federal government and the military for the alleged lapses in their constitutional responsibilities, do the state governments and the school authority own the students any form of protection and effective monitoring to ensure their safety at all times; Boko Haram or no Boko Haram? For me, answers to these questions are critical to enable us objectively analyze and apportion blames without necessarily politicizing the unfortunate incident. As we know it, the polity has been long polluted, which is why the “Doctrine of Necessity” was invoked by the National Assembly to enable President Jonathan assume office as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces after the demise of our amiable former Executive President, Alhaji Musa Ya’Adua of blessed memory. TO B E CO N T I N U E D

‘My grudge against Supreme Court' Dr. Umar Ardo

n Friday 9th May, 2014 in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs, Supreme Court of Nigeria dismissed my appeal on the PDP Gubernatorial Primary Election in Adamawa State for the 2012 general election. By this judgment, the apex court affirmed that I was not an ‘Aspirant’ for the governorship and therefore had no locus standi to institute a case against whatever irregularities committed in the process of conducting the primaries. Why am I not an aspirant after buying, filling and submitting Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, and after being screened and cleared by the party, the court said because I did not participate fully in the Primaries. Secondly, in a supporting argument, the court further said that I obtained Expression of Interest Form but did not pay for it. Now, this is a very serious allegation – if really I did not pay for my forms, then indeed I have no right to raise an issue on the conduct of the primaries. Thirdly, the court raised an issue of court procedure which it ruled that my lawyers did not follow and therefore rendered the case incompetent. Now these three are issues of facts, law and procedure. As a ‘proverbial lay man’ in the legal profession, I won’t be able to discuss law and court procedure, but I know the facts of my case. It is a fact that the court asserted that I did not participate fully in the primaries, and anyone who did not participate fully cannot complain on the primaries. What is ‘participating fully in the primaries’, the court did not say. But in the first place, where did the court get the idea that I did not participate fully in the primaries when all the parties in the suit ab initio agreed that there were only two contestants in the primary elections – myself and Governor Nyako and I was defeated, and the issue of participation was never in contention? The answer is that the trial court brought it suo motu, i.e. all by itself without getting counsel to address it. I appealed against this infraction at the Court of Appeal and won. Yet without any cross-appeal on the matter, the Supreme Court astonishingly reintroduced the matter in which it claimed I did not ‘fully participate’ and therefore have no right to complain. The governorship primaries in the PDP is a process that starts from A – H, i.e. A. Buying of Expression of Interest and

Why am I not an aspirant after buying, filling and submitting Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, and after being screened and cleared by the party?

Justice Mukhtar, CJN

Nomination Forms; B. Filling and Returning of Forms; C. Screening of Aspirants; D. Appeal on Screening; E. Election of 3 Ad hoc Ward delegates; F. Appeal on Ad hoc ward delegates elections; G. Primary Election; and H. Appeal on Primary Election. In Adamawa State, a total of 847 delegates nominate the gubernatorial candidate for the party. Of this figure, 169 are statutory delegates, while the remaining 678 are the 3 Ad hoc delegates each from the 226 Wards of the state. By the constitution of the party, the sole objective of these Ad hoc delegates, averaging 81% of the Electoral College, is to nominate for the party its gubernatorial candidate and after this exercise they stand automatically dissolved. Now, only two of us went through the processes from ‘A’ to ‘D’. In the conduct of ‘E’, that is, electing the 3 ward Ad hoc delegates, the provision of the Party Guidelines was breached, in that Delegates’ Nomination Forms were not sold and the elections did not hold. Rather, the party along with my other fellow ‘aspirant’ sad down in the comfort of the Government House and drew up a list 678 of the Governor’s supporters and submitted as the Ad hoc delegates and asked that in the morning we should assemble at the election venue for the purpose of conducting item ‘G’ – i.e. the Primary Election. I objected, insisting that conducting item ‘E’ in accordance to the Guidelines is a condition–precedent to proceeding to item ‘F’. I then threatened that if they proceeded to ‘F’ without rectifying ‘G’, I will proceed to court. And that was exactly what happened – they proceeded to item ‘F’ and I proceeded to court. Now the Electoral Act is very clear; it said if an ‘aspirant’ feels that any of the provisions of the Act or the Party Guidelines have been breached in the process of nominating a candidate in the Primaries, he can approach a Federal, State or FCT High Court for redress. With this, I went to the Federal High Court, Yola, alleging that the Party Guidelines have been breached in that, among other issues, the 3 Ad hoc delegates were not elected in accordance to the guidelines. TO BE CONTINUED

BUSINESS THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS African tower sales deals worth over $3.5bn Tower sales and acquisition deals currently under discussions in the several countries where multinational mobile firms are operating in Africa are worth over $3 billion according to investigations by New Telegraph.

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Nigeria’s consumer market worth $400bn –Report Nigeria’s consumer market is worth about $400 billion, according to a McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report.

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Shell confident of profits despite climate change In a robust reply to recent report by the Carbon Tracker Initiative, the world’s largest oil company, Shell, believes that governments will not damage its business by taking rapid action on climate change, boasting that all its oil reserves will be needed and sold at a profit.

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Stakeholders plan improved ICT use Disturbed by the poor adoption and use of technology in many government agencies, information and communications technology experts are planning to have engagement sessions with government designed to redress the trend.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) SIMEON OGOEGBULEM, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) SIAKA MOMOH, Asst. Editor (Industry/Agric) GODSON IKORO , Asst. Editor (Money Market) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

29 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

}p-33 AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

N80bn unclaimed dividends traced to registrars’ complicity CONNIVANCE Company administrators fingered in shareholders’ inability to reap profits on investment Chris Ugwu

he rising wave of unclaimed dividends in the country has been linked to the complicity of some registrars who allegedly connive with parent bodies to deprive unsuspecting investors of their benefits. The unclaimed dividend is currently put in the region of N80 billion according to a source close to the apex market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). New Telegraph investigations showed that some registrars of companies are the major cause of why the problem of unclaimed dividends are rising despite SEC’s committed efforts to reduce it. Further checks showed that to correct the anomalies in the market, SEC should ensure that in the current financial year, companies listed on the floor of the Exchange do not operate any business as registrar. Speaking to our correspondent exclusively, a senior broker said on condition of anonymity, that the lackadaisical attitude of registrars toward

Adeola Yusuf

nternational oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria are in race to evade government’s sanctions on gas flaring, the major source of air pollution in Nigeria. Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, who dropped this hint yesterday, declared that the oil multi-nationals have slashed gas flaring to a record 11 per cent, the lowest since 58 years of oil exploration and production in Nigeria. Although government has kept mute on the new deadline

the e-process platform has continued to be a constraint to the initiative meant to reduce unclaimed dividends. He noted that since many companies are shying away from floating right issue and Initial Public Offer (IPO) due to liquidity squeeze, most of them rely on the unclaimed dividends to run their operations. He added that the intention might be deliberate as most times, the beneficiaries of unclaimed dividends are the companies since the dividends payments become statute bared after 12 years and the monies returned to the companies that

paid the dividends. According to him, the problem encountered by investors especially between 2008 and 2010 in share meltdown in the equities market, was due to the culpability of companies’ registrars. He insisted that there is the need for companies listed on the Exchange to have a separate registrar that would take care of investors’ shareholdings in the quoted companies, especially as regards dividends pay-out. The broker explained that there are cases where companies connive with registrars to delay dividend payouts and in

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

return, the money is ploughed back to the companies’ coffers, which they use in running their operations. Last December, the Federal Government had tasked the authorities of the SEC and the NSE to find solutions to the issue of huge unpaid dividends to capital market investors. Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Yerima Ngama, who threw the challenge at the third Annual Retreat of the Capital Market Committee (CMC) in Abuja, said that it was no longer desirable to have the unclaimed dividends unpaid to their owners, especially retail investors.

L-R: Chairman, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, Chief Keith Richards; Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Kufre Ekanem; Managing Director, Shell Petroleum, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu; Executive Director, CSR-in-Action, Ms. Bekeme Masade, at the Business Leaders Roundtable on sustainable development, in Lagos.

Gas flaring: IOCs race to evade FG’s hammer

for the IOCs on gas flaring, New Telegraph gathered that government has started to rate their compliance level on the flaring. “Many of the international oil companies are fast approaching full flare out as the gas obligation and infrastructure growth have all combined to enable utilisation of hitherto flared gas,” Madueke said,

maintaining that the flare out rate dropped from 25 per cent to 11 per cent of production. “All IOCs have set up special forces to ensure prompt compliance with the gas flaring reduction and we have seen them come up with different strategies to ensure this,” a management staff of one of the oil majors told New Telegraph on phone.

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

HOW ‘PHABLETS' RULE MOBILE DEVICES MARKET

Meanwhile, Mrs. AlisonMadueke said that as part of efforts at ensuring steady supply of gas to meet up with growing market demand of the product, the Federal Government is planning to construct the longest pipeline in the country from Calabar via Ajaokuta to Kano State. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE April 2014...............................7.9% March 2014............................7.8% Feburary 2014 ........................7.7%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at May 23)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N231 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $37.369bn as at 22/5/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at May 23)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N262.26 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N212.27 Source: CBN

30 BUSINESS | NEWS INFRASTRUCTURE Telecom operators rev up plans to raise fund through infrastructure sale Jonah Iboma

ower sales and acquisition deals currently under discussions in the several countries where multinational mobile firms are operating in Africa are worth over $3 billion according to investigations by New Telegraph. Three major multinational operators, MTN, Barti Airtel, Orange Group and Etisalat have all given indications that they will be offloading some of their telecom towers to third parties this year in a sale and leased back arrangement. Top among the deals is the plan by Bharti Airtel to sell about 15,000 of its towers across 17 countries for $2 to $2.5 billion. MTN is also to sell towers valued at $1 billion in Nige-

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Planned African tower sales deals worth over $3.5bn ria, while Etisalat has hired a Standard Bank to advise it on the sale of the towers owned by its Nigerian subsidiary. The sale of Etisalat’s 2,500 towers is estimated to raise around $400 million for the company. Also, Orange Group has reportedly confirmed that its Egyptian unit, MobiNil, is “well advanced” with plans to sell off some of its wireless towers. According to Bloomberg, citing Sebastien Audra, a spokesman for the Paris-based company, negotiations related to the infrastructure divestment are moving into the final stages. Orange has not, however, made public, information regarding potential buyers, nor has it confirmed how many towers are actually being sold. A calculation of the number of towers to be put on auction shows that the 2014 planned

sale will be the largest ever in the region and Nigeria is the focal point of most of the sales as towers worth over $2 billion would be sold in the country. Based on the plans, investigation showed that telecom tower companies are seeking finance to fund possible purchases. Helios Towers Africa is seeking about $500 million to acquire about a quarter of the towers MTN is putting up for sale. In December, MTN sold a total of 1,228 network towers in Rwanda and Zambia to IHS Holdings for an undisclosed amount after parting with 1,758 towers in Cameroun and Ivory Coast for $284 million to the same company in 2012. Three parties are understood to have been in negotiations with Orange for the infrastructure, with two rounds of bidding said to have taken place.

L-R: President, Institute Of Directors (IOD) Nigeria, Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi; Director- General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Amb. Ayon Oke and Director of Economic Intelligence, Department of State Service, Mr. Olukayode Oduneye, during the institute’s May 2014 Members’ Evening with a theme: “Security-A critical element in a nation’s growth and prosperity” held in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Nigeria’s consumer market worth $400bn –Report GROWING A report has shown tremendous increase in the country’s consumer market. Dele Alao

igeria’s consumer market is worth about $400 billion, according to a McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report. The report titled: “Nigeria’s renewal: Delivering inclusive growth in Africa’s largest economy”, said that the value of its consumer market could reach $1.4 trillion by 2030 with food and non-food consumer goods accounting for one trillion of the total. It stated that one of the most important under-appreciated changes in Nigeria was the

growing size and strength of its consuming class. “While the middle income is $680 per year and 43 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, the number of households in the consuming class is growing rapidly. “In 2013, an estimated eight million households had income of over $7,500 per year, the threshold which MGI considers as emerging consumers,” the report said. It stated that the labour productivity in the country had grown by 3.6 per cent per year since 2010 and had contributed to the greatest share of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The report, however, stated that despite the improvement in labour productivity, Nigeria was still far behind other major developing economies. At less than 9,500 dollars per worker per year, Nigerian output is 58 per cent less than the average of seven large developing economies. Nigeria also has a low ra-

tio of employment to population of 31 per cent compared with 52 per cent in Brazil, 46 per cent in Indonesia and 48 per cent in Russia. Productivity is also being held back by poor infrastructure, which increases the cost of doing business in the country,” it said. The oil and gas sector, the report said, had many opportunities to improve productivity, adding however that the large share of the economy that existed outside oil and gas was where the productivity gap to other countries emerged. It explained that the recent rebasing exercise had demonstrated that the natural resources sector was a smaller share of the country’s economy. The report further said that the rebasing had cleared the misconception by people outside Nigeria that believed the oil sector was the engine of growth in the Nigerian economy as it is with several Middle Eastern economies.

Among the prospective buyers are Accelero Capital and Ashmore Group. Other likely bidders for the towers operators will put up for sale include the existing tower operators in the region, Eaton Tow-

ers, American Towers and IHS. Mobile telecom network operators have said that the towers are expensive to maintain, listing inaccessible roads to rural areas, high security costs and an epileptic power supply as the main reasons for their sale. Towers and the infrastructure that accompanies them can account for more than 60 per cent of the expense to build a mobile network, according to data from tower company IHS Holding Ltd.

Shell confident of profits despite climate change Dayo Ayeyemi

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

n a robust reply to recent report by the Carbon Tracker Initiative, the world’s largest oil company, Shell, believes that governments will not damage its business by taking rapid action on climate change, boasting that all its oil reserves will be needed and sold at a profit. Shell, according to the report by Climate News Network, explained the company’s reasoning for investing in tar sands and other high cost and difficult-to-extract oil reserves. It said that an ever-expanding global economy, fuelled by population growth and great prosperity, would need more and more oil and gas at least until 2050. This, it said, would support high prices. The Carbon Tracker Initiative report and subsequent research by Friends of the Earth Netherlands, pointed out that many of Shell’s long-term, highcarbon projects in the pipeline would become highly vulnerable to losses or would simply be left in the ground when international law starts to constrain the burning of fossil fuels to limit temperature rises. But Shell said that this would not happen because it did not believe politicians would take

action quickly enough to avert global warming. In a long letter to investors, Shell said that it can be assured that the company will continue to make substantial profits out of burning fossil fuels for the foreseeable future. In the report, Shell acknowledged that the renewables market would expand dramatically, and that gas would become an ever more important fuel, but maintained that it will still not be enough to satisfy the growing demand for energy. The company accepts that climate change is a serious threat that must be tackled, and believes − along with scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change − that the temperature of the planet will rise above the 2°C danger threshold by the end of this century. But it believes that it will take many decades to alter the world’s energy infrastructure to tackle it effectively. Meanwhile the world economy will go on demanding to burn oil and so safeguard the company’s current investments. A letter from the Executive Vice President, Investor Relations, at Royal Dutch Shell, Dr J.J. Traynor, revealed that the company is placing great faith in carbon capture and storage, and is developing projects in Australia, Canada and Scotland.

Gas flaring: IOCs race to evade FG’s hammer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

She said this in a statement from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), while delivering a paper titled: “Encouraging investment in gas production, supply and consumption” at a 3-day national conference on gas resources organised by the Senate Committee on Gas Resources in Abuja. “By the end of the year, we will be commencing, via Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, the nation’s longest pipeline from Calabar via Ajaokuta to Kano State,” Alison-Madueke stated. Represented by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, the minister said that at present, the Federal Government was constructing the strategic East-West pipeline while the Lagos end segment of the Escravos to Lagos Pipelines System (ELPS) is nearing completion. She explained that almost

500km of new gas pipelines have been completed and commissioned, including the doubling of the capacity of the EPLS between Escravos and Oben and the extension from Oben to Geregu and River Imo to Alaoji respectively. The minister said that by the end of 2018, the backbone pipeline infrastructure for gas would have been delivered, concluding an initial phase of over 2500km of gas pipeline infrastructure development. She said that government was strategising to leverage on the full potential of gas to achieve massive impact on the economy and the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “We are focused on jumpstarting gas supply to enable usage in gas to power, gas based industrialisation, compressed natural gas for transportation and commercial usage, cooking gas for domestic usage and regional pipeline for gas export,” the minister stated.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

What's up with Goldman Sachs Fact File 10,000 Women initiative?

Megbope in her kitchen

SIAKA MOMOH brings you the exciting stories of some of the beneficiaries of this highly supportive scheme aimed at growing underserved women entrepreneurs globally.

he Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative is a programme organised to help in growing local economies by providing business education, mentoring and networking, and access to capital to underserved women entrepreneurs globally. The programme debuted on March 5, 2008 at Columbia University. The initiative is one of the largest philanthropic projects the bank has been involved with. As part of the programme, Goldman Sachs has committed $100 million in funding and partnered universities in Europe and the United States with business schools in developing and emerging economies. The anchor school here in Nigeria is Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) which has trained over 100 women entrepreneurs to date. The programme operates through a network of over 80 academic and non-profit institutions. These partnerships help develop locally relevant coursework and improve the quality and capacity of business education worldwide. The women selected for the programme enrolled in customised certificate programmes ranging from five weeks to six

Sumbo (r), the cooking oil merchant

months. Topics covered include marketing, accounting, writing business plans and accessing capital. Students are offered mentoring and post-graduate support by partner institutions, local businesses and the people of Goldman Sachs. Investing in women is one of the most effective ways to reduce inequality and facilitate inclusive economic growth. Research conducted by Goldman Sachs over several years has shown that investing in education for women has a significant multiplier effect, leading to more productive workers, healthier and better-educated families, and ultimately to more prosperous communities. Funding for 10,000 Women is provided by Goldman Sachs and The Goldman Sachs Foundation. We bring you the exciting stories of some graduates of the programme. Ayodeji Megbope

Origin: Lagos, Nigeria Profession: Catering Business: No Left Overs Country: Nigeria Partner school: Pan-Atlantic University ‘When you satisfy your clients, they actually become the arrow head of your sales force - incredible!’ Business Overview I started my catering and hospitality business in 2007 to make a meal of “Moin-Moin” (local bean paste). My first clients were limited to family and friends. We hawked our product from one client to another. We didn’t have a clear strategy and what we sold was not commensurate with the effort we were putting in. We found that we couldn’t make enough money just selling “Moin-Moin” so we

also started catering for small events. Challenges Our two main challenges were location and cash flow. Location was a problem because we cooked from my kitchen at home. Initially, this wasn’t much of an issue until we started getting bigger orders. My kitchen became too small, and we had to turn down a few large orders. At other times, we had to contract additional staff that cooked all night in my house! There was no privacy and I knew I was pushing the goodwill and patience of my family beyond acceptable limits. Yet the 10,000 Women program had fired us up for growth! Secondly, the kind of clientele that we had paid us after delivery. Ordinarily, that should not have been a problem but we didn’t have much cash and every new and bigger client we took on increased our requirement for additional working capital which was difficult to get. The banks were not lending and when they did, the interest rate was too high (above 25 per cent per annum). Results Through 10,000 women, I realised that not everyone could be my client-“market segmentation” they called it. So, I began choosing my clients. As a policy, we started receiving payments in advance. A key lesson for me is that being predictable in terms of quality and service delivery

My first clients were limited to family and friends

increased our brand equity and ability to negotiate better payment terms with our clients. We have experienced tremendous growth after attending 10,000 Women. We have increased our client base and now focus on high net worth customers who pay in advance for services. From a humble beginning of 20 guests per order, we now regularly serve 750 guests per order, often three times a day! Since graduation, monthly turnover has increased more than tenfold! When I started, I was the only staff. Now I have ten permanent staff, including an accountant, and we also hire up to 60 temporary workers from time to time depending on the orders we have. We recently acquired a used delivery truck, which gave us control over delivery. We were also able to lease an apartment with a large kitchen - so we finally separated my residence from the business. A big relief for everybody! In 2011, we relocated and opened our first restaurant and kitchen in Gbagada (Lagos mainland) and we are already planning for our second restaurant in a high brow area of Lagos Island (Ikoyi). Giving back to the community is important to me and we now offer free meals to prisoners once a month. Future Goals My future goal is to continue the expansion and make the “No Leftover” brand a household name. Kabeh Sumbo Origin: Monrovia, Liberia Profession: African Cooking Oils C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 2

The U.S. restaurant industry has more than 10 million workers, sales revenues of US$683.4 billion annually and a growth rate of 3.6 per cent per year. But despite its monumental size and profitability, the restaurant industry still contains six of the ten lowest paying jobs in the United States. And the industry’s impressive growth goes unseen by people at the ground level of the industry – the millions of Americans who work to prepare and serve food. Low wages, an absence of basic benefits, discriminatory treatment, and few career advancement opportunities make working in this sector a dead-end for most workers. Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) is world’s third most profitable and second largest in terms of numbers of films produced. A typical Nollywood film has a budget of as little as $10,000 (N1.5m) and it is shot in about 10 days with a production crew as few as 10 people. Nigeria became self-sufficient in cement production in 2012 -achievement was as a result of an arduous 10-year process, based on the principle of backward integration. Nigeria’s annual per capita consumption of steel - a key indicator of an advanced economy – is extremely low at 10kg as against a global average of 159kg. Raising this figure to 100kg is part of Vision 20:2020, Nigeria’s long term economic plan. Expected outcomes of Nigerian Gas Masterplan Policy interventions include 8 million tonnes per annum fertiliser capacity, by investors to be operational by 2017-19; 10 per cent supply of world’s tradable fertiliser by 2017 making it the undisputable regional hub; a sizeable portion of this capacity will be deployed for domestic consumption; a 1.4 million tonnes per annum petrochemical plant to be built in Nigeria; and three planned industrial parks to be built in Delta, Bayelsa and Edo States.

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

How is 10,000 Women initiative doing? CONTINUED from PAGE 31

Business: Passama Agriculture and Trading Corporation Country: Liberia Partner school: Global Communities ‘If you train one woman like the Goldman Sachs trained me, you train a nation’ Business Overview Passama Agriculture and Trading Corp. provides locallyprocessed Liberian oils (palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, and tobogee oil) to hotels, restaurants, the general public, government and international NGOs operating in Liberia. Passama is involved with both domestic sales and international exporting. The company also operates a successful set of warehouses in the busiest market in Liberia. Challenges The major business challenges I faced included finding international buyers interested in the African oil market, transportation of goods due to poor Liberian road conditions and exporting goods through the ports in Liberia. Results I started my business with a $50 loan from a micro-finance institution in Liberia. With the help of my daughter, I was able to start selling palm oil at the major market in Monrovia with only one gallon of oil. Today, I mainly sell wholesale palm oil and regularly source my products from six different villages in Liberia. Prior to enrolling in the 10,000 Women programme, I had a difficult time managing the incredible growth of the company. After graduating from 10,000 Women, I have improved my sales strategies, customer service, and general management skills. I am now exporting more locally-made African cooking oils to New Jersey, thereby increasing my exports by 50 per cent. Additionally, I am now working on a branding strategy for my products, and I have started keeping records and budgeting. 10,000 Women has enabled me to think strategically about growth, and better identify and evaluate new business opportunities. I have become a much bet-

Lotfy... trading in arts

ter manager, and have begun to delegate tasks to my employees so that every responsibility does not fall on my shoulders alone, so that my employees can better serve my customers. Since 10,000 Women, I have hired four new employees and opened three additional warehouses around Monrovia. My revenues have increased by over 30 per cent. 10,000 Women gave me the confidence to enrol part time in university where I am currently studying agriculture. With support from the government of Liberia, I hope to obtain a piece of land that I will be able to use for my own palm tree farm. Future goals I would like Passama to be the leader in the local oil market, and to be the supplier of local oil to other vendors in and around Monrovia. Rasha Lotfy Origin: Cairo, Egypt Profession: Authentic Egyptian art production Business: Afnan Center Country: Egypt Partner school: American University, Cairo ‘I am forever grateful for the chance I got to learn and grow’

I have become a much better manager, and have begun to delegate tasks to my employees so that every responsibility does not fall on my shoulders alone Business Overview I started a center for arts and innovation called Afnan, which means “talent” in Arabic. The products we offer include bags, bed linens and accessories that are mostly associated with the Egyptian culture, especially in Siwa, the famous oasis in Egypt’s Western desert. We supply local women with raw materials for the creation of bags, scarves, blouses, and linens using traditional designs. After the goods are complete, we help sell them at markets and bazaars. My target clients include big tourist bazaars, event planning companies and major bookstores. I started my business because I wanted to preserve unique Egyptian designs and

increase opportunities for women. I have always been committed to helping those who want to work, gain the skills they need to earn a living. Challenges In starting my business, my first major challenge was the social belief in Egypt that art is just a hobby and not a profession. Many Egyptian families, including my own, believe that sentiment and because of this, I chose to pursue another career and studied to be an accountant. It was not until later in my career that I decided to pursue my dream of owning an arts centre. A second major challenge of mine was allocating my initial capital investment. I started Afnan using my savings from my former job as an accountant. Results 10,000 Women was a turning point for me and my business. Before I entered the program, I acted on instinct. I did not have a strategy for marketing and pricing my products. Since graduating from the program, I streamlined my operations, expanded my marketing efforts and I opened a small factory in Siwa to handle large orders. I have also quadrupled the number of women who produce our handicrafts from

home, helping more artists from my country carry forward our rich traditions. After graduating from 10,000 Women, my client base has doubled and I am now working with a network of 10 bazaars. Based on what I learned in the classroom, I have withdrawn my products from small outlets that do not show them well and instead have focused on expanding to new bazaars in the governorates. I have developed a marketing plan which includes targeting governorates that are rich in tourists. I have implemented a number of strategies based on the marketing plan, including participating in my first global entrepreneurship fair, working with tourism and conference planning companies, launching a website and producing flyers. I have already obtained new customers using these methods and I recently completed an order for 1,000 bags for an international conference that was held in Cairo. Future Goals I plan to create new production lines at my factory, purchase new equipment and hire more employees. I have also started exploring opportunities to export my products and I’m working on establishing a distribution channel in Spain.

Aulic to hold fair on industrialisation This exhibition is basically being organised to match Nigerian startups with foreign suppliers. Siaka Momoh

ulic Nigeria Limited, manager of the International Tradefair Complex, Lagos, is billed to hold a fair on indus-

trialisation in the first and second week of June this year. The theme of the fair is ‘Boosting Nigeria’s Development through creative and innovative industrialisation.’ Aulic is hosting the fair in partnership with Ukraine International Exhibition Centre and Heritage International Business Concept U.GMBH. Dr. Chika Ezeh, CEO of Aulic Nigeria Limited, who addressed the media on the fair during the week, said the

exhibition halls have been fully refurbished for the twoweek event. Said she: “We have cleaned the halls and they are now ready for use for all exhibitions. We have eight satellite halls and this big one is one of them. Each of the satellite hall has over 1 700 square meters and the big one has 5,000 square meters. We expect all activities during the fair to take place indoors.” She explained: “For some times now, the participation

of international firms has drastically dropped because of the derelict state of the facility and the not too good image of Nigeria. We are happy to inform you that we do have quite an encouraging number of international companies who have indicated their interest to be here and participate in this exhibition and many more are sending representatives. “We already have 119 foreign companies who have con-

firmed their participation. 29 of them are already here with their products and we are expecting others to come in before the end of this month. Also a company in Eastern Europe is coming to seek partners with which it will establish a private television station in this country.” This exhibition basically is being organised to match Nigerian startups or upcoming businesses with foreign suppliers.

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Thursday, May 29, 2014

The technology devices market is one that has witnessed a lot of evolution in the last decade with the introduction of tablets and different kinds of smartphones. JONAH IBOMA looks at how a new set of devices combining traditional functions of phones and tablets are reshaping the market.

he invention of the mobile phone has revolutionised many of the ways we do things and also added new words. Today, with the arrival of mobile phones, communication between people in the remotest parts of the world is just a dial away. With the internet, we now have words such as ‘pinging,’ ‘flashing’ and ‘browsing’ as part of our daily vocabulary. Now, a new word, ‘Phablet,’ has been added to our vocabulary. A phablet, a combination of the words phone and tablet, is a class of mobile device designed to combine the functions of a smartphone and tablet. Phablets, typically, have screens that measure (diagonally) between 5.01 to 6.9 inches (130 to 180 mm) and offer a display larger than traditional smartphones. This means that a phablet offers a better visual experience for viewing web pages but can be bulky in a small shirt or trousers pocket. The first phablet was the Androidbased Dell Streak in 2010, but Samsung’s Galaxy Note (2011) is largely credited with pioneering the worldwide phablet market. However, examples of early devices with similar form factors date back to 1993. According to trades’ website, trademarkia. com, LG applied to trademark the phablet name in 2011. While tablet PCs have become a big hit in the technology devices world, the entry of phablets seem to be changing the game and forcing big device makers to reconsider their business strategies and satisfy market desires. According to a 2014 report by technology research firm, Gartner, in 2012, there were 116.3 million tablets sold worldwide, but in 2013, the figure was 195.4 million. However, as the tablets sale has been growing, the phablets figures have been increasing as well. In January 2013, IHS reported that 25.6 million phablet devices were sold in 2012 and estimated that these figures would grow to 60.4 million in 2013, and 146 million by 2016. Barclays projected sales of phablets rising from 27 million in 2012 to 230 million in 2015. In September 2013 International Data Corporation (IDC) reported that its research indicated that phablet size smartphones “overtook shipments of

The trend is unmistakably towards larger-screen handsets at the high end of the market both laptops and tablets in Asia in the second quarter of 2013.” Reuters called 2013 the “Year of the Phablet.” The popularity of the devices is not just restricted to some regions, but rather it is becoming a global phenomenon. In Europe, phablets accounted for 27 per cent of smartphone shipment, according to the research company, Canalys. In its latest research, the firm said that a third of the 279.4 million smartphones shipped in the first quarter of 2014 had screens larger than 5in, the size commonly used to define a phablet, And contrary to the expectation that phablets’ principal popularity is in Asia, the company’s data shows that in the US 32per cent of phones had screens larger than 5in, in line with the world total, even though smartphone shipments to the US made up only 12 per cent of the world. In Europe, which accounted for 11 per cent of the world total shipments, phablets made a smaller but still sub-

stantial proportion, at 27 per cent of shipments. Large-screened phones remain more popular in the Asia-Pacific region, where they made up 43 per cent of all shipments; for China, the figure was 39 per cent. But what has made phablets so popular? In a 2013 analysis, technology products review site, Engadget, identified dropping screen prices, increasing screen power efficiency, increasing battery life and the evolving importance of multimedia viewing as critical factors in the popularity of the phablet In 2012, Forbes magazine noted that while most clothing cannot hold a typical tablet computer, men’s clothing in particular could and may well adapt to accommodate phablets. Doug Conklyn, vice president of global design for Dockers told Fox News that the company reworked the size of its pants pockets “to accommodate the growing size of smartphones.” While companies such as Samsung, Lenovo and Asus are all playing it big in the phablet market, Apple seems to be the only one missing out, although the firm still has a clear lead in the tablet market accounting for over 34 per cent of global shipments. Jessica Kwee, an analyst at Canalys, said: “The trend is unmistakably towards larger-screen handsets at the high end of the market. Based on the findings, analysts say CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

W it h

How ‘Phablets' rule mobile devices market

TECHTalk Jonah Iboma 08050498516

ICT stakeholders and fight against terror

he fight against terror is one that Nigeria has been trying to win using all resources at it’s disposal. However, the effective use of information technology is one that seemed not to have been done. For a country with the largest population in Africa and a leading light in technology development in the continent, one is surprised that this is the case. But a surprising development came a few weeks ago when stakeholders in the industry accused government of not asking for their assistance in the fight against insurgency. According to a former president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, government has not at any time tasked ICT experts to deeploy their expertise to help address the security challenges in the country, despite the fact that there were many individuals that could provide such help. But just as the ICT experts were making their positions known, the Senate took a swipe at them for the non-utilisation of their technology expertise in the on-going fight against insurgency in the country. The Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, issued the query during the 2014 budget defence meeting with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in Abuja. He questioned application and justification of the wealth of knowledge and expertise that Nigeria parade in the sector in the face of the palpable spate of insecurity in the country. Nnaji went ahead to ask technology experts to call for a stakeholders’ retreat to address the security issues in the country. A statement credited to him reads: “The palpable spate of insecurity in the country makes one wonder if ICT is of any use in our polity. This is despite the wealth of knowledge and expertise that Nigeria parade in this sector. It is bewildering that the rising insecurity in the country occasioned by insurgencies erupting from different angles has been met with an embarrassing quietness from the ICT sector. Is it that this sector is devoid of the appropriate solution or technology to fight insecurity in Nigeria? Is it that this nation does not have competent personnel in the public and private sectors of our nation’s ICT to counter insurgencies?’’ The positions of the senate and the ICT stakeholders need to be commended given the fact that Nigeria needs all the help it can get at these trying times. However, it must be pointed out that the fact that ICT stakeholders have been largely left out of the terror fight is another proof of the disconnect that exists between government and Nigerians generally. It is a surprise that in Nigeria, people in government often do not work with core professionals and this leads to problems bedevilling various sectors of the nation. The government today does not understand how it can use the various local expertise that its people possess and hence, the country often resort to using quacks. This is why government needs to look at the universities and higher institutions once again because this is where proven professionals would always be found. If government had actually formed a solid link with higher institutions, solutions to many problems of national development would be found. So, while stakeholders retreat may be good, the true solution would be found when government actually develops a proper link with professionals to address the nations’ needs.

BUSINESS | ICT

DEVELOPMENT Experts plan fora to help government agencies adopt technology. Stories by Jonah Iboma

isturbed by the poor adoption and use of technology in many government agencies, information and communications technology experts are planning to have engagement sessions with government designed to redress the trend. Stakeholders, who spoke with New Telegraph, noted that many government ministries, departments and agencies have wasted lots of money in many so-called ICT projects or have simply not applied technology at all, when such was easily possible. They said that the need for such engagement sessions had become paramount if Nigeria was to fast track development and become the nation that the citizens dreamed of. The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria is expected to lead the sessions and according to its president, Mr. Ajayi Ajayi, the engagement is something that must be done. “We are going to have sectorial engagements. The current scenario where government agencies just dabble in certain technology applications does not augur well for the country.” According to him, many government agencies have ei-

Stakeholders plan sectorial engagement for improved ICT use ther wrongly applied ICT solutions or have not been able to derive the best benefits from what technology offers, due to ignorance. Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Teledom Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said that the need for such an engagement was long overdue. He commended those who have muted the idea and added that he expected the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Ministry of Communications Technology to partner now with various stakeholder groups to actualise the idea. Ajayi said that in order to ensure that the sessions produced a meaningful impact in the country, ATCON would constitute a committee to work out details of how to engage various government agencies on the use of technology. He further said that industry professionals had taken the decision on the sectorial engagements after the last election of ATCON, when it became obvious that there was the need to advise governments on the way it could better deploy ICT for national development. It will be recalled that industry experts have bemoaned the waste of funds on many ICT based projects such as the In-

How ‘Phablets' rule mobile devices market CONTINUED from PAGE 33

that they expect the trend to change and see Apple also play in the phablet market. This is why there are growing rumours that Apple will release a phone with a 4.7 in screen later this year, and that it is testing an even larger phone with a 5.5in screen. A sales document presented at the recent patent trial between Apple and Samsung suggested that Apple was concerned that people “want what we don’t have”: cheaper phones and larger-screened models. The data from Canalys show that if Apple is excluded from the figures, then just over half of smartphones shipped in the period had screens smaller than 5in, while 22per cent were in the 5-5.4in category, 10per cent in the 5.5-5.9in category, and 1per cent with screens larger than 6in. Apple, whose phones range from 3.5in to 4in, comprised 16per cent of total shipments. It based on the need for apple to redress the situation that rumours abound that Apple will certainly come up with its phablet phones too. The phablet rumours have been so persistent that now one website has even made a concept video, in 3D, of what the future

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

devices from Apple might look like. Tim Coulling, a senior analyst at Canalys said: “Without addressing the larger screen size of the market, Apple is missing out on a significant amount of shipments.” “Bigger screens are becoming essential for browsing. They make it a lot more attractive – you can fit more information into a single screen. And media consumption is becoming more and more important. That requires a larger screen too. Email gets easier on a big screen too.” He also suggested that productivity functions such as document editing are a “major use” for larger screens, a functionality that Samsung has pushed hard with the Note, including a split-screen function and pen capability. Canalys said the smartphone market was still showing strong growth, with shipments growing 29 per cent compared with the year before, although it fell by five per cent compared with the final quarter of 2013, traditionally the largest. China remains the largest market, with 97.5 million smartphones shipped – although that too was down sequentially, by three per cent.

dependent national Electoral Commission voters’ card, the national Identity Management Commission’s e-card as well as

other similar projects by the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Police. The general feeling among stakeholders’ is that

these projects would have been better done if competent ICT professionals were engaged by government from the onset.

A telecom mast

Nigeria, South Africa entries win Ericsson’s App awards T he 2014 Ericsson Application Awards was held recently, with Nigeria and South African applications emerging among winners. The Student category was won by Team WorkMode from South Africa for their collaboration app, with the Company category won by Team SOP from Nigeria with their app that monitors electricity supply. Team WorkMode from South Africa created an app that helps workers collaborate by allowing them to see the real-time work context and tasks of colleagues. The jury motivated their choice by saying: “We felt that Team WorkMode showed a strong business potential, and their focus on design and

usability helped them when it came to innovation and addressing the theme of Apps for working life.” Jacques Marais of Team WorkMode says: “This award will help us to build our business and allow us to develop not only this app but also some ideas we have around education in South Africa. It will also enable us to purchase hardware so we can expand to different platforms. It’s a real boost.” The company category was won by Team SOP from Nigeria, who created an app that analyses the availability of electricity in a given area. The jury outlined their reasons for choosing SOP, saying in a joint statement: “Team SOP presented a strong case

Etisalat got $500m Abu Dhabi grant for Maroc deal-report obile network operator, EtiM salat received a $500 million grant from the emirate of

Abu Dhabi towards its $5.7 billion acquisition of Morocco’s Maroc Telecom, according to a report. Earlier this month, Etisalat had purchased a 53 per cent majority shareholding from French telecom Vivendi. According to Reuters, the grant provides further evidence for the emirate’s support of local companies but could draw fire from other companies in the UAE for subsidising state-owned entities and stifling competition.

“In connection with the acquisition, the group received an amount of $500 million as a grant from an entity owned by the government of Abu Dhabi,” the company’s prospectus for a planned bond issue read. The acquisition was made by Etisalat International North Africa (EINA), in which Etisalat has a 91 per cent stake. Etisalat announced last year it was expecting to buy the controlling stake, later announcing the deal would go through by the end of May before applying for a S$4 billion loan facility to fund the buyout.

of using technology in a way that anyone could understand, value and would invest in. They cleverly combined consumer, society and business benefits around lifting transparency of power delivery in a welldesigned package.” Toks Ogun of Team SOP says: “This award means we can continue to expand and develop our app, which monitors electricity supplies. We can see a market in parts of North America, in South America and in India and we will continue to develop our idea.” The RSSA Technology for Good Award also went to Africa, with Sowertech’s Afta Robot app receiving the award for their smart solution for public transportation.” The winners were chosen from over 300 registered teams representing 63 countries from all over the globe. The company category attracted 158 entries, with 142 teams entering the student competition. Bina Chaurasia, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Ericsson, says: “We would like to offer our congratulations to both teams, who faced hard competition from all over the world.” The Ericsson Application Awards is an annual competition for application developers, and this year’s theme for the competition was "Apps for Working Life.” The purpose was to promote innovations that will change how businesses are organized, as well as how we organise work, collaborate and share.

BUSINESS | ICT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

MainOne Tier-3 data centre nears completion INFRASTRUCTURE Nigeria gets West Africa's largest information storage facility.

ainOne has concluded plans to launch its Tier3 Data Centre in before the end of the third

quarter of this year. The $40 million facility is built to meet the rapidly growing demand for advanced data and managed services in Africa. MainOne said in a statement that 600 rack data centre, on 3,500 square metres in Lagos, is the largest purpose built facility of its kind in West Africa, designed to provide a fault-tolerant environment to

safely store and access critical data and IT equipment. The facility guarantees open access to all major local and global networks available in Nigeria and on-demand collocation facilities required to deploy and grow IT operations for Clients’ business. Chief Executive Officer Funke Opeke, said: “With Africa recognised as home to

seven of the ten fastest growing economies in the world, the continent has emerged a dynamic business hub. We recognise the increasing demand for data centre services, backed by reliable connectivity solutions. We believe that with more reliable data centres, we can support that growth and cater for the world-class hosting

needs of African businesses and service providers in Africa.” To further bolster its capabilities in the local market, the company also recently launched its Branch Connectivity solution to guarantee secure and reliable connections between sites within metro, national and international boundaries.

Remaining IPv4 Internet addresses to be redistributed I Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, unveiling the brand new Kia Picanto, grand prize in the 'Airtel One Mic' music talent-hunt show, which was launched in Lagos on Monday

Juwah wins African innovation award he Executive Vice Chairman Bayero Agabi, Managing Editor introduction of mobile number TCommission, of Nigerian Communications of Cyber Africa and Chairman portability, the successful com(NCC), Dr. Eugene of the organizing Committee of pletion of SIM Card registration Juwah has been named “Icon Of Africa Information Awards” at the 2014 African Innovation Awards and Cyber Nigeria Forum, held in Lagos recently. Juwah beat two other high profile nominees, Dr. StephenSipho Mncube, Chairman, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa and Mr. Francis Wangusi, DirectorGeneral of Kenya Communications Commission to the award. The 2014 Africa Innovation Award is in recognition of Juwah’s achievements and efforts towards ensuring broadband availability and affordability. In a statement on Tuesday, Dr.

African Innovation Awards “the award is bestowed on innovators and policy makers that have used their offices, privileges and skills to promote Information Communication Technology for development and benefits of the society at large.” Juwah emerged the winner in recognition of hins campaign for the affordability of internet and other telecommunication services which the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) under his leadership, has brought to bear in the Nigerian market. The statement identified reduction of tariffs for SMS, the

project and firm stance poor service quality as some major areas that Juwah has done well The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) also won the Best Government Website Award at the Africa Innovation Awards. The Commission was recognised for the best website among government agencies in Nigeria, which offers easy access to government information at the speed of thought building capacity and consolidation, which has helped transform the commission to the envy of the public sector model enterprise today.

nternet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has begun the process of allocating the remaining blocks of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) addresses to the five Regional Internet Registries (RIR). The activation of this procedure was triggered when Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Centre's (LACNIC) supply of addresses dropped to below eight million. This move signals that the global supply of IPv4 addresses is reaching a critical level. As more and more devices come online, the demand for IP addresses rises, and IPv4 is incapable of supplying enough addresses to facilitate this expansion. ICANN encourages network operators around the globe to adopt IPv6, which allows for the rapid growth of the Internet. “We are grateful for the guidance we have received from the RIRs as the number of unallocated IPv4 addresses dwindles,” said Elise Gerich, Vice President of IANA and Technical Operations at ICANN. “This redistribution of the small pool of IPv4 addresses held by us ensures that every region receives an equal number of addresses while we continue

SafeNet’s gets best partner rating

information techNew Horizons boosts students’ access with IT centre Nigerian nology solutions company, He affirmed that all students WiniGroup, has bagged the 2014 amuel Adegboyega Univer- economic situation in Nigeria

Scommissioned sity, Ogwa, Edo State, has an ultra-mod-

ern international information technology and e-business certification skills resource centre facilitated by New Horizons Computer Learning Centre. The pact signifies the kickoff of the institution’s training partnership to empower students with requisite IT skills for employment. According to the Vice-Chancellor, Samuel Adegboyega University, Professor Benard Aigbokhan, the synergy is part of the university’s strategies to ensure that its graduates become the toast of employers right from day one of their graduation, as well as enable them tap into entrepreneurial opportunity in IT and e-business sector. He stated that the depressing

and internationally has negatively impacted the labour market such that graduates have to develop multiple competencies in relevant skills-set in addition to their academic degrees to be able to compete favourably within the limited opportunities both locally and internationally. Professor Aigbokhan further recounted that towards achieving its plan, the university considered available reputable technology training vendors before finally settling for New Horizons, the 32 years old, USbased and International Data Corporation (IDC) acclaimed world largest IT training firm, which has proved itself internationally and locally in Nigeria through its confirmed partnerships with other Nigerian universities.

would undergo the international certification programme and consequently have opportunity to be certified in four international IT and e –business skills before graduation. The university also listed some of its achievements in the area of IT compliance in the running of its operations to include robust website, campus-wide wireless internet facility, e-Registration, e-Library, computer-based testing (CBT) facilities for students’ assessment. Responding, Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Nigeria managing director, appreciated the university management for the bold step taken in its quest to further boost the relevance of the product from the university in the current knowledge-based economy.

to work with the community to raise support for IPv6.” ICANN said that in order to handle this critical drop in the numbers available to LACNIC, the five RIRs' policy making communities established a policy for the equal redistribution by ICANN. This is known as the allocation phase outlined in the global policy for post exhaustion IPv4 allocation mechanisms. “The IANA IPv4 recovered address space registry contained about 20 million IPv4 addresses earlier today and is now about half that size," said Leo Vegoda, Operational Excellence Manager at ICANN. “Redistributing increasingly small blocks of IPv4 address space is not a sustainable way to grow the Internet. IPv6 deployment is a requirement for any network that needs to survive.” IPv6 facilitates the exponential growth of the Internet by providing 340-undecillion unique addresses, compared to the 3.7 billion afforded by IPv4. “To continue to fuel the economic growth and opportunity that is brought by the Internet, we are at the point where rapid adoption of IPv6 is a necessity to maintain that growth,” said Gerich.

edition of Safenet’s best new partner of the year award. The award which is an annual event for the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region was held at Vienna, Austria, recently. At the event, Keyon, a Swiss reseller also walked away with the “best partner of the year” while Benelux Distribution received the “Best Distributor of the Year” awards. Safenet said that WiniGroup commitment to the development of best solutions with aggressive strategy in the e- banking sector had resulted in significant commercial success and healthy pipeline for the current year. According to the General Manager of WiniGroup, Mr. Sam Adeyemi, “The award was a clear demonstration of

SafeNet’s confidence in WiniGroup’s in-house capacity to deploy all their solutions and are currently a top leader to reckon with in the entire EMEA region.” WiniGroup, a young and vision driven company is highly committed in offering a wide range of IT business solutions including enterprise process planning to help organisations increase operational efficiencies and maximise growth and profits. Its risk management solutions enable customers to identify exposure to potential and prospective network threats and vulnerabilities through a proactive risk management approach. Vice President of SafeNet, EMEAs sales and operations, Mr. Gary Clark promised that SafeNet will continue to invest in building a strong channel to support its growing customer base.

36 BUSINESS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Three years in the saddle: How Today marks the third year of President Goodluck Jonathan in the driver’s seat as the leader of the most populous black nation and largest economy in Africa. His government has had its share of the good, the bad and the ugly economically and politically. On the economic front, however, it is not all knocks, but there is room for improvement going by the following indices. In 2009, before Jonathan ascended to power, Nigeria’s per capital income was $1091, which had improved to $1721 in 2013; the economy, which grew by7.4 per cent in 2011, dropped by 0.8 per cent to 6.6 per cent in 2012 and also fell marginally to 6.4 per cent in 2013, contrary to the projection of 6.75 per cent by the Federal Government. It however, succeeded in keeping inflation, which currently stood at 7.9 per cent as at last April, at single digit since the beginning of this year, but the naira, which has come under intense attack following the depletion of the country’s external reserves, which have slumped 15 per cent this year, stood at $37.19 as at last Monday. The naira has also declined this year to 2 per cent and being a pre-election year, the naira is expected to be weaken further. Also, in the area of job creation, although the Federal Government said it created over 1.2 million jobs in 2013, Jonathan has not done well in this regard. The business desk takes a look at the major sectors of the economy.

Capital market

espite massive depreciation of investors’ shareholdings coming at the wake of global financial meltdown, regulatory and management lapses, the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) has acted and continue to perform as a catalyst in the nation’s stride to economic greatness and relatively done well compared with other Exchanges in the emerging economy. Though some economic policies by authorities have affected the capital market adversely, the market on its own has continued to weather the storm over the years. The Jonathan government, at the assumption of office, had inherited a nearly crashed market when the clamour for government to release an intervention fund for a bail out was louder. The major reasons stockbrokers were badly hit at the peak of the equities market downturn was poor capitalisation. To remain in business, a good number of them had to secure margin loans, and as the market slumped, banks had to call back those facilities, leaving them liquidly squeezed. This development comes on the heels of the summoning by the NSE, of 18 dealing member firms and three individuals, said to have been involved in unauthorised sale of investors’ shares between January and September 30, 2012. In a bid to restore confidence in the market, the Federal Government on December 2012 announced the bail out of 84 stockbroking firms with N22.6 billion. Justifying government bailout, Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said at a press briefing in Abuja that it was the first step in government’s intervention and that the move was necessary in order to clear the debt overhang in the sector. She said that government could no longer watch the sluggish recovery of

Jonathan

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 the capital market, adding that the stock exchange was essential to government’s economic transformation agenda. For stockbrokers who did not partake in any market infractions, including over-exposure to margin loans, and who managed their stockbroking businesses well, OkonjoIweala said they would be celebrated by the Federal Government in due course. However since 2013, the market was left to survive and dictate its own pace without assistance from any quarter (Federal Government) following the two chambers of National Assembly’s decision to deny the apex market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) budgetary allocation in both 2013 and 2014 following the feud with the House of Representatives. The Reps and Oteh’s face-off culminated in the former’s call on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack her for alleged incompetence. Ms Oteh had accused former Chairman, House Committee on Capital Market, Herman Hembe, of demanding a bribe from her, which culminated in his removal.

Market operators have continued to lament the continuous stifling of SEC’s regulatory functions by the non-allocation of funds to the commission by the National Assembly by a way of budget. At a time the nation’s capital market is steadily recovering from the burst occasioned by the near total crash of the market, the SEC is being unwittingly denied the opportunity to perform its much needed regulatory function to revamp and reposition the market to restore investors’ confidence and favourably compete globally. The zero-allocation to the SEC in the two-year budget is stalling capital market development, as the commission has not been able to carry out any capital-intensive project aimed at restoring investorconfidence The capital market committee programmes aimed at taking the market to the next level have remained unrealised due to budget limitations. They have also at different fora called on the National Assembly to reconsider its combative posture with the SEC, while imploring the board and management of the commission to explore innovative options of resolving the current impasse in the overall interest of capital market.

Energy

otwithstanding the non-passage of the petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the fall in electricity supply in the country, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan recorded some achievements in the energy sector. These are noticeable in the Nigerian content Act, the implementation of the

Gas Master Plan, improved relations with critical stakeholders, improved supply of petroleum products and the successful handover of power assets to new investors on Friday, November 1, 2013. However, attention still needs to be paid to issues of gas supply to power plants, attracting new investors to generate employment opportunities for Nigerians, improvement in the domestic usage of LPG, renewal of oil exploration activities in the Chad Basin and commitment to transparency in the industry. It is also worrisome that well over 10 years after the moves commenced for the PIB and almost half a decade after the Late President Umar Yar’Adua forwarded the PIB to the sixth National Assembly, the bill is yet to see the light of day. With the non-passage of the PIB, at the end of 2010, emphasis shifted to March 2011, but March came and had gone with the bill making no progress. It was envisaged that PIB would be one of the few pending bills that would be given accelerated passage before the elections, at least to boost President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid to return to power. The president and his supporters are pushing for the approval of the PIB as oil sector reforms have been a key element of his manifesto, but all attempts to trash out the various conflicting clauses had proved abortive as was demonstrated in the House of Representatives in March, 2011.The face of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria was however, changed for good with the coming of the Nigerian Content Act, which was signed into law by President Jonathan. The law among other objectives seeks to ensure that Nigerians and Nigerian companies participate ac-

BUSINESS 37

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

has Jonathan fared?

a holding company focused primarily on identifying, investing and building shareholder value in companies in the African telecommunications sector. However, the deal seemed dead on arrival as it has not been able to overcome several challenges militating against it including administrative bottlenecks and legal knots. Earlier this year, NCC concluded the 2.3GHz spectrum licence, with Bitflux emerging winner with a bid offer of $23, 251, 000, beating Globacom, which bided $23, 050, 001 in a keenly contested bid exercise that took place in Abuja. The period also saw the end of the tenure of Professor Cleopas Angaye as the DG of the National IT Development Agency (NITDA) and the recent appointment of Dr. Peter Jack,

Maritime

Okonjo-Iweala

tively in the oil and gas industry with a view to boosting the local economy. Experts are of the opinion that the law has the potential to generate over 30,000 jobs in the next 5 years and has far reaching implications for the issues of technological advancement, long term cost effectiveness, post amnesty programmes in the Niger Delta and the improved impact of the Oil & Gas Industry on our National Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Act among other notable objectives provides that Nigerian independent operators shall be given first consideration in the award of oil blocks; oil field licenses, oil lifting licenses and in all projects for which contract is to be awarded in the Nigerian oil and gas Industry. A major step was taken on Friday , November 1, 2013 in the efforts of the Federal Government to improve electricity supply to Nigerians as four power generation firms and 10 distribution companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were handed over to investors, who had in August paid about $3 billion (N480b) for the assets. Amidst tight security by soldiers across various formations of PHCN, the Federal Government completed the 14-year planned hand over of the power assets to the new owners. The new owners are Ikeja Distribution Company owned by NEDC/KEPCO Consortium, Jos Distribution Company bought by Aura Energy Limited, Kano Distribution Company by Sahelian Power SPV Ltd, Port Harcourt Distribution Company owned by 4Power Consortium and Yola distribution Company by Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd. Others are Abuja Distribution Company bought by KANN Consortium Utility, Benin Distribution Company owned by Vigeo Power Consortium and Eko Distribution Company West Power & Gas, Enugu Distribution Company by Interstate Electrics Ltd and Ibadan Distribution Company bought by Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd, Shiroro generation company by (NorthSouth Power Company, Kainji bought by Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, Geregu owned by Amperion Power Distri-

Oteh

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 bution and Ughelli bought by Transcorp Ughelli Power Plc.

ICT

ince 2011, when President Good luck Jonathan was sworn into office, information technology and telecommunications has witnessed mixed development. In telecommunications, subscriber-base continues to grow as some local companies that had done well for some time suffered hard times in information technology. From 2001 to 2011, there had been very rapid information and telecommunication growth. In the telecommunications subsector, as at 2011, there were 124,801,018 telecommunications subscribers in the country with a teledensity of 68.49. The growth continued and by 2013 December, subscriber numbers were 169.7 million and with teledensity of 91.15 per cent. As at February 2014, the number of subscribers had reached 129 million while teledensity was 92.14 per cent. But the period also saw a continuous fall in the quality of service and subsequent sanctions by the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC). Although imposition of fines on operators started in 2007, operators had a period of respite between 2009 and 2011 but by 2012 sanctions started again.

Jonathan’s reign so far also witnessed the current insurgency, which is affecting telecommunications services as the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, destroyed telecom towers and masts in some states in the North East. In 2012, suspected Boko Haram members set the office of telecoms operator, MTN, ablaze in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in North-East Nigeria. The extremists also set nine telecommunications masts ablaze and killed four persons. In the sects’ attacks, no fewer than 10 masts have been burnt. This impacted service quality negatively and the poor services continued. The period also witnessed the launch of fourth generation telecommunication services by some operators using the Long-term Evolution technology. However, while Global Systems for Mobile telecommunication (GSM) operators were adding more subscribers, those who use code Division Multiple Access technology decreased massively in subscriber base. During 2011, GSM operators added about 8 million active subscribers, while CDMA operators lost about 1.6 million active subscribers. The trend has continued since, leading the stoppage of service by almost all the CDMA operators, leaving only Visafone as the active player. In terms of contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), telecommunications has been making improved impact. In 2011, telecommunication contributed 5.6 per cent to GDP. In 2012, it was 6.94 per cent and in 2013, 7.76 per cent. The Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2013 – 2018 was launched in 2013. On September 20, 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the Presidential Committee for a national broadband strategy and roadmap. The committee was chaired by two esteemed men in the ICT and Telecoms sector, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, and Mr Jim Ovia, supported by a cast of 15 core members representing various stakeholder groups in the sector, and an additional set of co-opted members. In 2012, CDMA players had a spectacular deal put together by Capcom Limited,

here were remarkable achievements in the maritime sector in the last three years under President Goodluck Jonathan. Several policies and measures were introduced to move the industry forward. Capacity building, extension of Destination Inspection Scheme, movement of containers by railway at port, introduction of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, establishment of maritime university, ship yard maritime institutes, procurement of boats to fight piracy, the International Ships and Ports Facilities Security (ISPS) code assessment of Nigerian ports among others, were the main achievements under President Jonathan in the last 36 months. Although, experts scored him low in some areas as no measure was taken to improve the country’s exports and coastal shipping. For instance, Chairman of Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapamo, who spoke on behalf of local ship owners criticised President Goodluck Jonathan administration for not having any plans for the maritime sector. He said: “The stakeholders already know that maritime development is not on the agenda of the present administration. The bottom-line here is that a law that has been around for 10 years and it’s not working. The guideline is not a priority; our priority today is a maritime reform that will show that this government is sincere in developing the sector. “The aviation sector is not as important as the shipping sector, yet they are given every attention,” he lamented. In the export sector, charcoal, cocoa, sesame, cashew nuts and cotton, dominated the list of containerised commodities exported from Nigeria. During this period, LNG exports recorded the highest commodity export with a tonnage of about 20. 4 million metric tons. Also, the condensate export amounted to 351,146 metric tons in the last three years. In the general cargo category exports, containerised cargo recorded tonnage of 2.7 million metric tons. A total of 110.8 million metric tons of cargo were shipped to the country in the period. Containerised cargo throughput was 18.2 million metric tons. Records by NPA indicated that LCM dredged 23.5 million cubic metres of sand at the Lagos port channel since 2011 while a total of 24 numbers of critical wrecks were removed. Most of the terminals in Nigeria made major investments between 2012 and 2013 in terms of infrastructure, container handling equipment and terminal management software. Under Jonathan’s administration, piracy surged despite the huge investment on water security. For instance, in the first nine months of 2013, pirates hijacked 10 vessels, fired at 17, and boarded 140. TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

FEATURES

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

For Emeka Abone, life begins at 50

Rev. Emeka Abone, his wife, Gloria, children and well-wishers.

L-R: Prophet Bassey James, Rev. Emeka Abone and wife, Gloria

Rev. Emeka Abone, praising God

Life actually begins at 50 as Reverend Emeka Abone, Vice Chairman, Slok conglomerate, clocks the golden age amid funfair last Sunday, writes OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI

or Reverend Emeka Abone, life has just begun as he turned 50, May 25. On that day, it was all encomiums at a thanksgiving service at the Royal House of Faith Ministries, Lekki, Lagos. Friends, relatives and well-wishers were all around to add colour to the beauty of the day as they danced, ate and felicitate with him.

Dr. and Mrs. Ndubisi Okaro

The church service was not only an interesting session with the choir’s drum, dance and sweet voices. It was also colourful and filled to the brim. The service, which started from 10am, ended exactly 2.10pm after which everyone proceeded to the beautifully-decorated hall for the reception. In his testimony during the church service, Abone thanked God for the gift of life although he didn’t want to throw a party. But after a deep reflection, he thought otherwise and organised a birthday bash. “I was wondering if truly I was going to be 50. I determined that it was just going to be a very quiet one but I decided otherwise after God showed me a sign that I should go ahead,” he said. The athletic looking cleric is most grateful for the blessing of his two children who he said didn’t come in the marriage until eight years after. “I remain ever grateful to God,” he said.

Clad in a black suit with a red tie, Abone looked very youthful and energetic. He danced and moved around the hall checking every table to ensure all is well set. At the reception, everyone had more than enough to eat and drink. They were treated to assorted foods and drinks, ranging from local food to intercontinental dishes. In fact, unopened bottles of wine and juices became handy for women who came with big bags to take home. Guests and relatives showered praises on the reverend. Everyone described him as a man of God who practised Christianity in totality. One of the guests, the Executive Director, Special Duties, The Sun newspapers, Bolaji Tunji, described the celebrant as a man who is always willing to help. According to him, Abone does not bear grudge, doesn’t double talk and is very straight forward. “From the little I have known of

him, he is someone who doesn’t hide his feelings. If he is angry with you, he lets you know it. He takes your word for your word. He practises true Christianity,” Tunji said. Also Managing Editor, The Sun, Ghana, Shola Osunkeye, described Abone as a perfect gentleman, a good boss and brother. “He is someone who loves God and fears God and that reflects in everything he does, either in his capacity as the vice-chairman of Slok Group or in his private capacities. “Whenever you see him in a gathering, you never can tell who he is because he doesn’t wear position or an accomplishment like a banner. Humility personify, that is who he is,” he said. Okechukwu Abone, the celebrant’s elder brother, can’t stop seeing him as the little boy. “It seems like yesterday,” he enCONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40 40 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Abone: Celebrating life at 50 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

thused. Okechukwu said he was like a father to the celebrant. “He likes to read all the time when he was a kid. He was a mama and daddy’s boy. He was so much attached to our parents to the extent that they always charge us to read like him or emulate him. “Emeka is best described as an introvert while his elders are known extrovert. When he was a kid, Emeka had a habit of mimicking words. He repeated words after whoever said it and even murmured it within him,” Okechukwu said. He, however, said his younger brother’s birthday was a thing of joy. “It means he is an old man now, because that is when he has ample experience in life. He can start his life all over. It means he has faced the difficulties and the good time of life; so now is the time to move forward in the right direction. “So, I told him that whatever that he has been doing to get to 50, let him continue to enable him get to the diamond age, 100. And continue to pray,” he added. Okechukwu added the celebrant was family oriented. “He has the love of his family at heart. He is a dedicated human being,” he said. Kasie Abone, the celebrant’s sister-in-law, described him as a very nice and sweet brother-in-law. She also narrated who her brother-in-law is, starting from a man who the family members love to a man who comes from a family that is bond in love and knitted in unity. “He is from a family of six, four boys and two girls. He also loves his family and he is always there for them. In their family, they stand for each other. He is the face of the family in the corporate world. “As he is celebrating, the entire family is also celebrating. It’s a real thing of joy to turn 50. It is mostly a thing of joy to my husband, the elder brother. “One peculiar thing about my brother-in-law, according to my husband, is that Emeka likes to read. He reads everything readable. He is brilliant. He comes top in his class. He is sharp minded and curious as a child. So, it’s little surprise that he turned out to be who he is today. It’s a thing of joy that he turns 50 today. He is like my husband too, I confide in him. He is a nice, good and kindhearted person. “My prayer is that this is the beginning, whatever kept him till today will continue to keep him. He is a conservative person who has touched lives,” she said. The celebrant described himself as a lucky man because of God’s favour in his life, wife and children God gave him. The man, who studied to become a medical doctor but became a chartered accountant, said he had no regrets in life. According to him, he is following God’s design for his life. “So, what I am today is God’s design and structure because He is my mentor, I can’t query him about the direction of my life. If I hadn’t followed His directions, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. “My prayer is that let God’s plan for my life continues to flow, let no man’s plan interjects it,” he said. One of the things that kept him going during challenging moments, he said, was that he was convinced by God that he married the woman

L-R: Mr. Shola Oshunkeye, his wife, Funsho, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, Rev. Emeka Abone, his wife, Gloria, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa and Mr. Femi Adesina.

What I am today is God’s design and structure because He is my mentor, I can’t query him about the direction of my life. If I hadn’t followed His directions, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today of his dream. He said his wife had been an ardent pillar of support of his life. “My wife taught me how to pray. She is a strong woman of prayer,” the reverend added. The celebrant also spoke on his achievements. “Another accomplishment for me was the day I met my boss, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu. It was a turning point in my life. My message for my mates and those wishing to come on board is that they should run their race with God. They should make Him the pillar of their lives,” he said. The celebration couldn’t have been fun for the cleric without his wife by his side. Deaconess Gloria Abone described her husband as a very good man, a father and a friend. She said: “I can’t but help to give God all the glory for preserving his life till now. The Lord has done so much for him. He has been with us ever since we got married. “He has a sound relationship with God, he has never looked back. In everything he does, he puts God first; and I think that is the most important achievement in life,” she added. Bassey James, Abone’s pastor for 15 years, described the celebrant as a very humble person and a very dedicated worker in the church. “He is a person one can rely upon. He can be trusted. I thank God for him and appreciate what God has done in his life. God has used him to touch lives,” the cleric said. From the comments of relatives, friends and well-wishers, it can be said that indeed, life has just begun for Abone.

Deaconess Cythia Obayan and Deaconess Gloria Abone

L-R: Chief Steve Ezeike; Rev. Emeka Abone and Chief Adichie Abone

Mr. & Mrs. Clement Ezegbunam and Chief R. S. Igwe

PHOTOS: GODWIN IREKHE

HEALTH THURSday, May 29, 2014

new technology tackles infirtility

NEW TELEGRAPH

}p-43

www.newtelegraphonline.com/health

appolonia adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com appoloniaadeyemi@gmail.com

Strikes, disharmony dim health sector's success Persistent divisions between medical doctors and their professional colleagues, absence of team work among staff, underfunding, shortage of care facilities, dilapidated working tools and incessant strikes are among factors that hindered progress in the health sector in the last one year, writes APPOLONIA ADEYEMI Appolonia Adeyemi

here is a lot to Democracy Day that should be admired. What with the sense of unity and that feeling of comradeship and kinship that almost make one forget the teething troubles bedeviling the nation. For once, the Boko Haram sect which has reduced citizens in parts of the north to the state of bestiality, the Soka experience and the rise of ritual killings among other vices threatening to tear the Nigerian nation apart are pushed back out of view in our mind's eye, and what we see in that period though very brief, is the ideal Nigeria, strong, united and prosperous. Our nation has just circled back again and we have another Democracy Day. What has been achieved since the last one, one might want to ask? For one thing and in general terms, this is the longest period of democratic outplay since independence. The effect of uninterrupted policy as affecting growth and development is very much evident in many sectors of the nation.

Chukwu

DEMOCRACY DAY 2014 As for the Health Sector, it has undergone tremendous and remarkable changes. The effect is however almost marred by incessant strikes and disputes within the ranks of professionals working in the sector. Doctors, pharmacists etc have one grouse or the other to grind. During the period, Secretary of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Workers (NUAHP) told New Telegraph Health that health workers have gone on two major strikes. The first one was carried out on August, 2013 while the second, a three-day warning strike occurred from January 22 to 24, 2014. Both strikes paralysed public health facilities nationwide, leaving sufferings and even deaths in their wake. Similarly, the one strike called by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in December, last year extended into January, 2014 resulting in many strategic health facilities grounding services for days. Although, it ended in a positive outcome with the Federal Government approving to rectify deficiencies in the current Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) and

Ogbonna

Drugs compliant is important for effective treatment

a promise to grant request for the establishment of the position of the Surgeon General, it lead to serious protests by health workers who accused the government of favoritism. These are apart from numerous strikes from various independent health professionals – nurses, laboratory scientists, among others, making various demands. Till date, impact from the strikes on patients and careers alike has not settled. It is worthy to note that the squabbles, disagreements and endless quarrels between medical doctors and other health workers on the other hand have dominated discuss in the health sector, directly or indirectly causing majority of the crises rocking the sector. Ironically, when Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu was appointed health minister in May, 2010, one of the mandates given to him was to harmonise professionals in the sector. Prof. Chukwu’s tenure since inception as in the last one year, has thrown up more controversies and disagreements between the two major groups. The minister is yet to deliver on this mandate. Areas of disagreement between medical doctors and other health workers range from

Prof. Chukwu’s tenure since inception as in the last one year, has thrown up more controversies and disagreements between the two major groups

PHOTO: Town of Greece, N.Y.

allegations of medical doctors dominating the sector while marginalising their counterparts, juicy salary package for doctors, calls for the abolition of deputy chairman of medical advisory committee (CMAG) which was illegally created by doctors to favour themselves, among others. Reacting to this development, Comrade Godwin Ogbonna, national administrative secretary, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), said the minister of health is biased. “He is not carrying all health professionals along. He is the minister of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) .” Furthermore, Ogbonna rated the minister very low, saying, “he has not done well at all. Instead of promoting people especially health workers. he is downgrading them. Wheas, a circular had directed him to promote health workers in the cadre of Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) 14 to level 15, he has being dilly-dallying over the issue and refusing to implement directive. Similarly, NUAHP’s administrative sectary said the minister has been creating positions that do not exist in the scheme of service such as deputy chairman medical advisory committee (CMAG) in teaching hospitals. Since his appointment, Ogbonna said the activities of the minister have been generating uproar in the health sector, adding, under his tenure, “There is no progress at all”. Enough of the bogey bothering the health sector and let us check out some facts that are bound to lift our spirits enough to realise that all hope C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 2

42 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Lack of team work, setback for health sector C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

is probably not lost. Since last May, the year has been remarkable. Check out the facts. The chorus about the fearful effect of global warming got louder during the period. It is imperative that world governments must listen to this noise. Their attention should not be sacrificed to the socio-economic effect of avoidance. The result could prove grim. That is the verdict of foremost scientists and front line campaigner, Al Gore, the former vice-president of the United States (U.S). Already, part of the effect of global warming on health is flooding which has been predicted may result in increased breeding of mosquitoes. This is of great concern in Nigeria where 100 percent of the population is at risk of malaria. According to the World Malaria Report 2013 which summarises information received from malaria-endemic countries including Nigeria, worldwide, in 2012, financing of malaria programmes was estimated to be less than half of the estimated US$ 5.1 billion required globally. Thus, millions of people at risk of malaria in Nigeria still did not have access to interventions such as insecticide treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS) and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) which the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends to fight malaria. Head, Demand Creation WorkSteam, National Malaria Control Programme, Ene Eyo in December 2013, said the Federal Government distributed 57.7 million insecticide treated nets (ITNs) between 2009 and 2013 to mitigate the spread of malaria. The official added that additional 2.5 million nets were distributed in 23 local government areas in Sokoto State. “The exercise was similarly planned for 16 states of the federation in 2013 but took place in Sokoto between December 17 to 21, 2013. However, distribution of the mosquito nets does not necessarily translate into use. Utilisation of mosquito nets in Nigeria is poor. According to a survey conducted by the Lagos State Government in 2012, utilisation of ITNs was about 17 percent. With few Nigerian families receiving mosquito nets, malaria medicines and diagnostic test kits in the period, in order for these tools and medications to be effective, people must use them properly and regularly, said Dr. Jide Idris, a public health physician and commissioner for health in Lagos State. Apart from malaria, the terrible impact of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) for long especially in the last one year is massive. The NTDs include elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), hanson's disease (leprosy) and river blindness (onchocerciasis). Others are the blood fluke (schistosomiasis), guinea worm, trachoma, soil-transmitted helminths, chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness. All disproportionately affects the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations. Currently, more than one billion people around the world, including 800 million children, suffer effects of NTDs ranging from permanent disability, disfigurement and blindness, to a lifetime of health complications but the disorders have currently attained new recognition in Nigeria. Instead of being neglected, these devastating diseases have climbed to the top of health agenda in affected countries worldwide even as Nigeria continues to make tremendous progress against NTDs. A notable feat for Nigeria is the successful elimination and eradication of

Thomas

Mohammed

Measles vaccine stock-out imminent in the country

Guineaworm. In July 2013, the WHO officially certified Nigeria as a guineaworm-free nation. Since then, the Federal Government stepped up and 36 States of the Federation launched community education programmes and bolstered drug distribution, which has led to improvements in the control of other NTDs, including leprosy. In other non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes, etc. poverty, ignorance, poor awareness about these health conditions among the populace were pervasive throughout 2013 leading to their increased incidence and deaths of some Nigerians. Numerous infectious diseases including polio remain huge problems and Nigeria is still battling to be delisted from polio-endemic nations. Dr. Ado Mohammed, executive secretary, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said the Agency has achieved 85 percent success so far to eradicate polio. While that may be cheering news, in February, 2014, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, president, Nigerian Academy of Science, alerted that Nigeria faces a renewed risk of losing many children this year to vaccine preventable diseases, arising from potential vaccine stock out. According to him, in 2013, Nigeria experienced a major measles vaccine stock out resulting in the occurrence of 57,892 measles cases with 348 deaths. Similarly, in 2012, the number of reported measles cases was 11,061, with 126 deaths. This represents more than

Tomori

PHOTO: vosizneias.com

500 percent increase in the number of measles cases from 2012 to 2013. He said, “Indeed the reported number of measles cases in 2013, was the highest in the last six years, adding that most (78 percent) of the 2013 measles cases occurred in children between the age of nine and 59 months. Significantly, 88 percent of the children coming down with measles had not received a single dose of measles vaccine”. With the measles vaccine stock out in 2013, he noted that the national measles coverage rate of 42 percent is about half of the coverage rate of 80 percent for all vaccines, recommended by WHO”. Similarly, Tomori said Nigeria also has the largest population of people in Africa at risk of contracting yellow fever in the coming months as result of stock out of the yellow fever vaccine. Furthermore, the death of facilities and medical experts continue to fuel medical tourism to foreign countries especially India, resulting huge losses for the economy. Dr. Osahon Enabulele, former president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at a news conference last September, said Nigeria was losing some $800 million (about N125 billion) annually to medical tourism, adding, “no fewer than 5,000 Nigerians travel to India annually for medical tourism. The National Health Bill which should provide a road map for the health sector itself is still in the making. After years of disagreements between medical and dental professionals on one hand and other health workers, over the current structure of the legal document, the Senate passed the Bill on

February 19, 2014. The passage of the Bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide a Framework for the Regulation, Development and Management of a National Health System and Set Standards for Rendering Health Services in the Federation, and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2012, renews hope of better days to come in the health sector. Considering that the Bill will still pass through the House of Representatives, a lot of lobbying is presently going on among health workers to delay its passage at the lower house pending when several controversial aspects of the legal document heating up the health system are corrected. Pending when this is settled for better outcome, millions of Nigerians have are contending with paying outof-pocket to address their health needs, making it more difficult for many to meet up and leading to untimely death in some cases. With a paltry 15 percent coverage, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has not helped matters. After years of operations without an executive director at the NHIS, a new leadership finally emerged in the person of Dr. Femi Thomas last year. He has a presidential mandate to scale up coverage to 30 percent by 2015. It remains to be seen whether he will meet this mandate for the benefits of Nigerians. Sadly, the poor coverage of the NHIS was highlighted recently by the former President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele who observed that Nigeria’s universal health coverage is still less than seven percent. Universal health care sometimes referred to as universal health coverage, universal coverage or universal care – usually refers to health care system which provides health care and financial protection to all its citizens. The goal of universal health coverage is to ensure that all people obtain the health services they need without suffering. Osahon in his valedictory speech at the 54th Annual General Conference of the NMA in Abuja, recently, noted that the last 100 years has not seen much positive change in the nation’s health sector but rather, the ruling and political elites only pay lip service to the desire to ensure Nigeria meets its healthcare needs. Enabulele observed that the appropriation for health as a percentage of the budget of the Federal Government, states and local governments, is still far below the minimum benchmark of 15 percent of government budget despite the 2001 Abuja Declaration of African Heads of Governments.

HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Mart Medicare delivers first quadruplets HOPE Local health facilities address infertility for couples Vanessa Okwara edical ART center (MART), the Fertility Unit of the MART group of health care services owned by Professor Oladapo Ashiru has announced the delivery of her first set of quadruplets. The quadruplets, consisting of a boy and three girls was given birth to by a 31 year old patient with four years of infertility at the MART Medicare, the Obstetric Unit of MART. This is not the first set of high order multiple pregnancies the center has handled before. They had previous sets of quintuplets’ quadruplets, triplets conceived from their clinic through IVF treatment but went out to deliver in other hospitals in India, UK and US respectively; but the quadruplets were conceived and delivered at the MART center. With the successful delivery of these quadruplets, the center have achieved a one stop plan for their patients to be taken from infertility management to delivery in the same facility, reducing the stress on patient and medical tourism outside the country. Speaking at the press conference where the newly born babies were shown to the press, Ashiru said “The couple’s treatment started at MART in August 2013 with series of investigations and management where a diagnosis of primary infertility due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCO) and male factor issues were

with Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe

ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

Ashiru

made. The above were addressed with specific medications and the Fallopian Tube Sperm Perfusion (FTSP) also known as artificial insemination which is a method of assisted conception was done in October 2013.She came back after two weeks for test and was confirmed positive by the Beta HCG (bHCG) pregnancy test. The initial scan post positive test was done to determine the position of the implantation. One week later another scan was done to confirm gestation, which showed twin gestation. The 7th week Scan showed triplet gestation and by eight weeks, the quadruplet gestation was confirmed. She was managed at MART Medical Art Centre high risk/multiple pregnancy care unit, and was transferred to MART Medicare from the 10th week for continued routine monitoring. The Obstetricians at Mart Medicare did a cervical cerclage, and she was closely monitored. She was readmitted at 20 weeks for close monitoring and plan of delivery.” He explained. The patient whose name was not disclosed to journalists delivered her babies at 33 weeks, through elective caesarean section.

UNICEF calls for collective action to protect children Appolonia Adeyemi s we celebrate another Children’s Day, one area where our collective responsibility is urgently required is the protection of our children, said UNICEF. In a statement by UNICEF to mark the 2014 Children’s Day, the world body said “every day in the media, we hear of one form of abuse or the other against children, rape of under aged children, child trafficking and so on but the abduction of more than two hundred school girls from their secondary school in Chibok, Borno State by members of the Boko Haram Sect recently underscores the urgent need for collective action. “We need to create a protective environment for our children to ensure a bright future for them” According to UNICEF, the collective action involves the family, community, society and the state. The protective environment is based on the recognition that all children are entitled to protection – as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child’s Rights Act 2003.

Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria added, ‘Let us all work together, collectively to ensure that our children are protected against harm so they can grow into productive adults who will contribute to the development of Nigeria in future’ UNICEF stated that all children have a right to grow up in an environment that ensures their protection. “UNICEF helps to create a protective environment for a child which fortifies them against abuse in the same way that good nutrition and good health care fortifies them against disease. We are working with the Nigeria Police, the immigration service, the Federal Ministries, departments and agencies to achieve this. “Our best efforts in survival and development will come to nought if the child is abused later in life, put in harm’s way through abduction and trafficking. Even strong, healthy children can be victims of abuse." Furthermore, the world body said the fear of abduction will erode all the gains we have made in girls’ education.

Weight loss surgery: Eligibility, complications

his article is in no way for or against weight loss surgery. Obesity which is assessed with a measurement called BMI (BODY MASS INDEX) and it is done by using one’s weight and height and coming up with a number, weight in pounds or kilogram/ height. While normal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9 and over weight is 25 to 29.0, obesity is more than 30. More than 40 percent of the population is considered over weight based on weight in comparison to height. Body mass index approximates total body fat and its accuracy varies by age, sex, race and ethnic group. The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions and ithasseriousphysical,psychological and economic implications. Obesity affects every body organ and commonobesity-relateddiseasesinclude diabetes,osteoarthritis,heartdisease, sleep disturbance and long term infections. The combination of highly availableenergydensefoodandthereduction of required daily energy expenditure from the use of modern day conveniences ( e.g elevators, remote controls, cars) most likely contributes to obesity epidemic. Intensive lifestyleinterventioncanresultinsignificant weight loss in obese people butcomplianceratearelowandmay be ineffective in long term. According to evidence based medical reports, weight loss surgery (BARIATRIC) results in greater weightlossthanconventionalweight lossprogrammesandleadstosustainable weight loss and may be a cure to many obesity related diseases. There have been noticeable improvements in blood glucose levels after weight losssurgeryinobesediabeticpersons Not everyone is qualified for the surgery.Onehastoundergoextensive multi-disciplinaryassessmentbefore being approved for surgery. Also, one hastoundergopsychologicalandpsychiatric evaluation due to the drastic sudden change (weight loss) in appearance after the surgery INDICATIONS AND ELIGILIBILITY:

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Previous failed nonsurgical attempts at weight reduction. Toqualifyforthesurgery,onehas to have a body mass index more than 40, or more than 35 with diabetes/or sleep problems as well as ability to adhere to postoperative care.

long narrow tube, reducing amount of food one can eat at a time and decreasing calorie intake, and thus, resulting in weight loss. 4. BILIOPANCREATIC DIVERSION:

PHOTO CULLED FROM: T-Mobile.America's First Nationwide 4G Network

4 MOST COMMON TYPES

1. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This is the most common restrictive/mal-absorptive type and themostrecommended.Ithastheadvantage of causing mal absorption of foodtherebyinducingweightloss. It involves partitioning the stomach intoasmallpouchbymakingasmall stomachpouchandattachingittothe lower part of the small intestine, bypassing major part of the lower stomach and upper part of the small intestine thereby restricting the size of the stomach. This approach is known to result in 50 percent weight loss and considered very safe. Some of the main disadvantages are the risk for nutritional deficiencies arising from the mal-absorption of iron, b12 and calcium and leading to anemia and bone pain. Compliance to high protein diet and vitamin supplement will help avoid this complication.

2. LAPAROSCOPIC ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING ( LAGB):

In this method, a hollow flexible band is placed around the upper stomach which causes a restrictive effect, reduces stomach capacity and causes feeling of fullness easily. It involves an inflatable ring which is inflated with saline water and can be adjusted from time to time depending on the rate of weight loss. It is reversible and can be adjusted. It results in about 22 percent weight loss in a year. However, its main problems are band slipping and adjusting area not working well. 3. LAPROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY: THIS IS A NEWER PROCEDURE THAT IS TRENDING MORE.

It offers more promising approach with good results and lower side effects but is a non reversible procedure which involves resecting most of the stomach, creating a

This method is used mostly in super obese people and can result in weight loss of about 40 percent in a year. LESS COMMON METHODS: VERTICAL BANDING GASTROPLASTY: This intervention divides the stomach using staples and direct food into a small pouch limiting intake. It has a high revision rate and staples can open resulting in more weight gain.

COMPLICATIONS: SHORT TERM COMPLICATIONS:

Most common area are wound infections, constipation caused by poor intake of fluid and malabsorption), vomiting and intolerance of meals, hardening of the surgical site.

LONG TERM COMPLICATIONS:

Gall stone formation as a result of raid weight loss is very common. Dumping syndrome which results from poor dietary compliance where undigested food (complex starch) moves into the small intestine without being broken down into smaller parts and resulting in severe vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fast heart beats, dizziness and too much saliva/sweating, over all body changes, like hair thinning and increased fertility. LIFE THREATENING COMPLICATIONS:

Immediately after the surgery, there is a big danger of developing lung clots, which might dislodge and go to the brain and heart , causing a heart attack /or stroke, and possibly sudden death because of the joining of one part of the body to another. In addition, a leak might occur and possibly forms a clot, low blood pressure and severe constant stomach pain.

PREGNANCY AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY:

Surgery increases fertility and with the weight loss, most of the pregnancy complications as a result of obesity is mostly controlled.

CONTRAINDICATIONS/ EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Lung and heart disease. Current drugoralcoholuse,poorunderstandingof therisks,benefits,expectedlifestyles changes Therearetwomainapproachesto weight loss surgery, restrictive/malabsorption approach and restrictive approach

picture of a stomach A before and B after RYGB.

PHOTOGRAPHS CULLED FROM: Centre for Disease Control for the BMI, and American Academy of Family Physicians

44 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Fake drugs: Pharmacists fault MAS, seek role in product authentication Appolonia Adeyemi oing by some operational hiccups being experienced in the mobile authentication service (MAS), the pharmacists under the auspices of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) have advocated a system that will put the validation of drug products in the hands of community pharmacists. To this end, a meeting of some stakeholders including service providers, the companies manufacturing drugs using MAS, the National Association of Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the ACPN and the Pharmaceutical Society Nigeria (PSN) met and

established a committee last week to address this problem with a view to carry community pharmacists along in the implementation of MAS. Olufemi Ismail Adebayo, National Chairman of the ACPN, said going by the new plan, before community pharmacists stock drugs using the MAS on their shelves, they want to also ascertain that the drugs are genuine, adding that this modality can be used as a backup in cases of the failure of the MAS of sometimes experienced by consumers. Presently, it is consumers only that scratch numbers and send to confirm genuineness or otherwise of drug products. Adebayo said some com-

munity pharmacists in Lagos and Port Harcourt have faced embarrassments when enquiries by consumers through the MAS sometimes present genuine drugs as fake, raising serious doubts in the mind of customers. He added that these experiences have resulted in consumers losing confidence in services from community pharmacists. Adebayo spoke at a briefing on the 33rd Annual National Conference of the ACPN with the theme: 'Evolving Best Practices in Community Pharmacy Practice', taking place in Ilorin, Kwara State from June 2 to 8. Tagged, "Harmony at Midland 2014", the conference will feature a walk against cervical

cancer, plenary sessions and annual general meeting (AGM). Giving the background to the call to restructure MAS, Adebayo lamented that operational and systemic failure of MAS had become an embarrassment to some pharmacists who by their carrier profession are committed to ensure that fake drugs are stamped out of the country or reduced to the barest minimum. Sadly, he noted that community pharmacists were not carried along in the establishment of the MAS which has failed sometimes defeating the aims and objectives for which the method was adopted. According to him, the way MAS runs now is that there is a number on the drug product in which the final consumer will scratch and send after which a respond will return to confirm that the drug is either genuine or fake. However, he noted, "that has been causing problems. “It may happen that you starch and may wrongly scratch off one of the numbers. That is one of the problems arising from it. The other is that a consumer may press a wrong number and the

response will return that the drug is fake. "There may be network problem and the response may not come on time and further attempts to use that number subsequently, you will not get result again." Similarly, the national chairman of the ACPN highlighted instances where the MAS responded that genuine products were fake. "Some of the products are genuine but stolen products and once they are stolen the manufacturer will not upload those batch numbers belonging to the stolen products. They will block it. Hence, MAS response from them will return as fake. It does not mean that those products MAS returned as fake do not contain active ingredients in the right quantity. However, MAS returned them as fake because manufacturers did not upload the numbers considering that the products are stole items. This is what we have experienced”. July 1 is deadline for all antimalarial and antibiotics to use the MAS.

Nigeria signs $85m loan deal with Japan to eradicate polio Obinna Odoh

been recorded. Compared to 2013,

Abuja this represents 86 percent reduction L-R: National Treasurer of Association of Community Phamarcists of Nigeria (ACPN), Mrs Christy Ediomo-Abasi; Adebayo; and Chairman of ACPN Conference Planning Committee, Mrs Edith Nwachukwu at the press conference

Pathcare Laboratories reinforces evidence-based medical practice

athCare Laboratories Nigeria, a pathology services company, has been selected to represent Nigeria as part of an international research project that will redefine medical diagnosis carried out through blood testing. A statement signed by the Research Coordinator, Dr. Tolulope Adewole of PathCare Laboratories noted that the current normal values used to interpret blood tests conducted within the country were obtained from research carried out on a foreign population. This may not necessarily represent exactly the situation of the Nigerian population. With this new research, these “normal values” will be determined, which will be a true representative of the Nigerian population, hence it will strengthen the practice of evidence based medicine. It is this set of “normal values” that will help to know if one is actually ill or not. The study will be conducted on the Nigerian public between the ages of 18 and 65 years. Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 65 years will be required

for the research. Working closely with Dr. Tunji Soriyan, ethical approval was obtained via the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The study is being done with both local and international collaborators; these include Prof. Keisuke, Prof Ichihara in Japan. Prof Ichihara in Japan. Ichihara from Teikyo UMC Japan and Prof Rajiv Erasmus from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. The Head, Quality Assurance, Pathcare Laboratories, Janette Wassung stated that Quality Management is essential for research of this magnitude, only Laboratories with an internationally recognised quality management system such as ISO 15189 accreditation can participate such a project, which is why PathCare Nigeria was selected. She also stated that similar studies are also being carried out in other countries, such as the USA, South Africa, Kenya, Japan, Central Asia & the Far East. It is critical to the success of this landmark project that only healthy persons are enrolled into the study, thus making people with the following health conditions ineligible as volunteers for the research, persons with high blood

pressure, diabetes (blood sugar), any other health conditions for which medication is currently taken, or any other health conditions for which one has been hospitalised in the past two weeks; and blood donors within three months and blood recipients. Others who will not be admitted as volunteers for the study include people living with HIV/ AIDS, carriers of chronic hepatitis B or C, pregnant women or women that were in labour less than a year ago, persons with alcohol intake of more than five glasses a day, obese (body mass index of more than 35 kg/m2), underweight persons (body mass index of less than 18.5 kg/m2) and smokers who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. Interested volunteers will be expected to complete an informed consent form and questionnaire after which their weight, height, abdominal circumference and blood pressure after which about 30mls of blood will be taken, Dr. Adewole said, adding, “participating volunteers will be given their comprehensive medical report after analysis free-of-charge which ordinarily will cost over N25,000.

he Federal Government yesterday in Abuja signed $85m US dollars loan aid with the Japanese Government for polio eradication in Nigeria. Signing the paper were Prof. C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the minister of health who signed on behalf of Nigeria and the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Ryuichi Shoji who also signed on behalf of Japan. Prof. Chukwu disclose that the loan aid provided by Japanese Government is part of the international support to the National Polio Eradication Programme to ensure vaccine availability for polio campaign from June, 2014. Prof. Chukwu thanked the Japanese Government for making the loan available through the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA) and further affirmed that the gesture will serve as a guarantee for procurement of the vaccines for polio campaign by UNICEF “We recorded significant achievement in 2013 in the eradication of poliomyelitis with at least 58 percent reduction in number of WPV1 cases compared to 2012. There was no case of WPV3 in 2013, the last WPV3 case having been recorded in November 2012. Overall, there has been a 50 percemt reduction in the number of infected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 2013 compared to 2012 with the geographical restriction of cases to only two local governments in one state out of the 36 states of the federation. So far in 2014 only three case of WPV1 have

in incidence” highlighted Chukwu. The Japanese ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Ryuichi Shoji commended the sustained effort of the Nigeria government, Bill Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as dedicated health officers working at community levels. He revealed that the Japanese Government has been a faithful partner with Nigeria on polio eradication for 14 years now and has provided assistance in the fight against polio since Japanese fiscal year 2000. Mr. Shoji stressed that the objective of the project is to fill the financial gap by means of loan and for Nigeria to be able to win the up-coming last fight against polio. According Mr. Shoji ‘’the preferential interest rate of this loan is zero point two percent (0.2) applied. The funds provided will be utilised for procurement of polio vaccines for children less than five years of age. The Executive Director, National primary Health care Development Agency (NPHCDA) gave commended JICA, BMGF, ministry of health and other partners for the support and pledge that the fund will assist the agency in the improvement of surveillance, strengthening of routine immunisation and technical capacity building for health workers which will guarantee polio eradication in Nigeria. “We are committed to providing Nigerians especially children with quality health care services and in doing this, accountability will be our watch word,” said Dr. Mohammed.

METRO 45

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

urdered 12-year-old boy dured months of torture’

ng of a 12-yeary, Onyedikachi zo, was the cling-time batteraltreatment by an, Paul Obief-

dents of No 22, Street, Agege, our corresponhey invited the r they suspected hing was amiss. id for their vigifule would have covered up the

nt, who gave his ukaila, gave ache events which boy’s death. “This is a great us here, as you w we are gathning the boy. It my imagination will treat a boy allous manner. m the time he

Obiefule and the late Mbanozo

(Obiefule) brought the boy from the village when he travelled last year, he had been unleashing terror on him. “At a time when we couldn’t tolerate the beating anymore, we con-

fronted him and beat him in return so that he could stop maltreating the boy. If you see marks all over the boy’s body, you will be moved to pity. Any time he beats the boy for reasons too intangible to warrant

beating, he used any objects he found around.” Another resident said the boy had been taken to hospital several times; the last one was on Monday, May 26 as a result of serious injuries he received from Obiefule’s beating. He said: “Incidentally, when he was taken to hospital as a result of breakdown, resulting from accumulated injuries and maltreatment, we didn’t know that the boy had been brought back Monday. “We were asking him about the health of the boy, he said the boy had been admitted and that he would be fine. But we observed that something was amiss. One of us pretended to borrow matches, so he went inside Obiefule’s room and

k solace in drug trafficking, says suspect

old patient medialer in Onitsha, ra State, Okeke ukwu, has said his b became a nightng him to take to king. wu said that he Brazil to get a job, disappointed when t get the job. After his money, coupled ealisation that his avily pregnant and y time, he decided he illicit trade. n was arrested by he National Drug rcement Agency with 2.540kg of everly concealed op bags. ng to the Head, irs of the NDLEA, ju Mitchell, the as found in pos-

Uzochukwu with the drugs

session of the drug during inward screening of Etihad passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Confirming the arrest, NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Mr Hamza

Umar, said officers apprehended Uzochukwu in connection with importation of cocaine. He said: “The drug was concealed inside laptop bags. It was carefully packed in a way that we had to cut the side of the bag open to recover the two parcels containing powdery substances that tested positive for cocaine.” Uzochukwu said: “I travelled to Brazil five months ago to work at the world football event facilities under construction. My journey turned out to be a nightmare because I could not secure a job. After I exhausted my little savings, life became very unbearable. The only help available was drug trafficking. It was a hard decision for me but since my pregnant wife is almost due for delivery, I reluctantly accepted an offer of N800,000 from my sponsors.”

slator constructs N15m road, bridge

of the Plateau State of Assembly, Hon. em, has constructed etre road and a bridge d over N15 million to rural communities in l Government Area. and bridge will also dents of the area still om bloody conflicts e Berom and Fulani al Task Force (STF), charge of internal os and its environs. resenting Riyom conso built an examinand donated it to the t Secondary School, e also donated two assrooms to the Com-

munity Secondary School, TomGangere in Sopp Ward of Riyom Local Government Area, as part of his constituency projects. Inspecting on-going projects in Riyom yesterday, the legislator regretted that lack of bridge to link some communities within Rim District of the council area had led to loss of several lives, mostly children, who got drown in the river. Dem, who is also the majority leader of the Assembly, noted that with the bridge in place, security of lives in the area would improve. The lawmaker said security agents had in the past complained of the poor topography of the area and lack of accessible road to respond promptly during

emergency situations. Dem noted that with the bridge in place now, the people would be able to transport their perishable food items from the farm and make life easier for them. Speaking on the school projects, the legislator said the students used to travel for a long distance to sit for their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations, adding that it was too risky especially because of the killings in the area. However, the Chairman of Rim Community Development, Mwadgwong and the Youth Leader, Dalyop Davou, regretted that the community lost over 20 people who were swept away by flood because of lack of bridge.

said he needed matches. It was while inside that he discovered somebody was wrapped and placed in a corner behind the door. “He hinted a few of us and we tried not do anything that will give them clue and try to escape. “The most surprising thing was that both husband and wife pretended as if nothing had happened; even when we were asking yesterday about the wellbeing of the boy, they were saying he was in the hospital. “We informed the police and they came. We told them that Obifule’s wife was at the market. Police went and arrested the woman who gave them the clue on the whereabouts of the husband. They took them away with the boy’s body.”

Madam Ojuolape Fadare for burial

The late Madam Fadare

he rites of passage for Madam Victoria Ojuolape Fadare begin with a Wake Keep by 5pm today at Number 32, Zone 4, Ayo Olorun Estate, Omobolanle, opposite Grace Gas, Osogbo, Osun State. The funeral service holds tomorrow at the All Saints Anglican Church, Balogun-Agoro, Osogbo, at 10am while internment follows at the church cemetery behind St. Mark Grammar School, old Ikirun Road, Osogbo. Also tomorrow, there will be reception of guests at Anglican Commercial Grammar School field, old Ikirun Road.

Blind killer father, quarrelsome, say co-tenants Camillus Nnaji

he residents of No 6, Olanrewaju Street, Oregun, Lagos, where a blind man reportedly beat his son to death on Sunday for stealing N1,000, said the man was quarrelsome. One of the co-tenants, Mr John Ajah, said Mr Benson popularly called Baba Samuel, had a history of troublemaking. He said: “It was a pity the way the incident happened. The man has history of quarrelling with many people here; he is very aggressive and sometimes pursues people with cutlass when he is angry.” Also the landlady, who gave

her name as Mrs Adebiyi, said she had before the incident served Baba Samuel a quit notice because of his quarrelsome nature. She said: “He does not pay rent; he does not pay electricity bills. We could not identify his people properly; all we know is that he is from Ishan in Edo State. He is blind and jobless. “We believe that the members of his church who rented the room for him just wanted to dump him somewhere.” Another co-tenant, who craved anonymity, said on the day Baba Samuel killed his eldest son, Bright, they begged him to leave the boy but he refused. The man, according to the

co-tenant, picked his security belt and used it to beat the boy to death. His younger son, Samuel, said he was there when the incident happened. He confirmed that his father beat Bright with a ‘security belt’ given to him while he was working with a popular church in Oregun. A police source a Alausa police station said the man had been transferred to Panti. He said: “We arrested him and attached an IPO to him who has taken him to Panti for more investigation.” The boy’s body, according to investigation, has been deposited at morgue of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja

Airtel’s One Mic Tour winner gets Kia Picanto Kayode Olanrewaju

irtel Nigeria, one of the nation’s leading telecom service providers, will today give out a new KIA Picanto car and sign a record deal with the student who wins the on-going Airtel One Mic Tour, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The winner is expected to emerge among the six students from three tertiary institutions in the state who will slug it out at the finals of music talent-hunt organised by the firm. The finalists emerged after scaling through a series of auditions which involved about 100 students from The Bells University, Ota, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta. The finalists are Christian ’Dakris’ Olamide, a Part II Computer Science undergradu-

Ogunsanya unveiling the Kia Picanto car star prize.

ate, Omoniyi Temidayo whose stage name is Zlatan Ibile, an ND 1 Business Administration student of MAPOLY, Adegoke ‘Tmax 9’ Adebanjo and Koleowo Adebayo (aka Rossady), who are both engineering students of The Bells University. The duo of Lasisi Mabayoje (aka Ajanaku) and Adebiyi ‘Liltorn’ Jubril, students of

the Department of Animal Production and Health are from FUNAAB. The grand finale of the competition will take place at OK Events Centre, Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where the lucky winner will smile home with a brand new Kia Picanto, as well as a recording contract with ID Cabasa’s Coded Tunes.

46 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Tax returns: FIRS gives companies June deadline our bankers to cultivate the habit of promptly remitting the taxes collected on behalf of the Service. This clarion call for prompt remittance is germane to achieving the aims and objectives of tax collection in particular and realisation of the transformation agenda of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in general", he said. Mashi also thanked other tax professionals and tasked them on having the good of the nation at heart while they consult or plan taxes for their clients. "You are at the middle of the affairs, that is between FIRS and the taxpayers. Your timely advice in reminding your clients (taxpayers) of their obligations and letting them know the implications of non-compliance is key to the development of our tax system. We sincerely believe that as partners in progress, we can collectively work together to galvanise the economy by optimising the non-oil tax revenue through mutual understanding and collaboration", Mashi said. The Coordinating Director, Field Operations Group, Mr. Bamidele Ajayi urged all FIRS stakeholders to see the opportunity of FIRS-stakeholders collaborations as avenues to building mutual trust and goodwill as partners in progress. Bamidele, who was represented by Deputy Director, MTD, Bamidele Aina, said: "Few days ago, a larger and similar stakeholders engagement was held in Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos where the Coordi-

APPEAL FIRS urges banks to remit taxes promptly

Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has given between now and end of June to companies that adopt 31st of December as accounting year to file their 2013 returns. It also admonished tax collecting agent banks to remit promptly tax collected to the correct designated accounts without delay. The Acting Executive Chairman of FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi gave the admonition at taxpayers’ sensitisation workshop, which held in Lagos. A statement by FIRS said Mashi was represented at the occasion by the Director, Medium Tax Department, Mr. Peter Olayemi . He said FIRS appreciated the role banks play in the tax collection process but appealed to the lenders to cultivate the culture of collecting the taxes and promptly remitting them to the right accounts instead of remitting them to wrong accounts or sitting on them. "Permit me to use this opportunity to further appeal to

nating Minister for the Economy and Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, talked extensively on the need for tax consultants and taxpayers alike to work closely with FIRS to promote voluntary tax compliance among the generality of taxpayers in the country. "The Service decided to organise this sensitisation workshop in order to educate and inform you, our critical stakeholders, so that we can work together to realise the vision of the Service, which is "to deliver quality service to taxpayers in partnership with other stakeholders and make taxation the pivot of national development". Bamidele said the workshop would not have come at a more appropriate time that now when the majority of the non-oil taxpayers with their accounting year ended 31st of December, 2013 have up to 30th of June this year to file their income tax returns. The FOG Coordinating Director also urged tax professionals and consultants to always advice their clients appropriately and lawfully to avoid pitching them against the laws. Tax Controller, Medium Tax Office (MTO), Lagos Mainland, Mr. Salami Moshood, who spoke on taxpayers’ rights and obligations interacted with taxpayers on their rights and responsibilities. He spoke on: Tax Returns: Stakeholders Collaboration for Voluntary Compliance and Taxpayers' Rights and Obligations.

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

N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8 0.0000 12 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$42,604,781,796.6

Description

TTM

4.00% 23-Apr-2015 13.05% 16-Aug-2016 15.10% 27-Apr-2017 16.00% 29-Jun-2019 16.39% 27-Jan-2022 10.00% 23-Jul-2030

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 2/5/2014 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

Bid Spot ($/N) 163.28 THE FIXINGS –NIBOR,NITTY and NIFEX of February 6,2014

Offer 163.38

UBA CEO bullish about Nigeria’s retail sector

igeria’s retail sector holds huge potential for growth, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has said. He said this in a keynote address at the 2014 ‘Retail Leaders Conference held at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos. A statement from UBA, said its CEO, represented by the bank’s Director of Consumer Banking, Mr. Ilesanmi Owoeye, listed several factors driving the growth of Nigeria’s retail industry. These factors include; the ongoing reforms in key sectors of the Nigerian economy aimed at bridging infrastructural gap, reducing unemployment levels and improving literacy level. Also included is the improvement in access to funding by SMEs, which will significantly impact the level of disposable income and effective demand in the near future, thus affording the sector unprecedented growth opportunity. He also identified increasing technology penetration in Nigeria as another factor driving the growth of the retail sector, saying this is giving retailers access to valuable market information about purchasing trends as well

S Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

and right to be granted refund for excess payment of taxes by taxpayers Other taxpayers' rights, Moshood said include: the right to objection and appeal to tax assessment and right to be issued Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC).

as segment preferences, making it increasingly easy to adapt sales and marketing approaches and improve consumer experiences. Another factor is the increasing penetration of the informal sector by retailers. “Without doubt, the continuous rise in mobile technology will be pivotal to the next stage of the retail market development, fuelling its integration with the global retail trade economy and significantly increasing its ease of doing business. This prospect is already becoming evident in the rising trend of online retailers are increasingly gaining traction and matching the emerging sophistication of Nigerian consumers’ changing demand and payment patterns.” Oduoza said. He called on banks to adopt on more collaborative financing mechanisms to enable retailers develop their capacities, expand operations and adopt innovative practice production standards to reduce operating cost and optimize value. He said innovative partnerships among retail financial service providers would increase focus on the funding of retail-based infrastructure development and product distribution projects.

Sustainable devt: Nigerian CEOs pledge joint action

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

Moshood said FIRS cannot exploit the taxpayers on their rights to right tax information, right of confidentiality, secrecy and privacy; right to be treated with respect and dignity; right to self assessment; right to choose and appoint tax representatives or tax consultants

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

ome 31 leaders of major Nigerian businesses have agreed on the establishment of a common platform that will enable them to jointly promote sustainable development initiatives and programmes across the country. Attending a roundtable in Lagos on May 23, 2014, the CEOs according to a statement, decided to set up a council for sustainable development, which will be affiliated to the Geneva-based World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The proposed council will work to arouse the interest of the Nigerian business community towards taking collective action for a sustainable future for society. The Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu, had hosted the roundtable to introduce the idea to the CEOs. He said: “There is no doubt that Nigerian companies support sustainability programmes in their respective areas of influence quite adequately, however, no platform currently exists for businesses across all industries

to share experiences, best practices, and advocate for business positions that transform lives and communities from what they are today to the greatness they can be, tomorrow. If there is one area we do not need to compete as businesses, it is in the goodness of our heart to our society and environment.” Managing Director and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Bola Adesola, described the idea as innovative and desirable. “It is important that the organised private sector show interest in the challenging operating business environment.” Also speaking at the roundtable, Chief Keith Richards, Chairman, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, said: “We look forward to contributing and devoting our time and energy in actualising the goals of this intervention, which will impact Nigerians positively and sustain business development.” His remarks were echoed by Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch, Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria who said: “I am looking forward to a business council that works, through proper management and commitment by members.”

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

48 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, May 29, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

28-May-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

Description 9.20 29-JUN-2014 9.25 28-SEP-2014 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

9.20 9.25 4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

45.00 100.00 535.00 470.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 110.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

0.09 0.34 0.90 2.22 2.92 3.16 3.26 4.01 5.09 5.41 7.67 9.80 14.50 14.98 15.48 16.15

10.39 11.16 11.23 12.47 12.65 12.59 12.60 12.63 12.74 12.68 12.85 12.91 12.91 12.92 12.92 12.98

8.73 10.70 10.61 12.39 12.59 12.47 12.48 12.52 12.66 12.59 12.79 12.86 12.87 12.87 12.86 12.93

99.86 99.33 93.93 101.05 105.80 92.98 91.50 94.09 111.90 78.24 116.90 107.00 113.54 97.20 70.70 80.00

100.01 99.48 94.43 101.20 105.95 93.28 91.80 94.39 112.20 78.54 117.20 107.30 113.84 97.50 71.00 80.30

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,334.84 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Description

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.43 0.99 1.47 2.53 2.90 3.11

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

12.04 13.88 13.96 14.40 15.75 13.59

95.15 87.57 104.49 95.37 88.39 90.72

05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.19 0.38 1.26 0.86 1.16 1.17 2.89 1.72 3.59 2.57 4.35 2.57 2.57 3.15 3.22 5.49 3.18 3.89 6.50 6.59 3.90 3.94

1.56 1.34 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 1.00 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

12.13 12.29 15.93 14.46 15.86 14.88 18.13 12.92 14.40 14.21 13.64 13.41 13.62 13.59 13.60 14.62 15.34 15.36 13.73 14.68 14.06 14.57

100.25 100.55 96.17 99.31 98.13 100.98 82.25 101.48 98.87 99.74 101.11 102.40 114.79 102.27 104.86 99.53 98.61 98.32 99.01 101.29 111.06 110.74

07-Oct-14 18-Dec-14 31-Dec-14 17-Aug-15 09-Dec-15 06-Jan-16 29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 22-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 14-Nov-20

0.36 0.56 0.59 0.74 0.82 0.90 2.34 2.41 3.34 1.96 2.12 2.28 2.28 4.32 2.39 2.47 3.59 6.47

1.00 5.21 8.71 4.88 1.00 2.63 1.00 1.34 4.52 1.88 3.48 5.20 5.06 1.00 2.29 6.11 2.16 2.76

11.91 16.40 19.90 16.09 12.22 13.86 13.32 13.69 17.12 14.02 15.71 17.50 17.36 13.64 14.63 18.48 14.77 15.49

99.79 98.48 98.39 95.89 99.91 100.49 99.33 101.09 89.78 107.81 100.75 101.24 101.97 101.10 102.33 97.49 103.36 99.01

11-Feb-18

3.71

1.00

13.61

90.27

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00 5.00 5.00 5.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

572.90

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR Aa/Agusto Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto A/GCR BBB-/GCR BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR BBB/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO GTB µ NGC *UPDC *FLOURMILLS *CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA NAHCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

07-Oct-11 18-Dec-09 01-Apr-10 17-Aug-10 09-Dec-10 06-Jan-11 29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 14-Nov-13

11.50 13.50 17.00 10.00 12.00 14.00 13.00 14.25 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 17.00 16.00 15.25

11.80 13.17 2.00 15.00 37.50 1.50 15.00 5.53 20.00 0.94 8.01 3.63 1.00 35.00 3.00 0.54 4.50 2.05

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

180.17

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.95

4.79

110.07

111.03

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.20

3.97

103.45

104.33

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.35

5.22

107.33

108.26

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

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.95

3.41

112.03

112.96

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.27

4.62

104.11

105.35

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.39

6.13

98.53

99.52

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.09

6.65

100.44

101.66

ACCESS BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.51

8.08

94.61

96.00

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.16

4.48

113.53

114.84

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.40

6.20

99.39

100.19

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.10

6.69

104.07

105.59

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.12

5.88

101.96

102.94

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

FIDELITY BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 22 29 36 43 50 57

FIXINGS Maturity 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14

Bid Discount (%) 9.60 10.00 10.05 10.05 8.60 9.90 10.10

Offer Discount (%) 9.35 9.75 9.80 9.80 8.35 9.65 9.85

Bid Yield (%) 9.62 10.06 10.13 10.15 8.69 10.04 10.26

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.3750 12.5896 13.6077 14.5600

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.92

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

11.17

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.71 162.62 162.86 163.50 164.56

162.81 162.87 163.20 164.15 165.89

O/N Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 11.50

***LCRM

0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

2.90 3.11

3.20 1.00

15.75 13.59

88.39 90.72

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto;May A+/GCR Thursday, 29, 2014 A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR Sanctity of Truth

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 Industrial Goods and Services 15.50 GOMBE sectors also02-OCT-2019 contributed to the 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 outlook yesterday . 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 Specifically , transactions on OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 the14.75 floor of the Exchange sus13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 tained growth profile as the 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 market capitalisation appreci14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 ated by N74 billion. The value 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

05-Aug-09 14.00 15-Oct-09 14.00 31-Aug-10 12.50 30-Sep-10 13.00 30-Jun-11 14.00 30-Jun-09 15.50 19-Apr-10 10.00 30-Jun-10 13.75 30-Dec-10 14.00 30-Sep-11 14.00 04-Oct-11 14.00 09-Dec-11 14.50 12-Dec-13 14.00 14-Feb-12 15.50 depreInternational Breweries ciated02-Oct-12 by N0.39 kobo 15.50 to close at 22-Nov-12 14.50 N25.61 kobo. Other stocks that 12-Dec-12 14.75 recorded price reduction were 30-Sep-13 14.75 Vitafoam and Transnational 27-Nov-13 13.50 Express, which lost N0.11 31-Dec-13 15.00 kobo each to close at N4.0114.50 kobo and 31-Dec-13 N2.2006-Jan-14 kobo respectively . 15.00

The bulls regained market dominance as key market performance soared TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Stories by Chris Ugwu Corporate Bonds

A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO he bulls yesterday mainAa/Agusto GTB tained their stronghold µ Nil NGC on the Nigerian Stock Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC Exchange (NSE) as major A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS blue-chip companies joined BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS theA+/Agusto; leagueA-/GCR of gainers, causing NAHCO market and the A-/Agustocapitalisation FSDH All-Share Index to remain on A/GCR UBA theBBB-/GCR green zone. *C & I LEASING # BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR have Market watchers *DANAattribA-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR uted the resurgence of the #bulls *TOWER to AAA/DataPro†; renewed A+/GCR confidence by# bar*TOWER A/Agusto; A/GCRwhose consequenUBA gain hunters Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA of CASERA tial effect led to a gain N162 BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS# billion or 1.3 per cent within two BBB/GCR *DANA days of trading in the value of A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO

equities. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The key benchmark indices maintained trend, takSupranationalupward Bond ingAAA/S&P leverage majorly from MediIFC um CAP stocks led by Total NiTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE geria and UAC of Nigeria while continuous bargain activities Rating/Agency Issuer witnessed in Conglomerates, Financial Services, Healthcare, FGN Eurobonds

of listed equities grew by 0.56 per cent to N13.302 trillion from N13.228 trillion. 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 Investors traded a turnover 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 of 17.00 577.251 million shares valNGC 31-DEC-2014 ued at N12.264 billion in 4954 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 deals against9-DEC-2015 292.137 million 12.00as FLOURMILLS shares worth N3.982 billion ex14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 changed by 29-SEP-2016 in 4813 deals. 13.00 NAHCO A break-down 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016of the investment that Total Nigeria 13.00showed UBA 30-SEP-2017 LEASING 30-NOV-2017 Plc18.00 ledC&Igainers’ table, advancDANA 9-APR-2018 ingMPR+7.00 by N2.01 kobo to close at MPR+7.00 TOWER N162.00, UAC 9-SEP-2018 of Nigeria Plc MPR+5.25 TOWER trailed with a 9-SEP-2018 gain of N2.00 to 14.00at UBA II 22-SEP-2018 close N65.00 while Seplat Pe15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 troleum Development Company, MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 Ashaka Cement and Nigerian 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Breweries rose by N1.00, N1.00 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 and N0.97 kobo respectively to close at N635.00, N21.40 kobo and N174.00. On the11-FEB-2018 contrary, Mobil Ni10.20 IFC geria Plc topped losers’ chart, shedding N1.10 kobo to close at N127.90 kobo, Dangote Cement Description trailed with a loss of N0.89 kobo to close at N227.01, while 6.75 JAN 28, 2021

BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P

Fed Govt to raise N138bn in treasury bills BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

FGN

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

he Federal Government BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P plans to issue N137.97 bil-

85 billion of the one-year debt 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 note. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEworth lion ($848.00 million) Auction results according in treasury bills on June 4 with to Reuters, are expected the folCorporate Eurobonds maturities ranging from three lowing day, the bank said in a B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I months to one year, the Central statement. 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 MAY 19, 2016 shortGTBANK PLC I Bank ofB+/Fitch Nigeria (CBN) said Yields on 7.50 Nigerian B+/S&P; 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 yesterday. dated debt have progressively GTBANK PLC 7.25 JUL two 25, 2017 B+/S&P The bank said it would auc-PLC declined in the last months ACCESS BANK MAY 09, 2018for the B/S&P; B/Fitch billion FIDELITY tion N22.97 worthBANK in PLC due to rising6.88 demand APRpension 08, 2019 B/Fitch three-month treasuryAFREN bills, N30 debt notes by10.25 local and PLC 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; billion ofBB-/S&P six-month ZENITH paperBANK andPLC offshore investors. B/S&P; B-/Fitch

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1.56 12.13 100.25 1.34 12.29 100.55 4.44 15.93 96.17 3.23 14.46 99.31 4.46 15.86 98.13 3.48 14.88 100.98 5.59 18.13 82.25 1.00 12.92 101.48 1.79 14.40 98.87 1.80 14.21 99.74 1.00 13.64 101.11 1.00 13.41 102.40 1.21 13.62 turnaround 114.79 management’s 1.00 13.59 102.27 plan. 1.00 104.86 He added 13.60 that despite the 1.94 14.62 99.53 challenging operating environ2.74 15.34 98.61 ment, Wema15.36 Bank achieved 2.74 98.32 a significant milestone as it 1.00 13.73 99.01 returned to 14.68 full profitability 1.94 101.29 following concerted efforts 1.44 14.06 111.06 in implementing the first phase 1.95 14.57 110.74 of

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Investors gain N175bn in two days RISING

17.00 05-Aug-14 0.19 6.00 15-Oct-14 0.38 8.50 31-Aug-15 1.26 16.50 30-Sep-15 0.86 13.00 30-Jun-16 1.16 18.50 30-Jun-16 1.17 57.00 19-Apr-17 2.89 50.00 30-Jun-17 1.72 25.00 31-Dec-17 3.59 50.00 30-Sep-18 2.57 9.00 04-Oct-18 4.35 20.00 09-Dec-18 2.57 12.00hareholders 12-Dec-18 2.57 of Wema Bank 27.00Plc extolled 14-Feb-19 3.15 the bank’s finan20.00 02-Oct-19 cial performance for the3.22 year 80.00 22-Nov-19 5.49 ended December 31, 2013, which 30.00 12-Dec-19 3.18 saw operating income up by 68 11.40 30-Sep-20 3.89 per cent and a return to full prof87.00 27-Nov-20 6.50 itability . 5.00 31-Dec-20 6.59 The shareholders 5.00 31-Dec-20 also passed 3.90 a5.00 special resolution, 06-Jan-21 authorising 3.94

Banking sub sector recorded the highest volume of activities in the financial service sector; 07-Oct-11 11.50 recording 336.231 million shares 18-Dec-09 13.50 valued at N7.541 billion in 1484 01-Apr-10 17.00 deals.17-Aug-10 10.00 Zenith International Bank 09-Dec-10 12.00 was the most active stock in the 06-Jan-11 14.00 banking sub sector, exchanging 29-Sep-11 13.00 255.635 million shares 25-Oct-13 14.25 worth N6.106 billion in 287 deals, FBN 30-Sep-10 13.00 Holdings followed with 30-Nov-12 18.00 102.294 09-Apr-11 million share valued16.00 at N1.482 09-Sep-11 billion in 326 deals 18.00 while GT16.00 shares Bank09-Sep-11 sold 38.318 million 22-Sep-11 14.00 in 227 costing N1.074 billion deals.18-Oct-13 Custodian and15.75 Allied In17-Feb-12 17.00 surance traded 24.728 million 16.00 shares01-Apr-14 valued at N79.227 million 14-Nov-13 15.25 in 106 deals while UBA Capital exchanged 19.125 million shares worth N47.732 million in 152 deals.11-Feb-13 10.20

Wema Bank finally returns to profitability

the directors of 572.90

the company to raise capital through the issuance of tenured bonds, notes, 11.80 07-Oct-14 debt instruments or loans in0.36 any 13.17 18-Dec-14 currency whether or not 0.56 con2.00 31-Dec-14 0.59 vertible, whether by way of0.74 pri15.00 17-Aug-15 vate placement, bond issuance, 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.82 note issuance, book building or 1.50 06-Jan-16 0.90 other methods and whether 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.34 in one 5.53 or more tranches. 25-Oct-16 2.41 The pricing and terms 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.34of such issuance is to be deter0.94 30-Nov-17 1.96 8.01 mined by the09-Apr-18 directors as 2.12 they 3.63 09-Sep-18 subject 2.28 to deem appropriate 1.00 09-Sep-18 obtaining the approval of2.28 rel35.00 22-Sep-18 authorities, 4.32 evant regulatory 3.00 including but18-Oct-18 not limited to2.39the 0.54 2.47 Central Bank17-Feb-19 of Nigeria (CBN). 4.50 3.59 Chairman01-Apr-19 of Wema Bank, 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.47 Mr. Adeyinka Asekun, address180.17 ing shareholders at the AGM, attributed the bank’s 2013 performance to 11-Feb-18 the success of3.71the 12.00

the bank’s turnaround project. Asekun also assured all shareholders that the bank 1.00 11.91 99.79 was confident of achieving its 5.21 16.40 98.48 growth targets whilst remain8.71 19.90 98.39 ing4.88 nimble, efficient and 95.89 respon16.09 sive. He also thanked sharehold1.00 12.22 99.91 ers2.63for their13.86unquantifiable 100.49 support and contributions 1.00 13.32 99.33over the1.34 years. 13.69 101.09 Managing Director89.78 of the 4.52 17.12 Bank, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi 1.88 14.02 107.81 3.48 100.75 speaking in15.71 the same vein, 5.20Wema Bank 17.50 has emerged 101.24 said 101.97 as 5.06 a bank to 17.36 reckon especially 1.00 the retail 13.64 and Small 101.10and within 2.29 14.63 102.33 Mediume Enterprises (SMEs) 6.11 18.48 97.49 business segments and will 2.16 14.77 103.36 continue to differentiate itself 2.76 15.49 99.01 in the industry by the quality of its service, product offerings and best-in-class alternative channels. 1.00 13.61 90.27

12.00

Mobil to increase investment on storage capacity Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

obil Oil Nigeria Plc is cur- efficiency. rently constructing a new Oyebanji noted that the retail 07-Oct-11 6.75 28-Jan-21 gasoline tank, which will 500.00 chain has also benefited 4.95 from increase its storage capacity selective investments consis18-Dec-09 12-Jul-18 4.20 and provide greater 5.13 flexibility 500.00 tent with the returns earned for terminal operations. on regulated products, which 01-Apr-10 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.35 Chairman/ Managing Di- according to him, will help the rector, Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, 1,500.00 company to remain competitive made the disclosure while ad- in the market place. dressing shareholders at the “We continue to add capac11.50 01-Feb-16 3.95 36th 01-Feb-11 annual general meeting 450.00 ity in the lube oil blending plant 19-May-11 7.50 500.00 5.27 yesterday . by building 19-May-16 additional storage 6.00 invest400.00 08-Nov-18 He08-Nov-13 said additional tanks for bulk additives6.39 and 25-Jul-12 7.25 by the 350.00 25-Jul-17 ments are also planned have embarked on a filling7.09 line 09-May-13 6.88its load300.00 company to upgrade automation 02-May-18 and upgrade.8.51 The 08-Apr-12and tank10.25 5.16 ing rack farm for 300.00 first phase of08-Apr-19 our Mobil House 22-Apr-14 6.25 22-Apr-19 6.40 improved operating safety and 500.00 capacity enhancement project 07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.10

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.12

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

hasPrices been&successfully completYields ed. We have made significant 4.79 progress in110.07 the Mobil111.03 Court refurbishment project, which 103.45 104.33 in is 3.97 expected to be completed 2014,” he said. 107.33 5.22 108.26 Oyebanji, who disclosed that the company’s results improved in 2013, said while turnover reduced modestly by 3 per cent to 3.41 billion 112.03 112.96 to N78.7 due primarily 105.35supthe4.62absence 104.11 of a one-time 98.53prior year, 99.52 the ply6.13sale in the 6.65 before100.44 101.66 by profit tax increased 94.61 96.00 due 21 8.08 per cent to N3.5 billion 4.48 113.53 sales114.84 mainly to higher of non 6.20 99.39 100.19 regulated products. 6.69

104.07

105.59

5.88

101.96

102.94

3,460.00

28-May-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) to the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) 8 5-Jun-14 9.60 9.35 22 19-Jun-14 10.00 9.75 FGN Bonds 29 26-Jun-14 10.05 9.80 36 3-Jul-14 10.05 9.80 43 10-Jul-14 8.60 8.35 Issuer Description Rating/Agency Issue Date 50 17-Jul-14 9.90 9.65 57 24-Jul-14 10.10 9.85 9.20 29-JUN-2014 29-Jun-07 64 31-Jul-14 10.00 9.75 9.25 28-SEP-2014 28-Sep-07 71 7-Aug-14 10.05 9.80 4.00 23-APR-2015 23-Apr-10 78 14-Aug-14 10.55 10.30 13.05 16-AUG-2016 16-Aug-13 85 21-Aug-14 10.55 10.30 15.10 27-APR-2017 27-Apr-12 92 28-Aug-14 10.70 10.45 9.85 27-JUL-2017 27-Jul-07 99 4-Sep-14 10.35 10.10 9.35 31-AUG-2017 31-Aug-07 106 11-Sep-14 11.00 10.75 10.70 30-MAY-2018 30-May-08 NA NA 113 18-Sep-14 11.00 10.75 16.00 29-JUN-2019 29-Jun-12 134 9-Oct-14 10.70 10.45 7.00 23-OCT-2019 23-Oct-09 176 20-Nov-14 10.60 10.35 16.39 27-JAN-2022 27-Jan-12 190 4-Dec-14 10.55 10.30 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14-Mar-14 225 8-Jan-15 10.70 10.45 15.00 28-NOV-2028 28-Nov-08 239 22-Jan-15 10.75 10.50 12.49 22-MAY-2029 22-May-09 253 5-Feb-15 10.80 10.55 8.50 20-NOV-2029 20-Nov-09 267 19-Feb-15 10.75 10.50 10.00 23-JUL-2030 23-Jul-10 281 5-Mar-15 10.70 10.45 316 9-Apr-15 10.25 10.00 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 330 23-Apr-15 10.60 10.35 344 7-May-15 10.35 10.10 *from the Amortising Description Rating/Agency Issuer #bonds, the average life is Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums

Bid Yield (%) NIBOR 9.62 Bonds 10.06 Tenor Rate (%) 10.13 O/N 11.3750 10.15 1M 12.5896 Outstanding Value 8.69 3M 13.6077 Coupon (%) Maturity Date (N'bn) 10.04 6M 14.5600 10.26 9.20 45.00 29-Jun-14 10.18 9.25 100.00 28-Sep-14 10.25 4.00 535.00 NITTY 23-Apr-15 10.79 13.05 470.27 16-Aug-16 10.82 Tenor Rate (%) 15.10 452.80 27-Apr-17 11.00 1M 10.1362 9.85 20.00 27-Jul-17 10.65 2M 10.2409 9.35 100.00 31-Aug-17 11.36 3M 11.0054 10.70 300.00 30-May-18 11.39 6M 11.3728 16.00 351.30 29-Jun-19 11.14 9M 11.5427 7.00 233.90 23-Oct-19 11.17 12M 11.5481 16.39 600.00 27-Jan-22 11.16 14.20 110.00 14-Mar-24 11.46 15.00 75.00 28-Nov-28 11.56 NIFEX 22-May-29 12.49 150.00 11.67 8.50 200.00 20-Nov-29 11.67 Current Price ($/N) 10.00 23-Jul-30 11.66 BID($/N)591.57 162.4825 11.25 OFFER ($/N) 162.5825 4,334.84 11.72 11.47

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 FMDQ0.00/16.50 FGN BOND

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.92

O/N

11.17

TTM (Yrs)REPO Bid Yield (%) Tenor Call 0.09 1M 0.34 3M 0.90 6M 2.22

AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR

Modified Duration KWARA Buckets NIGER KADUNA <3 *EBONYI 3<5 *BENUE >5 *IMO LAGOS Market *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN

Porfolio Market Total Outstanding Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 954.27 923.07 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 1,094.50 951.30 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 473.25 591.57 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 2,522.03 2,465.94 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

Weighting by Outstanding 05-Aug-09Vol 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 37.43 30-Sep-10 38.58 30-Jun-11 23.99 30-Jun-09 100.00 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13

Weighting by Mkt Value 14.00 14.00 12.50 37.84 13.00 43.40 14.00 15.50 18.76 10.00100.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49 INDEX

Spot 7D

Offer Yield 14D (%) 1M

Rate (%) 11.50 2M 10.39 8.73 12.47 3M 11.16 10.70 13.38 6M 11.23 10.61 14.10 1Y 12.47 12.39 2.92 12.65 12.59 12.59 12.47 NOTE: 3.16 3.26 12.60 12.48 :Benchmarks 4.01 12.63 12.52 * :Amortising Bond 5.09 12.74 12.66 µ :Convertible Bond 5.41 12.68 12.59 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 7.67 12.85 12.79 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.80 12.91 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 12.86 14.50 12.91 12.87 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.98 Contractors Receivables 12.92 12.87 LCRM: Local Management 12.92 12.86 NAHCO:15.48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 16.15 12.98 12.93 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company #

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Price 162.81

162.71 162.62 162.87 162.86 163.20 Offer Price Bid Price 163.50 164.15 164.56 165.89 99.86 100.01 165.66 167.65 99.33 99.48 169.63 173.14 93.93 94.43 177.19 183.83 101.05 101.20 105.80 105.95 92.98 93.28 91.50 91.80 NA :Not Applicable 94.09 94.39 # :Floating Rate Bond 111.90 112.20 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 78.24 78.54 116.90 117.20 †: Bond rating expired 107.00 107.30 113.54 113.84 97.20 97.50 70.70 71.00 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 80.00 Bank for Africa 80.30 UBA: United

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.43 0.99 1.47 2.53 2.90 3.11

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

12.04 13.88 13.96 14.40 15.75 13.59

95.15 87.57 104.49 95.37 88.39 90.72

Implied Yield 0.19 0.38 1.26 12.57 0.86 12.82 1.16 12.98 1.17 12.84 2.89 1.72 3.59 2.57 4.35 2.57 2.57 3.15 3.22 5.49 3.18 3.89

Implied Portfolio 1.56Price 1.34 4.44 112.9879 3.23 126.2509 4.46 88.5899 3.48 112.2515 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 1.00 1.94 2.74 2.74

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Agency Bonds

Tenor

1,304.32

Bucket Weighting 17.00 6.00 8.50 0.37 16.50 0.39 13.00 18.50 0.24 57.00 1.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration 05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 19.67 30-Sep-15 39.25 30-Jun-16 41.08 30-Jun-16 100.00 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20

INDEX 12.13 12.29 15.93 1,073.15 14.46 1,069.04 15.86 1,072.45 14.88 1,065.12 18.13 12.92 14.40 14.21 13.64 13.41 13.62 13.59 13.60 14.62 15.34 15.36

YTD Return (%) 100.25 100.55 96.17 7.3155 99.31 6.9045 98.13 7.2453 100.98 6.5121 82.25 101.48 98.87 99.74 101.11 102.40 114.79 102.27 104.86 99.53 98.61 98.32

50 WORLD | NEWS

resident Barack Obama said yesterday that the death of poet and author Maya Angelou has dimmed “one of the brightest lights of our time.” Obama said in a statement that he and first lady Michelle Obama will cherish the time they spent with Angelou. He said Angelou had the ability to remind us that we are all God’s children and that we all have something to offer. “Michelle and I join millions around the world in remembering one of the brightest lights of our time: a brilliant writer, a fierce friend and a truly phenomenal woman,” Obama said. “Over the course of her remarkable life, Maya was many things: an author, poet, civil rights activ-

Sanctity of Truth

Maya Angelou dies at 86

ist, playwright, actress, director, composer, singer and dancer. But above all, she was a storyteller, and her greatest stories were true. Obama said “a childhood of suffering and abuse actually drove her to stop speaking, but the voice she found helped generations of Americans find their rainbow amidst the clouds, and inspired the rest of us to be our best selves.” He presented Angelou with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 2011, and said the poet

had inspired his mother to name his sister Maya. Angelou died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was 86. Former President Bill Clinton said her death meant that “America has lost a national treasure, and Hillary and I, a beloved friend.” “The poems and stories she wrote and read to us in her commanding voice were gifts of wisdom and wit, courage and grace,” Clinton said. Clinton said he will remain forever grateful for Angelou’s “electrifying reading” of “On the Pulse of Morning” at his first inauguration in

1993, and for the years of friendship that followed. Former President Bill Clinton also mourned her death, “With Maya Angelou’s passing, America has lost a national treasure and Hillary and I a beloved friend.” “Saddened by the news of Maya Angelou’s passing. A brilliant woman who contributed so much to the world. Her light will be sorely missed,” wrote Pharrell Williams. Harry Potter

author J.K. Rowling tweeted: “’If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” New York Mayor Bill De Blasio, whose wife is herself a poet; ‘Rest in peace, Dr. Maya Angelou. The world is better because of your voice.’ The singer Rhianna tweeted; ‘Angel. #RIPMayaAngelou The first book I read as a teenager, “I know why the caged bird sings”. Felt like we knew her.”

Egypt polls open for 3rd day, few voters show up

President Barack Obama kisses author and poet Maya Angelou after awarding her the 2010 Medal of Freedom

Thursday, May 29, 2014

gyptian authorities scrambled to rescue the country’s presidential election from the embarrassment of low voter turnout, but few people trickled to the polls Wednesday even after the balloting was extended for a third day. A low turnout will likely rob the all-but-certain winner, former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, of the overwhelming show of public support he sought in the vote. Turnout is key for el-Sissi, because he is looking to prove to critics at home and abroad that his ouster last July of the nation’s first freely elected president, the Islamist Mohammed Morsi, reflected the will of the people. Only a handful of voters or none at all were at polling centers in three districts toured by an Associated Press reporter Wednesday morning. TV Images beamed live from more than a dozen locations across Egypt showed very few voters at polling centers. Opponents say the lack of

enthusiasm at the polls reflects deep discontent with el-Sissi, not just among his Islamist foes but also among a broader section of the public that says he has no solutions for Egypt’s woes and fears he will return Egypt to the autocratic ways of Hosni Mubarak. El-Sissi’s supporters in the Egyptian media which have been cheerleaders for the retired field marshal since his toppling of Morsi have been in a panic. Political talk show hosts and newscasters have been berating people to vote, warning that otherwise the Brotherhood will be encouraged to step up its challenge to the new government. Prominent TV talk show host Amr Adeeb angrily said that by not voting, Egyptians might as well “go directly to the prison and return Mohammed Morsi to power. Tell him ‘Your excellency, President Mohammed Morsi, please come out and rule us.”

NEWS

Robbers kill four policemen, bank manager in Rivers Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

he Nigerian security community was further thrown into grief yesterday when daredevil armed robbers shot and killed four policemen and a middle-aged man identified as a regional manager of a new generation bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Eyewitnesses told New Telegraph that the incident took place at about 9.45am at the Igwuruta Roundabout in Obio/Akpor Local Government area of Rivers State, some 25 kilometers north of Port Harcourt. The incident caused pandemonium in the area as some motorists plying the road sped off, while those that were near the scene, abandoned their cars and scampered to safety. Like the motorists, pedestrians using the Igwuruta Road, also took to their heels on hearing the deafening sound of guns, to avoid being hit by stray

bullets. New Telegraph gathered that the armed robbers laid ambush for the policemen and the bank manager and reportedly opened fire on the Hilux van in which their targets were driving, killing all the occupants, including the bank manager, who was said to be carrying unspecified amount. According to an eyewitness; “The robbers made away with the unspecified funds, stashed in a Ghanamust-go bag after killing their victims. “Four policemen were killed and one of the policemen, who tried to escape, was also killed after he was hit by the armed robbers’ bullets. The barrage of gunshots on the Hilux van did not give the policemen any chance of survival. Everybody ran away when they heard the sound of gunshots. “Some commercial bus and taxi drivers abandoned their vehicles and ran away.”

Anenih: PDP looking beyond 2015, 2019 lAllays fears of disintegration Felix Nwaneri

he Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday allayed fears of Nigeria’s disintegration in 2015, saying the ruling party was looking beyond the year and even 2019 in its efforts to sustain a stable, functional and democratic nation. Anenih, in a statement titled: “Nigeria is stronger than it has ever been” issued in Abuja to mark this year’s Democracy Day, said the PDP-led Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan had been upholding the sanctity of democratic interaction and expression in the country since it assumed office. He declared that despite the security challenges occasioned by the scourge of terrorism, Nigeria remained stronger than it had ever been, and therefore urged Nigerians to

stand together against the forces that seek to destroy the country’s unity and security. The statement reads: “May 29, 2014 marks 15 years since Nigeria returned to democracy. I congratulate all Nigerians on this important occasion, especially since our nation is now well into her longest running democratic dispensation since independence in 1960. “This year’s Democracy Day falls within a period when, arising from the scourge of terrorism, some people question the strength of our democracy and unity. Without hesitation, I assure all Nigerians that, despite the challenges we are facing today, Nigeria is stronger than it has ever been. He commended President Jonathan for his respect for the rule of law and non-interference in judicial, legislative and electoral matters, which has encouraged

the most combative opposition rhetoric ever experienced in Nigeria’s history. His words: “Be that as it may, certain that we are on the side of what is right by upholding the sanctity of unfettered democratic interaction and expression in our country, the PDP is looking beyond 2015 and even 2019 when the Fourth Republic will be 20 years old. “The reason for our confidence stems from the fact that the PDP has always been the party of the people, for the people and by the people. Furthermore, our unequalled experience in successfully piloting the affairs of state is what ensured that, for the first time in the course of Nigeria’s history, under the PDP we witnessed the smooth transfer of power from one civilian president to another; and the successful constitutional succession politics after the unfortunate and untimely death of

our dear President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in office. “In addition, the PDP has been responsible for the strategic restructuring of a largely state-run economy to a free-market economy, thereby engendering greater human development, free enterprise and irreversible economic expansion. It is important to note that pursuing policies that are necessary for inclusive economic growth has further guaranteed our political and democratic stability. “Besides, the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for 2013, which showed an 89 per cent increase in the estimated size of Nigeria’s economy, making it the top economy in Africa, has also seen our debtto-GDP-ratio, shrink to 11 per cent. In the past four years, Nigeria has remained the choice destination for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Africa.

SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com adekunles@yahoo.com

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

thursday, MAY 29, 2014

African Youth Games: Nigeria wins 12th gold

igeria athletes to the ongoing African Youth Games added three additional gold medals to increase the country’s gold medals’ hauls to 12 as at Wednesday’s afternoon while fighting hard to emerge overall winner of the competition. Nigeria is currently placed 2nd on the overall medals table with South Africa leading having won

Danagogo

13 gold medals in swimming alone but the Nigerian Team is poised to overtake South Africa with envisaged gold medal haul from boxing and most especially athletics which began yesterday evening. Kenya is also expected to give Nigeria a run for her money as a strong force in athletics in the continent. The three additional gold med-

als were won by Deborah Ukeh in the Girls’ and Adesokan Ajoke in the Badminton mixed double while Ajoke Adesokan also emerged gold medalist in the Badminton Girls’ single and Team Nigeria also won their third gold medal of the day in the Girls’ C1 Canoe Sprint while the Nigeria also won bronze in the boys’ C1 Canoe sprint.

Brazil: Teamwork will lift Eagles - Owubokiri F Charles Ogundiya

ormer Nigeria international, Richard Owubokiri, has thrown his weight behind the Super Eagles to excel in

Owubokiri

Super Eagles celebrating goal

Don’t compromise quality, Okosieme tells Keshi Chimaobi Uchendu

former Super Eagles winger, Ndubuisi Okosieme, has advised Coach Stephen Keshi, not to compromise quality performance as he prepares to select the 23-man squad to represent Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Okosieme said that Nigeria could compete keenly with Argentina if performance of players is used as yardstick for

the final selection. He said; “It is possible for the Eagles, under Coach Stephen Keshi, to surpass the exploits of the 1994 World Cup team, by winning all their group matches and going all the way to the semifinal. “I believe that the 30-man provisional list has some quality players that can compete with any squad if the final players are carefully selected, otherwise, the team will re-

turn home after the first round. “Nigerians are afraid of Argentina, but I foresee them struggling in the competition, and especially, against the Eagles in their final group match. In fact, Eagles could be Group F winners with the right players in the team.” Okosieme also advised Keshi not to build his team around a particular individual because football has gone

Serena, Venus crash out of Roland Garros

}p.52 Other events where Team Nigeria won silver included Badminton Boys’ single won by Nelson Kingsley. Two Bronze medals were won in Canoeing K1 Sprint and C1 Sprint, two more bronze medals were carted home by Nigeria in Badminton mixed double while Ojo Oyakojo also bagged the bronze in Boys’ Boxing’s Light Flyweight 49kg category, Ajoke Ojomu won bronze in table tennis single and Esther Godwin in Girls’ 63kg taekwondo. Brazil as the World Cup draws nearer. Speaking to New Telegraph from his base in Brazil, Owubokiri said what the team needed to excel was total concentration, dedication, unity and most importantly, teamwork. “I can’t say the team will get to the final or a particular stage, but let them go through the group stage, and then we will see what happens afterwards,” said the former Boavista of Portugal star, who also had a brief stint at Benfica. “The team needs to be focused throughout the competition. There should be no distractions whatsoever, for example, the issue of match bonuses should not set in. Teamwork is very important. The players must work for each other on and off the pitch to achieve the desirable results,” he said. Despite his vast knowledge of Brazil, having played in the Brazilian Championship for years before deciding to settle permanently in the South American nation, the former Metz of France player disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation has not sought his help as regards the competition; adding that he is not expecting them to. “They have never asked me for any support or help in the past and I don’t expect them to this time around,” continued Owubokiri. “All I want is a good outing for the team and I am wishing the Super Eagles all the best here in Brazil.” The Eagles will kick off their World Cup campaign with group stage games against Iran on June 16, Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 21 and Argentina on June 25.

beyond that, rather he should give every player confidence to score when opportunity comes. “I would love a situation where every player is given the opportunity to play and score because in football today, the hope of any team does not rest on any individual. Keshi must give every player the confidence to be at his best and Nigeria would be the giant killers,” he stressed. Okosieme

SPORT | EURO FOOTBALL

Sanctity of Truth

Messi can inspire Argentina success, says Martino A rgentina star Lionel Messi can lead his side to FIFA World Cup glory, for mer Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has claimed. Martino was recently replaced by Luis Enrique in the Camp Nou top job after the Catalan giants failed to win a major trophy last season. But after watching Messi at close quarters throughout the campaign, he is convinced his compatriot can fire Argentina to their first World Cup success since 1986. “He’s only (a)

Messi(right)

Tottenham name Pochettino as manager

ottenham hired Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new manager on a five-year contract on Tuesday, with the for mer Argentina defender making the move from fellow Premier League side Southampton. Pochettino replaced Tim Sherwood, who was fired on May 13 after just five months in the job following Tottenham’s sixth-place finish in the league. The 42-year-old Pochettino developed a strong reputation for playing a positive, attacking brand of soccer in his 18 months at Southampton, which

he joined from Spanish side Espanyol when he replaced Nigel Adkins. Southampton finished eighth in the standings last season, with thier highest Premier League points haul of 56. “This is a club with tremendous history and prestige and I am honored to have been given this opportunity to be its head coach,” Pochettino said. “There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club and I am looking forward to starting work with the squad. We are determined to give the supporters the kind of attacking football and success that we are all looking to achieve.”

27-year-old (Messi is actually 26) and can still beat many records,” he is quoted as saying by Football Espana. “The World Cup is at an optimal time. It’s time for this generation of players to win the World Cup. “Argentina has a lot of strength and is very competitive.” Messi scored 10 goals in 14 World Cup qualifying appearances and will captain his country at the finals, where they will play Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria in Group F.

I’m not victimised in Monaco -Echiejile

knee injury but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (shoulder) is unlikely to be involved in Germany’s training camp in Italy. “It’s a huge positive to have him (Lahm) back on the training ground,” said Bierhoff, who represented Germany at both the 1998 and 2002 World Cup. “We’re confident of his recovery. Philipp and Bastian Schweinsteiger are giving us constant feedback on their situations, but will hopefully soon be back in training with the whole team.

Serena, Venus crash out of Roland Garros lAs Djokovic, Federer cruise into third round

efending champion and world No 1 Serena Williams suffered a crushing 6-2 6-2 defeat by Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in the second round of the Roland Garros on Wednesday to follow her elder sister Venus out of the second grand slam of the year. On a chilly day in Paris, Serena never looked the force that has won 17 major titles. Her 20-year-old opponent broke the American’s serve twice early in the first set and made the most of a series of unforced errors by Williams. Second seed Novak Djokovic cruised into Roland Garros third round on Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over France’s Jeremy Chardy. It was Djokovic’s ninth win in nine meetings against the world number 42 who has never taken a set off the

Serb. Roger Federer advanced with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Argentine qualifier Diego Sebastian Schwartzman. It was Federer’s 60th win at Roland Garros as he goes on to face Russian 31st seed Dmitry Tursunov for a place in the last 16.

Serena

Transfer Updates

Tottenham to hijack Shaw deal

auricio Pochettino’s appointment M at Tottenham Hotspur could deter Southampton full back Luke Shaw from

joining Manchester United, according to former defender Gary Pallister. Shaw has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford after enjoying a stellar season with Saints which earned him a call-up to the England squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil this summer.

Everton consider Welbeck as Lukaku replacement

verton are considering a move for E Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck as Roberto Martinez prepares

for life without Romelu Lukaku, Goal can reveal. The Toffees are resigned to losing Lukaku, who fired them to fifth in the table with 15 goals in 31 league games during a hugely productive loan spell, and are assessing other realistic attacking targets, with Welbeck at the top of the list.

Zarate passes medical at West Ham

AURO ZARATE’S move to West M Ham United looks set to be pleted after the striker passed a medical.

comThe 27-year-old Argentine striker will make the move from Velez Sarsfield as a free transfer after appearing to have his contract with the club terminated by mutual consent.

Lahm return boosts Germany

ermany captain Philipp Lahm’s return to training is a significant boost, according to team manager Oliver Bierhoff. After another hectic season with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Lahm was struggling with an ankle injury. But he has begun individual training ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which starts in Brazil next month, and is on the verge of a full return. Bastian Schweinsteiger is also on the mend following a

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Echiejile

Ajibade Olusesan

uper Eagles defender, Elderson Echiejile, has debunked insinuations that he was victimised by the former Monaco coach, Claudio Ranieri. Echiejile joined the French Ligue 1 side from Portuguese outfit, Braga, last winter and spent so much time on the bench in his new club. The former Nice FC player managed just three league games. But in an interview with our correspondent the defender said he never felt victimised by the departed coach. He said; “Sometimes in football things don’t go the way you feel. Many times as a player you don’t get enough playing time as much as you want but that does not mean they don’t like you or somebody is trying to victimise you. You just have to keep working hard if you are still in the team and wait for your time.” However, the player was coy about his future at the club as a new manager is set to take over. When asked if he may place transfer request during the summer he said; “I am not thinking about anything that has to do with my club at this moment. I just want to concentrate on the World Cup but when we get to that bridge, we will know how to cross it.”

Chelsea make Pogba top transfer target

helsea have made Paul Pogba their C top midfield target this summer, Goal can reveal.

The France international has been the subject of serious interest from Real Madrid and Paris Sain-Germain, with the French champions reported to be leading the chase for him. However, the Londoners are willing to use the €49 million raised by the sale of David Luiz to PSG to part-fund a bid for the former Manchester United man.

Sanchez not for sale - Barcelona lexis Sanchez has been the subject A of continuing rumours that he will not be part of new Barcelona coach Luis

Enrique’s plans for next season. However, Barca have gone public to end the speculation and warn clubs to not bother enquiring about his availability during the close-season. “Alexis is not a Barcelona player who is on the market,” the Catalan club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu announced.

Napoli enter race for Bayern midfielder

apoli and Liverpool are reportedly N interested in landing versatile Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Marti-

nez. The Spaniard found himself in and out of the German champions this term under Pep Guardiola and may be willing to leave the club in order to secure first team football.

SPORT 53

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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Why we can’t move into new secretariat -NFF Jude Opara Abuja

bout one year after it took possession of the new secretariat built by the defunct Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Super Eagles, the Nigeria Football Federation said that it could no longer move into the new building as earlier planned due to its involvement in all the CAF and FIFA Championships. The NFF had said it will fully move into the new building before the 2014 World Cup, but as it stands, it appears that the movement to the new Sunday Dankaro Football House secretariat at the Package B of the National Stadium in Abuja will take some more time. General Secretary of the NFF, Musa Amadu who spoke to journalists in Abuja, said that the process of moving into the Secretariat was ongoing, adding that the federation is currently facing challenges due to the involvement of almost all the national teams in international championships. “It is ongoing, I cannot determine the phase we are right now, but I want you to also acknowledge the fact that we do have challenges. At the moment the World Cup team, the Super Falcons, the U-20 male and female team and U-17 are all in camp preparing for one championship or the other. We have so many challenges with very limited resources to take care of all of them.”

Eagles to storm Brazil June 10 Emmanuel Tobi

arring any last minutes change, the Nigeria Football Federation has concluded plans for the Super Eagles to storm Brazil on June 10 for the 2014 World Cup. According to the World Cup itinerary released by NFF Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, the African champions will fly from Miami International Airport aboard an American Airline flight on June 10 to Sao Paulo (nine hours) and arrive at the Guarulhos International Airport, Sao Paulo at 8.40pm local time.

arrangements for chartered flights from Campinas to match venues in Curitiba, Cuiaba and Porto Alegre. FIFA will also arrange Venue –Specific Training Sites in those venues. However, the NFF already knows that the Super Eagles will stay at Radisson Hotel Curitiba when they go to play Iran on June 16, stay at the Hotel hits Pantanalwhen they go to Cuiaba to play Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 21 and stay at Holiday Inn Porto Alegre when they visit that city to play Argentina on June 25 – exactly 20 years to the day both teams clashed at the 1994 World Cup in USA.

Ejike Ugboaja

Charles Ogundiya

Onazi(left)

Pepsi boys bag UK scholarship Ifeanyi Ibeh

They will be met on arrival by FIFA’s transport and accommodation officials, officials of the Local Organising Committee and the NFF’s advance delegation. He added that the delegation will then be driven to the Team Base Camp, Vitoria Hotel Concept in Campinas (60 minutes’ drive from Guarulhos Airport). The hotel was inspected and approved by Coach Stephen Keshi a day after the World Cup Draw in Salvador on 6th December 2013. Similarly, world football –governing body, FIFA will take over the team from arrival in Sao Paulo, and make

Basketball without education is useless -Ejike Ugboaja

everage makers, Pepsi, and the Pepsi Football Academy, on Wednesday named the two promising footballers that will be embarking on a two-year scholarship to the UK-based Brooke House College Football Academy. The players, Ogunnubi Dada and Onuh Morgan, both 16 and 15 years old respectively, were selected at the end of a rigorous screening exercise by a consortium of coaches, including former national team coach of the Gambia, Kashimawo Laloko. Pepsi Football Academy consultant, Ian Nelson, also took part in the selection process that will see both players heading out to the UK in September to kick start what organisers hope will be a promising career not just from a sporting perspective, but also academically. “The process of picking these players was quite difficult because up until this morning (Wednesday), we were not sure who was going to make it, and we had to do a lot of consultation with other coaches before reaching a decision on the players,” he said. He added: “Now it is up to them to make good use of the opportunity we have given them to not only become good players, but to also get a good education.” The players are expected to depart Nigeria at the start of September ahead of the commencement of the school’s academic year on September 6, and Nelson disclosed that the process of securing visas for the successful candidates will commence immediately.

…as NFF perfects pre-World Cup logistics

he Nigeria Football Federation has perfected all arrangements that have to do with the Super Eagles’ run-in to the 20th FIFA World Cup finals, according to Nigeria football spokesman Ademola Olajire. Olajire said in London on Wednesday that logistics for all friendly matches, hotel accommodation, international flights, local flights, movements to and from airports and hotels, feeding and conducive environments have all been dealt with to the letter. “I can tell you that the NFF is on top of the situation and not taking anything for granted. The FIFA World Cup is the biggest project there is in football and

as far as the present NFF is concerned, every detail is important.” He disclosed that on Wednesday morning, two assistants of NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon departed London for Philadelphia, USA to prepare ground for the Super Eagles’ arrival on Thursday. It is a seven hours’ flight from London to Philadelphia. After Wednesday night’s clash with Scotland’s Tartan Army at the Craven Cottage, the Eagles’ delegation, led by NFF President Aminu Maigari, will on Thursday morning fly to Philadelphia aboard a British Airways plane, and then driven by bus to The Westin Philadelphia hotel.

Maigari sets friendly match record

ednesday’s international friendly between the Super Eagles and Scotland’s Tartan Army was the 24th played by the Senior National Team of Nigeria during the present NFF administration headed by Alhaji Aminu Maigari. Showered with plaudits worldwide for being, undisputedly, the most successful administration in the history of the game in Nigeria, Maigari’s team has also taken the cake for being the best in preparing all National Teams for international engagements. Apart from the 26 friendly matches that the Super Eagles must have played under the administration heading into the 20th FIFA World Cup finals (as they also play Greece and USA in the United States of America early June), the other National Teams have also played several international friendlies. It is the best record for any administra-

tion in the history of the supreme authority for the game in Nigeria. The Eagles have played against Korea Republic (Seoul), Sierra Leone (Lagos), Kenya (Abuja), Argentina (Abuja and Dhaka), Ghana (London), Botswana (Benin City), Zambia (Kaduna), Angola (Abuja), Liberia (Monrovia), Egypt (Dubai), Peru (Lima), Niger Republic (Niamey), Venezuela (Miami, USA), Catalonia (Barcelona), Cape Verde (Faro, Portugal), Mexico (Houston, USA), South Africa (Durban), Burkina Faso (Kaduna), Jordan (Amman), Italy (London), Ethiopia (Abuja), Mexico (Atlanta, USA) and Scotland (London). They play Greece in Philadelphia on 3rd June and USA in Jacksonville, Florida on 7th June. Maigari explained: “Our philosophy is that those who fail to prepare actually prepare to fail. For a team to do well at major competitions, it has to prepare adequately.”

leveland Cavalier’s forward Ejike Ugboaja has maintained that Nigerian basketball players must embrace education to enhance and sharpen their skills as well as create a future after retirement. Ugboaja made this declaration on Wednesday at the National Stadium, Lagos during preparation for his annual Ejike Ugboaja Foundation basketball camp holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom and Abuja which is expected to feature a great number of coaches from the NBA. The camp was first held in 2007 in Zaria, Kaduna State and had since discovered over 1000 teenage players who have realised their dream of studying and playing college basketball in the United States. “We need to let our players know that without education, playing basketball is useless. That is why the annual Ejike Ugboaja Foundation basketball camp focuses on scholarship for the players to enhance their skills and development,” he said. Ugboaja, who is the first player in the history of the NBA to be drafted directly from Africa said the mission is; “To inspire, assist, and provide future Nigerian generations with the tools and resources necessary to pursue their dreams of education and athletics.” No fewer than 500 young basketball players are expected to participate in this year’s edition as the students are expected to enjoy the opportunity to be mentored in life-skills and athletics by professional and formerprofessional athletes.

Rufai inspires kids on Children’s Day Mercy Jacob

ormer Super Eagles goal keeper, Peter Rufai, on Tuesday said he will continue to give back to the society to show appreciation for all the support he got in his playing days. While hosting kids at the Legacy pitch of National Stadium, Lagos during the ‘Dodo Mayana children’s day celebration supported by Procter & Gamble Nigeria, Rufai maintained that the annual event is aimed at producing future champions. “Dodo Mayana children’s day celebration is vision conceptualised to create a platform where children can be celebrated and an avenue for the youngsters to use their God given talent for their own development and for the good of the society. “The event is also aimed at given back to the society that supported me all through my playing days, just a way to say thank you, “he added.

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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Ekiti 2014 LP North America decries attack on Bamidele, AIT crew he North American campaigns to let the world TParty chapter of the Labour know what the candidates (LP) has condemned have for their people. the attack on the campaign team of the party’s candidate, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and the crew of African Independent Television (AIT) in Ikere-Ekiti last week. In a statement issued and signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Kola Onifade, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the party said what happened on the fateful day was condemnable. “The significance of the attack on the AIT crew was not lost on us given the effect such will have in scaring them from providing live coverage of political

“It is instructive to note that barely one month ago, a grand campaign of the Labour Party held in AdoEkiti was similarly given live coverage by the AIT,” the party said. Chronicling the series of attacks on Ekiti Labour Party and its members, the North American chapter of the party recalled the attack on Bamidele at the grand declaration of his governorship ambition in Ado-Ekiti; the attack at Emure-Ekiti, where Foluso Ogundare was murdered in cold blood and Mrs. Beatrice Adewumi, was shot in the buttocks.

US condemns 'rig and roast' call by politicians

nited States Government has condemned what it described as inciting messages to violence by some political leaders in Nigeria, as the people prepare to vote in the June 21 and August 9 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. This is just as the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, said President Goodluck Jonathan will not interfere in the conduct of the elections. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday the United States' Consular-General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeff Hawkins, stated this at a sensitisation workshop for Ekiti State political parties and stakeholders.

Hawkins, in his goodwill message at the workshop, said it was worrisome that political leaders were sending the message of rig and roast as the elections approached, saying this would not augur well for peaceful conduct of the elections. He said: "Rig and roast is not the kind of message Nigerian youths should be hearing from their leaders." The US envoy contended that it was wrong for politicians to be sending messages of violence when elections were coming, saying in view of the violence that followed the 2011 elections in the country, message of peace was of utmost importance.

Fayose takes campaign to Irepodun/Ifelodun LG

ormer Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, yesterday took his campaign for the governorship election in the state to some towns in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. Fayose, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the June 21 poll, urged the people to vote for him and his party in the election. At Awo-Ekiti, Fayose, who embarked on a sort of house-to-house campaign, said he was ready to do much more than he did when he was the governor of the state from 2003 to 2006. He reeled out the achievements he recorded while in office in the areas of education, healthcare, provision of social ameni-

ties, roads, among others. On education, Fayose said his administration provided an enabling environment for teachers and students to teach and learn and that it showed in the performance of students in public examinations. The PDP candidate added that the sector had suffered neglect under the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Dr. Kayode Fayemi. He reminded the people how as governor, he opened up many rural areas, including AwoEkiti, by constructing roads. He urged the people to be wary of politicians who might want to lure them to sell their votes.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi (right), exchanging pleasantries with some pensioners, shortly after an interactive session with them, in Ado-Ekiti... yesterday

350,000

3.58 The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Gambia in 2012. Source: Itu.int

The estimated number of women and girls that were targeted for rape in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Source: Unwomen.org

80%

The percentage of underdeveloped technical potential for hydropower in Asia. Source: Unesco.org

Police deploy sniffer dogs, counter-terrorism specialists BATTLE READY DIG Zuokumor warns politicians, says his men are battle ready Stories by Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

eputy InspectorGeneral (DIG) of Police, Operations, Mr. Mike Zuokumor, has warned politicians and political parties planning to cause trouble during the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State to perish the thought. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday at a parley with officers and men of the state police command, the DIG said the police would live up to their re-

sponsibility of defending lives and property. Zuokumor said he would lead a number of Assistant InspectorsGeneral of Police, Commissioners of Police, among others, to the state for the election. Though he did not mention the number of police officers that would help in providing security during the poll, the DIG said they would arrive the state, days before the election. Zuokumor said more than enough men and equipment would also be deployed in a manner that would make it difficult for anyone to perpetrate electoral crime and get away with it. Aside from hordes of policemen coming for the election, he said 25

sniffer dogs and horses, along with 200 counterterrorism specialists and 200 crime prevention officers would also be in Ekiti. “We shall be in Ekiti in full force to ensure security of lives and property. I can assure Nigerians and, indeed, Ekiti people that this election will come and go without a hitch, I stand firm on this. “Therefore anybody trying to constitute evil or any form of disturbance is advised to steer clear before it is too late. “Since the purpose of conducting election is to make the state better and the essence of democracy is for the betterment of the people of the state, there is no need to take election as if we are go-

ing to war,” he said. Zuokumor advised policemen not to be discouraged by the hazards of their job, but to see themselves like angels guarding the society. “Policemen are like angels who have to destroy the work of the devil and its agents. Don’t be discouraged, put in your best and the Lord will protect you,” he said. In his remarks, state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Uyanna, said policemen that would be involved in the election had been trained to be civil in their conduct during the election. He said the DIG had also attended a two-day seminar relating to the sensitisation of people concerning the election.

Fayemi disclaims inciting SMS T he Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has urged the people of Ekiti State to disregard a particular text message being circulated to cell phone users in the state, saying such profanity did not emanate from its candidate. The text message, which reads: “I can win the June 21 election without Ekiti teachers and civil servants, Fayemi boasts, says I am only being magnanimous with

the payment of 27.5 per cent TSS,” as being circulated to many cell phone users in the state. In a statement by its spokesperson, Dimeji Daniels, in Ado-Ekiti, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent yesterday, the campaign organisation said there was never a time such a statement emanated from Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Daniels described the text message as an attempt by the drowning opposi-

tion in the state to grasp at whatever straw in sight to save itself from the imminent defeat awaiting it in the June 21 governorship election. He said it was another failed attempt by the opposition to pitch teachers and civil servants against the Fayemi administration. “The opposition is like a drowning man grasping at every straw in sight. Both the Peoples Democratic Party and the La-

bour Party, confused as they are, used to boast that teachers and civil servants were behind them. “The realisation that no one queued behind them as the June 21 election approaches, has given vent to serious frustration that has made them resort to puerile, childish and senseless propaganda aimed at toying with the emotions of the hardworking, respectable and responsible teachers and civil servants in the state.”

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Thursday, May 29, 2014

UNIZIK VC: Governing council fights back TUSSLE

Battle for the big job is over as Professor Ahaneku assumes office, gets ASUU backing Uwakwe Abugu

Awka

he Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) accused of bribery on Tuesday over the controversy that trails the selection of a new vice-chancellor for

...'Nwakoby's allegation malicious' the institution, yesterday fired back at its Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Greg Nwakoby, a contestant in the exercise, saying his allegations smacked of mischief. As the development continued to generate bad blood in the university yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor-elect, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, assured the leadership of UNIZIK branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities

(ASUU), which paid him a solidarity visit in Awka that he would want all stakeholders in the institution, including all the professors who ran against him, to join hands with him in building a new culture of academic excellence in the university. ASUU leadership in UNIZIK led by its Chairman, Prof. Ike Odimegwu, who spoke on the occasion, reversing the union’s earlier stance of

accusing the council of impropriety in the process, expressed satisfaction with the emergence of Ahaneku, but warned him that should he at any time deviate from pursuing the ennobling ideal of ensuring quality education in the institution, “we will confront you, we will fight you.” On the allegations leveled against the Governing Council by Prof. Nwakoby, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Emma

Ojukwu, told newsmen that “the allegations are malicious, unfounded and lacked merit.” The spokesman, who said he was mandated to speak on the matter by the Chairman of the Governing Council, retired Air Vice-Marshal Larry Koinyan, said contrary to the allegation by Nwakoby that he was robbed of victory, the true situation was that the council followed due process. “Due process was fol-

lowed and after three candidates were selected from the interview for the council to recommend one out of the three, members of the council agreed to vote and after the voting, Ahaneku scored eight while Nwakoby scored three out of 11 votes cast. “No member of the council asked him to give him money and nobody accepted money from him. The allegations of bribery were baseless,” he stated.

Rivers police ban siren, revolving lights, tinted glasses Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

A Protesting Yaba College of Technology Students on Ikorodu Road,Lagos…yesterday

1.3%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Guinea in 2011. Source: Itu.int

2.7m

The number of internally displaced persons in DR Congo at the end of 2012. Source: Unhcr.org.uk

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

1,475m

The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions of developed countries in 2011. Source: Itu.int

Herdsmen seek governors’ support on grazing Muhammad Bashir

Lokoja

he National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders' Association, Alhaji Mohammed Kirowa, has called on the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), to recreate cattle route grazing places for Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria. Kirowa made this call yesterday in Lokoja, while addressing journalists shortly after the Fulani stakeholders' meeting in the state capital. While affirming state governors' roles in solving the lingering crises between his members and communities, particularly farmers, he argued that route and grazing place was set aside for the Fulani herdsmen and their animals, during the colonial administration. He lamented that such route has been cultivated by farmers, thereby hindering the smooth

movement of the herdsmen. For peace to reign between the herdsmen and other ethnic groups, state governors should be firm in ensuring that the Fulanis are given their right of grazing, he stressed. "There is bound to be continuous crises between the farmers and herdsmen, since there is no provision for grazing. And you must understand that these animals can only be controlled when there is a grazing route for them." Kirowa who is also the Ardo of Zuru, called on the state governors to wade into the lingering crises between the Fulani herdsmen and other ethnic groups in the country, saying such crises if not tackled is capable of causing mayhem nationwide. According to him, it has become imperative for the Fulani umbrela association to go round the states, giving the fact that many Fulani herds-

men in the country have lost their lives and property to incessant crises in some parts of the country. On the recent crises between between the Agatu and the Fulani, Kirowa said last week the leadership of Myetti Allah was in Benue State to rub minds with the state government and the security operatives to find a lasting solution to the skirmishes between the Tiv and the Fulani herdsmen, saying the two tribes have a long-term peaceful relationship. "In view of all these crises and in our effort as a body to put an end to the indiscriminate killing of our members, we have concluded arrangement to register all our members across the country so that we can easily identify ourselves and also fish out any bad eggs among us." He added that the reg-

istration would go a long way in tackling the incidence of some hoodlums disguising as Fulani to perpetrate heinous crime, saying some criminals arrested in Taraba State recently, were later identified as non-Fulanis.

s security challenges worsen in the country, the Rivers State Police Command has placed immediate ban on the use of siren, revolving lights and tinted glasses by unauthorised motorists in the state. New Telegraph investigations revealed that in spite of the continuous ban on the use of these items by unauthorized persons, the law has continued to be flouted with impunity. Culprits include politicians, traditional rulers, some very rich people and others of questionable lifestyle. But the danger posed by the violation has become more grave with the current menace of insurgents. The state Commissioner of Police, Akin Ogunsaking, while announcing the ban yesterday, in Port Harcourt, directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to clamp down on motorists that utilize siren, revolving lights and

NHIS begins scheme in Kogi community, gives scholarship he National Health T(NHIS) Insurance Scheme has launched a

health insurance programme for members of the Emoriko Mutual Health Association, Emoriko, a rural community in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi state. An indigent student of the community was also awarded a scholarship by the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr. ‘Femi Thomas, during the launch event.

The lucky beneficiary is Augustine Sunday, a sixteen-year-old Senior Secondary 2 student of Emoriko Secondary School. He was described by natives as a brilliant child of great hope. The scholarship will last up to the university level. The scholarship was an unscheduled dimension to the insurance scheme, as officials of NHIS led by Dr Thomas were touched by the palpable poverty in the community.

tinted glasses on the highways. In a statement signed by ASP Grace Iringe Koko, Deputy Public Relation Officer,, Ogunsakin emphasize that no form of approval will be entertained from any motorist. ''After a critical consideration of the abuse to which the use of siren, revolving lights and tinted glasses have been subjected, it has become necessary to immediately announce an immediate ban on the use of these items. "There is no doubt that real and potential threats to internal security make it an issue of constant review and analyses with a view to devising appropriate control strategies and attaining an enhanced security situation ''It is in the light of the foregoing that it has become very essential to put a stop to the use of sirens, revolving lights and tinted glasses which are now being used to commit dif ferent for ms of crimes. Furthermore, they are also deployed as easy for ms of escape by criminals after committing crimes in order to escape arrest and prosecution,'' Ogunsakin said. He appealed to all road users to ensure compliance with the order, which he said, “has become inevitable in order to enhance the capacity of the Nigeria Police in Rivers State to prevent crime and easily detect crime upon commission. I continue to encourage all law-abiding citizens of Rivers State to go about their lawful businesses. It is my earnest plea that you remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the Police.''

World Record

On Marble

A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.

– Charles Darwin

Sanctity of Truth

w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha THURSday, MAY 29, 2014

The largest kickboxing class involved 7,630 participants at an event organised by the Instituto Distrito de Recreation y Deporte (Colombia) at Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park in Bogota, Colombia, on 15 August 2011.

N150

15 years on, what manner of democracy?

ifted by Greece, democracy – demokratia - is a Greek word coined from demo(people) and kratos (rule). Demon on the other hand is also a Greek word –diamon - meaning a divine or semi-divine power that determines a person’s fate. Demon is also defined as an evil spirit, something that causes a person to have a lot of trouble or unhappiness. You can chose for yourself which of the two we are experiencing in this country today as we mark the 15th anniversary of our return to democracy after over 30 years of military dictatorship. Demonic forces in the country appear to have taken the center stage and made it impossible for the country to celebrate this unique anniversary. From whatever angle you want to approach it, anniversaries are worth marking even if occasion does not warrant any celebration. Anniversary has special significance. That perhaps explains the symbolism attached to it. 25th anniversary celebration is symbolized with silver, 50th with gold and 75th with diamond, etcetera. What anniversary simply represents is the journey one has travelled; whether social, economic or political, individual, organisations or a nation. It marks the passage of time and provides opportunity for the review of milestones reached together as a nation and an occasion for renewal of commitment. Fifteen years ago today, Nigeria began a journey it then thought was going to bring Eldorado. Why not; on paper sweet things have been said of democracy by great minds. Plato said “Democracy is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike”. Aristotle joined in saying that, “If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost” Harry Enerson Fosdick noted that democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people. Winston Churchill even said that it is worst form of government except that it still remains the best of all. Nigerians did not care to study some caveats in democracy as they were already excited at the final exit of dictatorship in our national life. Thomas Curran had warned that “the moment our democracy ceases to respect God, it will cease to respect your value as an individual and the moment it ceases to respect your value, it ceases to be democracy”. Jack Kenny even warned that “democracy without morality is impossible”. Fifteen years after, how can Nigerians define democracy amidst all the streams that went under the bridge? While taking power from General Abdulsalami Abubakar 15 years ago President Olusegun Obasanjo said in his inaugural presidential speech that “corruption, the greatest single bane of our society today, will be tackled head on at all levels”. Did Obasanjo’s window dressing on this matter help

are gone forever possibly with its “wahala”; but there is a future that is still our own if only we can grab it. To grab it we must find a way out of the other ‘D’. Otherwise we may be heading for the worst ahead. Joshua told the people of Israel to choose which God they were to serve, whether the god their ancestors worshipped in Mesopotamia or the god of the Amorites in whose land they were living but he followed up by clearly defining the way when he said “as for me and my household we would serve the lord’ Nigeria should choose which ‘D’ to follow; demon or democracy. As for me power belongs to the people of God. Happy Democracy Day!

President Goodluck Jonathan

Senate President David Mark

the situation when he left office eight years later and what is the state of corruption in the country today? On public reconciliation, Obasanjo told an expectant nation “I am determined to stretch my hand of fellowship to all Nigerians regardless of their political affiliation. I intend to reconcile all those who feel alienated by past political events and I will endeavour to heal divisions and to restore the harmony we used to know in this country”. Was Obasanjo’s tenure not the most politically acrimonious when he and Vice President Atiku Abubakar converted the nation’s political space into arena of political slugfest. Did Obasanjo not treat virtually everyone as enemy when his third-term project collapsed? I have been lavish with Obasanjo because I believe that he was given the opportunity to lay foundation for our democratic journey and he bungled it and brought us to this near-comatose state. Not even during the 30-month civil war was this nation as traumatised as is the case today. As President, commander in Chief and even a General, Obasanjo was well equipped with intelligence reports then on late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health situation yet he went ahead to pick him against all odds. The obvious current bad blood in our polity would have been avoided if a sick Yar’Adua was not picked to die in office and disrupt the smooth running of the political arrangement in the system. If Obasanjo had gotten his succession plan right Nigeria would not have

been in such a messy political situation where international community have to come to help us militarily. As we mark the 15th anniversary of democracy, a government of the people by the people and for the people, the land and its people are in great pains. The fear is real. We are told not to fear shadow because it is an indication of light nearby. We are also made to take fear as the darkroom where negatives are produced but in reality the fear is there both known and unknown because the end of the tunnel does not give any indication of light. Would over 5000 families of victims of political violence including terrorism act from Islamic sect (Boko Haram) have any reason to celebrate democracy? Would that town in Anambra State that lost over a dozen of their citizens to mindless killing in Adamawa State last year still jump at democracy? What of those who lost their beloved ones on a Christmas Day in Madalla in 2011 after being bombed by terrorists. What of Chibok people; what of Zaki Biam people of Benue State and Odi people of Bayelsa State? Would they be celebrating democracy? If government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and trustees are created for the benefit of the people “as Henry Clay said, could we say same of democracy in this country in the last fifteen years? However, there is some consoling aspect still. And that is that the 15 years

“TEARS” FOR CHIBOK Two weeks ago in this space, we discussed under the above title issues pertaining to the over 200 Nigerian young girls stolen from their School in Chibok, Borno State, by terrorists belonging to the Boko Haram Sect. The torrent of reactions received through SMS and the email clearly shows that most Nigerians were not too happy with government handling of the situation. To publish them would be an overkill against the First Lady. Nevertheless, I wish to publish this message because of the strong points made. “Your political musing this week on ‘Tears for Chibok’ was more than a musing on the First Lady; but nobody can fault your points. The problem I noticed which you journalists should take seriously is on poor packaging. All our public officers are guilty of it. People just come out and say things without preparing. The US First Lady you referred to in your write-up was well packaged for it because they know the importance. If Nigeria’s First Lady was well prepared as a mother of the nation, that her crying could have been a reference point internationally for the Chibok issue. But it just ended up in “whatsApp” site because there it belongs”.

OmoBaba

ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS TO PAY LESS IN JUNE- News

– Hmmn...Until then!

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