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Friday, April 11, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 52

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

2015: 500 politicians to watch

Sambo, godson battle to hold Kaduna

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Ayodele Aminu

Washington D.C.

S

even per cent (84 million) of the world’s extremely poor population reside in Nigeria, the President of World Bank Group, Jim Yong

Nigeria has 7 per cent of world’s poorest –World Bank l200m unemployed globally, says IMF Kim, has said.

Kim said this yester-

day at the ongoing Spring meetings of the World

Bank Group and InterC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

POPULATION

North challenges South

…insists on numerical superiority

lNational Conference can’t restructure Nigeria - Yadudu lDelegates call for state creation Onwuka Nzeshi and Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

I

t was another round of struggles between the

North and the South, yesterday, as the agelong controversies surrounding the accurate population of Nigeria resurfaced at the National Conference.

Since the conference began, many delegates from the Southern states of the country had consistently disputed the 2006 population census and others be-

fore it. They had pointedly accused the British colonial masters and later the government of Nigeria of manipulating successive head counts in favour of

the North.

Some delegates had suggested that the alleged manipulation of the census figures was at the root of the structural imbalance and injustice in the country. They have also suggested that the United

Nations Population Fund be invited to conduct an accurate head count to put an end to the said injustice.

But, yesterday, it was the turn of the North to respond to the charge of being collaborators and C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

2014 Budget: Reps withhold SEC’s allocation

…concur with Senate on N4.695trn Philip Nyam Abuja

F L-R: Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo; Mr. Patrick Adede and former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie, at the public presentation of Alhaji Balarabe Musa’s biography in Abuja... yesterday

AT A GLANCE

NEWS

METRO

N446 billion stolen fund: FG slams fresh charges against Mohammed Abacha Page 5

Pregnant woman, five others electrocuted in Lagos Page 12

or the second consecutive year, the House of Representatives has made zero allocation to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) even as it approved a harmonised 2014 Budget of N4.695 trillion.

The House declined to make any appropriation

INSIDE

POLITICS

SPORTS

Enugu agog as President Jonathan, PDP hold rally Page 50

Another World Cup task force imminent Page 53

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

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

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

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

Entertainment. . . . . .

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

Family Affairs. . . . . . .

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

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for the commission in 2013 fiscal year too.

The budget, which was passed at yesterday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has 12 clauses, one of which bars SEC from expending any money unless approved by the National Assembly.

Clause 9 says: “All revenue however described including all fees reC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 5

Lagos

Storm

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

North challenges South on population CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

beneficiaries of the alleged census manipulation.

Elder statesman and one-time Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, said that by virtue of the results of various head counts conducted at various times and under different administrations, Northern Nigeria has the majority in terms of population in the country.

Yakasai, who was commenting on the inaugural address of President Goodluck Jonathan, declared that all the censuses were conducted with the active participation of experts on demography and statistics from the United Nations.

He argued that the census controversy which has refused to abate was inimical to the pursuit of unity and peaceful existence among Nigerians.

“The sad reason for the continuation of this argument or controversy appears to be due to the fact that since population is a factor for political representation and resource allocation among other

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST PORT HARCOURT

29o 23o Storm

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36o 25o Partially cloudy

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39o 25o Partially cloudy

ENUGU

34o 23o Very cloudy

IBADAN

32o 22o Thunder storm

CALABAR

32o 24o Storm

MAIDUGURI

23o 8o Very cloudy

ONITSHA

33o 23o Partially cloudy

things, some individuals constantly seek to discredit scientifically established population figures with mere sweeping and sometimes illogical arguments, in a bid to justify the call for lesser revenue allocation and political representation of certain parts of the country.

“Unfortunately, this is beyond the bounds of

proper and constructive efforts towards the advancement of legitimate interests and rights of members of a union or federation but rather portends an unhealthy rivalry that is inconsistent with the spirit of unity and collective cooperation that should be indelible hallmarks in our continued existence as one country,”

he said.

Yakasai said that contrary to the allegations that the British colonial administration inflated the population of the North to give the region an electoral and political advantage over the South, the North was always under-represented both in national parliament and council of ministers

throughout the period of British administration.

On revenue, Yakasai said that contrary to the opinion in some quarters, the principle of derivation under the Independence and Republican Constitutions applied only to ground rents and royalties and not to the entirety of the revenue derived from C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

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 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

R-L: Anambra State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; Chief Victor Umeh and the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, during Anambra First Security Summit…yesterday

‘Nigeria has 7 per cent of world’s poorest’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

national Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington D.C. He listed Nigeria among the top five countries where hardship is most pervasive, “which together are home to 760 million of the world’s poor.

The other four countries’ share of the 1.2 billion people that live in extreme poverty are: India-33 per cent, China-13 per cent, Bangladesh-6 per cent and Democratic Republic of Congo-5 per cent.

He noted that as long as the number of the poor continued to increase, extreme income inequality will continue to frustrate programmes of reducing extreme poverty globally.

“To bring an end to poverty globally will therefore require making growth to be more inclusive and not just focus on economic growth,” he added.

The World Bank boss said that if all countries grew at the same rates as over the last 20 years with income distribution re-

maining unchanged, poverty would only fall by 10 per cent by 2030 from 17.7 per cent in 2010.

Consequently, he said countries require a laserlike focus on making growth more inclusive and targeting more programmes to assist the poor directly to end extreme poverty.

To end extreme poverty, he suggested that vast numbers of the poorest– those earning less than $1.25 a day will have to decrease by 50 million people each year until 2020.

According to him, “This means one million people each week will have to lift themselves out of poverty for the next 16 years. This will be extraordinarily difficult, but I believe we can do it. This can be the generation to end extreme poverty.”

Kim added that growth alone cannot end extreme poverty by 2030. “As extreme poverty declines, growth on its own tends to lift fewer people out of poverty because by this stage, many of the people

still in extreme poverty live in situations where improving their lives is extremely difficult,” he noted.

He lamented that increased income inequality can dampen the impact of growth on reducing poverty. “Inequality is not just a problem in itself: Countries with rising income inequality, the effect of growth on poverty has been dampened or even reversed,” he affirmed.

He said that 40 per cent of the extreme poor in Bangladesh live in rural areas compared with Brazil of 23 per cent of the 40 per cent in rural areas.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, has warned that the projected global growth rate of 3.6 and 3.9 per cent this year and 2015 respectively, “is still too weak, and too slow,” to achieve desired results.

While agreeing that the global economy is on its way to recovery, she noted that the slow recovery was

liable for the surge in the global unemployment rate which had risen to about 200 million.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Meetings in Washington D.C., the IMF boss noted that this means that “all countries, advanced, emerging and low income, need to step up structural reforms.”

“This is why,” she continued, “bold actions are needed to generate more rapid, stronger and sustainable growth as is outlined in our global policy agenda. What we call our GPA.” Consequently, she believes policy makers in the coming days would brainstorm on “growth, the quest for higher growth, better quality growth, more inclusive growth and sustainable growth.”

These, she said, would encompass ensuring and extending period of low inflation in advanced economies, amidst concerns about the potential risk in those economies generally – the Euro area C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4

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

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

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NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

North challenges South on population CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

the contributing region.

He said: “The form of derivation now being advocated by some people, for example, 50 per cent of the entire revenue generated from certain states in the country is not in conformity with the long established tradition of Nigerians being their brother’s keeper.”

This situation, Yakassai said, will further aggravate the economic imbalance and inequity in the distribution of revenue among the constituent parts of the federation which, according to him, has been responsible for the current security challenges facing the country.

He blamed the problems of the country on the lack of political will on the part of the country’s leaders to fight corruption. He said that as a panacea to corruption, special courts should be established to try corrupt officials.

He also advocated a reduction of the number of

states to 12 to save cost of governance and bureaucracy.

Yakasai also advocated that Nigeria should revert to a semi-parliamentary system where the prime minister and members of his cabinet would be elected from the parliament.

A university don and delegate at the national conference, Prof. Auwalu Yadudu, expressed reservations at the campaign by some delegates for the political restructuring of Nigeria.

Yadudu, a former Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, said that being composed of unelected delegates, the conference lacked the “essential brief or mandate “ to restructure Nigeria.

He therefore urged the conference to accept what he described as its limited function and operate as another presidential advisory committee.

“It is a fact that this conference has been designed

not in conformity with popular or democratic indices, contrary to the advice offered by the Femi Okurounmu Committee.

It is conceived on a novel and very risky rule of the thumb. Its composition is based on a template or criteria that fly in the face of democratic norms that are universal.

“Some have argued that even the National Assembly lacks sufficient popular mandate or credibility and that it (the parliament) is incapable or less favourably disposed to undertake the demolition or profound reconstruction job which Nigeria needs. This is on account of the alleged deep flaws in our electoral system and processes that its members have benefitted from,” he said.

Yadudu argued that President Jonathan cannot claim to have more legitimacy than the members of the National Assembly as he is also a product and beneficiary of the same deeply flawed

electoral process.

Some delegates to the National Conference have called for the creation of more states to address issues of marginalisation and minority in the country.

Mr. Emmanuel Tsamdu, representing Former Local Government Chairmen from North East, said

creation of more states would help the marginalised groups or ethnic minorities to have a sense of belonging.

“It may interest you to know that I am from one of the most marginalised part of this country. Our past leader and hero, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Saudana of Sokoto, prom-

Friday, April 11, 2014

ised that we should be treated equally with other provinces, such as Borno, Adamawa and Bauchi but today it is only my province that is not a state.

“I therefore call on Nigerians to look into this matter and create a state where the minorities will be put together not to be C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 5

‘Nigeria has 7 per cent of world’s poorest’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

where such could hurt both growth and jobs.

“We need to act on growth, because it is just too low and we need to act now, and that requires policy actions across the board. In the advanced economies, they need to get the pace of fiscal adjustment right and the normalisation of their monetary policy right in due course as well.”

Lagarde urged emerging market economies, including Nigeria, to strengthen macro and

prudential policies that would safeguard against market volatility. She also called for cooperation among countries for such growth that creates jobs and improves situation of major economies.

Commenting on the statement, Nicolas Mombrial of Oxfam, a civil society organisation, said whereas the World Bank/ IMF have admitted the danger of skyrocketing inequality, they are not showing any concrete signs of dealing with the problem.

He blamed the IMF for not proposing “a clear plan for dealing with inequality. There is no trade-off between growth and inequality. There will be no inclusive growth if economic inequality remains out of control.”

He added that the World Bank will not succeed in the task of lifting the world’s poorest 40 per cent, because “the gaps between the richest and poorest keeps growing.”

“In a world of finite resources,” he continued, “the pie has to be shared.”

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he Federal Government yesterday slammed a fresh nine-count criminal charge against the son of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Mohammed, accusing him of unlawfully receiving about N446.3 billion allegedly stolen from government’s coffers between 1995 and 1998.

Mohammed is accused of “dishonestly receiving stolen property” and “voluntarily assisting in concealing money.”

The charge replaced the earlier one which contained 21 counts in which Mohammed was charged with Atiku Bagudu.

The government has now excluded Bagudu from the fresh charge, leaving only Mohammed.

According to the new charge marked CR.2124/2008, the stolen money allegedly received by Mohammed, and which he was accused of concealing, include 141,100,000 pound sterling and $384,353,000 made up of cash and travellers cheques.

The charge dated February 24, 2014 was filed by a private prosecutor, Daniel

N446bn stolen fund: FG slams fresh charges against Mohammed Abacha Enwelum, who is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Federal Government and upon a fiat dated February 18, 2014 issued to him by the Attorney General of the Federation.

Mohammed’s absence in court stalled his planned arraignment on the new charge yesterday before Justice Mamman Kolo of the Abuja High Court.

He said the new charge which now excludes Bagudu, who was charged with Mohammed, was filed pursuant to Section 181 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) as an amendment to the earlier charge.

He said Mohammed’s counsel, Abdulllahi Haruna, has promised to receive the charge for his client.

Haruna said Mohammed was absent in court because he was not aware of the new charge.

He, however, urged the court to adjourn the case to a further date to enable his client attend court.

Counsel to Bagudu, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), urged the court to grant an order

North challenges South on population CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

marginalised and this state will be called Amana State, from Adamawa State,” Tsamdu said.

Justice F. F. Tabai, a retired justice of the Supreme Court, representing the Judiciary also called for the creation of more states to carry along the marginalised group in the country.

“I also support the call for the creation of state,” Tabai said.

Also, Mr. John Uko, a delegate representing North Central also called for state creation and power rotation at all levels of government.

“The minority have been given attention in Mr. President’s speech as he emphasised on inclusion, consensus and harmony.

“Let us support states creation and power rotation at all levels of government in a way the Idoma

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and Igede minority of Benue State can dream big dreams,’’ Uko said.

Also, Some other delegates called for judicial independence and an inclusive government.

The delegates said that unless these issues were addressed, the struggle to reposition the country would not be complete.

Another delegate representing South East GeoPolitical Zone, Onyema Ugochwuku, said that there was the need to put in place a system of government that would engender development.

Ugochwuku urged the conference to adopt measures that would ensure that the country returned to true federalism.

“We have operated this system of government under different forms, sometimes under unitary, military and sometimes under civilian rule.

discharging his client from the charge in view of the prosecution’s decision to exclude him from the new charge.

Enwelum, in reaction to Tarfa’s application, argued that it was unnecessary for the court to make a specific order discharging Bagudu from the charge since the government has already excluded him from the amended charge.

Ruling, Justice Kolo allowed the amended charge.

He also granted an order discharging Bagudu from the charge and adjourned to April 29 for Mohammed’s arraignment.

In count one, Moham-

med was alleged to have between August and December 1995 at Abuja, dishonestly received $36,480,000 made up of cash and travellers cheques property of the Federal Government, believed to have been stolen.

Count two alleged that Mohammed, between August and December 1995 at Abuja, voluntarily assisted in concealing $57,960,000 believed to have been stolen from the Federal Government.

Count three alleged that he, between October and December 1996 at Abuja, dishonestly received $26,913,500 believed to have

been stolen from the Federal Government.

The prosecution alleged in count four that Mohammed, within the same time, voluntarily assisted in concealing $26,913,500 allegedly stolen from the Federal Government. Count five alleged that he, sometime in June 1997 at Abuja, dishonestly received $10,000,000.00 believed to have been stolen from the Federal Government.

He was, in count six, said to have, between February and December 1997 dishonestly received $87,000,000 and 41,143,000 pounds sterling believed to have been stolen from

the Federal government.

Count seven accused him of voluntarily assisting in concealing the amounts mentioned in count six.

In count eight, Mohammed was accused of dishonestly receiving, between January and August 1998, $167,000,000 and 99,957,000 pound sterling, believed to have been stolen from the Federal Government.

Count nine accused him of voluntarily assisting in concealing the amount mention in count eight.

The alleged offences are said to be punishable under sections 317 and 319 of the Penal Code.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Ahmed Mu’azu (right), presenting certificate of return to Senator Iyiola Omisore as the Osun State governorship candidate in the August 9 election at the PDP headquarters in Abuja… yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

2014 Budget: Reps withhold SEC’s allocation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ceived, fines, grants, budgetary provisions and all internally and externally generated revenue shall not be spent by the Securities and Exchange Commission for recurrent or capital purposes or for any other matters, nor liabilities thereon incurred except with prior appropriation and approval by the National Assembly.”

It will be recalled that the House had in 2012 investigated SEC and adopted a resolution urging President Goodluck Jonathan to relieve the Director General of SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh of her appointment for not possessing the requi-

site qualification for the position.

The House had placed a caveat that failure to comply with it would lead to zero allocation.

President Jonathan has since refused to remove Oteh and the House too lived up to its threat by making zero allocation in the 2013 budget.

The House is still insisting that Oteh must be sacked before it appropriates funds for the commission.

Other clauses in the bill as passed by the House include clause 8, which makes it compulsory for accounting officers of Ministries, Departments Agencies (MDAs) to furnish National Assembly, on quarterly basis ,with

detailed information on their internally generated revenue.

Similarly, all MDAs are expected to “furnish the National Assembly on quarterly basis with detailed information on all foreign and or domestic assistance received from any agency, person or organisation in any form whatsoever.”

The House also makes prompt disbursement of funds part of the law.

“The Minister of Finance shall ensure that funds appropriated under this bill are released to the appropriate agencies and or organs of government as at when due, provided that no funds for any quarter of the fiscal year shall be deferred without

prior waiver from the National Assembly.”

Details show that the House passed a similar budget with the Senate approving N1 billion for damages done to public properties and places of worship during the 2011 election violence and civil disturbances; $77.05 benchmark per barrel of oil, N268.37 billion for Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

From the sum, N408,687,801,891 is for statutory transfers; N712 billion is for debt service; N2,454,887,566,702 is for recurrent while N1,119,614,407 is for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure.

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NEWS

Friday, April 11, 2014

IGP, Obiano want citizens’ participation in security

T

he Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and stakeholders, who converged on Awka, capital of the state yesterday urged the populace to join the government and the security forces in the business of policing the country.

The police chief warned residents that improper handling of vital security information was very inimical to

both informants and operatives. He counselled those who have useful information for bursting crimes to offer it to more senior and more responsible police personnel and not to junior officers, who could easily mishandle them.

Speaking from the point of view of the bashing usually received by the Nigerian police, an Israeli security expert, Moshe Keinan, who was a lead discussant during the panel

Rigging worse than armed robbery - Omisore Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega of planning to rig the August 9 gubernatorial election in Osun State.

The party's gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyola Omisore yesterday alleged that the INEC Chairman, in spite of court order stopping the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Olutoyin Akeju from conducting election, still insisted

that the REC could not be changed.

Senator Omisore, who received his Certificate of Return at the PDP National Secretariat, said it has been proved that Ambassador Akeju is a card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has represented the chieftain of the party, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu on two occasions.

Omisore said: "Election rigging in South West is worse than armed robbery. The REC in Osun represents election rigging. There was a court injunction restraining Akeju from conducting election in Osun State".

Cholera: 55 die in Bauchi Sani Muh'd Sani Bauchi

A

t least 55 persons have died from Cholera outbreak in Bauchi State. The Bauchi State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sani Malami revealed this yesterday during a media briefing.

Malami explained that 50 out of the total number died at their homes because of reluctance of both the patients and their relatives' attitude in shunning the various government healthcare centres in the state, adding that it is only five that died at the hospital while re-

ceiving treatments.

The commissioner who briefed newsmen at the Government House Bauchi, yesterday, said that the outbreak of the epidemic was caused by the influx of people from neighbouring states that found themselves in one crisis or the other that included flood.

Malami disclosed that the state government was able to curtail the spread of the epidemic by establishing treatment camps , chlorinating over 60 wells and dispatching medical teams, who went on house to house search in 2,000 homes .

session, told Nigerians that "you have no choice but to build confidence and develop confidence in the police here because you cannot change it overnight.”

He explained that in Israel, there is a military radio station that constantly keeps the populace abreast with the security situation while the personnel of the security forces are always getting updated education and knowledge on fighting crime and on

11.2%

how to engage criminals and the victims of crime.

Obiano, who spoke during a panel discussion involving him, the IGP and the Israeli security guru, warned that he would decisively with any traditional ruler in the state, whose domain is allowed to become a safe haven for criminal elements.

He had drawn inspiration from Abubakar, who had pointed out that if the community leadership including the

The percentage of households with internet access at home in Arab States in 2006.

Source: Itu.int

monarch remain alive to their responsibilities, criminals would have no hiding place in any part of the country.

The governor drew an ovation from the teeming stakeholders, who filled the auditorium at the Women Development Centre, Awka when he declared that “I am very dogged in matters of security. What we are doing now in mopping up the vestiges of criminal elements in parts of the state is not a flash in the

1.45m

The total number of internet users in Cuba in 2008.

Source: Blatantworld.com

pan thing. The exercise will continue”.

Abubakar also blamed poverty and unemployment for widespread insecurity in the country, saying that no society can develop without an atmosphere safe for investment and business.

He spoke further: “If you are a big man and build a big house and the people who live around you cannot take care of the children, you will not live in that house.”

85.3%

The percentage of male internet users of Germany in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

L-R: President, League of Imams and Alfas, Ife South Local Government Area, Alhaji Soliu Alesinloye; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ife South LGA, Pastor John Oladimeji and Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; during a visit by Muslim and Christian leaders in Ife South to the governor in Osogbo…yesterday.

POLL

LP chairman labours to prove that his party won the inconclusive Ilaje/ Eseodo Federal constituency elections Babatope Okeowo, Akure and Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday criticised the National Chairman of the Labour Party(LP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu over his call for the declaration of the party's candidate as the winner of Ilaje/Eseodo federal

Ondo bye-election: PDP, LP trade words constituency election.

That was even as the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to release the result. He claimed that the LP won the election.

Also, the PDP denied the allegation that it connived with the electoral umpire to deny the candidate of the ruling LP victory in the election.

Nwayanwu had said the candidate of the

party, Mr Kolade Akinjo should be declared the winner of the election.

But the PDP insisted that they are ready for the supplementary election in the federal constituency as the election was inconclusive as pronounced by INEC. The PDP through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Wale Ozogoro said the Chairman of LP was wrong to have called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Kolade Akinjo,

the candidate of LP, the winner of the controversial election.

Ozogoro, in a statement, said Nwuanyawu should have been permitted if not for the fact that he is a legal practitioner, who should be vast in issues concerning electoral matters.

According to him, the allegations that INEC in connivance with Peoples Democratic Party wanted to get victory through the back door is "uncalled for, unfounded and deceptive".

NEWS

Friday, April 11, 2014

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Fulani attacks: Senators visit Benue SECURITY

armed militia suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking at the Government House in Makurdi during a courtesy call on the state Governor, Gabriel Suswam, Senator Mohammed Magoro, who led the delegation, said the visit was an assessment tour of the affected states to ascertain the true nature of the crisis.

Magoro restated the commitment of the Upper Chamber to providing the necessary support to address the security challenges in Benue State and the country at large.

Receiving the delegation, Suswam expressed

Senator Magoro leads members of the Upper House to troubled zones in the NorthCentral Area

Cephas Iorhemen Markurdi

F

our Senate committees - those of Interior Affairs, Defence and Army, Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence - yesterday visited Benue State. They were on a fact-finding mission on the extent of damage caused by attacks on Benue communities by

worries over the attack which saw thousands of Tiv farmers killed and property worth billions of naira destroyed, adding that the people carrying out the attacks were not the normal Fulani herdsmen wielding only sticks, but terrorists with sophisticated weapons.

Suswam said the situation had now taken a disturbing dimension as the attackers had employed chemical weapons, "A lot of people have died in the state as a result of the use of such chemical weapons."

"We are beginning to witness the use of chemi-

cal weapons and we have recovered sixteen bodies that we suspect have died as a result of that.

"Heavy destruction has been done by the suspected herdsmen and now the situation worries Benue people, including even children who are born today," said Suswam.

He told the delegation that canisters of the suspected chemical weapons have been picked and the state was working out modalities to engage experts to test the contents and pleaded for the assistance of the legislature in determining whether they were dangerous to humans as

suspected.

The governor also urged the Senate to critically investigate Nasar-

awa State which he said was harbouring the criminals attacking farmers in Benue State.

IPMAN: DSS peace moves fail ...NUPENG gives one week ultimatum to government Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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he Department of State Security (DSS) has failed in its attempt to resolve the leadership crisis bedevilling the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN. The Association is enmeshed in a leadership tussle among the trio of Abdulkadir Aminu as IPMAN president, Lawson Obasi as factional president and Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo as IPMAN's Acting Coordinating President.

Obasi got a Port Harcourt Federal High Court

ruling declaring him as the President of IPMAN. However, the former President, Abdulkadir Aminu is still holding on to the position with Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo emerging also as the Acting Coordinating President.

To buttress this, a source in IPMAN told New Telegraph that at the DSS meeting with IPMAN and other stakeholders, which held on Tuesday at the Headquarters of the Service to resolve the lingering crisis, Aminu, Obasi and Okoronkwo had introduced themselves as President of IPMAN respectively.

FG decries Nigerians’ low involvement in mining James Nwabueze Abuja

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (right) interracting with market men and women, during his inspection of the on-going clean-up at Refinery Road , Warri…yesterday

N2.39bn

The IGR realized from PAYE (taxes) of Ondo State in 2010.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

A

stiff opposition will be mounted on the path of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Presidency in 2015 in the Niger Delta. That is the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers.

The party is also questioning the moral right of the President and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to campaign in the region in 2015.

The APC Chairman in Rivers, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday, declared that the president and his party have lost the

60m

The number of individuals using the internet of Africa region in 2009.

Source: Itu.int

1m

The total number of internet users in Bolivia in 2007.

Source: Blatantworld.com

2015: APC to oppose Jonathan, PDP’s campaign in Niger Delta moral right to seek a return ticket from the people of the Niger Delta at the general elections because he had betrayed their trust and aspirations.

The party said that there has been a total and deliberate neglect of the region by the PDPled Federal Government under the watch of Jonathan, despite the fact that the President comes from the region and received the highest number of votes from the area during the

2011 presidential polls.

“Certainly, President Jonathan and the PDP have lost every moral right to come and ask the people of the Niger Delta for their votes in 2015, considering the wickedness they have exhibited towards the people of the region,”, the APC said.

“President Jonathan and the PDP should for once respect themselves and stay away from the Niger Delta since even his kinsmen in Bayelsa State

have rejected him for disappointing them’’, it emphasized.

It said that Chief Timipre Sylva, the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State testified to this fact during his solidarity visit to Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, last weekend when he declared that most Bayelsans are frustrated with the Jonathan administration and want a change, even though the President is from the state.

T

he Federal Government has decried the low participation of Nigerians in mining business. It said a situation whereby the nation’s minerals and metals sector is being operated basically by Chinese and Indians was not good for the economy.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada, who made the declaration during a meeting with a delegation of officials of the Kaduna Chamber

of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), in Abuja, said the Federal Government wanted Nigerians to be major operators in the nation’s mining operations.

According to a statement made available to New Telegraph by the Deputy Director, Press, in the Mining and Steel Development Ministry, Mr. Marshal Gundu, the minister reiterated the government’s resolve to strengthen the existing collaboration with local miners.

Tambuwal chairs Champion awards

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LL is set for the Champion Awards ceremony holding today at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, will chair the grand event where recipients will formally be presented with their awards.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will be conferred with the Champion Man of the Year 2013 and Business-

man of the Decade at the event.

In the list of awardees released recently in Lagos by the Management of Champion Newspapers Limited (CNL), Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi,will be awarded the Governor of the Year, while the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, will recive the award of the ‘Outstanding Igbo Personality of the Decade.’

8

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

You’ve exposed yourself to ridicule, APC tells Jonathan Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said that the Goodluck Jonathanled Federal Government has only opened itself to ridicule with the new Gross Domestic Products (GDP) figures which put Nigeria as the Africa’s biggest economy.

The opposition party stated that the rating is laughable given the fact that Nigeria has the largest population of poor and an army of unemployed youths.

The party described as an orchestrated distraction and a mindless public relations gimmick the rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP. In a statement issued in Washington, D.C., United States yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said coming after the damning World Bank report which declared Nigeria as one of the countries harbouring the largest population of poor people in the world, there is no doubt that the rebasing noise is the government’s response to the classification.

Mohammed said: ‘’However, the Federal Government has only succeeded in opening itself to

ridicule. This is because if ever there was a clear play at oxymoron, this is it: The largest economy with the largest population of the poor, the largest economy with the largest population of unemployed, the largest economy with the largest population of citizens living in darkness, and the largest economy with the worst infrastructure. ‘’Simply put, there is too much poverty in the midst of plenty, and the so-called economic growth which the Federal Government has been trumpeting with its dubious statistics is not a result of any deliberate government policies.

“Policies of government are expected to result in reduction in unemployment, increase in capacity utilisation by manufacturers, increased access to basic needs of life (food, water, electricity, health care, education, healthy environment, etc), increase in transparency and accountability, etc.

On the contrary, the country continues to slip down the ladder on all of these fronts,’’ it said.

APC said the Federal Government carried its joke too far by even giving the impression that the so-called emergence of the Nigerian economy as the largest in Africa is a function of the economic

policies under Jonathan administration, rather than a rejigging of figures calibrated to fool an unsuspecting public.

The party stated: “Fortunately, no one has been fooled by the government, even though it has succeeded, at least temporarily, in diverting attention from the pervasive and worsening insecurity in the land, the hopeless power situation that has seen Nigerians publicly protesting being thrown into perpetual darkness, the ticking time bomb of rising unemployment, especially among our youth, the unprecedented massive frittering away and looting of the commonwealth and the total absence of governance.

“The reactions of the economic experts and the business community within Nigeria as well as at the World Bank level to the rebasing hubbub have taken the sail out of the government’s wind and dampened its undue ecstasy over what is nothing but window dressing. ‘’For example, the business community has noted that while Nigeria, with the rebased GDP, is now ranked number 26 with regard to the size of the economy in 2013, it is ranked 147 in its ease of Doing Business report of the World Bank, out of the 189 countries profiled.

Head, Corporate Communications, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Rotarian Steve Omolale (fourth left), his wife, Clara, during his recent induction by the Rotary Club of Ogba, Lagos, District 9110 Nigeria. With them are the past presidents of the club: Rotarians Emeka Nwajei (left); Rotarian Bosun Oladele; Rotarian Chidozie Mbah and Rotarian Chris Ugokwe (second right), the current President, Rotarian Samson Omodara (third right) and Secretary, Rotarian Tony Eloh

Discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients to attract jail term Chukwu David Abuja

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he Senate yesterday passed a bill seeking to protect people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria from stigmatization and discrimination.

The Senate also prescribed a sanction of a two-year jail term or a maximum of N1m fine on any institution or organisation which disclosed the status of

an infected person.

Similarly, the bill stipulates that any individual who discloses the status of an infected person which he or she obtained in confidence shall be liable to a fine of N.5m or a one-year jail term.

According to the Chair man, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the bill essentially seeks to protect the human rights and dignity of people living with HIV / AIDS.

He stated that the bill was designed to encourage those infected to declare their status in a more friendly Nigerian community, saying that the risk of transmission would be greatly reduced if the bill was signed into law.

Under the legislation, it shall be an offence for any employer, institution, body or individual to require an HIV test as condition for an offer of employment, access to public/private services or opportunities.

ABIA

NASARAWA

EKITI

LAFIA

KEBBI

UMUAHIA

ADO-EKITI

BIRNIN KEBBI

I didn’t say Jonathan has failed ...OYC President The national president of Ohanaezendigbo Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isigusoro has denied the allegations that he said the president has failed. He stated that the allegation was a clear misrepresentation of what he said.

Speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Mazi Isigusoro stated that there was never a time he made such statement noting that President Jonathan has fulfilled 70 per cent of his cam-

paign promises to the youths during his electioneering campaign in 2011.

Isigusoro reaffirmed the support of the ohanaeze youths for the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and his seven point agenda.

I will not compromise the security of my people - Al-Makura Governor UmaruAl-Makura of Nasarawa State said yesterdaythatthestategovernment would not compromise its core mandateof protectinglivesand propertyof thepeople.

Al-Makura made the disclosure when members of the Benue Committee on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building

paid him a courtesy visit in Lafia.

He assured that the government would never take any action that would truncate the existing peaceful atmosphere inthestate.

The governor attributed recentcrisesinthetwostatestothe handiworkof ``opportunists’’.

OSUN OSOGBO Members of the Osun State House of Assembly yesterday condemned the alleged attack on the first executive governor of the state, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke by the

Osun lawmakers condemn attack on Adeleke Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore and Minister of Police Af-

fairs, Abdul Jelili Adesiyan in Osogbo during the conduct of the party’s primary election in the state.

Crisis hits Ekiti NCWS over election

Kebbi spends N186.5m on payment of tuition fees

The Ekiti State chapter of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) is now being torn in crisis following the controversy that engulfed the body’s election of new state officers last week.

Briefing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti in yesterday, one of the chairmanship contestants, Mrs Adenike Adeleye, accused the national leadership of the body of flouting its rules in the manner which the election of new officers body was conducted.

Adenike said the emer-

The Kebbi State Government yesterday said that it spent N186.5 million on the payment of tuition and registration fees for its indigent students in tertiary institutions across the country.

The Executive Secretary, Kebbi State Scholarship Board, Alhaji Sahabi Birnin-Yauri, disclosed this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi.

According to BirninYauri the Board had paid N80.5 million to the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

9

10 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Crisis: Deposed Imo APC chairman defies Okorocha BATTLE

Imo State governor is in for a tough one as his bid to control party machinery is threatened Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

D

eposed Imo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),

Friday, April 11, 2014

l Says I’m still in charge Prince Marshal OkaforAnyanwu, has defied the order removing him as the chairman of the party in the state.

He said Governor Rochas Okorocha’s pronouncement of his removal is not binding on him.

O k a f o r- A n ya n w u , who was sacked from the chairmanship of the par-

ty last Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Owerri, insisted that he is still the chairman of the party.

There have also been reports that the chairman, who is from Orlu zone of the state, may be headed to the PDP, but in a telephone conversation, Okafor-Anyanwu

said; “I still remain the Chairman of APC in Imo State and will contest the chairmanship position of the party in the state congress.

“I am qualified to run and nobody can stop me.

For emphasis please, I am still in the APC and anything about me leaving the party is speculation.”

On the plot to zone the

chairmanship of the party to Owerri zone to enhance the acceptability of Governor Okorocha, who is from Orlu, for a second term, the embattled chairman said; “There is no such provision in our constitution and any plot to zone the party chairmanship will fail.

“Like I said, I will run for the position because

there is no such zoning of chairmanship position in the APC constitution.”

Though, Mbaise born Alan B. Onyemaechi, has been tipped to take over from Prince Marshal Okafor-Anyanwu, it seems that the embattled chairman is all primed to resist any process that would remove him without a congress.

Boko Haram attacks worry Northern governors Dan Atori Minna

G

over nors under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) have called on security agencies in the country to put an end to the killings by Boko Haram insurgents in the northern parts of the country.

The governors expressed shock and sadness at the killing of seven policemen and a civilian in a raid on Gwaram town in Jigawa State on Wednesday and the two others killed in Shadna village in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.

They also urged the insurgents to immedi-

ately stop the attacks on innocent citizens in the country.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, expressed the forum’s deepest condolences to the families of the victims as well as the police high command.

He said no grievances can justify such a dastardly act against law enforcement agents.

In a statement signed by Governor Aliyu’s spokesman, Danladi Ndayebo, the forum also condemned the killing of several farmers and the destruction of their property by suspected herdsmen in Wukari, Taraba State, describing it as one attack too many.

Agumagu’s suspension, not stayed – Court Tunde Oyesina Abuja

A

Federal High Court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, yesterday in Abuja held that it did not make an order to stay the suspension of Justice P. H. C. Agumagu of the Rivers State judiciary, pending the determination of the suit filed by the suspended judge.

The National Judi-

cial Council (NJC) had, in a statement on March 27, announced Justice Agumagu’s suspension, saying that his appointment as the Chief Judge of Rivers State was illegal, as it did not comply with the provisions of section 271 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulated that a state governor must appoint a chief judge on the recommendation of the NJC.

L-R: Project Manager, Customer Service Practitioners' Association (CUSPA), Mrs Isedua Obiodiaka; Chief Executive Officer/Principal, Deep Blue Energy (DBE) Services Ltd, Ms. Anita Omoile and President of CUSPA, Mrs. Uloma Umeano, during a visit by the executives of CUSPA to DBE Services in Lagos

FG summons Zimbabwean envoy over Mugabe’s comment l Condemns maltreatment of Nigerians in South Africa Ummal-Fadal Babagirei

T

he Federal Government yesterday summoned the Zimbabwean Head of Chancery, Stanley Kunjeku, over the degrading comment made by President Robert Mugabe, which depicted Nigerians as very corrupt people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Kunjeku yesterday while lodging a formal protest against such unguarded comment by President Mugabe.

The Permanent Sec-

retary in the ministry, Dr. Martin Uhomoibhi, described Mugabe’s comment as “vitriolic and denigrating on Nigeria and Nigerians.”

He continued: “We were very concerned when we read that on the occasion of the 90th birthday of President Mugabe, he took considerable time to vituperate about Nigeria.”

He said Mugabe’s comment reflected what is considered to be strong aversion for Nigeria, denigrating Nigeria and Nigerians.

“He was reported to have said Nigerians are

corrupt people when he hosted service chiefs on his 90th birthday.

“We want to present the strongest protest in that statement; not only does it not reflect the reality in our country, but to come from a sitting president of a brotherly country is most unkind and very dishonourable” Uhomoibhi said.

Uhomoibhi said given the role played by Nigeria during the liberation struggle in Southern Africa, Mugabe’s comment was unfortunate.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday condemned the reported attacks on Nigerians in

South Africa last week.

“We condemn any act of racism, xenophobia and discrimination perpetrated by whoever, including that particular country,” Uhomoibhi said.

Uhomoibhi expressed his disappointment, saying; “We are appalled that these incidents occur from a country that we hold in high esteem and which is a brotherly country to Nigeria.”

He called on the South African government to take necessary action against those responsible for the attack.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

ACCUSATION APC points fingers at PDP over its ill-fated ward congresses in Edo Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

T

ension heightened yesterday in Benin City among leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and residents of the South Senatorial District following the announced cancellation of the ward congresses held on Tuesday in the area.

The state Interim Pub-

11

APC, PDP trade blames over fresh ward congress licity Secretary of the APC, Godwin Erhahon, in a statement yesterday, said the party had cancelled its ward congresses and rescheduled same for tomorrow, Saturday, April 12.

Erhahon said “A meeting of Stakeholders of APC in the senatorial District, presided over

by Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole with national leaders, Chief Tom Ikimi and Chief

John Oyegun resolved to cancel the exercise last night after considering all complaints by the various contending factions.”

He added: “This painful decision was taken in the interest of peace, fair-play and, above all, in the spirit of democracy to which APC is committed.”

The party leadership alleged that “APC is aware of attempt by PDP

to infiltrate its ranks through the congress,” adding that APC was particularly monitoring PDP bargain with one of its factions in the South whose leader the PDP has promised a senatorial ticket.

But the PDP Publicity Secretary, Matthew Urhoghide, in a telephone interview with New Telegraph described the APC as a kindergarten party full

of internal strife and which foundation is about to crumble.

Urho ghide said: “PDP in Edo State has nothing do with APC ward congresses; it is not interested in … what is happening in the APC. We are not gratifying the party, neither are we ascribing credibility to what APC members are doing in their congresses. It is not our business.”

Meanwhile, the APC leadership has apologized to all APC members in Edo South for the painful decision to cancel the congresses and appealed to them to come back with their membership registration slips to their various ward collating centres peacefully tomorrow, adding that “This is a bitter pill we have to swallow to put our detractors to shame.”

TUC asks NASS to probe past sales of public properties Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

W

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Prof. Mark Wokocha; Director General, National Teachers' Institute, Dr. Aminu Sharehu and Representative of the Minister of Education, Dr Olu Ayewoh, during the Sensitization Workshop of the Second Phase of the UNESCO British Council and NTI Project on Mobile Technologies and Teacher Development in Nigeria held in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Some northern governors promoting terrorism, says Sam-Tsokwa lSays only Tambuwal can sack defecting lawmakers Philip Nyam Abuja

C

hairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, Albert SamTsokwa (PDP, Taraba) yesterday accused some northern governors of supporting terrorism.

Sam-Tsokwa, who spoke yesterday in Abuja, also described the incessant attacks on farmers in some states by suspected Fulani herdsmen as acts of terrorism and not mere conflicts.

According to him, "Most of the problems we have are created by our leaders. And that was why on one occa-

sion, I said I am of the opinion that most northern governors support terrorism.

Because I see the attacks on farmers as a terrorist act, not a conflict. You stay in your house, somebody comes to your land and begins to cause problems and destroy your crops. You complain and he brings out a gun, sacks you from that place and they call it “conflict”. What conflict is that?

It is an act of terrorism.”

Tsokwa (PDP) who represents Donga/Ussa/ Takum/Special Area Federal Constituency of Taraba State maintained that: "What we call farmer/grazer conflict is a kind

of insurgency against the farmers… Just as I cannot walk up to your land and begin to make heaps because your land is good and I want to plant rice there, a grazer too has no right to walk into my land, no matter how conducive it is to grazing, and begin to graze there. If he has no land, I have land. I have no animal. Come, buy my land, give me money and graze there.”

According to him, that was how Boko Haram started... “My advice is that the earlier we did something about it the better for us.

Nigeria has enough problems on its hands. Let us not cause additional prob-

lems. Let’s handle the ones we have. We should be seen to be moving ahead rather than adding more and more problems for the country.

On the controversial defection of some lawmakers from the PDP to the APC, the lawmaker noted that only the Speaker is empowered by the constitution to sack the 37 lawmakers from the House.

He said those who want the lawmakers to vacate their seats should approach the courts for a (writ of) mandamus if they felt the law was not being adhered to in the case of the 37 defecting lawmakers.

ORRIED by the havoc which corruption has wreaked on public infrastructure in the country, Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday called on the National Assembly to probe all previous sales of public properties by the Federal Government.

This, according to the TUC, is with a view to retrieving those sold to private interests in questionable circumstances or under wrongful terms.

TUC president, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, made the call in Ibadan while presenting a paper entitled: "The Press and Labour in the Era of Privatisation" at the capacity building of Labour Writers Association of Nigeria.

Kaigama, who hinted that privatisation was inflicting more pains and damage on the country, also expressed worries that many workers of the defunct PHCN were yet to be paid their full entitlements, while consumers continue to pay higher rates than they previously did.

Delta to punish double registration in SSCE exams Dominic Adewole Asaba

S

tudents and private school owners who engage in double registration in the ongoing 2014 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in Delta State are in for trouble.

The state government has started compiling their names with a plan to wield the big stick.

New Telegraph gathered yesterday that students at Evwreni, Ughelli axis of the state who had been registered under the state’s free education policy had, again, registered for the

examination in private schools.

The state Commissioner for Education, Prof.

Patrick Muoboghare, who was displeased by the development, had therefore ordered an extensive monitoring of the examination in the state.

He said the action was at variance with the state’s policy of nonadmission of students into certificate classes, maintaining that it was to perpetuate examination malpractices.

According to him, the future does not belong to students who engage in such act.

metr

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Friday, April 11, 2014

0802 393 8212

Pregnant woman, five others electrocuted

zzMan attempts suicide after losing wife, three children Muritala Ayinla

A

pregnant woman and five others met their untimely death when they stepped on a hightension cable which fell down during the downpour experienced in most parts of Lagos and its suburb yesterday.

The incident, which occurred at Oworonshoki area of the metropolis, came barely a week after an Ikorodubound boat capsized on Lagos wa-

One of the burnt cars

terways, killing nine passengers on board and left others injured.

The residents of at Onabanjo Street, Oworonsoki were suddenly woken up from sleep by the alarm of fire ranging in front their houses.

But in a bid to escape death by fire, the victims, who resided in number 6 to 10, stepped on a fallen high-tension cable on the street.

A man, who lost his wife and three children, was said to have attempted committing suicide by drinking poi-

PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

son.

But he was rushed to Afolabi Hospital in the area.

The tragic incident, which occurred about 2am, threw the entire residents of the area into confusion as no one knew which direction or place to run to. Witnesses said the 11KVA high-tension fell across the drainage and caught fire when it came in contact with wood because there was light at the time.

The fire also burnt two vehicles which exploded. The fire spread swiftly to houses, while those who woke up early raised the alarm, calling others to run for safety.

The General Secretary, Council of Oworonshoki Youth Forum, Mr Kabiawu Babajide, said majority of the residents ran out of their houses in confusion before the victims stepping on the cable.

He said: “They left their homes in confusion, not knowing what was happening in their houses. They

Fake ICPC office raided, nine suspects arrested Emmanuel Onani Abuja

N

ine people have been arrested for operating a fake office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The suspects duped an unsuspecting victim, who later blew the lid off the dubious activities of the impersonators.

ICPC operatives raided the office recently after the victim petitioned the commission.

The ICPC Media Consultant, Folu Olamiti, said in a statement that the suspects were currently being interrogated at the Ibadan office of the anti-graft agency.

The suspects, according to the statement, are Ilesanmi T. Okunola, Oladipo Barnabas Abiodun, Ogunsanya Ayinla, Akintunde Oluwasogo, Akanbi Oluwole, Omo-Aare Temitope Emmanuel, Odetunde Olamide, Adewuyi Peter and Iyanda Lekan.

The suspects, the statement added, indulged in collecting N2,000 from unwary complainants, before ‘treating’ their cases.

Items recovered from the fake office, said to have been operating since 2012, included a Nigerian flag, the National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) flag, one bulletproof vest, 10 wooden guns, 58 case files, one photocopy of ICPC Act, attendance

register and weekly duty register.

The statement reads in part: “During preliminary interrogation the fake ICPC officials turned out to be renegades of NAVC whose activities were under suspension on the orders of the Chairman of ICPC in December 2013.

“Members of the public who have more information on the same or similar groups should avail ICPC with the requisite information either at our Ibadan office located at 19B,University Crescent, Old Bodija Estate, Ibadan or through our website: info@ icpc.gov.ng or through our toll-free lines: 08031230280, 08031230281, 08031230282, 07056990190, and 07056990191.”

ran out and in a bid to escape, they stepped on the naked wire and were immediately electrocuted, while those injured were rushed to the hospital.

“People ran away from their houses in different directions. It was about 30 minutes later before the Distribution Company (DISCO) seized the light.”

Also conforming the tragic incident, the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said his men were able to put out the fire but regretted that lives had been lost before they got there.

He said: “Two females, including a pregnant woman lost their lives but other residents were quickly saved from the inferno.”

Fadipe said the bodies of the victims had been deposited at a morgue in Yaba. He also disclosed that a tanker each caught fire at Apapa and Ogba areas of the metropolis.

Fadipe said later in a statement

that one of the victims was selling fuel at the black market.

He said: “The car contained jerry cans filled with PMS. So that was what led to the fire which later extended to the other car stationed beside it.

“They were of the fear that the fire might spread to their building.

While trying to escape, they ran into the high-tension cable. That was how they got electrocuted.

“Among those who died were two females; one of them a pregnant woman. The other female was the owner of the PMS stored in the car.”

Another witness, who gave his name as Ladi Joshua, identified those who died as one Iya Fatima, her child, Iya Jonathan and her three children.

The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi OkeOsanyintolu, said his organisation was still investigating the incident.

FLOOD RAVAGES ILORIN

Two children, man, swept off, 20 ALLEGATION Ilorin residents blame hotel owned by a senator for the devastating flood which swept through the city Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

A

ngry youths in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday almost burnt a hotel owned by Senator Smart Adeyemi, blaming a construction on a part of the property for flood which claimed three lives on Wednesday night.

The hotel, Royal Shekinah Grand Suites, is located on Offa Garage Road.

The state lawmakers had in March 2012 ordered the stoppage of work at a car park being constructed by the hotel.

They said the hotel should remove a wall that was disturbing free flow of water in Atikeke community, behind the hotel.

The hotel later did some works on the drainage in the area but it appeared not to have been sufficient to stop the latest tragedy.

But for the quick intervention of security men, the youths would have razed the hotel. They were already hurling stones against the property before policemen arrived the scene. Several policemen were later stationed there to protect the property.

The flood also swept away about 20 vehicles around Omosebi and Adisco areas of the state capital.

Two of the victims were children, identified as Basirat, aged four and half years and Garfa, aged three years.

They had come to spend the holiday with their grandmother in a building a few metres from the hotel.

Witnesses said the kids got drowned when one of them opened the front door of their apartment in an attempt to escape the flood that had reached the window level of the building.

The body of another male victim was discovered at the Coca-Cola area of the city early in the morning.

One of the vehicles. Ins

About 1,000 pass travelling from La were also stranded rail track behind K Secondary School w The flood cut off soil from beneath t cut the road into tw impassable for the t One of the passe said they had spen stranded on the tr

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Osun guber: Aregbesola deserves second term –Onuoha

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Friday, April 11, 2014

Sambo, godson battle to hold Kaduna Although the 2015 elections is less than a year from now, the actors to watch for the political contest are oiling their guns for the battle ahead. IBRAHEEM MUSA examines the political gladiators that will shape Kaduna State in 2015

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efore now, the political equation was simple and predictable in Kaduna State. Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has held sway with southern Kaduna largely providing the winning votes. The opposition, almost always wins Kaduna North and South local governments, Z a r i a and Sabon Gari counc i l s , including Igab i area council.

Urban, populous and politically active, these local governments have close to half of the registered voters in the state. However, in spite of this, PDP always coasted to victory owing to southern Kaduna’s block votes.

In 2007, the zone demanded for power shift and the late Senator Isaiah Balat put up a good fight, but his best wasn’t good enough. That time, Architect Namadi Sambo, a relative dark horse, clinched the governorship.

Naturally, the zone felt aggrieved but the people still stuck to PDP and voted overwhelmingly for the party. Briefly, their turn came accidently, when Sir Patrick Yakowa became governor in 2009. But two years after, he died in an air crash. Figuratively, death robbed southern Kaduna of two terms and the people were enraged.

Significantly, for no apparent reason, Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero has become the butt of their bile. In particular, they accused him of arrogance, marginalisation and insensitivity to the killings in their area.

Instructively, from Governor Ahmed Makarfi to Sambo, including Yakowa, all governors stood accused of the same offences while in power. Regardless, Makarfi got southern Kaduna votes, so did Sambo and Yakowa, their son-of-the-soil. However, this time around, times have changed and the falcon cannot hear the falconer.

The people, this time around, have decided to take their destiny in their hands and the consensus, according to reports, is to either vote for a southern Kaduna governor, or vote against Governor Yero in 2015.

As things stand now, defeating Yero at the PDP primaries is almost impossible and Mr James Bawa Magaji, the southern Kaduna All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant is unlikely to win the party’s primaries. Yero and Hon. Isa Ashiru will most likely emerge the candidates of PDP and APC respectively.

So, southern Kaduna may vote against Yero, in pursuit of their plan B. The governor, on the other hand, has been trying to woo southern Kaduna and his northern brothers to his side. In addition, his father is pulling strings for the gov-

ernor as the old man, according to reports, had reached out to retired General T.Y Danjuma, the rallying point of northern minorities, in order to prevail on southern Kaduna elders to ceasefire.

However, the opposition from the youths and the elders, according to reports, have little or no say in the “new struggle.”

Significantly, the race for governorship, the jostling for vice presidency and the desire for power shift, are all adding colour, intrigue and drama to the political scene in Kaduna State.

The following are some of the politicians to watch in the race for 2015.

Namadi Sambo: Sitting on a shaky throne In this dispensation, few politicians are as lucky as Namadi Sambo, the vice president. In 2007, his friend and business associate, Governor Ahmed Makarfi drafted Sambo to the gubernatorial race, mobilised state machinery behind him and railroaded him to victory. In the primaries, Sambo defeated professional

politicians, old war horses and front runners like Balat.

However, between Sambo and Balat, there was a runoff election to determine the PDP flag bearer.

Thereafter, from relative obscurity, Sambo clinched the governorship seat of Kaduna. With time, Sambo and Makarfi fell out and some political elites smarting from the earlier defeat, ganged up against the then governor. Increasingly, Sambo’s political naiveté, the feud within PDP and the agitation from southern Kaduna for power shift, made him vulnerable to defeat. At once, Sambo was seen as a lame duck that will fall in 2011 election.

However, the happygo-lucky governor never lost his cool and by divine intervention, Sambo moved up the political ladder. On May 6, 2010, following President Umaru Yarádua’s demise, then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan became presidency. Similarly, he picked Sambo as vice president and since then, the duo’s relationship has been a rosy one.

However, in recent times, fifth columnists are trying to put them asunder. In part, some hawks want Jonathan to replace Sambo in 2015. In particular, they cite his light political weight, PDP’s woes in the North and the stiff opposition to the party in his constituency, as hurdles to Jonathan’s re-election. Specifically, Sambo’s Kaduna North Local Government, his federal constituency and senatorial zone are all APC-controlled. In addition, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara states, out of the seven North-West states, are being controlled by the opposition. Similarly, PDP is not popular in the entire North CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Sambo, Yero, Makarfi, El Rufai, Ashiru,

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and rightly or wrongly, critics cite Sambo’s alleged ineptitude as reason for the party’s poor showing in his primary constituency.

Consequently, some elements are rooting for Barrister Ibrahim Shema, the Katsina State governor, to replace Sambo as vice president. Largely, this rumour has been denied but how Sambo will weather the storm, reverse PDP’s fortunes in the North and retain his vice presidency make him one of the politicians to watch in 2015. However, the fact that Sambo and the president are on good terms is the vice president’s trump card.

Malam

Baba-Ahmed

Muktar Ramalan Yero: In the eye of opposition In a way, Governor Yero’s trajectory is similar to Sambo’s meteoric rise. Like Sambo, the governor of Kaduna State had little or no public service experience before joining politics. In fact, after a five-year stint with the Nigerian Universal Bank, he hitched on to Sambo’s coattails. For several years, he worked at Nalado Nigerian Limited, an omnibus business concern, owned by Sambo. In 2007, when Sambo became governor, Yero joined government as Commissioner of Finance and part of the kitchen cabinet. Two years later, following Sambo’s elevation to vice president, Sir Patrick Yakowa became governor and in May 2010, he picked Yero as deputy governor on the influence of Sambo. Significantly, two years down the road, Yakowa died in a fatal air crash and naturally, Yero stepped into his shoes.

Yero, for over one year now, has been governing Kaduna in relative peace. Specifically, the spate of bombings that rocked Kaduna town has abated. Conversely, gunmen have been on the rampage, killing at Birnin Gwari and surrounding villages, including villages in southern Kaduna. On March 14, Kaura Local Government was attacked and more than 100 people lost their lives. The carnage added salt to injury in southern Kaduna and the ‘Concerned Realists’, a nascent pressure group, has vowed to mobilise against PDP in the 2015 elections.

Significantly, from 1999 to 2011, southern Kaduna has been voting solidly for PDP. In fact, its block votes have largely won elections for the party. So, the threat of voting against PDP in the south, including APC’s incursions, will expose Yero’s soft underbelly. Right now, Kaduna North and South local governments, Igabi, Zaria and Sabon Gari councils are APC controlled.

These councils, going by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) figures, have close to half of the registered voters in Kaduna State. This electoral

Makarfi

strength, coupled with the threats from southern Kaduna, a predominantly PDP enclave, is bound to make Yero jittery. The way and manner he wins the people’s hearts and minds and get elected in 2015 remains to be seen. However, APC may implode after its primaries and in the event of that, Yero’s victory is assured.

Ahmed Makarfi: The beautiful bride Perhaps, Senator Makarfi, former governor of Kaduna, can be called the dean of governors. From 1999 to 2007, he held sway as governor for eight years.

Thereafter, he picked Sambo, his friend and business associate, to succeed him as he went to the Senate after serving two terms. Afterwards, by force majeure, Sambo became vice president and Yakowa, the deputy governor, stepped into Sambo’s shoes. Ironically, at different times, Yakowa was deputy to both Makarfi and Sambo. By extension, Sambo, Yakowa and to a large extent Yero, were part of Makarfi’s political dynasty.

Calm, soft spoken and calculating, Makarfi is not given to open altercation in a feud. In 2008, he fell out with Sambo, the battle line was drawn but Makarfi never crossed the red line. In private, he mulled over the state of affairs, took pot shots at Sambo but never went to the media. In public, the duo shook hands and pretended that all was well while their supporters traded invectives.

Significantly, Makarfi’s political structure is alive and well and in southern Kaduna, he is still being lionised. In addition, he chairs the powerful Senate Finance Committee, overseeing the national purse. This position and his well oiled political machinery as well as his deep pockets are assets in Makarfi’s war arsenal.

Right now, he is the proverbial beautiful bride as APC is trying to woo him over. Last December, his political associates like Alhaji Yaro Makama Rigachukun, defected to APC with over 2000 supporters. However, Makarfi is still in PDP but his heart is allegedly in APC. In 2015, may not contest any election but he will hold the aces of who becomes governor and president of Kaduna and Nigeria respectively. However, because he is sitting on the fence, neither APC nor PDP trusts him and he may end up losing both ways.

Suleiman Hunkuyi: Guber aspirant of all times A serial gubernatorial aspirant, Hunkuyi is a grassroots politician who has contested the governorship of the state since 2003. A former council chairman, Makarfi rode on his structure in 1999 to become governor and Hunkuyi was made Commissioner of Finance. In that

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Baba-Ahmed in a battle of wits

Hunkuyi

El Rufai

position, he dispensed financial patronage, sorted out political tangles and oiled the party machinery in general.

The Hunkuyi-Makarfi tag team worked well for Kaduna State in the first four years of the administration.

Willy, politically savvy and open handed, Hunkuyi took care of politics while Makarfi, an ex-banker and technocrat, concentrated on governance. In 2003, the duo parted ways as Hunkuyi resigned his position and contested against Makarfi, his friend and former principal.

For that purpose, he crossed over to the All People’s Party (APP), as it was then called, grabbed its ticket and took on Makarfi in the general election.

After his defeat, Hunkuyi hibernated for a while but in 2007, he resurfaced in PDP. In that contest, he came a distant third as Sambo was the front runner while Balat, now deceased, came a close second.

Yet again, Hunkuyi vied for the governorship in 2011 but this time, he never went beyond the screening stage.

The committee, headed by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, disqualified him on the basis of irregular tax payments.

However, Hunkuyi protested his disqualification and the party headquarters allowed him to run. Hunkuyi, for the third time, couldn’t win the primaries but in the end, his support was the game changer. Two days before election, Yakowa reached out to him and allegedly sealed a deal with Hunkuyi for his support. The rest, as it is said, is now history.

Last year, Hunkuyi defected to APC along with his supporters. Today, he has not indicated interest in the governorship but according to reports, he is waiting for Malam Nasir El Rufai’s decision. El Rufai and Hunkuyi are close and the two will never contest for the same position, a source confided in New Telegraph. However, whether or not he contests, Hunkuyi’s support is critical for the emergence of Kaduna governor. His penchant for switching sides or defecting to another party, is a blot on his ability to fight electoral battles with all his sinews.

Nasir El Rufai: The ‘giant’ of APC The strength, weakness and capacity of Malam Nasir El Rufai, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, are too well known to Nigerians to bear repeating. El Rufai, APC’s interim Deputy National Secretary, is as cantankerous as they come. Controversial, engaging and straight talking, this technocrat has crossed swords with the PDP-led government a few times. However, like him or hate him, El Rufai gets things done and sometimes with collateral damage. In Nigeria where billions are spent on projects only to be

Ashiru

abandoned, El Rufai is like a breath of fresh air.

In Kaduna, his posters dot the whole town but according to a source, El Rufai is not interested in being governor. Although Kaduna’s decayed infrastructure will need El Rufai’s high technical delivery, the man doesn’t seem interested in local politics. ‘The giant’, as his friends call him, is working for General Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as APC’s presidential flagbearer. Whether or not Buhari flies the party’s flag, El Rufai will play a key role at the centre. One way or the other, the ex-minister will raise the bar of governance in or out of government. Specifically, his activism, international exposure and derring-do will put him in good stead to achieve this.

However, to some analysts, El Rufai is like any fairweather politician. To him, principals and principles can be sacrificed on the altar of expediency. Significantly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was his godfather from the outset. Somehow, when Atiku and President Olusegun Obasanjo parted ways, he sided with the latter. Although he was in Obasanjo’s kitchen cabinet, El Rufai consorted with Buhari secretly. Sadly, this propensity to trade places, is a baggage that will burden for ‘the giant’. In addition, his autobiography, “The Accidental Public Servant”, shows that nothing is off limits for El Rufai. In the cloak and dagger world of politics, politicians will always watch their backs where El Rufai is involved.

Usman

Isa Ashiru: The lone star in APC A relatively dark horse, Alhaji Ashiru represents Kudan-Makarfi federal constituency. Young, amiable and generous, little is known about his contributions at the House of Representatives. However, Ashiru is the most visible APC gubernatorial aspirant in Kaduna State. An accountant by profession, Ashiru was at the state assembly in 1999 but after two terms, the young man moved up the legislature’s ladder. In 2007, he was elected to the House of Representatives and in the green chamber, Ashiru is Vice chairman of Appropriation Committee.

On February 11, Ashiru defected from PDP and the next day, he went to his Kudan hometown to register for APC. The event, for all intents and purposes, was like a campaign flag off as most APC bigwigs graced the occasion. Specifically, almost all decampees from PDP turned out for Ashiru’s declaration. In particular, Alhaji Yaro Makama Rigachikun, ex-PDP state chairman for eight years, was at the occasion, so was Alhaji CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Gana

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Ibrahim Yaro, another former state chairman and Ambassador Sule Buba, former Executive Secretary of Kaduna Pilgrims Board.

At the event, Ashiru was variously referred to as governor-in-waiting. However, he is not relying on home support alone; all PDP decampees, irrespective of senatorial zones, have rallied around Ashiru. Specifically, Mr. Felix Hassan Hyet, former Aviation Minister and a southern Kaduna political juggernaut, is said to belong to his camp. Personally, on 10 occasions, Ashiru has gone to southern Kaduna to lobby political stalwarts in the area. From 1999 to 2011, Southern Kaduna has been a PDP enclave, but in recent times, the people have complained that their support has not translated to dividends of democracy. Ashiru, like a good politician, has been engaging in retail politics in the area.

As at now, Ashiru is the lone star in APC’s firmament, the politician with the most extensive structure and generous amount of goodwill. In summary, he is the aspirant to beat in the APC primaries as at today.

However, his closeness to ex-PDP elements, to the exclusion of the legacy parties, may elicit a gang-up against him at the primaries.

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed: Odd man in the saddle Going by APC’s guidelines, Dr. Baba-Ahmed, the chairman of Interim Management Committee (IMC), shouldn’t have headed the party in Kaduna state. The governor, in an APC state, is leader of the party and in a non-APC state, the highest ranking elected official is the party leader. Similarly, where all these are unavailable, an ex-governor, gubernatorial candidate or aspirant will suffice. However, in spite of this guideline, Baba-Ahmed emerged chairman in deference to Senator Sani Saleh, the highest ranking official in Kaduna State. Severally, Saleh had plotted for Baba-Ahmed’s ouster but the efforts have come to nought.

On January 5, Saleh allegedly met with other elected officials, removed Baba-Ahmed, after passing a no confidence vote on him. Promptly, the decision was conveyed to party headquarters. The APC high command, according to reports, asked Alhaji Umaru Dembo to take over Kaduna State. However, Baba-Ahmed refused to handover, describing Saleh’s action as null and void.

On February 12, other members of IMC met and passed a vote of confidence on their chairman, daring Dembo to a power struggle. Quietly, the latter disappeared from the scene and Baba Ahmed soldiered on.

On his own, a few days to the registration exercise, Baba-Ahmed tendered his resignation, citing frustration from above. Party elders, stakeholders and floor members prevailed on him and the chairman rescinded his decision.

Significantly, Baba-Ahmed has built APC, from an amalgam of disparate parties, into a composite whole.

In Kaduna state, all the legacy parties as well as PDP elements, have been accommodated by the Baba- Ahmedled IMC. According to analysts, this accomplishment is not surprising, given the chairman’s pedigree as a university lecturer, ex-INEC secretary and former federal permanent secretary.

However, Baba-Ahmed’s ability is not underlined by political considerations and for APC, a merger of strange bedfellows, this may count against him. Already, there is no love lost between himself and the party’s national headquarters. But with or without political office, his intellectual capacity will make him a leading light in APC, whether or not it forms the state or central government.

James Bawa Magaji: A pawn on the chessboard For close to 20 years, Magaji has been out of political contention. In 1992, he was deputy to Governor Dabo Mohammed Lere of Kaduna State. Two years later, the military struck and sent them packing and since then, Magaji has been in political limbo. Severally, he had attempted to go to the Senate but his ambition never went beyond aspiration.

Magaji, in spite of this, still kept close to his south-

Mustapha

Sale

ern Kaduna people, without alienating others. Amiable and easy going, the man is not an ethnic bigot but during Makarfi’s tenure, he was a vocal critic of the administration. In 2010, he became close to Yakowa but has nothing to show for it.

Last year, the former deputy governor declared his gubernatorial ambition but instead of PDP, he pitched tent in APC. Largely, his southern Kaduna people are diehard PDP supporters but contesting in APC, given the discontent against PDP, will chip away at Yero’s support base. In this wise, Magaji will be a key player, in the build up to the 2015 elections.

Mainly, the draw back to his ambition will be lack of political structure, a solid home base and vast resources to run an effective campaign.

Umar Gana: Playing high stakes Alhaji Gana threads where angels dare. In politics, his antecedents are long, rich and controversial but largely, Gana plays in the local league of Kaduna State.

However, his adroitness, rabble rousing and connections are remarkable. Severally, Gana and Makarfi had locked horns in the past but in 2009, the matter took an ugly turn. Makarfi, at that time, had left Government House and Sambo, his successor, was calling the shots at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House. With time, Makarfi and his protégé fell out and Gana took sides with Sambo, took on Makarfi, accusing him of corruption, cronyism and non-performance. However, three years down the road, Gana has turned full circle as he and Sambo, now the vice president, are on opposite sides of the barricade.

Last year, Gana wrote Sambo an open letter on December 23, highlighting the crisis in Kaduna PDP. Specifically, Gana had listed several concerns, complaints and observations, especially on APC’s incursion into Kaduna and North-West. Before then, he had met Yero several times, according to the letter, but the governor didn’t see the scary scenario. In frustration, Gana went public with his complaint and in the letter, he called “for collective concerted effort to salvage the situation.

Otherwise, given our past experience, we have no alternative than to either join APC or flee for our dear lives.”

Till date, Gana has neither joined APC nor fled Kaduna. However, on December 24, 2013, a day after the letter was published, 75 PDP chieftains defected to APC, including Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro and Rigachikun, two former state chairmen. A week later, from Kaduna North local government, about 2000 PDP members crossed over to APC. Naturally, these defections rattled PDP and the ruling party, from within and outside Kaduna, tried to down play the impact. However, the vice president was devastated, first by Gana’s letter and the raft of defections.

In particular, Gana’s letter was orchestrated from Abuja, by powerful forces in the presidency and PDP high command. Specifically, it was meant to embarrass Sambo, disparage the vice president and portray him as irrelevant in Kaduna State and the North-West. The bottom line, according to reports, was to prepare the ground for replacing him as vice president. Shema, the Katsina State governor, would have replaced Sambo if the plot had succeeded.

By taking on Sambo and Yero, Gana is playing high stakes and if the move does not consume him, it will make him stronger in the run up to the 2015 elections.

Nemadi Usman: The golden girl of Southern Kaduna After graduation and the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, Senator Usman’s first job was Special Adviser in the Dabo Lere administration in Kaduna State. In her 20s, the lady was a beacon of hope for Southern Kaduna and women empowerment in general. However, the government was shortlived but in 1998, she got elected into the House of Representatives but Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, the new helmsman following General Sani Abacha’s death, annulled the entire transition programme.

In 1999, she bounced back to the political arena, first as Commissioner of Women Affairs. Four years later, she relocated to the centre and became Minister of State for Finance, a deputy of sorts to Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala. After Okonjo-Iweala’s exit in a controversial cabinet reshuffle, Usman became the substantive minister. Somehow, her star dimmed in 2007. But in 2011, she went to the Senate, representing Southern Kaduna at the upper chamber.

Nemadi, according to reports, wanted to cross over to the executive arm of government as minister, following Hajiya Hadiza Mailafiya’s sack. However, she locked horns with Balat, her ally turned political rival.

The contest was fierce but as a compromise, Mr. Laurentia Malam, the current Environment Minister, was selected in their stead.

A Kagoro Christian, the senator is married to Dr. Usman Saád, the chief of Jere in Southern Kaduna.

Ideally, she looks like the bridge between Muslims and Christians in the area. However, the reverse is the case as southern Kaduna people, in a new wave of ethnic nationalism, want a “full-fledged indigene” as their representative in 2015. This is Usman’s albatross. But whatever happens, she will still remain relevant as a stakeholder in Kaduna state, even if the opposition clinches power.

Laurentia Malam: Burden of a woman leader Mrs. Malam, the current Minister of Environment, is Kaduna representative at the Federal Executive

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shape Kaduna in 2015 Council. From 1999 to 2002, she was chairperson of Zangon Kataf Local Government. Afterwards, she became woman leader, North-West zone of the Obasanjo/Atiku Campaign Organisation in 2003. Eight years later, she also campaigned for the Goodluck/Sambo ticket in the North-West. A grassroots politician, Malam is a staunch member of the Catholic Women Organisation(CWO) and several Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Last month, after the contest between Balat, now deceased, and Usman was deadlocked, she became the tie breaker and emerged minister. Significantly, Malam is a voice of reason and moderation in southern Kaduna and across the state. According to reports, her ability to balance contending forces as chairperson of Zangon Kataf was remarkable. The council, located in southern Kaduna, is home to Katafs, Bajjus and Hausa-Fulanis as well as a host of other tribes that are battling for supremacy. Malam’s even-handedness was applauded.

In 2015, PDP may be a tough sell in Southern Kaduna and the party will rely on her and other elected officials and political appointees to market it. How she makes a success of this will play a major role in the fortunes of the party in the state.

Abubakar Mustapha: Against all odds One of the longest serving Heads of Service in Kaduna State, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha is the current National Organising Secretary of PDP. In 2012, his nomination caused a stir within the North-West zone as Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State opposed the bid, so did Barrister Ibrahim Shema, the Katsina State governor. The position, according to them, was zoned to North-West but unilaterally, Sambo cornered it for Kaduna state. Apart from National Organising Secretary, Sambo also fielded Barrister Yakubu Abdullahi, also from Kaduna, as zonal secretary. These nominations didn’t go down well with Kwankwaso and Shema and the duo openly protested at the zonal congress.

At home, Mustapha’s nomination was also criticised as Sambo, without consulting Kaduna caucus, had put his name forward. In the end, Sambo sacrificed Abdullahi and gave up the Kaduna State chairmanship to southern Kaduna. Subsequently, Mustapha’s nomination scaled through.

As the most senior PDP official from Kaduna, Mustapha will fight the battle of his political life for his party’s victory in 2015. Although he has experience in the public service, Mustapha is not yet political astute.

How he reinvents and asserts himself in the potentially acrimonious PDP primaries remains to be seen.

Lawal Samaila Yakawada: Out in the cold In the Yakowa administration, Yakawada, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was the defacto deputy governor. Yakawada, on almost everything, had the governor’s ears and largely, the SSG determined who got what at that time. However, times have changed and Yakawada is out in the cold.

Specifically, Alhaji Ishaq Hamza Danmahawai, from the same Giwa Local Government, has now succeeded Yakawada as SSG. In addition, Governor Yero, the marginalised deputy governor, has become the number one citizen in the state. Right now, Yakawada is in political Siberia but he is still in PDP. However, in spite of all odds, the ex-SSG is still defending Yakowa, explaining his policies and inclusive politics. This attitude, according to reports, has angered many of Yero’s loyalists, but southern Kaduna people admire Yakawada’s steadfastness. In particular, he is still close to Mrs Amina Yakowa, the ex-governor’s widow.

Significantly, with Southern Kaduna’s open revolt against PDP, only the likes of Yakawada can pacify the people. Recently, Sambo allegedly met with him behind closed doors, especially after the mass defection in December. Although he doesn’t have the resources

Lekwot

Yakawada

to vie for any elective post, Yakawada will be an asset to PDP during the 2015 election.

Felix Hassan Hyet: The gateway to southern Kaduna After the death of Mr. Stephen Shekari, the deputy to Governor Makarfi, Sir Patrick Yakowa ascended the deputy governorship position. In the same manner, Hyet became the Secretary to State Government (SSG), a position that Yakowa had vacated. Politically savvy, Hyet is a member of Makarfi’s political dynasty and a respected elder in southern Kaduna. In 2007, President Umaru Yar’Adua appointed him Minister of Aviation but a year later, he was given the boot, along with several others, in a cabinet reshuffle.

Sidelined, Hyet is still in PDP but reports indicate that, in a matter of months, he will defect to APC. In the event of that, the opposition will have caught a big fish from southern Kaduna as Hyet will sell the party in the area. According to reports, Ashiru may make him his running mate when the former flags off his gubernatorial campaign.

However, his dilly-dallying over whether or not to remain in PDP is sending a wrong signal to his supporters.

But Hyet’s greatest asset is that he was SSG in a government that has so far given southern Kaduna the best deal since 1999. This testimonial will come handy when he decides to sell APC or Ashiru amongst his people.

Yaro Makama Rigachikun: The Adedibu of Kaduna politics Rigachikun, like the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu, the strongman of Ibadan politics, is unlettered but has a

“doctorate degree” in practical politics. Rigachukun was Kaduna State chairman of PDP for eight years.

In the Second Republic, he was a marginal player as he participated in politics on the fringes, while he drove his trailer to earn a living. In 1999, he jettisoned the wheels and sat on the driver’s seat of politics. As chairman, under Makarfi administration, Rigachikun bestrode PDP like a colossus.

Rigachikun’s reading of the political scene and gift of the garb are his major assets. In addition, he has the common touch as he can easily connect with the people in their own “language”.

On December 24, Rigachikun led about 70 PDP topshots into APC, saying that more will follow. A week later, about 2000 defectors left PDP for APC, opening a floodgate of defections. Quickly, Sambo rushed to Kaduna, met stakeholders and made promises. For three days, Sambo was meeting endlessly as the North-West zone converged on Kaduna.

Right now, Rigachukun is one of the think-tanks of the Isa Ashiru campaign team. Significantly, while defecting, Rigachikun had boasted that wherever he goes becomes the ruling party and he never backs a loser. So, if the tables turn and APC wins in 2015, he will etche his name in gold. However, critics point to the fact that PDP’s victory had less to do with him than government’s power of patronage and coercion. Whatever it is, Rigachikun is the Adedibu of Kaduna politics.

Significantly, the above permutations will depend on whether or not General Muhammadu Buhari, the APC leader in the North, runs for the presidency again. In addition, whether or not President Goodluck Jonathan emerges PDP’s presidential candidate will be a factor in the race for the 2015 election in Kaduna state.

Sani Sale: Mr. Consensus In Kaduna, Senator Sani Sale is the highest ranking APC official and ideally, he should call the shots in the party but he is not doing so. Severally, the retired General tried to assert his control but somehow, Sale couldn’t pull it off. Significantly, he was a distinguished military officer, having been the best student at the Nigerian Military School (NMS) during his days, the best graduating cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy(NDA) and the Command and Staff College, Jaji. In-between, Sale also bagged a Higher National Diploma (HND) from Kaduna Polytechnic.

However, in politics Sale has proven to be a square peg in a round hole. Specifically, his landslide victory in 2011, according to reports, was largely due to ‘the Buhari hurricane.’ At that time, almost everyone on the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) ticket coasted to victory and Sale was one of them.

Recently, Sale and Baba-Ahmed, his sparring partner and chairman of the IMC reached an understanding. On March 30, Governor Kwankwaso convened a consultation meeting ahead of the congresses. Afterwards, Sale and Baba-Ahmed signed the resolutions as co-chairmen.

Significantly, the duo had locked horns in the past because, according to reports, Sale and other elected officials were against primary elections to be held.

However, Sale and Baba-Ahmed seem to be on the same page on this issue now as the latter prefers consensus to elections during the congresses. The duo, owing to self interest, may have entered a quid pro quo and this may boost Sale’s chances at the primaries. However, other aspirants may either decamp to PDP or work against him from within. Right now, his closeness to Buhari is his selling point but his political naiveté may do him in.

Namadi Musa: The political engineer Engineer Musa is a grassroots mobiliser. An agricultural engineer by training, the man rose to the post of Director in Kaduna State civil service before opting for politics in 1997. Significantly, he won the state assembly election during the Abacha transition on the platform of UNCP. However, the entire programme was scrapped CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

18 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Osun guber: Aregbesola deserves second term –Onuoha Prince (Dr) Charles Onuoha, a renowned banker-turned-politician served as Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and later as Commissioner for Special Duties in the Rochas Okorocha-led administration in Imo State. The Chairman, Imo Housing Corporation and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in this interview, speaks on the Okorocha administration, Osun governorship election, among other issues. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, reports

through egalitarian welfarism. APC will teach PDP and other parties in Nigeria a political lesson. Just wait and see what the performance of APC will be in Ekiti and Osun this year. The party knows there is a political battle ahead and it are bracing up for the challenges.

Why did you leave banking sector for politics?

Many people have asked me on many occasions why I left banking for a dirty game like Nigerian politics. My answer has been that I have a call from God to go and serve the public as a leader. So, when I was leaving the banking sector, I don’t have any regrets and truly till tomorrow I did not have any regrets leaving banking for Nigerian politics, which people always describe as dirty. I always disagree with those who use to say that Nigerian politics is dirty. We are learning. It is a gradual process. We have joined to sanitise it.

You are from Imo State; what is the assessment of non-indigenes in Osun on Aregbesola’s government?

The report from Igbo indigenes in Osun State is very encouraging. They are very happy living in Osun State and the governor has been so friendly with the non-indigenes in that state. There has been no marginalisation according to them. Even though I am not a Yoruba man, the truth must be said. Aregbesola has developed Osun State. He has created value in that state economically and otherwise. People can easily visit Osun State now than before because he has put in place things and activities that can attract other people from other states and country to Osun. He has also improved the traditional institution. The traditional rulers in Osun are happy with him.

He has carried the market women in the state along making sure trade and commerce boomed in the state.

You are aspiring for Imo State governorship, is Governor Okorocha in support of your aspiration?

He has a policy in Imo which I truly understand and can analyse. It is only somebody who can analyse it that will sustain it and I am sure the governor knows that. So, the issue of whether he is backing me or not does not arise at all because the governor is the father of all in Imo APC (All Progressives Congress) and I am sure he will back any qualified candidate in APC, who really understand his policies to succeed him. And by the grace of God, I am eminently qualified, mentally sound and has been following his policies that have changed Imo State positively, and a loyal party man. So, why won’t he back my aspiration? Let me tell you that his interest is to make sure that it is only the right person who really understands what is going on in Imo State that will succeed him.

But Okorocha may seek for re-election in 2015…

I have told you how close I am with my governor; you can come to Imo State today and see for yourself what he has CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

and Namadi and his co-travellers were never inaugurated.

In 1999, he contested for Kaduna North local government chairmanship but lost over technicalities in court.

In 2007, he was made the chairman of Kawo Development Area, from where he built a formidable structure in Kaduna town. However, the Sambo administration, including Yakowa and Yero governments sidelined him. Consequently, he remained in the political wilderness for over five years. Sometime last year, Namadi defected to APC and a few days later, Yero personally lobbied him to return but the engineer stood his ground.

Last week, Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah, a presidential aspirant in APC, visited his home to seek Namadi’s support and asked him to join his campaign train.

Right now, he is a member of Ashiru’s think tank and APC in general will ben-

APC is the people’s party not only in Osun but in Nigeria generally... PDP is afraid of the potential of the APC

Onuoha

done. Every man and woman in Imo State irrespective of political association or party affiliation is very happy with him.

In fact, since the late Sam Mbakwe ruled Imo State, we have not had it so good like this except under Governor Rochas Okorocha. His policies have changed the old face of Imo State which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government messed up in the state. Don’t you agree with me that I am very close to him and have really worked with him to put those wonderful policies in place to succeed him in order to sustain them? Now there is free education in Imo State. Can somebody who doesn’t know the policy of free education in Imo State sustain it? No. The APC will be testing its popularity this year in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. How would you assess the chances of your party?

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State deserves a second term. You don’t change a winning team. I am not saying this because I am a member of APC, Since I know him, when he was the

Commissioner for Works in Lagos State under the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as governor, he has been an achiever. I am very sure nobody has surpassed his achievements in Lagos State as Commissioner for Works. Even when he was elected as governor of Osun State, I knew he will perform. What he has done so far in Osun State has proved me right. Aregbesola has done wonderfully well as the governor of that state. I use to go to Osun some years back when PDP government was in charge. What Osun is today under Aregbesola is not what it used to be then.

Do you think APC will carry the day during the August 9 Osun governorship election?

APC has come to stay. APC is the people’s party not only in Osun but in Nigeria generally. By the special grace of God, Aregbesola will win massively when Osun people go to the poll. There is no doubt about that because no party can stop APC. The party is very much on ground in Osun and generally in every state in Nigeria. Our victory in Osun is not negotiable. Iron sharpened iron; APC is a sharp iron and Aregbesola is a sharp iron too. Do you think the two combinations will not fly? They are flying already. Come 2015, APC will surprise all the doubting Thomases in Nigeria. I can tell you, PDP is afraid of the potential of the APC. Every state in Nigeria will be emancipated

What is your message to Osun people?

Actually, I am neither a Yoruba man nor an indigene of Osun, but the achievements of Aregbesola has really moved me to say what I am saying. If one does well, good people around him must commend him like wise when somebody failed. So, I am commending Aregbeshola for the good work he is doing in his state, the reason he deserves to come back. Let me tell Osun people that they have gold in Aregbesola. Can a right thinking man throw away gold and take silver? No. So, let Osun people hold tight the gold they are having. The Igbo will massively support Aregbesola’s re-election bid. They should support him because he has beeen very friendly with them. He is a detribalised Nigerian who believes in one Nigeria. So, the Igbo living in Osun will vote for Aregbesola on August 9.

Gladiators who will shape Kaduna in 2015

efit from his political acumen. In particular, he knows all the dirty tricks in the bag and he can match PDP every step of the way. However, the consensus arrangement which APC is contemplating may thwart his state assembly ambition.

Sule Buba Ambassador Buba started out as Sambo’s political associate. In 2011, he was the Director General of the Yakowa campaign Organisation. During the postelection violence, his Zaria home was razed to the ground by an irate mob.

However, he got appointed the Executive Secretary of Kaduna Pilgrims’ Welfare Board. Voluntarily, he threw in the towel and for sometime, he hanged around the vice president’s circle. Last December, he left for the APC, along with Rigachikun and others. Now, Buba is one of the

seasoned politicians around the APC gubernatorial aspirant.

Zamani Lekwot Although he is not a card-carrying member of any political party, Gen. Lekwot (rtd) is one of the elders of southern Kaduna who articulates their grievances.

Last year, he led a delegation of his kinsmen to Aso Rock, complaining that his people were marginalised in Kaduna.

A delegate at the ongoing confab, Lekwot represents the league of retired Generals at the National Conference.

Definitely, the elder statesman will play a key role in determining who becomes governor of Kaduna because of his ability to sway southern Kaduna block votes. However, some young Turks like Dr John Danfulani have dismissed him as too close to the establishment to lead

the new struggle.

Muhammad Musa Soba Wherever he is, Barrister Soba is always in the opposition. In the former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) he crossed swords with Senator Bola Tinubu and other party bigwigs. In the long run, they expelled him from the party but the lawyer is still in court, challenging his removal as state chairman and expulsion from the party. As at now, Soba is in APC but he is both a thorn in the flesh of the government and his party.

Although his pressure group, the Kaduna Salvation Movement has been holding government to account, Soba’s ever-changing loyalty is casting doubt on his mission. However, the lawyer has a large followership amongst the masses, especially in his Soba hometown.

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

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

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19

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

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

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

FRIday, APRIL 11, 2014

A 2015 General Election advisory

s the 2015 General Election inches closer, the frenzy of activities is heating up in various guises especially for the political gladiators, with utter disregard for the several warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that electioneering campaigns should not commence now. This blatant disrespect for the electoral umpire does not bode well for the polity and is adding to the worry about a possible violent election ahead. The various occupiers of public and political offices should concentrate on the reason they were elected into office regardless of how they got there.

Those that should be concerned about improving the socio-economic wellbeing and welfare of the people have abdicated their responsibility.

Governance is now in abeyance, and people are left helpless to be the architects of their own destinies and misfortunes. Unfortunately, this development cuts across all political parties and tiers of government in spite of sanctimonious preachments.

It is appalling to note that over the years, who contests for what position has been turned to a family affair, where some few individuals called god fathers or power brokers sit somewhere and handpick some so-called anointed sons and daughters, after the latter must have part-

ed with huge sums of cash, regardless of whether they are popular or wanted by the people whom they claim they want to represent. There is apparently no internal democracy in the parties, no respect for the wishes of the people, no regard for the constitutions of the parties, no reverence for the basic principles of democracy, and no desire to enable credible leaders to emerge.

Ordinarily, if political office holders perform creditably, their achievements would be enough endorsement of their capabilities, and people would clamour for them to re-contest. Unfortunately the reverse is the case. Since assuming the mantle of leadership at various levels in the country, most political office holders have been moving round in circles without any positive forward push. Their style of administration has been characterized by confused policy statements, policy reversals, policy somersault, policy inconsistencies and complete lack of understanding of the dynamics of governance coupled with politics of bitterness. The implication of this is that the essence of public and selfless service is not appreciated.

But, were these political office holders actually properly and truly elected by the people? This is a million naira question going by the assessment reports of both local and international monitors of various elections in Nigeria as well

as the different pronouncements of the courts on election matters.

If indeed these political gladiators were truly elected by the people, and respect the wishes of the people as well and recognise the sanctity of votes that are legitimately cast, they would not behave in a way that desecrates the positions they hold and the tenets of democracy. It is for this reason that the electorate must learn to always protect their votes and not allow selfish individuals to manipulate the electoral process.

The electorate need to properly appreciate the enormous significance of their position for development and democracy to thrive. The people are the stuff of development and democracy in every sense. If development and democracy are to mean anything at all, they must enable growth and development. But development and democracy are not really possible if the electoral process and that of governance are not participative. External agents may facilitate the processes but they cannot, even with the best of intentions, consummate them.

The fact remains that people develop themselves through their own exertions or not at all. Where development and democracy are not participative, it can only lead to alienation and domination, which is exactly what obtains in Nigeria, as those in power want to perpetuate themselves even without perform-

ing credibly.

The foisting of inept leaders has endured to the detriment of the society because the process of conducting elections in Nigeria is strewn with manipulations and malpractices, which have over the years led to voter’s apathy and disenchantment with the electoral process, thereby adversely affecting the outcome of elections.

Power belongs to the people. This means that the alleged manipulation of elections by compromised INEC officials, security agents and other collaborators must be checked by the people themselves as well as election monitors. Nigerians must not allow a repeat of the 1998, 2003 and 2007 elections, where some people sat down to decide the fate of contestants through blatant manipulation of the process. This is why it is very important for the Federal Government to carry out to the letter electoral reforms as recommended by the Justice Mohammed Uwais Panel on Electoral Reform and not tamper with it in any form.

All said, those in government now must focus on good governance, provide for the needs of the people, behave like statesmen and not add to the woes of the country by their inordinate ambitions. Nigeria is bigger than any individual or group of individuals, so at every point, as individuals or a group in whatever capacity, patriotism must be the watchword.

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

20

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

OPINION Ifeajuna: A jumper’s January jeremiad W

e are just a few months away from yet another Commonwealth Games.That moves my thought to one man who shook the British Empire in 1954, so far away from home soil.Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna,winner of Nigeria’s first intercontinental gold medal.

That feat remains the only good thing about the former Dennis Memorial Grammar School[DMGS], Onitsha boy.

Ifeajuna bagged our first Commonwealth gold in Vancouver, Canada on July 31, 1954.In the historic finals,his first attempt in the High jump event met with failure.It turned dramatic when he pulled his spikes,made for the air and soared above 6 feet 8 inches to animate the crowd.Nigeria made a clean sweep with Patrick Etolu and Nafiu Osagie pocketing silver and bronze respectively.

Ifeajuna later studied Chemistry at the University College Ibadan where he graduated in 1958.His contemporaries included Wole Soyinka,Chris Okigbo, Chinua Achebe, Emeka Anyaoku, Gamaliel Onosode and Bola Ige.There were also Edward Kobani, Olu Akaraogun and Grace Alele-Williams.

From Ibadan,Ifeajuna followed the footsteps of Emeka Ojukwu and Victor Adebukola Banjo.The army was it.And that was where trouble started.This little man with an Olympic height,university graduate turned soldier, was really going to be different.

On January 15, 1966,the Olympian set another record.

He led the Nation’s first military coup d’etat. And who did he choose to carry out this task? Great minds. Chukwuma Nzeogwu,Nigeria’s first Military Intelligence officer.Wale Ademoyega, London University trained historian,Tim Onwuatuegwu,amateur boxer,first Nigerian Junior Under officer at Sandhurst, Chris Anuforo,Don Okafor,

Humphrey Chukwuka,Emma Nwobosi and Ben Gbulie.

Indeed, blood flowed like the River Niger.Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa lost his life,two regional PremiersAhmadu Bello and Ladoke Akintola were killed as well as Finance Minister Festus Okotie- Eboh.Top military officers were also murdered.

As leader of the coupists,Ifeajuna even in death, has known no peace.Driven across the Seme border by Okigbo,he fled to Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana.While in Winneba,the former Gold Coast caught the coup bug.

One Lt. Arthur led what became ‘Operation Guitar Boy’.

The military later sacked the Osagyefo and Ifeajuna was forced back to his country.

The jeremiad began.Arrested and confined to Uyo prison,Ifeajuna found himself fighting under Banjo in Biafra.With Ojukwu and Banjo, you could say the officer was home and dry. He was not. Ifeajuna set yet another record. The first to be executed for coup plot.

Ifeajuna’s soul has not rested ever since.His achievement in sports has not attracted recognition because he was a double coup plotter.In Onitsha his hometown,he is ostracised. In Biafra, he was branded saboteur. In Nigeria his name is a taboo.

Now let us try and pass judgement on the dead.Ifeajuna was accused of killing Balewa.There are claims that he did not.Time will tell how Balewa died. Former Foreign Minister Mathew Mbu said Okigbo confided in him that the Prime Minister was not shot.Erudite scholar Emma Okocha revealed that Ifeajuna’s plan was to fly Balewa to Calabar Prisons to hand over to Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Journalist Segun Osoba also added his voice, that a few days after January 15, he saw Balewa’s fresh body in the bush.Prof. Femi Aderibigbe is of the same view. Lately, there is talk that Okotie-Eboh’s body had no blood stains.

Both men were supposed to be arrested by Ifeajuna.

Agreed Ifeajuna arrested the duo quite alright. He also turned them in.The man was a murderer, considering the way he killed Lt. Col Abogo Largema at Ikoyi Hotel and his Brigade Commander Zakari Maimalari around Obalende.But it was like he spared the civilians.

Nzeogwu did not spare the Sarduana.Infact, Nzeogwu murdered some of the soldiers who marched to the Premier’s Lodge in Kaduna with him. Onwuatuegwu did not only silence Brig. Sam Ademulegun,he killed his wife Feyisitan [Sisi Nurse].

Okay, let us even admit that Ifeajuna killed Balewa.

Nzeogwu who killed Balewa’s mentor, the Sarduana was buried with full military honours in Kaduna.And today, Gen. Obasanjo remains close to the Nzeogwus of Okpanam.Even those who were part of the attack on the Sarduana, in what was initially tagged ‘internal security operations’-officers like Atom Kpera, Emeka Omeruah, Sani Abacha and Harris Eghagha later rose to big positions in government.

Ifeajuna was accused of leading an Igbo coup.Was that really his mission?Akintola was killed by Nwobosi because he opened fire first.Yes, the Are Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Ashipa of Ogbomosho, lived up to his titles.Visiting ArchBishop Makarios of Cyprus saved Eastern region Premier Michael Okpara.Yoruba officers like Banjo,Adekunle Fajuyi and Olufemi Olutoye knew about the coup but refused to take part.According to Gbulie, Capt. Gibson Jalo it was who secured Radio Nigeria Lagos,and the idea was to make David Ejoor Army chief.

In Biafra, Ifeajuna’s sentence was signed by Ojukwu,a man who took him as a younger brother.The Ifeajuna family house,45 New Market Road ,Inland Town, Onitsha was burnt down by their kinsmen.It was so bad that his brothers Joseph and Ogugua begged that they should be killed if they were no more free to exist in their home.

Ifeajuna is stiil being haunted by his past.A pity. Different tales for different folks. Yakubu Danjuma,Garba Dada Paiko and William Walbe who led a deadly mob against Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and Fajuyi are still walking free.

Fellow countrymen,please what could be done for Ifeajuna.Hated by kinsmen,abhored by clansmen, unforgiven by compatriots.His two children Fuju and Arinze are still alive. Honestly ,sports should be allowed to wash off some dirty past.

The shooting near Jonathan’s Villa Ladi Ayodeji

L

ike most stories emanating from this government and its officials, there are different versions of the recent attempted, abortive or put simply, jail break at an SSS detention facility near the Presidential Villa, Asokoro Abuja. What is not in dispute is that the ensuing shooting resulted in the death of more than 20 inmates, most of whom were Boko Haram detainees.

The shooting was an attempt to free them; but which ever way it happened, the sound of gun fire near what ought to be the most protected fortress in the country is worrisome. The deaths from this Boko Haram –related violence continues the story of the most appalling carnage that the terror group has written into our contemporary history; a big challenge to an evolving social menace that is as intriguing and embarrassing as the corruption- smeared image of our nation.

Two things should bother any con-

cerned observer. First, shooting of whatever kind and for whatever reason near the seat of power, in an unsettled polity like ours, especially in unsettled times like this, is bound to send wrong signals about the stability of our government.

Second, it is unwise to set up a detention facility near the Presidential Villa, let alone keep detainees like members of the Boko Haram insurgents there, no matter how temporary their detention may be, because the group is known for its history of attempted jail break, and audacity in confronting security forces, fire- for- fire.

Detention centres all over the world are vulnerable to attacks, especially by terror groups if their members are held in such confinements. It should have occurred to those who conceptualized the three arms zones where the Presidential Villa, the Legislature and Judiciary are located that to situate a detention camp near this very important area is to expose its occupants to possible danger from armed groups who may storm such centres to free inmates in cases of extreme violent

confrontation between the state and such armed rebels.

The first thing to do now is to promptly relocate the SSS detention facility to a place far from the Villa to secure the President and his visitors from spontaneous armed attacks. Snipers lurking in the dark alleys of the Presidential Villa could pose a grave danger to visiting high profile foreign leaders to the State House, in the era of highly sophisticated cross border terrorism.

It is also a cause for concern that our military barracks could be routinely bombed by insurgents as if such security citadels are markets or public parks. An army barrack should be the last place a terror group could attack if their intelligence tells them their targets are high risk areas. But it is clear that, given the ease and regularity with which the Boko Haram fighters storm our military posts and barracks, they have no respect for our military at all.

Not only do they regularly engage our armed forces in fierce combats, Boko

Haram now carry out multiple attacks on military and civilian targets concurrently in such an intimidating manner, you’d think our security forces are not equal to the task.

Moment of truth! Nigeria needs to upgrade its arsenal by acquiring state- ofthe-art, modern, sophisticated military hardware. In this regard, we desperately need foreign aid from the western world.

There should also be deeper and broader intelligence sharing between or security forces and foreign powers. This is one area we need to help our soldiers; you’d know that from the little moral within the rank and file of the military. What with unpaid entitlements to relatives of our soldiers who die in action?

We have reports of widows of dead service men who have become pauperized because the authorities do not respond to their plight for reliefs that they ought to get after their husband’s demise in the service of the nation. This should never happen.

• Ladi, a media consultant, writes from Lagos.

Email: ladiayodeji@yahoo.com. Tel: 07064380621.

ARTS FRIDAY, April 11, 2014

21

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

― Simone de Beauvoir, The Woman Destroyed

CULTURE

Director of Omenka Gallery and President of Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Mr. Oliver Enwonwu gives his candid opinion on the visual art sector last year, and art auction in Nigeria as well as developments in the sector, Tony Okuyeme writes.

When I was a child, when I was an adolescent, books saved me from despair: that convinced me that culture was the highest of values ...."

Art auction houses have done well –Enwonwu

F

or Oliver Enwonwu, despite sundry challenges, Nigerian artists are doing badly; and a lot more Nigerian artists are gaining more international attention, and participating in major international art fairs the world over.

He believes that generally, last was a very successful year, which saw a lot more exhibitions on the exhibition circuit, with highly improved accompanying exhibition catalogues.

“I think the standard of publication has really gone high in the last couple of months. There is also even higher price for Nigerian art on both domestic and international market. So I think last year has been very good for Nigerian art. And even internationally, we have had galleries like Omenka Gallery participate at the Johannesburg Art Fair. We have seen a lot more Nigerian artists gain more international and participating in major international art fairs the world over. So I think it’s been a very good year; and there is more to come this year 2014,” he said.

However, reacting to some of the issues raised by Ozioma Onuzulike, a lecturer in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in his presentation as guest lecturer for the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) lecture held recently, Enwonwu while noting that the lecture was a vibrant one, however believes that overall, the art ‘auctions’ have done well.

In the lecture titled “Art Auctions in Nigeria: Ladders of Progress or Shots in the Artists’ Feet?” the erudite scholar raised several issues on art action in Nigeria, including prices of art fluctuating, the fact that there weren’t known experts in the auction houses and by what criteria were they using to evaluate works of art.

“The lecture was a vibrant one, and it touched on a couple of things including about prices of art fluctuating; it also talked about the fact that there weren’t known experts in the auction houses and by what criteria were they using to evaluate works of art. But I think that a lot of these questions were dealt with on the floor. For instance, the experts that the art house uses are well publicized in their auction catalogues. So I think that some of his fears were put to rest.

“In terms of criteria, the guest lecturer gave a couple of examples. For me, I felt that those are isolated cases. You cannot build up your argument on one or two

The Great Deception, 2011, Acrylic on canvas, by Oliver Enwonwu

By and large, I think that we are beginning to establish structures for our art cases. You have to look at so many cases because there have been about 20 auctions and in each auction there were about 100 works; that give roughly about two million works, and about 1.5 million of these works being sold. So you might have to do more than that for you to be able to strike any pattern in sales and in evaluating works of art. I think those three isolated cases are not enough for you to evaluate auctions over the last three or four years.

Overall, the art auctions have done well, and of course, people have their teething problems. The history of modern art in Nigeria is just 60 or 70 years; even in established countries where art auctions have been held in the last 300 years, they still have problems of forgery. And I think that is because if an artist is great there are always people who want to maximize and make profit from that. By and large, I think that

Enwonwu

we are beginning to establish structures for our art, for sales of our art; and we are beginning to have a thriving domestic market which ultimately is having effect on the international market,” Enwonwu said.

On the possibility of artists royalties from sale their works in art auction, the SNA President said they must be able to have a form of contract to which the patron or the buy agrees to it so that anytime the work is resold, he gets a percentage, as there is law in Nigeria on that.

I can liken the situation to what a very good patron of the Nigerian art told me once when I had discussions with him. He

said to me that if he buys a land today, and 20 years later, he sells the land; is there a law in place in Nigeria where stills pays the original owner of the land again. I don’t think there is any law on that.

“But I think that the first thing is for it to be stipulated in any contract before selling a work. We are talking with the auction houses, but you must know that the auctions are in business. The auction is not really set up to cater for the art; they are in business. If one has to be fair, I want the artist to understand that the auctions do not exactly cater for the artist; it is like a commercial enterprise. Even if they promote an artwork, ultimately, it is for sale.

“We in Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) are beginning to talk with auction houses at least to see to see can be done. And of course we are even trying to push for a bill to see if that law can take effect. What I am saying is that before this happens we don’t have to keep on losing sales; let artists have this in their contract when they are selling their works, that if the buyer is going to resell the work, the artist must be entitled to a percentage so that he doesn’t give all the rights to his work to the buyer.”

22 ART

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

I want to teach children to value Nigerian culture –Ahanmisi Ebere Ameh

I

t is beginning to dawn on many that Nigeria is at the verge of losing all her prized cultures and tradition to civilization and globalization. Granted, as a people evolve, there are bound to be additions and subtractions to their culture and traditions, it is also the duty of the people to retain, preserve and pass on the good ones to generations following as a means of identity.

That is why the CEO of My Nest African Shop, Angela Ahanmisi has come up with a novel idea of teaching Nigerian children and expatriates, the true way of life of the real Nigerian.

“It’s heart rending when I hear children wake up and greet their mother ‘Hi mom!’ Some go to the extent of telling their father ‘Don’t be silly dad!’ In as much as we have to be free with them, we have to also tell them that some things are unacceptable in our culture” Ahanmisi said.

According to the self professed culture ambassador, it is even more pathetic that children do not know where they come from again. “Because most of them have been in Lagos greater part if not all their lives, they tell you they are from Lagos state. They don’t have any idea what their local government is. A child of 12 years see no reason that dress or behave the way they like. These are not our culture.

“Civilization can come, but you can never see the Queen of England or a child from the royal household wearing tattered jeans. It is not done. There is a way you must carry yourself. We’ve lost it. We are picking all the bad things from every country and we are calling it fashion. It is not something I can do alone, it is something I am doing in conjunction with other people. But the bottom line is to help the child see him/herself as a special person, know that Nigeria is a great beautiful and fascinating country, that there is no other country like Nigeria.”

Call it cultural revival and you won’t be mistaken. Ahanmisi, whose love for culture led her to the market in search of a grinding stone said that in the next ten years, many of the things we use in Nigeria will not only be outdated and forgotten but would become extinct says she would teach the children what we used to get things done in the past.

We are picking all the bad things from every country and we are calling it fashion... the bottom line is to help the child see him/ herself as a special person, know that Nigeria is a great beautiful and fascinating country, that there is no other country like Nigeria

“I wanted to take pictures of the women that use grinding stone. Because in 10 years time a child that is born now may never see the grinding stone, they are fading out. A people without a culture is going nowhere. If you don’t know your past, you will never understand the present and that is the major problem we have in Nigeria. Whether we like it or not, we must go back to our history. It is not being tot in schools and that is horrible.”

A graduate of Law, Ohamisi’s ethnicity and stint with history may still be an influence in her current life and actions.

“You may be right, because an average Edo person is a cultural person. I studied History for 3 years before my father pulled me out to read Law. I have always loved history but my father is one of those that believe that his children should read certain courses. As the first child, he insisted I must read Law.” Ahanmisi practised her profession for good 18 years working in renowned organizations like Arthur Anderson and Airtel Nigeria. In spite of all that, she got no satisfaction until she opened the African Nest, an outlet for Nigerian cultural items, attires and ‘everything a tourist can take back and show that he is from Nigeria.’

Piqued by the importation of different cultures and its detrimental effect on the Nigerian child, she came up with the initiative to teach and reorientate the children and expatriates who may be interested the culture and traditions of Nigeria. This is also against the backdrop of the fact that as we are beginning to send our children abroad for studies in their numbers, they may completely lose it if nothing is done to address the deficit.

According to Ahanmisi, participants would be thought the proper way of greeting in Nigeria, our mode of dressing, Nigerian cuisines, Nigerian Arts and History and everything that would make the children appreciate their own culture.

“If you send a child abroad, the first thing that country would do is to reorientate that child, teaching the child the history of that country. You must know their culture, what is accepted and what is not accepted, it is their history. Why are we pushing our own away?”

Ahanmisi got the inspiration to carry out this project when she saw ‘the madness and confusion among our children, Ahanmisi and the rat race and

quest to be like the joneses, which is depriving the parents of the opportunity and the grace to inculcate our beautiful culture into the children’.

“I have also had the opportunity of meeting some expatriates and their wives and they always wanted to know about our culture. They are so delighted about the Nigerian woman. They can’t understand why we buy asebi for parties, how we sit down to dress up flamboyantly and tie big headtie all day. They can’t understand our body language and to them, it is an interesting culture, so fascinating and they want to understand it. Sometimes I have the opportunity of talking to four or five of them at the same time and I started thinking, ‘people outside are appreciating us, our history and personality, why can’t we appreciate ourselves’.

“Everybody is talking about Nigeria as if the country is finished, but it is a lie.

This is what the world is waiting for. They know that if we are not held back, we would rule the wo rl d .

I ’ v e h a d the opportu-

nity of being in places like Uganda, Ghana, Cotonou, Gabon and I will tell u that there is no place like Nigeria. If you say you are from Nigeria in any of these places, they look at you as if you are coming from America, because they believe that we are too much. They’ve seen our Nollywood films, they know how flamboyant and loud we could be and they can’t understand why we say the country is not moving forward. I also do not understand why we are playing the second fiddle, throwing away those values that make us truly Nigerian and borrowing alien cultures.”

“Interestingly and expectedly too, parents have shown interest but are waiting for their children to finish their exams,” Ahanmisi said. She has also gotten some expatriates who are interested. The class, which will run for six weeks will not be about states or ethnicity, it would be about being a true Nigerian because ‘we are talking of a country that has over 750 ethnic groups. We are looking at positive Nigerian values, history and culture’.

Despite the chequered history of Nigeria with regards to development, she believes that the problem with Nigeria is education.

“The only area we need to address to have the Nigeria of our dreams is education. If you say it is the leaders, who brings the leaders up? – Teacher! If you say it is power, who elected and who are the people that screen those appointed?

- products our failed schools. Certificate has to be authentic, the teachers have to be good, the learning environment has to be conducive and History has to be thought. We have to know where we are coming from to get to where we want to be. Most of our young graduates cannot write a letter that you can read and comprehend. That is because attention has been diverted, something got missing along the line.”

ART 23

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

L

ean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg, is a timely and controversial book that was on the New York Times bestseller list for over sixteen weeks.

A book on the challenges women face as they climb the corporate ladder, it raises valid issues on the persistent lack of equality between the genders and proffers solutions too. Her solution however, is that women should ‘lean in’ to be able to progress.

Sandberg believes that despite the gender biases that still exist even in this 21st century workplace, women need to believe in themselves and give their jobs their all to climb the ladder of success in their organizations as excuses and justifications would lead them nowhere. In a nutshell, the message is that women should ‘lean in’ and ‘don’t’ leave before you leave.’ This means to be confident, to give your job your all and never doubt your ability to juggle work and family.

A successful executive and family woman, Sandberg, no doubt, brought her experience to bear in the writing of this great book. Now in her early 40s, she was a research assistant to Lawrence Summers at the World Bank; Management Consultant at McKinsey; chief of staff to Summers at the Treasury Department; and six and half years at Google, where she rose to the post of Vice President of Global online sales and operations, she has also made it to the male dominated world of Silicon Valley, where she is the Chief Operating Officer at Facebook since 2008.

Having been there, and still there, Sandberg who is spot-on in her summation of the challenges women face today notes at a point that just like many women, she is not free of insecurities and anxieties.

“I still face situations that I fear are beyond my capabilities. I still have days when I feel like a fraud. And I still sometimes find myself spoken over and discounted while men sitting next to me are not. But now, I know how to take a deep breath and keep my hand up. I have to sit at the table.”

Despite the healthy discussions the book has generated since its publication, the author’s stance that women should ‘lean in,’ a case of stooping to conquer has continued to receive both knocks and acclaims as scholars review it.

While Anne Marie Slaughter, a profes-

Climbing corporate ladder, Women, Work, and the Will to Lead In celebration of the women history month, the Public Affairs Section of the US Consulate, Lagos, had a digital video conference featuring three renowned speakers in Paris and some women entrepreneurs in Nigeria to discuss the advancement of women’s rights; new challenges women should take on; and personal strategies that can lead to personal and professional success, basing it on Sheryl Sandberg’s Bestseller, “Lean In,” Ebere Ameh reports sor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University commends the idea of the book and acclaims the author for the issues raised, Vanessa Garcia of the Huffington Post in her own review titled ‘Why I Won’t Lean In,’ disagrees with the whole idea of leaning in.

“Sandberg asks women to ‘sit at the table,’ to ‘lean in.’ Which sounds good on the surface, but what she’s asking is for women to lean into a corporate culture created by men.

The argument is that by submitting to the initial rules of this maledominated corporate structure, women can then make changes from within that self-same structure. For me, this gives women a false sense of hope. It won’t work, not in the big scale or in the long run. It hasn’t worked,” Garcia noted.

People like Garcia argue that leaning in, just like forced submission would subject women to further enslavement by the opposite sex but others including the author think otherwise.

Written at a time when the issue of gender equality and women empowerment have become a hot button topic, there is no better time to discuss the book than in the month of March, a month set aside as Women’s History Month.

It is in the light of the celebration that the US consulate Lagos decided to organise a discussion of this book with women across the continents of Europe and Africa to see how the issues raised in the book affect them.

In a Digital Video Conference Panel Discussion on the book, that involved three renowned women in Paris and women entrepreneurs and representatives of women groups in Nigeria, issues

on the advancement of women’s rights; what new challenges women should take on; and personal strategies that can lead to personal and professional success were discussed extensively.

In the course of the discussions, it became obvious that women are basically the same, with similar challenges in spite of race. In addition to that, it was also found that many women are afraid of taking risks; are their own enemies; lack confidence, prerequisite skills, access to necessary information and mentors; and indulge in lifestyles that erode them of start off capitals.

“The problem is not money, it is capacity building,” one of the participants in Lagos observed. “My definition of an entrepreneur in the Nigerian context is Jack of all trades and master of none.

Your business skill is important. For most of us women, the working capital we are looking for is in our wardrobes.

Our lifestyle erodes most of us of the needed capital.”

“Knowing who you are is the magic wand. Every day, I am surrounded by men but I don’t see them as men, I see them as peers. What we need as women is to build good teams. We are Africans, it takes a whole village to raise a child, it takes a village to build a successful business too,” another participant added.

It was established from the discussions that networking is very important and that by helping others, you end up helping yourself. The invaluableness of reading, of having a mentor and the need to mentor the young girls as well were also highlighted.

Speaking at the end of the conference, Rhonda Watson, the Public Affairs Officer at the Consulate reminded the participants that all they have discussed are found in the book.

“There is no magic bullet, but you have to think of all your choices, identify your goals before you look for sponsors. Ask yourself, what would I do if I were not afraid? When I think back in the 60s, I remember that when James Brown sang I’m black and I’m proud, that was when we started wearing afro,” Watson said, reiterating the need for emotional intelligence.

MultiChoice promises DStv subscribers thrilling contents M

ultiChoice Nigeria, the nation’s leading pay-tv operator, has lined up amazing content for DStv kids this month.

Speaking on the schedule of contents specially packaged for children and cartoon-loving parents, Public Relations Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Caroline Oghuma said the kids would get to watch a brand new show called Grojband on Cartoon Network from Monday 7 April at 05:25 pm.

Oghuma explained that Grojband is about the spontaneous and rock-driven life of young, passionate musician, Corey Riffin, and his three best friends Laney, Kin, and Kon. Together, they create the ultimate rock band to pass the time. The problem: they haven’t the slightest clue how to write good lyrics. Follow the band as they try to create the best lyrics, always ending in

a great show.

She highlighted that parents are not left out in the lineup of programme as DStv would from Thursday 10 April at 07:00pm also showcase Iyanla Fix My Life: ‘Fix My Backstabbing Friends’ airs on TLC Entertainment. Iyanla travels to Chicago to find out why six women who are friends can’t get along. The Six Brown Chicks was a group of savvy bloggers, who set out to do good for other women. In just a few weeks, the Six Brown Chicks caught the attention of a local television station. Six months later, the partnership crumbles due to jealousy, anger and backstabbing. Now, there is no television show, the blog is stalled and their relationships are torn apart. In order to mend their destructive friendship, Iyanla puts all six women together for an unforget-

table retreat.

Oghuma noted that lovers of local programmes would also get to watch Lagos Cougars on Africa Magic Entertainment on Sunday 13 April at 09:00 pm. “Three professional, single ladies in their forties, bored with life decide to let go of their inhibitions and take a walk on the wild side. They indulge in relationships with some young, hot studs,” she said.

Oghuma urged DStv subscribers to catch some of these exciting movies on the all-new DStv Explora.

The DStv Explora is a new PVR decoder which increased hard drive capacity. This allows a user to watch 4 x times more content while providing an improved Video On Demand experience with DStv Catch Up and an increase in recording capacity of 220 hours of personal recordings.

24 TOURISM

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

A show piece during Indaba 2013

Big brands square up for Indaba 2014

yk

A

s South Africa tourism set its sights on attracting more gains to its shores, the country Tourism Minister, Martinus van Schalkwyk, has hinted on a drastic transformation of the industry in a way that it has never been done before.

He disclosed this while speaking at the recently held fifth annual Ubuntu Awards in New York in recognition of outstanding trade partners in leisure and business travel to South Africa and a celebration of the country’s 20 year of democracy.

It was an event to honour those trade partners who have been telling South Africa’s good story for the last 20 years.

In 1994 the country had 3 million arrivals, last year 13 million, and ten million of those were tourists.

“For this market in terms of the expansion of product, we were known as a Safari destination.

Now we are known as a destination for lifestyle products, adventure tourism, good 20 years for us,” says Van Schalkwyk.

US Trade partners were honoured as top producers in various categories and those offering best value for money packages to the country.

On a day when the image and legacy of former President Nelson Mandela loomed large, there were musical tributes by the evergreen Jonathan Butler. ha lk w

... South Africa tourism to undergo changes –Van Schalkwyk

Sc

W

ith less than a month to the opening of Indaba 2014, many of the big names in the travel and tourism industry have continued to signup for the yearly travel trade exhibition, which organizers say may reach a record mark judging from the numbers of sellers and buyers of travel that have indicated interest in the event.

Billed for May 10 – 12, the organisers of the event, which is aimed at showcasing the South Africa and Africa tourism destinations to the world, disclosed that

over 398 main exhibitors have signed up. Among the big-name brands are the likes of Tourvest, Mantis Management, Seasons in Africa and the Amalinda Collection while Singita leads the cream of African leisure tourism products, services and experiences.

These exhibitors have a vast global appeal in both the developed markets (namely USA and Europe) as well as emerging markets (namely Africa, Asia, Latin America), and attract the volume of inbound tourists that the continent wants and needs.

Meanwhile over 1441 top quality travel and tourism buyers are set to capi-

Va n

Stories by Andrew Iro Okungbowa

talise on exceptional growing inbound tourism growth to Africa as the registration process for the expo is remains open till the last days of its opening at the magnificent Durban International Conference Centre (ICC), its traditional home over the years.

Apart from the Premier Lounge, which has been introduced to this year’s offerings, there is the TechZone, which is expected to give premium digital service providers to the tourism industry an exciting space to meet both buyers and exhibiting delegates.

Confirmed so far to exhibit in the INDABA 2014 TechZone are Travelstart (South Africa’s leading online travel agency); WAYN.com (the world’s biggest travel and

lifestyle social networking community website); TripAdvisor (biggest destination marketing organisation in the world); Expedia (one of the world’s largest online travel booking agencies); Springnest (offering simple web, mobile and social marketing for small tourism businesses) and Nightsbridge (that offers the industry real time software and marketing links).

Some of the expected destinations ate the exhibition include Angola, Benin, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Abia plans carnival for Easter

W

ith the bell tolling for Easter celebration across the country, Abia State government has concluded plans to host the people and visitors to the state to its first government sponsored Easter celebration to be known as Abia Easter Carnival/Cantata, which is billed to hold from April 21 - 22, 2014.

According to the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Cosmos Ndukwe who is also the Chief of Staff to the governor, the carnival is to show-

case the tourism potential of the state. “Determined to basically showcase the huge tourism and investment potentials of the state, the Abia state government has approved a two day Easter Carnival/Cantata scheduled for Umuahia,’’ said Ndukwe as he recalled that the event was earlier schedule to host last year December but was postponed to the public opinion.

Envisaged as a yearly communal feast, he revealed that it is designed to attract both local and

foreign arts and that it would be a blend of Abia’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary arts.

Besides, it would also promote the rich moral values of the state.

The cantata aspect of the two days event is billed for the second day and promises to be an harvest of praises to the almighty God, to herald His salvation for mankind and appreciate His Grace that had sustained the government and people of Abia in many remarkable ways.

Entertainment

NEW TELEGRAPH

25

www.newtelegraphonline.com/entertainment

SOny Neme Entertainment Editor

sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com 0811 181 3096

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014

Judith: My journey into the movie industry

J

udith Audu Foght is not a new name in the movie industry. In this close up with New Telegraph, the Edo State-born actress opens up on her foray into the world of make believe. Says the leggy thespian: “My first appearance ever on screen was on Tajudeen Adepetu's One Love in 2004. Denrele Edun and I were in the same Theatre group, T15. And he invited me over to Alpha Vision for a role instead of just staying at home.

University of Lagos was on strike at the time for almost 10 months. I went and got a role. It was a small one but I was happy about it and was advised by a friend to go register with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). So I complied, registered and started attending auditions and finally got my first role in a movie titled 'Tears of the Ghetto (Life is Beautiful)' by Femi Ogedegbe and then featured in another movie titled 'Hammer' by Izu Ojukwu.”

Then the strike was called off and she returned to resume for her final year. She soon realized that she couldn't cope combining acting, modeling and school so she stopped acting to concentrate on academic pursuit. But the only screen program she was still part of was a kiddies TV series 'Funtime' where she was playing a major in the series and also doing voice-over for the cartoon segment that continued till 2006.

“I left for my youth service (NYSC) in 2006/2007 and served at the Kebbi State Television as a presenter and producer of a programme called 'French for Beginners'. And I was also the Drama Director for the NYSC Dance & Drama Troupe. On my return to Lagos, I applied for a Master’s Degree programme at the University of Lagos, and got accepted. In 2010 I obtained a Masters in Public and International Affairs,” she further informed.

At that point, she then decided after realizing that she only derived joy from acting to go into it big time. She heard of Tinsel audition and attended it.

“I got a recurring role as a Gynaecologist and since then I have been acting professionally full-time; I have since featured in several series and movies like Huzzel, Emerald, Seekers, Comfort Zone, House Apart, Switch, Yes I Don't, Love is Overrated, Alpha Mum, Stopping Kloe, Out of Fire, 4Walls, Olorogun n Company, just to mention but a few,” she enthused.

Audu got married in 2011 to a man

I got a recurring role as a Gynaecologist and since then I have been acting professionally full-time

that believes so much in her and encourages her to strive for higher heights by encouraging and motivating her.

Her words: “He has been my pillar; those times when I feel like quitting he reminds me why I am doing what am doing.

I also tried my hands on producing and did a short movie I wrote myself on Domestic Violence titled 'Not Right'. It featured outstanding actors like Omowunmi Dada, Ani Iyoho, Philip Festus and I. it Judith was directed by UduakObong Patrick.”

This year has been a great one so far and she is happy about it. “I’m grateful to God for all the numerous opportunities so far and to everyone that believes in me and gives me the platform to do what

I love doing”.

Her films could be accessed through judithaudu@ymail.com, www.youtube.com/user/JudithAudu and www. judithaudu.com

The Kardashians on GOtv

T

The Kardashians

he month of April is exciting for GOtv subscribers as there’s an adventure-packed line-up of movies, reality shows, kiddies’ entertainment, best of local and international music plus documentaries for the whole family.

Subscribers are given a treat of action packed movies from True Justice Dark Vengeance, Inferno, to Wrong Side of Town.

GOtv also brings back some classic movies like Cardillac Records starring Beyonce Knowles and the ever intriguing story of the Da Vinci Code based on the runaway bestseller by Dan Brown.

Music Lovers are not left out as Channel O will be featuring some of Africa’s biggest stars on Volt like P Unit, Chidinma, Mi Casa and Seyi Shay; MTV Base will be celebrating with Pharrell William on his birthday

by featuring him on Pharrell’s Base Top 20. MTV Movie Awards are also bringing the heat to you with a truly explosive show featuring some of your favorite Hollywood stars.

As schools are getting ready to close for Easter, our younger ones are not forgotten as Disney Junior will be featuring Disney movies every day during the holidays as well as the season premiere of Sofia the First: Princess Parade. Not forgetting the lovable Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon and Barney and Friends on Jim Jam. Other entertainment includes Celebration of Gospel 2014 and the premier season of Born to Dance on BET. On E! Entertainment; the saga continues with the family we love to keep up with on Keeping on with the Kardashians as the season comes to an explosive end.

26 Entertainment

Calabar Jazz Festival for Easter

Friday, April 11, 2014

Ghetto soldier returns with Showkey Show

V

Keyshia

I

t is no longer news that Grammynominated R&B singer Keyshia Cole and multi-talented songstress Asa have been confirmed for Calabar Jazz Festival this Easter. Organisers of the Jazz Fest, while unveiling the acts, hinted that the star-studded lineup is scheduled for April 18 to 21.

They further explained that Cole will be coming to town with her hits ‘I Should Have Cheated’ and ‘Heaven Sent’, and her two BET reality TV series ‘Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is’ and ‘Keyshia and Daniel: Family First’. Asa on her part returns after a triumphant performance at last year’s Festival, where she got the crowd yelling for more as she switched effortlessly between vocals, guitar, trumpet and some fancy footwork.

They are not alone in this: “Conoisseurs of smooth jazz, R ‘n’ B and African dance music can look forward to fabulous performances by Hugh Masekela, Liquideep, Jimmy Dludlu and Micasa Music (South Africa), Timotha Lanae (USA), and Gwyn Jay Allen (UK).” Local superstars lined up are Dare Art Alade, Yinka Davies and Kunle Ayo. They stated that, “Dludlu was invited to return after a spell-binding show in 2013, while living legend Masekela is a frequent visitor who considers Calabar his ‘home away from home’. He will anchor a special command performance at a private event hosted by His Excellency, Sen. Liyel Imoke, in memory of the late

Masekela

Nelson Mandela.”

Alex Okosi, Senior VP, Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, speaking on behalf of broadcast partners MTV Base said: “We’re happy to be broadcasting Calabar International Jazz Festival once again. It brings a different edge to MTV Base and provides our audience with an eclectic mix of music and great live performances from artistes who deserve more exposure.”

On her part, Mo Abudu, EbonyLife TV, CEO and popular chat show host, said: “The Jazz Festival is another great reason for people to visit Calabar. It’s a fantastic addition to Nigeria’s live music scene and we’re looking forward to profiling such a fascinating lineup of artistes.”

For starters, Calabar Jazz Festival is the backbone of a great Easter weekend break for Nigerians, looking forward to escaping hectic city life in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Calabar beckons with its reputation for being the cleanest, greenest and safest state capital in Nigeria.

In addition to the concerts, there will be fun day-time activities and tours for all the family, fabulous VIP after-parties, and, of course, an opportunity to sample some of the local delicacies which have made Calabar famous with food lovers.

We further gathered that, “while the concerts will light up the night at Cala-

Iyanya confused on choice of wife

I

t is not the best of time of Kukere maestro. Not that he doesn’t know what to do with fame that has doesn’t so much for him. His main headache now is taking a stand on the right life partner. An area that so many men agree that it is the most Iyanya difficult decision in life especially as so many out there are great pretenders.

In a recent chat with a journal Iyanya,

has this to say about getting a wife: “I am not even sure these days because if you say you want to go to church and get one, she comes into the house and she’s a mess, whereas you could have a club girl and she would be amazing. For now, I am just concentrating on music, trying to be successful because you will have to provide for her when she comes, whenever it is. I just believe God for a best friend because it only makes sense when she is your best friend.”

Asa

bar’s Cultural Centre, with a glittering array of music stars, the venue will play host to an intriguing range of daytime activities. Music Meets Photography brings together some of Nigeria’s most promising creative photographers with an audience seemingly addicted to being ‘snapped’, against a backdrop of live jazz and local music. Art lovers will be able to visit a gallery of beautiful paintings and sculpture, curated by Terra Kulture, in the large and imposing lobby.”

The confirmed line-up of artistes for the festival is as follows: Friday 18 - Jimmy Dludlu, Timotha Lanae, Salvadore Sango; Saturday - Asa, Micasa Music and Kunle Ayo; and Sunday 20 - Keyshia Cole, Darey, Liquideep and Gwyn Jay Allen.

eteran music star and the Galala music creator, Daddy Showkey has finally made a return to the music scene with a spanking new single titled ‘Showkey Show’.

This is coming seven years after his last hit album ‘Take 5ive.’

The Diana hit maker has decided to delight music fans worldwide with another mind-blowing album under the supervision of Cornerstone music and this time, it’s going to be banger all the way.

According to the ghetto soldier, "By the end of April, I will be dropping a new song and I hope my fans will enjoy it.” Showkey Show is the leading single and has in content a blend of the famous Galala and the latest afro hip-hop sound.

Showkey

Omawumi goes to farm O mawumi Boma Megbele, who has stamped her feet in the Nigerian music industry, has decided to diversify into agriculture just as the Koko Master D’Banj, did some weeks back.

The singer said she joined the campaign for agriculture to be revived in Africa because it used to be the continent’s source of income before the discovery of oil.

The former Nigerian Idols star and wave making artiste, is currently working on ONE.org’s theme song project

Omawumi

‘Cocoa na Chocolate’.

Her words: “I am a part of the project because I believe we need to be actively involved in agriculture, especially the youths. I have always been into agriculture; my father has a 25-hectare land in Ubeji, in the outskirts of Warri. While I grew up, I used to go to the farm and we used to process cassava. I can make garri; I mean uprooting the cassava, the whole process of extraction and frying it. I can do it effortlessly same thing with fufu and tapioca. I am actively involved in agriculture because I grew in the farm.”

She further said: “Everything we use is actually from agriculture, especially most of the make-up women use. They see agriculture as something that is ‘uncool’ meanwhile it could create employment for a lot of them. I wonder why someone would rather go to a supermarket to buy chicken at a price you could use to buy some chicks, rear them and after a while, you have lots of chicken for your consumption.”

Recently, music star, D’banj, joined other eminent Nigerians during a campaign to advocate for better investment in agriculture.

Entertainment

Friday, April 11, 2014

T

here is no denying that the Nigerian music industry has witnessed the emergence of a power player in the last year: MTN. Though not a record label or a management company, MTN has had a colourful history with the music industry in Nigeria from the sponsoring of the Headies to the famous MTN Project Fame.

The telecommunication giant has been involved in the music scene, promoting music artistes and organizing events over the years.

However, within the last few years, MTN has entered the core of the music industry by not only signing up ambassadors to its brand, but also by creating a viable channel for artistes to sell their music.

This viable means is known as caller tunes. Created in 2008, MTN Caller Tunez has become a major source of revenue for Nigerian acts. The Caller Tunez library has over 12, 000 songs, and approximately 30 million people have access to it.

In 2011, Iyanya’s hit track ‘Kukere’ was downloaded 3 million times on the MTN platform. According to reports, popular songwriter and artiste Harry Song raked N45 million Naira from the download of his ‘Mandela’ song. Other artistes such as Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, and KCee have also benefited from Caller Tunez.

In a country where piracy is a big issue, Caller Tunez is the giant step the industry has been looking for. It is just as well that MTN that has led several innovations within the telecommunication industry is pioneering this laudable move. Today, artistes and record labels can recoup the money they’ve spent in promoting their singles and videos.

Harry Song now known as Mr. Songz testifies to this: “A lot of benefits, it has made me bigger, richer and special. My fan base has grown bigger.”

Chidinma who became an MTN ambassador last year, said: “Caller Tunez has helped my music career by getting my songs faster to my fans because of the codes given, and the songs get out there

LYRICS for the week

Iyawo Mi

by Timi Dakolo

(produced by Cobhams)

Chidinma

Harrysong

The place of MTN in the Nigerian music industry faster before the album, it has helped promote my music and distribution” .

MTN brags about its attitude to its Ambassadors thus: “MTN treats its ambassadors different by investing in their careers. All over the country, there are billboards and posters of MTN ambassadors with their latest hit single and caller tunez code on them. No other brand does this. MTN has also helped facilitate collaborations between its ambassadors. A perfect example is the collabo between pop star Davido and South African House group Mafikozolo.”

It stated that on Davido’s requested, MTN brought all parties involved, and helped create an opportunity for Davido

and Mafikozolo to work together, just as it has gone extra miles in helping the careers of its ambassadors.

Chidinma who won the third season of MTN Project Fame, further said: “Being an MTN ambassador has brought me closer to my fans because I’m more available to them. It has taken me to concerts around Nigeria and all over. It has helped me perform on big stages I never thought I’d perform, thereby making me a better artiste and performer.” After aligning himself to the MTN brand, Mr. Songz has also seen a big change in his career.

“It has blessed my life financially; it has made me one of the highest paid in 2014,” said the Warri born superstar.

Maltina partners Lagos Carnival, Black Heritage Week this Easter

I

n line with its tradition of putting smiles and happiness on the faces of Nigerians, Maltina - the premium non-alcoholic malt brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc - has rolled out strategic plans to reward consumers and Nigerians with freebies during the exciting and colourful Lagos Carnival and Black Heritage week.

Senior Brand Manager Maltina, Mr. Adewole Adedeji, who revealed this, said most Nigerians are aware of the fact that the brand is all about sharing happiness.

“The Maltina story has al-

27

ways been the story of sharing, friendship, togetherness and a good time with loved ones. We always explore avenues that bring people together in an atmosphere of friendship. And what better way to bring people together than by providing them with what makes life enjoyable.

That is the brand promise we stand upon, that is why we want to make this Easter celebration memorable for our consumers and Nigerians generally.”

The carnival themed ‘Lasgidi’ comes up on Monday April 21st, while the heritage week is a weeklong

Participants at Maltina-sponsored Lagos Carnival last year

event scheduled to hold from the 14th of April to the 21st with various activities designed to promote the cultural and unique heritage of Lagos State.

Highlights of the Lagos Black Heritage Week include Seminars, school debates, dance drama, painting display, photo exposition, fashion display, film and video fiesta, Lagos Carnival Queen Beauty Pageant (AgbekeEko)

and the Lagos Water Regatta.

This week long festival is steered by Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.

Maltina - as a major sponsor of the events - will give consumers the opportunity to win high-end gifts which will take the form of a vending truck that will be stationed at the venue of the event to dispense various categories of gifts at the touch of a button.

Verse 1: Like an angel in the morning Shooting star across the night The most beautiful girl I've seen in all my life Every second spent with you is like a day that starts brand new Girl I'm so amazed at all the things you do Yes I wanna build my whole world around you So I promise you forever and for always Girl you are my sunshine baby don't you go away Chorus: Iyawo mi Ololufe mi Ore mi Alayo mi I will love you forever Iyawo mi Ololufe mi Ore mi Alayo mi I will love you forever Verse 2: I am music in your words And in the way you call my name When you're by my side I can't do anything You're my best friend You're my lover Without you no one else will do Through thick and thin I know we'll make it through Yes I wanna build my whole world around you So I promise you forever and for always Girl you are my sunshine baby don't you go away Chorus: Iyawo mi Ololufe mi Ore mi Alayo mi Say I will love you forever Iyawo mi Ololufe mi Ore mi Alayo mi I will love you forever Verse 3: My baby my baby You are my sunshine My lover my essence There's no one like you My baby my baby You are my sunshine My lover my essence There's no one like you Chorus: Iyawo mi Ololufe mi Ore mi Alayo mi Say I will love you forever Iyawo mi Ololufe mi Ore mi Alayo mi Say I will love you forever Outro My sugar, my honey, my lover I will love you forever My baby, my lover and my best friend I will love you forever I place no woman above you I will love you forever I promise to always love you baby I will love you forever And there's no one that comes close I will love you forever more And ever and ever and ever more I will love you forever Cause you are my baby, my sunshine, my …..

I will love you forever And when there's nothing more to say I will love you forever Forever and ever and ever and ever

28 Entertainment TELEMOVIES

Friday, April 11, 2014

Nollywood in Hollywood, Bollywood boost

M

ovie people in Nigeria are in for a big deal as their efforts in the promotion of the film culture in Nigeria has attracted an inspiring American and Indian attention. This is courtesy of Indian based Third Eye organized Global Centers for Health & Development, GCHD, at Mumbai. It brought together Bollywood, Nollywood and Hollywood filmmakers’ major practitioners at its Andheri. It was to mark a historical one year anniversary of unifying force that began in March 2013.

According to a release made available to the media by the organisers, on the driving seat was the acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, Nigerian blockbuster director of note Tunde Kelani, and Oscar-nominated American producer Stuart Sender.

It read in parts: “This network of centers—The Third Eye in Mumbai, GIST in Lagos, and USC’s Hollywood, Health and Society (HH&S) in Los Angeles—was established last March, with the goal of inspiring and informing filmmakers around the world on important social, health and development issues.”

The Third Eye led by Vinta Nanda is a project of the Asian Center for Entertainment Education. GIST is a programme of Nollywood Work-

shops, directed by filmmaker Bond Emeruwa and Aimee Corrigan. Both programmes are in collaboration with Hollywood, Health & Society, HH&S. “The Global Centers are free on-demand resource centers that connect writers, directors and producers with top expert advisors—all for free.

Offerings include site visits, customized location tours and phone calls with medical doctors, social workers and others. Filmmakers get the information they need to make accurate and compelling films and television programs, and audiences learn more about the issues that face their communities”, it further stated.

Mahesh Bhatt who shared his thought on the importance of accurate information in contemporary media said: “At ACEE, we believe that stories backed with solid research can create content, which will enter popular culture and have a profound social impact. If a service like The Third Eye existed when I made Arth in 1983, I would have made the film differently and created the other woman, played by Smita Patil, who suffered schizophrenia with the same sympathy which I had towards the wife.”

Bhatt added: “Today, because I could deliver a play, which has become a big hit in its opening season, based on my film, Arth, which became a cult classic from its time, I am able to rewrite the character of the other woman with greater sensitivity towards her and don’t need to paint her as a vamp on my canvas. This is simply because of better knowledge of the effects a mental disease like schizophre-

Truly the Global Centers could not have been founded at a more opportune moment

nia can have on an individual when ignored and when it is not attended to in time".

For Oscar-nominee, Stuart Sender who has been to India several times, this opportunity was too good to pass up. His asked rhetorically: “When else are filmmakers from Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood all going to be in one place again, to talk about these issues?”

For him, “the great thing about being a filmmaker is the chance to be part of a global community of artists and to share with each other what works and what doesn’t, especially when it comes to telling stories that have something important to say.”

Attendees were in for a special treat by Tunde Kelani who screened an exclusive 30 minute preview of his forthcoming feature film on sickle-cell anemia, Dazzling Mirage.

Tunde Kilani expressed his joy at being “honored to preview my film at this convening of the three major global film industries. Dazzling Mirage takes on an important health topic in Africa, and I’m looking forward to working with Nollywood Workshops, GIST, and the global centers on future productions.”

A question and answer session and discussion were entertained after the screening, with Kelani, Bhatt, Sender and KalpanaLajmi who is soon going to be directing the film Safed Doli that is being produced by The Third Eye. From her office in Los Angeles, where she and her team work with shows including Grey’s Anatomy and Homeland, HH&S director Kate Folb said that "we're honored to be collaborating with such esteemed filmmakers as Tunde Kelani, Mahesh Bhatt, KalpanaLajmi and Stuart Sender, and we are so thrilled to be celebrating our first year of success working with GIST and The Third Eye." It is interesting to note that Chris Dzialo of HH&S who is also participating in the event oversees the Global Centers.

Lagos based GIST/Nollywood Workshops co-director, Bond Emeruwa, has expressed his excitement at his team being part of this collaboration. He said: “We are so proud to have a Nollywood filmmaker of Tunde Kelani's status represent Nigerian filmmaking in Mumbai at this point.

What is even more heartwarming is that more directors and producers are interested in using this very powerful medium to take on topics like sicklecell anemia, malaria, maternal and child health and routine immunization among others.

Hanks Anuku in search of salvation

A

n air of redemption seems to be permeating the Nigerian entertainment scene as a number of entertainers have since been experiencing an epiphany of some sort.

Like Kanayo O. Kanayo, Charles Okafor, popular Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku seems to be yet another ‘convert’. The celebrated actor rose to fame in the earlier years of the last decade for his remarkable abilities to believably wear on his characters and also because of his movie roles as an assassin, a robber, a ritualist, etc; attributes that made him a favorite amongst movie producers.

However, in recent time, the Nollywood bad boy seems to be making some conscious efforts to redeem and alienate himself from this ‘bad boy’ image he has since been associated with.

Following his deliverance from alcohol and mental illness by Prophet TB Joshua, an episode that set the path for his salvation, the actor has since relocated to Ghana.

In a recent interview, the actor explained that the reason behind his relocation to the West African country was to get closer to God because so many things happened to him in Nigeria which he was not happy about.

Davido set for Nollywood debut

P

op sensation David Adeleke, better Known as Davido is reportedly making plans to make his Nollywood debut. The Skelewu crooner is reported to have gotten the role courtesy of his cousin Ikechukwu Ojeogwu who is an actor and producer. The said movie is to be directed by veteran Nollywood director Teco Benson.

This is coming as the list of musicians-turned actors continues to swell arithmetically. Davido is yet another addition to this infinite roll call.

Entertainment

Friday, April 11, 2014

29

Garlands for Eddie Ugboma @ 50 on stage l £38,000 paid by Coca-Cola enabled us to establish Island records, Bob Marley

F

ifty years successfully dedicated to a profession is worth celebrating. This has apparently encouraged family, friends and fans of Chief Eddie Ifeuwagu Ugboma, OON to celebrate the veteran thespian in a special way. The four-day events billed for Lagos, Asaba and Abuja in July will be ‘50 years of entertainment; Niger Deltans Artistes and Friends; launch of his 360 page autobiography titled Eddie Ugbomah at 73; and the premier of his movie and Eddifosa Foundation’ respectively.

In a chat with New Telegraph in Lagos, Chief Ugboma, the Amuludun of Lagos and Obaseki of Edo Kingdom, spoke on his journey from the creeks in Delta State, through Ikoyi to the United Kingdom, where he blossomed into an international music promoter before delving into movie making.

Expectedly, some state governments have decided to make the historic events worthwhile with their executive weight behind the celebration of the Ononuju of Aboh Kingdom and Omekachie of Onitsha.

Excerpts…

How did you get here?

It all started from Military Street, Onikan, Lagos where I grew up with children of the Davies, Johnsons, Kutis, Wole Soyinka, Okotie-Ebohs and Tafawa Balewa to mention a few.

They were all rascals except the late Prof. Olukoye Kuti, who was the most elderly and only gentleman among us. When they eventually left for overseas for further studies, I had to meet them up through the efforts of my poor parents. But, while their attentions were on their studies, I was on part time as I had to work all night for my fees and rent.

After my education I went for my IT at the Independent Television, ITV, also in London. That was where I met lots of Jamaican musicians during the biggest show then titled Ready Steady Go. Then Nigerians back home were more conversant with white musicians. I was encouraged to break that attitude when Coca Cola paid Chris Blackwell and I whopping 38,000 pounds in 1966 to organize the Mill Smith concert. I was just a little boy with so much money that nearly got me into trouble as I headed to an agent to buy two houses at a go.

We had barely left the country when the 1966 coup took place. It was that Coca Cola payment that

Ugboma

was used in setting up the popular Island Records. Today they celebrate Marley but I am hardly remembered. We stole Bob Marley from a band that came from Jamaica with a blue beat or ska for a show in UK . That was when Marley was given the platform that created reggae from ska and blue beat.

This famous Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Airlines was hawking music for us, before banks offered him loan that he used in setting up a record shop.

Same way he was encouraged into the aviation industry.

At the last count, I had brought 12 major artistes such as Chubby Checker, Mill Small, Soul Messengers, Daniel Williams, Jackie Edwards and others. That was how much deep I was in show promotion as I became the first to tour the whole of Africa with some of those bands. I have always invested in the promotion of entertainment in Nigeria. Same thing I did for movie. For instance, I spent N6m of my money to shoot The Black President in five countries. That was a whole lot of money in the 70s.

After 50 years on stage, what would you look back at and say thank God I passed through this route?

I am very grateful to God that I am in this industry. Already Mr. Emeka Mba, Director General, Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation is upbeat about the events.

The only sad thing is that I don’t have a family. I have 13 children, 11 are graduates but they don’t know me, because I gave all my

life to this industry. And they won’t just have anything to do with it.

When you try to encourage them to be part of it, they will tell me, ‘No daddy, we know what you are suffering and the money you are wasting in this industry; we don’t want to go through that path in life.’ Among my children are accountants, engineers, doctors, computer specialists, designers, and lecturers.

It is sad. That is the only regret, if not I am the happiest man in the whole universe.

God has given me everything.

At 73, I don’t have a bad tooth, I don’t have a bad eye, I don’t have any bad liver or any kind of life threatening ailment. That is why I want to be celebrated because I want to eat the malu while I am alive. Not when I am dead you start buying and killing cows. I want to be celebrated while I am living.

So what are your expectations?

To be celebrated by friends, colleagues and states where I have contributed a lot like Lagos State, my state, Delta and Edo State where my friend, Comrade Oshiomhole is the governor.

I expect Labaran Maku, our information minister and Chief

Over half the population of Nigeria that had access to the cinema watched Oyenusi

Edem Duke, another personal friend of mine to play major roles. I have known Duke over 26 years; I knew him as far back as when he was still a newscaster.

These are some of the people I am expecting to celebrate me.

What can you point to as most memorable as a filmmaker?

Oh! That was when I premiered my film, Oyenusi at the National Theater, Iganmu-Lagos.

I fought till I got the venue, because I was one of those who battled to end the dominance of foreign films in Nigeria. I had joined the premier and public show together. After I had succeeded, to secure the venue, I went home to get ready for the show.

On my return I met a miraculous long queue of people waiting to get into the cinema hall to watch my premiere, stretching from National Theater to Ijora.

My initial reaction was ‘who could be this wicked person that brought a foreign film to ruin my day?’ So, I summoned courage and asked one of those on the queue, which film it was. And he responded enthusiastically, ‘Oh, you don’t know Eddie Ugboma, he has shot a very good film, that is what we have come to watch!’

It was the biggest shock of my life.

How many people watched it at the end of the day?

Over half the population of Nigeria that had access to the cinema watched Oyenusi, same as the Mask, Death of Black President and all my hits. Unfortunately, the stupidity of we Afri-

cans blinded us to the reality that when a film is a hit it belongs to the world. Like one of my brothers whose Domitila was the biggest thing to have happened to the cinema. People were fighting over who got into the cinema all over Nigeria to watch Domitila.

That was what happened to my Oyenusi, The Boy Is Good, Black Gold, Omiran, Oriade, Rapa lala, just name it. Not what we have today, released on Monday, and die on Friday. I pity the industry as it is today.

Why? This is one of the biggest industries in the world. The stupidity of the industry is that we (movie people) provide more money and food on the table of people than any other industry, yet they are watching it die.

When I make a film, I pay for the story writer, script writer and I print it. Then I call the cast, rehearse them, I pay the artistes, I pay the cameraman and the crew. I will also pay the editor, the printer for the jacket and I pay the television and radio stations.

That is what film makers pass through without commensurate support from anywhere else.

But President Goodluck Jonathan has provided the industry with a N3b grant?

I have met President Jonathan more than once. His weakness is having so much confidence in most of his aides who don’t tell him the true situation of things. And that does not help any leader. President Jonathan means well but his promises are not sailing down as expected.

Like when he promised to get NEXIM (Nigeria export/import), to come down from their charges. That one is still hanging there.

The N3billion is an intervention, a grant and not a loan. They put six professionals who screen beneficiaries. And they put in bumps on the way that deny genuine practitioners access to the fund. Over the 36 people who have applied, the only people who have been able to access the funds are people building cinema houses. And what goes into the cinema houses? Will they put their parents to dance in there?

One had expected that the likes of Eddie Ugbomah, Zeb Ejiro, Amaka Igwe, Zik Zulu, Teco Benson and a host of other well-meaning Nigerians should not be made to go through such huddles. They are totally unnecessary. These are core professionals who have earned deserved reputations through their movies.

30 Entertainment TELEMOVIES

Friday, April 11, 2014

Coming Soon to the cinemas

Divergent (Movie Of The Week) Rating: PG Viewing Time - Friday 12:15PM, 5:35PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Saturday 12:15PM, 5:35PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Sunday 12:15PM, 5:35PM, 9:10PM Viewing Time - Monday 12:15PM, 5:35PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 12:15PM, 5:35PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 12:15PM, 5:35PM Viewing Time - Thursday 12:15PM, 5:35PM Featured Actors Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ashley Judd, Jai Courtney Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 139min In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.

Noah (Movie Of The week ) Rating: PG Viewing Time - Friday 2:55PM, 6:35PM, 8:15PM Viewing Time - Saturday 2:55PM, 6:35PM, 8:15PM Viewing Time - Sunday 2:55PM, 6:35PM, 8:15PM Viewing Time - Monday 2:55PM, 8:15PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 2:55PM, 8:15PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 2:55PM, 8:15PM Viewing Time - Thursday 2:55PM, 8:15PM Featured Actors Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 138min A man is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission of rescue before an apocalyptic flood destroys the world.

Render To Caesar ( Rating:18) Viewing Time - Friday 1:35PM,4:20PM Viewing Time - Saturday 1:35PM,4:20PM Viewing Time - Sunday Binta Goudiaby 1:35PM,4:20PM

Viewing Time - Monday 1:35PM,4:05PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 1:35PM,4:05PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 1:35PM,4:05PM Viewing Time - Thursday 1:35PM,4:05PM Featured Actors Omoni Oboli, Wale Ojo, Onyekachi Ejim Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 120 min Two friends return home from abroad to join the Bureau of Detectives under an ambitious government scheme to develop future leaders of the much-maligned Police Force. Dipo & Pade are assigned to the Lagos State Police Command with the daunting mission to hunt and apprehend a notorious robber called Caesar who continues to wage a harsh campaign of ruthless attacks across the State.

THE NUT JOB Viewing Time - Friday 10:30AM, 2:40PM Viewing Time - Saturday 10:30AM, 2:40PM Viewing Time - Sunday 10:30AM,2:40PM Viewing Time - Monday 10:30AM, 2:20PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 10:30AM, 2:20PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 10:30AM, 2:20PM Viewing Time - Thursday 10:30AM, 2:20PM Featured Actors Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 85 min An incorrigibly self-serving exiled squirrel finds himself helping his former park brethren raid a nut store to survive, that is also the front for a human gang's bank robbery.

Need for Speed (Rating:

PG15) Viewing Time - Friday 3:55PM,8:30PM Viewing Time - Saturday 3:55PM,8:30PM Viewing Time - Sunday 3:55PM,8:30PM Viewing Time - Monday

3:55PM,8:30PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 3:55PM,8:30PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 3:55PM,8:30PM Viewing Time - Thursday 3:55PM,8:30PM Featured Actors Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Scott Mescudi Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 130min Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross country race with revenge in mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins.

Ride Along Rating: RATED 18 Viewing Time - Friday 11:35AM,6:30PM Viewing Time - Saturday 11:35AM,6:30PM Viewing Time - Sunday 11:35AM,6:30PM Viewing Time - Monday 11:35AM,6:30PM

Viewing Time - Tuesday 11:35AM,6:30PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 11:35AM,6:30PM Viewing Time - Thursday 11:35AM,6:30PM Featured Actors Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 100min Fast-talking security guard Ben joins his cop brother-in-law James on a 24-hour patrol of Atlanta in order to prove himself worthy of marrying Angela, James' sister.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (Rating:PG) Viewing Time - Friday 10:55AM, 12:45PM Viewing Time - Saturday 10:55AM, 12:45PM Viewing Time - Sunday 12:45PM Viewing Time - Monday 10:30AM, 12:30PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 10:30AM, 12:30PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 10:30AM, 12:30PM Viewing Time - Thursday 10:30AM, 12:30PM

Featured Actors Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Lauri Fraser, Guillaume Aretos Genre Comedy Running Time 100 min The time-travelling adventures of an advanced canine and his adopted son, as they endeavor to fix a time rift they created.

POMPEII (RATING :18) Viewing Time - Friday 10:30AM Viewing Time - Saturday 10:30AM Viewing Time - Monday 10:30AM Viewing Time - Tuesday 10:30AM Viewing Time - Wednesday 10:30AM Viewing Time - Thursday 10:30AM Featured Actors Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Kiefer Sutherland Genre Action/Adventure Running Time 105 min A slave-turned-gladiator finds himself in a race against time to save his true love, who has been betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts, he must fight to save his beloved as Pompeii crumbles around him.

About Last Night Rating:18 Viewing Time - Monday 8:45PM Viewing Time - Tuesday 8:45PM Viewing Time - Wednesday 8:45PM Viewing Time - Thursday 8:45PM Featured Actors Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall Genre Romance Running Time 100 min

BUSINESS FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS Nigeria, Mexico to import more wheat Nigeria, Mexico and Russia are to increase their wheat imports this year as global wheat imports for 2013/14 have been lowered from 1.7 million tons to 1.5-million-ton reduction for China.

}p-32

Investing in Moringa tea bag production Moringa is a food, medicine and forage crop. Its cultivation is gaining popularity in Nigeria in recent times. While Ghana has benefited immensely from its cultivation and use.

}p-35

Pension fraud: Stealing from hapless senior citizens In the last couple of weeks, the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has been battling the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over the missing N24 billion police pension funds.

}p-37

IBTC counsels on early retirement plan The management of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, one of Nigeria’s biggest pension fund administrators, has called on Nigerians to cultivate the habit of setting aside part of their incomes as security of a blissful future after retirement.

}p-38

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

CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter

}p-33

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

CAPITALISATION Seplat sets IPO at N576 for Official Trading List of the NSE Adeola Yusuf

A

stock market debut by oil and gas firm, Seplat, in Lagos and London is likely to unleash a round of initial public offerings (IPOs) in Nigeria after being stalled in the wake of a 2008 financial crisis, the head of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema, has said.

More oil and gas listings, Onyema said on the sideline of Africa Investment Summit, are to follow Seplat’s, which would help tackle the sector’s under-representation on the Exchange.

The sector, the NSE helmsman told Reuters, currently makes up just 2.6 per cent of market capitalisation versus 14 per cent of Nigeria’s newly rebased GDP. After Seplat, the sector will make up 5.9 per cent of the bourse.

Seplat said it had raised $500 million in its IPO and plans to list its shares in Lagos and London on April 14. The offering gives Seplat a market capitalisation of $1.9 billion.

None of the foreign oil majors such as Shell (RDSa.L) and Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) that have been operating in Nigeria for decades is listed. Only local firms, Oando (OANDO. LG), Forte Oil (FO.LG), Conoil (CONOIL.LG) and now Seplat have listings.

Meanwhile, SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company

L-R, Minister of Trade and Investments, Olusegun Aganga; President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Kabir Mohammed and ICAN Vice President, Chidi Ajaegbu, during the ICAN team's visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Plc has announced the pricing of its initial public offering (the “Global Offer”) and its intention to publish.

The offer price has been set at N576 per Ordinary Share for shares to be listed on the Official Trading List of the NSE (the “Offer Price”) and

210 pence per Ordinary Share for shares to be traded on the LSE’s main market.

Based on the offer price, the total market capitalisation of Seplat at the commencement of conditional dealings will be approximately £1.14 billion (equivalent to US$1.90 billion)

(excluding the exercise of the over-allotment option).

The Global Offer comprises a base offering (the “Base Offer”) of 143,284,130 new shares issued by the company, representing 26.4 per cent of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Internet users advised to change passwords over security flaw Jonah Iboma

L

eading technology companies, including Google and Yahoo, have advised internet users to change all their passwords following the discovery of an internet security flaw that exposed millions of passwords, credit card numbers and other sensitive bits of information to potential theft by computer hackers.

The flaw, according the tech-

nology firms, has existed in the encryption technology that is supposed to protect online accounts for emails, instant messaging and a wide range of electronic commerce for about two years now.

Researchers from a Finnish security firm called Codenomicon diagnosed the flaw codenamed Heartbleed and they expressed worry about the breach because it went undetected for more than two years.

The flaw is with OpenSSL, a popular cryptographic library used to digitally scramble sensitive data as it passes to and from computer servers so that only the service provider and the intended recipients can make sense of it.

If an organisation employs OpenSSL, users see a padlock icon in their web browser - although this can also be trigCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Seplat’s $500m listing may spur return of IPOs –NSE

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

PALM OIL: STAKEHOLDERS ON RESCUE MISSION

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

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Maximum Lending Rate..25.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at April 4)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N172 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N286 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N236

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at April 4)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.74 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N259.01 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N214.32 Source: CBN

32

BUSINESS | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Nigeria, Mexico to import more wheat TRADE Latest trade data by World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) indicates a shift in global wheat

N

igeria, Mexico and Russia are to increase their wheat imports this year as global wheat imports for 2013/14 have been lowered from

1.7 million tons to 1.5-millionton reduction for China.

Also, there are smaller import reductions for Bangladesh, the European Union, Pakistan and South Africa. Global exports are lowered with 0.5-million-ton reductions each for Australia, Canada, India, and Ukraine, and a 0.3-million-ton reduction for Brazil.

It was learnt that most of the export reductions reflect the pace of shipments reported to date, but reductions for Australia and

Canada are also related to the lower import outlook for China.

According to a report by World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), the latest trade data indicate a shift in export business from wheat to corn. Partly offsetting the reductions is a 1.0-millionton increase for Kazakhstan exports with reports of larger rail shipments to Russia and strong sales to Iran and China, the report stressed.

The report added that global wheat consumption for 2013/14 is lowered 2.4 million tons mostly on a 2.0-million-ton reduction in China wheat feeding.

“A number of smaller and mostly offsetting changes are also made in consumption for other countries. Global wheat ending stocks for 2013/14 are projected 2.9 million tons higher with the largest This month alone, Lagos Port Complex will take delivery of

176,229 metric tons of bulk wheat in four vessels.

The four vessels are expected to discharge Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL). They are MV Desert Hope laden with 48,000 metric tons, MV Ionian Eagle (44,000 metric tons), Marcaro Lina (27, 500 metric tons), MV Blue Bill (23,729metric tons) and MV Storm Ranger which is expected to berth at Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL) with 33,000 metric tons.

Nigeria, Pakistan to collaborate on FDI Bayo Akomolafe

N

igerian and Pakistani governments have resolved to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Nigerian economy.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Malam Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this when the Pakistan Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mr. Shaid Khaqan Abbasi, visited him in Abuja.

He explained that Pakistan and its businessmen were desirous of investing in most sectors of the Nigerian economy with particular interest in oil and gas, agriculture and health.

Sadiq expressed the readiness of the commission to partner with both the Pakistani Gov-

ernment and its private sector to exploit the country’s abundant investment opportunities.

He said: “To this end, the commission is concluding arrangement to host Business and Investment Forum (BIF) in Pakistan to educate the Pakistan businessmen on the potentials of the country.

“This will boost the already existing joint partnership between both countries.”

He said that the role of the commission was to advance the economy of the country through the attraction of FDI. “We are ready to work with the Government of Pakistan, including their businessmen, to invest in the Nigerian economy. It is incontrovertible that Nigeria remains the preferred investment destination in Africa.”

L-R: Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf; President, Alhaji Remi Bello and Vice President, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, at the quarterly press briefing of the chamber in Lagos.

Okonjo-Iweala bags Rockefeller award

T

he Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been given the prestigious David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award for her uncommon courage and capacity to deliver on the economy and lead in

Seplat’s $500m listing may spur return of IPOs –NSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

company’s enlarged issued share capital (excluding the exercise of the over-allotment option) “The Base Offer will raise gross proceeds of approximately £300.9 million (equivalent to US$500 million) while the Over-allotment Option shall consist of 10,336,183 new shares representing 15% of the final amount allocated to investors outside of Nigeria (the “International Offering”) in the Base Offer. The Overallotment Option can be exercised for a period of 30 calendar days from today,” the company said in a statement.

Heavyweight cement pro-

ducer, Dangote Cement (DANGCEM.LG), accounts for a third of the Nigerian bourse, followed by the banking sector .NGSEBNK10, collectively making up 15 per cent.

“It will be the first major IPO in the market since the 2008 burst. It could signal the opening of a window for other IPOs to come through,” Onyema told Reuters, adding that he expected some of the many newly privatised power firms to follow.

IPOs dried up after a 2008 crash wiped over 60 per cent off the stock market’s capitalisation. The index .NGSEINDEX has since recovered, gaining 35 per cent in 2012 and 47 per cent in 2013,

but IPOs are yet to resume.

The market is down six per cent in the first quarter, which Onyema attributed to the tapering of quantitative easing in the United States, volatile emerging market currencies and Nigeria’s forthcoming elections, which had led to some pullback from foreign investors.

Nigeria revalued its gross domestic product (GDP) on Sunday to over $500 billion, surpassing South Africa as the continent’s top economy and shrinking the ratio of stock market capitalisation to GDP to 15 per cent, compared with over 100 per cent in most developed stock markets.

a very difficult environment.

Also on the list of awardees are the Chief Executive officer of Unilever, Paul Polman, and Governor of the State of Para, Brazil in New York, Simao Jatene.

Okonjo-Iweala would join a list of high profile personalities such as the late Nelson Mandela, Kofi Anan, Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson, Her Majesty, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Bill Gates, President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,

James Wolfenson among others, who had received the award in the past.

A statement cited Mrs. Bisi Fayemi as another Nigerian that had previously received the award for her decades-long work of empowering women.

Organised as part of the Synergos Institute University for a Night Series, the event brings together leaders from business, government and civil society to discuss innovative ways of addressing global problems.

Internet users advised to change passwords over security flaw CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

gered by rival products.

They said that if attackers made copies of these keys they could steal the names and passwords of people using the services, as well as take copies of their data and set up spoof sites that would appear legitimate because they used the stolen credentials.

Although there is now a way to close the security hole, there are still plenty of reasons to be concerned, said David Chartier, Chief Executive Officer of Codenomicon.

“I don’t think anyone that

had been using this technology is in a position to definitively say they weren’t compromised,” Chartier said.

Chartier and other computer security experts are advising people to consider changing all their online passwords.

“I would change every password everywhere because it’s possible something was sniffed out,” said Wolfgang Kandek, chief technology officer for Qualys, a maker of security-analysis software. “You don’t know because an attack wouldn’t have left a distinct footprint.”

Agric

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Hard Facts

More than 1 billion people in the world do not get enough to eat, but approximately the same amount of people -1.4 billion- consume too many calories. And often what they eat is of little nutritional value, creating a situation where malnutrition and obesity exist in the same communities and even the same families.

The amount of food that the world produces is more than enough to feed its 7 billion inhabitants – but more than one third of food is wasted.

And ironically, the world’s 500 million smallholder farmers are the hungriest people in the world.

Globally, famers are aging.

Their average age in subSaharan Africa and the USA is around 56 years.

Youth, in rich and poor countries alike, don't consider agriculture a viable career.

Those that choose it often feel forced into farming because they have no other options.

Modern irrigation practices, including center pivot irrigation systems, can help improve crop productivity and yields. Unfortunately, irrigation is also the source of excessive water depletion from aquifers, and can cause erosion and soil degradation.

But using rainwater harvesting practices, zai pits, micro-irrigation, bottle irrigation, gravity drip buckets, rotational grazing systems, and other water-saving practices can all help create diverse landscapes, supporting wildlife and culture.

Europe uses, on average, 44 percent of water for agricultural use. In the United States, agriculture accounts for around 80 percent of consumptive water use. And in Western U.S. States, such as California, over 90 percent of water use is for agricultural purposes.

Children with strict parents are more likely to be overweight, a new study has claimed. This warning comes weeks after British parents were criticized for being too lenient - an indulgence which was, according to Sarah Beeny, television presenter and mother of four, fueling Britain's obesity crisis.

BUSINESS 33

Palm-oil plantation

Palm oil: Stakeholders on rescue mission ...Agrees government will maintain existing 35 per cent tariff regime for imported crude palm oil, prohibition of importation of refined vegetable oil

Stories by Siaka Momoh

T

he palm oil roadmap draft policy recently put together by stakeholders in the sector has proffered solution to the problems bedeviling the sector.

The draft policy, which was produced by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, palm oil plantation owners and processors as well as smallholder plantation owners, says government should stop forthwith the granting of waivers and concession under any guise to import crude palm oil and refined vegetable oil. It says government should maintain the existing tariff re-

gime of 35 per cent for the importation of crude palm oil and prohibition on the importation of refined vegetable oil.

It recommends that government should provide a pilot ‘land bank’ programme (pool of land from which potential investors can acquire large tracts of land) with participation

The draft says it is expected that Nigeria will attain self-sufficiency in crude palm oil within the next 10 years

from interested states, encourage private sector initiative and strengthen Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to provide research support to the industry.

It also asks that states should be encouraged to establish and implement smallholder schemes in all the oil palm producing regions while government should provide land clearing support to include large estates and review policies on the importation of seeds, fertilizer and other agrochemicals so that they can be less cumbersome.

It recommends that government should facilitate the establishment of crop processing

sites/clusters to improve smallholders’ processing efficiency, offer long-term (10 years) tax holidays for integrated plantation/refineries in production and maintain and implement zero-duty on imports of required plant, machinery and equipment including accessories and spare parts.

The draft policy advises on the use of all available Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) for the palm oil industry, that labelling and stamping to identify product source should be encouraged and that special grading system for domestic grade palm oil in view of the peculiarities of some Nigerian CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

States adopt FG’s agric transformation agenda TRANSFORMATION Collaboration between federal and state governments highly desired

A

n Enugu gathering of a robust group of agriculture stakeholders gave one an opportunity to have a feel of this issue. It was an impressive National Council of Agriculture and Rural Development meeting

held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.

In attendance were commissioners of agriculture from across the country, farmers and other agriculture stakeholders.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, was in attendance too. They all came to discuss Nigerian agriculture – to dialogue, resolve and share experiences on challenges confronting the nation’s agriculture.

The states made their presen-

tations. After an exhaustive deliberation on the presentations, the meeting noted that some of the presentations did not fit into implementation plan modality.

The meeting therefore recommended that the states and the Federal Capital Territory should interact with the investment team of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to realign their submissions to the goals and aspiration of the nation’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). It was also said

that given that Nigeria has a National Council of Agriculture and Rural Development that meets every year to brainstorm and chart a way forward for agriculture indicates that the states and the Federal Government should have a platform for working together to transform agriculture.

Adesina called on states and local governments to work with the Federal Government as a team, “united in one single CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

34

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Palm oil: Stakeholders on rescue mission C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

traditional cuisines, should be encouraged. It also advised that arbitrary taxation by local and state governments should be abolished in all forms. It adds that there should be a common and harmonised tax policy and updating of the current tax laws nationwide and the promulgation of gazettes, at federal and state levels, which will ensure transparency.

It recommends that equipment used in the sector should be termed agricultural equipment/machinery and should enjoy zero duty as others in the agriculture sector. This, it says, will encourage access to modern equipment needed to galvanise the sector. It also recommends that government should establish a N100 billion palm-oil development fund with a disbursement of N20 billion per annum for the next five years.

“The fund should be accessed at single digit interest rate with a repayment period of up to ten CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

purpose: to grow Nigeria’s agriculture.”

He announced that a few African countries have indicated that they would import high quality cassava flour from Nigeria, “as they would wish to follow Nigeria’s example in substituting cassava for wheat flour.”

Funding The agric stakeholders meeting discussed the role of banks in financing the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) under ATA. The meeting described the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme launched in 2009 as the forerunner to ATA. Under the agenda, government intends to provide subsidy or GES for seeds and fertilisers targeted at 5 million farmers at an estimated cost of N50 billion in 2012 and reduce cost of doing business to the farmers by assuming responsibility for over 50 per cent

Cocoa and coffee beans

years. It should be available for all in the palm-oil value chain, and also for refinancing. In addition, the fund should be domiciled in both Bank of Industry (BOI) and Bank of Agriculture (BOA),” the document says.

The policy recommends that land banks should be established, surveyed, advertised and made available to investors by government and that land titles should be freehold. It says that encouragement will be given to value chain downstream operators to invest in backward integration programme and that policy declaration should come into effect immediately and notifications issued to all relevant arms of government for effective dissemination and government will liaise with ECOWAS member states for effective enforcement of External Trade Liberalisation Scheme.

It notes that these policy proposals and roadmap will help to boost the palm-oil industry and provide direction and a guide to the palm-oil value chain de-

velopment in particular and the economy in general and will provide predictability and consistency of government policy for the sector and provide sufficient direction for both industry players and development partners. It says that it also assures operators of a level playing field where their interests are respected and protected.

The draft says it is expected that Nigeria will attain self-sufficiency in crude palm oil within the next 10 years. “However, it is important to stress that all these would happen with effective enforcement,” it adds.

Like other sub-sectors, the palm oil industry is bedeviled by a number of constraints including, among many oth-

Palm-oil plantation

ers, inconsistent and unstable policy regime; weak primary production base dominated by wild grove exploitation and smallholder production; inadequate bulk storage facilities for smallholder producers; weak palm oil value chain integration and coordination indicated by high cost of inputs and raw materials; huge infrastructural deficiencies prevalent in the economy, especially energy, poor network of good roads and rail; obsolete processing equipment; as well as lack of application of modern technology/innovation and efficient production processes and equipment.

In the 1960s, Nigeria was in the first position on the World oil palm production chart and her share of total world production was 39 per cent. This, however, fell to 11 per cent by 1987.

Nigeria became a net importer, producing 131,000 metric tons per annum from 1981-1983. It is estimated that 30-35 per cent of its palm oil need is imported.

States adopt FG’s agric transformation agenda cost of interest.

The following recommendations were made to ensure that banks finance the GES: Government will put in place all necessary actions and structure for the take off of the Nigeria incentive-based risk Sharing System for Agricultural lending (NIRSAL) programme, but the risk sharing formula under NIRSAL should be in consonance with 5 per cent non-performing credit as stipulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

On interest subsidy – to secure a low single digit interest rate, government should domicile a specific pool of funds in the banks; 50 per cent support on fertiliser and seeds can only be funded by government as the role of banks in this is not clear; In order to encourage banks to further finance farmers, tax

concession should be allowed on total risk exposure.

Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, who was also at the Enugu meeting, noted that there is shifting away from the belief held by banks that agriculture is high risk and therefore should not be touched. He opined that the net effect of Nigerian banks’ mindset is the debasing image of ‘net importer of food’ that Nigeria has earned.

Moghalu said: “We believe we have a strong role to play in agriculture. We are not only in it for finance. We are in it to play an advisory role, for promotion and economic development.

We want to ensure that everyone along the agric value chain makes money. In the past, it was the issue of access to government money. But it is different now. It is now an issue of de-

risking lending to agriculture.”

The CBN has introduced NIRSAL to address the issue of poor funding. It is a new, dynamic and holistic approach that tackles both the agricultural value chains and the agricultural financing value chain which are interdependent. It is indicated that fixing one without addressing the other would be a futile exercise. NIRSAL is expected to leverage on US$3 billion to the banking sector to de-risk agricultural lending by banks and insurance companies.

The first wave of commodities to pilot investments, according to a memo presented at the conference, includes cotton, sorghum, maize, tomato, soy beans, cassava, rice, cocoa, oil palm crops, beef, diary, poultry, livestock and aquaculture.

So far, 11 states have expressed interest in NIRSAL. These states include Zamfara, Ekiti, Delta, Plateau, Adamawa, Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Nasarawa and Benue.

NESG Also, at the 19th Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) Abuja summit, the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development pointed out that Nigeria is endowed with enormous agricultural potential, such that each state has comparative advantage

in producing specific agricultural product. “Despite this potential, many of these states are yet to significantly reduce the level of poverty. Hence state governments have a key role to play in the development of agriculture in Nigeria,” the minister said.

This suggests the need for the states to cooperate with the Federal Government if the development in question must be realised. In fact, the minister further said that the failure of state governments to ensure and sustain food security in their states could transcend to food insecurity in the country.

He said: “It is therefore important that the Federal Government collaborates with states to ensure the achievement of ATA objectives.”

There have been some achievements and the minister highlighted them: • Descentralisation of agriculture to the states through the establishment of 36 state offices across the country.

• Transparency in fertiliser distribution.

• Growth enhancement scheme gained massive support from the state government.

The governors that made the NESG summit panel had sweet things to say about their relationship with the Federal GovernCONTINUED ON PAGE 35

business | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

35

Investing in Moringa tea bag production INVESTING Moringa has potentials to generate a turnover of N300 million yearly Olumakinde Oni

M

oringa is a food, medicine and forage crop. Its cultivation is gaining popularity in Nigeria in recent times.

While Ghana has benefited immensely from its cultivation and use.

Many Nigerians are now establishing Moringa plantations while many more are witnessing the positive effects of consuming its products.

The health benefits of Moringa are limitless. It is a strong antioxidant, effective against prostrate and skin cancers. It is an anti-tumor and an antiaging substance. It modulates anemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, high serum or blood cholesterol, thyroid, liver and kidney problems. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties ameliorating rheumatism, joint pains, arthritis, edema and lupus. It is effective against digestive disorders including colitis, diarrhea, flatulence (gas, ulcer or gastritis).

Moringa is an anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and antiviral agent, which is effective against urinary tract infection, typhoid, Syphilis, dental carries and toothaches, fungus, thrush, common cold, Epsetein-Barr virus, Herpes – simplex, HIV/AIDS, warts parasites, worms, schistosomes and trypanosomes.

The plant is a detoxifying agent, effective against snake and scorpion bites.

With all these health benefits, a Moringa tea produced in Nigeria, well packaged, well managed with aggressive marketing strategies, will sell like hot cake. A Moringa tea production factory is nothing but a goldmine that will turn around the fortunes of the promoters. Nigeria being the largest market in the black world, any acceptable product will become goldmine for the business owners. Currently, the few Moringa tea in the market are being imported.

Technical information Moringa plantations are springing up in Nigeria and it has been well established that Nigeria has the potentials to grow millions of hectares of the product, hence the raw materials supply can never pose

quired to set up this project.

The breakdown is given below: 1. Pre-Investments - N 250,000 2. Accommodation (Rental) - N 500,000 3. Plant and Machinery - N3,000,000 4. Utilities - N2,000,000 5. Take-off Working Capital - N2,000,000 TOTAL N7,750,000

=========

Moringa

any problem. Not only this, the awareness of usefulness of Moringa is gaining ground everyday.

Agricultural Commodity Prices - Grains Commodity CBOT Corn CBOT Wheat CBOT Oats CBOT Rough Rice CBOT Soybeans CBOT Soybean Meal CBOT Soybean Oil ICE Canola

Units USd/bu.

USd/bu.

USd/bu.

USD/cwt USd/bu.

USD/st USd/lb.

CAD/mt

Price 507.25 683.25 430.00 15.58 1,477.00 477.90 41.93 490.90

Change +8.00 +7.00 +11.00 -0.02 +12.75 +3.60 +0.50 +5.20

% Change +1.60% +1.04% +2.63% -0.10% +0.87% +0.76% +1.21% +1.07%

Contract May 14 May 14 May 14 May 14 May 14 May 14 May 14 Nov 14

Time(ET) 13:02:58 13:02:52 12:58:46 13:01:43 13:03:29 13:03:06 13:03:18 13:04:02

Softs Commodity ICE Cocoa ICE Coffee "C" ICE Sugar #11 ICE Orange Juice Conc ICE Cotton #2 SFE Greasy Wool CME Lumber TOCOM Rubber CME Ethanol

Units USD/mt USd/lb.

USd/lb.

USd/lb.

USd/lb. cents/kg USD/tbf JPY/kg USD/gal.

Price 2,999.00 198.95 17.17 155.25 91.87 1,027.00 327.50 224.20 2.13

Change +26.00 +5.60 +0.23 +1.20 +1.25 0.00 -0.90 -1.20 -0.09

% Change +0.87% +2.90% +1.36% +0.78% +1.38% 0.00% -0.27% -0.53% -3.93%

Contract Jul 14 May 14 May 14 May 14 May 14 Apr 14 May 14 Sep 14 Jun 14

Time(ET) 13:01:17 13:03:57 12:59:59 12:52:52 13:02:34 02:05:30 13:00:57 05:59:57 12:58:35

Units USd/lb.

USd/lb.

USd/lb.

Price 135.08 178.60 119.00

Change +0.28 +0.08 -1.55

% Change +0.20% +0.04% -1.29%

Contract Jun 14 May 14 Jun 14

Time(ET) 13:02:20 13:03:22 13:03:51

Livestock Commodity CME Live Cattle CME Feeder Cattle CME Lean Hogs

Commodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change always shows from the previous close price.

Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency. Time is ET.

Moringa leaves are plucked, washed, sterilised and well dried. The dried leaves are later milled into powdery form and flavoured. We can have different flavours such as strawberry, vanilla, ginger and others. The next step is to package it in permeable tea bags, which can be stuffed in small packs.

Attractive and good packaging is a pre-requisite for market acceptability. Serious-minded investors can be put through the technicality.

Financial implication N7.75 million will be re-

A well packaged feasibility report/business plan is a prerequisite to project take-off and finance sourcing. This can be provided for seriousminded investors.

Profitability The project has potentials to generate a turnover of N300 million yearly with a minimum pre-tax profit of N130 million already computed.

This is another income and job generating opportunity that has far-reaching positive effect on the Nigerian economy.

Serious-minded investors can be assisted in the establishment of this project.

E-mail: olumakindeoni@yahoo.com.

How states adopt FG’s agric agenda CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

ment agriculture programme.

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State said that his state has adopted ATA as the state government policy on agriculture and leveraged on the synergy between the federal and state MDAs. He added that the state government has facilitated easy access to land, fertiliser and seeds and other agricultural inputs.

Also, the then Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, said that his state actively collaborated

with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (FMARD) in the implementation of the new fertiliser programme, while his Kebbi State counterpart, Governor Saidu Dakingari, said that his state has cooperated with FMARD in the implementation of the developmental initiatives in the state.

Responses from Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State shows that they are pursuing their own programmes.

36

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

2014 First Quarter Review... 2014 First Quarter Review... 2014 First Quarter Review...

How agribusiness fared in Q1 2014 SPOILERS Government and other stakeholders are rethinking agric Siaka Momoh

N

igeria has, for too long, neglected agriculture.

The sector has been underplayed. We got spoilt with oil. We opted for the rent economy which discovery of oil and our taste for easy money foisted on us.

But now, the Federal Government is rethinking agriculture.

This is why government has come up with the Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA) embarked upon with the objective of turning agriculture into a “moneymaking business and away from a development project.”

During the quarter, rice importers and millers rose up against distributors. They put the blame for continuous smuggling of rice into the country at the door-step of distributors.

In the past few weeks, rice merchants and allied stakeholders raised alarm over the scandalous smuggling of rice into the country which they believe is as a result of government’s non-implementation of the dutiable tariff of $190 per metric tons which they say has since been approved as the new duty for legally imported rice into the country.

Only recently, the Federal Government through the Interministerial Committee on Dutiable Rate, held a stakeholders meeting with the rice dealers in Abuja. The meeting was meant to quickly arrest the rate at which rice is being smuggled through the neighbouring countries like Benin Republic. It was agreed that in order to discourage the rate at which the commodity was smuggled into the country, a new duty tariff that was almost import-friendly and commensurate with what obtained in the neighbouring countries was good enough, hence the duty for legally imported rice was pegged at USD190.

Regrettably, according to them, though government reviewed the dutiable price, the measure was yet to be implemented, leading to dislocations and unease within the rice industry in Nigeria.

Stakeholders lamented that

Agric commodities

USD570 remains the duty for rice in Nigeria despite international price crash and stiff competition from Benin Republic. The claim is that to further boost the volume of Nigeriabound rice through its ports, Benin Republic deliberately crashed dutiable rate to USD200 per ton. This made the place a haven of sorts for smugglers of the product into Nigeria.

Rice Dealers Association of Nigeria (RIDAN) noted then that statistical revelations indicated that Nigeria’s domestic rice demand “is 5 million metric tons of milled rice while domestic supply has been put at 3.2 million metric tons. There is therefore a supply deficit of 1.8 million metric tons or over a third of total domestic rice demand,” it said.

Cassava flour substitution policy This is aimed at reducing import bill on wheat by replacing some of the wheat flour used in bread and confectionaries. Incorporation of 20 per cent high quality flour has been introduced to corporate and major bakers.

This is commendable, but there is still a lot of room to go.

We cannot clap for government yet. We will only do this when the likes of ‘Agege’ bread bakers, bakers who make bread consumed by the masses, adopt

the policy. Moreover, investigation shows that it will take a revolution, so to say, to make bread consumers in Nigerian to switch to cassava bread. So we need to do a lot of work – campaign, counseling and all that.

New tropical wheat varieties These are varieties that are heat-tolerant. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, said at the 19th NESG summit in Abuja that these were being released and when planted, would produce at least 2.5 million metric tonnes of wheat.

And only recently, the minister, speaking at the Wheat Farmer’s Field Day held at Kadawa, Kano, noted that young children have become hooked on Indomie and pasta, all made from wheat; even the older generation who eat pounded foods, traditionally

Nigeria Agribusiness Group is a highpowered organised private sector group comprising of all value chain stakeholders

made from yams and cassava now eat pounded foods from wheat flour.

Government is not throwing up its arms in desperation. According to Adesina: “A silent revolution is already happening on farms all across Northern Nigeria. This revolution is being sparked by the release of two high yielding improved wheat varieties, Norman Borlaug and Reyna-28 produced by International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in collaboration with our own Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Maiduguri. These varieties give average yield of 5 to 6 tons per hectare. In addition to high yields, these varieties have excellent milling and bread making quality.

But one of Nigeria’s frontline wheat millers believes government should tread softly on this issue of adoption of cassava flour by millers. Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Folaranmi Babatunde Odunayo (now retired), in an interview with New Telegraph, said: “The way a country should run and the way it is fair to the consumer is that you must offer them choices. It is not the business

of government to regulate what somebody wants to eat. If it is too pricey, then you will choose something else. We use wheat for bread flour and for the baking of bread. We should continue to use wheat for bread and also continue to import wheat for that purpose and substitute it with cassava until one day when we can also grow locally the volume that is required.”

Still on smuggling, only a few weeks back, the minsiter stormed a fish warehouse in Lagos stocked with unwholesome and smuggled fish. Speaking to newsmen while on inspection tour of the Indian-owned cold room, Adesina said that importers are under-declaring the volume of fish they are bringing into the country.

Said he: “We have a situation where fish importers declare they have brought in 1.6 million tons of fish between 2010 and 2012 but the evidence by the Customs shows that 16.3 metric tons was imported within the period.” He said that going by the volume of fish they declared during the period, it means that about 14.7 metric tons were not declared to government.

Importation of rotten fish He explained that these importers bring rotten fish, overstocked rotten fish and they sell to Nigerians, sacrificing health, cheating government and making sure they dump fish on Nigerians. “This administration will not allow such illegal act to continue because they are killing Nigerians,” Adesina said.

To consolidate on the gains of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, recently inaugurated the Nigeria Agribusiness Executive Leadership Group, an organised private sector body. The group comprises about 20 foremost Nigerian agribusiness companies including Dansa Foods, Okomu Oil, Chi Group, Cresta Group, Datti Fish, Olam and Wilbahi, among others.

“The Nigeria Agribusiness Group is a high-powered organised private sector group comprising of all value chain stakeholders from input suppliers to aggregators, food processors, marketers and consumers. They will work closely with government to further improve the business environment of agriculture.”

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

SCAM The discovery of theft of retirees’ funds at the Nigerian Railway Corporation deepens the suspicion of more of such pilfering yet to be exposed

Pension

BUSINESS 37

Pension fraud: Stealing from hapless senior citizens

Sunday Ojeme

I

n the last couple of weeks, the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has been battling the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over the missing N24 billion police pension funds.

Although the minister insists that no such money is missing from any government account, she has, however, failed to provide any evidence to show where the money is or how it has been spent.

This case is in addition to the series of pension scams that had happened across board in the past and Federal Government’s inability to deal with the situation convincingly.

The development also shows that the ease with which those in charge of retirement funds in the country deep their hands into the coffers is becoming increasingly embarrassing. The ugly trend has become a shuffling reoccurrence as one new case springs up while a previous one is being dealt with.

Even with the case of the N24 billion still being investigated with the House Committee inviting relevant stakeholders, another scandalous pension fraud, now on the part of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has reared its head.

What started as mere whispers that over N1 billion pensioners’ fund had been diverted by some senior officials at the corporation has eventually been confirmed by the management, thereby giving credence to the belief that more of such discoveries would be made sooner than later under careful and transparent circumstances.

According to the report, 11 senior staff of the corporation were indicted over the missing money said to have been diverted within three years. The suspected staffers are in the finance, legal and audit departments of the corporation.

Reports said that the missing fund at the corporation came to light after an internal inquiry conducted by its management.

Facts made available by sources at the corporation revealed that through acts of fraud, financial recklessness, misappropriation and conspiracy, the said sum was diverted and the discovery made when management instituted an internal enquiry into the administration of the pension fund.

While the fraud at the NRC is only a fraction of other such scams in most government agencies, it is, however, disheartening that it is happening when the new management has pledged to ensure a better welfare for the corporation’s retirees, who have remained the worst treated pensioners in the country.

A visit to the pensioners’ secretariat

Pensioners awaiting verification. Inset: Sijuwade

reveals a tell-tale of sad looking men, whose only inner regret is why they had become so unlucky after serving the country transparently and diligently.

While some are looking frail and unkempt, some others have been hit by one form of ailment or another.

One of the sick pensioners, Mr. Christopher Adegbenro, told New Telegraph that the paltry N5,000 pension he was paid monthly is not enough to feed, not to mention meeting his medical bills.

He actually said that if only the Federal Government could shore up the stipend by effecting the long overdue harmonisation, there would be enough for drugs and other needs.

He has been suffering from partial stroke since 2010. The 72-year-old retiree, who joined the services of NRC in the 60s, said he was currently living in his father’s house somewhere at Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos, where he walks to the corporation headquarters in Ebute Metta daily.

“My pension is not enough for me, so I am appealing to the Federal Government to effect the harmonisation so that I can always have enough money in my possession to take care of myself.

They should quicken the harmonisation and make it be at the same level with that of Nigerian Ports Authority pensioners,” he said.

Prior to the scandalous revelation, the Managing Director of the corporation, Mr. Adeseye Sijuwade, had carried the pensioners along, not only by ensuring a regular payment of their pensions, but also with an assurance to ensure the harmonisation of their pensions to be at par with that of other pensioners who retired from other Federal Govern-

ment agencies.

During the last verification exercise in February, he assured the pensioners of improved welfare packages, saying that the welfare and wellbeing of the pensioners would receive a boost through enhanced pension rates as all the recommendations made by the Ministerial Committee on Pension Rate Increase were receiving attention.

Some of pensioners currently earn as low as N4,500 as against N8,000 minimum earned by their peers who retired from other Federal Government agencies.

Sijuwade assured that “having worked for the corporation for many eventful years of your life and now that you are senior citizens, you deserve nothing less than a retired life of bliss and plenty.

“As you come out to participate in the 2014 verification exercise, I share in your joy of having another opportunity in the land of the living to visit your former place of work.

“I am sure that some great and nostalgic thoughts of yester-years will be running through your hearts as you come into the warmth and beauty of a new Nigerian Railway.

“I must thank you for serving the

We are very much convinced that this poverty level contributes largely to their early deaths even though some of them are of age

corporation so dutifully well to the end and for sustaining it for my generation to meet to work in.”

Whereas the basis for the verification was to ensure that there are no ghost pensioners receiving what they never worked for, a few kleptomaniacs have been busy feasting on what would have added up to the pensioners’ welfare.

Working closely with the managing director to achieve the set goals, the President of the National Union of Pensioners (NRC chapter), Alhaji Rauf Balogun, totally supported the verification exercise, saying that the union shared the view of the railway management on the exercise.

He said: “This exercise will go a long way to justify and sustain our persistent claim that there are no ghost pensioners in the NRC. It is the tradition of the pensioners’ union to collaborate with the management in lobbying for funds to offset genuine claims and entitlements of the pensioners.

However, Balogun was hardly aware of the current revelation when he said: “We cannot afford to allow such money to go into wrong hands. Our union is proud to be associated with a management that does not tamper with or mismanage pension funds.”

The union’s clamour for harmonisation stems from the fact that the pensioners had been shortchanged over the years by about N17 billion. They are currently being owed about N34.8 billion for 21 months arrears as well as an outstanding monthly pension of N19.8 billion.

Balogun said that the committee did everything before concluding that the CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

38

BUSINESS | PENSION

SAVINGS Nigerian workers should save enough money for use in retirement Sunday Ojeme

T

he management of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, one of Nigeria’s biggest pension fund administrators, has called on Nigerians to cultivate the habit of setting aside

IBTC counsels on early retirement plan part of their incomes as security of a blissful future after retirement.

IBTC management which made this declaration during the unveiling of the second phase of its interactive pre-retirement seminar in Abuja said it believed that raising awareness of retirement would help companies and their employees to better understand the impera-

Pension: Ogun releases N1.5bn to clear 7-year backlog CLEARED Retirees and former political office holders receive their entitlement held back by government

O

gun State pensioners and former political office holders will soon receive their pension and severance packages as the state government during the week released N1.5 billion for that purpose.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr.Yusuph Olaniyonu, disclosed that the fresh release of N1.5 billion would further clear the arrears of pensions which dated back to 2008 inherited by the current administration.

The money would be paid to 561 former civil servants and

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

political office holders who had served the state in different capacities.

The statement said: “The gratuities will cover the civil servants who retired between May 2011 and November 2012 who have filed their papers with the State Bureau of Pensions, while ex- political office holders who served between 2007 and 2011 but were not paid their severance packages by the last administration will benefit from the fund.

“The payment of gratuity and severance packages is a further fulfillment of the promise

by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to ensure that everybody who served the state in various capacities and contributed to its development will be paid their dues since the current office holders will one day leave office to become former office holders.”

tives of retirement planning.

Chief Executive Officer of the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Dr. Demola Sogunle, stated in a statement during the seminar which had as theme, “Life renewed at 55 and beyond,” that the pension system, with defined contributions as its foundation, presented a clear path for employees to maintain a stable standard lifestyle even well after retirement.

He said: “People are apprehensive about retirement because they do not plan for it early enough.

Ideally, planning for retirement should commence from the day one takes on a first job.

It demands setting aside part of current income into a retirement savings account. Our central mission at Stanbic IBTC

Pension Managers Limited is to help Nigerians address their retirement needs.”

The seminar also provided a platform for the leading PFA to forge closer ties with its customers and to enlighten the public on developments in the pension industry. Other activities that featured at the event were presentations on Lifestyle and Health and Managing Finances, delivered by Dr. Chito Nwana, Medical Director, Tabitha Medical Center, Abuja and Emmanuel Olumuyiwa Olu-Ayeni, President /CEO StarBright Consulting Limited, respectively.

“In addition to creating awareness about the necessity of having a retirement plan and enjoying a comfortable life post-

retirement, another objective of this campaign is to further deepen the relationship with our customers by reminding them of our availability at anytime and anywhere to attend to their needs. In so doing, we obtain significant feedback with which to develop solutions that address their specific needs.

This will not only put them at ease; we are also motivated to go the extra mile to deliver on our promises,” Sogunle stated.

He emphasised that planning for retirement should commence early in an individual’s working life as it typically takes many years to accumulate the necessary funds with which to live comfortably when the salary eventually ceases to arrive at the end of every month.

L-R: Vice-Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Opeodu; Chairman, Chamberlin Oyibo and Group Managing Director, Akin Ogunbiyi, during the launch of new insurance products in Lagos.

Pension fraud: Stealing from hapless senior citizens CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

pensioners actually deserve a better deal, adding that everything now depend on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department to ensure quick payment of the arrears.

He said: “The railway pensioners have been suffering for long. They are earning peanuts compared to their counterparts.

As a result of that, a committee was constituted to look into the matter. The committee comprised of representatives of the minister and other stakeholders. The committee went round and discovered that it was true that the railway pensioners were the least paid in the country where a pensioner receives N5,000 per month and that constitutes majority of the pensioners.

“Their pensions range from

N5,000 to N20,000. We are very much convinced that this poverty level contributes largely to their early deaths even though some of them are of age. Many of them are sick and it is quite pathetic. So the committee discovered all these and went ahead to review the pension rate to be in line with the current salary structure of the railway workers. You know there is a statutory difference between salary and pension and if you maintain that statutory difference then you are in order. But where the salary is far more than the pension it becomes a problem. So what the committee did was to harmonise it with the current salary structure of the workers so as to bridge the wide gap.

“Secondly, there is a decision by the Senate that pension should be harmonised

so that those who retired long ago would be earning the same pension with those who are just retiring provided they retired on the same salary level. The number of years is immaterial.

So the committee took all these into consideration and arrived at its decision.

“So if it is eventually harmonised, it means they will owe N34.8 billion for 21 months arrears.

The committee recommended that the arrears should be paid. Then the outstanding monthly pension of N19.8 billion for a year should also be released. So we are still waiting to hear from the DG, PTAD, who is in charge of pension.

“The DG, PTAD has a copy of the Ministerial Committee’s report, and if he goes through the report he would discover how unfair it is to allow people who

have been suffering to continue like that. So we are appealing to the DG, PTAD and the Finance Minister to hasten the process for us. We are not using force.

It is an appeal. They should not look at the amount involved but the suffering that the aged pensioners are going through.”

However, with the latest development, the need has arisen for those in charge to actually ascertain if only it was underfunding on the part of the Federal Government that led to the pensioners being shortchanged or if there has been a high level connivance between some management staff and those in charge of disbursement at the Federal Government end.

A source at the corporate headquarters of the organisation, however, revealed that the management has vowed that anyone found culpable among

those indicted over the missing money would be prosecuted accordingly.

The source told New Telegraph that the Managing Director of the organisation was not taking the matter lightly considering his resolve to ensure a better welfare for the pensioners.

The source also confirmed that some of the indicted senior management staff had been suspended while the remaining ones are still on duty pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.

“You know the managing director is personally in charge of this matter. He is not happy with what happened and he has vowed to get to the root of the matter because he has been working hard to ensure a better and improved welfare for the pensioners,” the source added.

CRIME

39

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

JULIANA FRANCIS juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014

Man accuses bank of defrauding him N5m Juliana Francis

A

man has accused a micro finance bank of defrauding him about N5 million.

The man, Mr. Adebayo Popoola, explained that the bank sold a property to him, knowing that it was used as collateral by one of its customers and that the date of expiration given to the customer on the property was not yet due.

Since the property, a bungalow, has become enveloped in crisis, Popoola had withdrawn from further transaction and possession of the property. He had asked the bank to refund his N5 million, but the bank allegedly refused; rather it sued him, the police and the owner of the property for harrassement and intimidation.

Popoola believed that the bank’s game plan is to frustrate him and delay payment of his money.

He said: “I bought a property, located at Goriola Street, Ajegunle, Lagos from an agent, Mr. Ibrahim. He took me round properties under his care and I finally settled for the one located at No. 3, Goriola Street. Ibrahim told me that First Bank Microfinance owned the property. The bank said the property was N10 million, but it was a rundown building. It was abandoned from the look of it. But we finally settled for N6.5 million. Ibrahim gave me an account number, which I paid the money into.

“Ibrahim and my lawyer said that I should pay N5 million into the account and bring N1.5 million cash to Ibrahim.

After the payment, they gave me a Survey Plan and Deed of Assignment between the former owner and the person who bought the property from the former owner.”

Popoola went home to celebrate, believing that the deal was stamped and sealed.

A month later, he went with his kid brother to inspect the building. He later left his brother to go and eat. He was still eating when he received a frantic call from his brother, explaining that a woman brought police to the site to arrest him for trespassing.

Popoola ran to Ajeromi Police Station, Ajegunle, where he met one Mrs. Doris Mukoro, who presented herself as the owner of the property, accusing Popoola of trespassing and damaging her property.

The case was transferred to Apapa Police Command, but Popoola who felt he had been defrauded, petitioned the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, for further investigation.

The case was still undergoing investigation, when the bank went to court and

The property

got an order restraining the police from further investigation.

Before police stopped investigation, it had retrieved about N1.260 million for Popoola from the agent and lawyer who shared the commission on the sale of the property.

“I later got to understand that the owner of the property used it as collateral, but the bank didn’t wait for the time of the collateral to elapse before it sold the property to me,” said Popoola.

He added: “The bank sold to me in May, but the expiration date for the woman’s collateral was supposed to be August. Investigators told me that even after August, the bank needed to have given the woman two more months before taking action on the property.

“My lawyer told me that the bank was also supposed to publish in the newspapers that it was selling, but it didn’t do

Popoola

that! All I want now is for the bank to give me my N5 million. I have incurred a lot of losses since the matter started.”

CRIME QUOTE We discovered that some bank officials, in collaboration with some officials in the telecommunications unit, use such operations to defraud customers with the ATM cards. Some bankers also advised fraud partners to clone title documents in order to secure bank loans. Any Nigerian or person, who discovered that his or her ATM had been tampered with, should immediately report to the SFU, - Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin

When our correspondent visited the bank, it refused to say anything relating to the matter. Rather the bank’s officialswho spoke, refused to give their names.

According to them, they couldn’t react to wild allegations. “If a customer has a problem with us, let the customer come to us or seek redress in court,” they said.

The SFU spokesperson, Mrs. Ngozi Isintume-Agu, who confirmed the story, alleged that the bank wrote a Letter of Consent by itself and gave to Mrs. Mukoro’s mother (the co-owner of the property), to sign and the woman had signed, unaware of what she was signing.

She added: “The collateral was supposed to expire September, but the bank sold the property before then. The bank has now sued police. Maybe when the matter is struck out, police will continue with its investigation.”

Stating her own side of the story, Mrs. Mukoro, a cold room operator, said that she borrowed N3.5 million in December 2012 and that she used to remit N30, 000 every day to the bank, until she travelled.

According to her, she paid in January and February, but defaulted towards February ending.

She said: “I travelled. When the bank insisted that I should continue paying every day, I went to a lawyer. He said I should look for developers. We went to the bank with the developer, but met a new manager.

“I asked for the statement of account, so that I could know what was left to remit, but they refused to attend to us. My lawyer later gave me letter to the branch office, at Boundary, Ajegunle, which was my branch, but the staff there refused to collect the letter. This happened in May, 2013.”

She said that it was on July 3, that she discovered strangers trespassing on her property and alerted the police. “The loan was supposed to expire in September 2013, but the bank sold the property in May. My mum didn’t sign any Letter of Consent! My mum can’t even read!

I’ve asked her several times, but she said she didn’t sign anything. I believe the document was forged.”

In the suit filed by the bank against the police, Mrs. Mukoro, her mother (Mrs. Alice) and Popoola, the bank demands compensatory general damage of N10 million for the unlawful violation of the bank staff ’s fundamental rights.

The suit also wants no further arrest of the applicants pending the hearing and determination of the suit, stressing that the case was civil and not criminal.

According to the suit, on November, CO NTINUED O N PAGE 40

40 CRIME

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Bank: Customer defaulted in loan payment

Billion-dollar investment fraud: Undercover agents uncover scheme

CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 9

12, 2012, Mrs. Doris Mukoro, requested for a loan facility of N3.5 million from the bank which was granted on December 21.

Mrs. Mukoro mortgaged the property co-owned with her mother.

The suit further states that Mrs. Mukoro’s mother, Mrs. Alice, issued a Letter of Consent to the bank, consenting to Mrs. Mukoro’s use of the property as a security for her loan.

It further states: “Alice and Mukoro further issued a Power of Attorney in favour of the bank in respect of the security and Mukoro signed a Loan Agreement.”

According to the documents, Mukoro was supposed to repay the loan on weekly installments of N132, 000 for eight months, but she paid for three installments and stopped paying.

The document said that a letter was written to her, calling off the loan and informing her that it wanted to exercise the rights as contained in the Power of Attorney.

On April 23, another letter of reminder was sent to her.

“That pursuant to the Power of Attorney donated to us, we disposed the security to one Mr. Adebayo Popoola…that the police at SFU are now forcing us to refund the sum of N3.5 million to Popoo-

TITBIT

F

Another view of the property

All I want now is for the bank to give me my N5 million.

I have incurred a lot of loss since the matter started la or face a trumped up charge in a criminal court in matter that is totally civil,” states the suit.

In one of the bank’s document, it showed that Mrs. Mukoro and her mother are both illiterate and the business transaction between them and the bank was interpreted to them in Pidgin English by one Fakoya Dotun. Another document showed Alice, appending signature with a thumb print.

In the Loan Agreement document, it states: “Provided that upon default by the Borrower to repay her loan facility, the compa-

ny shall be at liberty and without further notice to Borrower and/or the Guarantor(s) to fully complete the Borrower and/ or the Guarantor(s) cheque(s) by filling in the current date and outstanding indebtedness of the Borrower and present same to the relevant Bank of the Borrower and/or Guarantor for payment of the outstanding indebtedness on the Borrower’s loan facility.”

or a group of financial fraudsters, it seemed like the ultimate get in an investment scam—a victim willing to hand over $1 billion.

However, like victims of financial scams everywhere, these criminals should have paid more attention to the “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” adage—the wealthy “victim” in this case was actually an undercover FBI agent. And last month, the last three members of this group of con artists were sentenced to federal prison for their role in this scam. Several co-conspirators have previously pleaded guilty.

Beginning in 2005, the two-year undercover operation named Collateral Monte took leads from previous complaints, victim referrals, cooperating witnesses, and information from regulatory agencies and specifically targeted criminals who lured potential victims with offers of substantial returns on investments with little or no risk (also known as high-yield investment programs).

‘Wrong move on Boko Haram can destabilise Nigeria’

Udah

Juliana Francis

R

etired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Barrister Azubuko Joel Udah, has given thumbs up for the way the President Goodluck Jonathan led adminis-

tration, has been handling the Boko Haram issues.

He said any other move than the carrot and sticks approach, would have led to further bloodletting.

Udah who said that as Presi-

dent of the country, Jonathan deserves respect from all Nigerians, kicked against critics who accused him of treating the Boko-Haram issue with kid gloves.

Incidentally, Udah was the senior police officer, who came up with the blueprint that led to the Niger/Delta militants being given amnesty and the restoration of peace in the once volatile region.

Udah revealed that there would not have been a better way of addressing the BokoHaram issue than the approach the President adopted.

According to him, by setting up a committee to dialogue with members of the dreaded religious sect, the President was moving towards amnesty.

Udah said that the big question now however was whether the Boko-Haram insurgents are ready for dialogue and prepared to lay down their arms.

He said: “Those accusing the President of handling

the Boko-Haram issue with levity, are those who want to destabilise this country! The President’s approach remains the best as any other option would have led to anarchy, more killings and maiming of innocent persons.”

Speaking on security situation in the South-East, Udah, now Abuja based lawyer and contesting Abia-North senatorial seat, said that the security situation in the zone was now stable, especially in Abia State.

The retired DIG said that the Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji was among his ratings of best governors in security matters in Nigeria.

He said: “My governor is among the best governors today in the area of security because he takes to professional advice. He is careful and organized when it comes to security matters. He accepted advice when Abia State was almost taken over by armed robbers, kidnappers and militants. The state since then

has regained its lost glory.

“The governor worked assiduously with stakeholders in security matters to ensure that the state is safe for indigenes, visitors, foreigners and investors. You can see the presence of security agents like policemen, soldiers and undercover operatives all over the state now.”

On the ultimatum given to Jonathan over insecurity situation in the country by Northern elders, Udah said that the proper thing the elders should have done was to meet with the President and proffer solutions.

He addeded that the President, who is the Commanderin –Chief, deserves respectfrom all Nigerians.

“If they (Elders), who have distinguished themselves in various professional callings, had gone to the President for a closed-door meeting, he would not only have listened to them, but tapped from their wealth of experiences, he said.”

FAMILY AFFAIRS Page 41, FRIDAY, April 11, 2014

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www.newtelegraphonline.com/familyaffairs

PRINCESS ODUNAYOMI OKE

WOMAN EDITOR odunayomitide2010@gmail.com 0909 124 6811 (sms only)

Dad must not bathe my girl – Akindolie Christianah Akindolie is the founder and Executive Director of Christianah Fate Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization tasked with a vision to see Children enjoy their Childhood free of any form of abuse. In this interview with ODUNAYOMI OKE, she talks on the roles of Parents in curbing this ill, amongst other issues.

W

hat is the core value of your foundation, and how do you relate that to families?

We create awareness and proffer preventive solutions to child sexual abuse. From experience, we have noticed that most abuse cases could have been avoided if only parents were aware of preventive measures they needed to take. Hence we educate parents on this at our Seminars and Conferences. We also carry out awareness projects in schools and communities; which has helped tremendously, as many children have been protected from sexual abuse.

Is it wrong for dads to teach their young daughters Sex Education? I mean, not leaving it to Mothers and School Teachers alone.

Sex education is a very sensitive topic, so when it comes to a dad teaching his daughters, one should tread with caution. There is a limit to which a dad can discuss sexuality issues with his Girl Child, because there are certain parts of sexuality education that should be between a father and the male child, likewise a woman and the female child. For example, a mother will not be in the best position to discuss issues such as “wet dreams” or erection’ with her sons. This could work out in the past, but not in the 21st century when our children have access to every bit of information they want. When a mother discusses such issues with her son, he will definitely know that mummy is only rehearsing what she read in a book. Believe me, that is what some teenage boys tell me. But when a father takes time to share his experience with his son, of course the son will know that what daddy is saying is true.

On the other hand, a young daughter may not be comfortable listening to her dad talk about ‘menstruation’ or mentioning some sensitive parts of her body. Teenagers are very practical and down to earth, but you can imagine how effective it would be when both Parents play their role properly. I advise parents to read books and attend parenting seminars to boost their skills.

I heard at one of your teaching sessions, that some children of about 11

to 15 years old, you counselled with; confessed to have had sex. How can a Parent get this information from them, or know when a child has started having sex?

Of course there are a lot of children who have had sex. Children of this generation are living in a world full of so many complications.

There are a lot of sexu a l perv e r sions in the society such as pornography, homosexuality, lesbianism, sexual dances, music with sexual lyrics, sexual videos, Television programmes, violent video games etc. Several children have unguarded access to the Internet and social media that promote sex. A teenage boy recently confessed to have had sex with a nine year old girl after watching a sexual movie. So due to this unhealthy exposure, the rate at which children are having sex is escalating day by day.

It is quite painful to hear a teenage child say she watched her parents have sex for 2 years!

Of course she went ahead to practice what she saw. This should be a warning to parents to be more discreet when fulfilling their conjugal rights.

I remember a parent on one occasion suggested that parents must take their children for virginity test every two months. His reason was that his daughter was sexually abused by a teacher and it took some years for him to know. I think that is a harsh way of approaching it. Over years, I have discovered that having close relationship with our children will go a long way in

preventing a lot of unpleasant issues in their lives. The question to ask most Parents now, is; how close are you to your child? Can he or she tell you anything? I mean everything? Why is it that some children prefer confiding in their friends to their parents? Close relationship means you have to spend quality time with them, as growing children love attention.

A child once asked m e “Why don’t our parents have time for us?

Each time I attempted to talk to my dad, he said he was tired, that he was working to pay my school fees.” So how would such a father observe any change in his son or daughChristianah Akindolie ter? I therefore advise parents to spend quality time with their children, as children want our presence above our present.

As a professional counsellor, what can you say about a situation where a dad still baths his 10 year old daughter, as a way of assisting the wife in the mornings?

A dad bathing his 10 year old daughter is not appropriate. This act could create room for sexual abuse.

Cases of a father sexually molesting his daughter did not begin in a day, it’s a grooming process. Fathers who know their weak point will definitely avoid bathing their daughters or seeing her nakedness. At age 10, a girl child is already developed in sensitive parts of her body and of course she is entitled to privacy. It is the duty of mothers to teach their children how to bath their private

A teenage boy recently confessed to have had sex with a nine year old girl after watching a sexual movie parts right from a very young age.

There is a responsibility I advise mothers not to delegate – bathing a child. Children, just like adults; are sexual beings. If you tickle a baby, you will notice that the child will giggle and even smile at you.

This shows that children have feelings and they respond to touches.

Again, such a father is exposing his daughter to danger as she will feel or think it is normal for any man to see or touch her body just like her dad does. So, a 10 year old girl should be taught that she is entitled to privacy while having her bath or dressing up.

From findings, some of the teenage girls rescued from some baby factory camps ran away from their homes; after getting pregnant, to avoid the wrath of their parents. What can you say to parents about this?

Yet it comes back to developing good relationship with a child.

Sometimes, it is unfortunate that children can err at a point in their lives, though parents have put in their best to nurture them in the right way. Even as adults, we make mistakes, but we still retrace our steps back to the right path. Another thing is that some children are influenced by Peer pressure or lack of parental care. A child brought up in a loving environment will prefer to receive all the scolding at home knowing fully well that her parents will still love her despite her mistakes. We need to let our children know that we still love them even though they fall short of our expectations. Remember the story of the prodigal son who despite squandering his inheritance still retraced his steps back home. Unfortunately, some children run away from home when they make mistake as a result of very strict and unloving nature of their parents.

42 FamilY AFFAIRS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

COUNSELLING

Some husbands do have them Odunayomi Oke

I

went to a salon penultimate Saturday, to fix my hair and as usual, ‘’the women’ gist’’ began, like one who had been waiting for such an opportunity, the young woman who came in just after me raised a very familiar topic which often generate controversy. That was it! And the whole place was soon turned to a lecture room.

She started like this, ‘’but do you know some of us as are the ones actually sending our hubbies into the waiting hands of some silly women out there?’’

Then the discussion gained more heat as some women refused to accept the statement as true. One said, ‘’I am tired of hearing that stuff’’, another one said ‘’you see, until some of us start accepting our faults, we will continue to play the victim.’’

But she insisted that some women think once they are married, they should go to sleep concerning their packaging. Hence, they dress shabbily in the house, forgetting that men are naturally attracted to whatever (their wives or any other woman’s) shapely figure they see. She talked so much about how she wears bum shorts, just to attract her husband to her clean laps and shapely legs.

At that, one of them got annoyed and said ‘’what about those who don’t have shapely legs or attractive thighs? I mean, just forget it! Men are wanderers by nature, as none of them is ever satisfied with just one

woman.’’ She said the best of men are just bearing it, as deep inside every man is a craving for at least another woman.

I imagined that did not go down well with the woman who started that line of discussion, because according to her, her husband would never as much as take notice of any other woman. She put it like God has never created that other woman who will capture her husband’s attention.

That led to another round of ‘’teaching’’ and revelations which actually led to one of them changing her initial hair style, to a more expensive but trendier one. I had so much fun listening to these women move from one key marital issue to another, and interestingly each of them passionately defending her point.

The owner of the salon, who was like the guest speaker, later saved the situation from going out of hand, by summarising with a story that amazed me greatly, and made me conclude that some men are not only insecure, but selfish.

She said a woman who had been her very good cli-

I mean for how long do you want to torture me by hiding me in those things you call befitting clothes for married women...

ent over a period of time gave her a gist of how her husband enslaved her for years, until she told herself no more. According to the story, the said husband never complimented her look, hair do, or dressing, but while driving out together she noticed the man would always turn his neck stylishly, to admire both girls and women passing by.

She endured that for years until one day she packed aside all the wears her husband bought her and replaced them with more fashionable ones, changed her hair to a crop style, and went for a body massage and facial wash which gave her a firmer body and a clearer skin tone.

When she got home, she splashed white powder on her face, to cover up the new look, and covered her hair all through the night.

The next morning, she washed, brushed out her short hair, and dressed in one of the new wears she just got herself. But she intentionally stayed longer in the room, until her husband called out that it was time for them to leave for work.

The lady that came out of the room was like a total stranger to him. She expected him to at least say something like, ‘’Yes, where have you kept this all these years?’’ Instead, he looked her over and said, ‘’you don’t mean you’re stepping out of this house looking this way?’’ ‘’But looking which way dear?’’ ‘’Looking like an irresponsible cheap slut.’’

‘’Honey, those are too strong words to use on your wife, I mean for how long do you want to torture me by hiding me in those things you call befitting clothes for married women, while you keep admiring other women who wear same thing I am wearing now?’’

The woman said that was the beginning of trouble in their union. She said after her husband dropped her off at work, he asked her what time she would be closing, and specifically warned her not to try to leave before time. Just before closing that day, he called her more than twice, and picked her up at exactly closing time.

Though she had prepared for the worst, but she got the shock of her life, as her husband had invited his in-laws over, telling them his wife had turned herself to a cheap woman; hence he could not continue to remain married to her. He refused all plea, and insisted the only way out is for the wife to go back to her old and ‘’sane’’ way of dressing.

If I had read that from a book, I would have probably felt it was far-fetched.

So the question now is what should inform our dressing? Personal convictions, societal values or our husbands’ stand point? Another poser is this, why do some men admire women in some kind of outfits, but can never allow their wives wear same? Maybe we should leave the men to answer this.

Villa gist returns next week. Till then, let every decision taken in your home, be love motivated.

Dear counsellor, I am a single lady of about 32years. Last year, I got involved with a very wealthy man, and somehow; I found myself pregnant. To my surprise, he rejected the pregnancy, and asked me to get rid of it, or forget about him. I don’t want to terminate the pregnancy, because I have not been able to achieve one for a while. Though, I am comfortable enough to raise the baby, but how do I face this shame? *Now, going by your words, you have not been able to achieve pregnancy for some while; meaning though you have been sexually active all along, but conception had been an issue. And here is one at last; do you want to waste it?

In this age and time, I believe a lady of your age does not get pregnant accidentally, particularly outside marriage. So, why not follow whatever is left of your blueprint, even if the main plan has been altered? Obviously you have a photogenic mind, only it did not click. Well, this could be a bend in the road, but truth is; it is not the end of the road.

It is clear the ‘wealthy customer’ is not willing to be saddled with this additional responsibility, for whatever reason. So look ahead, and begin to draw out another plan of how to raise the child; as a single parent. And who knows, a real man could show up in the early years of the child, to share the responsibility with you.

Forget about any shame, it is a free world! But try and get to people you think the news could affect, and sort things out on time. As for others, you owe no man no explanation. You don’t need any of them to give you funds to take care of yourself in pregnancy nor to raise the child.

Or do you?

So I think it is rather too early to begin to worry about what people would say. I wish you the best, but remember; abortion is not an option!

Not at your age, or with your report of inability to conceive for so long. Cheers!

Dear counsellor, My 17 year old daughter suddenly confesses that she is about four months pregnant, and has been suspended from school, please what is the way out?

A 17 year old girl comes home and confesses to her mother she is four months pregnant, of course the mom and other members of the family will be disappointed, especially when they have high hopes for her. If a mother feels this way, you can then imagine what the teen daughter would be going through. You may find yourself crying your heart out and asking why you could not stop it from happening. This is not helpful for you, as this unhealthy thinking often leads to depression.

But, after all the scolding and expression of anger by everyone; what next? Throwing a baby with the bath water is not appropriate. Instead, thank God she did not go ahead to have an abortion, which could have been more disastrous.

In fact the shame of suspension from school is enough to turn her to an emotional wreck. It is even harder on her when the pregnancy is rejected. She will definitely feel confused, shocked and probably feel scared of the mother’s reaction.

At this stage of her life, the pregnant teenager needs love, care, understanding and affection, which she can only get from her family.

Teenage pregnancy is not the end of the road; it’s just a rockier part to fulfilling destiny. Having a baby does not mean your daughter cannot still complete her education nor have a fulfilled life. So, as a mother, help your daughter get her life back.

FamilY AFFAIRS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

How do you engage your children during holiday?

43

SEXUALITY EDUCATION C O N T I N U E D f r o m l a st w ee k

•It's OK to miss some of the answers.

Simply say you don't know the answer, and then suggest that you find out together, or do the homework yourself and get back to your child.

•It's OK to refuse to answer personal questions. You can tell your child that things that happen between you and your partner are private.

NOTE: If your child feels more comfortable talking to someone else, work together to think of other trusted adults she can talk with.

Students PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

ODUNAYOMI OKE

I

got to a friend’s house, and asked why the whole place was very quiet; and to my surprise, she said it was because the children were away on holiday empowerment camp program.

What? I mean, these are children that have been away in boarding school for three months, and will still return before the end of the month, so what time do they have together as a family?

Again, few days ago, at about 9:00am when I was just leaving for work, I greeted a woman in my neighbourhood and asked after her five year old daughter. She simply replied that she had gone to lesson. A child who does not close from school until 2:00pm every day; and still stays for lesson till 4:00pm? Now, she has just about three weeks to rest, before the early morning daily routine begins again; and see what we have again.

To my mind, holiday period should not be mistaken for lesson period, as there is a world of difference between the two. After spending about four months working hard in school, a Pupil/ Student should be entitled to a minimum of two weeks break, away from school and, of course; academic

work. As ‘’all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.’’

Although this issue has generated a lot of controversy in time past, but it is a pity that till date; some Parents still don’t know there is a whole lot of harm in overtasking their children’s brain without any form of rest. When I say rest, I mean complete rest.

An average Pupil/Student is saddled with minimum of 18 subjects per week in school, and heap of homework; hence, a well-meaning Parent must know when to draw the lines.

Mrs Akpata Agnes, a banker, and mother of two children; both in junior secondary school, said holiday period gives her rest from the stress of having to prepare them for school every morning. Asked about how she now engages them this holiday period, she was very quick to say she has sent them to South Africa; for the three week period.

To Franca Eke, a medical consultant, her children don’t stay more than a day after the holiday, before they start attending lessons in school again. That, she said they would do till the last week of resumption, when a teacher from their school would come and assist them with all the homework that

Teachers who are meant to understand better are not helping the case as they are fond of organizing all manner of holiday programmes must have piled up. Asked if there would be any period for them to rest, she said they rest on weekends, and that more so; this Easter period will give them more days of rest.

But the question is, can the weekends alone be enough for children who spend about nine months of three academic terms in school; to rest?

This concern led to a chat with Mr Babatunde Johnson, a Child psychologist; who said School owners and Teachers who are meant to understand better are not helping the case as they are fond of organizing all manner of holiday programs.

If it is not holiday camp, it would be holiday coaching.

He said this, they do to exploit Parents. And that the most infuriating part of it, is that Parents fall for it as

if they are illiterates.

Now, the question is thrown to Parents all over, what time do you have to bond with your children?

From age two to nine, they go through elementary education, age 10-15; secondary school, age 15-20; tertiary, and, at 21; NYSC. All these periods, they spend outside the home. Even for those who go to school from home, they still stay a longer period with Teachers and friends, than with Parents.

By the time they get to age 22 upward, they are already planning to leave, and start their own lives elsewhere, with yet someone else. So it is possible that some Parents may never really bond with their children all through their entire lives, aside the short period they see daily; after school, and work on the part of the Parents.

Parents are encouraged to use holiday period to get to know their children, as they could discuss till late in the night, if that is the time Parents have; and handle topics that bother on the total wellbeing of the children.

Holiday period should not be a time to get too busy for them, or to send them away to some holiday camp; just to get rid of them as usual.

To be continued next week.

STAYING CLOSE TO YOUR PRE-TEEN DAUGHTER Parents often ask me how to get along with their suddenly volatile pre-teen daughter. It’s a shock when your previously sweet little girl starts throwing temper tantrum. Twelve year old girls can be moody, overdramatizing, self-centred, focused almost solely on friends, close-mouthed, surly, back-talking and condescending to parents. They can, of course, also be mature, affectionate and delightful, but at their worst they’re a cross between the most challenging aspects of toddlers and teens.

The bad news is that your tween’s developing body is flooded by hormones, her need to discover herself and her place in the world takes precedence over the other things she values (like her family and schoolwork), and she probably can’t acknowledge how much she still loves and needs you, because she's working hard to feel "grown up" and independent. The good news is that if you can accept this new situation and adjust your parenting accordingly, the tween years are the perfect time to solidify your relationship, before she heads into the teen years.

TIPS TO MAKE PARENTING YOUR PRE-TEEN GIRL LESS DRAMA, AND MORE DELIGHT: 1) Be willing to change. You can’t parent the way you did when she was little; it just isn’t appropriate or effective. If she gets testy, that’s a signal that you need to adjust your parenting style.

2) Focus on the relationship, not on discipline. You’ll get no respect if she doesn’t feel connected to you. Fight like the dickens to stay close to your daughter. Do not let her push you away.

She still needs you, she just can't acknowledge it. Find every opportunity to connect. Hug her hello every morning, and when you see her again later in the day. Hug her goodbye when she leaves for school. She may not "need" tucking in at night, but that shouldn't stop you from lying down next to her to discuss her day and having a few minutes of quiet connection. I find that time just before bed to be the time my daughter is least distracted by other things, and most willing to open her heart to me.

E X H O RTATI O N

44

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/islam

adeolaomoyusuf@yahoo.com 0803 438 0340 APRIL 11, 2014

“Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgement that they make.” [Quran 45:21]

God, not a religious bigot – NSCIA HARMONY

AL-TOHARAH - PURIFICATION

NSCIA’s delegate at the confab tasks religion leaders on peaceful co-existence

Meaning: Purification is the cleansing of impurities. In Islam purification is the cleansing of body and soul and places of worship of all form of impurities.

SIGNIFICANCE OF PURIFICATION

Adeola Yusuf

T

he Nigerian supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has declared that God would protect the community that stands for justice even if they are not Muslims and God will not protect the community that goes contrary to justice even if they call themselves Muslims.

An NSCIA delegate, Alhaji Nurudeen Lemu who said this at the on-going National Conference maintained that God is not a religious bigot.

“God is not a religious bigot. He is not a male chauvinist. He is not an ethnocentric tribalist. God is not the oppressor of anyone. God is with those who care; those who want for others those things they want for themselves.

“One tendency for people who claim to follow a religion is to slide into the position of believing that we are better than the others. We overestimate our virtues and underestimate the goodness in others,” he said.

L-R: Pupils of Nosiru Arabic and Islamic Centre, Agege, Lagos, Munirat Ayaba, Aishat Omo-Ade, Ayuba Ibrahim Ayuba, Sikirat Oduwole and Ibrahim Jimoh, during their walimot graduation recently.

The tendency, according to Lemu, is “for us to become spiritually arrogant; to forget that others are people like us. There is always a tension between representing our religious communities or our ethnic communities and our loyalty to the virtues and values and teachings of our religion even those lofty ideals of our ethnic groups.

“It is our prayer that delegates will try and ensure that the spiritual strength we have in us will keep us from not getting angry and not allowing our bitterness from others to make us sail from justice. It is in this vein and as

a delegate from the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, we condemn the murder of all Christians, we condemn the murder of all Muslims. Not because they are Christians or Muslims, but because they are human beings – creatures of God. “There is no compulsion in religion. We all own Nigeria. We all belong here. And we all have the right to selfdetermination. We should respect that right and do unto others what we will do unto ourselves.

“There are many other countries that have ethnic and religious diversity far

greater than what we have here in Nigeria. But something that distinguishes us from them, be it Singapore, United States, they have been able to respect the rule of law so that any bigot, any nepotic individual who tramples on the right of anyone especially that of the minority, the rule of law will catch up. Satan will only find a hole if there is a crack in that rule of law.”

He continued; “Every ethnic group is an oppressed minority somewhere. Every group is a religious and ethnic minority somewhere. Every majority or settler is an indigene somewhere.

2014 Hajj: NAHCON guards against pilgrims’ death EXPOSURE Female pilgrims patronise unscreened dental clinics, which might expose them to other medical problems.

T

he National hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has begun move to guard against the death of pilgrims for the 2014 Hajj operations.

The commission, which rallied Hajj boards from 21 states to a three-day workshop at the National Mosque, Abuja observed that female pilgrims patronise unscreened dental clinics, which might expose them to other medical problems.

A Communique issued at the end of the workshop, which

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

was obtained by new Telegraph showed that female pilgrims also “have difficulty locating clinics, medical personnel and state officials in some states.”

Chairman of the commission, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello who led other top officials of NAHCON to the workshop thanked Almighty Allah (SWT) for the success recorded in 2013 Hajj through the activities of the National committee on women special needs.

The chairperson of the committee on women special needs, Her Excellency Hajiya Lateefah Okunnu in her welcome address thanked the chairman whose foresight led to the formation of the committee.

She promised that the com-

mittee would not relent in its efforts to ensure that female pilgrims comply with the injunctions of Allah (SWT) in the performance of Hajj.

According to Okunnu, it was observed that not all states have established women committees to cater for the special needs of women.

“Many Nigerian female pilgrims exhibit a lot of unethical Practices while on Hajj,” she said adding that female pilgrims “do not have enough knowledge of all prohibited items t hat must not be carried on board flights.”

She continued; “Mixing and struggling with males in order to get joint services such as food and boarding of buses.

Female pilgrims patronise un-

screened dental clinics which might expose them to other medical problems.

“Female pilgrims have difficulty locating clinics, medical personnel and state officials in some states. Many female pilgrims cannot operate or use certain modern facilities such as escalators, which in recent times have resulted in fatal incidences. The quantity, quality and timeliness in serving food at the Masha’ir are not up to standards.

The recommendations of the committee, according to Okunnu, are that female pilgrims should be taught the need to make” Taqwa” the basis for their intention in their performance of Hajj at education programmes.

The essence of purification is that it is the required symbolic exercise before the worship of our creator in any form. Purification in Islam is obligatory before one can worship his Lord. It is a condition precedent before any worship of Allah can take place as confirmed by both the Quran and Sunnah.

Allah (SWT) says: “If you are in a state of Janabah (i.e. impure because of sexual discharge, etc), purify yourselves.” - Al-Ma’idah, 5 vs 6 “Purification is half of faith” – Muslim: Hadith 224.

The materials for purification are Pure Water and Pure Earth.

Pure Water: Water for purification should be free of colour, odour, or taste except it is its natural form.

This is water that has not been fouled. It includes water from wells, springs, valleys, rivers, melted ice, boreholes and ocean water.

Allah (SWT) says: “And we send down purifying water from the sky” Quran 25:48.

The sayings of the Prophet (SAW) supporting this position are: “Water is pure (and it has the quality of purifying other things) Nothing makes it impure”.

This was the prophet’s response when he was asked about Buza’a well whether it was good for ablution. Buza’a was a well in which bad odorous objects were thrown.

Buza’a well was situated so that rain water used to drain objects into the well. - Abu Dawood, Hadith, 66.

“River and sea water are purifying and its dead animals are Halal (lawful)”. - Abu Dawood, Hadith, 83. However, the prophet (SAW) warned: “Let none of you urinate in stagnant water, and then use it for washing”. “Let none of you who are in a state of Janabah - bathe in stagnant water”.

Pure Earth: The pure surface of the earth, whether dust, sand, stone or salty earth deposits.

For the prophet (SAW) said “The earth has been made for me as a place of prayer and a purifier”.

Where there is no water or because of illness one cannot use water as a purifier. Allah SWT says: “Pure Earth is fit as a means of purification for the Muslim, even if he does not find water for ten years. If he finds it (water) let him touch his skin with it (i.e. let him use it for wudu)”.

TO BE CO NTINUED

METRO 45

Friday, April 11, 2014

Four injured as five-storey building collapses Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

A

n uncompleted five-storey building located in Maitama collapsed early yesterday morning.

Four people, according to witnesses, were injured when the building caved in and were rushed to the hospital.

The Public Relations Officer of the Development Control, Federal Capital Development Au-

thority (FCDA), Mr Kalu Emetu, confirmed the story.

Emetu said he could not speak on the probable cause of the collapse until integrity test was conducted on the building.

He said: “There was no negative sign on the building to suggest it was marked. However, one cannot say if standard specification was followed.”

Also, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, DSP Altine Daniels, confirmed

the incident.

She also confirmed that four persons sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital.

It was gathered that the name of the company handling the construction of the building is Metropo Construction Company.

The police later cordoned off the site.

The police did not allow journalists to take the photograph of the collapsed building, saying it was an order from above.

FCT, Lagos police commands top Rights Commission’s ratings Taiwo Jimoh

T

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said that only 10 police stations out of 369 assessed in 21 state police commands performed credibly well under five areas of key indicators.

This is contained in the findings of a research, jointly conducted by the commission and Altus Global Alliance, released yesterday.

The research involved visits and inspection of police stations across the six geopolitical zones of the country and it was conducted between November 18 and 23, 2013.

The Executive Secretary of

NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, disclosed in a statement that out of 369 police stations assessed in 21 state police commands, only 10 performed credibly under five areas of key indicators.

He said that the team of inspectors assessed each police station in five key areas, namely: Community orientation, physical conditions, and equal treatment of members of the public, transparency and accountability and detention conditions.

According to the report, Karu police station, Abuja, was adjudged the best having polled 100 per cent in the five indicator areas.

Ilupeju and Ikoyi police stations in Lagos emerged second

and third respectively, while Adatan police station in Ogun, Victoria Island in Lagos and New Heaven police station, Enugu came fourth, fifth and sixth.

Badagry police station, Lagos, and Life Camp, Abuja, tied in 7th position, while Ijanikin police station, Lagos, was placed eighth.

Airport Command, Uyo, and Trade Fair police station, Lagos, were adjudged as the ninth best stations, while Birnin Kudu police station Jigawa took the 10th position.

Angwe said in the statement that that the visitation was conducted in accordance with the commission’s mandate as stated in Section 6 (1) (d) of NHRC (Amendment) Act.

20 vehicles, houses destroyed

et: The children’s bodies

sengers on a train agos to the North as a section of the Kingdom Heritage was also affected. f a large chunk of the rail track and wo thus making it train to pass. engers, Sofi Mufiu, nt over nine hours rack without help

from any official of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The flood, which occurred as a result of a two-hour rainfall that started about 11pm on Wednesday, also affected a property being used as campaign office of the Interim Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

A woman who deals in plastic tanks at the frontage of the property wailed uncontrollably, saying the flood had

swept away several of her goods.

At least, 11 cars at the workshop of a painter, Mr Razaq Jimoh, situated beside Omosebi Hospital, were washed away.

Some of the cars were seen about a kilometre away from the workshop.

Several buses and cars belonging to transport companies operating in the vicinity of the hotel were also washed away.

A spokesman for the community, who identified himself simply as Israel, said they were angry because the disaster could have been avoided if a slab used to build the drainage at the frontage of the hotel had not been there.

He said: “We are angry because this hotel just for the car park they want to build they put a slab there. Last night, the slab blocked the flood and it began to wash back and spread all over the place.

“We tried hard last night to rescue a paralysed woman; we don’t want this to continue so we want government to come and break the slab because we don’t know when another rain will come and it will be worse than this.”

Court jails man four years for stealing N14,400 flour

A

27-year-old bakery worker, Jacob Tenimu, has been sentenced to four years in prison for stealing two bags of flour worth N14,400.

Tenimu, who resides beside Yoruba Mosque, in Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State was arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal trespass and theft.

The Grade 1 Area Court, presided over by Mr Albert Maga, said yesterday that though the convict pleaded guilty and did not waste the time of the court, he must be punished.

Maga, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), ordered him to pay N10,000 as compensation to the nominal complainant, one Bitrus Jawlo of same address.

He also gave the convict

an option of N6,000 fine.

In his testimony, Jawlo told the court that the convict worked for him at ‘Jawlo Bakery’ in Aso Pada, Mararaba, adding that he had been stealing from him.

He said: “This time around, I discovered that two bags of flour were missing from the store. I investigated and I discovered Tenimu stole the flour on a motorcycle, heading to Mararaba.

“I later confronted Ten-

imu and he confessed to the crime and agreed to take me to the people he sold the bags of flour to.”

Jawlo also said that he agreed to meet the buyers on the grounds that policemen would accompany him.

He added that on their way to the police station, the convict attempted to jump from the motorcycle and flee.

The convict was first arraigned on March 31.

On that same date, the prosecutor, Mr Friday Adaji, told the court that one Jawlo reported the matter at the Aso Pada Police Station. Adaji said that on March 29, about 5am, the convict broke into the complainant’s store and stole the flour worth N14,400.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges, blaming it on the devil.

Lagos to relocate 180 from distressed 30-year-old Adeniji Adele Estate Muritala Ayinla

L

agos State Government yesterday began moves to relocate about 180 people belonging to 30 families residing in the 30-year-old Adeniji Adele Phase 1 Extension Estate, Anikantanma on Lagos Island.

This followed Governor Babatunde Fashola’s recent on-the-spot assessment of the estate, built by the Lagos StateDevelopmentProperty Corporation(LSDPC),where some blocks of flats are discovered to be distressed. A two-storey building, Block M20, at the LSDPC Housing Estate also known as Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa in Ejigbo Local Council Development had in November 2012 caved in killing two sisters.

Speaking yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting with owners of the flat, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Olutoyin Ayinde, said government had to relocate the residents before the building cave in on the occupants, adding that the some of the buildings were waiting collapse.

Ayinde regretted that Nigerians are fond of praying for safety without making efforts to ensure safety of

The residents at the meeting...yesterday

their lives.

He said: “We always pray to God to forbid bad things but we don’t work towards safety. We enjoy learning in hard way, which is not good.

We mustn’t wait until the buildings collapse before we start moving out of the places declared dangerous for habitation.

“Experience, they say, is the best teacher but it is not good to experience tragedy before we adopt necessary safety measures.

“The sad incident we had in Oke-Afa LSDPC Housing Estate that we had over a year ago which cost at least two important lives, people who were till very young, one of them a medical practitioner. That made the government to set up a tribunal to look into the state of our estates, gener-

ally.

“This estate is one of the old estates where signs of weakness have shown in number of buildings and we have been trying over the years to see how we can redevelopandregeneratethe entire area.

“We have also met with resistance from some of the residents and that probably is because of the level of ignorance and constant communication with government.”

The commissioner added that government had set up 20 flats in Iyana-Iba and Amuwo Odofin, where they would move the residents to while the remaining families, who opt for financial assistance to enable them get accommodation in their choice areas, would also be offered money to do so.

46 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

9-Apr-14

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

Bonds

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

NA

NA

Description

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

45.00 100.00 535.00 327.47 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 50.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

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

0.22 0.47 1.04 2.35 3.05 3.30 3.39 4.14 5.22 5.54 7.80 9.93 14.64 15.12 15.62 16.29

12.66 13.37 13.85 13.49 13.51 13.40 13.40 13.41 13.51 13.42 13.46 13.62 13.49 13.48 13.48 13.52

11.98 13.03 13.68 13.41 13.39 13.27 13.28 13.31 13.43 13.33 13.40 13.56 13.45 13.43 13.41 13.47

99.18 98.17 90.76 99.10 103.85 90.74 89.22 91.55 109.05 75.44 113.85 103.10 109.48 93.62 67.87 77.00

99.33 98.32 90.91 99.25 104.15 91.04 89.52 91.85 109.35 75.74 114.15 103.40 109.78 93.92 68.17 77.30

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,132.04 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

Price

***LCRM

Description

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.56 1.12 1.61 2.67 3.03 3.24

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00

14.51 16.45 15.93 15.44 14.88 14.40

92.48 83.71 101.82 91.40 88.60 87.12

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

0.32 0.52 1.39 1.00 1.29 1.30 3.03 1.86 3.73 2.70 4.49 2.70 2.70 3.28 3.35 5.62 3.32 4.03 6.64 4.04 4.07

4.88 5.99 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 7.60 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 2.46 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.44 1.95

17.86 19.47 18.17 17.09 18.23 17.24 18.98 21.18 15.19 15.23 14.42 14.43 14.64 14.40 15.86 15.36 16.14 16.15 14.41 14.85 15.36

98.68 97.42 93.25 96.51 95.47 98.37 80.00 89.23 96.63 97.48 98.64 100.32 108.23 100.31 99.16 96.78 96.68 96.09 96.14 105.43 105.09

1,304.32

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

567.90

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR Aa/Agusto Nil

LAFARGE WAPCO GTB µ NGC

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

*UPDC *FLOURMILLS *CHELLARAMS NAHCO

A-/Agusto A/GCR BBB-/GCR BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# NAHCO

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

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.50

1.00

14.45

98.63

18-Dec-09 01-Apr-10 17-Aug-10

13.50 17.00 10.00

13.17 2.00 15.00

18-Dec-14 31-Dec-14 17-Aug-15

0.69 0.73 0.88

5.21 8.71 4.88

18.83 22.36 18.64

96.61 96.47 93.42

09-Dec-10 06-Jan-11 29-Sep-11

12.00 14.00 13.00

37.50 1.50 15.00

09-Dec-15 06-Jan-16 29-Sep-16

0.95 1.04 2.47

1.00 2.63 1.00

14.83 16.48 14.46

97.67 98.05 97.04

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.55

1.34

14.79

98.86

30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12

13.00 18.00

20.00 0.94

30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17

3.48 2.09

4.52 1.88

17.92 15.40

87.65 105.66

09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 14-Nov-13

16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 17.00 15.25

8.01 3.63 1.00 35.00 3.00 0.54 2.05

09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 22-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 14-Nov-20

2.50 2.42 2.42 4.46 2.27 2.61 6.60

3.48 5.20 5.06 3.06 2.29 6.11 2.76

16.94 18.67 18.53 16.48 15.78 19.55 16.17

98.23 98.97 101.88 92.37 100.00 95.38 96.29

11-Feb-18

3.84

1.00

14.41

87.87

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

175.67

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

5.34

5.19

107.94

108.83

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.41

4.21

102.73

103.51

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.77

5.64

104.27

105.20

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

Corporate Eurobonds Afren PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.75

3.25

113.34

114.27

GTBank PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.33

4.51

104.24

105.92

GTBank PLC II

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.14

5.84

99.46

100.61

B+/S&P

Access Bank PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.02

6.46

100.66

102.29

B/S&P; B/Fitch

Fidelity Bank PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.42

7.94

94.75

96.36

B/Fitch

Afren PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.10

4.71

114.23

115.05

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

First Bank PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.15

6.71

103.99

105.67

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

Afren PLC III

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.25

5.98

101.47

102.56

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

2,960.00

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 15 29 36 43 50 57

FIXINGS Maturity 17-Apr-14 24-Apr-14 8-May-14 15-May-14 22-May-14 29-May-14 5-Jun-14

Bid Discount (%) 11.50 11.70 11.90 11.75 12.00 12.00 12.10

Offer Discount (%) 11.25 11.45 11.65 11.50 11.75 11.75 11.85

Bid Yield (%) 11.53 11.76 12.01 11.89 12.17 12.20 12.33

Tenor CALL 7 DAYS 30 DAYS 60 DAYS 90 DAYS 180 DAYS

NIBOR

Money Market Rate (%) 15.5417 15.7500 16.1250 16.3750 16.6250 16.9167

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

14.83

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

15.33

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.83 163.53 163.79 164.37 165.58

162.93 163.80 164.16 165.09 166.95

O/N Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 10.33

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

23-Oct-09 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10

7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

233.90 600.00 50.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds Friday, April 11, 2014

AMCON

13.33 13.40 13.56 13.45 13.43 13.41 13.47

75.44 113.85 103.10 109.48 93.62 67.87 77.00

75.74 114.15 103.40 109.78 93.92 68.17 77.30

Indicative Price

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

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

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

0.56 1.12 1.61 2.67 3.03 3.24

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.49 1.00

14.51 16.45 15.93 15.44 14.88 14.40

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

0.32 0.52 1.39 1.00 1.29 1.30 3.03 1.86 3.73 2.70 4.49 2.70 2.70 3.28 3.35 5.62 3.32 4.03 6.64 4.04 4.07

4.88

17.86

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Bearish sentiments return to local bourse FMBN

NA

***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Sub-National Bonds

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

Stock market points southwards on profit taking

Stories by Chris Ugwu

T

13.42 13.46 13.62 13.49 13.48 13.48 13.52

Issue Date

Sanctity of Truth

BEARISH

5.54 7.80 9.93 14.64 15.12 15.62 16.29

4,132.04

Rating/Agency

A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto A-/GCR

23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed in TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE the red yesterday as the Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCRback toLAFARGE WAPCO bears staged cull gains Aa/Agusto GTB recorded during the past days. µ NGC Nil Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC sentiThe return of bearish A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS ments was on the backdrop of BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS A+/Agusto; A-/GCR the bargain huntersNAHCO jostling to A-/Agusto FSDH take profit, which consequentA/GCR UBA lyBBB-/GCR lead to price losses *C &suffered I LEASING BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA# byA-/DataPro†; major blue chip companies.

BB-/GCR *TOWER# # AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR at *TOWER Specifically, closed of A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA transactions, the banking subBbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA # BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR sector of the financial sector *CHELLARAMS A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO returned the most active stock TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE in volume terms with 155.2 Supranational Bond million shares valued at N1.8 AAA/S&P IFC million in 1,583 deals.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The subsector was activated Issuer by theRating/Agency shares of Zenith Bank and Skye Bank.

FGN Eurobonds Insurance services sub secBB-/Fitch; B+/S&P tor enhanced by the shares of BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P Insurance Plc followed Wapic BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P with a turnover of 28.1 million TOTALvalued OUTSTANDING VALUE units at N27.3 million inCorporate 185 deals.

Eurobonds B-/S&P; B/Fitchwhole investors Afren PLC I exOn the GTBank PLC I B+/S&P; B+/Fitch changed a total of 256.9 million GTBank PLC II shares valued at N3.7 Billion B+/S&P Access Bank PLC B/Fitch Fidelity Bank PLC inB/S&P; 4,181 transactions.

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

Further analysis showed that at the close of trading session, the NSE All-Share Index was down by 48.4 basis points or 0.12 per cent to close at 38,969.26 while the market capitalization depreciated by N15 billion or 0.12 per cent to close at N12.517 trillion.

The number of gainers at the close of trading session closed flat at 24 while decliners closed higher at 26.

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT Forte Oil Plc led on2014 the gain13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 ers’ table with a gain of 10.24 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDCto 17-AUG-2015 per cent close at N122.70 per 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 share while Prestige Insurance 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 Plc followed with a gain of 5 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 per cent to close at 63 kobo per 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 share and CCNN added 4.98 per MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 cent to close at N9.03 per share.

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 UPL Plc gained 10 per cent 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 to15.75 close at N4.4 per share.

LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 On theCHELLARAMS flip side,II 17-FEB-2019 UPL Plc led 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

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

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

C

Description omputer Warehouse Group Plc (CWG), an information communications technology 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 (ICT) company, has declared 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 to reward its shareholders 12, 2023 with 8 kobo 6.38 forJULthe financial year end 2013.

This was contained in the FEB 01, 2016 action company’s 11.50 corporate 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 made available to the Nigerian 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 Stock Exchange.

7.25 JUL 25, 2017 6.88per MAY 09, 2018 to inThe 8 kobo share 10.25 APR 08, 2019

92.48 83.71 101.82 91.40 88.60 87.12

Stock market operators advocate more regulators’ attention

1,304.32 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

CONFIDENCE

Need to boost investors' morale

S

equel to market regulators’ hard stand to maintain zero tolerance for infraction, some shareholders in the market have called for more regulatory attention for investors, adding that this will enhance confidence of foreign 567.90 and local investors to the na07-Oct-11 11.50 11.80 0.50 tion’s capital07-Oct-14 market.

18-Dec-09 13.50 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.69 They noted that the Nige01-Apr-10 17.00 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.73 17-Aug-10 10.00 15.00 17-Aug-15 0.88 rian Stock Exchange (NSE), Okonjo-Iweala 09-Dec-10 12.00 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.95 the Securities and Exchange 06-Jan-11 14.00 1.50 06-Jan-16 1.04 29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.47 on the price losers’ table, drop- Commission (SEC) and other 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.55 ping 30-Sep-10 by 7.56 per cent13.00 to close at stakeholders need to do more 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.48 18.00 Oando 0.94encourage 30-Nov-17 2.09 N3.6730-Nov-12 per share while to domestic port09-Apr-11 16.00 8.01 09-Apr-18 2.50 Plc followed with a loss of 4.98 folio investment as against 09-Sep-11 18.00 3.63 09-Sep-18 2.42 09-Sep-11 16.00 1.00 09-Sep-18 2.42 per cent each to close at N16.04 strong presence of foreign in22-Sep-11 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.46 and Vitafoam Plc with 4.95 per vestors in the market.

18-Oct-13 15.75 3.00 18-Oct-18 2.27 17-Feb-12 0.54The shareholders 17-Feb-19 cent to close at N4.0317.00 per share. said 2.61 that 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.60 most of them were aggrieved 175.67 that the regulators abandoned them, in spite of boosting the 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.84 nation’s economy through 12.00 domestic investments in the Issue of Date the company Coupon (%) in its Issue Value ($'mm) market Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) vestors capital and govern2013 year end was the first ever ment bonds. post-listing the com- 500.00The President Pro07-Oct-11 dividend 6.75 28-Jan-21 of the 5.34 pany is proposing since it was gressive Shareholders Asso18-Dec-09 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.41 listed on the exchange. ciation of Nigeria (PSAN), 01-Apr-10 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 According to the company Boniface Okezie urged 5.77 the in a notice to the exchange 1,500.00 NSE, SEC and the Ministry of (NSE) closure date of share- Finance to woo the investors 01-Feb-11 11.50 are re450.00 01-Feb-16 since it3.75 holders whose shares back to the market had 19-May-11 7.50 19-May-16 5.33 corded in the company’s reg- 500.00 survived beyond the holocaust 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.14 ister 25-Jul-12 as at April 17, 2014 days.’ ’ 7.25 would 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.02 09-May-13the 8 kobo6.88 8.42 take home dividend. 300.00He said 02-May-18 that the current

Dividend: Computer Warehouse proposes 8 Kobo per share 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

47

98.68

5.99 19.47 97.42 reforms being undertaken 4.44 18.17 93.25 by3.23 the regulators could 17.09 96.51not 4.46 18.23 95.47 restore lost confidence in the 3.48 17.24 98.37 nation’s capital market, but a 5.59 18.98 80.00 7.60 21.18 89.23 coordinated enlightenment 1.79 15.19 96.63 1.80 15.23 97.48 and people-friendly economic 1.00 14.42 98.64 policies.

1.00 14.43 100.32 1.21 14.64 we are 108.23 “The market seeing 1.00 14.40 100.31 today on a rally point hap2.46 15.86 99.16 1.94 on its 15.36 96.78 bepened own and not 2.74 16.14 96.68 cause of a specific reform by 2.74 16.15 96.09 14.41 96.14 the1.00 Securities and Exchange 1.44 14.85 105.43 Commission (SEC) or the 1.95 15.36 105.09 Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),’’ he said.

1.00 14.45 98.63 Okezie said that it was nec5.21 18.83 96.61 essary for Nigerians to find 8.71 22.36 96.47 18.64 government’s 93.42 out4.88 whether the 1.00 14.83 97.67 appointees had made any ef2.63 16.48 98.05 1.00to embrace 14.46 and woo 97.04the fort 1.34 14.79 98.86 investors, who left, back.

4.52 17.92 87.65 1.88 15.40 105.66 “They need to talk to these 3.48 16.94 98.23 investors and explain to them 5.20 18.67 98.97 18.53 the market 101.88 is the5.06 reason why 3.06 16.48 92.37 functioning the way 100.00 it is,” 2.29 15.78 19.55 he 6.11 added. According to95.38 him, 2.76 96.29 there is also16.17 the need for the regulators to address the issues that led to the loss.

1.00 14.41 87.87 The PSAN president said that asking multinationals to Offer Yield (%) Bid market Price Offer enlist on the wasPrice not the Prices way &toYields go as it was still on5.19 a downward trend with no 107.94 108.83 guarantee of a steady appre4.21 102.73 103.51 ciation.

104.27 5.64 105.20 Besides; the members of the quoted companies said the non-challant attitude of 3.25 113.34 114.27 regulators toward investors are4.51a major104.24 cause of105.92 their 5.84 99.46 100.61 dismal confidence in 6.46 100.66 102.29the 7.94 94.75 96.36 market.

B/Fitch

Afren PLC II

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.10

4.71

114.23

115.05

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

First Bank PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.15

6.71

103.99

105.67

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

Afren PLC III

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.25

5.98

101.47

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

2,960.00

9-Apr-14102.56

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

NIBOR

DTM 8 15 FGN Bonds29 36 43 Rating/Agency 50 57 71 78 85 92 99 106 113 120 127 NA 134 148 239 274 288 302 316 330

Maturity 17-Apr-14 24-Apr-14 8-May-14 15-May-14 22-May-14 Issuer 29-May-14 5-Jun-14 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14 7-Aug-14 14-Aug-14 NA 21-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 4-Dec-14 8-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 5-Mar-15

Bid Discount (%) 11.50 11.70 11.90 11.75 12.00 Description 12.00 12.10 12.05 9.20 29-JUN-2014 12.15 9.25 28-SEP-2014 12.35 4.00 23-APR-2015 12.15 13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.80 15.10 27-APR-2017 12.60 9.85 27-JUL-2017 12.80 12.20 9.35 31-AUG-2017 12.60 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.20 16.00 29-JUN-2019 12.60 7.00 23-OCT-2019 12.55 16.39 27-JAN-2022 12.75 14.20 14-MAR-2024 12.70 12.65 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.65 12.49 22-MAY-2029 12.65

8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030

Offer Discount (%) 11.25 11.45 11.65 11.50 11.75 Issue Date 11.75 11.85 11.80 29-Jun-07 11.90 28-Sep-07 12.10 23-Apr-10 11.90 16-Aug-13 12.55 27-Apr-12 12.35 27-Jul-07 12.55 11.95 31-Aug-07 12.35 30-May-08 11.95 29-Jun-12 12.35 23-Oct-09 12.30 27-Jan-12 12.50 14-Mar-14 12.45 12.40 28-Nov-08 12.40 22-May-09 12.40

20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10

Bid Yield (%) 11.53 11.76 12.01 11.89 12.17 Coupon 12.20(%) 12.33 12.34 9.20 12.47 9.25 12.72 4.00 12.53 13.05 13.26 15.10 13.08 9.85 13.33 12.71 9.35 13.18 10.70 12.77 16.00 13.28 7.00 13.67 16.39 14.10 14.20 14.11 14.13 15.00 14.21 12.49 14.28

Bonds

Tenor CALL 7 DAYS 30 DAYS 60 DAYSValue Outstanding 90 DAYS (N'bn) 180 DAYS 365 DAYS 45.00

Rate (%) 15.5417 15.7500 16.1250 16.3750 Maturity Date 16.6250 16.9167 17.2917 29-Jun-14

100.00 28-Sep-14 535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 327.47 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 452.80 27-Apr-17 1M 11.9121 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 12.3555 3M 12.6425 100.00 31-Aug-17 6M 13.6226 300.00 30-May-18 9M 14.0711 351.30 29-Jun-19 12M 14.6913 233.90 23-Oct-19 600.00 27-Jan-22 50.00 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 150.00 22-May-29 BID($/N) 163.3500 200.00 20-Nov-29 OFFER ($/N) 163.4500 591.57 23-Jul-30

8.50 10.00

TOTAL *from theOUTSTANDING Amortising bonds, VALUE the average life is calculated and not the duration

4,132.04

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

14.83

Tenor

O/N

15.33

Spot 7D Offer14D Yield 1M (%) 2M 3M 11.98 6M 13.03 1Y

REPO TTM (Yrs) BidRate Yield Tenor (%)(%) Call

10.33

1M 11.08 0.22 12.66 3M 12.08 0.47 13.37 6M 12.42 1.04 13.85 13.68 2.35 13.49 13.41 NOTE: 3.05 13.51 13.39 :Benchmarks 3.30 13.40 13.27 * :Amortising 3.39 Bond 13.40 13.28 µ :Convertible Bond 4.14 13.41 13.31 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 5.22 13.51 13.43 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 5.54 Mortgage Bank 13.42 13.33 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 7.80 13.46 13.40 IFC: International Finance Corporation 9.93 Contractors Receivables 13.62 13.56 LCRM: Local Management NAHCO:14.64 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 13.49 13.45 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 15.12 13.48 13.43 UBA: United Bank for Africa 15.62 13.48 13.41 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 16.29 Africa Portland 13.52 13.47 WAPCO:West Cement Company

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

162.83 Price 162.93 163.53 163.80 163.79 164.16 Offer Price Bid164.37 Price 165.09 165.58 166.95 166.82 168.80 99.18 99.33 170.49 174.74 98.17 98.32 177.54 186.71

90.76 90.91 99.10 99.25 103.85 104.15 90.74 91.04 NA :Not Applicable # :Floating 89.22 Rate Bond 89.52 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 91.55 91.85 109.05 109.35 †: Bond rating expired 75.44 75.74 113.85 114.15 103.10 103.40 109.48 109.78 93.62 93.92 67.87 68.17 77.00 77.30

#

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

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON NA

FMBN Modified Duration Buckets ***LCRM

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†

<3 3<5 >5 KWARA Market NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI

Description

Issue Date

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

794.76 1,066.19 455.51 2,316.46 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

780.27 951.30 591.57 2,323.14

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 Weighting 09-Dec-11by Outstanding 20-Apr-12Vol 06-Jul-12

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN 0.00 BOND INDEX 978.35

33.59 40.95 25.46 100.00 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

0.00 17.25 Weighting

by Mkt 0.00/16.00 Value 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

34.31 46.03 19.66 14.00100.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50

24.56 6.00 112.22 Bucket Weighting 116.70 66.49

1,304.32 0.34 17.00 6.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00

0.41 0.25 1.00

#

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.56 1.12 1.61 2.67Yield Implied 3.03 3.24

1.00 2.63 2.27 Implied 2.00 Portfolio 1.49Price 1.00

14.51 16.45 15.93 15.44 INDEX 14.88 14.40

92.48 83.71 101.82 YTD Return 91.40 (%) 88.60 87.12

17.46 40.84 41.70 100.00 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

13.50 13.47 13.52 13.50 0.32 0.52 1.39 1.00 1.29 1.30 3.03 1.86 3.73 2.70 4.49 2.70

109.3639 121.0299 84.1877 107.7301 4.88 5.99 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 7.60 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00

1,038.73 1,024.83 1,019.16 1,022.22 17.86 19.47 18.17 17.09 18.23 17.24 18.98 21.18 15.19 15.23 14.42 14.43

3.8734 2.4835 1.9160 2.2218 98.68 97.42 93.25 96.51 95.47 98.37 80.00 89.23 96.63 97.48 98.64 100.32

48 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Execute spending reforms, IMF tells Nigeria, others

GROWTH International Monetary Fund member countries should implement fiscal changes for economic growth

tal debt stock put N10.04 trillion as at December 31, 2013, indicating an increase of 33.03 per cent compared with the N7.55 trillion it was as at December 31, 2012, is more than sustainable.

The federal government had borrowed an estimated N2.49 trillion to finance its operations in 2013.

The external debt comprising federal government and states' debts to international multilateral agencies at N1.37 trillion ($8.82 billion at the exchange rate of N155.75/$1), accounted for 13.68 per cent of the total debt stock, while the domestic debt stock totalling N8.67 trillion accounted for 86.32 per cent of the total debt stock.

Besides, the recent rebased GDP puts Nigeria’s fiscal position stronger. “To us under the new metrics – the budget deficit/GDP and public debt/GDP for 2013 fall to 1per cent (vs 1.8 per cent previously) and 11per cent(vs 20 per cent), respectively.

This means the government has more room to borrow, which is positive for infrastructure development – in turn positive for

Ayodele Aminu

IN WASHINGTON D.C.

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Nigeria and other member countries to embark on government spending reforms.

The Fund, which said this at the ongoing World Bank/ IMF Spring Meetings in Washington yesterday, noted that in many countries, public finances remain on edge as economies struggle to return to pre-crisis levels of economic growth.

While other emerging and advanced economies like the United States have huge external debt profile, Nigeria’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is still below the standard threshold.

Worldwide, the standard debt to GDP ratio is 40 per cent, while Nigeria has conservatively put its own debt to GDP ratio at 25 per cent to avoid accumulating unnecessary debt for itself.

This means that Nigeria's to-

the cement companies,” said Renaissance Capital – an international research and investment firm, in its latest report.

At the Spring Meeting, the IMF highlighted the need for governments of member countries to embark on growth-supporting fiscal reforms.

According to one of its report, the IMF said it finds that recent policy moves have helped to broadly stabilise public debt ratios in most advanced economies, but debt in these countries remains at historic highs. The surge in public debt, it noted, will take some time to unwind, and credible mediumterm plans must be designed to both bring down debt ratios and at the same time enhance long-term growth prospects.

The IMF said across advanced economies, the pace of fiscal consolidation is set to slow in 2014 as focus shifts to how to best design fiscal policies supportive of both further consolidation and a still uneven recovery.

“In most countries, persistently high debt ratios continue

Economic Indicators 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

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

FX

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

Newly appointed helmsman at Nigeria’s apex bank commences duty

N

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

APPOINTMENT

ABUJA

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

“Higher revenues, in part buoyed by growth, and lower spending helped both the United States and United Kingdom significantly narrow their 2013 budget deficits. In Japan, however, the deficit held steady at just under 8 percent of GDP, and the country is now stepping up its consolidation efforts. To dispel policy uncertainty and support a rebound in economic growth, formulating a longer-term, growth-friendly fiscal strategy remains a priority in Japan, as well as in the United States.

“Although budget plans for 2015 have not yet been adopted, fiscal consolidation looks set to continue next year. As a result, debt-to-GDP ratios will start declining in about half of the highly indebted advanced economies by 2015—by end-2013 only a few had reached that point.”

Adelabu, CBN Deputy Governor, assumes duty

Abdulwahab Isa

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

to cast shadows over the medium term,” said Sanjeev Gupta, Acting Director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department. “Against this background, the top priority remains the design and implementation of credible medium-term consolidation plans to lower debt ratios to safer levels, while carefully balancing equity and efficiency goals.”

The IMF Fiscal Monitor, which has the report is published twice a year to track public finance developments around the world.

The Fund noted: “In 2013, a faster-than-expected pace of fiscal consolidation in several advanced economies helped stabilise the public debt ratio and reduce the average overall fiscal deficit among these economies to 5 per cent of GDP—almost half its peak in 2009.

ewly appointed Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Adebayo Adekola Adelabu, has assumed office two weeks after his confirmation by the Senate.

Adebayo, who was accompanied to the bank by his aides, was welcomed by the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Alhaji Suleiman Barau.

Introducing the trio of Yunusa Mohammed Sanusi, Ahmad Abdullahi and Ibitayo Olubenga Amu, Directors in charge of Corporate Secretariat, Governors’ and Security Services Department respectively, Barau disclosed that Adelabu had been briefed and would be in charge of the Financial System Stability (FSS) Directorate. He therefore wished Adelabu well in his role, expressing confidence that his new colleague would settle down to work immediately.

Responding, Adelabu thanked Barau and the Directors present for the warm reception accorded him. He said he was indeed eager to start work and contribute his quota to the success of the bank.

Speaking further, Adelabu, who has over 22 years of cognate experience, said he was bringing on board initiatives that would move the bank forward.

While commending the management and staff of the bank for the successes recorded in the execution of its mandate, he pledged to do his utmost in collaboration with his colleagues to ensure that the CBN takes its pride of place among Central Banks of developed countries around the globe.

Coming from the private sector and having been the Finance Team Leader of CBN’s Corporate Renewal Project tagged: “Project Eagles” in 1999, Adelabu said he was not entirely new to the environment and will pursue a philosophy of productivity to eke out the desired result for the bank.

“I don’t believe so much in activities. It’s more about productivity. I do more of the work than the talk. I don’t believe that we should talk too much. If you have a work to do, do it well and everyone will see that it is a success,” he declared.

Speaking on his youthful mien, the new Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability said he had come to the bank at the right time as many key decision makers around the world were in their 40s and 50s, which he emphasised were the most productive years in the lives of executives.

Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014

Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003

BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET 49

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at April 10, 2014

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 7 11 18

Current Price 42.00 42.00

Quantity Traded 23,980 78,339 102,319

Value Traded 956,802.00 3,290,753.33 4,247,555.33

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 3.09

Quantity Traded 813,170 813,170

Value Traded 2,561,264.30 2,561,264.30

915,489

6,808,819.63

Quantity Traded 2,503 20,454 13,701,241 1,151,038 14,875,236

Value Traded 3,704.44 98,383.74 49,560,356.85 67,793,867.31 117,456,312.34

14,875,236

117,456,312.34

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 Diversified Industries Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

44 Symbol No. of Deals AGLEVENT 1 SCOA 1 TRANSCORP 157 UACNSummary (Equities) 110 Daily 269

Activity SummaryTotals on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN A) PLC. Published by The Nigerian (W Stock Exchange © Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Current Price 1.43 5.06 3.55 59.00

269

NATURAL RESOURCES Paper/Forest Products THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. Paper/Forest Products Totals

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 ETERNA PLC. Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003 FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 1.29

Quantity Traded 671,961 Page 671,961

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 13 1 14

Current Price 68.50 8.46

Quantity Traded 69,970 4,750 74,720

Value Traded 4,564,172.75 42,180.00 4,606,352.75

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 48 48

Current Price 25.00

Quantity Traded 950,719 950,719

Value Traded 23,870,211.60 23,870,211.60

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 100.00 47.59

Quantity Traded 200 70 270

Value Traded 19,000.00 3,165.40 22,165.40

1,697,670

29,365,660.54

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Symbol SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC SKYESHELT Daily Summary as ofHOMES 10/04/2014 UNION REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UHOMREIT Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Activity Summary onParts Board EQTY Automobiles/Auto Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CONSUMER GOODS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

GUINNESS NIG PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003 U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Food Products--Diversified Totals

CONSUMER GOODS Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

79

Daily Summary (Equities)

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 14,000 14,000

Value Traded 7,000.00 7,000.00

Symbol CHAMPION Symbol

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals

Current Price Current 13.79 Price

Quantity Traded 20 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 262.20 Value Traded

30 23 102 156

190.00 26.41 150.85

84,301 Page 121,875 3,378,679 3,584,875

16,011,048.81 2 of 13 3,154,406.25 511,469,661.49 530,635,378.75

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 90.00

Quantity Traded 8,097 8,097

Value Traded 692,293.50 692,293.50

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 33 48 64 28 1 19 2 195

Current Price 8.18 9.85 68.49 3.70 0.50 11.90 0.53

Quantity Traded 200,400 1,131,777 1,098,837 574,785 100 274,862 38,647 3,319,408

Value Traded 1,644,918.60 11,092,603.34 75,269,183.54 2,109,592.92 50.00 3,261,493.69 20,482.91 93,398,325.00

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 2,974,266 211,173 3,185,439

Value Traded 226,144,314.56 249,668,905.02 475,813,219.58

CADBURY NESTLE

47 95 142

77.00 1,185.00

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 4.03

Quantity Traded 54,800 Page 54,800

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 36 41 77

Current Price 32.00 46.00

Quantity Traded 205,019 240,223 445,242

Value Traded 6,845,097.19 11,220,285.13 18,065,382.32

10,611,861

1,118,833,242.15 Value Traded 42,415,097.00 123,452,297.97 410,882,071.88 12,954,294.01 372,901,666.86 76,726,756.88 30,670,341.20 68,742,555.84 5,105,249.87 Value Traded 1,051,881.50 2,506,647.50 631,624,847.18 1,779,033,707.69

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 Banking14:48:03.003 Printed 10/04/2014 ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY STERLING BANK PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Banking UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Value Traded 866,930.79 of 13 866,930.79

Symbol DUNLOP

GUINNESS INTBREW NB

588

Value Traded 221,643.00 of 13 221,643.00

Current Price 7.41 6.03 13.10 2.11 27.20 3.49 2.62 7.20 Current 10.35 Price 0.50 0.99 21.25

Quantity Traded 5,658,797 19,591,452 31,605,010 6,124,714 13,759,127 22,361,420 11,771,597 9,593,981 Quantity 504,983 Traded 2,103,763 2,525,595 29,699,488 155,299,927

Insurance Carriers, and Symbol No. of Deals Published by The Nigerian Stock Brokers Exchange © Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AFRINSURE 1 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 26 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 8 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 9 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. GUINEAINS 1 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC HMARKINS 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 7 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO 2 Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 19 Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM 29 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 1 OASIS INSURANCE PLC OASISINS 7 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 4 Daily Summary (Equities) STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STDINSURE 1 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVINSURE 1 Activity Summary on Board WAPIC INSURANCE PLCEQTY WAPIC 68 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals 185 FINANCIAL SERVICES

Current Price 0.50 0.76 0.97 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.63 0.50 2.32 0.77 0.50 0.59 0.63 0.50 0.50 0.69

Quantity Traded Page 100 1,207,472 245,313 4,410,491 10,000 150 74,400 10,500 5,098,821 5,074,189 10,000 204,700 418,000 30,000 300 11,342,914 28,137,350

4Value Traded of 13 50.00 918,977.68 239,173.61 2,205,245.50 5,000.00 75.00 47,784.03 5,250.00 11,470,372.54 3,856,667.59 5,000.00 117,679.00 263,340.00 15,000.00 150.00 8,161,530.68 27,311,295.63

Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 1 7 8

Current Price 6.27 0.97

Quantity Traded 1,000 272,000Page 273,000

Value Traded 5,960.00 5 264,260.00 of 13 270,220.00

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol INFINITY

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.64

Quantity Traded 800 800

Value Traded 1,272.00 1,272.00

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 64 33 457 45 29 108 736

Current Price 3.04 2.20 12.35 3.51 20.45 2.60

Quantity Traded 3,031,252 3,319,755 11,354,899 1,334,491 100,882 7,781,504 26,922,783

Value Traded 9,072,922.61 7,233,163.28 140,428,895.65 4,684,332.39 2,039,653.36 20,258,681.38 183,717,648.67

210,633,860

1,990,334,143.99

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals

2,515 Symbol UNIONDAC

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 60,250 60,250

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Published by The Stock R T Nigerian BRISCOE PLC.Exchange ©

6

of

2,234.00

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 531,000 531,000

Value Traded 265,500.00 265,500.00

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 145 145

Current Price 16.04

Quantity Traded 3,625,073 3,625,073

Value Traded 59,149,643.62 59,149,643.62

Symbol No. of Deals CONOIL 12 ETERNA 1 FO 66 MOBIL 22 MRS 3 TOTAL 25 Daily Summary (Equities) 129

Current Price 51.90 3.80 122.70 120.05 54.44 172.38

Quantity Traded 16,044 4,870 507,146 36,576 156 32,566 597,358

Value Traded 752,153.40 17,580.70 61,468,164.08 4,428,457.82 8,068.32 5,529,555.08 72,203,979.40

4,753,431

131,619,123.02

280 Current Price 1.15

Quantity Traded Page 118,531

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 11 2 13

Current Price 4.39 2.47

Quantity Traded 116,070 62 116,132

Value Traded 505,427.30 153.76 505,581.06

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 100.00 100.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 0.57

Quantity Traded 72,000 72,000

Value Traded 42,205.52 42,205.52

No. of Deals 1 10 30 41 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 1.80 1.78 3.67

Quantity Traded 1,000 152,048 1,232,211 1,385,259

Value Traded 1,710.00 258,564.00 4,766,774.37 5,027,048.37 Value Traded 620,022.45 620,022.45

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 Printing/Publishing Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals Road Transportation

Activity Summary on Board EQTYPLC ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY

Road Transportation Totals SERVICES Specialty SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Specialty Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

EQTY Board Totals

118,531

Value Traded 10 132,591.02 of 13 132,591.02

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 0.89

Quantity Traded 688,485 688,485

Symbol NSLTECH

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 1,000

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 9 53 62

Current Price 2.46 5.09

Quantity Traded 55,669 811,742 867,411

Value Traded 136,945.74 4,080,579.33 4,217,525.07

161

3,249,018

10,545,573.49

4,180

256,934,065

3,724,715,668.73

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

100

50.00

SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

1,000

Value Traded 11 of 500.00 13 500.00

Activity Summary on Board ASeM OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CAPITAL OIL PLC Petroleum Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Daily Summary as of and 10/04/2014 Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003 OIL AND GAS Totals

Symbol CAPOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

1

ASeM Board Totals

1

100

50.00

Equity Activity Totals

4,181

256,934,165

3,724,715,718.73

Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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13

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 ETF Board Totals Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003

ETP Activity Totals

Current Price 2,159.00 17.54

Quantity Traded 5 5,510 5,515

Value Traded 10,795.00 96,645.40 107,440.40

3

5,515

107,440.40

3

5,515

107,440.40

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 1 1 20 7 1 1 31

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC IT Services Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Daily Summary as of 10/04/2014 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC PrintedSummary 10/04/2014 Daily as 14:48:03.003 of 10/04/2014 Processing Systems Totals Printed 10/04/2014 14:48:03.003

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Activity Summary on Board EQTY INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODS ASHAKA CEM PLC Building Materials

Current Price 2.12 2.92 70.00 1.81 1.45 1.57

34

Quantity Traded 2,500 9,498 239,074 49,500 3,000 100 303,672 363,922 Page Quantity Traded 5,201,000 5,201,000

Value Traded 5,050.00 28,019.10 16,701,081.96 86,866.40 4,140.00 157.00 16,825,314.46 16,855,439.46 13 of 13 Value Traded 2,762,570.00 2,762,570.00

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.57

Symbol CWG

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 5.56

Quantity Traded 2,600 2,600

Value Traded 13,754.00 13,754.00

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 9 1 10

Current Price 0.50 2.32

Quantity Traded 1,360,450 30,000 1,390,450

Value Traded 680,225.00 66,300.00 746,525.00

6,594,050

3,522,849.00

ICT Totals

19

Daily Summary (Equities) Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

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Symbol ASHAKACEM Symbol BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM FIRSTALUM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 33 No. of Deals

Current Price Current 16.62 Price

Quantity Traded Quantity795,608 Traded

49,116 89,657 264,827 737,148 150 20 958,957 2,895,483

Value Traded 13,195,166.22 Value Traded 427,841.93 3,373,937.10 2,480,199.80 173,188,794.62 78.00 86.00 103,897,211.85 296,563,315.52

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 1.94

Quantity Traded 220,200 220,200

Value Traded 420,125.34 420,125.34

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1 3 4

Current Price 1.41 19.95

Quantity Traded 3,125 119,520 122,645

Value Traded 4,406.25 2,384,424.00 2,388,830.25

3,238,328

299,372,271.11

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 1,474.00 1,474.00

BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

NATURAL RESOURCES Metals ALUMINIUM MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Metals Totals

13

1,200

No. of Deals 13 13

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

Value Traded 760.00 760.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Symbol JAPAULOIL

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Value Traded 30,125.00 30,125.00

Current Price 0.79

4

Activity on Board EQTY OIL ANDSummary GAS Totals

3

No. of Deals 112 85 100 (Equities) 120 351 156 105 193 48 No. of Deals 3 43 267 1,583

Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Published by NPF The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI Daily Summary FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN Symbol UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 1 1

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Symbol COSTAIN

1

Symbol THOMASWY

12 16 14 43 2 1 50 171

8.76 37.75 9.48 235.00 0.50 4.10 108.00

187 Symbol ALUMACO

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 7.75

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50 FOREIGN

Friday, April 11, 2014

Enugu agog as Jonathan, PDP hold rally Leo Sobechi enugu

M Oscar Pistorius' relatives at the trial

Pistorius’ trial: Athlete accused of lies and distortion

O

scar Pistorius was asked about angry text messages exchanged with Reeva Steenkamp, Andrew Harding reports Oscar Pistorius has faced a second day of intense cross-examination at his trial in which he was accused of being selfish, reckless and a liar.

Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel focused on the athlete's character,

enthusiasm for firearms and version of events before he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The South African sprinter appeared calmer than he had during his previous three days on the witness stand.

The 27-year-old Olympic and Paralympic star denies murder.

He, again, insisted in court in Pretoria yesterday that the shooting

on Valentine's Day last year was a terrible accident after he mistook her for a burglar.

June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva Steenkamp, in court in Pretoria, followed Mr Pistorius' testimony closely Mr Pistorius said he had not intended to pull the trigger, even to fire at an intruder, and could not explain why he fired four shots through a toilet cubicle door.

Indians vote on key Election Day

M

illions of Indians have voted on the first big day of the general election, pitting the ruling Congress party against the main opposition BJP. Polling was held in 91 seats in 14 states and union territories, including in the capital Delhi and the key state of Uttar Pradesh.

Officials say the voter turnout in all states has

been higher than in 2009.

The nine-phase vote began on Monday and will conclude on May 12.

Votes will be counted on May 16.

More than 814 million Indians are eligible to vote in the polls.

The anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man's) Party, which secured a spectacular result in local polls in Delhi last year, offers a

challenge to the main parties.

Several smaller regional parties are also in the fray and if no single party wins a clear majority, they could play a crucial role in the formation of a government.

There's been a quiet, dignified atmosphere to election day in Delhi so far, with a steady trickle of voters rather than a flow.

Al-Jazeera trial: Defendants denounce ‘joke' hearing

T

hree al-Jazeera journalists have denounced as a "joke" the latest hearing in their trial on terrorism charges in Egypt.

Yesterday, prosecutors presented as evidence footage allegedly filmed by the defendants, including wildlife scenes and news conference.

The men, including ex-BBC reporter Peter Greste, have been held

since December. They deny the charges.

The case has been condemned by rights groups and media around the world.

The three journalists - producer Baher Mohamed and Al-Jazeera English's CanadianEgyptian bureau chief, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy - are among 20 people facing similar charges. Only eight are currently in cus-

tody, while the remaining 12 are being tried in absentia.

Another man on trial with the three journalists - a student who has been on hunger strike for two weeks - passed out in court.

A fourth Al-Jazeera reporter, Abdullah alShami, who works for the network's Arabic channel, has been detained since August, but not charged.

ajor roads in Enugu were filled with both vehicular and human movements yesterday as preparations for the grand rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, peaked.

President Goodluck Jonathan is the chief guest today as Igbo leaders, especially those in the PDP, hold a grand ‘Unity Rally” in Enugu.

According to a statement signed by the PDP National Vice Chairman (South East Zone) Colonel Austin Akobundu, some of those that would accompany Jonathan to the

rally are Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo; PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; Chairman, Board of Trustees, (BoT) Chief Tony Anenih; Senate President, David Mark; Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum and Abia Governor, Theodore Orji and governors of Ebonyi and Enugu States, Chief Martin Elechi and Sullivan Chime respectively.

Other dignitaries expected to add colour to the event include Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker, House of Rep-

resentatives, Emeka Ihedioha; two former Senate Presidents, Adolf Wabara and Ken Nnamani; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Senators, House of Representatives members and ministers from the zone as well as other prominent PDP faithful.

Akobundu said the rally will be a platform for PDP faithful to consolidate their grip in the South East, especially on the build-up to the 2015 when it said it hopes to reclaim the two states it lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

Anambra: Ngige wants tribunal sacked Uwakwe Abugu Awka

T

he Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the November 16, 2013 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, wants the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu to disband the state’s Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka. He is alleging bias against him.

When the matter came up at the appellate court yesterday, counsel

to Ngige, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and appellant’s younger brother, Emeka Ngige (SAN), complained against the tribunal’s handling of his petition against Governor Willie Obiano, who was declared winner of the governorship election and was sworn in on March 17.

Ngige was angry that many vital parts of his petition and many pieces of evidence of his witnesses were rejected by the tribunal.

The tribunal had struck out many para-

graphs vital to his petition and had penultimate week rejected a video clip tendered by a staff of the AIT, who said he monitored the election.

However, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Alhaji Raji; his All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA counterpart, O. J. Nnadi and Counsel to Governor Willie Obiano, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), countered Ngige’s lawyers and maintained that the tribunal acted according to the law.

2015: Lives more important than election in N/East - Shekarau Anule Emmanuel Abuja

F

ormer Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has called on governors of the North East zone to work closely with the Federal Government to bring the needed peace in the area.

The former governor, who spoke to State House correspondents yesterday after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, said only such a step will guarantee the conduct of elections in the area in

2015.

He said the security of lives and property was more important than any elections.

According to him, "I still believe that it is going to largely be based on practical security reports on ground. If there are threats to lives, who are you going to govern, even if you win the election? So, it is not safe and I don't see anybody spitting fire on it."

"You see, as a democrat, I always insist that let there be elections to allow people to decide their

fate, but this does not necessarily mean we conduct elections under a volatile situations."

Shekarau added that "The truth is that let the state governors, the Federal Government and all concerned join hands and assess the situation. What will the Federal Government gain or INEC gain if they don't conduct elections in any state? But if it is in the interest of the public, the life and security of the people is far more important than any election that you can think of."

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

NEWS

51

Unemployment: Delegates seek declaration of emergency Lateef Ibrahim/ Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

A

pparently worried by the high level of unemployment in the country, delegates to the on-going national conference in Abuja have made a strong case for the declaration of state of emergency on the issue of employment.

They reasoned that such would go a long way in addressing the unemployment issue squarely with a view to finding adequate solution to it.

Senator (Mrs.) Daisy Danjuma, a delegate representing Elder Statesmen and Mallam Abdullahi Ali Kano, while contributing to the inaugural speech of President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, insisted that the level of unemployment was unacceptable.

Senator Danjuma, who lamented the rate at which the level of unemployment was growing in the country, attributed the various vices like insurgency in various parts of the country as well the seeming breaking down of law and order to the development.

Mallam Ali Kano, on his part, said, “it is very important that we declare a state of emergency on employment in the country. The high rate of employment in this country is unacceptable. We must do something about it”.

The delegate equally canvassed for the putting in place of a special and sustainable welfare scheme for the aged and the physically-challenged people in the country.

He also called for the establishment of state police to compliment the efforts of the Nige-

Ex-Deputy Gov proposes two Vice Presidents, backs rotation Lateef Ibrahim/Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

F

ormer Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Dr. Philip Salawu has proposed two Vice-Presidents for the country, even as he maintained that the rotation of the presidency between the North and South remains the best possible arrangement.

Salawu, while contributing to the debate on the inaugural speech of President Jonathan, specifically suggested that there should be First VicePresident, who should come from the same zone with the President and the Second Vice-President, who should come from the other part of the country.

According to him, “Dual Vice-Presidency is also being advocated to take care of any political accidents, which we have witnessed in recent past. The First VP should come from the same zone with the President while Second VP comes from the other part of the country”.

He suggested a single

term of six years for the nation’s Presidency.

On the issue of rotation of presidency between the North and the South zones, Dr. Salawu, who is one of the delegates representing the North-Central geo-political zone, said, “Specifically, Presidential power should be alternated between the North and the Southern parts of the country, while simultaneously rotating amongst the geo-political zones”.

“At the State level, governorship should be rotated amongst the Senatorial districts with dual deputy governors to also take care of accidents witnessed in recent times in Kaduna State, Yobe and now Taraba”, he further proposed.

The delegate equally sought a single tenure of six years for Governors in the country.

He said that it was important for the number of Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers and Supervisors at the federal, state and local government levels to be pegged.

ria Police Force, reasoning that such would help to tackle the problem of terrorism in the country.

The delegate further

pushed for good and effective welfare package for the nation’s security personnel as a way on motivating them to perform optimally.

Senator Danjuma, on her part, canvassed for an independent judiciary, affective tourism programme, a proper so-

cial order, devolution of power, removal of immunity clause and the active involvement of country’s youth in nation building.

L-R: Ambassador Hassan Adamu, Chief Ala Babatunde and former governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Aliyu Akwei Doma at the National Conference... yesterday.

Photo: Timothy Ikuomenisan

Debate on Jonathan’s speech ends Lateef Ibrahim/Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

A

fter two weeks of deliberations, delegates at the on-going national conference in Abuja yesterday concluded debate on the inaugural speech of the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan The speech was delivered by the President on Monday, March 17, this year, while inaugurating the conference consisting of 492 delegates.

The Vice-Chairman

Felix Nwaneri

A

university don and South-East delegate to the ongoing National Conference, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba has advocated restructuring of the country into the existing six geo-political zones, saying such will provide a major platform for the emergence of a new Nigeria.

In his presentation at the conference on Tuesday, Nwajiuba, who is the Dean, School of Post-

of the conference, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, who presided over its afternoon plenary session yesterday, formally announced to delegates that by the records available to the leadership of the conference, all the members have made their contributions.

After the announcement, Professor Akinyemi informed the delegates that the various contributions made by them would be compiled, published and made into a booklet

which will be made available to all members.

One of the two delegates representing Nigerians in Diaspora in America, Mr. Anthony George Anibowel was the last delegate to make contributions to the president’s inaugural speech.

Anibowel, a lawyer, specifically made case for Diaspora voting, as well as the setting up of a commission on Diaspora to protect the interest of Nigerians outside the country.

The motion for ad-

journment of the plenary session of the conference till Monday was formally moved by a former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, while Chief Remi Kuku, one of the delegates representing the National Council for Women Societies seconded it.

The delegates are expected to move into committee session next week as soon as the various committees of the conference are announced by its leadership.

Make geo-political zones federating units – Nwajiuba graduate Studies, Imo State University, Owerri, said: “To be able to relaunch Nigeria, achieve the improvement of her image, enhance the living conditions of the socially and economically excluded, and get to a state where our elites enjoy the country and no longer live in fear, we need a new Nigeria that

is built on fairness and justice, with federating units that are competitive and serve the purpose of our people.

“In pursuit of such fairness, justice and healthy competition, the South East, at a similar conference about 20 years ago, was instrumental to giving Nigeria the concept of the six

zones. Without doubt, Nigerians have found merit in that. The wisdom of that vision remains both evident and relevant.

“As we set to re-launch Nigeria as the President has requested, we have to be bold and raise our horizons by taking the idea of geo-political zones to a higher level, as the federating units of Nigeria.

52 NEWS

Medical consultants want NIC to reverse judgement ...On non-medical professionals

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

M

edical and dental consultants in Nigeria yesterday asked the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja to set aside the judgement of the court which ordered that non-medically qualified health professionals should not be appointed as consultants in Federal Government institutions.

The consultants under the auspices of the

Incorporated Trustees of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria in a motion filed through their counsel, Jiti Ogunye, asked the court to set aside its earlier judgement.

But, trade union members under the Joint Health Sector Unions, through their counsel, Chief Adetola Kaseem (SAN), filed an objection, urging the court to dismiss the intervener’s motion on the ground that they have no

locus standi to file such motion.

He further told the court that since the applicant will suffer no injury with the order made by the court, they have no right to approach the court for an order to set its judgement aside.

Ogunye in his reaction to the objection of the trade union told the court that the objection to his motion is incompetent and urged the court to strike it out.

He further told the court that the objection

to the application to set aside the judgement of the court has no foundation either in the Act establishing the court, in constitutional provisions governing the establishment and operation of the court or in the rules of the court.

He prayed the court to declare that the notice of objection is incompetent and should be struckout.

After listening to the submissions of the counsel, the court fixed May 21, for ruling.

Friday, April 11, 2014

2015: Ekiti PDP intact, says state chairman Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

T

he Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, yesterday said that all lingering issues relating to the conduct and the outcome of the governorship primary election in the state were being resolved and that the party was as intact as ever.

Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Ogundipe, who with other

Navy destroys 265 illegal refineries in three weeks

D

elta State command of the Nigerian Navy based in Warri said it has destroyed 265 illegal refineries and burnt 100, 000 tonnes of locally refined diesel in the last three weeks.

The illegal refineries and the products were destroyed in two separate operations inside Warri creeks.

The NNS Delta Commander, Capt. Musa Gemu, who assumed duty in February, told newsmen yesterday that his command would not accept illegalities in the creeks.

“We will deal decisively with oil thieves and pipeline vandals in my areas of responsibility,” Gemu

L-R: Manager, Winasbet Limited, Maraba branch, Onwuatu Ifeoma; grand winner, Mr Ilo Eric Ugo and Assistant Manager, Winasbet Limited, Baiyekusi Bose, during the presentation of N9.178.430 Cheque to the winner of sports betting at the Winasbet Golden Gate free viewing centre, Abuja.

VOLUNTEERS Road Safety takes centre piece in the South-South Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

T

he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) have entered into an agreement to reduce the effects of road accidents and other traffic mishaps.

FRSC South-South Zonal Commander, Shehu Umar, made the disclosure

FRSC, Shell join hands against auto crashes yesterday while addressing volunteers of the National Community Post Crash Care training programme in Port Harcourt.

Umar said the training, which was a social partnership scheme between the corps and Shell would equip the volunteers with adequate skill in handling road crash victims, adding that; “This pilot project is an initiative of the FRSC and is today being realised through a collaboration

with Shell, which singlehandedly sponsored the project.

The zonal commander explained that the programme was designed to increase involvement of communities along the highways where crash usually occurred in other to enhance road safety and save lives during crashes.

He further explained that the volunteers were engaged to render selfless service in form of first aid,

treatment to road crash victims before the intervention of emergency agencies such as FRSC, NEMA, and the police.

Umar said at the end of the training, the volunteers would be expected to acquire skills in the administration of first aid treatment to road crash victims while they would be exposed on how to reach out to emergency agencies such as the Red Cross and Fire Service at crash sites.

leaders of the party have been in Abuja in the last few days, said all was well with the state chapter of the party.

He gave the assurance that the party would come out stronger and better to contest and win the June 21 governorship election in the state.

“We are holding meetings with the national leadership of the party in Abuja. Our candidate for the election, former Governor Ayo Fayose and all aggrieved aspirants are here attending the meetings.

warned.

He recalled that on March 15, he led a team of naval officers to Oteghele Phase One and Two Forests in Warri South-West Local Government Area.

In the operation that lasted over eight hours inside the forest, Gemu said a significant landmark was recorded.

Gemu added that five suspects were arrested and two boats, two pumping machines and a generating set were also recovered.

Similarly, on April 7, the navy combed the Isaba Forest in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West and in the process destroyed five illegal refineries and 31 drums of locally refined diesel.

Kwara seeks N23bn bond from Capital Market Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

K

wara State government yesterday said it has commenced the process of accessing a N23 billion bond from the capital market to enable it complete ongoing projects in the state.

The bond would also help the state government to commence new ones in the face of continued reduction in its monthly allocation from the federation account.

State Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu,

who disclosed the government’s decision to access the bond at a press briefing said the fresh fund will ease government’s expenditure on debt financing, while also enhancing the inflow of funds as its repayment will be spread over a period of seven years.

change of name

Adekanye

I formerly addressed as Miss Oluwasanmi Olayinka Afolabi, now wish to be known as Mrs Oluwasanmi Olayinka Adekanye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Oduduru leads Team Nigeria team to World Juniors Charles Ogundiya

N

igeria’s leading junior sprinter, Divine Oduduru tops the 28-man list released by the Athletic Federation of Nigeria to commence preparation for the forthcoming IAAF World Junior Champion-

ships holding in the US in July.

Oduduru is the sole entrant for the 200m but is expected to feature in the 100m and 4x100m relay. He will be joined by Yusuf Adedeji, Tochukwu Nwokocha, IniOluwa Oye and Olisakwe Chukwudi in the shorter sprint and relays.

SPORT

53

Adewale Deborah and Aniekeme Etim will take part in the 100m and 200m while Donetsk 2013 finalist and African Youth Athletic Championship 400m champion, Edidiong Ofonime will lead the female quarter-milers. Other members of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

NEW TELEGRAPH

Did you know?

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

That Uruguay’s Jose Batista was red carded 56 seconds into a first-round game against Scotland at the 1986 World Cup for the fastest ejection in tournament history

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

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

FRIday, APRIL 11, 2014

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

Another World Cup Task Force imminent

lPresidency set to name body to head mundial campaign

lNFF moves to stop it with denials, payment of coaches

lKeshi adamant, focuses on selection Adekunle Salami

T

he Federal Government is poised to set up a committee to oversee Nigeria’s participation in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

New Telegraph can reveal authoritatively that plans have been concluded to name a powerful team that will serve as a supervisory body to ensure all matters

on the World Cup are amicably settled without problems.

It was also learnt that the recent impasse between the football ruling body and the Super Eagles Head coach, Stephen Keshi, further informed presidency’s decision to take the bold step.

A source in the ministry of sports told our correspondent on Wednesday CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

Ahmed Musa (right)

World meet: Oshonaike optimistic of good outing Adekunle Salami

N

ational ping pong player, Funke Oshonaike, is optimistic of a good outing for Nigeria at the forthcoming World Table Tennis Championship holding between April 28 and May 5 in China.

The S.C Poppebuttel of Hamburg player told our correspondent that many things were working for Nigeria as the competition draws

near.

She noted that players from their different clubs and in recent events have been posting impressive results which showed the level of readiness.

Oshonaike said; “Most of those representing Nigeria at the world meet are in good form. At the ITTF World Tour in Spain, Nigerian team did very well beyond expectations and that is an indication of what to expect at the world

championship.

“Our players are more mature and improved now. Look at Quadri, he did well in Spain and by the time we all come together in China and share views, we are going to do better.”

At club level in Hamburg, Oshonaike has been working hard for the global table tennis meet in the past months.

“We are very busy now in the league and it is good tune up for me,” she added.

54 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Who is to blame in the NFF, I Keshi crisis?

Pray it won’t affect Eagles

j u s t p r a y that Nigeria will n o t pa y for what is going on bet w e e n K e s h i and the NFF. Although I don’t support insubordination, but why can’t they settle the issue without going to press? I really smell a rat here and I want the two sides to toe the line of peace.

In the past two weeks, there has been war of words between the Nigeria Football Federation and Head Coach of Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, over the team list for the World Cup. Stakeholders react.

Keshi, be humble

K

eshi is behaving as if he is self-employed or autonomous. He is being cocky and self-opinionated. He needs to be humble as he can’t be wiser than everybody. He should remember that where you are hailed today could be the place where you will be jeered tomorrow. He ought to have known that Nigerian fans are momentary ones, who only move with you in time of success.

Keshi

Maigari

NFF knows nothing

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No trust between NFF, Keshi

FF fuji house of confusion.

Olusegun Oluyemo, Estate Manager he NFA must show Keshi They are looking for a way to that they have his back. All pull Keshi down. The Big Boss the backstabbing that hapmust stick to your guns. NFF don’t pened in South Africa during know anything about the game. the Nations Cup is the reason hile I frown at Keshi’s Sunday Onuchukwu Keshi went gaga.

Trust is key but it’s lost too ways of going Osunkwo, Journalist between both parties. to the press I doubt if Keshi can trust them each time isagain. How could they make sues come up think Keshi has treated the NFF public a query to Keshi, I think between him with so much disdain and dis- it is disrespectful and the NFF, I believe the NFF respect. I’m aware that he is no Keshi too, must know he’s are not going about their responsibil- longer being owed any salary ar- their subject, though it’s very ity in the right direction and as a result, I rears. And even if he is still owed, difficult now in the light of will out the blames on them. NFF has not that is not enough justification what had happened conducted itself well enough as different for failing to turn up for a meeting Bimbo Adeola, journalist people always want to show their power with the board. Not attending that and where that happens, success is hard meeting, and not giving a cogent excuse for that, in my opinion, is to achieve when there is no unity.

Allow Keshi do his job a disrespect of the highest level.

NFF wahala is too much. Keshi is the coach they should alShayo Ogundeji, PR practitioner Ben Ezeamalu, Journalist low him to do his job. After all if we fail at the world Cup he will bear the brunt. his mistrust between NFF and coach Ste- Godwin Aniama phen Keshi started during the last Nations Cup in South Africa and gradually snowballed into a crisis when Keshi demanded his wages.

The crew I think those men in NFF should respect Keshi as a coach and Keshi should also respect them Chimaobi Uchendu as his employers.

Ifeanyi Ibeh I cannot understand why the NFF should be treating Keshi with Ajibade Olusesan levity and pretend that all is well. They should allow him do his.

Charles Ogundiya I’m happy knows that blackmail is their stock in trade and allow them to wallow in their ignorance.

Mercy Jacob Tunde Oyedele, Journalist

I blame NFF

T

W

Keshi disrespects

I

NFF pretends all is well

T

Royal fathers to grace Ademiluyi Tennis final

T

he Ooni of Ife, Alayeluwa Okunade Sijuade, and the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, will be in attendance when the final of the Prince Joseph Adewunmi Ademiluyi Tennis Tournament comes up at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.

The tournament, which is in its

10th edition, is in fulfilment of the bequest in the will of late Prince Ademiluyi, a past President of the Lagos Country Club and the first Chairman of the club’s tennis section. The event started on March 31 with numerous players within the ages of nine and 18 battling it out for honours in their respective age

categories.

“Through the tournament, children have developed great interest in tennis, with the result that many are now playing excellent tennis and on the way to becoming future champions of the game in Nigeria,” said Olanrewaju, current chairman of the tennis section.

Kolawole Aliu

Interference is bad

I

nterference is a problem in Nigeria.

That’s why people find it hard to accept responsibility when they fail in their jobs. Keshi’s got a job to do, he should be allowed to do it without any undue interference.

Nwabudike Onyema, IT Specialist

Keshi should bow

K

eshi needs to respect constituted authority and the NFF also should come down from their high horse and let peace reign in our sport. We don’t need all these distraction now that the world cup is very close. Bukola Olajide, Akure

Allow Keshi concentrate

I

feel the NFF should allow Keshi to concentrate on the World Cup preparations. Yes, he must have flawed now and then but the timing is not ideal.

Obinwanne Okezue, Agric entrepreneur

NFF says its not true

N

FF says there is no truth in that rumour; that how can they be fighting their employee? I believe they are going to support him for the task ahead now that both side have sheath their sword.

Bunmi Taiwo, Banker

Iheanacho, three other pros boost Flying Eagles Ifeanyi Ibeh

M

ost Valuable Player at last year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup, Kelechi Iheanacho, has teamed up with the rest of the Flying Eagles squad currently in Morocco on a twogame playing tour.

The Flying Eagles, after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw with the Moroccans on Wednesday, will come up against the North Africans one more time on Friday, and Coach Manu Garba will bank on the skills of the Manchester City player for the game taking place in Casablanca.

Also available for Friday’s game is Iheanacho’s Manchester City teammate, Chidiebere Nwakali, as well as the duo of skipper Musa Muhammed and Chidera Eze, who were all unavailable for Wednesday’s game against the Junior Atlas Lions.

Meanwhile, Coach Garba has urged his players to defeat Morocco in Friday’s friendly match, adding that he would be “highly disappointed” if they fail to do so.

“I will be highly disappointed if we didn’t win the second match as this will help team confidence,” said Garba.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, April 11, 2014

Another World Cup Task Force imminent F

SPORT 55

C’Wealth Games: AFN names Maurice Greene relay co-coordinator

Vincent Eboigbe

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 3

on the telephone that the names of members of the committee will soon be made public.

“The issue has been pending for a while but the recent crisis between the coach and the NFF brought it up again and the NSC is just waiting for further directives. Of course we are aware the NFF might not like it but truth is the situation on the ground calls for it. Government is trying to curb international embarrassment,” the source said.

The minister, Tamuno Danagogo, the Director General, Gbenga Elegbeleye and NFF boss, Aminu Maigari, are members of the proposed task force

according to our findings.

However, further investigations revealed that the NFF has swung into action to avert the development.

Our correspondent learnt reliably that the recent move by the NFF to pay the salaries of the coaches till end of June was one of the ways aimed at stopping the Task Force.

“There is another big issue of bonuses to be sorted out but we hear the NFF decided to raise money by all means to avert the setting up of the committee. It all depends on government,” our source added.

Our correspondent also learnt that coach Stephen

Keshi is not perturbed by Task Force or a direct dealing with the NFF as he is focused on his team selection NFF Image maker, Ademola Olajire, however told our correspondent that the body was only doing its legitimate duties.

“The coaches will receive alerts for their salary areas on Friday (today) and we feel that should not be a distraction. We don’t know about any committee at all,” he said.

It will be recalled that Rivers Governor, Romiti Amechi, was the chairman of the Presidential Task Force to the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

ormer Olympics and World champion Maurice Greene has been named by the Athletic Federation of Nigeria as the relay coordinator of Team Nigeria.

Secretary General of the federation Olumide Bamiduro said that Green’s contract with AFN begins at the Mt. Sac Relay in California later this month, and terminates after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Africa Athletics Championships in Marrakesh, Morocco in August 2014.

In his response, Greene said he was excited on the prospect of working with Team Nigeria,

adding that it is his own way of giving back to Africa.

Born 39 years ago in Kansas City, Kansas, United States Greene is a retired American track and field sprinter who specialised in the 100 meters and 200 meters.

He is a former 100m world record holder with a time of 9.79 seconds. At the height of his career (1997–2004), he won four Olympic medals and was a fivetime World Champion.

His medal haul included three gold medals at the 1999 World Championships, a feat which had previously only been achieved by Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson and has since been equaled by three others.

Mexico friendly boost Nigeria in FIFA rankings Emmanuel Tobi

N

igeria’s goalless draw against Mexico last month has propelled the Super Eagles from 47th to 45th position in the monthly FIFA world rankings released on Thursday.

New Telegraph can report that Nigeria is now 6th in Africa behind Côte d’Ivoire (21st) Egypt (24th) Algeria (25th) Ghana (38th) and Cape Verde (42nd).

Europe occupies the top three places on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking after Portugal climbed third behind

leaders Spain and Germany.

They are followed by four South American sides in Colombia, (4th, up 1), Uruguay (5th, up 1) and fierce rivals Argentina (down 3) and Brazil (up 3), who share sixth position. Just 12 points separate this quartet.

Greece returned to the top ten for the first time since October 2012, while Scotland moved up 15 places to the 22nd position in the world.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings will be published on May 8.

Super Falcons, Cameroon friendly now April 29 Nigeria’s Joseph Osendukwu and Ajoke Ojomu in the mixed doubles event in Cairo on Wednesday

Mercy Jacob

Nigeria win silver, bronze at ITTF African Junior Tennis Ajibade Olusesan

N

igeria have clinched silver and bronze medals in the ongoing African Junior Championship in Egypt.

Nigeria lost to hosts, Egypt who won all the gold medals at stake in the junior and cadet team events leaving two silver medals for Nigeria in the girls’ category while Nigeria also settled for bronze in the mixed doubles.

To pick silver, Nigeria fell 3-1 to Egypt in the final

of the junior girls’ team event, while the Nosiru Bello-tutored side also conceded defeat to the Egyptians in the cadet girls with same margin.

Another opportunity for Nigeria to play in the final was also denied, when the quartet of Esther Tosin Oribamise and Olasunkanmi Oginni as well as Ajoke Ojomu and Joseph Osendukwu failed to run over the Egyptians in the semifinal of the mixed doubles event.

In the double event, Nigeria could not move beyond the quarterfinal stage as the Egyptians again stopped them from advancing.

Glo is pacesetter in sports sponsorship in Africa —Sports Minister

T

he Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has lauded Globacom, the title sponsor of the Nigerian Premier League and major sponsor of the Nigerian national teams, for being the number one supporter of football in the country.

The minister made this remark in his office in Abuja on Thursday when he received the Glo team led by the Company’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel.

Dr. Danagogo commended Globacom for supporting sports saying, “Globacom is the highest supporter of football in Nigeria and we in the Federal Ministry of Sports want to say Thank You to

Dr Mike Adenuga and the Globacom team for the massive support Nigerian sports has benefitted from you over the years.”

The Minister stated that he would lead a team of Sports Ministry Directors in a few weeks to say “Thank You to Dr Adenuga Jr. to express appreciation and to encourage him to do more.”

Earlier the Glo GCOO congratulated Dr. Danagogo on his recent appointment, saying that the company was optimistic that the Minister would bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new national assignment and take Nigerian Sports to unprecedented heights during his tenure.

T

he Super Falcons friendly match against the Lioness of Cameroon that was formerly fixed for April 15 at the National Stadium Abuja has been postponed till April 29.

According to the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu, the postponement came on the instance of the Cameroonians who called for the friendly in the first place to enable their coaches to round off their FIFA

course.

“They (Cameroonians) sent a message to say they cannot honour the match on the initial date of 15th as earlier scheduled. They to have asked for another date which is the April 29 because they said their coaches were involved in FIFA course and would not be available for the said date” Amadu stated.

Meanwhile, seven players have been dropped as part of the Super Falcons technical crew’s gradual process of elimination by substitution.

Oduduru leads Team Nigeria to World Juniors CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 3

team are Junaid Abimbola, Ajayi Yinka and Blessing Adiakerehwa.

The male 400m and 4x400m runners are Akerele Omeiza, Nathaniel Oghenewe, Sikiru Adeyemi and Akinkuowo Ayodeji.

The male hurdlers invited include Atuma Andre (110m) and Abdullahi Bashiru, while Akpofa Daisy and Nathaniel Onome Glory are expected

to participate in the women’s 400mH. Asamu Esther and Chinonso Nwokeoji will run in the 800m and 1,500m respectively.

Brume Ese will be joined by Abire Mercy in the women’s long jump. Their male colleagues include Edafiadhe Joseph, Oke David and Edoki Fabian. Fabian is also slated to participate in the triple jump.

The athletes are expected to resume training in Sapele, Delta State immediately.

World Record

On Marble I am willing to love all mankind except an American – Samuel Johnson

David Rudisha set a new record in the men’s 800m with 1:40.91 secs. in London, August 9, 2012

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 FRIday, APRIL 11, 2014

N150

An evil called gas flaring N Graffiti othing undermines the progress of a country like the absence of vision and dearth of political will to do the right things for the common good even if the cost is high. The lack of both vision and political will is part of the welter of challenges Nigeria faces. We seem to be blessed with a ruling elite that is unconcerned with gaining global unsavoury reputation for deliberately doing the wrong things, including under developing the generality of the populace for their own selfcentred interest. This for them seems to be what being in charge of a country is all about.

One only needs to look at the country’s oil and gas sector to fully appreciate the situation. In the words of a joint report by the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) and Climate Justice Programme (CJP), the story of gas flaring in Nigeria is that “of appalling carelessness, greed, corruption, double standards and environmental racism.

Perhaps, above all, it is a story of serial, cumulative and shameful failure, on the part of British colonialism, the oil companies and the Nigerian ruling elite.”

About a week ago, the media carried excerpts from a report by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) which seems to paint a picture of optimism about the notoriously endemic gas flaring problem. Among other things, it states that due to “successive revision of the 1979 Associative Gas Act (which) sought to penalize flaring , placing fines of over $500,000 per flare…operators have begun to reduce flaring from 30 percent in 2010 to 11 percent in 2013, expecting it to drop to two percent in 2017”.

Taken on its face value this is a healthy development that flaring will drastically diminish within the next three years. A closer scrutiny though shows it up as the kind of official speak the ruling class and their collaborators engage in to clog the ears of the citizens with sweet nothings.

How were the sanctions applied? How much was earned from the application of the sanctions? How have the operators addressed the twin evils of flaring and venting? How have the reduction figures been arrived including the projection for the flare out date of 2017?

How has the collateral damage on the environment and people reduced?

To fully appreciate the import of the questions a quick overview is indispensable. Gas flaring reared its evil

EMMAN USMAN SHEHU prohabe@hotmail.com - 08051614969 (sms only)

head almost immediately that Christmas Tree in Oloibiri gushed forth with the good news of crude oil in 1956. Given the nature by which both oil and gas are created deep in the earth as hydrocarbons, they share a mutual existence.

Thus in the process of extraction the outward release of the associated gas precedes that of crude oil because it is lighter. Flaring or venting then becomes a cheap and convenient way of disposal if the gas is not being harvested.

But this method of waste management has been recognized over time to be fraught with serious problems.

A major drawback is its environmental impact. The emissions, in whatever form, are a deadly cocktail of carbon, water, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide and methane among several other toxic elements. It is sobering to realise that annually, an average of 35 million tons of carbon dioxide and 12 million tons of methane are released into the atmosphere.

The Niger Delta communities bear the immediate brunt as they are ravaged by cancer, chronic bronchitis, kidney and blood disorders among other health issues. Furthermore, there is acid rain which ultimately pollutes and damages plants, soil fertility and impacts negatively on human and animal life.

The harrowing fact is that Nigeria is the world’s second highest in flaring, and a major contributor to the global warming crisis. This should be enough cause for worry, because the climate change predicament has more harmful consequences on developing countries since they lack the ability for effective adaptive measures.

From the colonial period to the present, leaders have been aware of the problems associated with flaring. What has played out is that even when definite action began to be taken in 1969 when the Gowon regime made 1974 the first flare out date, and instructed operators to utilise the extracted gas, a strange game of shifting flare out dates emerged and has continued. 1974 changed to 1979, to 1984, to 2004 and to 2008. A new shifting

Alison-Madueke

sequence has since the dates continued their amoebic shift to 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2017, all bandied in quick succession with clever official explanations. More recently 2020 is being touted, coated with all the usual promises of a total flare out.

The underlying impunity by both the government and oil companies is startling. There are subsisting international protocols on gas flaring. Locally, flaring was banned in 1984 and declared unconstitutional in 2005. Even the prospect of a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which comprehensively provides a blueprint for dealing with all oil and gas issues is mired in bickering and foot-dragging, both symptomatic of an absence of political will and the attitude of being comfortable with impunity.

The ruling elite seems to always have the political will to achieve those things dear to it, but never for those things that directly affect the well-being of the generality of Nigerians. This selfish mind-set blinds it from even seeing the potential of providing a proper framework for utilizing gas to create sustainable and wide spread development driven by the consistent generation of electricity. So they buy up the commonwealth, like our electricity assets and run them aground almost immediately, plunging us into darkness.

While other countries progress, we regress without giving a damn.

For a country with the greater percentage of its citizens wallowing in avoidable poverty, the mere fact that it loses over N735million daily to flaring is

a serious indictment of the past and present leadership. It shows a gross scarcity of vision.

The ruling elite only need to put aside their selfish mien for a moment and take an appraisal of Norway, to see how political will and sincere vision can efficiently turn things around for a country. Blessed with natural resources similar in some ways to those in Nigeria, including petroleum and fisheries, the Norwegians have developed a blueprint that has ensured among other things, successful implementation of gas utilization which is contributing to financing the Norwegian welfare state. Norway has become a model I oil and gas best practices among oil producing countries, that other countries are queuing up to learn from its flourishing system.

Nigeria, unfortunately, continues to be a case study of both paucity of vision and political will. A more visionary leadership would not only work towards emphatically stamping out the evil of flaring, but utilise the lessons learnt to develop an encompassing framework for dealing with extraction of mineral resources nationwide to achieve sustainable development. It would then muster at all costs the political will to institutionalize the framework for the benefit of all. In the same way that lessons from extracting tin from the Plateau were overlooked, so are we overlooking the bitter experiences from the Niger Delta. So we continue to pay a costly price for the dearth of political will and vision.

OmoBaba

PDP WILL SOON RECAPTURE LOST STATES - Muazu

- Like OBJ did in 2004, eh?

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